The Night Series - Entire Series Boxed Set : New World Immortal Mayan Vampire Romance

by Lisa Kessler

  “Yep.” Muriah opened the door and stepped aside for him to enter. Her raven hair was mussed, and her fair skin was bare of make-up. “I told you I would be.”

  She closed the door behind him, turning the deadbolt. When she sat next to him at her antique bar, the exhaustion vanished from her dark eyes, replaced by a conspiratorial smile. “So, who is Gretchen?”

  “A research partner.” He did his best to keep his voice even. The less Muriah knew the better. “I need you to meet her here.” He slid a slip of paper to her with the hotel address scrawled in his script handwriting. “Tell her I had an appointment but I should be back to take her to dinner by six o’clock.”

  “Just a research partner…” Muriah raised a questioning brow. “Right.”

  A smile spread over his lips before he could squelch it. Lukas rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t have time to explain myself to you. We’ve been working together in the Yucatan deciphering some Mayan glyphs. Something inhuman is happening down there. I couldn’t leave her in the jungle alone.”

  “So you took her on a romantic vacation to San Diego.” She pursed her lips with a satisfied nod. “I get it.”

  Lukas sighed, rubbing his forehead. “This isn’t a vacation, and my research mission hasn’t changed. I just don’t want to see her hurt because of me.” He met Muriah’s eyes, relieved to see her smirk had faded.

  “Does Gretchen know why you’re really researching this, Lukas?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “No.” He got up from the barstool.

  “Well, that’s pretty crappy, even for an immortal.” She popped up from her stool, pacing. “This woman has no idea that every glyph she translates gets you one step closer to figuring out how to end your existence.” She spun around, glaring at him. “How do you think she’ll feel when she figures that out?”

  “She’s not going to figure it out. I’ll be long gone from her life before I end mine.”

  “I don’t get it. You obviously care about her. I’ve known you my whole life, and this is the first time you’ve ever even mentioned a woman to me.” Muriah took a deep breath. “Did it occur to you that maybe you can trust her with the truth?”

  For a moment, Lukas allowed himself to ponder her suggestion, almost allowing himself to imagine a different outcome for his life. But all too soon, his vision was marred by blood.

  “I’m not going to explain myself to you.” A muscle in his cheek tensed. “Will you help me or not?”

  Muriah lifted her chin, defiant as always. “You know I’ll help you.” Without warning, she crossed to him and slid her arms around his waist. He held her, closing his eyes as he rested his chin on her head. Muriah was the closest thing to a sister he would ever have, and he knew it hurt her to think of him finally leaving this world.

  But she didn’t understand the horror of endless nights. Endless blood and death.

  He pulled back and kissed her forehead, loathing how the sweet scent of her blood called to him. “Thank you.”

  He stepped back and left without another word. Goodbyes hurt too much.

  Gretchen yawned while she brushed her hair. It felt good to be able to leave it down and not have it sticking to her neck. Okay, it felt incredible. The moment her plane landed in San Diego, the lack of humidity felt like heaven.

  Lukas had arranged for a car to take her to the hotel, but he conveniently forgot to leave his room number, and since the man didn’t own a cell phone, there wasn’t any way for her to find him.

  Probably part of his plan.

  She’d been suspicious when he told her he couldn’t get two seats on the same flight and sent her ahead. It seemed likely he could be meeting with his “reclusive historian” right now, while keeping her busy with his “friend” in San Diego all afternoon.

  A knock broke her train of thought.

  Gretchen opened the door to find a young woman, probably in her late twenties, wearing acid-washed jeans with a form-fitting red tank. Her long, wavy, black hair framed her face, and her fair skin complimented her dark eyes. This was Lukas’s business associate?

  “Can I help you?”

  Her guest gave her a similar appraisal before meeting her eyes with a casual smile.

  “You’re Gretchen, right?” She put her hand out. “I’m Muriah. Lukas asked me to show you around until he gets back.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Gretchen shook her hand, doing her best to hide her confusion. “He left me a message at the hotel that a business associate would meet me. I guess I was expecting—”

  “Someone more male?” Muriah’s lips curved into a lopsided smile.

  Gretchen rolled her eyes with a disgusted laugh. “I hate when men do that to me, and here I am doing it to you.”

  “No worries.” Muriah shook her head. “Are you hungry?”

  “Definitely.” Gretchen grabbed her phone and her cash, stashing them in the pocket of her cargo shorts.

  Muriah took her to Seaport Village, an outdoor shopping mall right on the water. After consuming her first bacon cheeseburger in months, they topped it off with a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream cone.

  It was tough not to like this girl.

  They chatted about Mayan artifacts and relics until Gretchen caught herself wishing she could check out Muriah’s store. Although she didn’t have a college degree, Lukas’s “friend” seemed incredibly knowledgeable, and more than a little unconventional.

  “So, how did you meet Lukas?” Gretchen asked as they walked along the edge of the bay.

  Muriah smirked. “He’s an old family friend. I’ve known him all my life.”

  Gretchen raised a brow. “Lukas isn’t that much older than you.”

  She shrugged and looked out at the bay. “He’s older than he looks.”

  The setting sun sparkled on the water, reminding Gretchen that he’d be back soon. “I guess I’d better head back. I’ve got some work to do before Lukas meets me for dinner.”

  “Always working.” Muriah turned to face her and smiled. “You sound just like him.” Tucking a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear she added, “It was great to meet you.”

  “I enjoyed meeting you, too. Thanks for the food and the company.”

  “Tell Lukas I said hi…” Her grin brightened. “And tell him I didn’t spill any of his secrets…yet.”

  Before Gretchen could say another word, Muriah was already walking away. Gretchen pressed her lips together, struggling to keep the wave of jealousy at bay. It was stupid really. Of course a family friend would know secrets about Lukas. Gretchen was only his coworker. The fact that they’d been alone together for months in the jungle didn’t obligate him to open up to her.

  It just hurt that he hadn’t. She thought they were friends.

  Gretchen closed her eyes and rolled her head slowly, releasing the tension from her shoulders. Memories of the barren loneliness she’d seen in Lukas’s eyes a couple nights before haunted her on the walk back to the hotel.

  She had more questions than answers, that was for sure.

  Chapter Seven

  The Guardian rose as the sun descended toward the horizon. The ancient magic that bound him to Camalotz allowed him to move in the sunlight without injury, but until now, he had never found himself awake until sunset.

  A silent shriek rang through the rainforest, and he leapt to his feet, the ground rumbling beneath him. The trees cracked, aching as the ground shifted, and a hush fell over the animals. In the unnatural silence, only he could hear her scream, her inhuman cry.

  Camalotz grew stronger, and she intended to regain her freedom, to break through to the mortal world.

  He needed to find Mulac. Without all four of the immortal Night Walker gods, there could be no balance in the battle. Like the four elements of the world—fire, earth, air, and water—it would require all four of the Gods—North, South, East, and West—to silence the Demon.

  Without Mulac, this world would be forced to face her wrath, her hunger. And she would b
e insatiable, unstoppable.

  Closing his ageless eyes, he raised his arms toward the heavens, allowing his mind to free itself from the confines of his massive body to search for the lost God of the North. He would find Mulac and bring him back to help them stop Camalotz, or the entire world would suffer the consequences.

  Lukas stepped out of the elevator and walked down the narrow hall toward Gretchen’s room. According to Muriah’s voicemail, Gretchen suspected he spent the day meeting with the historian without her. Muriah also offered her opinion that Gretchen could handle the truth that he’s not fully human, and he should “be honest and tell her, because I won’t keep lying for you.” But he knew enough about Muriah’s love life over the years not to take her relationship advice seriously.

  Outside Gretchen’s hotel room door, he hesitated. He enjoyed her company far more than he should. He’d never met a more intelligent, insightful scientist. The fact that her smiles made him feel alive again was beside the point. The thought of kissing her lips made him yearn to taste her, and claim her as his. He shouldn’t knock. He should just walk away, set her free.

  His jaw clenched, pushing the surge of lustful—and torturous—thoughts from his mind. He needed to stay focused. Every translation she made brought him one step closer to the answers he sought. Somehow, the Night Walker priests had sacrificed and killed another immortal.

  He just needed to know how. And he needed her to help him.

  The only other Night Walker he’d crossed paths with was his maker, and although Lukas hadn’t communicated with him since he’d fled, he did keep track of him from a distance over the years.

  It wasn’t very difficult. Unlike himself, his maker remained prominent in the mortal world. No longer the Kumeyaay healer who saved him from a rattlesnake bite, his maker now went by the name Calisto Terana, founder of Foundation Arts in La Jolla, California. He masqueraded among mortal men and women as a philanthropist.

  Lukas was just as guilty of deception, but he wasn’t nearly as public. He hid behind his research projects, only meeting with mortals when it became absolutely necessary. However, when Gretchen opened the door to her hotel room and smiled up at him, he wondered if his deception might be even worse than his maker’s. He lived and worked beside Gretchen for months and still he lived a lie. She deserved more from him.

  “Hi, Lukas! Come in.”

  Seeing her bright eyes warmed his cold heart. How much longer could he hold her at arm’s length? He could never love her.

  He shouldn’t love her.

  That didn’t change the emotions, the yearning, brewing inside of him.

  He walked past Gretchen into the suite, quickly preoccupying himself with the view of the San Diego skyline. Staring out the window into the darkness, he tried to imagine how breathtaking the bay must look in the morning sunlight. Anything to take his mind off of the beautiful woman standing beside him.

  Her voice broke the silence. “It’s an amazing view, isn’t it?”

  Lukas nodded. “Yes, it is.” He finally turned to face her, and for a moment he couldn’t find his voice.

  Gretchen wore an emerald cocktail dress that made the green in her eyes demand his full attention. Her fiery red hair fell down her shoulders, framing her face and cascading over the curve of her breasts. Stunning.

  “Lukas? Are you all right?”

  “Yes.” He took her hand and kissed it tenderly. “The view from your window is nothing compared to you. You look incredible.”

  “You’ve just never seen me in a dress before.” Gretchen laughed, taking her hand from his and reaching for her handbag. “So, how did the meeting go with your historian?”

  “I’m meeting him later tonight. Sadly, he refused to allow any guests, but I’ll take notes and fill you in on everything.” He shook his head with a hint of a smile. “I came here to take you to dinner, remember?”

  “You’re changing the subject.”

  “Yes, I am.” He held her coat up for her. “Now let’s go before we miss our dinner reservation.”

  He enjoyed the feel of her warm hand in the crook of his arm, but he wished he didn’t. He wished he didn’t notice the way the moonlight shone like burning embers in her auburn hair. Nothing good could come of these feelings…for either of them. Nothing could ever blossom between them.

  Nothing but death and heartache.

  He ground his teeth together while they walked in silence, making sure to keep her as close to his side as he could without losing control. The only other Night Walker he’d ever known wandered this city. He needed to keep her safe, and then get her as far away from blood drinkers as possible.

  Walking through the city, he wondered if he had made the right decision to keep his true nature from her. Even if he had told her the truth, she wouldn’t have believed him. And leaving her alone in the rainforest wasn’t an option. They’d uncovered something in the Yucatan. He sensed the evil Gretchen felt there, too.

  “You’re thinking about the jungle, aren’t you?”

  Lukas nodded, looking down at her. “How did you know?”

  “Just a hunch.” She shrugged, tilting her head to meet his eyes. “I’d like to think I know you well enough to know when something’s wrong.”

  “No one has ever known me as well as you do.” Gretchen tensed, and Lukas frowned. “Are you all right?”

  Gretchen lifted her chin slightly. “Muriah told me to let you know she didn’t share your secrets…yet.” Gretchen swept by him while he held the door to the restaurant open, kicking himself for asking Muriah to get involved.

  He followed her inside, grateful when the maître de met them at the door, welcoming the distraction from his present conversation with Gretchen while he figured out how to handle it.

  Once they were seated, he met her eyes. The candlelight made them sparkle. He wished he hadn’t noticed.

  “Gretchen, I’ve known Muriah all her life,” he explained. “Of course she knows things about me.”

  She unfolded her napkin, smoothing it across the thighs. “Were you lovers?”

  Lukas felt his jaw go slack for a moment before he shook his head. “No. Never. She’s always been like family to me. Nothing more.”

  “Really?” Gretchen sipped her water. “You’re not that much older than she is, and she’s a beautiful woman. Why wouldn’t you be involved?”

  “I’m old enough to know better.”

  Thankfully, their waitress broke the tension at the table. After placing their orders, Lukas sank back into a comfortable discussion about their work, grateful to see Gretchen’s defensive posture relax.

  Throughout dinner, he made it appear he ate, cutting his food and shifting it around his plate, raising his fork while they discussed what he hoped to gain from his meeting with Calisto. Gretchen’s intuitive mind never failed to amaze him. Lukas had worked with many great scientists, but none of them held his attention like she did. Most of them were caught up in gaining fame from their discoveries. The wonder of solving ancient mysteries eventually evaporated for them, but as he watched Gretchen sitting across the table from him, her green eyes sparked with joy while she recounted a dig in the southwest United States.

  “When I found the Mayan art on the Native American pottery fragments, I knew there was a connection. Dr. Powell doubted my theory, but it made sense.”

  Lukas nodded, lifting his glass to his lips, careful to only allow for a small sip. Too much would make him ill. Dear God, she was beautiful. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I’ve come across turquoise in some of the Mayan funeral masks.”

  Gretchen leaned closer to him. Her scent intoxicated him, tempting him until he ached to touch her.

  “Exactly!” Her face lit up even more. “Turquoise isn’t mined in the Yucatan. They had to have traveled north to trade with the tribes.”

  “I agree. Have you published your findings yet?”

  She picked at her food and lamented about needing to collect more data from other tribes. While he foun
d her theories interesting, her passion impressed him the most. She remained perceptive, and hungry for new discoveries, but not for selfish gain. Fame didn’t seem to motivate Gretchen.

  If it did, he had no doubt she would have already leaked their findings to the university.

  She hungered for knowledge and understanding. For truth.

  And as much as he wanted to make her happy, he would do everything in his power to keep her away from the truth about him, from the truth that Night Walkers were not merely a Mayan myth, or that they still roamed the earth.

  Feeding.

  Her hotel stretched high above them, like it held the moon up in the sky. Gretchen forced her gaze back to the sidewalk—feet on the ground and head out of the clouds, she reminded herself. Small waves splashed against the sea wall as they walked along the edge of the bay.

  The possibility of romance drifted on the lazy breeze, but when she glanced over at her handsome “date,” he looked miles away. “You’re awfully quiet.”

  He turned away from the water, his gaze meeting hers. “Sorry.” He rubbed his lips together, looking like he might add something more. Finally, he shook his head. “I shouldn’t have brought you here.”

  She wanted to shake him and force him to talk. Instead, she shifted her clutch to her other hand. “Any specific reason why?”

  The wind blew through his dark hair. He stopped walking and rested on his forearms, leaning against the railing. “Because you’re beautiful and one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever met.” He met her eyes, but he wasn’t smiling. “I have no business involving you in any of this.”

  Gretchen tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, stepping up to the railing beside him. Her pulse surged hearing him admit he found her attractive. She didn’t trust herself to look into his eyes and still be able to keep her emotions in check, so she watched the moonlight sparkle on the water instead.

  “Last time I checked, I still have my free will. I came with you to San Diego because I want to know what’s happening in the jungle every bit as much as you do, and after the past few months of work, I think I have a right to search for those answers.”