“It’s a wedding present.”
“Your husband shall be a blessed man.”
“Christian?” She said softly, unsure of what to do with all the novel emotions swirling inside of her. “Will we be happy? I mean, will you be strict?”
His brow creased. “Everything I do, every decision I make, is a result of your safety, Delilah. I am destined to protect you. My intention is never to punish you.”
“But…you’re not always easy to understand.”
“I could say the same for you, my love. We will learn, learn each other’s likes and dislikes, and learn how to bend.”
There was no stopping the chuckle that slipped past her lips. “I’m Gumby compared to you. You aren’t very bending.”
“I can be. Give it time. I find I would do anything to hear you laugh or see you smile.”
Her cheeks warmed. “Sweet talker.”
“Come back to bed.”
“I want to finish this.”
“You have all of eternity to do so. I find my need for you quite urgent.”
She glanced at the mural. Her body tightened. Would it always be like that for them, so potent where sex was concerned? She lowered her lashes and nodded, lost to his spell.
His finger dragged over her cheek. As it pulled away she spotted a spot of red paint on the pad of his thumb.
He kissed her ear and whispered, “Let me bathe you.”
He led her to the washroom and stripped her of her chemise. They made love before the water even touched her skin. It was soft and slow and everything she needed in that moment. He was going to be her husband. Knowing this, made accepting her circumstances a bit easier and she found herself looking forward to the days ahead.
* * * *
Delilah frowned as she rushed to keep up with Christian’s fast pace. “But why can’t I go with you?”
He sighed as he helped her step over a fallen limb in their path. The Safe House stood towering in the distance. “I’ve explained this, pintura. It is a private meeting for elders only.”
“But Dane will be there. He’s not an elder.”
“He is who requested the meeting.”
“About Isaiah?” she said, trying to keep up.
“Correct.”
“Who is this cat? Why’s he such an issue on the farm.”
Christian stopped and took her hands, telling her whoever this Isaiah fellow was, he was someone that affected Christian. “Isaiah was the Hartzler elder before he was called some time ago.”
“Hartzler as in Destiny, Anna, Gracie, Cain, and Adam?”
“Yes, and Larissa, who is now mated to our bishop. Isaiah was their uncle.”
“What happened to him?” she asked.
“He was unanswered. When he left to find his mate, he failed, and went mad.”
“Feeish?”
“Very good, pintura. You’re pronunciation is improving. Yes, he went feeish. He killed and brutalized many innocents in his bloodlust to find his mate.”
“Did he ever find her?”
“No.”
“So now what?”
“Now, after many years of searching for him and many lives lost, he must be destroyed.”
“But you guys don’t kill.”
“We do as we must, when an immortal threatens the safety of uncountable others.”
“Why does this matter so much to your half-brother, Dane?”
“Isaiah killed his mother.”
Her mouth opened and she regretted all the nasty things she thought about Dane. Losing loved ones was something she knew too much about. It changed a person, made them bitter in ways no one else could really understand. “Will they kill Isaiah?”
“That is what we are voting on today. It is a difficult decision. While he is currently contained, he recognizes none of his brethren. This is a male who was once a male of honor. He is brother to Ezekiel, a fellow elder. We were all once friends.”
“Can’t they help him? Bring him back? Slip him some Prozac or something so he stops acting like a raging beast?”
“I am afraid not,” he said sadly. “His mate has likely passed on and there is no hope for his salvation.”
“What about the girl, your half-sister?”
“She is a youth, nearly an adult. Her situation is different. She suffered a terrible accident and, through the actions of a selfish male, was transitioned. Only mortals transitioned by their called mates come through the change. We are only now discovering the genetic abnormality that occurs when mortals are transitioned wrongly. It is part of the fall out Isaiah has conjured.”
“What do you mean?”
“He was missing for decades. In that time he transitioned many women. They are out there, part of the reason I want you safe on the farm with me. I have never witnessed their kind, but I am told they are mad beyond hope, violent, and possess souls of pure evil. The Order has sent a band of brothers out to hunt them until they are destroyed as well.”
“The girl, Cybil, she’s one of them?”
“Yes.”
“But she’s a child.”
“And the last of Dane’s true family. The bishop sympathizes with the boy and I believe that is why the issue of her execution has been delayed.”
“Who changed her?”
His lips pressed tight. “Cain.”
She gasped. “Why?”
“She died. He cared for the child very much and he acted out of haste, much like you did when you saw that infant wounded.”
“But I didn’t…”
“No. The babe was wounded, but not yet lost. You saved his life, but had another moment passed, had he breathed his last breath, you might have sentenced him to an existence that could only end in destruction.”
“I didn’t know,” she whispered and he tenderly touched her cheek.
“I know, my love. You have a big heart. Your intentions were good, if uninformed.”
“Will you vote for them to destroy Cybil?”
His eyes shut, his expression tight with regret. “She has existed in a cell for over a year. She is not living a life that anyone would find pleasurable. I believe her mind was lost to a world of torment long ago. It would be an act of mercy to end her life.”
“But what about Dane?”
“I do not know my half-brother as you assume. He is a stranger to me, sired by the same stranger who sired me many centuries ago. For I do not even know my father’s name, nor do I care to. Dane is but a coincidence to my existence.”
“Family is important, Christian. You should get to know him.”
“Perhaps with time. For now I must focus on my mate and what needs to be done with the council. Come, I do not wish to be late.”
As they walked the rest of the way to the Safe House, Delilah watched the winding roads in the distance. Every so often a car would pass, its passengers assuming they were passing another Amish community. Little did they know of the issues hidden beyond those fields.
When they arrived at the Safe House Larissa greeted them. Christian kissed her temple and left her in the den with the other woman. She appeared tense and Delilah wasn’t really sure what she should say.
Larissa sat on the chair facing the fireplace, hands clenched over her apron, and appeared to pray. Delilah’s gaze roamed over the tall walls and wide windows. Amish folk really liked the color green.
“They’ve started,” a voice said from the den entrance.
Delilah and Larissa turned and she recognized Christian’s mother. Larissa stood. “Will you not listen from the door?” Larissa asked.
Adriel’s lips drew tight. “I find my stomach at odds with the topic at hand. There must be a better choice than this. Your uncle was a good male, child. I feel for those pressed with deciding his fate.”
“Tis God’s choice,” Larissa said.
“And so I wish not to be a male on this day, charged with acting as such,” Adriel said, entering the room. She smiled when she spotted Delilah. “Hello, child.”
Delilah nodded, unsure to address Christian’s mom as Ms. Schrock, Adriel, or Mom. The woman’s mouth suddenly opened. Crap.
“Is it true? You have agreed to marry my son?” she asked, barely containing her smile.
Delilah blushed. If Christian didn’t teach her to hide her thoughts soon, she was going to hurt him. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Yes.”
Adriel’s hands clapped together. “Oh, that is wonderful news!”
Larissa laughed. “Eleazar told me the news last night. I am so happy for you and your mate, sister Delilah.”
She squirmed uncomfortably in her chair. “Thanks. I’m not sure how good of a wife I’ll be, but I’m excited to try. The Amish thing has me pretty scared too.”
Adriel waved her hand, dismissing her worries. “Nonsense. You are just what my son needs. God knows. He has chosen wisely.”
“I think the wedding’s going to be soon,” Delilah said.
“I believe Eleazar marked it for next week,” Larissa added and Delilah nearly choked.
“That soon?”
“Why wait?” Adriel asked. “You are already mated. Marriage vows are merely for our records. The true bond has been made.”
“But…don’t we have to plan? Order a band? Find a caterer?”
Larissa laughed. “Our services are much simpler than that. We hold the ceremony in your home and the food is made by loved ones.”
“Oh. So no vodka luge?”
The women frowned and Delilah sighed. She’d always imagined, when she did get married, that it would have a Halloween theme or something equally as unique. She needed to start thinking in more simplistic terms.
Larissa must have picked up on her disappointment. She placed her hand on Delilah’s and assured, “Do not worry, Delilah. We shall make it a great celebration of vibrant colors, much like the bride.”
She smiled. That was something.
“So, how was your journey home?” Adriel asked, changing the subject.
“Good. Christian and I worked a lot of our issues out. I packed up my business and he helped me box up my apartment.” Should she tell them about the man they saw, the other immortal?
Adriel tilted her head and frowned. “Who did you see?”
Damn it! She needed to stop thinking. “Um…one of my clients. That’s why we returned so quickly. Christian said he was one of you, one of us.”
Their eyes widened. “In truth? Was he certain?” Larissa asked.
Delilah nodded. “Yes. The guy even had the nerve to send me flowers, which really pissed Christian off. He threw them away. Jerk.”
“I wonder who it was? Perhaps someone from the old country, do you think, Adriel?”
“Did the male give you his name?” Christian’s mother asked.
“Yes. It was Maddox. Cer Maddox.”
The tiny cup on the table began to shake, as did the pitcher of water on the mantle. The glass in the windows rattled and—holy shit they were having an earthquake!
“Adriel?” Larissa said, a panic stricken expression on her face.
The candles in the sconces flickered. Delilah turned to her soon to be mother-in-law and gasped. Never before had she seen the blood literally drain from a person’s face. Adriel grabbed at her throat and gasped. Her eyes watered. Was she choking? Having some sort of attack.
Instinctively, Delilah placed her hands on her and drew back with a hiss. Pain, a sort of tightness from the woman pinched as it transferred under her touch. “What’s happening?” Delilah shouted as the room continued to rattle so hard trinkets began to fall and shatter on the floor. “Do something! She can’t breathe!”
* * * *
Christian listened as Ezekiel pleaded his brother’s case, begging the council for more time. It was strange witnessing the male who welcomed Dane into his home face off against the boy. They were at odds on the issue of Isaiah and hearing their testimony only left Christian with an unwelcome sense of unease.
“Thank you, Brother Ezekiel,” the bishop said. “Now we will hear from—”
There was a loud crash and suddenly the doors to Council Hall flung open. The bishop’s wife burst into the room, her bonnet hanging on by a sting and her eyes wide.
The bishop growled and shot to his feet, his fangs shooting past his lips, body set with urgency. “Larissa? What is it? Is Mariah all right?”
“Come quick!” the woman shouted. “Something is happening to Adriel!”
Christian’s mind blanked. His mother? He was on his feet racing past the others in a matter of a millisecond. He thought he’d find her outside of the hall where she usually lingered for their meetings, but she wasn’t there. “Where is she?” he roared, his fangs now extended as well.
“The den! Go quickly!” Larissa yelled.
He raced through the halls, his mind picking up on the slight trembling of the house. What was happening? Where was Delilah?
He burst into the den and found his mate on the floor, his mother’s limp body cradled in her lap. Pain, such potent agony radiated from his mate as though her flesh were afire.
He crashed to the floor on his knees. Delilah was trembling. “Take her,” his mate gasped.
He quickly took his mother into his arms and Delilah wilted. “What has happened?” he demanded, probing into Delilah’s mind. As he pressed past the fiery ached that clouded her memories he saw his mother fall into a state of panic unlike anything he’d ever witnessed before.
Delilah was hurt. Whatever his mother was suffering, he could not sense. Her mind was too strong for him to probe, but Delilah had felt her pain, taken it into herself.
“Somebody take her,” he yelled and Eleazar was at his side, relieving him of his mother so he could go to his mate.
Christian pulled Delilah into his arms and caressed her face. The weakest smile played across her lips as she gazed up at him through her dark lashes. “Christian,” she breathed.
“What has happened, Delilah? Speak to me.”
She was so weak. Her eyes closed and fear gripped him like the claws of Satan. He shook her. “Look at me. Do not close your eyes.”
She moaned and fought to keep her gaze on him. “Don’t know,” she mumbled feebly. “Pain. She was in pain. Tried to help. Burns.”
Alarm had his eyes wildly searching for explanations. Eleazar held his mother who was still unconscious. Larissa spoke frantically in his ear. Christian needed to ease Delilah’s pain. She was fading.
He bit into his wrist, tearing away the flesh as crimson bloomed from his vein. “Drink, pintura. Drink and you will be well.”
He pressed his wrist to her lips and she sipped weakly. Color slowly returned to her pale cheeks and her tension seemed to ease. What on earth had happened in his absence?
As she took what she needed he probed her mind again. The haze was lifting and he caught snippets of what she’d been thinking only minutes ago. Fumbling past her feelings of inadequacy and her curiosities at becoming his wife, he found memories of the male who had sent her flowers.
His face hardened. Why was she thinking of him? He heard her tell his mother about the male and that was when everything changed. Glancing at the bishop, he found the other man’s stare intently upon him. “I do not understand,” Christian admitted.
The bishop swallowed. “He’s found her,” Eleazar said quietly.
“Who?”
“Your father.”
* * * *
Delilah awoke in a bed she didn’t recognize.
“You are awake.”
She turned and found Larissa sitting in a chair by her side. “Where am I?”
“You are still at the Safe House. You fainted.”
Vampyres do that?
“Sometimes,” the girl said and Delilah grimaced at the intrusion to her thoughts. “I’m sorry. You think very clearly. It’s difficult not to overhear your thoughts.”
Her mind returned to the episode from earlier. “Adriel?”
“She is…safe,” Larissa said, tension knittin
g her brow.
“What happened to her?”
“My husband tells me she had a sort of attack of panic.”
“Why?” Delilah asked, pulling herself into a seated position.
Larissa hesitated. “The male you saw…that was Christian’s father, Adriel is his mate.”
“What?” No way.
“Cerberus Maddox is a very dangerous immortal, from what I understand. He does not care for my mate and,” Larissa stared at her lap, her voice laden with emotion, “the elders believe he is coming here to seek retribution.”
“Retribution for what?”
Larissa swallowed. Her eyes shimmered under a glaze of unshed tears. “He was not a kind mate to Adriel. I am told he did things to her beyond my comprehension of evil. I, however, beg to differ. I, too, have known my share of evil males.”
Delilah wasn’t following. “Wait. The guy who brought me flowers? Are you sure?”
“I do not think there are many men carrying that name. I believe he gave you his real identity hoping it would get back to Christian’s mother, eventually. There is no doubt among the elders that Cerberus recognized Christian as his own.”
“But Christian didn’t say anything about the guy other than he was immortal.”
“He likely did not realize the male was his sire,” Larissa explained. “He has never met him. Adriel left when Christian was only a seed in her womb.”
“Ew… he flirted with me. I’m like his daughter-in-law.”
The other woman’s eyes turned a darker shade of silver reminding Delilah of cut diamonds. “He would do so to hurt Christian.”
“Where’s Christian now?”
“With the elders. He asked me to stay here with you.”
“Where’s Adriel?”
Larissa looked away. “Eleazar has put her below.”
“Below?”
“She was hysterical, demanding things our people should not speak of. He sedated her and placed her in a cell until he can deal with her.”
“Deal with her? What does that mean?”
“Many years ago, my husband found Adriel. She was so mistreated she barely recognized her own name. Cerberus treated her worse than a reprobate treats a beast. Eleazar saved her and helped her heal. There was no stopping the evil that spewed from her mate. The elders do not value violence and so they dealt with him as humanely as possible.”
Call Her Mine Page 28
