by Kailin Gow
“I fell for it all,” Alexis let out in a meek and tired voice she didn’t even recognize.
“I know.”
“And Sadie. My God what will he do to her?”
“I seriously doubt his plans have her wellbeing in mind.”
“She’s doomed, isn’t she?”
Delilah’s foot grew heavy on the accelerator. “Not if we can help it.”
Chapter 11
Sadie clung to the car door as Ashwin took to the highway with reckless speed. While the ocean below twinkled under the starlight, the road ahead was dark and riddled with quick curves and tight bends.
“Is it okay with you if we arrive in one piece?” Sadie asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice.
“Sorry, dear,” Ashwin said, immediately pulling back on the accelerator. “I guess the whole encounter with Keegan has me shaken up.”
Though she hated to admit it herself, Sadie knew her mind was more caught up with seeing Keegan than Ashwin’s driving abilities. She thought she’d managed to put her feelings for Keegan aside. But seeing him again, seeing how he looked at her with pain, love, and confusion, brought her back to the memories she had of him before she knew he was a hunter. She thought she’d come to truly realize how much Ashwin meant to her, but now her heart was filled with the affection she felt for the young man she’d grown so attached to.
She’d long to touch him, just to reach out and take his hand, but Ashwin had been so quick, so adamant in keeping them apart.
“You didn’t really have to be so hard on Keegan.” The statement escaped her lips before Sadie could contain it. She could still see Keegan flying through the air from Ashwin’s force and she couldn’t help but wonder how he was doing.
He was strong, that she knew. No doubt he was back on his feet seconds after they’d departed. But emotionally. Was he aching as she was? Did he think of her as she did him? Did he long…?
“Here we are.” Ashwin’s voice cut into her thoughts.
After passing through a menacing-looking wrought iron gate, Ashwin pulled into an endless driveway. The estate seemed to go on forever as they passed by meticulously kept lawns, neatly trimmed hedges and towering oaks that blocked out the night’s stars.
Discreetly and strategically lit, the drive to the manor was mysterious and intriguing as shadows shifted amidst the trees, played hide and seek with bushes, all to finally culminate in the splendor of warm glow as Ashwin’s home finally came into view.
Sadie gasped, but bit her tongue before she could make an adolescent and juvenile remark. It was so unbelievably opulent. Her childhood notion of a fine lady’s manor house could not compete.
But when the garage door opened and Ashwin drove his Beamer and parked it between a black Porsche and electric blue Mercedes she couldn’t contain herself.
“My God, Ashwin. This is incredible.”
“Men and their toys, right?” He chuckled and killed the engine. “Men have invented many fascinating toys over the years. Many have helped mankind, some may have hindered, but the automobile… By far my favorite invention ever.”
“But there are so many.”
“Women love shoes. Men love cars.”
Sadie looked past the Mercedes to the white vintage Corvette and beyond to the bright yellow Hummer. The far wall of the garage was lined with a variety of motorbikes. And on the other side of the Porsche, a gold Bentley, red Lamborghini and a huge pearly white Cadillac pick-up truck.
“I can promise you that I don’t have as many shoes as you have cars.”
He reached for her hand and brought her fingertips to his lips. “We’ll have to remedy that, won’t we?” His eyes still fastened to hers, he opened the car door. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
Stepping out of the car Sadie realized just how expansive the garage was. “This is a veritable showroom.” She caught a peek of an old Model-T, an exquisite Alfa Romeo and a sporty, emerald green T-Bird. Then she turned to see a dusty dark grey hatchback. “What is that?”
Ashwin chuckled. “Never mind.” He took her by the hand. “Come on. The house is far more enticing than the garage.”
“But, is that…,” she persisted, pointing to the car that simply didn’t fit in with the rest. For all the elegance and class of his cars, that odd looking hatchback was almost an eyesore.
“That’s from a time when I was experimenting. It simply reminds me of grand times.”
“In a Gremlin?” She squeezed his hand and giggled.
“It just so happened to be a very efficient car.”
“It’s nice to know.”
With a hint of concern, he glanced sidelong at her. “Nice to know?”
“For all the blue blood and refinement, you have a down to earth streak. It’s cute.”
“Cute,” he echoed wryly. “Now that’s not something I’ve heard often over the centuries.”
The door he pulled open allowed them into a wide and endless corridor. Paintings, sketches and prints from every era and every artistic trend littered the walls. Andy Warhol faced Picasso while Van Gogh shared a wall with an Egyptian print.
Again she was faced with Ashwin’s taste for the finer things in life as well as his whimsical side. “You love art as much as cars?”
“Almost,” he said. “You must understand, spending decades upon decades locked up in one of Skars’ darkest, dankest and dingiest dungeons has its effect on a man, on his moral, his will to live. Finding freedom, the scent of fresh air and seeing all that is truly magnificent in the world, it seemed I just couldn’t get enough of filling my life with every beautiful item I could get my hands on.”
Their gentle footfalls echoed increasingly louder on the marble floor as they entered the large front foyer. Gilded, sparkling, golden and ornate; everything spoke of the lavish, almost outrageous style the great Lord lived in.
“I didn’t even realize America had such sumptuous homes. This is a true palace. A castle a princess wouldn’t even dare dream of.”
A grand staircase, wide, sprawling and mesmerizing rose with elegant curves to the second floor.
“For all the grand rooms in this house, my favorite is this one,” Ashwin said as he led her down another hallway and pushed open a heavy oak door.
“Books,” Sadie gasped as her eyes darted from one heavily leaden shelf to the other. “This is glorious.”
“I thought you’d like it.” He guided her in, his eyes beaming with pride. “Far beyond the cars, the homes and the art, these are easily my most treasured possessions.”
Sadie shared his sentiment, falling in love with title after title as she perused the shelves. The world’s most famed authors were squeezed in together.
“Oh my,” Sadie shouted out. She tore her disbelieving eyes off the book to glance at Ashwin. His teasing smile told her he’d expected her to make such a find. “Ashwin, how did you get this?”
“I’ve waited for hundreds of years…”
With tears of joy, Sadie turned to the white leather bound book flanked by a brown tattered classic and a blood red bound thriller. Her fingers rose of their own volition, coming to gently touch the letters deeply embossed in the leather.
Reverence filled her, keeping her itchy fingers calm as she reached in to pull the book free of the shelf’s clutches. “It’s exactly the same, except…”
Narrowing her eyes, she turned the book over and tilted her head to the side as she tried to understand the slash that cut through the cover and clear through more than half the pages.
“I’ve been diligent in keeping it just as you’d left it. I sheltered it from the elements. I held it in safekeeping, ensuring no one else ever put their hands on it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t always able to keep my eye on it.”
“Pride and Prejudice,” she mumbled softly. “Jane Austen was my idol. This book was my bible.” Despite the wound her cherished book had suffered, she was overjoyed. With the same sense of wonder and excitement she experienced every Christmas as a chil
d, she pulled back the cover and ran her fingers over the bookplate inside. Her name, in perfect adolescent cursive, was inscribed inside, just as she remembered.
“Are you pleased?”
She hugged the book to her chest. “Oh, Ashwin. I can’t believe you brought this back to me. But how were you able to save it from the fire?”
“You all but slept with this book clutched in your arms. I couldn’t resist swooping it up just as I swept you into my arms that fateful night.”
Still clinging to the cherished childhood possession, she turned to Ashwin, tears of joy and nostalgia welling in her eyes. “The last time I flipped through the pages of this book, I was human. I was at home, with my parents. My life was normal. I was normal.”
“You’ve gone through a lot since then.”
“I’ll say.”
“Enough to fill a book of your own, no doubt.”
She laughed, remembering her childhood dream of becoming a world renowned writer.
“We’ve always shared a love for the finer things in life; the arts, literature, cuisine. For years I’ve longed to see that look of pure joy as you once again found yourself with your favorite author. And now, I look forward to seeing that look of joy on your face day after day as we discover the world together.”
“You make it sound so romantic, Ashwin. But have you forgotten about Alexis?”
“Alexis has never had an appreciation for anything more refined than micro-brewed beer. If I’d had the mind to keep any memento from her childhood, it most likely would have been a lacy corset or frilly garter.”
Shocked, Sadie gasped. “Ashwin!”
“Are you willing to argue the point?”
She laughed and knew he was right. “Of course not, but the thought that you could say such a thing.”
“When was the last time you saw her pick up a book… any book?”
Sadie bit back a smile. “She joined my book club for a while.”
“Really?” His tone was more incredulous than intrigued.
“Of course she wreaked havoc over every encounter and her knowledge of the book that week was dismal. Actually it was non-existent.”
“You can’t expect everyone to be lured in by mere words the way you and I are.
“I know. I can’t imagine a life without books, yet Alexis can’t seem to last a day without causing trouble, or at the very least drama.”
Before she knew what had happened, Sadie found herself crushed against Ashwin’s chest as he pulled her into his arms and squeezed her tight.
“How I’ve missed you, Sadie. You're a breath of fresh air.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “And your sister, well, you have no control over what becomes of her, no matter how much you try,”
Sadie nodded. “I know.”
“And you have to be able to find happiness in your own life.”
She knew he was right. “Let me read you my favorite passage.” She gently pulled back, but remained snuggly in Ashwin’s embrace. Happiness was at her fingertips as she flipped through the pages, the scent of the paper instantly bringing her back to Stoker Manor.
A scheme of which every part promises delight can never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by the defense of some little peculiar vexation.
Ashwin listened, intent, reverent and pensive. “Reading the words off a page is a pleasure in it of itself. To hear those words spoken from your lips is a privilege. Though I do question your choice of passage. Should I read any meaning into it?”
Smiling, she closed the book and brought it lovingly to her bosom. “I’ve just always thought there was something rather enlightening in her choices of words, in her point of view. Too many times I’ve anticipated promising delights only to be disappointed.”
“I’ll certainly do all I can to ensure the delights you anticipate in me don’t disappoint.”
“Oh, Ashwin,” she said. Her heart pounded under the sheer intensity of his gaze. Patting her hand over her cherished Jane Austen, she tried to cool the heat that sizzled between Ashwin and herself. “I can’t thank you enough for having saved this for me.”
“The book saved my sanity on more than one occasion. I clung to it, knowing that one day I would be able to share it with you. That thought alone kept me together.”
His eyes suddenly grew somber, dark and thoughtful as he tugged the book from her chest and fingered the slash. “It also literally saved my life.”
“Jane Austen saved your life?”
“That night after I left you, she was tucked into my vest. I’d forgotten all about it… that is until that hunter attempted to stake me. He had me. The surprise attack had taken me aback and I was a dead man. When he raised that stake, when I saw the determination in his eyes, I thought I’d never see another day. But your Jane Austen took the brunt of the strike.”
“Another reason for me to love her,” Sadie said as she snuggled up against Ashwin’s chest.
“She saved my life, but it’s my love for you that saved me from eternal damnation. I’m no different from all vampires in having a strong fear of that fate.” He pulled her closer, hugging her tight.
His love overwhelmed her. For years she thought his heart belonged to Alexis. The many times she had replayed various scenes from her childhood, Alexis had always come out the victor. She’d always held his gaze longer, always enticed him more easily.
Sadie lacked the abandon Alexis had. Reserved and quiet it was hard to compete with the tempest her sister often proved to be.
But now… Sadie pulled back and looked into Ashwin’s eyes. “Alexis would do anything to be with you,” she said. Part of her wanted to tempt and test him. Knowing that Alexis could easily be his, heart and soul, would he falter?
Staring up at him, her heart began to pound with deafening persistence as she awaited his response.
“Alexis may have held my curiosity for a moment, but you’re the one who has always, always had complete control of my heart.”
Her heart swelled, filled her senses and left her feeling dizzy. And when his lips pressed against hers, she was flooded with warmth and love as she never dared dream of.
“I have no doubts where my heart lies,” he whispered as he continued to pepper her eyes, cheeks and neck with passionate kisses. “Unlike Keegan, I know how I feel for you. I have no questions or hesitations.”
Overjoyed with the depth of emotions he was displaying, Sadie wanted to cling to the moment and never let it go. Being in his arms, in his embrace, in his kiss; it was where she belonged and where she wanted to be for the rest of her life.
Lord Ashwin, she thought. A prince and a man of the world. And he loved her.
“For years I’ve suffered at the hands of Skars, all for the purpose of seeing you again, being with you again. Pledging servitude to him is a small price to pay just to hold you in my arms.”
His lips enveloped hers and her head reeled from the pleasurable sensations he brought her. Was love always this wonderful? Was the tender embrace of a man always so welcoming and reassuring?
“But my true pledge is to you, Sadie.” He pulled back suddenly and held her gaze with fierce determination. “I want to do all that I can to keep you safe, and with Skars’ devilish scheme looming over you, it won’t always be easy.”
“Am I really in that much danger? I mean with so many vampires out there, why does he want me?”
“Your lineage precedes you. You can’t escape it, at least not entirely.”
“What do you mean, not entirely?”
“Alexis. You need to break away from her, cut off ties.”
“Ashwin, do you realize what you're asking me to do?”
“She can only bring you danger.”
“She’s my sister. I can’t abandon her.”
“She’s closer to the Darkness than you think, Sadie. I know you want to save her, and I admire you for that. Your love for her is commendable, but it may also be your downfall.”
“What do you propose I
do? Just run off, without so much as leaving a word to her?”
“She’ll turn on you if you don’t.” He gripped her shoulders, his fingers digging in as he pressed on. “Stay with me, Sadie. Let me keep you safe. Let me keep you out of Skars’ clutches. Perhaps when it’s safe you can return to help Alexis, but if she turns on you, you’ll never be able to keep her from turning completely to the dark side.”
“Ashwin, I want to be with you so much, and for always, but…”
“Don’t say no, Sadie. Don’t turn me down, my angel.” He took hold of a lock of hair and twirled it around his finger. “My angel. The Angel Skars wants beyond anything. He’s out to get Delilah and there’s little I can do to save her. But you… You’ve no idea what he’ll do to get you. I’ve traveled through centuries and across continents to find you again. I can’t lose you, not to him. I can’t sit by and watch him destroy you.”
“You're scaring me, Ashwin.”
“Good.” His fingers continued to twirl the lock of hair while his eyes positively mesmerized her. “Good.”
Her lips parted and the words that emerged were not her own. “I know it’s not safe for me out there. I trust you, Ashwin. I know you’ll keep me safe.”
“Perfect,” Ashwin whispered. “But we don’t want Skars to suspect you're with me. He has to believe you're with Keegan.”
Chapter 12
It took a long moment for Keegan to finally relent and simply turn around. Watching Sadie leave with the likes of Ashwin killed him. He put his hand to the door handle of Rusty’s and pulled, unsure why he really wanted to enter the restaurant at all.
Frank was quick to come to him the moment Keegan sat at the counter, friendly and welcoming as usual.
“What can I do you for?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” Keegan smiled, but knew his heart wasn’t really in it. “I’m not really hungry.”
