Lydia's Secret (The Secret Series Book 1)

by Kellen, Ditter

  “I’ll have her back before lunch,” Madison informed Lydia before taking the child’s hand and heading toward the door.

  Lydia pasted on a happy smile. “Have fun, baby. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

  Madison stopped with her hand on the knob. “If you’d like to take a tour or just walk the grounds, let me know and I’ll send Max up here to escort you.”

  “That would be nice. Thank you.”

  * * * *

  Max appeared at the door twenty minutes later with a toothy grin and a walkie-talkie clipped to his belt. He turned the squelch down slightly and held out his hand. “Would you do me the honor of touring the grounds with me, my lady?”

  Lydia laughed. The kid was cute with his big brown eyes and shaggy haircut. He would definitely give the ladies a run for their money when he grew up, she decided, noticing his snug-fitting jeans and cowboy boots.

  She laid her hand in his. “Is it safe out there?”

  “Well, the vamps sleep during the day, so you’re safe from them.”

  “You say that like there are things other than vampires to fear.”

  He walked with her down a long hall to a big silver door similar to the one they came through the night before. “There are.”

  The morning sun shone in Lydia’s eyes as she stepped out into the crisp, clean air. She squinted against its blinding light reflecting off the lingering snow. “What sort of things?”

  He seemed uncomfortable with her question. Still, she persisted. “Max?”

  “Well,” he murmured, closing the door behind them. “There are demons, witches, warlocks, fallen angels, shifters—”

  “Shifters really exist?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.”

  She thought about that for a minute. Supernatural creatures roamed the earth undetected, leaving the world completely oblivious to their presence. She wondered how many she’d come in contact with or passed on the street. A shudder passed through her. “Have you ever met one personally?”

  He wouldn’t meet her gaze.

  “Max?”

  His head lowered until she no longer saw his eyes. “You’re looking at one.”

  For some reason, his declaration didn’t horrify her. Possibly because of everything she’d been through the past twenty-four hours, she wasn’t sure, but looking at his profile now, it somehow made sense.

  She brought her hand up to the side of his face, shocked she wasn’t afraid. She knew Roman wouldn’t trust someone with her care that would harm her. “Hey…”

  He slowly lifted his gaze, and the insecurity she saw there tore at her heart.

  “Please don’t be scared, Miss. Hughes. I would never do anything to hurt you.”

  She smiled to ease his anxiety. “I’m not afraid. You’re a wolf, aren’t you?”

  A surprised look entered his eyes. “How did you know?”

  “I’m not sure. A lucky guess, I suppose.”

  His posture relaxed some and he returned her smile. “You’re pretty cool for a human.”

  Lydia chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “It was meant as one.” He held out his arm. “It gets slippery in places with the snow melting.”

  Looping her arm in his, Lydia walked with him along the overly wide sidewalk. “Wow. This place is huge.”

  “It’s a lot bigger than it appears.”

  Lydia wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but decided to let it go. “The wall surrounding it seems to go on forever.”

  “He has close to eighty acres here.”

  Her mouth fell open. She couldn’t fathom how much money it must have cost to have the wall built. And the fortress? She would never be able to wrap her mind around that kind of price. “He has a very expensive compound out here in the woods. I can’t imagine how he explains this to the IRS.”

  “I guess when you’re as old as Roman, you can come up with a million diversions…everything from sleight of hand to illusions.”

  Lydia shook her head. “It’s beyond my comprehension.”

  “Would you like to see the springs?”

  “Sure,” she replied, following him off the walkway and onto the snow-covered grass. “Won’t it be frozen?”

  “It’s a hot springs. It never freezes.”

  Lydia put her hands in her coat pockets and trekked along beside Max through the chilly Atlanta air. The compound was breathtaking, surrounded by giant trees and rounded shrubs. One would never guess a vampire resided inside its walls. Or a wolf, she mused, side-eyeing her companion.

  The place had a mystical feel about it, a natural beauty that somehow seemed at odds with its bars and guarded walls. The building itself was nearly the size of a hotel, but the grounds… Ah, the grounds went as far as the eye could see.

  A layer of fog hung suspended in the air, waiting to be burned off by the sun’s powerful rays as they broke through a tree line. Lydia’s breath caught. She’d never seen anything as magical as the scene before her. “Oh, Max…”

  Large white boulders rose from the ground in a semicircle to form a cave that rested above a turquoise blue pool of water. Steam bubbled up from its depths, escaping in a cloud of mist that disappeared into the fog.

  “Isn’t it nice?”

  “It’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  Max laughed. “It’s a great place to take a nightly swim. Come on. I’ll show the greenhouse.”

  Lydia could only fathom how grand that would be. “Lead the way.”

  * * * *

  Lydia stepped out of the shower and wrapped her hair in a towel as she stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her life had changed overnight. She’d been attacked in a park, learned that everything from vampires to werewolves existed, and almost lost her heart to a man that wasn’t really a man after all.

  Vampire. Could she really love someone that was not even alive? Or is he? She wasn’t sure about anything anymore. He’d felt alive to her when he’d licked her on the couch the night before. She pushed the thought aside before she was forced to take another shower.

  Thinking about the day’s events, Lydia blinked back tears remembering the look on Jacie’s face when she’d arrived back at the compound with Madison, wearing a red wig and big-girl makeup. The joy in her daughter’s eyes would remain with her forever.

  Lydia made a mental note to take Jacie on a tour of the grounds soon. If she knew her daughter, there would be no keeping her out of the hot springs.

  She would make sure Max went with them since he was a better swimmer than either of them. According to him, he swam nightly through the caves below the springs as a form of exercise.

  Learning about Max’s life had been surreal. He’d been born into the shifter world, not changed as some were. Lydia couldn’t believe there were such things as creatures creating other creatures. She rubbed at her neck where Simon’s fangs had come so close to penetrating her in that alley. What if he’d bitten into her flesh? She shivered and sat on the edge of the tub to put on her boots.

  Her mind drifted to what Max had told her of his people. Slaughtered by vampires. Everyone, including his parents and three-year-old sister had been ripped to shreds before his eyes.

  Her heart ached for him…for all the pain he’d suffered, for the time he’d spent on the streets, but mostly for the loss of his family.

  What kind of man Roman must be to take in a child and care for him. And not just any child, but one that had been born his natural enemy. He’s an anomaly to be sure.

  After applying a little makeup, she blow-dried her hair and returned to her room.

  Jacie sat on the bed watching cartoons from an overly large television mounted on the wall. Her big blue eyes stretched wide as she noticed Lydia. “You’re so pretty, Mama.”

  Lydia tickled her daughter’s feet. “Not half as pretty as you.”

  With a giggle, Jacie scrambled back against the headboard, jerking the covers up to her neck. “Someone’s at the door.”<
br />
  “Come in.” Lydia had been so lost in her daughter’s sweet laughter, she hadn’t heard the knock.

  Madison entered the room wearing a white sweat suit and sneakers. Her long red hair was twisted up into some kind of messy ponytail, and she wore no makeup. Lydia inwardly groaned. The woman was still beyond gorgeous.

  “Maddie!” Jacie squealed, jumping from the bed.

  “Hi, sunshine. Are you about ready?”

  The little girl came to a halt and dropped to her knees, jerking the skirting up at the side of the bed. “I have to put on my shoes.”

  Madison’s lips twitched. “I agree. You can’t very well walk around with grocery-store feet.”

  Jacie’s tinkering laugh warmed Lydia’s heart toward the redhead even more.

  “Can you tell us where we are going?” Lydia inquired, slipping a pair of gloves into her coat pockets, just in case.

  Madison pursed her lips. “It’s a surprise.”

  “I love surprises,” Jacie cried before going into a coughing fit.

  Lydia was at her side in a second. “Easy, baby.” She tenderly rubbed her palms up and down Jacie’s thin back. “Deep breaths. That’s it.”

  “What can I do? Is she okay?” Madison hovered close, wringing her hands.

  Lydia met her concerned gaze. “See that black bag on the floor next to the nightstand?”

  At Madison’s nod, she continued, “Look in the side compartment and grab her inhaler.”

  “She has asthma?” Madison questioned, rushing to rummage through the bag.

  “The treatments break down her immune system, leaving her vulnerable to things such as bronchitis. She keeps a bad cough lately, but as long as she can breathe and isn’t wheezing, I don’t give her the meds.”

  Madison dug out the inhaler and handed it to Lydia. “So, it’s just a precaution?”

  Lydia nodded and knelt in front of her daughter. “Take a deep breath.”

  Jacie opened her mouth, slowly inhaling as her mother rested her ear against her chest.

  Relieved that her bronchial tubes weren’t swelling, Lydia lifted Jacie’s small body and sat her on the edge of the bed. “Let’s get those shoes on, and see what big surprise is waiting for us.”

  * * * *

  Simon Le Blanc swirled the snifter gently in his hand, watching as the light-brown liquid stained the sides before settling into a small wave along the bottom of the glass. Food or drink wasn’t a necessity to his kind; he just loved the taste of brandy. Always had.

  Standing in the den of his rented home, he pulled the curtain back and gazed out into the approaching darkness. Twilight was his favorite time of day, when shadows loomed and he had a brief moment to enjoy what dim light wasn’t threatening to burst him into flames.

  The red glow of Jeanie’s taillights progressed down the drive until they disappeared altogether. A smile touched his lips as he thought of the look on Roman’s face when he realized he’d been outsmarted again. Simon would have possession of the Hughes child by the following evening, and the power he’d always wanted would finally be in the palms of his hands.

  His mind drifted back centuries to a time of freedom and power. Roman and Svetlana had ruined everything he’d worked so hard to gain. Castillo was responsible for the loss of Ione’s virginity, and Svetlana was guilty of taking her life, the very power within Ione that Simon needed in order to be free.

  He let the curtain fall back and pushed his memories aside. He would acquire his revenge the old-fashioned way. Through blood.

  Ah, yes. He could almost taste the cursed Barbatus blood on his tongue that very moment. His fangs tingled in anticipation of sinking into the well of life he’d been craving for two thousand years.

  Simon didn’t relish the thought of kidnapping the little girl. In fact, he’d ordered Jeanie to take her upstairs and out of his sight upon her return. No, the Hughes child was a means to an end for him. He would use her to lure his most sought-after possession into his lair…Lydia.

  The last hint of light blended with the darkness, flooding the room in shadows. Simon watched his silhouette dance along the walls as he advanced toward an antique mirror standing in the corner. He brushed some dust from the glass and gazed at his reflection.

  He was more than aware of his classic good looks and much sought-after body. Hell, he’d been with enough women in his lifetime to have mastered the art of sex long ago. One didn’t spend centuries perfecting the skill of lovemaking only to walk away ignorant.

  Simon brushed his palm over the zipper of his black silk Armani pants. He couldn’t remember how many years had elapsed since he’d been turned on by a woman. Performing had never been a problem for him. Neither had deception for that matter. Simon Le Blanc had foregone more orgasms than the average female would experience in ten lifetimes.

  Turning from his image, he drifted toward the door and gripped the knob. He needed to feed before the little girl’s arrival to help alleviate the temptation of draining her dry. Besides, if Lydia’s blood didn’t give him the power needed to destroy Svetlana, he would have a backup guarantee in his young prisoner once she reached maturity.

  Simon decided taking his car would be more beneficial than going into town on foot. As much as he preferred to run off his present aggression, he ran the risk of Svetlana sniffing him out and demanding his company for the evening.

  A shudder passed through his tall frame at the thought of her hands on his body. Her touch sickened him, and no amount of resisting would deter her from taking him if she so desired. She alone held the power to control him, and he loathed her for it.

  Once outside, he slid behind the wheel of his car and sent comforting thoughts to Jeanie’s mind. He needed her relaxed and confident. Even the smallest amount of resistance from her could be picked up by the very receptive Roman Castillo.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Roman stepped from the shower and vigorously dried himself with an entirely too-soft towel. He preferred his towels big and slightly rough, the kind that soaked up the water and felt right on his skin, not the overwhelming fabric-softener-smelling, water-smearing length of cloth he held in his hands now.

  Tossing the offending material onto the counter, he brushed his teeth and dressed in a pair of faded jeans before pulling a white sweater over his head. He ran a hand through his hair and slipped on his running shoes.

  Lydia Hughes would be dining with him tonight, and he found himself double-checking his image in the bathroom mirror. What am I doing? He flipped off the light and withdrew into his bedroom.

  The bone-deep sadness that dwelled inside her was tragic. He knew it came from living with the fear of her daughter’s disease. The not knowing and constantly waking up wondering if it would be their last day together had to be emotionally crippling.

  He would give anything to help her; even give her the dark gift. If only she were older. He would never turn one so young.

  Roman shook off his thoughts and left his apartment, making his way to the stairs. His stomach tightened as he climbed his way to the first floor where his Lydia awaited.

  When had she become his? he wondered, exiting the stairwell. Since he’d saved her life in that alley and gazed deep into her unforgettable eyes.

  “She and Jacie are just sitting down to eat,” Madison announced as he reached the dining hall door. He’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t heard her approach.

  “Good evening, Madison. I trust all is well?”

  She nodded and glanced at the dining room door. “Nothing out of the ordinary. Max took Lydia on a tour of the grounds earlier today while I spent time with Jacie.”

  Jealousy was instant and ugly. “Max?”

  Madison laughed. “He’s only seventeen, Roman. Surely you’re not jealous of Max?”

  “Of course not,” he growled, pushing the door open. “I just don’t want her on the grounds unprotected.”

  “Sure you don’t,” came her mocking reply.

  If he wasn’t so fond of
her sarcastic ass, he would have fired her long ago, he mused, entering the dining hall. Who was he kidding? She had to be one the best employees he had.

  Roman stopped short as the sound of Lydia’s husky laugh suddenly filled the dining room, echoing off the walls to burrow inside his chest. He rounded the corner in time to see Max grinning back at her, one of his big hands covering her smaller one.

  “I’ll show you tonight after our swim,” the wolf continued in a conspirator’s voice.

  A snarl rose up in Roman’s chest, but he swallowed it back. He told himself it was because of the child’s presence and not due to his unwanted jealousy. “No one takes her for a swim but me.”

  He ignored the incredulous look Lydia shot him and took a seat at the head of the table.

  “Yes, sir,” Max muttered, retracting his hand and picking up his fork.

  “I’ll swim with you, Max,” Jacie blurted with stars in her eyes. It was obvious the wolf held some kind of fascination for her.

  Max gently pinched her cheek. “You got it, kiddo.”

  Lydia’s daughter turned her attention to Roman, staring at him long enough he grew uncomfortable.

  He cleared his throat. “Is something wrong, Jacie?”

  “Your eyes are hurt,” she responded in a matter of fact tone.

  Roman realized his pupils were turning pink. He could feel the heat lurking behind them, swirling and warming with every breath he took. Lydia’s sweet scent drifting his way wasn’t helping any. He wanted to taste her so bad he had to fight dragging her across the table to his plate.

  “Yes,” he explained to the child. “I have a condition that requires prescription drops. It doesn’t hurt, I assure you.”

  “I have to take medicines too, Mr. Roman.”

  Roman’s stomach clenched. He’d lied to a small child about something she was all too familiar with. Something she had to do daily just to stay alive. He suddenly felt like an ass.

  He cut his gaze to Lydia. “I’d like to speak with you privately after dinner.”

  “Of course.” She watched him as her daughter had.

  “Do I have something in my teeth?” he ground out, shifting in his seat.