Chapter 24
Expanding his preternatural senses, Ronan cursed softly as he drifted away from Jason Bowman’s house. The vampire’s scent was fresh, but he was no longer at home. Or in the town.
Leaving Susandale behind, he widened his search to the surrounding areas. Three miles out of town, he found what he was looking for. He chuckled wryly when he murmured the name of the place. Aducator de Moarte. Romanian for Death Bringer. Apropos, he mused as he entered the dilapidated building and followed his nose to the club in the basement.
It was exactly as he had expected. Dark walls. Dim lighting. Sensuous music emanating from speakers mounted in the ceiling. The scent of blood mixed with red wine.
A lot of people clad in black. As was he, he thought with a faint grin.
Couples clung to each other on the dance floor or huddled together in high-backed booths. Others sat at the long polished black bar that spanned the back wall. A woman who appeared to be in her late fifties sat on a padded stool at the end of the bar. Not a vampire, he thought, but definitely one of those mortals who was addicted to the blood of the Undead.
He was aware of her gaze sizing him up as he walked toward the bar.
“Welcome to Aducator de Moarte.” Her voice was dry, like brittle leaves.
Ronan nodded in acknowledgement.
“You’re new here,” she said.
“And you are?”
“Zara. This is my place.”
“Do you greet every newcomer?”
Zara shook her head. “Just the very old ones.”
He cocked one brow. “You can tell the difference?”
She let out a cackle of laughter. “You all have that same arrogant stride, the same haughty expression that practically dares anyone to defy you.”
“I had no idea.”
“The blood of the old ones is always sweet.” She licked her lips as she slid him a sideways glance.
“Are you asking?”
Leaning forward, she murmured, “Are you offering?”
“A taste for a little information.”
“What kind of information?” she asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
“The kind I can compel you to give me.”
She sat back, her expression suddenly wary. “What do you want to know?”
“I’m looking for information about a vampire known as Jarick.”
“Never heard of him.”
“What about Jason Bowman?”
Lowering her voice, she said, “He used to be a frequent visitor, but I haven’t seen him lately. I heard his coven is holed up somewhere in Wyoming. I’m guessing he’s with them. There’s a rumor they’re planning a comeback.”
“Is the source of that rumor reliable?”
Zara lifted one shoulder in a negligent shrug. “I’ve no way of knowing for sure. But something’s up. I can feel it in my bones. Can I have that taste now?”
Travis had just returned from hunting when Ronan showed up at his lair. “I thought you’d left town.”
“I thought so, too, but I took a little detour to Aducator de Moarte and had an interesting talk with the owner.”
“Zara.” Travis nodded as he opened the door. “She’s a piece of work, that one.” He frowned and then he grinned. “You fed her!”
“In exchange for some information.”
“Yeah? Must have been something juicy.”
Ronan glared at him. “Do you want to hear this or not?”
“You might as well come in.” Turning on his heel, Travis headed for the front room. “So?”
“She told me Bowman and his coven are hiding out somewhere in Wyoming. Apparently, they plan to go back to their old ways.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“No?”
Travis shook his head. “I don’t know about the rest of the coven, but if they’d left for good, Bowman would have taken his family with him.”
“A love match, huh?”
“So it seems.”
Ronan lifted his head. “It’s almost dawn. If Bowman and his bunch are coming back to Susandale, you’d best keep an eye on Sara.”
“Wouldn’t it be best if we all just left town?”
“No doubt.”
“But?”
“I intend to put an end to Jarick and shut down Bowman’s operation.”
“Why? What do you care about what goes on here?”
Ronan dragged a hand over his jaw. “That’s a damn good question. I only know that sooner or later what they’re doing will be noticed and when that happens, it’s going to cause trouble for the rest of us. I know how dangerous mortals cam be when they’re on the hunt. Especially a mob of them. I lived through something like that once. I don’t intend to do it again.”
“So, you’ve decided to stay here and take on Jarick and his whole coven?”
“There’s only a dozen. Thirteen counting Jarick.”
“Thirteen to one,” Travis muttered. “Not very good odds, especially when one of them is a master vampire.”
“I was hoping for a little help from you.”
Travis stared at him. “Are you kidding?”
“Not in the least.”
“I had no idea you were so altruistic.”
Ronan snorted. “I don’t give a damn about the people in this town. I’m only looking after my own skin. And Shannah’s.” A vile oath escaped his lips. “And yours, too, I guess. Hell, maybe blood is thicker than water.”
Travis shook his head. His grandmother had always claimed there was good in everyone. Maybe she’d been right.
“So, can I count on you?”
“I guess so.”
“Good. I didn’t want to have to compel you,” his sire remarked with a laconic grin.
And vanished from sight.
Chapter 25
Sara’s eyes were swollen and red in the morning, a blatant sign of a long and sleepless night. She had no appetite for breakfast, no energy to get dressed or open the shop.
Still in her PJs, she dragged herself into the living room and plopped down on the sofa. How was she supposed to decide what to do about Travis when she couldn’t think straight for missing him? She knew he was still in town, that all she had to do was pick up her phone and call him, and yet it felt like there was a wide chasm between them with only one chance to cross it. And no way back if she found the courage to make the leap.
If only she had someone to talk to. Someone who would listen without judging. Someone who would understand the implications of staying with Travis.
Late that afternoon, Olivia Bowman’s name popped into her mind. Olivia was married to a vampire. Surely, she would understand Sara’s doubts and fears.
Infused with hope, Sara took a long shower, dressed, and brushed her hair. Suddenly hungry, she fixed a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch, added some chips and a coke.
While eating, she began to have second thoughts about going to see Olivia. She hardly knew the woman.
It was an hour until sunset when, her mind made up, Sara left the house.
Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise when she opened the door and found Sara Winters standing on the porch.
Sara smiled nervously. “Could I talk to you for a few minutes?”
“Well, sure, I guess so,” Olivia said. “Come on in.”
Sara followed Olivia inside. A quick glance around showed a house that was cluttered with toys but not dirty. From another room came the sound of Debbie and Luke arguing about which video game to play.
“Please, sit down.” Olivia indicated a flowered sofa in front of a red-brick fireplace. “What can I do for you?” she asked, taking the easy chair beside it.
“I just needed someone to talk to.”
Olivia nodded. It didn’t take a genius to figure out something was bothering Sara. The bags under her swollen eyes were proof of that. “Go on.”
“I’m in love with Travis.”
Olivia nodded, thinking that explained the misery she read in her visitor’s ey
es.
“I don’t know what to do. Are you ever sorry you married Jason?”
“No more so than if I’d married another man. We disagree about some things, just like any other couple. Sure, there are adjustments, but that’s true of any marriage.” Olivia leaned forward. “The thing you have to ask yourself is, do you love him enough to make the necessary sacrifices?”
“But … what are you going to do when you grow old and he doesn’t?”
“I haven’t decided a hundred percent, but when my kids are old enough to look after themselves, I’ll probably ask him to turn me.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Not really, but it’s either that or leave him. I can’t tie him to an old woman. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“Does he ever … drink from you?”
“Of course.”
Sara blinked at her. How could she admit it so calmly, as if there was nothing the least bit unusual about it? As if it was just an everyday thing, like brushing your teeth or combing your hair.
“You’re shocked.”
Sara shook her head vigorously.
“I know you are. I was, too, the first time Jason suggested it. I’m surprised Travis hasn’t asked you. It’s not bad, you know? It’s actually quite pleasant.”
“You must miss him. Do you think you’ll ever see him again?”
Olivia clenched her hands in her lap and fell silent.
And in that moment, Sara knew Jason had been there recently. Might even now be somewhere in the house. The thought sent an icy shiver down her spine. “I should go.”
“Sara.” Olivia laid a hand on her arm.
“I’ve got to go.” Yanking her arm away, Sara lurched to her feet and ran out the door.
Sara had another shock when she got home and found Ronan waiting on the front porch. “What are you doing here?” she asked tremulously.
Hearing the fear in her voice, Ronan arched one brow. “Relax. I’m not going to hurt you.” He drew in a deep breath. “Let’s go inside.”
She hesitated, then opened the door.
The vampire closed the door, then leaned back against it. You’ve been with Bowman’s wife.”
Sara stared at him.
“I can smell her on you,” he explained. “And her husband. I was about to leave town when I caught Bowman’s scent. What were you doing at his house?”
“It was personal and none of your business.”
“Tell me.”
Something in his voice compelled her to answer. “I wanted to talk to her about … about her relationship with her husband.”
Ronan nodded. “Because of Travis.”
“Yes.”
“He’s afraid of losing you,” Ronan said. “But your love life isn’t why I’m here. Did you see Bowman while you were there?”
“No.”
“Did Olivia tell you if he’s in town? Or what he’s planning?”
“No.” Sara tried to look away, but she couldn’t draw her gaze away from his. She felt the quick brush of his mind invading hers. And then it was gone.
“I believe Bowman is coming back to town to take up his old occupation again. I think you should ask Travis to come and stay with you.”
“No!”
“It’s for your own safety.”
Sara stared at him. “Why do you care what happens to me? You don’t even know me.”
“Because Travis cares. And if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it. Call him, Sara. If you’re honest with yourself, it’s what you want.”
Before she could deny it, he vanished from her sight. Maybe she should call Travis, she thought as she collapsed on the sofa. The only way to know if she wanted to spend her life with her vampire was to spend time with him, get to know him better, and see if her feelings for him grew stronger.
Sara felt better in the morning. Why had she let her doubts get the best of her?
Olivia was right. Every relationship had problems of one kind or another. If Travis was just a guy and he worked nights, he would sleep days. True, Travis would also sleep on the weekends, but they would still have a lot of time together. She could easily adjust her hours to his.
Still, she was reluctant to call him. What if he’d decided he was better off without her? Only one way to find out, she thought, reaching for her phone. And then she blew out a sigh of exasperation. It was only nine a.m. It was hours until sunset.
Muttering, “Might as well go to work,” she went upstairs to get dressed.
Travis woke with the setting sun. Feeling more alone than he’d ever felt in his life, he stared up at the ceiling, thinking that without Sara, he had no reason to get up. No reason to stay in Susandale. Hell, he had no reason to go on living.
Maybe he’d just go to earth for forty or fifty years. Maybe then he would forget her.
And then, remembering Ronan’s warning the night before, he paused. He couldn’t leave town just yet, not when Sara might be danger. He dressed in record time.
He was on his way to her house when his phone rang. Relief washed through him when he saw her name.
“Hi, Travis. It’s me.”
“Sara.” He closed his eyes as the sound of her voice washed over him, as welcome as warm summer rain after a drought.
“Are you busy?”
“No. I was just out for a walk. How are you?”
“Fine.”
Silence fell between them, so thick it was almost tangible.
“Sara?”
“I was wondering … I mean, if you’re not busy tonight …”
“I’m not.”
“Ronan told me Jason Bowman might be back in town and that I should call and ask if you’d …” Her voice trailed off.
“Sure,” he said, his voice cool. “I’ll come over and keep the bad guys away.”
“Travis, I … that’s not the only reason I called. It was just a good excuse.”
“Is that right?” he asked skeptically.
“It’s just that everything’s happened so fast between us. I’m confused and … and I miss you.”
“What time do you want me to come by?”
“You don’t have to come if you’d rather not,” she said, stung by his seeming lack of interest.
“I’ll be there, Sara.” And just like that, life was worth living again. He didn’t care why she wanted to see him. It was enough that she did. “As it happens, I’m almost at your house now.”
Moments later, he was knocking on her door.
Sara took a deep breath. Now that Travis was here, she was having doubts—doubts that fled her heart and mind the minute she saw him. “Hi,” she said breathlessly.
“Hey.” She was a vision in a pair of jeans and a lavender sweater that outlined every delectable curve. The scent of her perfume wafted through the air. The music of her heartbeat, the quiet whisper of her blood flowing warm and sweet in her veins, sang in his ears. She was tempting on so many levels.
Sara didn’t know who moved first, but suddenly they were locked in each other’s arms, clinging together as if their lives depended on it.
Without knowing how they got there, Sara found herself stretched out on the sofa beside him, her body pressed intimately to his while his hands moved restlessly up and down her back. He rained kisses on her brow, her eyelids, the tip of her nose, the curve of her throat.
She held him close, loving the feel of his body against hers, the way they seemed to fit together so perfectly. She inhaled his scent. He wasn’t wearing cologne. She didn’t detect any aftershave. And yet he had a unique scent that pleased her very much.
She sighed as his mouth covered hers, his tongue dueling with hers while his hands caressed her.
“I missed you, Sara,” he whispered, his voice husky. “I know it’s only been a couple of days, but it seemed like forever.”
“I know, I know.” She traced the outline of his mouth with her fingertips and then she kissed him deeply, desperately, as if she could never get enough, while a little v
oice in the back of her mind warned she was playing with fire.
Travis pulled her closer, groaning softly as his desire grew blatantly evident. “Sara.”
She drew back, her gaze searching his, her cheeks growing hot when she realized he was even more aroused than she’d thought. Sitting up, she murmured, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right,” he said, his voice thick with need.
“I … shouldn’t have … I mean, I’m just not ready,” she stammered. “It’s too soon and … I …”
He blew out a deep breath, then pressed a finger to her lips. “It’s okay, Sara. I understand.” Indeed, he understood all too well. The time might never be right.
“You’re not mad?”
“No. Just horny as hell.”
She laughed softly, partly in relief, partly in amusement. “I want you, too.”
He nodded, though that was little comfort at the moment.
She smoothed her hand over her hair, straightened her sweater. “Maybe now would be a good time to have a glass of wine.”
“Why not?” He watched her leave the room, admiring the gentle sway of her hips. And knew that, come hell or high water, he would never leave her again unless she sent him away.
After Sara went to bed, Travis called Overstreet. When there was no answer, he warded the house against intruders the way Ronan had taught him, and then went in search of Overstreet. To his surprise, the writer’s scent led him to the home of a vampire. The vampire wasn’t inside and hadn’t been for some time.
Travis stood in the shadows for a few minutes, listening to the low hum of conversation inside the house. Overstreet and a woman were making humorous comments about the movie they were watching. After a few minutes, it was evident they were watching the old black-and-white version of “Dracula.”
An interesting choice, he mused, considering the town’s former occupants.
He waited another couple of minutes, then knocked on the door.
A woman’s voice called, “Who’s there?”
“Travis Black. I’m a friend of Overstreet’s.”
He heard her ask Carl if that was true, followed by the sound of a deadbolt being drawn back.
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