by RK Close
It doesn’t last long, and she laughs while she pours the wine. Just like that, she’s fine with whatever secret I’ve been keeping. Dayna starts offering wine and even Jacob and Adam take a glass. I need to keep cheap wine around for times they decide to fake it.
The front door buzzes, and I rush to answer it before anyone else, because I know it’s Russell. I answer the door and see his smiling red face.
“Russell! I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you.” And I have.
He’s holding flowers and a six pack of domestic beer that I would never drink unless I was dying in the desert. I take the flowers from him and we exchange a warm hug. He follows me in and I make the introductions. This is where it might get dicey.
“Russell, you know Dayna,” I say. Dayna runs over and gives him a big hug, and Russell turns more red, if that’s possible.
“Yes, how are you, Dayna? Nice to see you again,” Russell says, shrugging out of his jacket.
“Great! It’s so nice to see you, Russell. I think it’s been almost a year. You look well,” Dayna says, smiling at him in her disarming fashion.
“Russell, this is my friend and neighbor Gabe, from down the hall. He’s a professor at ASU,” I say while the two men shake hands. “And this is Adam, a friend from Seattle. He’s here on business for a while. And this is Dayna’s friend, Jacob,” I say, getting ready to move conversation toward the meal in hopes of derailing Russell from digging too deep.
He shakes hands with Adam and Jacob, and I watch thankfully as Gabe moves into position to strike up conversation with Russell. Perfect. He has a legitimate profession, at least.
It doesn’t take long before Gabe and Russell have the television on to search for the big game and I realize this might actually work. My old friends are gelling with the new. Sort of.
I head into the kitchen to find a second vase for the flowers. I’m feeling rather content arranging flowers on Thanksgiving with friends and family here to celebrate with me. Jacob and Adam are bantering with Dayna when I begin moving dishes to the table for my first Thanksgiving meal since my parents’ death.
***
A couple hours later we’ve finished our meal. Adam and Jacob both claimed to be recovering from food poisoning after eating at the same restaurant a couple days earlier. Russell seemed to accept this, and even teases that there is more for the rest of us. Dayna doesn’t say anything or seem surprised, so I don’t know if Jacob used compulsion or not. I don’t like the idea of anyone using compulsion on her when her life is not in danger.
Russell seems to be in good spirits, and spends his time away from the table arguing sports with Gabe, and even Jacob.
Right on schedule, Russell makes his excuses to me and the others that he needs to meet with some friends at the old union house. I walk him to the door and give him a long hug.
The way things have been going for me lately, you never know if it’s the last time. He pulls away, but holds me at arm’s length and studies my face for a moment.
“What?” I ask him.
“Which one of those guys is your boyfriend?” he asks, raising his eyebrows. “I know they were both watching you like a hawk.”
“Neither is my boyfriend. We’re friends.” I’m telling the truth. A few stolen kisses do not imply a relationship. He gives me a look that says he isn’t buying it.
“Well, I do kind of like them both, but it’s complicated, so I’m sticking to ‘neither,’” I say, smiling to reassure him. “I’ll let you know if I decide to date anyone. I’ll bring them by for your stamp of approval. Okay?” I give him another quick hug, and smiling, he drops it.
“Thank you for including me today. That was the first time you’ve cooked a Thanksgiving meal, wasn’t it?” he asks, and I nod, smiling sheepishly. “Your parents would be proud, especially your mom.”
His comment touches me deep down in my core. I could be wrong, but I think his eyes start to sparkle with unshed tears. He quickly clears his throat and starts off down the hall, waving over his shoulder as he goes.
Now I’m getting tears in my eyes.
I walk back in and the game is off, telling me Gabe feigned interest for Russell’s sake. He gets a big smile from me. Everyone is sitting in the living room sipping on wine, or pretending to. Adam hands me a glass of wine and makes room for me on the couch.
Dayna raises her glass, and says, “I want to toast our incredibly talented and skilled hostess, Samantha. Thank you for a lovely holiday! Everything was perfect.” She beams at me.
I smile, feeling content and happy in the moment while everyone raises their glass toward me. I’m about to make my own toast when the front doorbell buzzes.
“Russell must have forgotten something,” I say, rising to answer the door.
On the way to the door I feel a breeze, and when my hair blows in a wind where there shouldn’t be any, I feel Adam at my back. I look back at him in question, as he moves to position himself between the door and me.
“What is it?” I ask, trying to see the door from behind his body.
“Hunter,” he growls.
Gabe almost runs us over to reach the door before Adam does.
“Back off, vampire,” he says in a warning voice.
Okay, so much for our common ground. Just when I thought they were starting to get along.
“There’s a Hunter on the other side of that door. Why is he here?” Adam says, a threat in his voice.
“I don’t know. Let me handle this. Back off now or our truce is null and void,” Gabe says, holding his ground.
Adam backs us up a few feet and Gabe rolls his shoulders back and turns to open the door. Standing in the hall is a rough-looking, muscle-bound man with sandy-brown hair and a serious look on his handsome young face. He has an eight-inch dagger in each hand, and he’s crouched in a fighting stance.
Gabe visibly relaxes, and so does the other man, but not completely, as he darts looks between Gabe and Adam in obvious confusion.
“Conor, you can put those blades away whenever you’re ready. He’ll not harm you.” Gabe turns and glares at Adam before turning back to Conor.
“You hanging out with The Dead now, Gabriel?” Conor asks slowly, reluctantly sliding his blades into hidden places in his cargo pants.
Never once does he take his eyes off Adam.
Conor’s face is youthful, but the glint in his eyes is seasoned and wise.
“No, Conor. I’m helping the living, who happen to be ignorantly associating with The Dead,” Gabe says, slanting a look at me.
“Hey!” I say, when I realize he’s talking about me. “Are you going to introduce us to your friend, Gabe?”
“Samantha, this is my cousin, Conor. Conor, this is Samantha, as I’m sure you already know,” Gabe says, opening the door a little wider.
Conor doesn’t move to come in.
“Adam, can you go into the living room? I think you’re making him nervous,” I say, looking up at him and pulling on his arm.
He glares at Conor or Gabe, maybe both, before backing slowly into the living room.
I move closer to Gabe and smile at Conor as I extend my hand to him.
“Hello, Conor. It’s nice to meet you. If you’re not here to kill Gabe, then you are welcome to come in. If you are, then you’ll have to stay outside,” I say, still smiling.
Gabe looks at me with a surprised look.
“No, I’ve not come to kill him, but to warn him,” Conor says in a light Irish brogue.
His look is young again, even his eyes as he looks at Gabe.
“Council has ruled against you. You have a week to settle your affairs, and return home for the sentence to be carried out.” Conor looks like the words cost him dearly.
As I consider this, the knowledge of what Conor said hits home.
“What sentence? What is he saying?” I ask Gabe, my voice rising and threatening to crack.
Gabe turns to me and says, “My death sentence, Sam. They mean to kill me for giving you
my blood.”
Chapter 26
I’m unaware of the glass of wine slipping from my hand until it shatters on the floor.
Gabe, Conor, and I stare at the mess at my feet. I look back up at Conor and glare at him. Adam is by my side in an instant. Another moment and Jacob is flanking him.
Conor drops to a crouch, knives flashing before I see him move. Gabe stands between his younger cousin and the threat that the vampires present.
I couldn’t care less about the male posturing going on. “What do you mean? Are you saying your family is going to kill Gabe for saving my life?” I ask, fuming.
I’m blustering to hide the fear crawling up my spine. I step forward with my hands on my hips to confront Conor, who I know is merely the messenger, but I can’t separate my anger from him or the message from the messenger. He represents Gabe’s dysfunctional family at the moment.
“Hell fire, Gabriel! What are you doing spending time with The Dead? Do you hate your family so much that you befriend the enemy of all The Living?” Conor says from his fighting stance, ignoring my question—ignoring me.
Ignoring his cousin and staring down the two vampires at my side, Gabe says, “For the record, if there is a fight, I stand with my family.”
Gabe’s body language says he’s ready to throw down right here in my entry hall if the situation calls for it.
I’m almost overwhelmed by the tense emotion rolling off of Gabe, and the feeling of power coming from all sides. I’m finding it difficult to think clearly.
“Nobody is fighting anyone, so back to my question. Do you plan to kill Gabe?” I ask, trying to ignore all the testosterone floating around me.
“It’s not me that wants him dead. His family has argued in his defense, but we were overruled by a vote of the council.” Looking at Gabe, he says, “I volunteered to give you the message so I could warn you. As your cousin, and on behalf of your father, uncles, and family, we beg you to go into hiding. Don’t come home and make us party to your execution. I think your father fears you’ll do just that.”
“Your family would actually kill him for helping me? What kind of a sick twisted family does that? I don’t understand,” I say, exasperated.
Realizing that I voiced my thoughts out loud, I look up at Gabe sheepishly.
“I’m so sorry, Gabe! I shouldn’t have said that about your family. I’m upset and worried for you. What will you do? I feel responsible for all of this.”
He smiles at me as he takes my hands in his. He eyes Adam, then turns his attention on me.
“It’s okay, Sam. Most families have dirty little secrets. Ours are on a much grander scale.” He gives me a crooked smile. “This is not your fault. I made the decision to leave the pendant and the vial for you. I knew what I was doing. This is my responsibility and my problem. I’ll work it out,” he says, releasing my hands and turning to Conor.
“Let’s go to my place to talk.”
Turning back at the door, he looks at me. “Thank you for dinner.” He leans over and kisses my cheek before closing the door. I feel helpless when he’s gone.
Jacob is already using a towel from the kitchen to clean up the glass and wine that I dropped. I turn from the door, and see Dayna standing at the edge of the living room looking concerned. I wonder how much she heard. I drop down to help Jacob, and Adam turns to lead Dayna back into the living room.
“Thank you for helping me,” I say as we crouch together, picking up pieces of glass.
He gives me a warm smile that’s makes it hard not to like him. I don’t know if I want to like him or not. It depends on his intentions toward Dayna.
“What are your intentions with Dayna?” There, I said it.
He laughs out loud. “Are you always so direct, Sam?” he asks, still laughing softly.
“I am when my friend’s heart is at stake,” I say, trying to keep my voice low. “What are you doing with her?” He raises his eyebrows at me, feigning shock. “I don’t mean that! Do you care about her? What game are you playing? Why didn’t you leave her alone if you’re going to disappear soon?”
He looks at me thoughtfully for a moment.
“I had planned to keep my distance and simply watch her.” He looks away as if lost in thought. “But I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She’s so full of life, and she’s always laughing about something. Her beauty runs deep,” he says, looking me in the eyes again.
I’m shocked by what I see on his face.
“Are you in love with her?” I ask in wonder.
He laughs out loud again.
“It’s a pleasure talking to you, Sam,” he says, ignoring my question as he turns and heads to the kitchen with the towel full of red wine and broken glass.
This conversation is so not over. I follow Jacob into the kitchen.
“Are you going to answer the question?” I ask, wondering why everyone seems to know my kitchen as intimately as I do.
“Do I ask about your ménage a trois? I’ve often wondered why Adam allows it.”
He’s smiling as he says this, and looks sideways at me while walking out of the kitchen to join the others.
As usual, I’m left standing there dumbstruck, before I can even think of a rebuke. Was he serious or teasing? Does he think I’m romantically, or sexually, involved with both men? Or did he mean at the same time? Oh, no! He must be teasing me. Just in case, I need to set that record straight.
The sun has set and Dayna is sitting on the patio with Jacob in what looks like a serious conversation. I would like to know what they’re discussing. I move into the living room and sit next to Adam on the sofa.
“What did you say to Dayna? Did she ask about the situation with Conor?” I ask, turning my body toward him.
“Dayna knows what Jacob is, and she may have guessed that I’m the same,” Adam says casually.
He throws an arm over the sofa, that puts his hand behind my neck. I simply blink at him. How could Jacob tell her?
“Why would he share his secret with her? Why did he become involved with her in the first place?” I ask.
“Jacob chose to tell her about himself several days ago. You will need to ask him the ‘why.’ I can only speculate,” he says, starting to play with a piece of my hair.
I try to ignore it.
“And what would you speculate?” I pull my head away from his fingers.
He ignores this and picks up another piece to focus on.
“I suspect he has feelings for her.” He’s watching the strands of my hair in his fingers like it’s a curious thing.
“Is this his usual MO? Does he leave girls in each city you visit, a trail of broken hearts?” I ask, feeling myself getting angry at the thought.
He stops playing with my hair to look me in the eyes. “No,” he says.
“No, what? What are you saying, Adam?” I pull my hair out of his grasp once more.
“No, he doesn’t leave broken hearts in his wake. No, this is not like him. No, he does not tell people what we are,” he says, looking angry now. “Why do you think so lowly of Jacob when you barely know him? Do you think that because he’s a vampire that he has no moral compass?”
There is no question that he’s mad now.
I’m not sure if we’re talking about Jacob anymore. I say nothing. I listen and watch his eyes start to glow with his conviction.
“Or maybe you assume that vampires are demons from hell, and that we feel nothing.”
I do interrupt him now.
“I didn’t say that! I want to know what his intentions are with my friend,” I say, trying to keep my voice down.
I look over and see that someone closed the patio doors. I forget about the supernatural hearing. Adam is looking at me like he might explode any minute. I think I’ve hit another nerve. I seem to have a knack for finding his.
“We feel everything, more acutely than most. All our senses are heightened; our emotions and our feelings are off the scale. It drives many to insanity in the first dec
ade. Some learn control to a certain degree, but few master it…each day presents a new set of choices. Every action is a choice—some more difficult than others. It is our actions that define us, say who we are. Not what we eat to survive.” I feel a breeze that makes my hair ruffle around my face, and he’s gone.
That may have been the closest look at the man behind the vampire that I’ve had.
He’s right. I’ve made many assumptions about him and Jacob. I never once considered them capable of human emotions such as happiness, love, sadness. He’s always seemed larger than life, set-apart.
Could Jacob have feelings for Dayna?
What I’m wondering is could Adam view me as more than a fling or a challenge to overcome? And do I want that, if he could?
When Adam marked me with his blood, I dismissed the idea, but what does it mean, really? How many people has he marked in the past? Part of me doesn’t want to bring it up again, but the smarter part of me knows I need answers.
And what to do about Gabe. I feel responsible, but how do I help him?
Dayna and Jacob come in from the patio and break through my gloomy thoughts. I stand and look at Dayna. She smiles. “We’re going to leave now. Let’s plan to talk soon. It appears we have a lot of things to discuss.” I nod.
We hug each other and she turns to leave. I’m surprised again when Jacob brushes a brief kiss on my cheek before leaving. He winks at me before following Dayna out.
***
After the last dish is cleaned and all the food is put away, I pour a glass of wine and head to my bathroom to take a long hot shower. I wish Adam wasn’t mad at me, and that Gabe’s family wasn’t planning to kill him, but I love having my condo to myself for a little while. Can’t remember the last time I was able to walk around naked, or even in my underwear, for that matter.
I won’t be doing any of that tonight since both men tend to show up without knocking. Adam has never once knocked or asked to come in, and Gabe stopped knocking once I gave him a key.
Gabe hasn’t returned, and I don’t know if I should be worried or not. Adam is normally here in the evenings, but he might not come back tonight.
