“Why do you keep saying that?” she demanded angrily, crushing the pillow as she hugged it tighter. “And how many times have I told you that I’m not going to listen to your lies, especially where Xander is concerned.”
“Xander Sullivan, he’s the perfect catch, right?” the vampire laughed callously. “Private investigator, loyal citizen, unsung hero, defender of the innocent---”
“He’s an honorable man,” she quipped tightly. “Something that you will never be.”
“Man?” Gates laughed again, centering his dead eyes on her again. “He couldn’t be anything less.”
“It must be comforting to live in such a delusional state,” she whispered back. “Then, you don’t have to see the truth about yourself. You can’t stand the fact that you will never be like him, or that I will never want or love you.”
“True,” Gates admitted, quirking his brow. “If I could, I’d will away every feeling that you have for the Vamdragan bastard. It’ll take time, but it’s not impossible.”
“Why do you call him that?” she demanded, coming to her feet.
She studied the vampire closely.
If anything, he’d proven that he wouldn’t physically hurt her.
Or at least, she was bargaining on it.
Gates strolled from the window on towards her.
“Ah,” the vampire said thoughtfully. “It’s just one of the many secrets that he possesses, and there are those that you never want to know. But, you need to know them.”
“And you’re the one that I’m supposed to trust with the truth?” she scoffed, anger surging through her. “You killed my sister. Put me and my family through emotional torture for five years. At your hands, hundreds of innocent victims have been tormented and mutilated. A mother and daughter were forced to do your bidding, all because they felt they had no option. And you have the audacity to think that your opinion carries merit?”
“I would never lie to you, not like that,” Gates insisted sharply, red fire now gleaming in his eyes. “And that’s what pains me most, the fact that he has done it for so long. I would never misuse your trust like that. Never!”
“I don’t want to hear anymore of this!” she stammered, grabbing her head as hard pain shot through it, and then swayed unsteadily on her feet. She sank back down onto the daybed as he moved closer, and then raised a shaky hand. “Don’t come any closer. Stay away from me.”
Surprisingly, he stopped several feet away from her.
Gates rested his hands on his hips.
“You have to hear this, don’t you understand? It can’t go on any longer. You have to understand that he’s not who you think he is. He’s not the man for you. He has betrayed you in more ways than one.”
“Xander would never betray me,” she whispered softly. “He loves me.”
“I know you want to believe that,” Gates said quickly. “But, it’s not true. You’re a pawn, a necessary part of his immortal games---”
“Nothing that you’re saying is making any sense,” she said aghast, struggling to catch her breath as vertigo threatened to pull her under.
“It’s not supposed to make sense, not for those like me or him. Sullivan and I, we’re cut from the same cloth. Though my bloodlines aren’t as tainted as his, there are many startling similarities between---”
“Tainted bloodlines?” she scoffed. “What craziness are you spouting now?”
“It’s not craziness, don’t you see?” he said excitedly, turning in a full circle, and then faced her again. “Look at me! Before last night, did you really think that vampires existed?”
She looked at him with a troubled gaze.
Of course, that part was true.
Never in her wildest imagination, would she’d ever believed in the paranormal, especially vampires, werewolves, and such.
She shook her head. “I still haven’t made sense of things, yet.”
“And he doesn’t want you to,” Gates insisted. “If you did, you wouldn’t fall so neatly into his little plans.”
“Plans? What are you talking about?”
“You----the forbidden sacrifice…”
She frowned.
“What’s with you and all these hidden riddles?” she demanded again.
“Have you never wondered why your lover is still standing? Remember that first night? He fought me and won. What human would have the capabilities of fighting off a vampire? There are none. Only an immortal with equal strength would be successful in that?”
“So, now Xander’s a vampire, too?” she scoffed, shaking her head. “Not only are you delusional, but you’re crazy, too.”
“Am I?” Gates inquired again. “Think about it, Nicole. That night, your apartment was locked. I didn’t come in the front door and neither did he. How did he get into your apartment so easily, so quickly?”
“He saved me, and that’s all that matters,” she said shakily.
Still, she mulled confusedly, it was a mystery of how he’d gotten into her apartment that night, and she’d never questioned him.
She shook her.
It didn’t matter.
“Would you stop making excuses for him?” Gates seethed through clenched teeth. At once, he centered his gaze on the porcelain vase, and then sent it twirling across the room. The porcelain vase crashed against the wall violently, and then crumbled into tiny pieces along the hardwood floor.
Mumbling under his breath, the vampire paced across the floor.
She stiffened before sliding back against the daybed.
Clearly, Gates was unstable.
And if she frustrated him further, there’s no telling what he’d do next.
…to her…
…to Xander…
She forced herself to calm.
She had to buy more time, and that meant playing along with him.
“I’m so sorry,” she lied, holding the pillow before her. “I didn’t mean to provoke you like this. Forgive me.”
At once, Gates stopped his incessant pacing.
Amazement seized his features as he looked at her.
“Finally,” he breathed strangely. “You’re ready to listen and accept the truth.”
“Yes,” she nodded, forcing herself to maintain his stare. “I need to hear the truth.”
More like the twisted lies he’d come up with, she thought quietly, studying him closely.
But of course, she knew the truth.
She stilled as the vampire walked towards her.
Finally, he reached her.
“May I?” Gates asked, gesturing at the daybed.
She gulped hard. “Of course,” she nodded, moving closer to the daybed’s railing.
To her relief, he kept a careful distance between them, and privately, she wondered how much longer she’d maintain her false bravado. “What truth is Xander keeping from me?” she said instead, already preparing herself against his lies in her head. “You’re right. I deserve to know.”
“I’ll start at the beginning,” Gates stated simply. “He’s from a distant world known as Vale…a dark world filled with feuding dragon clans. Your lover is the chosen Vamdragan prince.”
“Vamdragan prince?” she said slowly.
“Just like his father, he’s destined to become a powerful ruler. Every immortal kind in his world shall bow down to him. Already, many are following him, chanting his name endlessly, and are pleading for his triumphant return. But, an enemy stands in the way of that---”
She started when he suddenly bolted from the daybed.
In a blind flourish, he rushed to the door.
“Where are you?” Gates screamed, wrenching the door open. “I don’t have time for your games! Face me! Face me now!”
At once, the cold air burst into the room.
Still, the dark morning only greeted him with silence.
Kicking the door shut, Gates stormed towards the window. With brute force, he ripped the curtain from the tiny window before hurling it to the floor, and then, like a
n enraged animal, he stomped the material until it was in tatters. He turned his crazed eyes on her again. “I was given orders to kill him,” Gates said deadpan. “Let’s just say that I’ve failed in my past attempts, partly because of my obsession with you. But, that won’t be the case anymore. Today, he dies.”
A pregnant pause filled the silence, and then finally he spoke again.
“Your lover, he’s a mixed breed. His strength surpasses many, and it’ll take one of equal statures to defeat him. But, now I know his weakness, and it’s you,” the vampire said, smiling coldly as he looked at her. “As I was saying, since his exile, war has raged in his world, and his people are enslaved by the white dragon lord. For a century, they have awaited his return. But, he can only do that if he does one thing.”
“And what’s that?” she asked breathlessly, oddly transfixed by his obvious false tale. It certainly sounded like something straight out of a fantasy novel. “What one thing must he do?”
“Take a human bride,” Gates said flatly. “And you’re that human bride.”
Suddenly, the door flew open.
And she didn’t know if it were she or Gates who was the most startled.
Seeing Xander framed in the doorway only fed her relief.
“Xander,” she said tremulously, moving to stand.
“No, stay put. But, when you get the chance,” he said quietly, fixing his tortured gaze on her. “Run. I want you to find somewhere safe. Don’t look back, no matter what.”
“I’m not going to leave you here,” she whispered, fighting back her tears. “I’m not. I just won’t.”
“Is that it, Vamdragan prince?” Gates laughed mirthlessly. “Still playing the gallant hero after all this time?”
“Shut up,” he said sharply, his gaze snapping to the vampire. Then, his eyes locked with hers again as he moved into the room. “Leave her out of this, Gates. This is between you and me.”
“No, it’s not,” Gates seethed angrily, treading from the window slowly. “It has everything to do with her, and it always has. Finally, she knows that. I’ve told her everything, and now she knows what you really are….that you never loved her.”
“Xander, he’s sick, demented, and cruel, and sadly, I think he’s past any help or redemption. I didn’t believe anything that he said,” she interrupted hoarsely, releasing the pillow as she stood, and she hardly noticed as it tumbled to the floor. “They’re all lies, things that he’s made up in his head, and he’ll stop at nothing to destroy you. I know who you are. I know what we have, and nothing will ever turn me against that.”
As he stared back at her, her heartbeat stopped.
Still, his gaze was haunted.
“Baby, I love you,” he said thickly as tears filled his eyes. “No matter what, always remember that.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered back, fearing the look in his eyes. “Baby, what it is? Tell me.”
“Coward!” Gates raged, suddenly breaking into the conservation, and with blinding rage, he rushed at Xander. “Tell her the truth! Tell her what you are!”
At once, a vicious roar filled the room as Xander charged at him. Violent noise exploded into the room as they barreled into each other, and at once, an invisible force enveloped the room.
“No!” she cried out, tumbling to the floor.
Still, it seemed that she was paralyzed to the spot, unable to move.
With horror, she watched their brutal struggle.
They slammed into the hard wall, and momentarily, she feared that the carriage house would be knocked off its very foundation. The oil painting and other fixtures fell to the floor, easily becoming useless causalities.
Still, she was stunned at Xander’s physical ability.
Now, he had Gates pinned against the wall at a peculiar angle, and there was no mistaken the violent rage etched along his handsome features. But, why did it seem that his face was somewhat distorted, she mulled distracted as she blinked rapidly.
Of course, she was imagining things.
Wasn’t she?
…and his eyes…
They glowed like bright, white silver.
Surely, that wasn’t possible, she thought wildly as she sat up straighter, noticing the faint glow illuminating the dark walls.
“Xander, look out!” she screamed as Gates recovered, somehow managing to topple him to the floor. They rolled across the floor, and finally, Gates managed to land on top. Terrified, she watched as Gate’s white fangs elongated, and then, he wedged his elbow against Xander’s throat. The vampire laughed cruelly as Xander flailed beneath him and then went limp.
“No!” she yelled again, rising to her feet fast. She looked around the room wildly, and finally spotted the long dagger hanging alongside the fireplace shelf. Her steps were soundless as she hurried to it. Quickly, she grabbed the dagger before charging across the room. “Get off of him!”
Within moments, she was upon them, and then she stabbed wildly.
The vampire cried out as she stabbed him in the back. Stunned, he staggered away from them on towards the door, and then collapsed.
“Xander,” she whispered tearfully, dropping to the floor beside him. Her hard tears soaked his chest as she touched his face with shaky hands. “Please don’t leave me. I can’t live without you. I just can’t.”
At once, air exhumed from his entire body.
The deep spasm rocked his body as the air filled his lungs again. Coughing raggedly, he finally managed to open his eyes.
“Thank you,” she cried softly, lifting her eyes skyward. She glanced down at him as he grunted. “I’m here, baby. I’m here.”
“Nicole,” he breathed hoarsely, reaching out to caress her face. “I want you to run, do you understand me? I want you to never look back.”
“No, I’m not going to leave you! I don’t care what you say!” she said adamantly. “We don’t have time to argue, Xander. Look, I stabbed him, but we probably don’t have much time. We have to get out of here. We’re no match against him.”
Still, a strange look plagued his features as he sat up, and then his eyes went to Gate’s crumpled form. He looked at her again before he stood. “I want you to go back to the house. The car keys are in the top drawer in the bedroom. There won’t be any road signs for miles, but just follow the broken roads until you get out of here.”
“By now, I thought that you would stop being so incredibly selfish. I guess some things never change,” she said angrily, staring up at him, and then came to her feet. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“For once, would you just listen to---” he began angrily.
A violent cry erupted in the room.
In a breathless second, Gates was standing upright again. But, still his features were ashen as he faced them again. “It’s not going to be that easy,” the vampire seethed viciously, tenting his fingers. “You should have killed me when you had the chance.”
Immediately, she was pulled to Gates by an invisible force, and she grunted painfully as she slammed into his body. With rapid quickness, he turned her before locking his arm against her throat. “Now, she pays the price.”
“Let her go,” Xander warned coldly.
“Now, when I have her right where I want her?” Gates taunted cruelly, breathing against her neck. A shudder of repulsion coursed through her as his breath fanned against her neck. And there was no mistaken his intentions as his sharp fangs grazed her flesh. “When are you going to trust my words, Vamdragan prince? I told you that I was going to make you watch as I made her mine.”
“Baby, don’t be afraid,” Xander said. “I won’t let him hurt you. I promise you. You’ve come too far to let him win now. We’re not going to let him.”
“I know,” she nodded, swallowing hard.
Then, his cold gaze locked with Gates.
“Didn’t I warn you that you’d regret the day that you touched her again?” Xander said coldly, and his steps were unhurried as he inched closer to them. “I told you that I was g
oing to rip you apart, limb by limb until nothing but your rotten carcass was left. Remember that, Gates?”
At once, she sensed the vampire’s fear as he stiffened behind her. “Don’t come any closer! I’ll kill her!” Gates yelled violently, tightening his hold against her throat.
“Let her go,” he warned again, stopping a few inches from them.
“No,” Gates said defiantly, positioning his fangs at her neck again. “If I can’t have her, no one will!”
“Let her go!” Xander screamed violently.
The veins bulged in his neck as his face contorted.
As she stared back at him, she gasped in shock.
And nothing could have prepared her for what came next.
With fascinated awe, she watched as his teeth elongated. Now, red fire breathed like embers within his silver gaze, and his mane was a raven black, laden with silver highlights all throughout. The buttons snapped on the crisp white shirt, easily revealing his muscular strength, and his nails were no longer rounded, but resembled sharp talons.
His pained gaze locked with hers.
“Xander, no,” she whispered tearfully, her chin quivering. “I- I--”
With a wounded cry, he broke his tortured gaze away.
Then, his eyes centered on Gates.
At once, he spoke in garbled tones, and she could sense the invisible force as it passed through her onto Gates. Suddenly, the vampire screamed violently as he released her.
In stunned belief, she dropped to the floor.
She watched him.
Hot, white fire lassoed from his mouth in a fine stream, and immediately Gates was set ablaze. The vamp cried out as he stumbled around the room wildly. With a painful scream, the vamp crashed through the door before hurling himself off the short porch. In a blinding whir, Xander rushed past her on outside.
“Xander,” she said weakly, staggering out behind him.
Now, Gates lay on the forest floor.
Circling around him slowly, Xander watched the vampire as he thrashed on the hard ground. “Burn,” he said with deadly calmness, and instantly, the vampire exploded into hot, burning flames.
A filmy haze enveloped the fire.
As if in slow motion, the fire burned, and then nothing remained.
Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale Page 44
