by Alisha Basso
When Tessa and Jan were walking home together that night, Tessa told her friend what she had experienced with the jar.
“What do you think it is?” asked Tessa, hoping Jan might have some ideas since she seemed to have embraced all things supernatural.
“I don’t know, Tessa. I just know it felt alive when I was touching the jar.”
“I felt that, too. I need to do a lot of research to find out what it could possibly be. I hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew agreeing to help Nik. I have all this research to do at work, then I’ll be going home and researching at night. I’m afraid I’m going to be overwhelmed.”
“Look at the bright side,” Jan said. “You’ll get to spend time with Nikolas sometimes. That ought to be worth it.”
Tessa sighed. “I don’t know. I’m not sure he’s interested in me. Why wouldn’t he have kissed me goodnight after our date?”
“Maybe he’s just old-fashioned,” suggested Jan.
“I hope that’s all it is. Because I’m seriously crushing on him right now.”
“What are we, twelve?” asked Jan with a laugh.
Tessa laughed with her. “Oh, how I would love to be twelve again.”
“No, you wouldn’t. Think about it.”
Neither woman saw the female vampire lurking in the shadows. As the two friends passed by, Marianna sniffed the air surrounding them. Her face hardened as she realized the truth. She could smell Nikolas on the dark-haired one, and her features turned into a mask of fury. This was why Nikolas wasn’t interested in being with her. It wasn’t because he was angry at her for turning him, although he might even think that was the reason. It was because he had feelings for this human. She just might have to do something about that.
***
Nikolas sat in his library, the dancing flames in his fireplace making shadows move across the walls. He didn’t really need the fire, but it brought back memories of when he was human. He was trying to resist the urge to call Tessa and ask if he could come over and see how she was starting the research. He knew it was too soon, but he wanted desperately to see her, and that’s what scared him. There were two reasons he had to be careful not to reveal himself to her. There was the obvious reason…she would be terrified if she knew what he was, and then he would never see her again. But, also, he couldn’t risk letting her know he was a vampire because she was the only one he trusted to do the research he needed her to do. Maybe he could have done some research on his own, but she was an expert at this, and he needed answers as soon as possible. So, as much as he wanted to call her, he held back, hoping he could learn to keep himself under control before he was alone with her. It was easier in a restaurant or in the museum, but in her apartment…that could be a different story altogether. He also needed to make sure he had fed before being with her. He didn’t think he could bring himself to go to the prostitute again after what he’d done the last time, but he wasn’t sure feline blood would satisfy him enough to trust himself with Tessa. Maybe he could find an innocent victim before each time he saw her. He wouldn’t take enough blood to harm his prey, just enough to satisfy the hunger. He thought maybe he had learned to control himself enough not to drain anyone anymore. He felt strong and more in control except when it came to the dark-haired beauty he had begun to care for. He wouldn’t use the word ‘love’. It was too soon, and he wasn’t really sure if a vampire without a soul could love. But it was obvious he could be in lust.
He wondered what would happen if he got his soul back. Would he still be a vampire, but with a soul? Or could he even hope he would be a normal man again? That possibility caused a deep longing in him for his old life. He tried not to hope too much, but it was hard not to think about it. If he could be a human again, he could pursue Tessa, and he believed he could make her care for him if he was like he used to be. If only he knew more about this!
Finally, the urge to call Tessa got the best of him, and he punched in her number. This time, he didn’t hang up but let it ring until she answered.
“Hello?” said the voice he had longed to hear.
After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Hello, Tessa. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”
“Nik? Hi. No, I was just taking a break from reading a text about paranormal artifacts.”
“Did you find out anything?” He wished he could keep from sounding so anxious.
“No, not yet. These things usually take a lot of time. I have an artifact at work that I’m researching, too. I’m curious to find out which one I get information on first. So, did you want anything in particular, or were you just checking up on me?”
“I wasn’t….” But then he stopped when he realized she was laughing. He chuckled. “I didn’t really want anything. I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know that I would like to come over maybe tomorrow night. If that’s okay with you, of course.”
“Sure, that would be great. I can make some hot tea and scones,” she said.
“That would be nice. Well…I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“I look forward to it,” she said.
After they had hung up, Nik realized he had been gripping the arm of the chair he was sitting in. He relaxed his fingers and gave a little laugh. What was this woman doing to him? He just hoped he would be able to visit her tomorrow night without taking her blood. The thought of that heady drink almost made him dizzy with desire. What was he going to do?
Chapter Nine
Tessa pulled the scones out of the oven and set them on a rack to let them cool. She filled the teakettle with water and placed it on the stove to heat. These simple tasks should have calmed her down, but her nerves were all jittery at the thought of Nikolas coming to her apartment. She went into the bedroom and checked herself in the full-length mirror. She was wearing jeans and a pink t-shirt; she didn’t want to dress up and make Nik think there was anything to this other than business. So she wore what she normally did at home with the exception of the extra spritz of cologne and the reapplication of her makeup.
She sat back down at the table in the living room where she did her research. The books were all laid open, so Nik could see how diligent she was. Tessa frowned at the arrangement of the texts and moved them around a bit. Still not satisfied, she changed them again. She had to stop this!
The doorbell rang at the same time the tea kettle started to whistle. She reminded herself of a squirrel, darting back and forth, not sure what to handle first. She finally decided the teakettle needed her attention, so she called to Nikolas through the door that she would be there shortly. She burned herself on the kettle as she moved it and quickly stuck her finger in her mouth, grimacing in pain. Then she hurried to the door and opened it, out of breath from the rushing around.
“Did I come at an inconvenient time?” asked Nik. “I thought we agreed on eight o’clock, but I might have been mistaken.”
“No, of course not. I just had to take off the teakettle, and then I burned my finger….”
“Let me see,” he said, reaching for her hand.
“It’s nothing, I promise. Just a tiny burn,” she said.
“Okay, if you insist.” He just stood there.
“Um, I’m sorry, come on in,” she said.
“Thank you.”
As he was walking in, she said, “I just need to get the tea. Will you excuse me for a minute?”
When Tessa arrived at the kitchen, she took a deep breath. She tried to slow her breathing down, but she was finding it difficult with Nikolas in the next room. He looked so good tonight in his jeans and tight, black t-shirt! With shaking hands, she poured the water over the teabags in the pot. Then she put the tea service and the scones on a tray and carried it into the living room, praying she wouldn’t trip and spill everything.
“You didn’t really have to go to all that trouble,” said Nik, still standing near the door.
“It’s no trouble. Oh, where are my manners? You didn’t have to stand there this whole time. I s
hould have invited you to sit down. I don’t have much company besides Jan, so I’m not great at socializing. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, Tessa,” he said with a grin. “It’s fine.”
He sat down on the sofa, and she placed the tray on the coffee table. At first, she wasn’t sure she should sit beside him, thinking it might be too forward, but then she realized in order to have access to the tea, she would have to. She sat on the sofa, careful not to sit too close. Part of her actually wanted to sit closer, but another part of her was terrified. She had no idea why.
After Tessa had poured the tea, Nikolas asked, “So, how far have you gotten into the research? Have you found anything at all about the souls?”
She watched, fascinated, as he bit into a scone. When he spoke her name, she realized she had been daydreaming about his mouth. “I’m sorry. About the research…I haven’t found anything in particular, just vague references. Almost as if it’s a secret. I guess, really it should be a secret. Imagine if such a place really existed.”
She watched him closely to see his reaction. Not showing any emotion, he said, “Do you think a place like that could exist?”
“I don’t know, Nik. I’ve been working with paranormal artifacts for awhile, so I’m not completely closed to possibilities. But something like this…well, it is kind of farfetched. But Jan seems to think I should open my mind a bit wider.”
“I like to think there are all kinds of things in the world we know nothing about. Intriguing things.”
She looked at him and saw he was watching her intently. Feeling a little uncomfortable, she looked away. He reached out and gently took her chin, turning her face toward him. She met his eyes and couldn’t look away. There was something about those dark depths that made her feel like she was drowning, but in a very good way.
“Why do you seem to always avoid looking me in the eyes unless I make you look at me? Do I make you nervous?”
Tessa swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. “Maybe a little. I don’t know why, but….” She couldn’t finish. She felt like she couldn’t even move.
Nikolas grinned, and the spell was broken. “It must be my good looks and charm.”
Tessa smiled back at him. “Yes, I’m sure that’s it.”
She relaxed and they were both able to enjoy their tea and light conversation. Still, there was a little bit of a fluttering in her stomach when she looked at him. It actually was his good looks and charm…but only to a point. There was something else about him, something different from all the other men she had known. Maybe it was that mystery that attracted her and scared her at the same time.
When they were finished with their tea, Nik said, “Can you show me what you have so far? I know you said there were just vague references, but I would like to see those if I may.”
She got up and led him over to the table where her work was spread out. “There was really only one I felt had much significance. It was in this book right here.” She sat down and he peered over her shoulder as she scanned the page. “Here it is.”
Nikolas bent down over the text and read where her finger was pointing. “No one dares enter the cave lest they fight the Keeper of the Souls.”
“That’s all it says. This text is made up of warnings. See, it’s just a list of different warnings, but it doesn’t elaborate on any of them. Some of these warnings don’t even make sense unless you know what it’s talking about, but I thought this one was interesting because it mentioned the keeper of the souls.”
“That is interesting,” said Nik.
“Are you all right?” Tessa asked with concern in her voice.
“Of course. Why would you ask that?”
“I don’t know. There was an odd look on your face.”
He smiled at her reassuringly. “I’m fine. I was just interested in what you showed me.”
“I’ve got more books to go through, but I hope I find more about this. If I don’t, I won’t take your money.”
He frowned. “That’s not the way it works. Whether you find anything or not, you’re putting the hours in and doing the research. It wouldn’t be fair for you to do that and not get compensated.”
Tessa sighed. “Okay, maybe you’re right. I would just feel better about taking your money if I found something. I’m actually starting to get pretty intrigued by this whole thing.”
“Good, maybe that will make your work more enjoyable. Well, it’s getting late, and I know you need to get to bed soon,” said Nik.
Just the sound of the word ‘bed’ coming from him made her butterflies start again. “Actually, I was going to work a little longer.”
“Okay, but don’t stay up too late. I would feel guilty if you lost sleep over me.” He had no idea.
“I won’t,” she promised.
“Here, let me help you with the tea things.”
He reached for the tray at the same time she did, and the touch of his hand made her tingle from the contact point, and the feeling spread throughout her body. She had just picked up one of the empty teacups that had been sitting on the table, intending to put it on the tray, but the contact with his skin caused her to drop the cup. It shattered on the hardwood floor, and her first instinct was to reach down and pick up the shards. As she did, she pricked her finger on a sharp piece, and a bead of blood appeared on her skin. To her surprise, Nik was staring at the wound as if fascinated by the drop of blood.
“Nik?” she said.
He turned his attention back to her face, but there was a strange look in his eyes, almost as if they were glittering. It must have been a trick of the light. He looked back down at her hand and reached out for it. She hesitated for a moment, then allowed him to hold her upturned hand in the palm of his. Slowly, he brought her cut finger up to his mouth. Mesmerized by what he was doing, Tessa couldn’t pull away. She watched in horror and fascination as he put her finger into his mouth and sucked the blood off the wound. The gesture felt wrong somehow, but also sensual. Almost more quickly than her eyes could follow, Nik was across the room next to the door. His face was paler than usual, and his hands were shaking.
“Nik, what’s wrong?”
“Tessa, I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice shaking as much as his hands were.
“It’s okay, really. I didn’t mind. Yeah, it was kind of weird…but in sort of a nice way. Don’t be upset.”
“It’s not okay,” he said, almost shouting now. “I’m sorry, I have to go. I’ll call you.”
Before she could even say goodbye, he was out the door. What had just happened? Obviously, he was upset because he had done something very forward and maybe, to some people, very strange. But it had felt good, and after all, she was always sucking the blood off her own wounds. He was just doing something that seemed to come naturally to him. Why had it upset him so much? Maybe he wasn’t ready for a relationship, and what he had done could be interpreted as something intimate.
Tessa was disappointed that Nik had left, but at least she could relax and calm down those pesky winged creatures in her stomach. She needed to work, and she couldn’t concentrate with Nik around. Plus, she needed to think about what happened tonight and what she wanted. Did she want a relationship with this man? She could see him breaking her heart, but would it be worth it? With the way he looked…yeah, probably. Now she just had to figure out how she would pursue him. Because he certainly looked scared about what happened. She needed to reassure him that what he had done was okay.
She waited half an hour, giving him time to get home. Then she dialed his number. When he answered, she almost hung up, but she stuck to her resolve and took a deep breath before speaking.
“Hi, Nik,” she said.
“Tessa. Is something wrong? Or did you find something in one of your books?”
“No, I…I just wanted to let you know that what you did tonight…well, I liked it.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end. Then he said, “Tessa, I shouldn’t have done that. I don�
�t know what came over me.”
“I don’t know. I would like to think it was maybe…desire,” she said, nervous at her own forwardness.
“Oh, dear Tessa, you have no idea,” he whispered.
A thrill went through her at that admission. Well, it was sort of an admission, wasn’t it? She felt her breathing speed up and her heart began to beat faster. What should she say?
“Nik, I know you hired me to work on the research, but I was hoping that maybe there was a little more to it. Tonight, I felt….” She couldn’t go on, already feeling she had made a fool of herself.
“Tessa,” he whispered her name. Then he hung up.
***
Nikolas sat there, stunned at what Tessa had suggested. Did she know how he felt? Did she feel it, too? This was so dangerous. He had almost lost it tonight when he saw the blood on her finger. He couldn’t control himself as he finally tasted the blood he had longed for. The taste had been sweeter than he could possibly have imagined. And she hadn’t drawn back or been repulsed by his action. That made it harder. It was a miracle he had been able to stop before he bit her and took even more blood. He had moved away from her as fast as he possibly could, and he hoped she didn’t notice just how fast. And then she had called him…it was almost his undoing. If he had talked to her much longer, he would have rushed over to her apartment, and taken her blood and her body. It wasn’t just her words; it was also the sound of her voice. The tone she had used. Did she want him? God help her if she did, because he would soon be unable to resist giving her what she wanted and more.
Nik poured himself a third drink. He had been drinking Scotch since he got home, trying to calm himself. He was lucky that alcohol actually worked on vampires. He needed enough to make sure he wouldn’t go back to Tessa. He hated that he had hung up on her, but it was in her best interest…at least for now.
