Corin paused waiting for hysterics, but Angelique remained calm.
“It’s like I’m trapped in a dream—a nightmare. If I could just wake myself up….”
“This is no dream, Angelique, this is real. I know I’m not the man you thought I was, but I hope you believe me when I say, man or monster, you can trust me.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Fated For a Vampire
Jordon accompanied Corin and Angelique along the trail to the farm, explaining the events that had led him there. Earlier, while resting in his room at Black River Falls Inn, his phone had woken him at 11:52. He’d lay perturbed for a moment before answering.
“Still chasing after me, Jordon Black?” a voice mocked. “Another night, another bite, another victim runs in fright.”
This was the first time the nightwalker had ever made contact, leaving Jordon bewildered.
“Care to join me for a feast? Wondering where I am, Marshal? Hmm…things I see—a black Dodge Charger, a blue door marked 131, a man in bed wearing a gray t-shirt.”
Jordon scrambled out of bed and scanned the room. He slammed down the phone, swatting at a spider that narrowly escaped up the wall and out a vent. Moving fast, he dressed, grabbed his wallet, badge, and gun, and stepped outside. Knowing it was most likely a trap, he still had to take the bait.
Finding the lot uneventful, he made his way around the side of the building in search of the fugitive. He stopped when he spotted the wretch in a back alley, finishing off his kill. Jordon recognized the young, unfortunate woman—a housekeeper at the Inn. The nightwalker looked his way with a sneer and dropped the corpse to the pavement. He stepped into the light at the corner of the building and wiped his mouth. Squatting, he retrieved something from the ground. Jordon thought he saw movement, but he was too far away to make out what it was.
You’re purposely showing yourself. Why?
The nightwalker stood up, shape-shifted into a black raven, and took to the sky. Jordon transformed and followed, just as his foe had apparently planned. Moving around thirty miles per hour, the rotter led him to the Jaffler’s farm.
“And you thought it was me?” Corin said. “He was using my identity.”
“Yes.” Jordon looked at Corin. “He landed at the front of the house, took back your form, and headed for the door before I could move in on him. Ms. Jaffler answered so I stayed out of sight.”
“Call me Angelique.”
“Thank you, Angelique.” Jordon immediately noticed the displeased look on Corin’s face. A hint of jealousy creeping out perhaps? “Anyway, I didn’t want to put her in danger, so I just continued to follow and watch until your confrontation with him in the woods. He sure did a good job of setting you up, von Vadim.”
“And it almost worked. Except, he didn’t count on me showing up and foiling his plan. Tell me, if you were following him the whole time, how did you manage to go for the wrong guy?”
“Approaching the creek, I thought I sensed someone behind me, so I doubled back to check it out. I had no idea you were out there, ahead of us. I’m usually better with direction. When I returned, I found the two of you fighting, thinking you were my mark.”
“I also sensed someone. It must have been you. At the time, I thought it might be Boldor. I’ve never been able to detect him.”
“That’s a lengthy story,” Jordon told him as the farmhouse came into view.
“It will have to wait.” Corin caught Jordon’s shoulder and whispered to him. “I need some time with Angelique. Meet us at the estate. We can talk more.”
Jordon took to the woods—a black wolf—leaving them alone.
“You never told me you and Tomes were twins,” Corin faced her.
“It’s no secret. It just never came up in conversation. Besides, you’re one to talk. I’m sure there are still a lot of things I don’t know about you.”
“I just can’t help wondering why, in all the time I spent with your father, he never mentioned it. I always assumed Tomes was a couple of years older than you.”
“He is older, but only by a few minutes,” she said. “Hold on, did you just say that you spent time with my father?”
Angelique exhibited a puzzled expression and Corin knew she wanted answers, not only about her father, but also about him.
“We’ll talk in the car.” He held the passenger door open while she got in, and then took his seat behind the wheel. “I know you have questions. Feel free to ask me anything.”
“Okay. You said you’re a vampire. Do you drink blood? Or is that even true.”
“Unfortunately it is. Without it I couldn’t survive,” he told her. “I also sleep during the day, when the sun’s out, in the darkened basement of the estate house. I’m also immortal.”
“The murders, you didn’t—”
“No. It wasn’t me,” he assured her. “The other nightwalker, the one who deceived you, he’s the killer. His name is Boldor, and he’s a real monster in every sense of the word. He’s actually deluded you twice now, under the guise of me, and before, as Louis Gomez.”
“That’s why you and Tomes both warned me to watch out for him. And speaking of Tomes, I suppose he knows about you.”
“He does.”
“Everything is so much clearer now, why he didn’t want me seeing you—a vampire. But he treats you so horribly.”
“And I can’t blame him for it.” Corin was glad she finally knew everything.
“He’s your brother, and he’s only protecting you.”
“Which is why you put up with him.”
“In the beginning, yes. And out of respect for the friendship I had with your father. Tomes can be hard to take, but we understand one another. We’ve actually been working together, trying to track down Boldor. Besides stopping the killing, I have my own issues with him, and Tomes wants revenge for everything the nightwalker did to Louisa. He won’t rest until he gets it.”
“I can’t believe I was alone with him tonight. He had ample opportunity to kill me if he’d wanted, so why didn’t he?”
“I’m not sure. I know he wants payback for what happened with Louisa.”
“What do you mean? He killed her, what, six nights ago?”
“So much more has happened. I won’t go into every detail, but to give you the short of it, Boldor resurrected her, but there were problems and she came back insane. When we found her tonight, and she attacked Tomes, I was forced to end her life in order to save him. Insanity, combined with the insatiable hunger of a nightwalker, is a hazardous mix.”
“Is he all right?”
“She cut him up and he’s weak from blood loss, but he’ll make it.”
“I knew something was wrong with him earlier. I could feel it.”
“He said the same thing about you.” Corin found their connection fascinating.
“We should get to him,” Angelique said. “I have a funny feeling now, but with him being hurt, that’s most likely the cause.”
Trusting her connection, Corin didn’t waste another minute. He turned the key, and the ‘Vette’s engine purred. He shifted into drive and hit the gas, eager to get to Tomes.
“I have Tomes settled in a room, but he’s a stubborn one. It’ll be a miracle if he’s kept to his bed.”
Angelique burst out laughing. “You really do know him well. He’s strong-willed all right. I’m afraid we’re a lot alike in that respect.”
“God help me,” Corin teased. “But seriously, despite our differences, he’s grown on me.”
“He has a way of doing that.” Angelique smiled. “One of these days, when he gets past this terrible time in his life, he’s going to look back and realize he has more material to work with than he’ll ever know what to do with.”
“What do you mean?”
“I doubt he’d want me telling you this, but he’s always wanted to write a novel.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Not at all.”
“Well, he’s just full of talent, isn
’t he—contractor, equestrian farm owner, and now a writer?”
“As his sister, I’m of course biased, but I’ve read some of his short stories and they’re very good. There are many sides to Tomes. You wouldn’t know it by his recent behavior, but he really is a sensitive guy. Some of his best work is pieces he’s written about Louisa. You can feel the passion and love they shared jumping off the pages.”
“I just can’t picture Tomes writing a novel.” Corin laughed. “But then again, I suppose I have a lot of different sides myself.”
Angelique grinned. “I can only imagine.”
Corin was amazed at how accepting she was, despite everything she’d seen. Still, he couldn’t help wondering if her feelings for him would now change. Could she care for him, knowing he was a creature of the night that drank the blood of the living?
“Something’s wrong,” Angelique announced suddenly. “It’s Tomes. Something bad.”
“Boldor,” Corin uttered, picking up speed, almost at the gate. “I was afraid he’d go after him.”
* * * *
Tomes heard a noise outside his room and pushed himself up in bed. Someone was there. Watching the door, the knob slowly turned to the left. Gooseflesh covered his body as anxiety flooded him.
He grasped the staker tightly in his right hand and took a deep breath. The door inched open and his heart drummed faster and faster. An unpleasant smell seeped through the crack, confirming his suspicion—Boldor. With that knowledge, he expelled his breath and raised the staker, aimed for the center of the doorway. He steadied his arm, figuring he’d probably only get one shot before Boldor reached him.
“Step through that door and I’ll shoot,” he called out. “And you can bet it’ll hurt, Nightwalker. I know your weakness.”
The door stopped moving. Tomes assumed Boldor was contemplating his next move.
“Confined to our bed, are we?” The intruder’s voice floated from the hall.
The menacing tone chilled Tomes’s bones, but he fought his fear and held his aim, prepared for Boldor to rush in at any moment. However, to his dismay, instead of the human form of the foe he’d expected, a vapory mist crept through the opening and into the room.
Tomes swore and scrambled to the opposite side of the bed. How could he shoot vapor? Penned in, he was weak and in pain, but his heightened adrenaline overpowered his physical ailments, keeping him on his feet. The vapor drew closer and closer until it passed right through his body, stunning him for a brief moment. And before he could react, Boldor had already shape-shifted and restrained him from behind.
“So, you say you know my weakness,” Boldor hissed in his ear, pressing an arm against his throat. “Did you know my little firecat’s as well? Although, I have to say, it looks like she left this feeble, mortal body of yours with some rather deep wounds.”
“I made the mistake of trying to reason with her. Believe me, I won’t make the same mistake with you,” Tomes spoke through clenched teeth.
Boldor laughed. “There is nothing to be reasoned. I kill you, and we’re done.”
“Are you afraid to face me, a mere mortal? You have to kill me from behind, proving yourself a coward?”
“Afraid?” Boldor laughed again. “Of you?”
“Then face me,” Tomes challenged.
Boldor spun Tomes around. Holding him with one hand at his throat, he stroked a button with the other. The insect moved inside the gem, sending an icy wave riding Tomes’s spine.
“Von Vadim’s little lackey. I’m beginning to see why he keeps you around.”
Boldor ran a talon up the side of Tomes’s face. “I have to say, you’re nearly as good-looking as your sister.”
“I’ve always thought so. But I’m afraid you’re not my type.”
“Quite the brave little soldier, aren’t you? And a mouth to match,” Boldor responded with a calm, but assertive voice.
“So I’ve been told.” Tomes kept in character, attempting to keep Boldor in conversation while he inched the staker up, aiming straight for his mid-section.
“I could rip your head off right now with little effort, mortal.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“You should be,” Boldor warned.
Silently counting to three, Tomes pulled the trigger, firing a shot into Boldor’s gut. The nightwalker ejected an unearthly cry and doubled over. Amid the frenzy, Tomes broke free from his hold and scrambled to the opposite side of the room.
“Blackthorn nails,” Tomes boasted. “Probably burning like fiery bullets.”
Boldor jerked uncontrollably, drool seeping from his gaping mouth as he emitted a low, steady rumble. Managing to insert his index and thumb talons into the entry wound, he dug out the nail. Pulling it free, he took several deep, ragged breaths before turning his glare on Tomes who still held a steady aim with the staker.
“Blackthorn. I’ve never experienced it before. It’s tormenting, but I’m sorry to say, it won’t kill me,” Boldor informed Tomes, taking a step his way, teeth gnashing.
The immortal was ready to finish him off, but before he had a chance to play out his final move, the sound of someone racing up the stairs diverted his attack.
“Von Vadim,” Boldor growled.
“I hope you’re prepared to take us both on.”
“We’ll have our chance again, lackey.” Boldor dematerialized.
Corin rushed into the room with Angelique at his heels, both inquiring about his well-being. Tomes clutched the weapon for dear life, barely able to stand.
“Man, talk about cutting it close. You got here in the nick of time. Boldor took off when he heard you coming. And let me just say, there’s something to be said about this baby.” Tomes waved the staker at him.
“You shot him?” Corin sounded surprised. He hurried over and helped Tomes to the bed.
“I sure did. He wasn’t too happy about it either.”
“I bet. Where is he now?”
“He turned to vapor and streamed out the door into the hall.” Tomes motioned.
“I didn’t see anything,” Angelique said.
“I’m going to make sure he’s gone. Stay here with your brother,” Corin instructed before darting away.
“You’re lucky he didn’t kill you, Tomes.” Angelique sat on the edge of the bed and helped him situate the bedding.
“He would have if I hadn’t kept him talking,” Tomes told her. “Engaging him in conversation was the trick to getting the shot in. He has an ego the size of Texas. And thank God for that.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.” She kissed him on the forehead.
“Please, Angel. I’m a grown man,” he whined. “What if Corin walks in and sees you babying me? I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Sorry.”
“You know, don’t you…about Corin? You don’t seem the least bit shocked by any of this.”
“He told me everything. He had to.”
“So you know about the other nightwalker—Boldor? He’s the one committing the murders, who killed Louisa.”
“I know. And he told me what happened tonight. I’m so sorry, Tomes.”
“I’ve lost her twice. But he’ll pay.”
“It’s unreal, isn’t it, a nightwalker living right next door, becoming part of our lives? But it explains so much, the changes in you, your attitude toward him.”
“Now you know why you can’t be together,” Tomes told her.
“I trust Corin, regardless of what he is. He saved both our lives tonight.”
Outside the door, Corin paused before entering, catching the last part of their conversation as he entered. “Sorry to interrupt. The house is safe,” he informed them. “Boldor’s gone…for now.”
* * * *
Corin left Angelique and Tomes alone, figuring they could use some private time to talk. He headed downstairs and found the marshal waiting in the foyer.
“Is everything in order?” Jordon asked.
“For the time being.” Corin sh
owed him to the living room and poured them each a glass of brandy. “Boldor was in the house, but he’s gone now.”
“He gets around, doesn’t he?”
“He has a score to settle. At the moment, I guess we all do.”
Corin relaxed on the sofa and Jordon sat in a chair across from him.
“Now, Marshal, about you?” Corin raised an eyebrow.
“The name’s Jordon.”
“Okay, Jordon. You’re immortal. That much I know. But when I asked you earlier if you were a nightwalker your reply was ‘not exactly.’ Why don’t you start by explaining to me what you meant.”
“I’m an Indith immortal from another world called the Eleventh Dimension. I’m not a nightwalker, but a daywalker. The sun doesn’t harm us, so we’re not prisoners to the night as you are.”
“But you have powers. You’re able to change form.”
“Yes. There are many similarities between us, but I don’t require blood to survive. I eat the same as mortals—steak, fries, and everything in between.”
“I’ve never heard of your kind, or of the Eleventh Dimension. How do I know you’re telling the truth, and not just making this all up? The existence of another world isn’t so easy to accept.”
“Believe it or not, it exists.”
“And you’re after Boldor to retrieve a charm you say he stole?”
“A black diamond. It’s called the Heart of the Clyth.”
“You’ve been chasing him for the past two years?” Corin wanted to make sure he had the story straight.
“Two long and frustrating years. It’s crucial I get the charm back in the safekeeping of the Order,” he told him.
“It must be powerful.”
“More powerful than you could imagine. The charm is how he’s kept ahead of me all this time.” Jordon leaned forward. “You call him Boldor?”
“We got the name from a scoundrel he’s employed.”
“The Order knew him as Karlot. He’s certainly skilled in the art of deception. Not many immortals could pull off what he did and live to tell the tale. If I may ask, what is his issue with you?”
“I’m not sure why he’s targeted me, but whatever his reason, he’s not going to get away with it,” Corin stated. “He’s probably been around a long time, but I bet I’ve been here longer. I’ll turn him to ashes and smear him into the earth before I let him destroy my life or the lives of those I love.”
Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night) Page 20
