“I also have several jobs for you,” Boldor got straight down to business. “The tasks must be done right away.”
“What might these jobs entail?”
“First, I need you to fetch my soil from the basement of a ranch house I was holed up in and bring it to me. You’ll find it beneath the bedding.” He walked over to a table and took a seat, gesturing for Fulner to do the same. “I’ll give you directions, but before you go, I want to go over my plan.” Boldor rubbed a button on his coat, glancing down as the insect trapped inside shifted position. “Sit.” He pulled his gaze back up, noticing the man was hesitating.
“I don’t know if I want to—” Fulner started to protest.
Boldor cocked his head with a fearsome glare. “You should sit, Director. I haven’t got time for this foolishness!”
Fulner didn’t waste another second finding his seat.
Disregarding the director’s momentary lapse in judgment, Boldor proceeded to go over his carefully laid-out plan. After instructing him on his duties, he picked out a very fine coffin and moved it to an adjoining storage room.
“Don’t disappoint me,” he warned Fulner as he left the room to depart on his first task of retrieving the soil from the ranch house.
Boldor climbed into the coffin and retreated within its sweet confines for rejuvenation. He needed his soil, especially at this critical time. It wasn’t necessary for survival, but lying upon native soil enriched a nightwalker, making him stronger—physically and mentally.
At this point in the game, he needed every advantage he could muster. His new life depended on him making all the right moves. There was no room for mistakes. He knew the night to come would be perilous, but if all went according to plan, he would soon be living a new life with a new identity—Corin von Vadim, Master of von Vadim Estate.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
To Capture an Angel
“You’ve messed with the wrong guy, Boldor.” Corin cursed the immortal in hatred.
The cunning nightwalker had returned his pewter figurine to its rightful place atop the dresser in his basement. The fiend had no doubt slipped it back earlier when he’d attacked Tomes.
Boldor thrived on the thrill of the game and would undoubtedly make his next play soon. However, with two immortals now keeping watch at the estate, Corin didn’t think the knave would dare to make another move here. It was now too risky an endeavor.
Corin’s thoughts turned to Tomes and a sigh escaped him. He recalled visiting Louisa’s grave the night of her funeral where he’d attempted to see her attacker, but the image was clouded, or she hadn’t seen the killer.
Boldor was the reason I couldn’t see your memories.
Corin now realized that the nightwalker’s thoughts were already connected with Louisa, his chosen one, who was going through transformation in her grave. He had detected the faint presence of another being at the time, but finding no one around, he’d moved on.
It was Louisa I sensed. In her grave.
Pushing the disturbing thoughts aside, Corin lit a single lantern and left it burning atop a small table near the foot of the stairs. He climbed into the crypt and snuggled against Angelique, listening to the soothing rhythm of her heart, never wanting to let her go. Laying awhile in the silence, when dawn arrived, she awoke in his arms.
“How did you sleep?” he asked.
“It’s very comfortable. I didn’t wake once.” She attempting to climb out of the crypt, but he grabbed her arm and drew her back.
“I’m not ready to let you go,” he whispered. “Regrets?” he felt the need to ask again.
“Never.” Her slender, naked body pressed against his. “I’ve never slept so well. And I dreamed of us.”
“I hope it was a good dream.”
“Wonderful. I was immortal and we were together…very happy.” She repositioned to face him. “You could change me…make my dream come true.”
Corin scooted to a sitting position, agitated by her proposition.
“I’m not afraid, Corin.”
“No. It’s out of the question.”
“I thought you’d want us to be together.” The sound of her words told her disappointment. “I thought—”
“I will never love anyone else the way I love you, but you don’t realize what you’d be giving up. Immortality comes at a great cost. Your soul would be forever lost.” He tried to make her understand, looking earnestly into her questioning eyes. “I will never ask that of you—take that from you.”
“You’re not asking, Corin, I’m giving myself freely. I’m choosing to make the change. Not just for you, but for us.”
“You don’t understand the magnitude of what you’re asking.” He tried to discourage her, she had no idea of the enormity of it all. “Love can blind you.”
“Maybe so, but what better reason is there for such a sacrifice, than for love—a real love, devouring and passionate. Isn’t that what we have?”
“Yes. I’d never deny it. But to infect you with this virus…this curse! What if you later regret your choice and find that love isn’t enough? I told you before, once the deed is done, there’s no turning back. And I couldn’t bear knowing you were living with eternal hatred of me.”
“That would never happen,” Angelique declared.
“You say that now, but you can’t tell the future, when you’re still walking this earth hundreds, possibly even thousands of years from now.”
“My love for you will never die. I’d never regret choosing to spend eternity with you.” She ran her fingers through his wavy hair. “Love lifted me up and into your arms. This is where I belong, now and forever. Please don’t deny me this. You said you would give me anything I desired.”
“That’s not fair, Angelique. My fear isn’t just for the loss of your soul, but for what lies beyond immortality. I don’t know what happens to us if we ever die. And yes, we can die by certain means. Please, just think on this awhile longer. Don’t be so rash in choosing such a cursed existence.”
“My feelings aren’t going to change, but it would be best if I settled a few things beforehand.”
“It would kill Tomes if I made you immortal.” Corin knew she was thinking of her brother. “You don’t know his aversion to it all…to me. But I promise you, my love, if and when the time is right, and you still want the change, I will give you immortality,” he gave her his word. “Right now, though, let’s just enjoy what we have.”
“I can do that. And I love how you just said ‘my love’.”
“That’s what you are to me—my love. Man, we certainly give an ironic depiction of the angel bedding down with the devil, don’t we?”
“You’re no devil, Corin. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, because looking at you now, I’m the one seeing the angel.”
Corin laughed, despite her seriousness. “That just proves you don’t know me nearly as well as you think you do. There’s a whole other side to me, Angelique. An ever-hungry monster resides in me, a demon I subdue in the depths of my being. This beast is part of who I am, forever reminding me of the horrors I’m capable of.”
“You’re not joking, are you?”
“No. It’s no joke.”
“A real demon?”
“Yes. Real as you and I.”
If I was changed, would I also have this demon in me?” she wanted to know.
“Yes, you would. With immortality comes the curse, and with the curse comes the demon.”
“You’re right. There is a lot to consider.”
“By denying you immortality, I’m only protecting you from the evil of what you’d become. It would be wonderful having you with me forever, but it would be selfish of me. I would rather die than to be responsible for plaguing you with an eternal life of affliction and regret.”
“I understand what you’re saying, and I do love you for it.” She gave him a kiss. “Now, I’d best get up.” She pulled away and crawled out of the crypt.
“Where are you going
?” Worried for her safety, he wanted to keep her close.
He had no idea what move Boldor might make next. The nightwalker was dangerous and unpredictable.
“I thought I’d take a shower before checking on Tomes. Then I’ll see what I can find for breakfast in that nearly barren kitchen of yours. After last night, I have quite an appetite.” She winked. “And Tomes needs to eat so he can get his strength back.” She talked while dressing.
“He slept well. I looked in on him earlier.”
“I think he’s going to be okay. Thanks to you.”
Corin loved her endearing smile. “Don’t leave the house, Angelique. After what Boldor pulled, I—”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
But Corin couldn’t help worrying. Until Boldor was out of their lives, there was no place safe enough.
* * * *
Angelique left the basement and showered, doing the best grooming job she could without having any of her personal things from home. Before heading to the kitchen, she peeked into Tomes’s room, finding him awake and vastly improved.
“I can’t believe you’re up and dressed.”
“I want to go downstairs, Angel. I don’t like being cooped up.”
Knowing there was no stopping Tomes once his mind was set, she helped him to the stairs. Taking steps one by one, it was a slow process, but they managed to make it to the bottom without any mishaps. Relieved, she settled him on the living room sofa, propped on several pillows.
“Stop mothering me,” he shooed her. “Have you seen Corin this morning?”
Before she spoke, Jordon entered the room.
“Good morning,” he said cheerfully.
Angelique couldn’t have been more thankful for his impeccable timing, his arrival giving her an escape from her brother’s question.
Keeping things from Tomes wasn’t something she was particularly proud of, but she couldn’t confess to spending the night with Corin, in a crypt of all places. Tomes would blow a gasket. And she wasn’t ready for him to know, considering what he would think of her.
“I’m going to see what’s in the kitchen.” She hurried away, hoping to find something palatable for breakfast.
Plundering through the cabinets, she managed to put together some oatmeal and canned fruit.
It’ll have to do.
Hoping that Jordon had now steered Tomes’s thoughts in another direction, she returned to the living room.
“You’re looking so much better this morning.” She handed Tomes a bowl.
She could breathe easier now, knowing he was on the mend. She couldn’t stand the thought of ever losing him. He’d always been her rock.
“Thanks to Corin,” He poked at his not-so-appetizing breakfast.
“What are these, peach slices?”
“It’s all I could find.” Angelique told him and turned to Jordon. “It’s not much, but would you care for some?”
“Yes, please, if there’s enough.”
“You might regret that,” Tomes chaffed.
“Knock it off, Tomes,” she felt as though she were reprimanding a child. “And Jordon, there’s plenty. I’ll get us both a bowl.”
Angelique returned several minutes later, a bowl in each hand, and passed one off to the immortal.
“I’m a lot better. Thank God for Corin’s healing ability.” Tomes immediately cut his eyes at Jordon.
“It’s okay,” Jordon responded. “I know what he is.”
“Angel told me about you. That she saw you change form. So you’re not human either.”
“I’m an immortal, similar to Corin,” Jordon confessed.
“But you walk around in the daylight, so you can’t be a nightwalker.”
“I’m a different species—a diurnal immortal—a daywalker. The sun doesn’t burn me, and I don’t drink blood. For our first fifteen years of life, we develop as you do, but then our aging slows and eventually stops.”
“That’s amazing.” Angelique said.
“At this point, nothing surprises me.” Tomes made it clear he wasn’t as impressed. “Are you even a real marshal?”
“You don’t trust me.” Jordon took a bite. “I can’t blame you. I am, after all, nothing more than a stranger to you.”
“Exactly,” Tomes didn’t try to be cordial. “How do I know you’re being truthful?”
“You don’t. But Corin knows who I am, and he trusts me.”
“I’ll be verifying that for myself, if you don’t mind.”
Jordon lowered his bowl and looked toward the foyer. “Someone’s here,” he announced.
A second later, the doorbell rang out, deflecting the tension in the room to the prospect of who the unexpected visitor might be.
“I’ll get it,” Angelique volunteered, happy to escape the animosity between the two men.
“Careful, Angel, it could be the sheriff,” Tomes warned, putting his bowl down.
“I shouldn’t be seen. It might prove difficult explaining why I’m here.” Jordon hustled out of sight.
“Mr. Fulner, isn’t it?” Angelique was surprised to see the funeral director.
“What is it you want here, Fulner?” Tomes called out. “The scumbag’s involved with Boldor, Angel. He’s nothing but trouble.”
Jordon stepped out of hiding, making his presence known.
“Now boys, don’t go killing the messenger. I have something for you. Boldor’s orders.” He held out an envelope with a shaky hand.
“Bring it to me, Angel,” Tomes instructed.
The moment her fingers touched the envelope, Fulner rushed away, like a rabbit running from a fox.
“That guy’s a weasel,” Jordon viewed the pudgy, balding man through the open doorway.
“I see him more as a worm,” Tomes said. “He’s working for Boldor.”
“I guess that’s not surprising. He’d need some greedy louse degrading enough to do his daytime devilries.”
“He fits the bill,” Tomes took the envelope from Angelique.
“Open it. See what it says,” she was anxious to know.
Tomes tore it open, slid the note out, and read the three words aloud, “It’s your move.”
Angelique looked at Tomes, then Jordon. “What does it mean?”
“It’s for Corin. Boldor’s letting him know he’s waiting for him to make the next move in this demented game of his,” Tomes told her. “That’s how he sees all of this, as one big, sordid game.”
“I’ve been after this nightwalker for a long time, and believe me when I say we’d best tread carefully,” Jordon warned. “He doesn’t play nice, or fair.”
“And he’s after Corin?” Angelique was afraid for him.
“Yes, he is, but with me, Corin, and now Jordon teamed up, our odds aren’t looking too bad. It’s three against one,” Tomes said encouragingly.
“Four, including me.”
“You need to stay out of this, Angel. Boldor’s a killer,” Tomes protested.
“I don’t want to argue with you, Tomes. This involves all of us.” Angelique retrieved her bowl and stormed from the room, returning a moment later to find both men silently gazing her way as if in anticipation of what she would say next. “I’m going to borrow your truck, Tomes, and make a quick run to the farm.”
“No,” Tomes objected. “You’re going to do no such thing.”
Jordon tried to suppress a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Tomes cut his eyes at him in irritation.
“You have to love her sass. She won’t stand for being controlled.”
“Someone has to feed the animals,” Angelique moved toward the stairs. “Besides, I need to pick up a few things.”
“You shouldn’t be going off by yourself, not with Boldor out there.”
“What harm can he do during the day? He’s a nightwalker. He can’t come out in the sunlight. So I think I’ll be safe enough,” she stood her ground. “I won’t be more than an hour.”
“She’s right,”
Jordon surprisingly backed her up. “We should all be safe till nightfall. And I’d be happy to tag along,” he offered.
“Thank you, Jordon, but I’ll be fine.”
“I think it would put your brother at ease.”
“You are so bullheaded, Angel,” Tomes harped.
“Please, you guys, give me a little breathing room.” She made her way up the staircase and fetched Tomes’s keys from his room. Coming back down, she found Tomes stooped against the lower banister, struggling to follow.
“What are you doing?” she rushed to his aid.
“He wouldn’t accept my help,” Jordon stood at the foot of the stairs.
“It’s okay, Jordon. He’s stubborn.” Angelique helped Tomes back to the sofa. “Ploys like this will do no good, Tomes. I’m still going.”
“I know I can’t stop you. Just be careful, Angel. If anything looks off to you, anything at all, you head straight back here,” Tomes instructed.
Angelique started for the door. “I’ll feed the animals and get the things I need. I won’t be long. And don’t worry about your truck, Tomes,” she dangled the keys. “I’ll be gentle with Bonny.”
* * * *
Tomes had a bad feeling, fearing something had happened to Angelique.
“You’re just worried. She’ll be okay. Boldor’s resting right now,” Jordon assured him.
“She’s next to impossible to deal with.” he grumbled with frustration. “Stubborn as they come. I could argue with her till I’m blue in the face and still make no difference.”
Jordon laughed. “She’s a looker, though. Really hot. A woman with a mind of her own.”
“Watch it! That’s my sister you’re talking about.”
“Sorry,” Jordon raised a hand. “But it’s hard not to notice.”
“Well, she’s off limits to your kind. I want her to have a normal life, meaning a human life with a human partner.”
“You might want to make Corin aware of that fact,” Jordon told him.
“Corin knows. We’ve discussed it.”
“Maybe so, but it’s not always so easy to abide by the rules, especially when emotions are involved. You’d have to be blind not to see the connection they have.”
Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night) Page 23
