Immortal Embrace (Vampire Magic Book 5)

by Sela Croft

  “I haven’t been to the ends of the universe if that’s what you mean.”

  “It’s limitless, like the opportunities in life and the gift of love.”

  Callie’s joy infected me with a similar feeling, so I put my arms around her. “You are quite the philosopher today.”

  “Just think of it, though.” Callie wrapped her arms around my waist. “I am immortal, just as you are. We have endless years to love each other, to be together.”

  It seemed that vampire and sorceress aside, Callie was human in her heart. She was filled with love. Her new state hadn’t seemed to turn her into an evil creature or a heartless bloodsucker. I wasn’t sure why I had even considered it might. Her goodness was as evident as before.

  Yet other things had changed. Callie squeezed me, and her strength was impressive. “You’re still the woman I fell in love with…just a lot stronger.”

  Callie laughed. “And Rosamon has taught me a few things. She had time to practice magic while she was in prison.” Then she blinked at a yellow flower in a nearby pot, making it bend forward to bow at her.

  “That’s very cute,” I said.

  “Cute? Is that all you can say? It’s magic.” Callie giggled. “You should bow in my presence.”

  “I’ll bow in your presence any time you want me to.” Then I kissed her deeply, respecting her for all that was good and right about her…and loving her with all my heart.

  Chapter 6

  Logan

  Our time together was precious, so we hung out at the pool a bit longer. Callie took pride in demonstrating her new abilities, so engaged in a couple more bouts of magic. She seemed to think she was fierce. But her magical tricks were more adorable than threatening.

  Yet I had no doubt that if called for, Callie could wield dangerousness and strength. She was surprising that way. On the one hand, she was sweet, still only a teenager learning about life.

  On the other hand, she had inner fortitude that made her a formidable enemy, for any who unwittingly got on her wrong side. Having transformed into a vampire, I was certain that fortitude would be exhibited as physical power as well.

  When we tired of the fun and games, we lounged on the pool chairs and talked about our future. All we hoped for hinged on the outcome of the battle with Seth. While I was more focused on that, Callie digressed into a discussion of the past. She was more interested in, even preoccupied with her youth and what effect some aspects of it would have for the future.

  “That’s too heavy of a burden for you, my love. I’m with you and we will face whatever comes. I beg you not to worry so much.”

  “I can’t help it,” Callie said. “What’s happening is about me, because of my history, my connections.”

  I held her hand, trying to think of a way to reassure her.

  “Despite how well things have gone since I met you,” Callie said, “there is something that nags at me.”

  That again. Callie had mentioned that before. “Tell me, so I can share the responsibility.”

  “I’m so lucky to have found my life with you. I couldn’t have predicted this outcome,” Callie said. “Recent times have been unpredictable and so different from any life that I expected to live.”

  It wasn’t lost on me that Callie was the one transported into another realm, having to survive in a world that was foreign to her. In that regard, I had the easier path since I was at home in Shadowland. “How is your life different than you expected?”

  Callie sighed. “Oh, it’s so much better in many ways. I’m with you…and that’s everything. And my sister is unharmed, which was my greatest aim.” She paused. “Yet I learned that I’m a sorceress, and I’ve also become a vampire. Even then it turned out well…I think.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s this idea, something that haunts me,” Callie said.

  I reached out to squeeze her hand. “You don’t have to deal with it alone.”

  “It’s about Seth…who I’d thought was my father Bramwell.” She twirled a strand of her hair. “It’s all very confusing.”

  “I can see how it would be.”

  “But it’s more than that,” Callie said. “I’m still wondering how Seth could have fathered Rosamon and me, while trapped in his prison.”

  “That is some powerful magic, for sure.”

  “But Logan…stop and think. How bad would a man have to be for others to incarcerate him in a prison like the one where we found Seth?”

  I pulled Callie onto my lap and wrapped my arms around her, at a loss for any other way to reassure her. “It boggles the mind. Seth’s actions must have been horrendous for that action to be taken against him.” I hugged her tighter. “That’s what haunts you?”

  Callie was quiet for so long that I feared I’d overstepped my bounds. Yet, she’d been the one to bring it up. I’d assumed she wanted to talk about it.

  After a while, she looked up at me. A shadow of gloom seemed to cloak her usual radiance, and I didn’t like it one bit. “It’s just…really hard to talk about.”

  “You can’t keep it to yourself any longer.”

  “I’m really afraid…even terrified sometimes,” Callie said. “There’s an unbreakable connection between me and Rosamon and Seth. The three of us are linked by blood.”

  “There’s no denying that.”

  “Exactly, and that’s the problem.” Callie bit at her lower lip. “Seth is evil, more sadistic in nature than I could have conceived. I mean…it appears that he would willingly wipe out, not only your kingdom, but the human world with it.”

  The concept had rattled me, from the moment Amalia shared the insight. Yet I tried to remain composed for Callie’s benefit. “But we intend to stop him. Don’t forget that.”

  “There is something you haven’t considered,” Callie said. “One angle that you didn’t think of.” She swallowed hard. “If Seth is dangerously evil and I am his daughter…then I might be partly evil too. Even Rosamon might be. And if that’s true…what might we become?”

  She’d trusted me enough to share that secret fear, to tell me what horror haunted her, relentlessly. It was shocking to consider the possibilities. “But you aren’t your father. You won’t become a monster like he is.”

  “I’m not the only one who thinks it,” Callie said. “It’s rather hard to overlook. It’s like adding two plus two.”

  “People aren’t numbers.”

  Tears formed in Callie’s eyes. “Yes, but then why are Morrigan and Natasha acting so strangely?”

  “I haven’t noticed them acting any differently.”

  “You wouldn’t, because they treat you the same as before.” With the back of her hand, Callie wiped away a tear. “It’s only when they are around me.”

  I struggled to recall if I’d noticed any strange behavior. “Maybe I have noticed it a little, but so much is going on…”

  “That’s not it, though. What’s going on wouldn’t make either of them treat me any differently,” Callie said. “I’ve spent time with Morrigan and Natasha too. It seems like they’re walking on eggshells around me.”

  Callie expelled a breath. “It seems that they’ve accepted Rosamon. But I’m different, because I’m also a vampire.” She hesitated. “It may be that they are afraid of what I’ll do with my sorceress ability, using my vampire strength.”

  “The way you put it, that does sound like a deadly combination,” I said. “But you’re still Callie; you haven’t changed on the inside. I can tell.” She still had more goodness than anyone I’d known, even with evil sorcerer blood flowing through her veins.

  “You can’t be sure,” Callie said with distress in her expression. “Your love makes you blind. You’d be the last to see if I morphed into my father’s daughter, for real.”

  “Give me more credit than that,” I said. “But I do think you are making too much out of this.”

  Callie shook her head. “No, I’m not.” She looked into my eyes. “I can’t help but wonder what power
I’m supposed to possess—and whether they fear me.”

  Chapter 7

  Callie

  Logan tried to reassure me. “You should know that I don’t walk on eggshells around you.” He smiled. “You are as lovely as you every were, on the inside as well as the outside.”

  “You may be the only one who thinks so.”

  “You worry too much,” Logan said. “Everything is going to be fine. Let’s have some fun.” Then he stood up and took a stance like a performer. His elegant bow made me laugh.

  Telekinesis was an art. I watched Logan move objects around. Previously, he’d mostly been compelled to use his skill as a defense. But he didn’t need to be that forceful.

  “We should rearrange the plants, don’t you think?” Logan winked at me, then lifted several of the potted plants to eye level. He rearranged their position, then lowered them back to the pool deck.

  “That is like a magic trick,” I said and stood beside him. “Do something else.”

  Logan grinned, then gazed at the pool. His emerald eyes glowed brighter, as if they had light bulbs in them. The water’s surface began to ripple, then it peaked into waves. He increased the speed until water splashed over the sides onto our feet.

  I laughed, which only encouraged him. “Name something. What shall I play with next?”

  In the corner was a stone carving of a gargoyle. It had to be heavy. “Make the statue rise high in the air.” That should have given him a challenge.

  Logan reached his hands toward the gargoyle and lifted his fingers to the sky. The heavy stone soared high like it was a feather. It suspended above us, shining in the moonlight. Without even breathing hard, Logan looked at me. “Impressed?”

  I giggled. “Yes, very impressed.”

  The stone figure drifted back to its spot in the corner at a controlled even pace. “See,” Logan said. “I told you that everything will be fine. I’m with you. What could go wrong?”

  “Ah, an arrogant vampire. I find that sexy,” I said then moved closer.

  Logan pulled me into his arms and held me tight. “I find the combo of female vampire and sorceress irresistible.” Then he tipped my chin up to kiss me.

  Our lips were cold, but our hearts were on fire. Being so close to Logan made me feel safe and loved. “Mm, how irresistible am I?”

  Logan’s response was to lift me in his arms and carry me away. He flew inside then down the hall to our bedroom. Once we were in the chamber, he mentally shut and locked the door. Not that it would keep vampires out, but at least the humans wouldn’t come in, unexpectedly.

  He lit a row of candles to create a romantic atmosphere. My heart throbbed with desire. Logan was the one who was irresistible, with his beautiful eyes, perfect mouth, and broad shoulders. When he took off his shirt I gazed at his sculpted form.

  Gently, sweetly, and then passionately, Logan made love to me. I’d heard that vampires could be rough, but since I was a vampire too, it was all perfectly normal. My form was as solid as his, if more feminine and curvy. I was so lucky and felt special.

  Whatever had happened, I’d been gifted with true love. I relished his attention and cherished each moment we spent together. As we touched and treasured each other, the rest of the world was far away. There was only Logan with me, and our bond that strengthened with each kiss.

  We had no need for sleep but snuggled into each other’s arms afterwards. It was good to be close, to feel Logan beside me. If only we could stay that way and block out the pressures that awaited us.

  Such was not to be. A pounding on the door startled us out of our intimacy. Logan was needed by his brother and had to leave. It seemed like the middle of the night. But since it was always night, I supposed it didn’t matter.

  Logan kissed me sweetly before he departed. For a few minutes, I buried myself in the covers trying to hold onto the peace and tranquility. But I failed. My mind was filled with worry again, so I got out of bed. Lately, I’d been having flashes of strange images.

  More images flooded my mind. It was difficult to piece them together. I sat in a padded chair by the window, watching shadows in the room flicker in the candlelight. Even with my eyes open the images loomed and nagged at me.

  When I closed my eyes, the scenes came into better focus. Another flash of images hit me, then another. It was alarming and confusing. The phenomenon was worse, when Logan wasn’t around. It was like he centered me and without him a part of me went out of control.

  My mind wouldn’t be quieted. There was no way to block out the images or stop the flashes from assaulting me. It was distressing, and I struggled to make sense of it. I hadn’t shared this information with anyone, as I thought it would just confirm that I was weird.

  Sitting alone with the flow of visions overwhelming my senses, I certainly felt weird. Something had changed; that was for sure. Whether I was seeing into the past or the future, I couldn’t tell. Or maybe the pictures were delusion. I’d experienced that with Amalia. It had been her way to torment me, but she was on our side now.

  Surely, Amalia would have told me if she had any sense that this would happen. Or Natasha or Rosamon would have mentioned it, if they had known, since both were seers. Yet no one had said a word. It seemed that I was to suffer alone.

  The episode passed, so I got up and went to the desk. I opened the drawer and took out a notebook. Maybe if I drew pictures of what I’d seen, it would begin to make sense. Also, I could show the drawings to Amalia, in case she recognized the images.

  Madly, I sketched what I’d seen. Page after page of imagery with notes of what I’d sensed when each had appeared in my mind. As I poured out the details, an atmosphere of horror congealed. The images were strange and violent. It was upsetting to flip through the pages of what I’d written.

  I was more worried than ever. Logan’s calming influence had pulled me away from my concerns, but all the anxiety flooded back, stronger than before. It was difficult to understand what was happening. My new state was unfamiliar. I hadn’t been a vampire for long, and although I’d had the sorceress blood since birth, my abilities had been recently activated.

  Using my magic to take apart the prison and free Seth had magnified my sorceress strength. It was like a muscle that grew stronger with use. But I had no one to guide or warn me of what to expect.

  I stared at my notebook, alarmed by the images, and wondered if the sorceress side of me was making all this happen. If this was what it felt like to be a sorceress, I wasn’t prepared to deal with it.

  Chapter 8

  Callie

  It was too much to figure out by myself; I made a promise to talk to Natasha and Morrigan about this, as soon as possible. The drawings puzzled me. They were abstract. Some were beautiful, while others depicted horrible scenes. The images were imbued with feelings of love, hate, fury, and tenderness.

  What did it all mean? The flashes were like waking dreams, but I didn’t recognize the images as memories. Maybe they were visions that foreshadowed the future. At first the episodes had been milder. But the strength and frequency had increased with Amalia’s unexpected arrival.

  The physical changes in Amalia’s appearance had been horrifying. Since I’d met her, the Fae princess had been very different from me. She’d been exotic and alien. Her beauty had been a façade, since evil had simmered within.

  I refused to think that Amalia was the enemy. She’d been harmed as much as any of us. It was in her best interest to work with us not against us. I didn’t completely trust her, as that would be foolhardy. But I had to have faith that she wouldn’t betray us in our aim to depower Seth.

  When Logan returned, I’d tell him about the flashes, and mention that they’d gotten worse after Amalia joined us. There had to be a connection. I just didn’t know what it was. If only all of this made sense. Then I’d be able to do something about it.

  But the way it looked, I wasn’t supposed to know the meaning behind the flashes. I feared that when I figured it out—if I was able to f
igure it out at all—that it might be too late. It was important not to let that happen. Too much depended on our success.

  Too restless to focus, I went out to the balcony to gaze at the city. I stepped into the dim light and looked up at the stars. The terrace was large, like a huge patio. Over to the right, Kaida was curled up for a nap. But like a cat, she was instantly alert.

  When Kaida opened her eyes, I went over to pet her. My fingertips tingled at touching her silky wings. The little dragon was beautiful. It was a comfort to have her with me. I smiled at her, but it must have looked like a grimace.

  My torment couldn’t be brushed aside. I wasn’t good at hiding my feelings. I hadn’t expected to have a conversation with the dragon, but I should have. She was sharp and didn’t miss much.

  “What’s bothering you?”

  Kaida’s question appeared in my mind. “I’m not bothered. I came out to enjoy the view.”

  “I should remind you that I’m a telepath,” Kaida said. “I can feel the unsettledness of your mind. It radiates through me.”

  I considered denying that I was unsettled. But the dragon wouldn’t believe that. It didn’t matter what I said, since she could perceive what was in my mind. It would be good to share my feelings, so I was relieved that she’d asked.

  But how was I to explain it? The things that I’d witnessed were unlike any I’d seen. I doubted Kaida had either. Yet she had lived in Shadowland longer than I had. The possibility existed that she could shed some light on the meaning of the images.

  Any help would be appreciated, so I decided to give it a try. Kaida could be trusted. She wouldn’t share what I told her with anyone. The dragon was like a best friend.

  “What I say might shock you.”

  “I don’t think so,” Kaida said. “I’m sure I could tell you many shocking things. You forget how long I’ve been with vampires.”