HerVampireLover

by Anastasia Maltezos

  “No!”

  “Yes. So unless you want to risk your best friend’s life, she must never know about you. Eventually, you must stop seeing her. I can understand that will take time, but it’s something you must do.”

  “No,” she repeated, her voice quavering. Mel was all she had, more family than a friend. “I won’t do it.”

  “Cat, if you don’t, you’ll be putting her life in danger. I’m sorry.”

  Her stomach dropped. She couldn’t do that. She couldn’t hurt Mel. She loved her like a sister, the sister she never had. “What if we protect her? Keep a close eye on her?”

  He shook his head solemnly. “It won’t work. You won’t be able to spend every moment of every day with her. As much as we want our human friends in our lives, we must let them go. Our code is to protect humans, not put their lives at risk.”

  Cat didn’t know what to say. She turned and looked at the wintry, forest scene rolling by her window. Her throat was dry. He was right. She couldn’t put Mel’s life in jeopardy. Her mind went back to the morning, when she’d decided to turn into a vampire. If she knew then what she knew now, would she have made the same choice? Slowly, her hand went over her belly and warmth settled in her breast—the love for her unborn child.

  Yes, she would have made the same choice all over again. A thousand times, yes.

  “Okay,” she said numbly. “I’ll do it, but I need time.”

  He removed his right hand from the steering wheel and squeezed her hand on her belly. “Try to get some sleep. We’ll feed when we get to my home. You can call her from there.”

  For a long time, she stared unseeingly at the bare trees, the snow-covered terrain, the overcast sky, then eventually she closed her eyes. Being a vampire, her immortality, Tobias, and a child came with a heavy price.

  She felt herself drifting off to sleep and welcomed it.

  * * * *

  Even though Cat knew she was dreaming, it didn’t stop her from thinking how real it was.

  She was in a field, carrying a small basket as she picked through the various plant life and shrubbery. The weather was overcast, the air cool. She looked down at her attire and noted her long, empire cut dress. It was pale blue with white lace trimming the edges. She spun around at the sound of a horse galloping toward her. She smiled. It was Tobias, looking gallant and magnificent in a black coat. Her smile faltered as she caught his dangerous frown.

  He vaulted off his horse the moment he reached her side and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Seraphina, I have been looking everywhere for you. I told you never to venture off without me.”

  So…she was Seraphina in this dream. Interesting. Well, she knew how that had seeped into her subconscious.

  “Don’t be cross with me, darling. I was looking for herbs to heal Mr. McTavish. His wife told me he still suffers from nerves and hasn’t slept. There’s valerian in these parts.”

  Was that her voice? It sounded different, more lilting, and softer than her well-modulated, even tone.

  Tobias looked up. “It looks like rain. I’ll help you look.”

  Cat, or rather, Seraphina smiled up at him. “After we find it, I will go see him quickly and be home by night fall.”

  Tobias nodded. “Don’t forget I have to help the Forresters. I will be home as soon as I have repaired their well.”

  Seraphina went into his arms and hugged him. “And then we can have a quiet night to celebrate our anniversary. Can you believe it’s already been ten years? What should we do tonight?”

  His gaze dipped to her breasts. “I can think of a few things,” he murmured deeply, then bent his head to take her mouth.

  His mouth was firm and warm. Cat moaned softly. Mm, she liked this dream. She dropped the basket and slid her hands up his arms around his neck, pressing her body close to his. He was aroused.

  He deepened the kiss, running his hands up and down her back. Then, with a groan, he withdrew from her. “You will be the death of me, Seraphina. I have a mind to suggest we forget the valerian and the Forresters and go straight home.”

  Seraphina feigned a look of reproach. “And let poor Mr. McTavish suffer another sleepless night?”

  He smiled. “Fine, but the second I come home, I plan to have my own sleepless night with you.”

  She giggled. “Promise?”

  He ran a dark, intense gaze over her face and took her back in his arms. “I love you, Seraphina. The past ten years have been more than I could ask for.” He paused. “And I’ve been thinking, tonight would be a good time to start our family. We’ve been talking about having children for a while now.”

  She smiled up at him. “Oh, yes. I love you, Tobias.”

  Cat was surprised how comfortable she was saying the words. In her dream, she did love him. Suddenly, her heart swelled with emotion. Then, like a dam bursting, she saw the ten years with him rush before her eyes. The laughter, the warmth, the caring. All the passion and love. She was breathless. She knew she was dreaming, but the love she had for him was real. The ten years together were real. They happened. And she remembered every wonderful, joyful, satisfying moment.

  “Come,” he said, taking her hand. “Show me where to look for your valerian.”

  Suddenly everything around her disappeared—the fields, Tobias, her basket, and she found herself standing in front of a small keep. She didn’t know how or why, but somehow she knew it was Seraphina’s and Tobias’s home.

  And she was surrounded by ten men. There were two in particular she felt a connection to, an older man with graying hair, and a younger, handsome blond man.

  Seraphina’s father and brother. Clive and Quinn Granger.

  They were carrying stakes.

  Seraphina screamed and Cat woke up in a cold sweat. Gasping, she looked around her and was relieved to see she was in the car with Tobias.

  “Cat, what is it?” He asked, trying to regain control of the car.

  Her scream must have jarred him. She gave him a frightened look and noticed his taut, grim profile.

  “I had a bad dream.”

  He tossed her a concerned look. “Do you want me to pull over?”

  “No.” Something was troubling her deeply. She took a deep breath and faced him. “Tobias, did Seraphina die on your ten-year anniversary?”

  He sucked in a harsh breath and gave her a dark look. “So it has begun.”

  Her stomach jolted. “What has begun?”

  “Your subconscious is starting to reawaken. Vampires remember everything, even past lives.”

  Cat frowned. “You mean the dream I just had where I was looking for valerian for Mr. McTavish and you found me in the field, really happened?” She was afraid of the answer.

  “Yes.” He gripped the wheel so tight, even in the dimly lit car she saw the white streaks on his hands. “I had finished helping the Forresters with their well and was on my way home when I saw what happened.”

  “You saw the stake through my heart and then my father finishing the job with an axe?”

  “Yes.”

  She covered her face with her hands. The dream felt so real. More so, how was she able to dream it? Tobias had never told her it had been their anniversary when Seraphina had died. He’d never mentioned the valerian, the McTavishes, the Forresters. Was it true? Was she Seraphina?

  What about the brief flash where she’d seen her ten years with Tobias? They seemed so real. The love she experienced felt real. Those ten years were a part of her memories now. “Maybe you should pull over. I think I’m going to be sick.”

  He glanced in the rear view mirror and shook his head. “I can’t. He’s back.”

  She, too, glanced over her shoulder and saw nothing. No headlights, no movement. Nothing. “Who?”

  “I’m not sure, but one of my kind has been following us the past couple of hundred miles.”

  * * * *

  The Elder moved with grace and speed through the woods. Thankfully, the weather was on his side. Cloudy. He vaulted over boulders,
sped across the snow-covered road, and raced through the dense woods. Even though he knew following them on foot was a better camouflage, he also knew Tobias sensed him, aware he was not far behind.

  Tonight, he was going to kill them. After the last two men came back empty handed, he didn’t want any more blunders. Twice, he had sent men to kill them and twice, the mission failed. This time, he would do the job himself.

  He’d sensed his sister’s change. That demon bastard had already turned her. Quinn was as powerful a vampire as Tobias, but he didn’t want to leave anything to chance. It would be easier to kill her when Tobias wasn’t around. He would just have to wait for the right moment. Then, after he killed his sister, he would wait for Tobias and kill him.

  If his father were alive today, he would be so proud of him. The demon bastard, Tobias and his brother, Victor, had destroyed his mother and his sister.

  Justice would be sweet.

  Three hundred years was a long time to make the Knights pay for what they did to his family.

  Chapter Nine

  Tobias carried Cat’s luggage as he led her into the building. Cat looked around in awe. It was a twenty floor high rise in the heart of Manhattan with polished floors, mirrors, and plush seating in the massive lobby. The security guard greeted Tobias warmly.

  “Welcome back, Mr. Knight.”

  Tobias inclined his head. “Nice to be back, Jarvis.”

  He led Cat to the chrome elevators and within moments, they were riding up to the twentieth floor. The elevators opened directly into his penthouse.

  Cat gasped the second she walked in. “Wow. You live here?”

  Tobias smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “Like it? Who wouldn’t? It’s gorgeous.” She looked around at the huge décor of high ceilings, plants, and art. His furniture was set in earth tones and his hardwood floor gleamed with polish. She glanced at the grand piano in the corner of the living room and the violin set on the side. Numerous large doors and pathways led to more rooms, indicating his home’s immensity, but what gave Cat the biggest sense of space were the windows. On one side of his huge living room, the wall was made up entirely of floor to ceiling windows, showcasing the most extraordinary skyline of New York City.

  “What a stunning view,” she said.

  “Thank you. The windows tint automatically at sunlight.”

  She walked into the huge room and stopped dead in her tracks. Hung high above his fireplace was a portrait of herself wearing the pale blue, lace-trimmed dress—the one Seraphina wore on their ten-year anniversary. The one she’d just dreamt about.

  “Did…did you paint that?” she asked. She recalled him telling her he dabbled in art. Cat couldn’t take her eyes off the painting. She looked so happy.

  “Yes, about two hundred years ago,” he replied quietly. “That was how you looked the last time I saw you.”

  “That’s the dress I wore in my dream,” she whispered, staring at the magnificent painting. Any remaining doubt melted away and the truth could no longer be ignored. She was Seraphina. Oddly, the thought didn’t frighten her, but rather saddened her. She was Seraphina, but she was also Cat from this time, with new memories and a new life. Didn’t Tobias feel like he loved two women? It was enough to make her go crazy if she analyzed it too much.

  “Cat, you’re both one and the same to me,” he said somberly. “I loved you three hundred years ago and I love you today. My heart doesn’t factor the time in between. You have Seraphina’s face and body, and soon, you will have all her memories along with the new ones you’ve acquired in this life. Think of it as being asleep for three hundred years.”

  She knew he’d just read her mind and it didn’t bother her. She understood his need to make sure she was okay with this newfound knowledge. She did, however choose to ignore his comment. It was still too much for her to take in.

  “It’s a beautiful painting. You have a remarkable hand.”

  “As I mentioned, I’ve had a few hundred years to hone my artistic craft.”

  She glanced at the piano and violin, wanting to change the subject. “You mentioned you played the guitar as well.”

  “I’m having it restrung.” He put the bags down. “Come into the kitchen with me.”

  She followed him to another huge room that contained a long center island, maple cabinetry, and granite countertops. His appliances were all stainless steel and the ceramic tile backsplash set in warm hues gave his kitchen a very pleasant tone. As his living room had, his kitchen décor surprised her. What had she expected? Had she thought he’d be living in a dark and sinister looking home straight out of a horror movie?

  She watched him open his counter-depth refrigerator. Curious, she angled her body to see what it contained. No food. No left overs. No daily staples. Only rows of glass flasks filled with a red liquid. He pulled one out, set two glasses on the center island and filled them. “Here,” he said. “Drink this.”

  “Is it what I think it is?”

  “Yes.”

  She eyed the glass distastefully and grimaced. She couldn’t forget one tiny fact. If she didn’t drink it, she would die. “Okay, bottoms up.” She lifted the glass to her lips. Again, as before, she enjoyed it. “As long as I keep my eyes closed and pretend it’s warm milk with honey, I could get used to it,” she remarked dryly.

  Tobias set his glass down, grasped her shoulders, and gazed down into her face. His eyes were like black jewels, his skin glowing with an ethereal hue, his mouth sensual. His face looked so beautiful, Cat stifled a gasp.

  “Cat, I’m sorry for what you have gone through. If I could have spared you any of this anguish, I would have.”

  “I know.”

  “Being a vampire isn’t all that bad. It’s not all doom and gloom. Yes, we have to be cautious with threats like the Grangers, the sun, lack of daily feedings, but there are wonders we can never see as a human.”

  “Like what?” She laughed, but it sounded strained and hollow. “Do you know what I realized driving here? I’ll never lie on a beach again for the rest of my life. I’ll never get a tan.” A sense of hysteria bubbled over her. “I’ll never feel the heat of the sun on my face or…or have a glass of champagne like I always do after I finish a book.”

  He placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her face. “There’s beauty in the night. Come. Let me show you.” Slowly, he bent his head and kissed her on the mouth. It wasn’t an earth shattering kiss that left her breathless, but a warm kiss that comforted her, and she welcomed it.

  He took her hand and led her to a small hallway. He opened a door and they climbed a narrow stairwell. At the top, he opened yet another door that led outside to the roof top terrace decked with lawn chairs, a table, flowers, and plants.

  She gave him a questioning look.

  He shrugged. “I try to keep my life as normal as possible. I like to come out here at night when the stars are out and think. I find the night peaceful.”

  Still holding her hand, he led her to the edge of the rooftop. Cat jerked back. “What are you doing?”

  “I want to show you the beauty of being a vampire, the beauty of the night.”

  She looked down over the edge of the roof and her stomach somersaulted. This wasn’t beautiful. This was downright dangerous. They could fall. Vampires couldn’t survive a twenty-story plunge? Could they?

  “Uhh…just so you know, I’m deathly afraid of heights.”

  Tobias chuckled softly and held her firmly around her waist.

  “Not anymore, my love.”

  With one swift move, he vaulted over the edge of the roof and sailed through the sky with her in his arms. Cat screamed at the top of her lungs.

  “You’re safe with me,” he said in her ear.

  Her scream stuck in her throat as she stared at his handsome profile. Before she could say a word or scream again, they landed on the rooftop of another high rise. “You fly?” she croaked.

  “Not exactly. I leap over tall buildings in a s
ingle bound.”

  “So you’re faster than a speeding bullet?” Oh, my God, she was falling in love with Superman. Her thought stilled her. She was falling in love with him.

  “In a manner of speaking, yes. And so can you.”

  She gasped. “I can fly?”

  “Not yet, but soon enough. It will take time to fully acquire all your gifts.” He held her tight around her waist. “I want to show you my favorite spot in New York City.” He sailed through the air with her, landing on every rooftop, until she could see it.

  The Statue of Liberty in the New York harbor.

  Cat squeezed her eyes shut as they flew over the Hudson River and landed in between the crook of the statue’s raised arm and neck. Tobias settled back comfortably and gathered her close on his lap, her back against his strong chest.

  “Open your eyes,” he said quietly.

  Slowly, Cat did and looked around her in awe. The city was beautiful at night with all the lights, the stars framing it, the sparkling water surrounding it. And it was quiet. She could hear the distant sounds of the city, but they were faint, like a whisper of a song filtering through the night.

  “It’s…it’s beautiful,” she said breathily.

  “I come here often when I feel lonely. Up here, I feel surrounded by every single person in the city. I can’t see them, but I know they’re there and I don’t feel so alone.”

  “Mm,” she replied, leaning her head back. The cool air was soothing on her skin and his body was even nicer beneath hers. Comfort and security flowed through her veins, dissolving her earlier hysteria.

  He kissed her neck. Cat sighed. She loved being this close to him. With his arms around her, his breath on her neck, his heart beating beneath her.

  It would be dawn soon and the star-filled sky would glow with a rosy hue heralding the sun’s imminent appearance, signaling their departure. She didn’t want this moment to end.

  He gathered her closer to him. “A long time ago, I was obsessed with finding a cure for what I’d become.”

  “Is there a cure?”

  “No, and I’m happy there isn’t. I would have never found you if there were.”