by Jane Ederlyn
“Do you still miss her?” Abby asked.
“Yes,” Marie said.
Abby picked up the framed photograph on Marie’s nightstand. A laughing Roxanne stared back at her. “This is how I picture her, but there is no life in the memory. Try as I might, I can’t remember anything before the accident, as if I was born that day.”
Emotions darkened Abby’s eyes and Marie felt a pang of heartache for the child she’d been. “Sometimes I still expect her to be there when I wake,” Marie admitted.
“She was like a sister to you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I have you and you’re just as precious to me. It’s I who should apologize. You grew up without a mother, sister, or brother.”
“I don’t care about that. I have you and I wouldn’t change anything. John was out of line. And wrong.”
Marie sat on the edge of the mattress and brushed a tendril from Abby’s eyes.
“Shortly after you were born, we took you to France. You cried all the time and we thought the French air would be good for you.”
“Was it?”
Marie nodded. Her mind journeying to relive the old and her voice softening to enfold Abby in the warmth of memories. “One night, we took you out, deep into the fields. We placed a blanket on the soil and we lay on our backs with you between us. It was near harvest and the night was alive with scents of the Earth.”
She blinked and looked down, focusing on Abby. “It was the first time we went star gazing. You were as quiet as the moon as you stared at the sky with your big eyes so curious.” She traced the form of the little dipper on her forehead. “You still have big eyes. That night it occurred to us to put a lamp in your room and hang glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. You did not cry after that.”
“I must have been afraid of the dark.”
“You still are. You would not make a good vampire, ma chérie.”
“Yes, I would.”
Marie shook her head. “I will never condemn you to this darkness.” She swallowed to push down her emotions.
Abby finally broke the silence that crept up between them, “Tell me more about Etienne.”
Marie was relieved to change the subject. “Actually, that trip was the first time you met him.”
“Go on.”
“You and your love of history, Abigail. I don’t count the passage of time, as you do.” Marie shrugged. “Etienne was a talented artist. Anton came across one of his portraits and commissioned him.”
“Anton?”
“Yes, ma chérie. However, Etienne grew unexpectedly ill before completing the portrait. He was human after all. As you can imagine, he wouldn’t have been able to finish if he died, so Anton advanced his fee. Not with money, of course, but with eternal life. He made Etienne a vampire to assure that he’d have his completed portrait and any other painting he fancied.”
“But I thought you said Orpheo was Etienne’s master?”
“He is, but it is Anton who is his maker.”
Marie considered stopping, knowing much more than she already did could be dangerous for Abby. On the other hand, for her own good, she needed to respect Anton’s true nature. Nor could Marie resist the flush of curiosity on the girl’s cheeks. Marie smiled indulgently.
“Orpheo is the master in Italy. He has always been a devotee of the arts and paints himself. When he heard about Anton’s acquisition, he was curious and paid a visit. Etienne was miserable, not adapting well to his new life. Anton is moody and cruel and he was very . . .” Marie paused for emphasis. “. . . demanding with Etienne. It was fortunate that Anton owed Orpheo a favor and the Italian collected on the debt by asking for Etienne.”
“What happened then?” Abby pulled herself up to sit cross-legged.
“Anton was growing bored with Etienne. It was advantageous for him to fulfill a debt by releasing something he considered so trivial. The arrangement was also beneficial to Etienne, as the two masters were like night and day in character. He painted Orpheo’s portrait, but when it was finished, he never picked up another paintbrush.”
“Isn’t that a waste?”
“Perhaps. Etienne was grateful and willingly pledged his loyalty to his new master. In truth, they are more like friends and Etienne is free to do as he wishes.”
“You didn’t know of him while you were with Anton?”
“No, Etienne is older than I am. I came to learn of this when I met him in London.”
“Have you met Orpheo?”
“Yes, I have. He does little else but paint these days. He paints and paints and has rooms full of art. Etienne manages many of his businesses, as well as his own.”
Abby bit her lip. “What makes a master?”
Marie looked at Abby. “Power. They are formidable and shouldn’t be underestimated.”
“Yes, but how do they become that formidable?”
“They drink the blood of their maker, absorbing their strengths and the strengths of their preceding masters, and eventually kill them. Of course, it is not so simple. The older the vampire, the greedier they are with their blood. But that is enough. I grow weary with all this vampire talk.”
“I don’t want to leave yet. Please.”
“It is not up for discussion,” Marie said, more harshly than she intended, and rose from the bed. “I do this for our safety.”
Abby grabbed Marie’s hand and pulled her back down.
“Will you trust me?”
Abby nodded. “The alarm eventually rings. I just wish it wasn’t so soon.”
“I too am sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” Abby stifled a yawn. “I will do whatever you think is best.”
“Get under the covers.”
“What about Odin?”
“He’s at his apartment handling business and won’t be back until tomorrow.”
Abby fell back into the silky linens, with their delicate and comforting scent of baby powder and lavender, and fell asleep.
Marie slid her fingertips down Abby’s closed lids in a soft caress. “Sleep. I will protect you from the darkness,” she whispered then kissed her forehead and snuggled against her side. The dozing Abby shifted closer and Marie moved to lay her head above Abby’s heart; it beat rhythmic and strong, invasive enough to impel them both.
In the quiet, Odin came to mind. He filled her space with humor and vitality and his absence was as obvious as the markings left when moving a painting. The wall behind the canvas untouched and never the same as the rest. She would never be the same.
Chapter XXXVI
Abby rubbed her eyes then opened the door. John’s hand froze in mid movement.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for you. What are you doing? Why were you in there with her?” He glanced at the closed door and then at her neck.
Heat coiled in Abby’s stomach. She swatted her hair out of the way and lifted her chin. “Is this what you want? Look, no bite marks.” Her hand itched to hit him, but instead she stuck her wrist in his face. “None here either.”
He stepped back. “Abby—”
“She doesn’t feed from me. Happy?” She counted to ten and reminded herself that nothing in the house was private. “I think you should go now.”
“The office called. I have to leave.”
“Good.”
After John left, Abby took a shower, letting the warm water splash against her skin, drain her emotions dry. Had she over-reacted? Maybe she was just tired. And hungry. She needed breakfast.
When she went downstairs, she found Egon, as usual, spread out on the sofa. An empty plate sat on the floor beside him and a baseball game flashed on the television. Abby pulled on his headphone and yelled, “Good afternoon.”
He flinched.
“Don’t pretend to be surprised. I know you can smell me a mile away.”
He grinned. “You really should take a shower.”
“Ha-ha. I did. You on the other hand.”
“I took one too.” He lifted his smoky-gray Abercrombie and Fitch shirt. “Smell me.”
Her gaze fell on his ripped abdomen. “I didn’t hear the water. Is running through the rain in wolf form considered a shower?”
Egon leaned back and spread his arms along the back of the sofa. “Do you need something?”
She wore a belted Burberry shirtdress, the same blue as her eyes, and her hair fell in soft waves. It wasn’t Abercrombie, but she looked good too. She pushed her black Prada sunglasses to the top of her head and leaned down. His gaze dropped to the top button where her dress gaped and his breath stopped.
She’d meant to say something snarky to him, but all she could think about was why she hadn’t noticed how long and dark his eyelashes were. Or how much heat he emitted when he held his breath.
“I’m hungry,” she managed in a hoarse stutter that didn’t sound like her voice. His eyes rose to meet hers and the blaze, like the interior of a flame, made her nipples tighten and push against the lace of her bra. She stepped back. “I don’t have any food and I’m not allowed to go out by myself. Will you please come with me?”
In a fast and fluid move, he stood. “Anything you want, Abby.” He took a step toward her. “All you have to do is say the words and I have to obey.”
She blinked. The apology that sprung to her lips died. She hated being weaker than everyone, having to be taken care of, but there was more to his words.
“Abby?” Egon’s chest rose and fell, heavy and unsteady.
She blinked.
The phone rang and she rushed to the kitchen to answer it, grateful for the interruption. What was happening to her? Egon was her friend. And a werewolf. He couldn’t be attracted to her. She must be imagining it. But what if he was?
“Hello. Somebody there?” John’s voice grated over the line.
“Yes. I’m here.”
Egon followed her into the kitchen and dropped his dirty dish into the sink. It landed with a clang. She ignored it, like she ignored the energy pushing at her. Egon was listening and his presence was making it hard for her to understand John.
When she disconnected and returned the phone into its dock, she turned slowly.
Their eyes met for a split second and then he shook his head, looking disappointed. “Are you ready to go?”
There was an edge to his voice. Maybe she’d misread him? Maybe he wasn’t attracted to her. Maybe he was annoyed that he got stuck babysitting instead of actively seeking out the rogues? Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
He opened the door and followed her out.
“Are you going to get in the car, follow in yours, or run alongside of me?” she asked.
“You are in rare form today. Haven’t you had your coffee yet?” He slid into the passenger seat of her Range Rover.”
“No, and I didn’t sleep well.”
“Where’s lover boy?”
“He had to work. That was him, on the phone, letting me know he arrived at the office.”
“How nice.”
Abby glanced at him, but his expression was blank and innocent. “How did you know I was in danger the other day?”
“We don’t know who’s making the rogues or if all of them have been caught, so I’ve been following you to make sure you’re okay.” He shrugged.
“Sometimes I can smell you.” Abby turned off the property and onto the road where she had been attacked.
“What do you mean, you can smell me?”
“Not all the time, but occasionally I catch a whiff of you.”
“Abby, that’s not normal. Not for a human. I stay well back.”
“In case you haven’t noticed. My life isn’t exactly normal. My grandmother is a vampire.”
He started to say something, but her phone rang again. Egon grimaced when he saw John’s name on the screen. “Again?” he asked. “Can’t you do anything without him checking on you?”
“He probably wants to apologize, again, for what he said to Marie last night. He feels terrible.”
“He should apologize to Marie personally, though apologies aren’t going to help him if he doesn’t soften toward her soon. He’s becoming a problem and if Marie doesn’t take care of him, we will.
Abby bit her lip. She wanted to be mad at Egon, but she couldn’t. He was right. She answered the phone and held it close to her ear, though he could probably still hear everything.
Distracted by John, Egon was able to watch her unguarded and undetected. There was a pop song on the radio and she was smiling and bopping her head to the beat of the music, only half listening to the jerk. She deserved better than John.
When she disconnected the call, he glanced away and made a show of changing the radio station. “That sugary pop isn’t music.”
Her eyebrows rose. “And the Prince of Darkness is?” she asked, referring to the head-banging rock blaring out of the speakers.
“Everyone loves Ozzie.”
She changed the station.
He changed it back.
She changed it again. When she drove into the Whole Foods Market, he changed the station back, and jumped out, effectively getting in the last word. Abby gave him a dirty look as she parked.
She lowered her window and yelled out with a sunshine bright smile. “I should run you over.”
“I dare you to try.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
Egon stepped toward the car and opened her door. He extended a hand to help her. To his surprise, she took it and they walked into the store arm in arm.
“Get your veggies. As long as I’m here, I’m going to get steak, maybe even venison.”
“Bambi? Ew.”
“Go away,” he said with a grin and pushed her lightly toward the produce before walking off.
Abby stuck her tongue out at him then turned to concentrate on her grocery list. She walked up and down the produce section, picking organic Gala apples, vibrantly hued nectarines, and ripe mangos. She put a semi-green guava in the basket before walking around an island of stacked bananas. She reached for a bunch when a large hand closed over hers. She looked up in surprise.
“Hello, Abigail, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you, face-to-face.”
She snapped her hand away. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“You will,” he said with a throaty chuckle. He looked down at his empty hand and met her eyes. “You don’t need to fear me. This is our first official meeting, but I hope this is only the first of many.”
“Look, you must be mistaken.”
“Leidolf,” Egon growled from behind Abby, the force of his breath stirred her hair. He stepped closer until their bodies touched.
“Brother,” Leidolf said, “I didn’t realize you were here.”
“Actually, we’re just leaving.”
“What’s the rush? Abigail and I need to get to know each other. We are practically related after all.” Leidolf turned a white-toothed smile on her.
She looked up at Egon. “Do you know him?”
Egon put an arm around her torso and pulled her behind him.
Leidolf put a hand on his shoulder. “Come now. What are you afraid of, little brother?”
Abby stiffened at the obvious antagonism rolling off the other man.
“They’re expecting us,” Egon said.
Leidolf glanced around and sniffed. “Just the two of you? How cozy.”
Egon stepped back, forcing her to shift with him. “We have to go.”
“It’s good to finally meet you, Abby. You smell delicious. See
you later.”
Egon stiffened, the desire to punch Leidolf palpable in his flushed face and bunched muscles. He pushed her along slowly, not giving Leidolf his back, until they were leaping distance away. Finally he turned, taking her basket and dropping it on a shelf. With his nose in the air and a firm grip on her wrist, they rushed out like they were being chased.
She knew enough to be quiet, but as soon as they were outside, she let loose. “What’s going on? Who was that?”
“Get in the car.”
“But—”
“I said, get in the car. Now.” He took the keys from her hand, shoved her into the passenger seat, and slid into the driver side, locking the doors. Only after he started the engine, did he turn to her. “Listen to me. Promise me that you won’t go out alone anymore. And John is no good to you. It has to be one of us.”
“I’ve already promised that to Marie. What are you talking about?”
“That was Odin’s half-brother, Leidolf. Do you know what my sister use to call him? Leidolf, the bad.”
“I guess I should ask you why?”
“Because he used to eat little girls like you for breakfast.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“I wish I were. Leidolf is dangerous, Abby. I’m not sure what he wants with you, but you need to stay out of his line of vision. Promise.”
She nodded and glanced at the side mirror as the vehicle pulled out of the lot. Leidolf leaned against the brick wall of the grocery store. He licked his mouth and threw her a kiss. The action and the intention behind it struck her as vulgar.
“They know about you. They know everything. This is getting complicated. Tell lover boy if he values his life to pack his bags and meet you at the house.”
Abby convinced Egon she needed to eat. His own stomach grumbled loudly. When he was sure they hadn’t been followed, they drove into a Publix. They bought groceries and went to her safe deposit box to pick up passports. Her documents were legal and easily replaced, but Marie’s with her current falsified identity were not.
