“Yes, sweetie, I am. Okay, I’ll see if Maggie canceled the signings yet. If she has, I’ll leave tonight. If she hasn’t, then I’ll head to San Francisco.” He’s waiting for you there. “Honey, I need to talk to your uncle. Can you put him on the phone?”
“Umm, Mom, I’ve started having weird dreams since … since you disappeared.”
“What kind of dreams?”
“A man has been trying to talk to me, but I-I won’t talk to him. I can’t tell if he is a good or bad. He has a major block around his mind. I can’t break in. But, I can see his face.”
“Green eyes and golden-brown hair? So handsome it’s breathtaking?”
“Yes! How do you know?”
“I’ve seen him in my dreams, too.”
“He tells me to protect my mind, to hide where I am, even when I am at school. Never let my guard down, he says. Who is he, Mom?”
“I don’t know his name, but I want you to do as he says. The one with blond hair, he’s evil. You block him. Don’t talk to him, not ever! And Kai, use your abilities to read people.”
“Are you sure, Mom? You said—”
“Forget what I said. For our protection, we need to embrace our gifts.”
“I thought you could only read people’s mood?”
“Recent development on the mind reading thing.” How else could she explain it?
“Wow! Are you able to keep the voices down to where it doesn’t drive you nuts?”
Remembering the gas station, she realized since she built the imaginary wall, she could control who she wanted to listen to. “I’m adjusting. Make sure you protect yourself, okay?”
“Okay, Mom. I love you. Be safe.”
“I love you, too.” Silence followed when Joe said ‘hello'. Her voice shook, “Joe, watch out for any strangers inquiring about me or wanting to speak to Kai. Don’t let anyone near her! Some very bad people attacked my cabin. Keep your family close, too. Warn Rona and your parents, please! Stay cautious until my friend apprehends these people and takes him into custody.” Custody sounded better than ‘slayed and dusted’.
“Dammit, Mariah, what did you get involved in?”
“Actually, I hadn’t anything to do with it. I was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time.”
“Okay, you watch your back and get home quick!”
“I will. Bye.” She hung up and dialed her agent. Maggie screamed.
“Mariah, what the hell happened to you?”
“You wouldn't believe it, even if I told you. Currently, I don’t have a car or identification, all lost in the fire. I do have money though.” Mariah pulled the wad of cash out of her pocket and handed it to Lydia, who quickly counted it. She mouthed the words ‘eight thousand dollars’!
Her jaw dropped.
Maggie assured her, “Don't worry. I'll have copies made and sent to you. Oh, hell, I haven’t canceled the book signing in San Francisco yet!”
“Don’t cancel it.” Lydia gave her a curious look. “I need to be there. Send the copies to the hotel, please.”
“Will do. Your hotel room’s already been paid for. I can arrange a plane ticket for you. The copies I'll fax you can be used as identification.”
“Maggie, can you release a statement to the news that I’m not dead?”
“Sure! Hey, did you lose cell phone? I’ve been trying to call you.”
“It burned in the fire. I’m replacing it as soon as I hang up with you, then I’ve got to talk to the police.”
“Sounds like a plan. Mariah, I am so glad you called! Love ya, kiddo.”
“Love ya, too. Bye.” She hung the phone back on its cradle. “Lydia, I’ll be right back.” She went into the wireless phone store, returning twenty minutes later with a new cell phone.
“Mariah, why are you really going to San Francisco?”
“I have to meet someone there, who has the answers to my past. You don't have to go with me. You can stay here. Rathe and his family will protect you.”
Offering her a wan smile, Lydia shrugged her shoulders and laughed nervously. “Strength in numbers, right? Besides, I can't let my only friend get in trouble all by herself.”
They were crazy to go into a town controlled by the leader of the Damned, the same one who wanted her. She needed answers and only had this one opportunity before Rathe killed him.
“I wonder why Rathe has so much cash on hand.”
“Maybe he likes to travel light?” Lydia joked.
“Ya think?” Looking around her, she didn’t see any police officers. “Lydia, where is the police station? I need to let them know I’m alive.”
“Three blocks down. I’ll show you.”
Entering the police station, they were told to take a seat before she could tell them the reason why they were there. Finally, after an hour waiting, the officer motioned them to him. After she explained who she was and why she was there, he told them to sit again. A detective came out and introduced himself as Robert Rile, told her to follow him. Handing the keys to the car to Lydia, she went with him. At first, she was drilled about if she really was Mariah Jordan until he ran a background check and a digital copy of her license and passport information confirmed it.
Rile handed her a soda. “Miss Jordan, you are quite a lucky woman. Sheriff Willard’s report said the convict was a dangerous man. Ma’am, I’m curious about something. How’d you escape?” Suspicion lay heavy in the tone of his voice, doubt in his shrewd gaze.
“A friend pulled me and my dogs out of my cabin before the explosion.”
“How’d you end up here, in Santa Cruz? Where’s your friend, the one who rescued you? Was it the girl who accompanied you in here?” She opened her mouth to explain when he shot to his feet. “Stay here. I’ll bring her in.”
Lydia proceeded Rile, confused. When she sat down beside her, Rile went around his desk and took his seat. “Ladies, I want the truth.”
Enough was enough!
Mariah leaned forward and stared deep into his eyes. “Detective Rile,” she focused her ‘will’ on him, commanding him to listen to her words, “I have answered your questions to your satisfaction. You will call Sheriff Willard and tell him I am alive, and the case is closed.”
The detective stared at her, his eyes blank. “Case is closed. I’m satisfied.”
She said with equal pressure, “Reissue me a driver’s license right now.”
“Yes, let’s get you a new license.”
Lydia stared at her, her mouth dropped open. Ignoring her, Mariah went with Rile. In fifteen minutes, she had a new driver’s license. Picture sucked. A zombie had a better complexion than hers. Darn license wasn’t legal anyway; she wasn’t a resident of California. It would suffice renting a room or a car, if she needed one.
Outside the police station, she saw it was dark. Crap! Lydia pulled her to the side. “What just happened in there?”
Before she could open her mouth to reply, Rathe asked behind her, “Yes, Mariah, please do tell what you just did?”
Uncomfortable, she faced him and found him not angry but pissed — really pissed off. “I-I found out I had been reported dead, and I needed to straighten it out.”
Towering over her, he said in a low, rumbling growl, “Have you any concept what you’ve done?”
“Huh?”
“You have successfully announced to the Damned where you are. Every ghoul, every vamp within a fifty mile radius will make a beeline straight here, to Santa Cruz, because you had to set the record straight! You’ve endangered my family with your actions,” he shouted, glaring at her.
Eyes narrowing, she growled, “You knew they had declared me dead, didn’t you?”
His anger faded and he straightened. When he didn’t answer, she shouted at him, “You bastard! My kid thought I was dead! Have you any concept what she suffered thinking she was an orphan?” Yes, she was exaggerating here, but she needed to hurt him enough to make him understand the cruelty he’d inflicted when he had kept silent.
&nbs
p; “I was protecting you.”
“Bullshit! You weren’t protecting me; you were making certain you weren’t followed so you could get to your family.”
“In all fairness, you failed to tell me about your child. Remember?”
“Fine. You’re right. I didn’t tell you about my daughter, because it wasn’t any of your business. There. Happy?”
Rathe tilted his head as he closed the gap between them. Gently, he touched her cheek. “I am truly sorry about the worry I caused your daughter. My goal was to keep you safe.” Caressing her jawline, he asked quietly, “You are my responsibility.”
Steeling herself against the softening in her heart, hard though when she looked into his eyes, his sincerity and touch making it damn hard to hold onto her anger! “I’ve called my family to let them know I’m fine, and that I’ll be coming home soon.”
Unexpectedly, she saw his distress, the sadness in his dark eyes. Their gazes locked. Would he actually miss her when she left? A shout broke her free. Simon and Mina crossed the street, walking toward them.
Smiling at Lydia, Simon said, “Hey, there you are. We’re heading to the Boardwalk. Want to join us?”
Rathe said gruffly, “We need to return to the mansion. We have to leave. Now!”
Mina looked so sad. “We’re running again?”
The startled look on Rathe’s face as his sister tried not to cry was hard to watch. This is my fault, she thought dejectedly. They have to run because I had to set the story straight about me not being dead. Dammit, why didn’t I just wait until I was home?
Before she could offer to leave, so they wouldn’t have to, Rathe reached out and tenderly caressed his sister’s cheek. “We do that far too often of late, don’t we?”
She tried to smile. “You protect us. If you say we leave, then we must.”
As if he came to an abrupt decision, he said firmly, “Not this time. We face our enemy when he comes. Until he does, we enjoy every moment we can in this life, for as long as we can.”
Hope flared in Mina’s eyes. Simon asked, nearly as hopeful as his sister, “Are you sure?”
Rathe asked, “Mariah, Lydia, would you like to venture down to the Boardwalk and explore?”
“I’d love to!” Lydia grinned. She sobered. “Mariah, do you want to go?”
“Sure. We’ll follow you guys.” She arched an eyebrow at Rathe, who shoved his hands in his jean pockets, his muscles bunching under his black t-shirt, the deep ‘v’ exposing his powerful chest beneath. Damn, Rathe look incredibly gorgeous tonight!
The city lights reflected upon the silver, braided chain and cross he wore. It dawned on her that neither Rathe nor his brother wore jackets as they usually did.
As the trio walked across the street, Mina said, “I so love the Boardwalk. Don’t you, Lydia?”
“I do. Have you gone on the roller coaster yet?”
Her thin shoulders sagged. Mina shook her head. “No. I want to though.”
Simon grinned. “Well, ladies, shall we try the rollercoaster first?”
Giggling, the girls nodded.
When they were out of earshot, she faced Rathe. “I can leave now and draw the Damned away from your family.”
“No, it’s not necessary. I’m tired of running, too. If they come, we’ll take care of them as we have for centuries. Mina has endured enough. She deserves to have some fun.” He took his hands out of his pockets and indicted the direction the others went. “Let’s take a walk on the beach and talk.”
“No, I’d like to check out the Boardwalk, too. If that’s okay with you?”
“Whatever you’d like.” If he was hurt or confused, he showed neither as he started walking alongside her.
On the stage erected near the roller coaster, a band played. The crowds cheered and hollered. The noise was deafening. Blinded by the lights flashing in time with the music, she bit her lip from throwing up. Rathe kept giving her sidelong glances. Near the bathrooms, she hastily made an excuse and ducked inside. Hurrying into a bathroom stall, she barely made it to the toilet and threw up her Slurpee.
When there was nothing left to puke, she straightened and placed a shaky hand on her forehead. “I can’t keep on like this.” Collecting herself, she opened the stall door and met Mina. “Hi. I-I thought you were riding the roller coaster?”
“I made an excuse so they could go on together. Simon likes Lydia.” Concerned, Mina offered her the bottle of water in her hand. “Besides, I had a feeling you needed help.”
“Thanks for the water. I’m parched.” Guzzling it half down, she twisted the top back on. “I, uh, I ate my dinner too fast and it got even with me.”
Mina whispered, “Um, your eyes have changed. They’re lighter.”
“Shit!” She went to the mirror and looked at herself. Same shade as Aidan’s. Turning to lean back against the sink, her shoulders slumped in defeat.
She had to be his daughter!
Putting her hand on her shoulder, Mina said with an understanding smile, “I think it’s the lights. Don’t you?”
Wanting to cry, she nodded. “Yes, the lights.” To her surprise and gratitude, Mina hugged her.
“It will be alright, Mariah. It’s not so bad being what we are. Actually, it can be quite fun at times.”
Laughing, she hugged the girl tight before releasing her. “You are such a wonderful person, do you know that?”
Shrugging, Mina smiled shyly at her. “I try.”
“You and my daughter are much alike. I can’t wait to introduce you to Kai. We have a lake house in Coeur d’ Alene. In Idaho. You could come see us.”
Her smile fell. “Unlikely I’ll have the chance to meet her. Rathe says you have to go away, and we cannot see you ever again.”
God, it hurt when Mina said it that way. Could Rathe really just let her go and not have any regrets?
“But I don’t care what Rathe’s ordered. You are my friend and I will not let them make me forget you,” Mina said with such fierce determination that Mariah knew she meant it.
“They can’t make me forget you, either. Rathe has tried to make me on several occasions. It wouldn’t take. I always remember.”
“Awesome! It’s about time someone was stronger than him.”
“I don’t know about that. Currently, I feel pretty crappy.”
A group of girls entered the bathroom. When they saw Mina, they went quiet. Their apparent leader sized up Mina, sneering at her, despite the fact she was dressed just like they were, cut off shorts and t-shirts. To her credit, Mina ignored them, which seemed to piss the girl off.
“Hey, I’ve seen you around. Why don’t you attend school like us?”
“I’m homeschooled.”
“Oh. Can’t handle regular school, huh?” The girl gave her friends’ a knowing smirk.
“Actually,” Anya said as she sauntered in the bathroom, “public school is perfect for average children such as you. Mina is far superior to your simple minds.”
Since Anya stood six feet tall in heels, dressed in black leather, and looked like an assassin, the girls quietly left the bathroom. Mina balled up her fists, glaring at her aunt.
“I’ll never make friends now! Thanks a lot.” She stormed out of the bathroom.
Confused, Anya held up her hands. “What did I do wrong?”
“It’s a teen thing. Vampire child or human, they are all the same. They want us to support them, but not to interfere unless we’re asked to.”
Anya gave her a once over. “You’re too far into the Change to return to human. I’m sorry, Mariah. You need to feed on blood and soon.”
There it was. Earlier, she thought she could accept it, if she was turning, but now…. Never be human again? To never feel the warmth of the sun without burning to death? She would live forever, and someday she would see her daughter die of old age. The reality hit her, and she wanted to cry.
“What if I don’t feed, what happens then?”
“Your body will take your choice away, a
nd you’ll hurt someone. If you kill, you have a fifty-fifty chance of losing your soul, and you could become one of the Damned.”
“Anya, thank you for being honest with me, I appreciate it.”
“You-you are welcome. I wish it could have been different for you. With a child, a human child, you have difficult decisions ahead of you.”
“Actually, I think I’m right on course. Someone changed my life when I was little, hid me so the real monsters couldn’t find me. Now that the monster has found me, I must embrace what I am to fight him. To protect my child, I must become stronger than the monster.”
“If you should need help, do not hesitate to call on me. I’ll fight by your side anytime.”
Seeing the vampiress meant it, she hugged the tall woman, surprising Anya. Returning the gesture, Anya stepped back and put her arm around her shoulders. “Let’s head back to the men. You need to have a chat with Rathe. He’s worried about you.”
Blowing out a sigh, she agreed. “Boy, this should be fun.”
Worried was a minor statement. He looked absolutely haggard. When he saw her, relief flooded his tense features. He rushed to her. “Mariah, are you alright?”
Exchanging a quick glance with Anya, she said, “We need to talk.”
Staring at her, the defeat in his dark eyes was replaced with acceptance. “I understand.” Taking her hand in his, he said to his brother, “Faeroes, can you and Anya watch over everyone while we talk?”
“We will, big brother. Take your time.” Faeroes winked at Mariah when he took his wife’s hand. “Mother is with Simon and Lydia. Mina is, too. House is all yours!” They walked away.
A blind man couldn’t have missed Faeroe’s obviousness. “Rathe, since everyone’s here, why don’t we head back to the house?”
“Let’s walk down the beach a ways before we fly.” He threaded his long fingers through hers.
When they were alone, he brought her around to face him. “Mariah?”
Slipping her arms around his neck, she leaned up on her toes and kissed him. At first, he resisted. Teasing him with nibbles and nips, he warmed to her play and brought her hard against him. Deep in the pit of her stomach, she felt the pull of his power as they flew upward. He broke off the kiss and concentrated on flying back to the mansion. Landing, he released her and placed a few feet between them.
Whisper to Me (Borne Vampires Book 1) Page 11
