by K R Hall
“Thank you,” Benjamin said. “I’m not sure how long we will be gone. You will be in charge, of course.”
After showing Dylan out, Benjamin collected their luggage and had it loaded in the car quickly. She followed him out the door and watched as he hopped into the truck and started the engine. Then Benjamin got out and rounded the truck to open her door, closing it when she was settled inside.
Following in another vehicle were four of their best enforcers. An alpha needed protection always when away from their home.
●●●
Sabrina sat in the car, trying to stop the tears in her eyes, the lump in her throat. The minuscule raindrops splattered across the windshield. On any other day, it would have bothered her that they obstructed her view. But this time was different. It was bringing her back home to a house she never thought she would see again.
“Talk to me, baby,” Benjamin began. “I can tell something is bothering you.”
“I was thinking about my father. I believe he did his best in his own way. He was my hero and my monster, but now I'm all grown up and I can't live that way anymore. I can't take love from one who hurts me. I just can’t,” Sabrina said.
“Just because people are not subjected to violent abuse doesn’t make verbal abuse alright. The scars remain just the same,” Benjamin replied, squeezing her hand.
“You’re right.”
Sabrina closed her eyes and allowed the pitter-patter of the rain and the thrumming of the road to relax her into sleep. Benjamin smiled when he realized she had fallen asleep. He chuckled to himself, remembering that she could fall asleep anywhere.
Upon their arrival in Gould, Benjamin gently shook Sabrina’s arm to wake her.
“We’re here, sweetheart.”
“I guess I needed that nap.”
Benjamin parked on the street alongside Conrad and Henrietta’s home. After putting the car in park and turning off the ignition, Benjamin leaned over and gave Sabrina a quick little peck. Then he got out and walked around to open the door for Sabrina.
It hadn’t rained in Gould for some time. Fallen leaves littered the walkway, bathing it in dark red and orange, and she stepped on them with a satisfying crunch. The house looked like a cutout from an architecture magazine. The door was as wide as it was tall. The windows took up entire walls to let in maximum light but fashioned so well that the home stayed warm in the wintertime.
The porch light was on. The familiar yellow glow made the house feel warm and inviting. It was strange, being here again after so long.
Sabrina walked up to the door as Benjamin dragged their luggage behind them. She raised her hand to knock but stopped. She took a deep breath and forced herself to press the doorbell. She heard the “ding-dong” sound coming from inside and someone running to get the door.
It opened slowly and her mother’s warm, loving face was revealed. When Henrietta welcomed them with a hug, she burst into tears. Sabrina embraced her tightly, suddenly unsure why she hadn’t returned in so long. Like her, he was welcomed with open arms.
Instead of the welcoming smile from her father that she hoped for, a stern look crossed his face. When he looked toward Benjamin, the warm, welcoming smile was present. The years away had not changed her father’s feelings toward her.
The radio played softly and the smell of fresh baking bread wafted out to greet them as they arrived. Sabrina loved the way the whole house smelled as her mom got into the baking groove. Her mom baked when she was upset.
Inside was a mostly-open plan, a floating stairway leading to the upper level, and every floor was smoothly polished hardwood. The walls were the color of sand and decorated with the pictures of the family who still lived in Câmpulung Moldovenesc as well as Sabrina and her brothers. White orchids were on the walnut coffee table. The kitchen was large enough for several chefs; there were two ovens and acres of brown-flecked granite on which to prepare food. Upstairs, every room had an en-suite bathroom, a plasma screen television, a king-sized bed, and a walk-in closet.
“So, why are you here?” Conrad asked.
“We’ve come to talk about this journal that was given to us,” Benjamin said as Sabrina pulled the journal from her purse. It was the one that Martin had given them a few weeks ago.
Conrad took it from Sabrina gently. He looked over it and then opened it and skimmed a few pages. He kept his expression unreadable as he finished and looked at Benjamin.
“When I came to America many years ago, I tried to forget the old myths and superstitions. Sabrina was born on a Saturday, but she has never shown any signs that she has any special abilities,” Conrad said.
“Sabrina never had any vampire hunter training,” Henrietta said. “And we have no angels in our family line.”
“It says here that a person with angel blood would be attracted to abusive relationships,” Benjamin said, pointing to a section in the journal. “This goes back to an angel’s deep-rooted desire to help others. She may also have a history of personal or family issues. They may use things like food to numb the pain of feeling different or being intimidated.”
Benjamin looked pointedly at Conrad and waited. To his credit, Conrad didn’t lower his eyes or squirm in his seat. Benjamin knew as an alpha Conrad wouldn’t show weakness. Henrietta, however, did fidget in her chair and couldn’t look anyone in the eye.
Knowing that they wouldn’t get any information from her parents, Benjamin stood and helped Sabrina into her jacket. They left without saying another word.
●●●
Benjamin and Corbin had purchased a Global 8000. The Global 8000 jet was able to fly long ranges. The cabin had three individual suites thoughtfully designed to maximize comfort and productivity. The massive aircraft could hold up to seventeen passengers and crew. There was a dedicated, comfortable crew rest area where the second flight crew would sleep while the first crew handled the different posts while on a long flight.
This floorplan also featured a conference room with a table for six and global in-flight internet connectivity allowing for video conferencing so Benjamin could keep in touch with Oscar and Dylan.
The Carpathian Mountains provide a healthy environment for populations of brown bears, wolves, and lynxes. The Carpathians and their foothills also have many thermal and mineral springs, with Romania having one-third of the European total. It was the ideal place for Sabrina’s ancestral family clan to have lived. Sabrina’s mother Henrietta sent her a text stating that there was still family living in the town of Câmpulung Moldovenesc. Henrietta said that her family surname is Munteanu. Geofri Munteanu, a cousin, and his team would meet them.
To cover the real reason they were there, Benjamin planned the trip to be during the annual Wood Road Festival and the Dairy Fair held in October. He had also rented skis and other gear necessary for the little ski resort.
The private jet touched down in Cluj-Napoca international airport in Romania after flying for seventeen hours. They had a three-and-a-half-hour drive to their destination— Câmpulung Moldovenesc. Sabrina was lost in her thoughts as Benjamin, Marek, and a few enforcers planned their stay. They were here searching for more clues to the origins of the journal.
“Câmpulung Moldovenesc is a town in northeastern Romania, situated in southern Bucovina, currently in the county of Suceava,” said Marek, pulling Sabrina out of her memories. The one-hundred-year-old villa they were staying in belonged to Henrietta’s grandfather. It was just over a mile from Câmpulung Moldovenesc downtown, overlooking the city and the opposite mountains, sitting on two hundred acres surrounded by ten thousand acres of pine forest.
As they pulled up to the massive, sixteen-bedroom villa, Sabrina marveled at the wonderfully landscaped yard. She remembered her mother telling her that the villa had a terrace that overlooked a small pond with fish. She also recalled that behind the villa a small distance away was a small river with a human-made waterfall and an orchard of fruit trees.
The villa was made of brick with concrete pillars,
a six-car garage, a wine cellar, a gym, sauna, an indoor pool, and conservatory. The first floor had an elegant, spacious entrance hall, and a vast, sunny living room with a built-in fireplace. There was a spacious, open-space kitchen and a dining room that opened to a terrace with a stunning panorama view. The basement living area had a safe room that could be entered from a hidden door behind a bookcase.
Sabrina was exhausted after the long flight and drive. She had napped on the plane, but not in the vehicle. She headed upstairs to the master bedroom to draw a bath. All she wanted to do was soak till the water was cold and then crawl into bed. The thought of a hot tub made her muscles quake with anticipation.
She checked the master bath. The walls and the trim were painted with a pale seafoam, giving it a relaxing feel that didn’t overwhelm her. It was the perfect soothing shade of green. White beaded-board paneling on the ceiling and walls balanced the color and provided an architectural layer. Vintage silver fixtures added glamour to the calming wall color. The thick and plush bath towel collection was in seafoam as well to complement the decor of the bathroom. It had a walk-in shower and a jetted tub was tucked into a corner opposite the shower. She knew her whole body would be fully covered in water.
Sabrina turned on the water as hot as she could stand and added a few drops of essential oils of lavender, lilac bubble bath, and other fragrant herbs. Stripping off her clothes, she sighed with relief as she removed her bra and pantyhose. Much to her delight, she discovered that the floor tiles had under-floor heating. She pulled her long, blonde hair up into a ponytail to keep it dry then she eased herself into the hot water. The sweet scent of the bath bubbles filled the air. The hot bubble bath was relaxing.
As she soaked in the deliciously hot tub of water, she thought about visiting the painted monasteries she had read about. She also wanted to visit the Wood Museum and a few of the local restaurants. Sabrina wanted to soak up authentic local history and flavor of every new place she and Benjamin visited. She stared at the bathwater, only mildly aware that it was losing its warmth. She was worried about what would happen this week. They needed to find the vampire hunter or a relative that had written the journal. She hoped whoever it was would be able to tell them what she needed to do to defeat Pickens and his army.
She toweled off and took her time applying the thick moisturizer and lotion over her entire body, then finished by combing through her hair. When she was done, she put on her bathrobe.
Emerging from the bathroom, she was confronted by a pacing mate. The loosely tied bathrobe fell away from one smooth leg to her hip at her movement, and he paused. She could see the desire flare in his eyes, and suddenly, she was not tired. Goosebumps rose all over her body as his eyes slowly traveled up and down her body. She let the bathrobe fall away to the knot, revealing more of her creamy skin.
The kisses became less of a request and more of a demand, with his tongue flickering to taste her. She belonged here in his arms.
●●●
They lay naked in the moonlight streaming through the window, Benjamin’s arm draped over her waist. Sabrina leaned in for a kiss. After a while, she withdrew to gaze at the face she loved so much. Benjamin glided his hand over her skin to her face, brushing away a little hair.
“Have I ever told you I love you?” Benjamin asked.
Sabrina grinned; he said the same thing every time.
“No, uh uh,” she shook her head.
“Well, I do. And you know what?”
Sabrina heard the words before he said them, her lips curved into a smile.
“I always will.”
As always, she dropped her gaze before meeting his; there was an intensity to it— like his love was kerosene and she was his only flame. There was something about that gaze of his she’d never find in another man. As if, at that moment, their souls connected.
How could anyone fall asleep that fast? Sabrina thought to herself as she heard Benjamin lightly snoring.
He looked peaceful. Sabrina read from her e-reader for a few minutes until she was ready to fall asleep and then turned the light off.
●●●
The scent of jasmine floated from the trees near the villa. Sabrina dressed as the sun was sending its first rays through the bathroom window. Today promised to be a great day because Benjamin had promised to take her to see the painted monasteries.
The smell of bacon filled the house with a scent that had her salivating in seconds as she exited the master suite. Breakfast was on the table when she entered the dining room. The bacon broke over her tongue, perfectly crisp, perfectly salty. The flavor was like a bomb in her mouth, exploding in all the right ways. The omelet was filled with tomato, mushroom, onion, carrot, and spinach.
The coffee sat prettily in a white china cup, a leaf pattern in delicate, milky foam among the pale brown. She wrapped her fingers around it, enjoying the heat that spread through her hands. Benjamin sipped at his coffee as if it was a great luxury, his face the same as when he takes a nip of his single malt: relaxed, savoring both the drink and the moment. She took a sip and let the warm liquid sit on her tongue. She felt the warming trail of coffee as it worked its way through her body.
“We have today to play tourist,” Benjamin said. “What would you like to do first?”
“I would love to see the painted monasteries,” Sabrina replied. “The brochure for the Sucevita Monastery says that the road from Câmpulung Moldovenesc to Sucevita offers breathtaking views across the surrounding fields. It climbs eleven hundred meters and passes small villages. Sucevita is the largest of the Bucovina monasteries.”
“I better bring my camera then. It sounds as if I will want to take lots and lots of photos there and on the way,” Benjamin said with delight. Marek would be driving, so he needed to schedule a few places to stop on the way for photography.
●●●
“People from all over the globe appreciate the arresting beauty of Southern Bucovina’s painted monasteries, many of which— though not all— have the unusual distinction of being painted on the outside as well as the inside. These beauties date from the 15th century,” their guide said.
The previous reviews all espousing these fabulous places to visit were not exaggerating. Bucovina monasteries are the gems of medieval Moldavian architecture and artistry. The guide provided them all the in-depth history concerning the paintings on the walls of this monastery. They walked along with the tour guide, listening in fascination. Benjamin was engrossed in capturing as much as he could with his camera.
Lunch at a local restaurant provided an opportunity to try the local specialties. They enjoyed a delicious cappuccino and a local specialty ciorba câmpulungeană— soup with carrots, sausages, and chicken. For dessert, they had Papanași— a Romanian traditional fried or boiled pastry served covered in sour cream and with a sour jam topping.
They continued their tour of the monasteries after lunch. By the time they made it back to Câmpulung Moldovenesc, the sun was setting, and soon it would dip beneath the horizon. They drove through the town where the buildings were silhouetted sharply against the red glow of the western sky. Back at the house, she showered and put on a dress. While Benjamin showered and dressed, she went over the list to make sure nothing had been forgotten for their meeting tomorrow.
Sabrina sat down at the dining table, still admiring her surroundings. She couldn’t believe they were staying in a luxury place like this villa. Benjamin sat down opposite of her. They were served brussels sprouts, roasted garlic potatoes, and pork steaks with applesauce.
“I remember the first time I saw you. There was something in those blue eyes that was so beautiful, so safe and warm. In just one look, I was home,” said Benjamin.
“You didn't know it, but that day, you saved me,” replied Sabrina.
“We saved each other. I am as much in love with you today as I ever was, perhaps even more so,” replied Benjamin. “We are mates, pure and simple, two halves that complete one another, perfectly complimenting,
yet unique.”
“Our mated life is perfect for me, and I thank the Goddess every day for the gift of spending my life with you,” replied Sabrina.
If only they could figure out why the mate bond was not entirely in place. She still couldn’t shift. She could talk to her bear and used some of her bear strength, but no shifting. Could that be the reason the mate bond wasn’t completed? She was also confused as to why she couldn’t get pregnant. Gracie was pregnant before they mated and their bond clicked into place.
The first year, she thought it was nerves and the stress of the new home and status as the alpha she-bear. Now, they’d been together for almost six years with no bond and no cubs. Sabrina planned to wait until things had settled down and Pickens had been dealt with, but that seemed to be taking longer than she thought it would. She decided that when they returned from Romania, she would talk to their healer, Galena, about infertility.
Sabrina was relieved that Benjamin wasn’t blaming her for their problems. She could feel his emotions and read his thoughts through their bond. Both Gracie and Eloise described what happened when their mate bond clicked. They said that there would be a bright glow all around the room then little ribbons of light would be intertwining with each other and then going into their bodies, making their souls become one. It sounded so romantic.
“A penny for your thoughts,” Benjamin teased.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Ben,” Sabrina said as her attention focused back on him. “I was thinking about trying for a baby again. Maybe when we return, I can contact Galena and see if she can figure out why we haven’t been able to have a baby yet.”
“Sweetheart,” Benjamin whispered. “I know you blame yourself. It just hasn’t been the right time for us yet. I am sure when the Goddess thinks we’re ready, she will bless us with a cub or two.”
“Ben, there must be something wrong with me. Maybe it has to do with my being unable to shift,” Sabrina suggested.
“If it will make you feel better, then go ahead and see Galena and her healers when we return,” Benjamin said.
