Lex nodded. “I don’t believe they are in the area any longer. They were run out of here a long time ago.”
“Well, if they were all that notorious they shouldn’t be too difficult to track down.”
“That’s true, but it is true for Omar as well. She could be in grave danger.” Lex gazed at the tomb. “You would not want to lose another sibling.”
“Why doesn’t my father know more?”
Lex gave me a cynical smile. “Your father does know more than what he is telling you. To help you out too much would be going against his own species. Have you thought of that?”
“Yes, but we are his children?”
Lex nodded. “I suspect there is a reason he wants you to find your sisters. He wants his children protected, but he cannot be the one to go against the ancients.”
“What about the light dimension or world? You come from there, don’t you?” I asked, though I already knew that he did.
“Yes, but I have been banished from that place.”
I wanted to ask why but thought it would be too impolite.
Sensing my curiosity, Lex volunteered the information. “At one time, I was the leader of an extremely powerful warrior society, but I let my hate and bigotry consume the person I was. It almost cost me my daughter.”
“And they banished you?”
“Yes, until such time that I have redeemed myself,” he smiled sadly.
“This is why you wish to help the vampires?” I was trying to put the pieces together.
“My granddaughter is very important to me. I feel without intervention, all three of you may perish.”
This wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped to hear. “Why can’t the vampires go to this place?”
“It is your history, not mine. It isn’t my place to tell you about matters the elders of your species don’t wish you to know.”
“But you admit that knowledge of this place would help bring down Omar’s plan of domination.”
“Yes, if the vampires knew of this place, it would take away a lot of Omar’s power. But it doesn’t have anything to do with what the vampire is or the truth of their origins. This knowledge is very sensitive and could be dangerous for the Immortals, as well as humans. The ancients must release this information carefully. I suspect this is why your father hasn’t told you more.”
“Can I go there, or am I also forbidden?”
“Humans are generally forbidden, with only a few exceptions. There is only one vampire there. It is this vampire that educated us on the Immortal.”
“So, the people that live in this place only know what they were taught by this vampire?”
Lex nodded. “He is an ancient, like your father and Omar.”
“Why is he there?”
“Again, I cannot give you that information because it has to do with the history of the Immortals”
“But if I ever do go there, I could contact my little brother again?” I asked, hopefully.
Lex smiled. “I see that someone has been giving away the secrets of Outerlands.” He stood and held out a hand to help her to her feet. “Yes, there is a way, if you can get into Outerlands. But there is much work to be done before this would ever be a possibility.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The wolves and the Immortals have been enemies for a very long time. There must be some kind of harmony between them before the vampire would be permitted entrance into that dimension of reality. The wolves are the protectors of the earth but the vampire has no regard for life.”
“They are hunters the same as the wolves.” I felt compelled to defend her father’s species.
“This is true. The wolves do hunt, but they hunt to feed and not just to kill. The Immortals have evolved into a species that feeds off the darkness and fear in men’s souls, and not just their blood. Blood is easy to come by without having to slaughter. Ask your friend, Dash. He received a gift from the Outerlands. I think he calls it his recipe.”
“Really?” I was stunned.
So it really did come from that other dimension.
“You must go now and do what you can to find your sister,” Lex told me.
“Where can I find you if I need to talk with you again?” I asked.
“I will find you,” he promised.
Chapter Seventeen
Sarah
Drying the last plate, I placed it in the cupboard, on top of a large stack of identical plates. I’d volunteered to clean up after dinner. Jeanie was having one of her bad days, as she called them. Her feet were swollen to twice their usual size. This made it difficult for her to stand on them for too long.
There was a nagging fear in the back of my mind that she could be showing symptoms of heart problems, but Jeanie was stubborn. She refused to go to the town doctor. She insisted that it wasn’t anything that a strong spell and some good old fashion rest wouldn’t fix.
Just as I finished hanging the dishtowel, I heard the doorbell ring.
“I’ll get it,” Jeanie called from the parlor where she was reading one of the latest novels from her favorite author.
A moment later, Jeanie hobbled into the kitchen, her face as pale as death. “He’s here,” she whispered.
It had to be Darrien.
Everything in me was urging me to run to the front door, but to close the distance at a casual pace.
Darrien nodded. “Sarah.”
“Hi.’ I returned his smile.
“Would you walk on the beach with me so we can finish our talk?” he asked.
“I don’t think so,” Aunt Jeanie broke in.
“It’s okay,” I assured her.
“No it’s not okay.” Jeanie was glaring at Darrien.
“It is vital that I speak with Sarah in private. I will not hurt her,” he promised.
“I’ll be right back,” I rushed to get the words out before my aunt could protest further.
Jeanie shook her head. “You should at least wait until after the solstice. It’s only a few more days.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be okay,” I told her.
My aunt made her way to casting cabinet and started rummaging through it. Finally, she pulled out a long chain with a blue crystal. “Wear this,” she said, handing me the necklace. “That way I can feel it if you are in trouble.”
I went ahead and slipped the silver chain around my neck so Jeanie wouldn’t fret so much about me being with Darrien. Jeanie had an identical crystal around her neck. These crystals would make the psychic connection between us stronger.
“I’ll be back soon,” I said, kissing her on the cheek before leaving.
“Your aunt is very protective,” he commented when once we were outside the house.
“She doesn’t like vampires.”
“Yes, I gathered that much.” He chuckled.
We took the cliff path to the beach. When we reached the bottom, Darrien took my hand in his and pulled me into the sand. Beneath the bright moonlight, he appeared ethereal, even magical. Looking at him, I wondered if I could be dreaming. I’d never known a man so perfect - so male.
It had to be the vampire’s spell.
Grasping at anything that would keep me anchored to reality, I asked, “What did you want to talk with me about?”
Darrien squeezed my hand. “Sarah, you’re in danger. You must go into hiding.”
“You keep telling me this, but you won’t give me any details.”
“Omar is the leader of a very old and powerful vampire sect, and he wants you dead,” he informed me.
“Why would he bother with me? I’m just human. I’m a witch that does not even practice the craft.” I couldn’t understand why all of this was happening.
What threat could I possibly be to some ancient vampire?
“You are his niece and one of the three sisters prophesized to bring an end to the rule of the ancients. At least this is what Omar believes,” he explained.
I shook her head. “You must be mistaken. I have no sisters.”<
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Darrien smiled patiently. “But you do, Sarah.”
“My father died when I was a baby. That’s what my mother told me,” I told him before looking away.
I’d never known her father and truthfully hadn’t thought a lot about the man who’d taken part in giving me life. He’d never been a part of my life, so he’d never seemed real.
Darrien reached up to brush a strand of hair away from my eyes. “Your mother wasn’t telling you the truth.”
“What do you mean?” I frowned.
“Your father is a vampire, and you are as well.”
Now I laughed out loud. “I know you have the wrong girl now. I have no problem with sunlight and I don’t need blood.”
“Don’t you?” Darrien arched one brow. “From what I saw, you were intoxicated by the scent of blood.”
My cheeks grew hot and I was glad for the cover of darkness so that he wouldn’t see my embarrassment.
He was right. In those horrible seconds, my hunger for blood stripped me of all capacity to reason. Even now, the very thought of tasting him; of taking his blood into my mouth, left me dizzy with hunger. The hunger was so erotic that it obscured my ability to think.
“I see the urge hasn’t left you,” Darrien laughed.
“But I can be in the light,” I insisted.
“A gift from your human mother, no doubt.”
“Is this why you said I was descended from the dark prince?”
Darrien shook his head. “No, that is a legend exclusive to the Fabre witches. They are known as the daughters of darkness. It is said they descended from Satan himself. But I believe this to be just a legend. They are powerful witches and power breeds jealousy, which of course would lead to rumors.”
“But you didn’t kill me. Why?”
Darrien gazed at me for a long time, his eyes working their magic on my senses until I was sure that he was all that existed. Without answering, he leaned over and kissed me softly.
I was lost to the pure sensation of his lips on mine and the way it felt to have his tongue exploring my mouth. Touching his hair, I relished the feeling of those silky strands between my fingers. I couldn’t get enough of him, of the way he touched me, the way it made me feel to look into his eyes. It was strangely erotic to know that being near him, was to be close to death. The danger only made me crave his touch all the more.
When Darrien broke the kiss, he caressed my cheek. “I can’t kill you, Sarah. It is because of me that you died once. I will not be responsible for it again.”
Now I was completely lost “What are you talking about? What do you mean, it was because of you that I died?”
“I’m guessing that you have powers beyond most of the other Lazar witches. Am I right?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “My aunt seems to think so.”
“This is because you have lived before. I didn’t realize who you were until I kissed you the first time,” he confessed. “Even then, I thought it was too good to be true. I couldn’t believe you’d really come back to me.”
“Who are you talking about?” I was hurt that he was thinking of someone else. He wasn’t just thinking of someone else, he thought I was someone else.
“Caroline Fabre. She was your ancestress,” Darrien said as he continued to caress my face.
“I’m Sarah, not this Caroline you seem to want me to be,” I told him, pushing his hand away.
Darrien smiled. “Don’t be jealous, Sarah. You and Caroline are one in the same.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m not jealous,” I scowled. “I just don’t want to be thought of as someone else.”
I started to say something else but then he kissed me. Resisting would have been the right thing to do. It was obvious that what he wanted was the ghost of another woman. When he looked at me, it was someone else he was seeing.
It was no use. As soon as he started kissing me, all I could think about was being in his arms. I wanted more. I wanted his hands touching me everywhere. I wanted to feel his fangs in my flesh and experience the sensation of becoming one with him as he fed on me.
His lips moved to my throat and I could feel his fangs against my skin. The feeling was driving me insane. Darrien’s hands slipped beneath my blouse to free my breasts from the confines of my bra. The coolness of his touch against my warm breasts was tantalizing. A gasped escaped my lips as he gently squeezed and pulled at my budding nipples.
“Feed on me,” I breathed.
He froze. “You don’t want that, I promise.”
“But I do want that,” I moaned.
“You are a born vampire, Sarah. You could be easily infected and then you would be like me,” he said.
Pulling back, I tried to get my breathing under control. My need for him was so intense that I felt compelled to consume him. I wanted to feel him inside me, feeding my need with his desire. I wanted to taste him, as he was taking me to that ultimate paradise. Just thinking of it had me trembling.
But I had to remember, what I was really feeling was the vampire’s spell.
Swallowing hard, I turned away. “I don’t know what to think of all this.”
“Search inside of yourself, Sarah. You will know that what I’m telling you is true. You are Caroline.”
This time, when he tried to pull me into his arms, I resisted.
“And the born vampire thing? What about that?” I asked. My mind was still reeling. All of this was too much.
“I suspect you can verify this with your aunt.”
“And the reason you care what happens to me is because you think I am this dead witch?” My eyes strayed toward the sea. I couldn’t look at him or I would be lost. As soon as I looked into his eyes, I wouldn’t care about anything but being with him.
I had to stay in control.
“That is one reason, yes,” he admitted.
“What do you want from me? Do you expect me to pretend I’m this witch?”
Darrien shook his head. “I just don’t want to be responsible for your demise. This is why I want you to go away before Omar sends someone else to kill you. It is also why I must not come to you again,” he added in a soft voice.
I turned sharply to face him. The thought of never seeing him again was troubling. “So is that what this was about? You’ve come to tell me this, and then you plan to go away?”
Darrien nodded. For a moment, I thought he was going to say something more, but he didn’t.
“Well, I’m not running!”
“Don’t be foolish, Sarah! These are Immortals. They cannot die, at least not by any normal means. For you to go against them would be asking for death.” Darrien’s voice shook with frustration and anger.
“I will be initiated at the Summer Solstice and then the coven will stand with me,” I told him.
Darrien jumped to his feet. “If you will not help yourself there is nothing more I can do for you.”
“How do you suppose I help myself, go hide in a hole for the rest of my life? If there is any truth to what you’re telling me, maybe I should be looking for these sisters and doing what it is we are supposed to do?” I snapped.
“The sisters have no chance of success. The ancients are too powerful.”
Getting to my feet, I took his hand in mine. “Darrien, stay and help me.”
He refused to look at me. “I can’t. The last time I was a part of your life …” His voice trailed off and he became silent.
Drawing my brows together, I said, “I don’t believe I’m this witch that you keep saying I am.”
“You’re wrong,” he shook his head. “Once two souls have come together in love, as we did, they are connected throughout eternity. Search inside yourself, and you will find that connection.”
There was no denying it. I did feel something. There was no conscious memory of Darrien before I saw him standing in my aunt’s garden that night, but I did feel as if I knew him.
“If this is true, why are you planning to go away?” I asked,
my heart sinking at the very thought of never seeing him again.
Finally, he let his eyes rest on my face. “I will only end up hurting you, Sarah. It’s what happened before. Your death was my fault.”
“How was it your fault?” I was getting very aggravated with him.
Darrien shook his head. “There is no time for all of this. Even right now, Omar is wondering where I am. He will send someone else.”
“Then go! I will fight these vampires and I will win,” I said, releasing his hand.
Darrien’s anger erupted. “Do you think you could fight against an Immortal?” he growled, anger shining in his eyes.
As I watched, he made the transformation into something dark and deadly. Snarling, Darrien drew back his teeth to reveal fangs and his hand whipped out to grasp my arm.
My heart was thumping so hard that it was painful. I tried to pull away but his hold was too tight. Suddenly, he was forcing me into the sand.
“Do you think you could stop me if I wanted to kill you?” His fury made his voice sound guttural. In that instant, he really didn’t look human at all.
He was lying on top of me, his body pinning me so I couldn’t move. “Do you want to know what it’s like to be fed on by an Immortal?” he roared.
Lifting my shirt, he stared down at my heaving chest and naked breasts.
I gasped when I felt his wet tongue sliding over my taut nipples. Then I felt the pressure of his fangs on my flesh and the sensation of warm blood spilling across her breast.
Fire erupted between my legs. Moaning, I lifted my chest, encouraging him to feed.
I could feel his erection pressing hard against my stomach. I wiggled beneath him so I could feel him better.
This seemed to fan the flames of his hunger. Pulling away, he threw his head back and roared in frustration.
Suddenly, he jumped to his feet, as if my nearness was too unbearable to endure any longer.
“Cover yourself,” he said in a voice so low I had to strain to hear him.
Pulling my shirt down, got to my feet. “Why do you keep pushing me away? I can tell that you want it too.”
“Yes, I want you,” he admitted. “I want you so much that I could easily lose control and take your life or turn you.”
Dark Enchantment: A Vampire Romance (Immortal Legacy Book 3) Page 6
