by Kailin Gow
“Most Christians don’t fast on Fridays anymore,” said Justin. “Even Mom and Dad didn’t, and they were pretty religious.”
“Not…fast on Fridays?” Stuart looked confused. “Then…”
“A lot’s changed since you were last human, my dear Stuart,” said Justin. “But if you want to explore the world’s culinary pleasures on your private jet, then I’m more than happy to serve as a tour guide....maybe we’ll stop in France, first. Pick up a few baguettes, some of those delicious sausages…”
“Justin!” Kalina laughed. “We can’t stop in France – we’ve got somewhere to be. This is a mission, not a luxury cruise.”
The flight attendant, a buxom redhead, came over to serve Kalina and Justin drinks. But when Stuart requested a glass of champagne, her eyes widened.
“Champagne?” she whispered, her eyes looking Stuart up and down with seductive need. “But, sir, you always used to…” Her eyes went instinctively to her pale, white wrist, where Kalina could discern faded puncture marks. Kalina swallowed down her jealousy.
“Not anymore, Helena,” Stuart smiled, evidently oblivious to Helena’s disappointment. “Now I will eat and drink like a man – and dine with my friends.”
Helena looked confused. “I see, sir.”
She strode off in what Kalina noted a small resemblance to a huff.
“Well,” Stuart turned to Kalina, lightly touching her face with his soft fingers. “My love, this plane is at your command. What is your heart’s desire? Where shall I take you?”
Kalina blushed bright red. Was Stuart still trying to win her back? Was that why he was doing all of this – impressing her with his private plane, his French champagne, his fine chocolates? Was he trying to prove to her that he was still the right man for her?
It wouldn’t work, she told herself. She had made her choice; now it was only fair to stick to it. Still, it was nice to see this Stuart again - glimpses of the romantic, happy Stuart she had known only in brief moments, like on the night of Kalina’s senior prom, when he trusted himself enough to let go of his inhibitions and give himself over to passion. Now he no longer needed to fear that his passion would come with a price: if anything, he needed to worry about her hunger for him. And so Stuart was now a happier, better version of himself – still, as ever, a smooth and chivalrous gentleman, but no longer afraid of the passion that lay within.
“Where to?” Kalina ignored Stuart’s flirtations for a moment, finding it easier to instead focus on the practical. The practical didn’t demand so much of her heat. “When Mal and…that woman were talking…” Remembering cruel, mocking Olga made Kalina angry, and she couldn’t bear to say her name. “They said that the Carriers were hidden all over – but that they’d been the ones to hide them. Olga was in charge of taking care of them, watching over them, until they…” Kalina made a face of disgust. “Ripened. That was the word she used.” The full force of the word’s meaning struck her. These little girls – some as young as ten years old – were being groomed to become playthings to vampires. She knew vampires were capable of great depravity – hell, she had seen plenty of it – but this was beyond the pale.
“If Olga was working in Russia, maybe she hid the vampires there. Mal probably didn’t want her to stay in China, maybe he intended for her to go back to Russia to take care of them?”
“Can’t you find out?” Justin asked. “Without a firm lead – even if we knew to go to Russia, it’s a pretty darn big place. Can’t you ask…wait, Stuart! You still have a telepathic connection with Max, don’t you?”
Stuart shook his head, his ears turning pink. “I used to,” he admitted. “But not anymore. Ever since Kalina turned me, the only connection I have is with her. Her Life’s Blood superseded whatever Max put in me – it was stronger. And our connection is better. Now Kalina can read my mind.”
No, Kalina cried inwardly. She wouldn’t dare let herself read Stuart’s mind. She couldn’t let herself into his brain – couldn’t deal with the full force of what she knew he was feeling deep down. Kalina, she heard him cry from deep within his soul, unable to bear the full force of his words. Kalina, I love you still. I want you still.
No, she couldn’t bear to listen to those words; she couldn’t bear his love! Not when she was so unsure of herself. Had she been too hasty in giving him up? She had thought, when she told him that she couldn’t be with him, that she couldn’t give herself to him and give up that power to turn other vampires, that they had been so different, that they had such different goals, different dreams. But here he was – willing to fight for her, to give up his dreams of peace, of seminary and living a quiet life at the vineyard – willing to do whatever she wanted, whatever she needed. All for her. All to be with her. All in the off chance that she would want to be with him.
Stuart was looking at her expectantly. She didn’t even need to read his mind to know what he was thinking; it was all in his eyes. He loved her so much – so much that it killed her.
She let her mind open to his – just wide enough to pass her message through without Justin hearing it. Stuart, you know I still have feelings for you, I still care for you very much, but…
I know, Kalina. You turned me. You made me human. How could you do that if you didn’t truly love me, deep down inside you? You must know that, beneath your fears, your duty to the Carriers, you want to be with me.
But I don’t want what you want, Stuart. You know what I have to do. Kalina looked down quickly, anxious that Justin not see the tears forming in her eyes. He was blithely oblivious, absorbed in the vast variety of games he could play on the seat’s computer screen.
I thought you wanted the same, Stuart was telepathing back to her. You wanted to go to Yale. You wanted all that. You wanted a normal life. You wanted to be normal.
I thought I did. I never lied to you Stuart.
But something changed.
Yes, Kalina thought to herself. Something had changed. She had changed. She no longer wanted to be normal. She may not have liked being vampire fodder – but she didn’t want to deny herself her identity, either. She had the opportunity to fight for the cause, to help re-form the Consortium, to save the Carriers. How could she selfishly turn all that down just to live a life of stability and normalcy?
Yes, something changed.
Stuart came over to her seat, sitting next to her. She could feel his warmth, his touch. He took hold of her hand and lifted it to his lips.
“I’ll help you through it, Kalina,” he whispered softly. She could feel his hot breath tickling her ears. He looked down. “I’ve changed, too. You’ve changed all our lives now.”
“Did you get it?” Justin looked up suddenly.
“Get what?” Kalina said quickly, blushing.
“Any sort of a mind-read from Max or Octavius? Any hint about where they might be?”
Kalina shook her head. “No,” she said glumly. But the mention of Octavius made her heart ache with a slow pang. She had not heard from him since he had bidden her farewell, giving her his blessing to go ride off into the sunset with Stuart. Perhaps he thought it was better this way – to let her forget him, to lead another life instead. But she couldn’t bear that. She couldn’t bear to lose him too. Had he chosen to sever their telepathic connection, as Jaegar had done – turned his back on her forever? No, Octavius had promised that he would always be there when she needed him. Well, she needed him right now.
Octavius! Kalina called, her whole body aching for the tingle of his touch. Octavius – are you there?
But there was no response.
“If the only lead we have is Russia,” Stuart was saying, “I’ll tell the pilot to go to St. Petersburg first. Even if we don’t know where Olga was, we’ll probably run into some Russian vamps who might be able to give us a few leads.”
“But…” Kalina sighed. How could Octavius be ignoring her? He’d certainly never ignored her before.
And then she heard his voice, echoing throughout her brain. So soft
, so reassuring. So good. As smooth and sweet as honey.
Kalina?
Chapter 4
Octavius! A smile spread across Kalina’s face – a joy so sudden, so overwhelming, that Stuart looked up at her with jealous concern. Octavius, is it really you?
What’s going on? You’re on a plane – but where are you going? I thought you and Stuart had already…
No – no…Octavius, where are you?
I can’t talk long. We’re heading into the mountains. It’ll be a while…
Where are you? What mountains? Her heart was beating so fast now – the closer she got to him, the more she wanted him. Her whole body was aching for him, her longing so palpable that she could barely breathe.
We’re in Switzerland, heading into the Alps. We got a lead from one of Olga’s offspring…
“Head to Geneva!” Kalina called out to Stuart. “Tell the pilot to go straight to Geneva – no stopping.”
What are you doing, Kalina? You can’t come to us – it’s too dangerous for humans.
Max is human! Kalina couldn’t resist the jealousy. She can come with you. Why can’t I?
She’s a Carrier.
I’m a Carrier!
It’s different. She’s more experienced than you are. She’s been fighting for longer, I’m not worried about her.
You don’t have to worry about me.
I always worry about you. She could hear how his voice was still tinged with regret. And yet he still thought she was with Stuart. Still thought that she loved him. How could she love him – when her feelings for Octavius were still this strong? Nothing had changed. She still wanted him through and through.
Where is this place?
Is Stuart with you? Kalina thought she could detect jealousy in his voice.
Yes, she admitted.
Ah. She could sense his pain. Then ask him. He’ll know where it is. The Devil’s Mouth.
The Devil’s mouth, where is that?
Ask Stuart…
But Stuart and I…
But it was too late. Octavius’ voice had faded away.
“What is it?” Stuart rushed over to her. Kalina was shaking, her pale skin turned dark crimson by the force of her love.
“Oh, no…” she whispered. How did Octavius still have that effect on her – even now he could reduce her to a quivering gale of desire?
“What is it? Is everything all right? Is somebody hurt?|
“No, no…” Kalina shook her head. “Everything’s fine...I heard from Octavius. He’s okay – he and Max both. But he told me where they were going. He said that he knew where the Carriers were – or thought he did. Somewhere called the Devil’s Mouth. He told me you’d know where that is, Stuart?”
Stuart furrowed his brow.
“Yes,” he said. “You spoke to him just now?” Now it was Stuart’s turn to be jealous. It was as plain as day the effect Octavius still had on her – Stuart had to know that Kalina still had such clear feelings for him. “Kalina, you’re trembling.”
“It’s nothing.” She waved away his concern, not wanting him to see. “The Devil’s Mouth – you know where that is?”
“It’s in Switzerland by the French border,” said Stuart. “It’s a dangerous place – lots of supernatural activity going on there. Not somewhere you want to go for a skiing holiday. We can’t land in the mountains – the plane’s not equipped for that. But there’s a private hangar a few hour’s drive from the Mouth. Mostly used by celebrities who want to go skiing in the Alps without being seen. But we’re not going on a holiday, are we?”
The whole plane journey seemed tortuously long to Kalina. She couldn’t stand the waiting – knowing Octavius was on the other end, knowing that she wanted him so badly still…
If she had thought human hormones were difficult to deal with, vampire hormones were a million times worse. The desire of her blood was sending her in a hundred different directions – one minute she wanted to have sex with Stuart, the next minute she wanted to eat him! One minute she was feeling love for Stuart – the next Octavius was turning her to jelly! No wonder vampires were so promiscuous, she thought – vampire hunger for flesh was almost as bad as vampire hunger for blood.
As they descended, Kalina caught a flash of the white, snowy mountains out her window. How savage they looked – their untrodden carpeted whiteness so virgin, so untouched. These mountains were remote and dangerous enough that even the most hardened trekker avoided them – certainly there were no ski lodges clustered around the bases, as there were on the smaller mountains. Kalina felt the familiar thrill – terror and excitement – of danger. It had become like a drug to her, Kalina felt – the drug of desire.
Stuart started shivering as soon as they left the plane. They had come from California, after all, and although they’d brought sweaters and a change of clothes they hadn’t planned on going straight into the middle of a cold snowstorm. Justin and Kalina huddled together, sharing Justin’s oversized college sweatshirt between the two of them, their two heads poking out of the massive neck. But Stuart – evidently unused to the less powerful side of his human natures – was shaking heavily, his lips turning blue before they even reached the airport.
“We need to stay somewhere for the night,” said Justin. “Not least so we can get some new clothes in town. Californian weather this is not!”
“I know a small inn near here,” said Stuart. “L’Auberge des Escaliers – it’s a lovely little place. And their roaring fire sounds very good right about now.”
Of course, as Kalina quickly discovered, what Stuart called a “small inn” was in fact a luxury boutique hotel, its elegance taking the form of pseudo-rustic charm rather than cosmopolitan flair. Kalina gasped as she entered – ornately carved wooden walls stood over thick rugs: bearskin and sheepskin alike. A warm fire was blazing in the fireplace, and Stuart gratefully rushed over to warm up, rubbing his hands against the flame.
“Is the Empress Suite available for tonight?” he asked the receptionist, who had come over to greet them.
“The Empress Suite!” The receptionist looked impressed. “Yes, I believe so, Mr.…”
“Greystone,” said Stuart lightly.
“Mr. Greystone!” Now the woman looked even more impressed. “I’ve heard your name mentioned. You’re one of our most valued customers. You’d like to book the Empress Suite for tonight?”
“Only for Miss Calloway,” said Stuart. “Justin and I will take the King Suite if it’s available.”
“Of course, Mr. Greystone,” nodded the receptionist deferentially.
Kalina was glad to have some time to rest, freshen up, and sink into an extraordinary warm bath – from which she could see a view of the stunning Alps peaks out of the window – but she was somewhat awed by the atmosphere. Dinner was to be served at eight-o-clock sharp, and she had a feeling her jeans, very slightly muddied from the California autumn, wasn’t going to cut it. She went back to her suitcase, looking in frustration for something that wasn’t torn or designed to be worn while slaughtering rogue vampires.
“Looking for something to wear?” Stuart knocked lightly at the door. “I had the concierge send someone to pop into town to grab you this.”
“Stuart, it’s beautiful!” Kalina took a layer of shimmering, lace-lined peach-colored fabric from Stuart’s arms. It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.
“If I’m going to make the most of my fortune in this lifetime,” Stuart smiled, “I’m going to spend it on the woman I love – on making her happy. I daresay I know your body well enough to guess your size.” His penetrating eyes smoldered as he turned his gaze upon her.
That night at dinner, Kalina could feel the cool softness of expensive silk rustling tantalizingly against her pallid flesh. The dress made her feel more than beautiful – it made her feel sultry. Seductive. Elegant. Stuart, too, was dressed up, wearing a well-made cashmere sweater whose color brought out the brilliancy of his eyes. He sat so elegantly at the table, Kalina
noted with a pang, ordering their initial drinks with such élan. He may not have been born an aristocrat in England, Kalina noted, but by now he had certainly learned to play the part, showering her and Justin with such luxury that she colored.
They finished their drinks and Justin went on ahead to the main dining room, anxious to delve into some fine Swiss fare, muttering something about fondue. Stuart held out his arm for Kalina.
“My lady?” He gave her a slow, beautiful smile.
She touched his arm as she slipped her own through it, and at his touch waves of shock ran through her. Desire took hold; immediately she caught a whiff of his blood, her entire body aflame with her longing for him. Her hair was standing on end; even the hairs on the back of her neck bristled. She wanted him, she knew – and she wanted him this second, wanted nothing more than to bury herself in his lithe, strong body. She could smell his blood and she wanted it – wanted to drink it, wanted to gulp it down in great, sweet mouthfuls…
