It was a happy scene at the docks with introductions to new friends and happy hellos from old ones. Alyssa wrapped the picnic blanket around Melanie and Josh who had finally set her down on her feet, but he kept close, acting as her crutch since her legs were still rubbery and she was very weak.
Darby hugged her hard and long and noticed right away that her gloves were gone. "No gloves?" Darby asked, holding her hands in hers.
Melanie smiled weakly and answered, "No gloves!"
Astonished he hadn't realized, Josh jumped in and reiterated, "No gloves? Really? When?"
"I'll tell you about it later."
Devon walked over to Darby's side and she introduced him to Melanie. "Melanie, this is Devon, Blake's brother and my fiancé." She beamed when she said it. "Devon this is my oldest and dearest friend, Melanie Harper."
Devon took her hand gently into both of his, noting the bruising and deep cuts from the ropes and kissed it softly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I feel like I know you after all that Darby and Josh have told me."
Melanie smiled and said, "I feel the same, especially after practically living in your car for the last two and half weeks. You learn a lot about a person from their car, what they keep in it and the music they listen to."
"Nothing bad I hope."
"Not at all. Loyal, loving, and romantic, I would say."
Darby laughed, "She's got you pegged."
"Well, it does help to be a psychometrist - you do pick up on things."
They all laughed. Dominic was over by the boat looking like he might be feeling a bit out of place, when Josh yelled for him. "Dominic! Dominic, please. I'd like you to meet Lanie."
Dominic was tickled that Josh was so eager to include him. As he walked through the crowd, he could hear Josh explaining to Lanie just how much he had helped in finding her.
Dominic stopped in front of her and said, "Ah, Miss Harper, it’s a pleasure to see you alive and well and to finally meet you. Josh didn't tell me just how beautiful you were."
Melanie blushed and said, "It's so nice to meet you too. Thank you for all you've done for Josh and me."
"Not at all, my dear. Not at all. I'm just glad it all worked out. So what do you say we head back to Connecticut and get some of these wounds looked at?"
Eagerly, everyone moved towards the boats. It seemed everyone was more than ready to leave this place, no matter how beautiful it was.
The group filed into two boats and headed back to the mainland. As they pulled away from the island, Anton thought he saw - No, it couldn't be - but it looked like the Dark Angel watching them leave with its arms folded across its chest, following the boats’ motion with its head. Anton shuddered for a moment and looked away, and when he looked back, the image was gone - but then maybe he had imagined it.
Blake thought to Josh, You know, Josh, you should tell her how you feel.
I will.
Butt out, Blake, Devon interjected.
If this whole thing has taught us anything it’s that we shouldn't waste time - it's precious. Remember how you felt when she was away and you couldn't tell her? How you regretted not telling her how you felt before she left?
I do.
Blake..., Devon reiterated.
I agree with Blake, Anton commented. You of all people should know, Devon.
I do know, Anton, but maybe Josh doesn't want to voice his feelings in a boat in front of everyone he knows.
Maybe...but who knows...the plane could go down on the way home and he never got the chance to say anything to her, said Blake.
From the other boat came Dean's input, Can we not talk about planes going down, fang face? Besides I remember having a similar conversation with you not too long ago, Blake. Devon and I practically had to drag you to Rowan to get you to do anything about it, so don't give Josh too much flack. And Josh, can we cut this link...I'm tired of hearing fang face whine.
Shut up, Dean, you're such a moron, said Blake.
Josh could hear Dean mimicking Blake's rebuttal in a very squeaky almost girlish manner, Shut up, Dean, you're such a moron......NOT!
All five of them laughed, making the others in the boats wonder.
Thanks, guys, for caring, Josh said telepathically. I will tell her when we find a little alone time. Lanie might find it as embarrassing as I do, to express something so intimate in front of you all. Although I will say that I don't feel that way as much anymore. Maybe it’s the link or maybe it’s just what you've all helped me through, but it's like being surrounded by a bunch of brothers and family I never knew I had. Annoying at times, but overall pretty great. I’ve spent most of my adult life so far alone - never thought I'd want a bunch of people in my life, but I suppose if I had to - I'd pick all of you.
Was that a sarcastic little joke from Mr. Quiet? Dean asked. Well, it's about time, kid. So now that we are done with the speeches...break this stupid link or I'll be calling you something you won't like.
All right, all right, Josh said, and with a crack like electricity popping in a fuse box, the link broke and the imaginary red ribbons tying them all together floated to the ground and disappeared.
Josh pulled Lanie close to him, trying to give her what warmth he had, and rubbed her arm to keep her teeth from chattering. He kissed her wet hair and pulled some wet strands away from her face. Blake smiled at Devon as the dock on the mainland came into view.
Apparently Dominic had called for three taxis because they were waiting at the curb for them as they emerged from the docks. Very appreciative for his forethought, they all piled into the taxis for a snug and cozy ride to the waiting jet at the municipal airport.
Before they knew it, they were on the plane and headed back to Connecticut where a waiting Bernard stood next to Dominic's Mercedes and a larger town car limo. Bernard beamed as they all emerged from the airport door a little worse for wear, but all there just the same. Some brief introductions were made and Bernard gave an approving wink to Josh as they all piled into the cars.
Josh, Dominic, Melanie, and Anton rode in the Mercedes. Bernard had the foresight to bring blankets so Josh traded out Lanie's wet one for a new dry one to wrap her in. As they drove to the house, Lanie looked over at Anton, touched his hand lightly, and said, "You must be Anton." She was still and quiet for a moment. Josh knew that she was taking in some of Anton's history, and then she continued, "You've been through so much heartbreak, I'm so sorry for your recent loss."
Anton smiled and patted her hand and said, "Don't worry yourself about it, just work on getting well. Besides, I expect I will be seeing a lot of you, Melanie. You see, I've grown quite fond of Josh.”
Dominic listened in as Anton continued.
“You don't get to pick your family, but if you could, I think Josh here would be a great choice for the little brother I always wished I had. I've always envied the bond Devon and Blake had. I was hoping Josh would stick around for a while, and you too, of course.”
Lanie smiled at Anton then turned to Josh, who was touched by Anton’s words. The hand now caressing Lanie's shoulder, moved and patted Anton appreciatively. "I'd like that, Anton, as long as it's okay with Lanie and Dominic."
Dominic answered from the front of the car, "Nothing would make me happier, Josh...Miss Harper...you're always welcome here."
"Thank you, Dominic," Josh said.
“Thank you, Mr. Larsen," Melanie said.
“Now Miss Harper, please call me Dominic - we're practically family."
"Only if you all will call me Lanie. It's what my parents called me when I was young and I'd like it very much if you would be so kind."
"It would be an honor, Miss...Lanie," Dominic corrected himself.
Anton squeezed her hand and said, "An honor, indeed, Lanie." He smiled at her and met Josh's gaze with the same smile.
"Oh good...we're here. Lanie, welcome to your new home away from home."
"Oh my God, Dominic. It's the most beautiful house I've ever seen."
"Well tha
nk you, Sweetheart. We like it. I believe that Bernard has arranged for some food in the dining room to be served as soon as we can get you into something drier. I've also called Dr. Rowe to come take a look at your injuries. The vampires’ injuries will have already started to heal, but I want him to get a look at your back, Josh. It looks like one of Dimitri's men got you pretty good.”
Josh had already forgotten about the injury; he’d been so concerned about Lanie, he'd almost completely blocked any pain he'd felt.
Lanie jumped to attention, "You're hurt?"
“It's nothing, just a couple of scratches. I can't even feel them."
She pushed him forward so that she could get a look at his back. "Oh my God, Josh. These are deep and there's blood everywhere." Then she panicked and looked at Anton and Dominic.
It dawned on Anton what she was thinking and he said, "Oh, Lanie, don't worry. We're born vampires, not made vampires. Although we drink blood, the smell of it doesn't make us crazy with thirst like our brethren. We can control ourselves. Some of us, like Dr. Rowe, can even be around it all the time without it making us turn."
"Please forgive me - I didn't know. I guess I've got some reading to do."
"Well, my dear, then you have come to the right place because I have a library full of books you can sink your teeth into, pardon the pun," Dominic said with a chuckle.
"I would like that very much, Mr...Dominic. Very much indeed."
"Then go see Darby; she probably has some dry clothes you can borrow until we can get you some of your own, then come down and join us for something to eat."
"That would be wonderful - I'm starving and incredibly thirsty," Lanie said.
"No doubt," Anton added.
Chapter 35
When they got into the house, Dr. Rowe was sitting in the foyer waiting for them, medical bag in hand. He jumped up when Dominic burst in with thirteen people behind him.
"Michael. Thank you for coming on such short notice. We have a few injuries that need to be looked at."
"I'm going to have to get a house closer to Westport with all your guests’ injuries, Dominic," Dr. Rowe said with a smirk.
"I know. Seems we Larsens get into a lot of trouble, don't we."
"Indeed."
"You remember Josh, from the engagement party?"
"Yes. Good to see you again, Josh."
"And this is his...friend, Melanie Harper."
"Good grief, my dear, what happened to you?"
"It's kind of a long story," Melanie started.
Josh interrupted, "She's been tied up - wrists and ankles, to a sinking boat. She stopped breathing, but Mark and I performed CPR on her and brought her back. She's also been hung from her wrists from a beam, hit in the mouth, tossed across a room hitting her head and knocking her out for quite some time and I don't think she's had any water or food for a couple of days."
Lanie looked up at him in astonishment. "How could you know all that?" she asked.
"I'll explain later, right now you should be checked out."
"Uh, but, well, WAIT. You should be checked out first. You're the one bleeding."
"Bleeding?" Dr. Rowe said.
Dean was walking by when he overheard the conversation and in perfect timing to Dr. Rowe's question, he spun Josh around, almost knocking him over, so that his back was to the doctor, waved his hand at the rips in his blood drenched shirt and said, "Bleeding!" Then he walked away.
"Oh! Yes, well we should stop the bleeding before we look at Miss Harper. How did this happen?"
Lanie interrupted, "I'm going to see if I can't get some dry clothes from Darby. I'll be right back."
Josh scowled at her for leaving him, especially when he felt she should be the one to be looked at. She smiled and mouthed, I'm OK. He didn't approve but he smiled at her as she hobbled up the stairs to catch up with Darby.
In the meantime Dr. Rowe had gotten Josh's shirt off and sat him down sideways on a chair so he could get a good look at his back. Finally Josh answered the doctor's question, "A vampire."
"Must have been some fight."
“I didn't do any fighting. They were trying to get something from me and one of them slashed through my leather jacket."
"And through your shirt and your skin, as well. There was more than just one?"
"Yes. Dimitri, this vampire that brought me there to trade something for Lanie who he kidnapped and tortured, and six of his vampire friends."
"Did this Dimitri get what he wanted?"
"For a moment, I suppose, but the girls destroyed it with some spell."
"So why didn't you just give him what he wanted in the first place?"
"Because he wouldn't give me Lanie - he never intended to. That's why you should be looking at her and not me. She may still have water in her lungs, and I'm surprised she can use her hands at..." He stopped when Lanie walked up looking much warmer in a UC Santa Cruz sweatshirt and some jeans and slippers. At her side was Sammy with his ever-wagging tail leaning up against her leg.
"Well, I think that will do you. No stitches, but try to keep the bandages dry for at least a day or two if you shower. After that, change them daily and make sure no infection appears," Dr. Rowe said mostly looking at Melanie since he figured she'd be the one to take care of him.
"Okay, Miss Harper, your turn. Josh, why don't you get into something dry and warm before you catch a cold too?"
"Right. Lanie, I'll only be a minute."
"It's okay, I'm sure I'm in good hands," she smiled at the doctor as he looked at her wrists first with his gloved hands.
By the time he had cleaned up her wrists, wiggled her fingers and toes, and asked her what hurt, Josh was bounding down the stairs in another flannel shirt, dry jeans and socks. Dr. Rowe was listening to her chest and back with his stethoscope telling her to breathe in deeply and let it out. She did this several times before he took the earpieces out of his ears and grabbed the light pen from his pocket, shining it in her eyes.
"Well, Miss Harper, I think you'll live, but I suggest lots of liquids, a nice big meal, maybe a hot shower and a good night’s sleep. If you have any coughing past tomorrow, call me and we'll check your lungs again, but everything looks good."
"Thank you, doctor."
"My pleasure."
"Thank you," Josh said shaking his hand.
"Not a problem. Take care of yourself."
Josh and Lanie turned and walked to the dining room for something to eat while Dr. Rowe packed up his bag and headed for the study where he found Dominic sitting at his desk.
"Dominic?” he said.
"Ah. Michael, are they both okay?"
"Miss Harper is dehydrated and may have some nerve damage in her hands, but no concussion. If she keeps coughing, I'd like to check her lungs again, but other than that she's good to go. Josh has some good scratches on his back. Nothing I felt needed stitches, but there's always a chance of infection so, he needs to keep the wounds dry and have the bandages changed daily. Cleaning only if necessary. He's going to have some nasty scars, but he'll survive. So tell me, what was this all about?”
Dominic proceeded to relay to Michael the events that had transpired with Josh, Melanie, Dimitri and leading up to the destruction of the Bloodstone Heart.
"I hated the thought of destroying such a magnificent artifact from our heritage, but we had all decided that it would always be seen as the power behind the Black Orchids and you and I both know what evil tends to reside there, so the girls wrote a spell and shattered it to oblivion. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.”
"So the girls are witches?"
"Oh, didn't I mention that? Yes, Darby and Sally are both witches, Rowan is a witch too, but she feels she is more powerful as a werewolf at Dean's side, and Alyssa, well believe it or not, is family to the Sensational Sarduccis - Gypsy blood runs through her and her ancestors."
"That's quite a story, Dominic. There never seems to be a dull moment around here lately."
"No kidding.
Say, are you going to stay and eat with us? I think the dining room is all set up."
"No, I have to get back home." He reached inside his case and pulled out a sealed manila envelope. "Here are the results of that test you wanted me to run for your friend."
"Oh. Great," Dominic said as he tucked it away in the top drawer of his desk. “Let me walk you out."
"Thanks, old friend."
Dinner was a joyful event. The dark cloud of worry and dread had been lifted and the freedom of it felt like worshiping the sun after a long stint of rain. Dominic wished his sister and his wife could have been there to enjoy this happy scene. They had lived for these moments. Dominic never much appreciated it when they were alive, but now he saw why they loved it so. It filled his heart with such joy it ached and he could barely breathe, like he’d felt at the sight of his son being born before his lovely Sophia had died.
From across the room he could see Anton and Josh laughing and Lanie beside them smiling. Blake, Dean, and Mark were teasing each other while Rowan, Alyssa, and Sally talked animatedly about something joyful, by the looks on their faces. Devon and Darby were cuddled in the corner enjoying the conversations around them. Joy was all around them and it was good to be enjoying it with them.
When the meal was over, they all headed off in different directions, as did Dominic, who headed for his study.
As everyone dispersed, Darby pulled Rowan to her and asked if they could talk. When they settled into an unoccupied room of the house, Darby began.
"I didn't want you to think I had forgotten my promise to talk to you about this Ireland thing."
"No, I didn't think you forgot. Things have been kind of busy around here."
"They certainly have," Darby chuckled. "I just hadn't gotten any time alone with you to tell you before Dominic's announcement. I mean, I didn't even know you were here until that night."
Bloodstone Heart Page 30
