Jude Stephens

by Touch of a VAmpire

  When I was sure that he was tied up nice and tight, I scrambled off of him. I stood next to Roberto and said, “Do you think its okay to just leave him here?”

  Roberto said, “I think we should be safely away before anyone comes in here.”

  Watching Seamus I saw realization of the situation light his eyes. He tried struggling against the ropes, but they wouldn’t give. I walked over to the side of the bed. “Sorry love, but it seems that the blood you took from me was tainted with white fungus.”

  I wanted to laugh at his expression, but then I thought about how he was going to kill us and I decided he needed to pay for that. Before he even knew what was happening I slammed my fist into his face. He was knocked unconscious.

  Roberto came over and looked down at him. “Nice right.”

  I smiled at him. “I told you I’ve been training. Let’s get out of here.”

  Roberto took off his shirt and helped me put it on. He began buttoning it up and I said “Roberto, thank you for helping me.”

  His hands stilled and he looked up at me, “Oh Piccolina, do you not realize I would do anything for you.”

  He began doing up the buttons again. “We don’t have time to talk. We’re still in danger here, but we will eventually have to talk.”

  I knew he was right. There were too many revelations tonight. Ever since my life changed last spring everyone had been telling me everything is not as it seems. They of course were right. Roberto wasn’t mated. He loved me. Alex loved me. What was I going to do? I couldn’t worry about it right now. Right now we had to get out of here. I asked Roberto “Have you any idea which way is out?”

  “No. I’ve been kept in this room the whole time.

  They’ve been bringing me blood to drink.”

  “Okay. Let me try and project myself. I’ll see if I can find the way out.”

  “You can do that?”

  “Yeah. It’s pretty easy to project. Walking between the different planes of the spirit world is another story. I haven’t mastered that yet.”

  Roberto took my hand. “You know I’m really proud of you. You have come so far from the timid woman who walked into my hotel last spring.”

  I didn’t know what to say, so I just squeezed his hand in thanks. Letting my hands drop to my sides I took a few deep breaths and cleared my mind. My mind was like a clean blank slate. Slowly images began to appear, a bedroom, a hallway, a kitchen, a large den. Draco was in the den. The two Manticoras were patrolling the grounds. At least there was no obstacle for us getting out of the house.

  Coming back into myself I told Roberto what I learned.

  “Once we get outside it’s going to be tricky to evade the Manticoras. Because of the damn white fungus I don’t have my normal speed.” Roberto lamented.

  “It’ll be okay. I’ve become pretty adept at evading my Sensay trainer.”

  “Well in that case lead the way.” Roberto moved out of the doorway to let me take the lead. I was a little surprised because the Roberto I remembered wouldn’t have let me take the lead.

  The house was situated on a deserted beach. In front of us was the ocean and behind us was a pretty vast expanse of beach with little or no place for concealment.

  About a hundred yards from the house there were some sand dunes that would help cover our escape, but until we made our way there we were pretty much sitting ducks. We made our way down the hall, through the kitchen, and were quickly out in the cool night air. I immediately hunched down and Roberto followed my lead. “When we get to the sand we need to stay low. The Manticoras are patrolling.”

  Crouching low we made our way to the sand. The dunes appeared to be about a hundred yards in front of us. Not a huge distance but it would seem like an eternity while trying not to get spotted. Low crawling on sand was not easy. I wondered how the guys in the movies always made it look so easy. I was in good shape yet my arms and legs began to ache after a few minutes.

  I motioned for Roberto to stop for a second. I turned my head left then right and spotted the Manticora about fifty yards away. Using military hand gestures that Mark taught me, I pointed to my eyes and then in the direction of the Manticora to let Roberto know we had company. My senses went into alert as I heard the other Manticora approaching from the left. He was quickly nearing us.

  I had to make a quick decision, and I said a little prayer that it was the right one. I stood up and said to Roberto, “GO… RUN…Alex and the others are close. I will lead these two away. They want me after all.”

  I was off and running back toward the house even before Roberto shouted, “NO!”

  I could hear the Manticoras chasing me. They emitted a low growl as they ran. Damn they were fast. I had an idea. I skirted around the house and headed to the water. I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of going into the ocean, but if these guys were evolved from the feline family they just might not like the water.

  Throwing myself into the water I was hit by a hard wave and knocked under. The water was cold. I looked back to the beach to see the two Manticoras standing there arguing in Turkish. Not understanding the language I could only guess at what they were saying, but it appeared they were arguing who was going to go into the water to kill me. Great! They weren’t afraid of water. They may not like it but they would come get me.

  It looked as if the guy on the right lost the argument because he waded into the water. I swam out a bit more but it was useless. I would rather drown than let these guys tear into me. Doing the only thing I could think of I began to sing, “I’d like to be under the sea, in an octopuses’ garden in the shade.”

  Both Manticoras stopped and were staring at me and then each other so I continued, “He’d let us in, knows where we’ve been in his octopuses garden in the shade.”

  My singing had only bought me a minute because the Manticora in the water began moving forward again. Luck was not on my side as another large wave came and slammed me into him. He grabbed hold of my hair.

  What the hell was it with these guys and hair, I thought as pain split my skull. He began dragging me back towards the beach. I guess he didn’t do his best killing in the water. He dragged me out of the water and threw me down on the wet sand, cursed and then kicked me in the ribs. I guess that was for making him get his shoes wet. The two spoke something in their language and then the dry one moved over and knelt beside me.

  He gave me a nice little chilling smile and placed his hands around my neck. Immediately my air supply was cut off. I fought against the panic rising up within me. As Cheve had taught me I weighed my options. The only viable solution I could come up with was to walk in the spirit world. It may just buy me the time for the others to get here.

  I could feel Alex was close. I didn’t connect with him because I didn’t want to distract him with my dire situation. I released my mind from my body, and I drifted out of this plane and into the next. As I drifted I could see the two men who were trying to kill me. I hoped that the guy with his hands around my neck would soon release me. Even if my spirit was outside my body, he could still kill my physical body. He didn’t seem to be letting go. All of a sudden a blur from the left caught my attention. It was Alex! He was racing towards my body. YES! I saw the other Manticora look his way. I wanted to warn him but couldn’t.

  They came together in a blur of fists and snarling teeth. It would have been fascinating to watch except that my physical body was dying fast. For crying out loud why wouldn’t the asshole let go already? I saw another blur coming down the beach and it took me a few seconds to realize who it was. Bullet! Yes! I saw him launch himself through the air and knock the Manticora off of my body.

  I watched in awe as he pinned the huge man down and bit into his throat. He was dead before Bullet lifted his muzzle from his neck. I turned back to Alex and his fight just in time to see Alex do the same to the other Manticora and fling his body to the side. Both he and Bullet ran to my body. I saw Alex lift me in his arms and sit down on the sand cradling me.

  He t
hought I was dead! Tears streamed down his face. It was heart wrenching. Bullet was licking my face. I saw the rest of the gang, Mark, Cheve, and Roberto running up and skidding to a stop in front of Alex and me. Roberto put his hands over his face. They were all so heartbroken. I looked out to the sea and saw a fishing trawler out several miles. I bet that would be interesting to go watch them pull in some fish, I thought.

  “Sensay! Sensay! Focus.”

  I turned my head and saw Cheve standing next to me. I smiled at him. “It’s a beautiful night isn’t it Cheve?”

  “Yes it is Wren, but your friends are waiting for you.”

  “I know, but it’s so peaceful here. No problems, No decisions.”

  Cheve came over and took my hand, “It’s the fucking vampires isn’t it?”

  I frowned at him. I didn’t like him calling them that. “No. It’s not the vampires. It’s me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s as if everyday I lose more of the person I used to be. I see myself fighting, strategizing and making life and death decisions; it’s so far from the simple life I lived just six months ago.”

  Cheve took my chin between his thumb and forefinger, raised my head to look into his eyes and said, “Sensay, you have always been the same person. Before you became aware of your powers there were people hunting you, hating you and loving you. You just weren’t aware of it and now you are. Which would you rather have, knowledge or ignorance?”

  I sighed. What was the old saying, ignorance was bliss? I guess it was but wasn’t knowledge power? I didn’t want others controlling my destiny. I wanted to be in charge. I looked down on the scene below me, all of them grieving for me. The two vampires were the worst. I had a connection with both of them now. I took Roberto’s blood and I could feel the string between us.

  I looked into their minds. One of the vampires already decided that he would cease without me because his love for me was so great. He was thinking how he would do it. The other one was lost. He didn’t know what to do with the void that I’d left in his heart.

  My choice was clear, but it had been clear even before this. I loved them both. Onatah once told me, “Open your heart to the light and all will be well.” When I looked down at my vampire my heart sang and a light surrounded him.

  Chapter 31

  Cheve led the way back to my body. Maybe one day I would get better at walking though the spirit world, but for now I was glad that Cheve was around to help me.

  I opened my eyes to see relief shining in Alex’s gorgeous green ones. “Oh thank you, God,” he said as he buried his head in my neck. I could feel his tears on my skin. I reached up and stroked his hair. I looked over at Roberto who had come to stand by my side. His eyes were bright with unshed tears. I lifted my other hand and beckoned him to take it.

  He knelt, took my hand and kissed it. “Piccolina you scared me to death”

  “I’m sorry. I still have trouble returning from the spirit world.”

  Mark said, “Only you would apologize for being choked to death.”

  I laughed. “I guess you’re right. I shouldn’t apologize. You all should for being so slow.”

  Alex, thankfully, looked to be back to his old self when he raised his head “Slow? You don’t know what you’re talking about. Did you not see my speed and agility as I wiped the beach with that stinking Manticora?”

  Roberto, however, dropped my hand. “I’m afraid I wasn’t much help at all to you, Piccolina.”

  I gently extracted myself from Alex’s arms, went over and wrapped my arms around him. “You’ve got to be kidding me Roberto. Without your help with Seamus my plan wouldn’t have worked. I know it wasn’t easy for you.”

  Roberto stared into my eyes, “You’re wrong about that, it was very easy. Loving you is the easiest thing in my life.”

  I really didn’t want to have this conversation out here on the beach in front of everyone, so I said, “Can we go back to the hotel? I would love to shower and change and get something to eat.”

  Everyone began walking. Alex wrapped his arm around me to keep me warm. Roberto kept shooting glances at us. The ride back to the hotel was just as uncomfortable. I hoped to put this conversation off for a while, but I could see I would have to tell them of my choice right away.

  We pulled up in front of the hotel with a good five hours until dawn arrived. That should give me enough time to speak with Alex and Roberto.

  As soon as I got out of the car Mr. Tun was there to greet us. “May I speak privately with you Ms. Sherman?”

  “Anything you have to say you can say in front of my friends.”

  “Of course. May we all go somewhere more private?”

  “Sure,” I said as our weary group followed him. He led us into a small conference room of sorts and we all sat.

  Mr. Tun cleared his throat and began, “I must of course apologize for my daughter, Myaing. I am aware of what she did. We Chianthe’s are jealous by nature, but what she did is unforgivable. I don’t expect your forgiveness, but I am begging for your understanding. Myaing’s twin sister is missing and it has been a terrible strain on the family. We suspect The Guardians are involved with her disappearance.”

  My heart broke for the man. “I’m so sorry. Are you still searching for her?”

  His face fell and he said, “No. She has been gone for a few weeks and with The Guardians the chance for survival is not so good after a few days.”

  Alex and I looked at each other remembering his time with The Guardians. He wouldn’t have lasted a few weeks under their microscope.

  The more I knew about The Guardians the more I hated them. Who did they think they were playing God the way they were? I stood and went over to Mr. Tun and lay a hand on his shoulder. “Your family is forgiven. I hope your pain eases, and I promise I will do everything in my power to put an end to The Guardians. If ever you need me don’t hesitate to call on me.”

  Mr. Tun patted my hand in a fatherly way. “You are everything they say you are. I believe in you. You will fulfill the prophesy. I will spread the word of your greatness to all of The Evolved.” With that he bowed low to me and left.

  Roberto was the first to speak “He is correct Wren. You had every right to exact revenge on his family and yet you forgave them, even offered yourself to them. Not many people would act in such a manner.”

  “I disagree. I think people are better than you think.” I couldn’t help proclaiming.

  The men at the table, all with years of combat experience laughed.

  “Oh okay, maybe I’m a little naïve. I…” At that moment the door opened and Janel burst into the room.

  “There you are. How could you leave me to worry about you like that? Do you realize that I’ve been pacing back and forth for hours! Wren, you have got to stop these shenanigans of yours or else I’m going to get worry lines on my face.”

  I looked at the guys who were trying hard not to laugh. What they didn’t know was that this was Janel’s way of coping with something that she couldn’t handle. I’d seen her use her narcissism in order to avoid the fear that gripped her.

  I hugged her tight. “I’m sorry, Janel. I know I should have called, but things were just so crazy. And don’t fret about getting worry lines, your face is as beautiful and flawless as always.”

  Janel smiled and sat down having been reassured that no one forgot about her. While we had privacy I asked, “What happened to Draco and Seamus?”

  Cheve was the one to answer, “While Alex and Bullet and Roberto went after you, Mark and I checked the house. They must have heard the commotion because when we found them they were jumping into a jeep and took off down the beach. It would have taken us too long to get back to our SUV to follow so we cut our losses.”

  Mark added, “Funny thing though, the vampire was stark naked.”

  Roberto and I looked at each other, but all I said was, “That’s strange.”

  Alex stood and said, “I think Wren needs to shower, change and ea
t now. It’s been one hell of an evening for her, if you’ll excuse us?”

  He began leading me to the door, but I stopped him. “Wait Alex. I would like to say something first.”

  He stopped and I looked at everyone around the room. These people and wolf were my family. I loved them all. I knew that they would die for me, and I would die for them.

  “I want to thank you all. I wouldn’t be standing here if each one of you weren’t as brave as you are. I love each and every one of you. I just wanted you to know.”

  Alex moved forward again and I put my hand on his arm “I’d like you to stay here while I shower and change.” Turning around to include Roberto I said, “I’d like to see you and Alex in about an hour. Is that okay?”

  Roberto nodded stiffly and Alex said, “Sure, Babe.”

  As I left I smiled when I heard Janel say, “I wouldn’t get your hopes up for a threesome!”

  I didn’t take a shower. I took a bath. As soon as I got to my room my muscles began to ache, especially my sore scalp. The thought of having the running water beat down on my scalp was not a pleasant one. I made the water as hot as possible and added a little of the hotel’s bubble bath. I must have dozed, because the next thing I knew there was a knock on the bathroom door. I’d left my robe on the bed. I called, “I’ll be right out.” Crap. I had to go out wrapped in a towel. There goes my thought of facing them as a cool confident woman.

  I opened the bathroom door to see Roberto sitting on the corner of the desk and Alex leaning against the door. My breath caught at the sight of the two of them, both were so handsome. Roberto’s leg dangled from the desk accentuating his muscular thigh. Alex had his sleeves rolled up showing his muscular forearms something that always drove me crazy. For one split second Janel’s little joke about a threesome didn’t seem so funny.

  What the hell was I thinking? I shook my head to clear my mind of my lustful thoughts. I said to the guys, “I’m sorry guys; I fell asleep in the tub. Let me just grab some clothes.”

  Roberto said, “That would be a help.”