“Heavenly,” Madison sighed the way only a seventeen year old girl can. “Thank you Ally.”
She smiled at the girl and gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Friends?”
“Yes,” she replied eagerly. “Friends.”
After Ally had Madison in a new room, led her to the bath and got some new clothes for her to wear, she went to Mabel. “Mabel?” she called into the kitchen.
“Coming,” she called back from the butler’s pantry.
Ally sat at the black granite kitchen bench. She touched the surface. It reminded her of Vincent. Dark, cold and beautiful.
“What can I do for you Ally?” Mabel asked as she shuffled out of the pantry.
“It’s two for dinner tonight,” Ally said, then hesitated before asking the next question. “Did you hear about Madison?”
“Who is Madison?”
“An unexpected guest,” Ally returned dryly. “Vincent had her in a hidden room downstairs.”
Mabel dropped the food she’d been cradling in her arms. “What?”
Ally got off her stool and helped her pick up the containers on the floor.
“He seriously had a girl down there?”
Ally nodded.
“I know that he isn’t an angel, but why did he have a girl down there?”
“You know Vincent. Something to do with a plan fell through.”
Mabel shook her head. “Where is she now?”
“Having a bath.” Ally put the containers on the bench. “I’m taking charge of her. Vincent be damned.”
Mabel agreed. “Speaking of, there he is.” She pointed to the window.
Ally walked over and stared down at the heart stopping vampire. He looked up and her traitorous heart skipped a beat. “I’m going to deal with him. Can you take care of Madison if she comes looking for me.”
“Of course,” she said, shuffling her out the back door. “And good luck.”
Vincent stopped walking upon seeing her. He sensed her determination, and it was written all over her face. He braced himself. Something he wasn’t going to like was coming.
“We need to talk,” she called out.
“What about?”
“Madison.”
He sighed. “I assume she’s no longer in the hidden room and currently enjoying a luxurious stay with us now. So what more do you want?”
“What more do I want?” She cried. “Well for one, she’s terrified of you and Natalia.”
“That’s the general idea when kidnapping someone,” he drawled.
Ally groaned. “I’ve promised her that you won’t hurt her.”
He crossed his arms. “Won’t I?”
“Vincent,” she warned.
He rolled his eyes. “Oh, alright. You win this one. I won’t harm a hair on her pretty little head.”
She gave a satisfied smile. “You better mean that by the way. She’s an empath and will know if you’re lying.”
“Really?” His eyes glittered with a calculation that made her nervous.
“Whatever you are thinking stop it.”
“Me?,” he put his hands up. “I’m all that is innocent.”
She snorted. “I want to know why you took her.”
“To ensure her mother’s compliance.”
“For you scheme that fell through?”
“Correct.”
“We’re taking her home.”
His whole body stiffened. His eyes darkened with outrage and turned a shade of crimson for a split second. She didn’t know whether her imagination was in over drive, but he really didn’t like this idea regardless.
“No!”
“Yes!” she shot back and stepped closer to him. “You want to earn my trust. Here is a good way to start. I will not keep this girl from her family. She needs to go home. There is no need for her to remain here. So, are we taking her home?”
He fumed and growled as he took a step closer and stared down at her. “I don’t like being played, Alessandra.”
“Why? You do it often enough. Seems a bit like double standards if I’m not allowed to do it.”
“I’ll take her home on one condition.”
“And what would that be?”
“Kiss me.”
She started to lean in but he stopped her with his silk smooth voice. “Don’t hold back.”
Her eyes widened and her lips parted.
A barely perceptible agreement passed her lips. Then she kissed him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. She was burning up.
His mouth devoured hers. She did as he asked and held nothing back.
She opened her mind to his and what she felt would have sent her stumbling backwards if she hadn’t been holding on to him. Her heart raced to the point that she thought it would explode. Her body was bathed in a sensation that was familiar yet foreign.
She pulled herself out of his arms and stared at him, breathing hard. She brought her hand to her mouth as a tremor ripped through her body.
Breathing unevenly as well, Vincent smirked at her. “That scared you didn’t it, Alessandra.”
She stepped back further.
“You can’t deny what you feel now, can you?”
“Go to hell, Vincent.” She turned and ran from him.
“I’m already there,” he said to her retreating back. “You put me there.”
What the hell is she doing to me? Taking a hostage home safely and in one piece? I don’t need her anymore, but that is beside the point. I’m Vincent for god sakes. The big bad that strikes fear into the hearts of everyone.
He laughed at himself and let out a puff of air. He didn’t show mercy. Didn’t even know that he was capable of it till she had come along and started sticking her nose in. She was a nuisance. A beautiful, challenging, infuriating nuisance.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ally paced back and forth in the lounge room, waiting for Madison to come and trying to make some sense of what had just happened out there with Vincent. Yes, she had some feelings for him, she knew that. She was potently attracted to him, she already knew that as well. But that kiss. He’d known she felt more than she was ready to acknowledge and he’d played her, just as she’d played him. She groaned in the frustration of it all. But he was right. After that, there was no way she could deny what she was feeling for him. But what about the man that she’d dreamt of. Who was he? Why had he come to her in her dreams twice now! Was she being unfaithful to someone that she didn’t remember? She stopped pacing and flopped onto the couch, staring into the fire, but not really seeing. Two men, one very real and the other possibly a figment. Her feelings for Vincent weren’t going away, they were getting stronger. As he’d just pointed out in an underhanded move.
“Ally?” Madison’s voice broke into her thoughts. She blinked twice and turned her attention to the young girl who stood hesitantly in the door way.
“You look like a new woman, Madison.”
Madison gave her a radiant smile. “Just call me Maddy. Everyone I know does. Can I come in?”
“Of course, Maddy,” Ally patted the seat beside her. “Now I have some good news.”
“Really?” She curled up into the corner of the couch.
“I’ve spoken to Vincent and he’s agreed to take you home.”
Madison let out a squeal. “Seriously? He’s going to let me go!”
Ally felt lighter now that she had at least gotten this concession out of Vincent. “Yes and we will be escorting you there.”
The light in Madison’s eyes dimmed. “Him too?”
“Yes him too,” She reached and took Madison’s hand in hers. “You have every right to be scared of him and if it’s going to be too much just tell me and I’ll find a way around it. But he has given me his word that he will not harm a single hair on your head.”
Madison was still wary.
“I will bring him here tonight and he can tell you himself. And being an empath, you’ll know if he means it or not. Will that ma
ke you feel better about it?”
She considered for a moment before giving a brisk nod. “Yes, that will help.”
“Good.” Ally stood up. “Now let’s go and have some dinner and you can tell me more about your family.”
Mabel was just serving up their dinner as they walked into the room. Ally handled the introductions. Mabel took an instant like to Madison and began fussing and clucking all over her. She needed this after what Vincent had done to her.
“So where is home?” Ally asked.
“Fort William,” Madison answered in between mouthfuls of food.
“Mum? Dad?”
“I never knew my dad,” she answered with a sadness that Ally could relate to. Who knows who her father might be. Who knew anything. She swallowed a groan and gave her full attention back to the young girl in front of her.
“But my mum, Arabella, she is a grand enchantress.”
“What is that exactly?”
Madison told her what that meant.
“So are you an enchantress as well as an empath?”
“Yeah.”
“Impressive. If your mother is that powerful I wonder how Vincent is still alive.”
“Well, if she’d been home when they came, none of them would be alive. But Vincent wasn’t actually there when they took me. He’d sent Natalia.” The girl shivered. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything you like.”
“Are you Vincent’s girlfriend? Cause I thought that Natalia was, well she acted like it, but I couldn’t feel any real emotion on his part. And now you are here and he’s listening to you…so I just wondered.”
Her question was met with an awkward silence. Ally didn’t even know the answer to that question let alone how to answer it. “It’s complicated,” was the best she could come up with.
“Tell me. I’d like to hear it. Besides it’s nice to have someone to talk to.”
Ally relayed to story.
Madison took in the entire tale with a rapt expression. “So you truly have no idea who you are?”
“Nope,” Ally answered taking a sip of her wine. “Not a clue.”
“So why would the immortals take you? It goes against everything they believe in.”
“Which is?”
“They are the guardians of the human race, sworn to keep the vampires under control. That is what they have always done until fifty years ago. I obviously wasn’t alive then, so I don’t know the specifics but something happened and the vampires got the upper hand. Most of the immortals went scurrying into hiding across the globe, with their tails between their legs.”
“Really? I wonder what happened.”
“Maybe ask Vincent. He was probably behind it,” Madison said dryly.
Ally snorted. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”
Madison put both her hands on the table and pinned Ally with a serious expression that made her seem much older than her years. “Why are you still here? Come home with me.”
“I can’t.”
“Because of Vincent?”
She didn’t answer.
Madison shook her head. “But why? He is all that is evil.”
“Not with me. He’s never going to be a knight in shining armour, but I’m drawn to him in a way that I can’t explain. It’s irrational and goes against all logic, but there you have it.”
“Does he feel the same?”
Ally held her hands up and shrugged. “He feels something but what it is exactly, I don’t know.”
And idea flew into Madison’s head. “I can answer that question for you.”
“How?”
“I’m an empath remember. When you bring him here tonight, I’ll find out and tell you.”
Ally couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. Madison looked so proud of herself and wanted to help. What harm would it do to let her try. “Alright. You’re on.”
One corner of her mouth turned up as Ally watched Vincent pacing back and forth in front of the house. Less than two hours ago, she’d been doing the exact same thing. Perhaps he did feel something. Maybe she wasn’t alone in her jumble of emotions. “Are you coming to see her or are you just going to skulk around here all night?”
He stopped pacing and he gaped at her. “Just how long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to know you’re losing touch with your spidy senses.”
He bristled. “No I’m not.”
“Really?” She teased. “The Vincent from a week ago would have known I was there before I’d set foot on the porch.”
He growled.
“Oh stop being such a bear and come see Madison.”
“Why?”
Ally rolled her eyes. “Because she wants to meet you again and decide for herself that you won’t hurt before being forced into a car with you.”
“Car?”
Her eyebrows scrunched together. “Are you alright?”
“Fine.” He curtly replied.
She stepped down onto the grass and walked over towards him. “Something is eating at you. What is it?”
“Nothing,” he hissed. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”
He stalked back into the house, leaving Ally staring after him with a confused expression. She sighed, shaking her head and followed him, before he scared Madison all over again. With a burst of speed she caught him in a manner of seconds. “Behave,” she warned in his ear.
Vincent watched the young girl standing in front of the fire for a few moments. He’d never really looked at her before. She’d only been a means to an end. A bargaining chip. Now that he saw her, shame washed over him. Innocence and goodness radiated out of her like a palpable force. Ally had been right, damn her. She was just a young innocent girl that had been caught up in his scheming. Taking her home was the right thing to do, even though it still grated a bit that he’d been played by his infuriating immortal.
“Madison,” Ally softly called from behind him.
The girl looked up at him with huge blue eyes. Her fear shone from their depths. He saw her breath catch and heard her pulse trip. She really was terrified of him. A fresh wave of guilt that he couldn’t shake off passed through him. Ally walked past him to go stand by the girl. He resisted shaking his head. She was the girls champion and wouldn’t hesitate to rip him apart if he tried to harm her.
Vincent to be as unintimidating as possible, which was an almost impossible task. Especially with Ally sending him a ‘I told you so,’ look. He sauntered further into the room. “Madison,” he began, but didn’t know what to say. He was in unfamiliar territory. He was about to continue when a bright smile formed on the girls face.
“Why are you smiling?” he barked.
“She was right,” Madison said in a voice filled with a curious wonder. “You’re not the same Vincent that I met.”
“What is she talking about?” He asked Ally. “Is she cracked?”
Both the girls laughed.
“Told you he was a big bear.” Ally grinned at him. “Nothing to be afraid of. He won’t hurt you now.”
“Bear!” Vincent raged. “I’m not some bloody overgrown teddy that you two can dress up and play with, you know.”
“Of course not,” Ally said with the straightest face she could achieve. “I told you Madison is an empath. She can tell what you’re feeling. I didn’t even need you to say anything. Just be in the same room with her.”
Madison moved closer and looked up at him with her innocent eyes. “What you did to me was almost unforgivable, but I can feel that you aren’t the same vampire. I can guess the reason for the change.” She winked at Ally. “The Vincent I met two weeks ago would never have felt the shame and guilt that you just did. I forgive you.”
Vincent was at a loss. His mouth flapped around like a fish gasping for air.
She reached to take his hand. “You don’t have to say anything. I can feel it.”
He threw his hands in the air and stalked out of the room muttering about woman, immortals and
bloody empaths. The girls laughter followed him out of the room and out of the front door. It should have made him furious, but instead he felt lighter than he had in centuries. And despite his best efforts, he could no longer keep a straight face. Bear, indeed.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Madison was packing her meagre belongings when a knock sounded on the door. “Come in,” she called out.
Ally opened the door and popped her head in. “It’s almost dark, he’ll be here in about half an hour.”
Madison nodded and sat down on the bed. “Almost ready.”
“Good.”
“I still cannot believe that was Vincent last night,” Madison exclaimed.
“I didn’t hire an impersonator,” Ally returned dryly.
Madison snorted. “I realise that. But what I felt coming from him last night…well it was shocking to say the least. I actually liked him, despite what he did to me.”
“Did you get any answers for me?”
“Did I ever!” Madison cried, her face lit up. “There was so much that hit me last night when he walked into the room. First his shame and guilt over what he’d done to me, but whenever he glanced your way. Woah! He’s crazy about you.”
Ally felt her body crumple with relief. “At least I know I’m not another scheme.”
“No. I mean you might have been, who knows with him, but whatever this is now. It’s real and it’s strong.”
“I almost feel like it’s cheating to get the answers this way.”
Madison laughed. “No, just an advantage. Besides, we both know that Vincent doesn’t play by the rules so why should you.”
“Good point,” Ally conceded and stood up. “I’ll be waiting downstairs.”
Half an hour later, they all piled into the car Vincent had acquired. Ally sat beside him in the passenger seat and gave the car a once over. “Do I really want to know where you got this car?”
Vincent gave a sly smile. “Probably not. But I’ll be returning it tomorrow unharmed.”
Madison piped up from the back. “Regardless of how you got it, I like your taste in cars.”
Immortal Fate Page 11
