Deep is the Night: Dark Fire

by Denise A. Agnew

  Look outside, Erin.

  The whispery voice, thick with sinister tones, called to her in her mind as it had done so many times. She shivered again; the robe and heavy socks didn’t seem to keep her warm.

  Instant fear gripped Erin in a primitive area of her soul. Doubts made her afraid, as well as the trepidation that happened to anyone exploring the unknown.

  Could Lachlan be the owner of this mysterious voice and the strange cloaking apprehension that assaulted her lately? Who else could it be if not him?

  If he was the perpetrator, why didn’t she feel afraid of him all the time? How could she have fallen in love with him?

  Perhaps she didn’t love him as much as she thought.

  Look outside in the front yard, Erin.

  As if directed by an outside power, she switched off the living room light and went to the window to the right side of the door. Anxiety wracked her, and she gripped the thick curtain with tense fingers. With agonizing slowness she drew back the curtain.

  A dark shape stood near the old tree outside her apartment. Fascinated, yet frightened, she tried to see if she recognized the shadow silhouetted against the small amount of light.

  She blinked. The figure disappeared.

  She jerked back, pulling the thick blue covering back over the window.

  Tempted to call Danny, she then thought how it would sound if she mentioned the peculiar things that happened lately. Strange voices and lovers with otherworldly light in their eyes? Shadows that lurked in bushes and the sensation of being watched? Odd apprehensions that something forbidding and evil skulked in the shadows? Danny would think she’d popped a cork.

  Erin backed up until she sat down on the couch. She waited in fearful silence for the voice to talk to her again. She recalled Lachlan’s entreaty that she could call him if she was frightened. But Erin couldn’t rely on him if she didn’t know if she could trust him.

  When no solution came to mind after several minutes, she grabbed her book and drifted back to the bedroom.

  Somehow she had a feeling she wouldn’t sleep again tonight.

  * * * * *

  The vampire watched Erin peer his way. Anger, lust, and hatred filled his heart. He knew her dread with an untamed intensity he experienced deep in his immortal heart. A heart that stopped beating centuries ago, but that remembered human pain and suffering. Perhaps he didn’t feel that distress in the same way, but it tickled at his brain with relentless memories. As his greed once blossomed for her weeks ago, it now it mixed with stirrings of loathing for her stubbornness and pride.

  She would obey him. She would learn that she was Dasoria and therefore his.

  Because he could not have her yet, he turned into the night and hurried to taste easy prey.

  Chapter 18

  “It’s happened again,” Gilda said as she tossed the newspaper on the library check out counter. “Another woman has been hurt by some sick bastard.”

  The empty feeling Erin had fought all morning increased as she read the headline and then the article beneath. “Margie Willensky was attacked and brutalized on Hyde Street not far from Jekyl’s.”

  Right where Lachlan was staying.

  That’s right, Erin.

  The disturbing, whispery voice filled her head in an instant, and she looked up, startled. Fright invaded her, replacing the barrenness she’d endured since her disagreement with Lachlan last night.

  “Blood drained.” Gilda came around the counter and lowered her voice, even though the library hadn’t opened yet. “This is getting beyond scary. I’m so glad Lachlan is around to look after you. I doubt a Sherman tank could get through that guy.”

  The memory of Lachlan’s inhuman strength as he held her against the wall and fucked her ran rampant in Erin’s mind. Irritation ran over Erin’s exciting memory of his embrace. “Lachlan’s not my keeper.”

  “Well, of course not,” Gilda said. “But I thought after last night—”

  “What about it?” Immediately Erin realized that she sounded snappy. “I’m sorry it’s just that Lachlan and I aren’t together.”

  A conspiratorial smile lit Gilda’s face. “That’s not what Diane Lucas said.”

  “What? Who is Diane Lucas?”

  “She’s an old acquaintance I saw on the way to work today. She saw you at Ricardo’s.”

  So much for keeping a low profile. “Yes, we had dinner there, but we aren’t going out again.”

  Gilda’s face fell. “Wow. Diane said you two really were going—” Gilda cut herself off, her cheeks turning pink, and her gaze suddenly evading Erin’s. “I mean—”

  “Gilda?” Erin crossed her arms and frowned.

  “Diane was in the ladies room last night, and she though she heard…uh…something that would indicate you two were together. In a big way.” Gilda’s face turned even redder.

  Comprehension dawned on Erin. “Are you saying she could hear us—oh, God. I thought that room was soundproofed.”

  Gilda patted her arm. “Well, it’s not that soundproof.”

  Mortified, Erin covered her face with her hands. Then anger replaced embarrassment, and she glared at her friend. “First of all, that woman has no business gossiping about what she thought she heard or didn’t hear. It’s none of her business. And I’m mad at you for even listening to her gossip.”

  Gilda had the decency to look contrite. “Honey, I’m sorry, but she just started talking to me about it. Blurted it out, really. She’s got a mouth on her like a bull horn when it comes to hearsay.” Looking more than unsettled, Gilda sighed. “She’ll have it all over town by the end of the day. If people didn’t know that you and Lachlan are in a physical relationship already, they will by…” She looked at her watch. “By no later than five o’clock.”

  Erin sputtered. “We aren’t in a physical relationship.”

  With a smile Gilda said, “Right.”

  “We aren’t. At least, not any more. Not after what I thought I saw last night.” Erin winced.

  Good going, girl. Now she’s going to want to know more, and you don’t know what you saw for certain.

  Gilda’s expression turned curious, and she leaned back against the counter. As if she thought someone might overhear, Gilda glanced around the room. “What did you see?”

  Erin waved one hand in dismissal. “Nothing. I didn’t see anything.”

  Before Gilda could question her, Fred Tyne entered the main area and headed straight for the counter. When he reached the desk, his gaze took on an accusing glower Erin had never seen in his expression before.

  “Ladies, I have some worrisome news, but I think it’s for the best.” His lips were tight and particularly grim. “Did you hear the announcement on the radio that the police want everyone to close up by at least five o’clock?”

  “No,” Erin and Gilda said at the same time.

  “I got a call from Chief Donaldson and he confirmed it. They aren’t going to institute a curfew, but if businesses close early, there won’t be as many people out.” Fred picked up an eraser on the counter and tossed it up and down. “The weather report said it’s going to snow harder this afternoon, so it’s probably just as well. I’ve also got some serious questions for you, and I wanted to get them out of the way before we open. Last night I heard those weird noises you complained about, Erin.”

  All the hair on the back of Erin’s neck prickled. “You mean that bizarre sound like the ceiling was going to collapse on your head?”

  “Yes. But that’s not all. I thoroughly investigated and didn’t come up with an explanation.”

  “Was anyone else with you?” Erin asked.

  He shook his head and put the eraser back on the counter. His face held a pale, frightened tinge. “No. So I can’t prove that I heard it.”

  “You don’t need to prove anything to me,” Erin said. “I heard it first, remember?”

  “What can we help you with?” Gilda asked.

  “Actually, it’s Erin that may be able to help me. W
hen I left the library, I saw that boyfriend of yours. The tall, dark, creepy-looking fellow.”

  Erin shivered, and she wondered for a moment if perhaps Fred meant someone other than Lachlan. “Who?”

  Fred sniffed. “Lachlan Tavish, of course.”

  “We’re not…he’s not my boyfriend, Fred.”

  The man said, “That’s not what I gathered from my sources.”

  “Sources?” Erin almost squeaked the question, starting to get ticked. “First Gilda, now you.”

  His eyebrows went up as he eyed Gilda. “Oh?”

  Gilda waved one hand. “It’s personal.”

  “I don’t care what you do in your personal life,” Fred said as he lowered his voice. “But I think you ought to watch out for that man. He’s a stranger and you haven’t known him more than a few days. With the bizarre things going on with that El Chupacabra, you never know.”

  Erin wanted to protest that whatever attacked women in Pine Forest, it couldn’t be an El Chupacabra. She refrained because she knew an argument wouldn’t solve the problem.

  “Then how can I help you?” Erin asked.

  “Maybe you can chat with Danny about Tavish. He would love to keep a watch on that fellow, I’m sure.”

  Oh, yeah, I’ll bet he would.

  “Danny has better things to do than stalk Lachlan,” Gilda said.

  “I second that notion.” The words came from Erin before she could think, and she wondered at her own motivations. She decided she wouldn’t tell him that she’d already spoken with Danny about Lachlan. “I’m sure Danny is too busy.”

  Fred nodded. “I suppose. But it’s not like there’s a lot of crime other than these attacks.”

  Looking more than incredulous, Gilda said, “Lachlan has nothing to do with these murders. Tom and I have known him a long time. He’s a credible man.”

  “People change.” Fred didn’t give either one of them time to respond. He turned away and headed into the stacks.

  Erin loathed acknowledging that what Fred said about Lachlan made common sense. She’d sped down a fast, furious road with the Scot, and she hadn’t known him a week. Since when did a responsible, sane woman have sex with and fall in love with a man in that short a time?

  Only the ones looking for inevitable heartbreak.

  “He’s right.” Erin determined she’d have a good, strong cup of coffee. “I don’t know Lachlan very well. And I don’t plan on getting to know him any better.”

  Ignoring Gilda’s chagrined expression, Erin left for the break room and a bracing cup of caffeine. Before she could reach the room, though, she heard Danny’s voice and turned about. Danny said hello to Gilda, then caught sight of Erin. He headed her direction.

  She couldn’t avoid a man of the law, and Danny’s uniform said business mission, not pleasure. “Hi.”

  He smiled, but his face showed worry. “On the way to get coffee?”

  “Yes. Want some?”

  He followed her into the lounge, and she wondered when people would start gossiping about her and Danny since they kept disappearing into this small room together. Danny closed the door, so that made it worse. She almost told him to open it again, then remembered Lachlan’s assurances that she shouldn’t care what anyone thought. When would she get that message through her head?

  When you believe it yourself.

  After pouring them a cup of coffee, she sat down at the small table once again. “I take it this is official business?”

  He tasted the coffee, then winced as if it was bitter or too hot, or maybe both. “Make sure when you get home tonight to lock your doors and don’t open them to anyone you don’t know.”

  She smiled. “Danny, I’m not a child. The police are scared spitless and can’t figure out who is doing this yet. They figure if all the law-abiding citizens are off the street two things will happen. Innocent people will be out of harm’s way. And any bad guys lurking about will stick out like a sore thumb, right?”

  He didn’t seem amused by her light presentation of the situation. “Yes, and no. This is personal to me. My sister is following my advice.”

  “Kathleen?”

  He didn’t even smile at her amazed tone. “Yeah. I know. Surprising, isn’t it? But it’s more than that, darlin’.”

  His earnest expression, almost puppy like in its sincerity, made her long for Lachlan’s more assured, powerful presence. Like it or not, Danny didn’t inspire either romantic feelings or a sense of being protected.

  She stood up and retrieved a plastic spoon and creamer, deciding she needed something to reduce the sludge texture of the coffee. Once she’d settled down again, Erin waited for an explanation that didn’t come.

  “More than what?” she asked.

  His chest heaved in a sigh. “I like you a lot, and I want to be more than friends. I care about you.”

  That’s all I need. More complications. She wanted to feel appreciation, but exasperation overflowed instead. “Why don’t we take this slower?”

  “You aren’t taking things slow with Lachlan.”

  Exasperation turned to anger, and she took a deep breath to hold back a nasty retort. She couldn’t remember when she’d been so primed to snap at people. “First of all, whether or not I’m taking it slow with anyone is none of your business, Danny. Second, I can’t be more than platonic friends with you.”

  He didn’t look away as she half expected, and she realized she’d underestimated Danny Fortesque’s resolve. “I’m not asking for an exclusive relationship. I thought if you and I could get to know each other it would be nice.”

  “I thought that’s what we were doing.”

  “Yeah, but not like you’ve been getting to know Tavish.”

  With a thump she put down her mug and liquid sloshed over the edge. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Danny seemed to have abandoned his beverage altogether. Doubt touched his eyes. He scrubbed one hand over his chin. “Look, I’m not doing this very well.”

  “No, you’re not. If you’re referring to the various rumors swimming around about Lachlan and I going to dinner, well, the gossip is true. Lachlan and I did spend time at Ricardo’s.”

  He nodded. “I know. I followed you.”

  “What?” She sat up straighter, resentment bolting through her like lightning.

  “Police surveillance.”

  She reached for a napkin on the table and dabbed at the mess she’d made, half tempted to leave the room without another word. “I can’t believe this. You’re spying on us?”

  “In an official capacity. I had orders from the Chief.”

  “Right.” She stood up and took her mug with her. She tossed the napkin in the trash can on the way to the sink.

  “You think I’m investigating Lachlan because I want to date you?”

  Erin dumped the rest of her coffee in the sink, her annoyance unabated. “Aren’t you?”

  “I told the Chief my suspicions and he sanctioned the surveillance.”

  “And that was convenient for you, wasn’t it?”

  Danny stood, his gaze intent as he walked toward her. He moved so fast she didn’t think much of it until he stopped right in front of her. “This is why I’m worried about you. You used to be such a steady person.”

  “I may not be the same person you met, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” she said. “If people don’t grow and change they go stagnant.”

  He nodded, his face going stiffer but with determination remaining in his expression. “All right. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m worried about you being around this guy, darlin’.”

  “Please don’t call me that.”

  “What? Darlin’?”

  He stepped even closer. His closeness inspired none of the hot, forbidden feelings Lachlan’s nearness would have. Instead, she felt nothing, not even mild attraction. “Exactly. Don’t call me anything but Erin, please.”

  “Fine. Now getting back to Tavish. Even if Gilda and Tom have known him fo
r ages, he could still have them thinking he’s a great guy when he isn’t. People’s instincts can be wrong.”

  Again she took a deep breath to maintain what she could of her temper. He pushed her buttons like she couldn’t believe. She crossed her arms. “Again, my relationship with Lachlan is none of your business. And I’m not willing to buckle under and think its okay that you’re spying on me.”

  “I’m investigating Lachlan Tavish. He’s the only suspect we have.”

  A mild panic tickled at her brain. She allowed her arms to drop to her sides. “You’re saying the entire police department thinks he’s involved in these murders?”

  He nodded.

  She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to formulate her next question. “So you aren’t just trailing us because you want to date me and you have a personal dislike of Lachlan?”

  He put his hands on his hips and his leather belt creaked. “Even if he wasn’t a suspect, I’d still watch out for you.”

  Erin could see she wouldn’t change Danny’s mind about Lachlan any time soon. Maybe she shouldn’t try. Since she continued to have her own suspicions about Lachlan, she couldn’t be a hypocrite.

  “Lachlan isn’t a murderer,” she said.

  “Don’t be so sure about that.” He stepped that last inch until they almost touched.

  Before she could blink Danny pressed her back against sink, and his hands went into her hair. He swallowed her protest with his mouth.

  Surprised, she put her hands to his chest and realized Danny wasn’t as skinny as she thought. Strong, hot muscle bulged in his chest. Panic surged up as he tasted her lips with a thorough kiss. Aggravated and shocked, she pushed against his chest and squirmed to get away, but his grip wouldn’t budge. His kiss owned none of the fire and passion she’d experienced with Lachlan. She tried wrenching away again.

  A second later she heard a sound at the door, then a shadow moving quickly into the room. “Let her go, Fortesque.”

  Lachlan.

  Danny released her, springing away from her like a kid caught searching in a closet for Christmas presents. Lachlan darkened the doorway, his leather coat, black jeans and blood red sweater a strong contrast. Thunder appeared in the tight line of his mouth and the blazing anger in his eyes. For a moment she imagined him leaping across the room and fastening his hands about Danny’s throat.