Vanse had waited centuries for her, but she’d known nothing of this, till knowledge of her past lives had awakened. The trouble was, in her first life she’d loved Vanse, and each time they’d met that love had rekindled. Last autumn, before Vanse halted her transformation, she’d experienced the intense emotions a newbie vamp has for its maker. This was now layered on top of memories of her love for him from the past. Tomorrow she’d be in Orleton, and unable to avoid him. The problem was, despite her protests to the contrary, the thought of seeing him a shiver of anticipation up and down her spine.
Tatya opened the bedroom blinds, flooding the room with bright early morning sun. If she squinted, she could make out a dark line to the southwest, where the plateau rose in forested slopes. Farther on, lay the Glusgap National Forest. Maybe when she got time, she’d drive out that way, do some exploring. She wriggled her toes. Feeling the smooth worn floorboards under her bare feet grounded her, connecting her to this new home. Her intuition had been right. Whoever had lived here had welcomed love in, and it had flourished. Her bedroom, at the rear of the apartment, overlooked a quarter of an acre, which she planned to use for growing herbs. The shop wasn’t near the town’s two up-market shopping blocks, but sat at the southern end of Main Street, right on the edge of Orleton. Those who wanted to buy her specialist teas or needed her healing skills would find her, and be happy they didn’t have to make the trek out of town any more.
The yard had been cleared of the garbage that had littered it when she’d first seen the place, but the well-established weeds would still have to be dug up, roots and all. She’d look into setting up a modern automatic irrigation system when it came time to plant seeds.
Tatya had arrived later than she’d planned yesterday evening. Too tired to do much more than unload her few boxes of clothes, and dump them in the shop, she’d taken her sleeping bag, and slept on the thick piece of foam she’d bought and left last time she was here. It would do till she could buy a new bed.
She decided to go for a run before starting her long list of things to do. Reestablishing the habit at Eva’s had given her a clear head at the start of the day, and she’d resolved to maintain the habit. Kimimela Woods wasn’t far; twenty acres of trees and bushes with paths for dog walkers, joggers, and cyclists designed for residents from the nearby exclusive suburbs.
She pulled into a parking space at a less frequented entrance to the woods. She could have chosen the regular access nearer town—but she’d have had to park in St. Raphael’s car park. This would be too near to Vanse’s lair in the hospital basement, and she wasn’t ready to face him yet. She remembered yesterday’s overload, and pushed down on the connection, ensuring it stayed closed. Keeping her mind clear of memories was a challenge, even without the extra stresses brought on by contact with him. Becoming reacquainted with the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of the town she’d grown up in was enough for the moment. She’d get around to Vanse when she was good and ready.
She stretched, although she was positive her muscles no longer needed the warm-up, and entered the woods. Ground mist swirled through the aspen and spruce trunks. By the time she’d run her fifth lap, passing the odd dog walker and fellow runner, the kinks, and anxieties about returning to Orleton had eased. She wondered if she could manage to run all day. How far could she push this hybrid body; what were its limits? An idea flickered. Perhaps she’d take up a martial art like judo or karate? Didn’t the high school run a course in something in the evening? She giggled aloud. Who did she think she’d turned into? Wonder Woman?
Stopping to get her bearings, she realized she’d been too absorbed in her own thoughts and had taken a wrong turn ending up adjacent to the hospital car park. Checking her watch, she realized she’d stayed longer than she intended. The new kitchen was scheduled to arrive this morning. As she turned to retrace her steps, a flash of red caught her eye. Bending and moving aside branches from a low bush at the edge of the track, she peered into the undergrowth. For a second she thought the young woman was asleep. She lay on her back with her arms crossed over her chest, long red-brown hair curling around her shoulders, and her expression peaceful. Then gasped as she realized there was no rise and fall of her chest, no air moving in and out of her lungs.
The woman was dead.
Tatya snapped her shields into place, and with her heart drumming faster she took a deep breath and began to scry. Linked to a person’s life force, the aura took around twelve hours to disappear. Here, disintegration seemed to be advanced, and tattered remnants of shredded pale green scraps lingered, bleeding into the ether. Her psychic senses spiked, alarms flashed.
“What’s wrong?” Vanse’s concerned voice quickly broke into her thoughts.
“Nothing,” she snapped, startled by the suddenness of his intrusion.
“Tatya, do you need me?”
She softened. Pushing him away was instinct. “I’m fine.” She didn’t mention the dead woman. Otherwise, he’d be out here in a flash, and working with the sheriff had drummed certain habits into her.
“Are you sure?”
A pulse of warmth caressed, soothed her. “Vanse, back off.” But her words were without bite. “I’ll see you later.” She cut the connection, grateful he’d called. That ‘later’ had jumped out before she could stop it. She could practically see a lazy smile spreading across his face. Yes, he cared, but he crowded her, was over-protective; yet he had her back. No matter what happened, he’d come if she asked. The thought strengthened her.
She took out her phone. “Bill?” She turned away from the woman’s body, wiping away a tear. As a healer, she’d seen death more than once, but young women didn’t just come out into the woods, lay down and die. This wasn’t a natural death.
“Hey, Tat! You’ve returned. Great to hear from you. How are you?”
“I’m okay, but I’m standing next to a dead woman in the Kimimela Woods. On one of the paths near the hospital.”
“Give me your exact location. I’m coming. Don’t move.”
Chapter Two: Reunions
Probably more by accident than intent, nobody else passed by. She waited, glancing at the woman’s half hidden body, looking away, trying not to think of what had happened here. Spring was in full swing, columbines and wild licorice blooms peppered the earth. Soft baby leaves, waiting to uncurl, covered nearby tree branches as sap rose and new life was born. Life and death: the eternal cycle. A wave of sadness at the tragedy of a young life cut short swept through Tatya. She paced, impatient for the sheriff and his deputies to arrive. Abruptly she heard sirens, cars, and then voices as people hurried along the track toward her.
Sheriff Corwin came first. “So good to see you, Tatya. Got you a latte.” Bill grinned at her.
Overcome with relief at his arrival, she threw her arms around him.
“Hey! Watch the coffee.”
“Sorry.” She pulled away. She and Bill didn’t normally do hugs, but he wasn’t just the county sheriff. Over the years she’d known and worked with him, he’d become one of her closest friends. He understood what she’d been through last year having been part of the team that stood by her when Angelus and his demon hordes descended on the town. He and Changing Sky together had become the father she’d lost when young.
“And boy, am I glad to see you too.” He pulled her close, hugging her again. “Okay, business first, Tat.” He handed her the coffee. “I’ll take your statement, and then you’re free to go.” He turned to the deputies behind him, “Branton, get the area roped off. Where’s Morton? We need pics ASAP.” He turned back to Tatya. “Have you, you know, done your thing?” Bill had often hired her, in an unofficial capacity, to scry and search for clues when somebody or something went missing. Despite his pragmatic outlook on life, he understood there was more to life than meets the eye.
She nodded. “Just a little.” Vanse had interrupted her scrying. “Then I thought it better I phone you.”
“And?”
“It’s probably no
thing but there was something about her aura that was off, though I can’t put my finger on exactly what. Sorry, Bill, that’s not much help, is it?”
After Bill took her statement, he sent her home, telling her he’d be in contact if they needed anything else.
Tatya left, relieved to be dismissed from the crime scene; her appreciation increased for the work the sheriff and his men did. Dealing with the worst of human behavior was a tough job.
Within minutes of walking into the shop, Tatya was supervising the installation of her new kitchen. One week. That’s how long she’d give herself to get everything shipshape before opening the shop.
The workmen left by mid-afternoon. They’d connected the cooker to the mains, installed the fridge freezer, washing machine, cupboard units, and breakfast bar. She liked the clean shiny whiteness of everything. This venture would work. She sighed in relief. She’d dedicate every ounce of energy she had into creating a successful business to honor Sean and Aunt Lil.
An hour later, not wanting to give herself time to brood over the morning’s discovery, she unloaded cans of paint from the truck and stacked them on the shop floor. She worked steadily through the afternoon, admiring the delicate light green shade she painted on the walls.
The wind chimes she’d hung on the front door jingled.
“Tat.”
She flew across the room and Bill enfolded her in his arms. “Whoa! Twice in the same day?”
“Yes, I missed you. Hey, you’re not blushing, are you?”
“Nah. I’ve fallen in love with that black beauty out front. I take it that’s yours? And, if you haven’t noticed, I’m jealous.”
She laughed, leading him into the kitchen.
“Wow. Don’t invite Winona over. She’d nag me to death if she saw this place. Which reminds me, you’re invited to dinner tonight, and don’t even try to make any excuses.”
“Will there be pie?”
Bill nodded.
“How can I refuse?” she laughed.
Winona still suffered from empty nest syndrome, even though the last of their three kids had left for college over a year and a half ago, and took every opportunity to mother Tatya. Which meant lots of pie, and Winona’s apple pies were competition winners.
“Have a seat. Tea?” Bill loved her sage tea though she was under threat of arrest if she ever told anyone.
He made himself comfortable on one of the chrome stools by the breakfast bar. “How are you after this morning?”
“I’m okay. Keeping busy.” Tatya gestured around the room. “Any information you’re allowed to tell me?”
“It was a vampire.”
She paused, let the knowledge sink in, and controlled the shudder that ran through her.
“Have you met up with Vanse yet?” The sheriff was one of the few people who were aware of her relationship with the vampire master.
“No, but I’m certain he’ll drop by soon. I promise you’ll be the first to know if anything develops in that department—positive or otherwise.” She tilted her head to the side. “You want me to give him a message?”
“No. I was being nosey. When you do see him, don’t mention this morning. Not yet anyway. Okay?”
“No problem.”
“Are you still up for doing the occasional job for me?”
“Of course.” She remembered how peaceful the woman looked and hoped they caught whoever murdered her. “You got anything particular in mind?”
“I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know.”
“You’re a caring man, Sheriff Corwin, but remember I’m not as delicate as I look.”
Bill laughed. He made the appropriate noises as she showed him the small room she planned to use for healing and consultations, the lounge, the future herb plot, and the two rooms upstairs; her bedroom and a second room. She hadn’t yet decided whether to use it as a study or a meditation room. “I’ve got furniture, a bed, and other bits and pieces, ordered, but opening the shop is the priority.”’
“Have you thought of using Rob Svenson? His rates are reasonable and he’s quick. He’d get the walls painted, and any other jobs you wanted done.”
“I need to keep busy. Does he do signs? I need someone to put the name of the shop up.”
Bill nodded. “I’ll get his number to you.” He studied Tatya. “You’re looking well, Tatya.”
“Why thank you, kind sir.” She bobbed a curtsey at him.
“No, I mean it. You’re looking strong and healthy. Winona expects you at seven. Don’t be late. You know how she is when the food gets cold.”
“Yes, sir!”
After Corwin left, Tatya tried to control her wayward thoughts. She had another latte, enjoying the mellow taste of the brew from her new shiny steel coffee machine. The caffeine had little or no effect on her metabolism these days. Whether it was the demon half or the vampire half responsible for her physical changes she couldn’t tell. Maybe it was both? More stuff she didn’t want to bother thinking about. She deliberately pushed thoughts of the master vampire out of her mind. Vanse would visit soon enough. She didn’t know how or why, but when he was around, her difficulties somehow multiplied.
The link flickered, and she broke the connection instantly. Dismissing thoughts of him had somehow been easier at Eva’s. Was it possible physical distance made a difference? Today she’d found herself unable to ignore the bond and blocking him took constant effort. What she needed was a conversation with him. Get things out in the open. She wasn’t clear in her mind exactly what things. But she wouldn’t be making the first move. There, read that thought. She knew he smiled at the challenge.
She returned to painting and covering up the grubby beige color with the soft green she’d chosen. With luck, she’d get two walls done today. But thinking of Vanse had turned on a tap.
The bond stayed quiescent, but memories surfaced. One after another, the memories she’d kept in check for the last six months—lying next to him, her head on his chest, his arm heavy as it lay across her shoulders—flooded her mind. She thought of the protection his presence gave. How many times had he saved her? When she’d agreed to surrender to Angelus, Vanse had offered the most resistance, but she’d never thanked him. She just took his help as if all he had to do was run after her and save her.
Most damning of all was the memory of how she’d felt toward him when she woke after having imbibed his blood. For a short time, she’d been consumed with love and adoration for him, would have done anything he asked to please him. Her devotion to him, the absolute need to satisfy him as her maker was like nothing she’d ever experienced with another human. It had been far richer and deeper. But he’d halted her transformation, and she’d not become a vampire, although the link remained. Even the slightest mental allusion to that time revived those emotions, and the golden chain between them would flare into life.
Tatya painted furiously, but the memories wouldn’t lie quiet. She kept seeing his soulful brown eyes, golden skin, and black hair; his head tilted just slightly as he studied her when he thought she didn’t notice. He was always protecting her despite the cost to both of them, when the safer option would have been to walk away. She was back in Orleton and if she wasn’t going anywhere then she had to face whatever came her way—including him.
She finished the wall, and satisfied with the afternoon’s work, packed away the paint and brushes. Mrs. Mallachy’s daughter was an artist, and she’d thought of commissioning her to paint a mural on one of the walls. Something to create a visual impact when customers entered though she’d yet to come up with any clear ideas. A Garden of Eden, minus Adam and Eve?
Dinner at Bill and Winona’s was great. As they ate Winona commented on how long and thick Tatya’s hair was getting, and asked if she planned to keep it long.
When Aunt Lil was alive, she’d always trimmed Tatya’s hair, keeping her thick brown wavy curls short and under control, but since her aunt’s death, she’d let her hair grow. Now it was longer, thicker, and the red highligh
ts more noticeable. The upside was she could now pull it back into a ponytail though it never stayed as tight or neat or out of her face as she’d have liked.
Winona was more than happy to keep piling the pie and cream on her plate.
Tatya didn’t stay late. Bill worked long hours, and an evening at home undisturbed was rare.
“Drop in any time,” Winona called after her as she headed out the door.
“With pie as heavenly as yours, you’ll be seeing a lot more of me,” Tatya responded with a wave.
She took her time driving home, enveloped in the warm haze that friendship and delicious home cooked food generated.
Most of Orleton was quiet at night, except for a few bars at the other end of town, where the young explored the few options available, and older sadder adults drank their misfortunes into oblivion.
Tatya parked the truck and was digging out the door key from the depths of her purse when the link blazed.
Suddenly Vanse was behind her. “Good evening, Tatiana.” His voice stroked her skin. His eyes bored into her.
She shivered. “Tatya. It’s Tatya. We’ve had this conversation before.” She dampened her emotions. This was the present, not the past. In this life, she didn’t love him. She didn’t.
“My apologies.”
“Come in.” There was no point in denying him entry—they were well beyond the stage of polite strangers. Added to which, even in this day and age there were people who objected to interspecies mingling, and a night conversation with the local vampire master might offer a nosey neighbor grist for the local gossip mill. She led him through the shop front, and into the kitchen.
He took in the new kitchen and the lack of furniture in the rest of the living space. “If you need help finishing off the place, I will send someone over to shop for whatever you want.”
The Kala Trilogy: An Urban Fantasy Box Set Page 23
