As her gaze lingered on the Death card she turned rigid. Her eyes widened as the skeletal figure wavered, changing, the face turning, filling, and expanding as if trying to emerge from the confines of the card.
Startling blue eyes and thick red-gold curls falling forward as the vampire bent toward her. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
He grasped a handful of her hair, pulling her head back, exposing her throat. She stared up at the trees, silhouetted against the sky and the almost full moon. It was the perfect moment. He stoked her jugular, pulses of euphoric pleasure emanating from his fingertips. His fangs pierced her skin, sliding in deeper as he drank, and she gasped as an exquisite thrill spread cell deep throughout her entire body.
She trembled and the thin line of blackness at the edge of her vision expanded. Her head smacked the table as a wave of dizziness hit her.
“What’s happening?” Vanse’s question shot down the link as the bright golden chain banished the nightmarish vision.
“I saw Angelus. I was doing a Tarot card reading and I saw him.” She swallowed, shoving the image aside. Empaths collected impressions from places where violence had disturbed the ether, and it leaked through to the conscious mind at odd times. A disturbing consequence if you had no training.
“That’s highly unlikely. It was probably an illusion, projected and fueled by your fears.”
“I didn’t imagine him. He’s here.” She could feel the dread rising.
“I’m coming.”
“No! I’m fine.” Get a grip. What was she? Some scared rabbit venturing out of the burrow for the first time?
“I have an important meeting this morning, but I’ll be over to see you this evening, and we can talk more.” He paused. “If that’s okay with you?”
“Yes. I’d like that.”
The link closed. He was gone, and, as always, Tatya felt the sense of loss, of isolation after the closeness of the bond, and couldn’t help but wonder if her growing need for him weakened her. She had defeated Angelus, but she’d not done it alone, she’d been the spearhead of an alliance. None of whom could have done it without the others. No, she decided, acknowledging her feelings for him didn’t diminish her. In fact, it strengthened the bond between them, and she’d demonstrate that to him tonight. The next instant she tried to quash the flush of happiness. She’d read the cards because people had died, people whose relatives had been devastated, but the bubble of joy spreading up from her gut was difficult to ignore. Death arrived, announced or otherwise, for every living creature, and most vampires never made it past a couple of hundred years. And not everyone found their soul mate.
Tatya looked around the shop. Almost everything was in place. Today was Sunday. If she put her head down, and kept going she could open tomorrow. Okay, not a lot of advance publicity, but then most of her business was by word of mouth.
She spent the day stocking shelves. Filling the large glass jars with sage, lavender, chamomile, elderflower, rose, and placing them on shelves according to their uses and properties gave her a sense of deep satisfaction. The scent of the herbs reminded her she was a healer and would soon be doing what she loved most—helping others. But the morning’s events didn’t fade from her consciousness. Now and then she’d flash on the disturbing image of Angelus bending toward her, and a swelling of unease started in her gut. She refocused on the details of what she was doing to distract herself from dwelling on the past or possible threats from the present, such as dead women who resembled her far too much for comfort. She imagined the parents’ anguish at having to identify the body of their daughter. Grief from murder occupied a special category because hatred for the murderer polluted the heartache.
Tatya swung from gloomy thoughts of the morning to nervous anticipation of the evening as thoughts of Vanse drifted in and out of her mind. She’d grown habituated to her subliminal awareness of the link, and the reassurance his presence brought her. Whether through the link or by his physical presence, he’d become the one constant she relied on. The one touchstone in her life. She, who prized her independence, was contemplating surrender to him, though complete submission was not included in the offer. Remembering his touch, his mouth on hers the other day, sent goose bumps racing over her skin. She recalled her decision regarding their relationship, and it wasn’t butterflies, but a herd of maddened elephants trampling through her stomach.
Mid-afternoon, she contemplated the day’s work. The shelves were filled, the floor swept, and although she still needed to arrange a window display, she was ready to open for business. She could put an ad in the local newspaper to inform her old clients she was available, and hopefully entice new ones. Possibly an hour of freebie consultations each day for the first week? Although the backyard still had to be sorted, maybe Bill knew someone?
This was exciting. She clapped her hands, grinning to herself, then stopped. If only Aunt Lil and Sean could have been alive to take part in this venture. It had taken months to accept she would never see them again and get passed the heartache of their deaths; but once the shop was up and running, she’d finish Sean’s last project of setting up the online business, a promise she’d made to herself, and one she was determined to keep. She didn’t cry anymore when she remembered them. She’d done what everyone advised—gotten on with her life, and the grief had settled, softened, become part of the burden of living. Her memories of them were a rare gift she’d carry for the rest of her days.
Vanse had said evening but hadn’t given a time. To give herself time to get ready, Tatya ate early, though her stomach decided it was full after a few mouthfuls. Afterward she dug out the box of hair dye she’d bought on impulse on the shopping trip into San Francisco with Eva.
“Oh, every woman should be blonde once in her life,” the shop assistant had gushed, patting her own Titian red locks. “My own natural color is, well, most people call it mousy, but this gives me a little pep.” She winked, “You know what I mean?”
Tatya read the instructions twice, she didn’t want to make any mistakes, then mixed the ingredients and plastered the thick paste all over her hair. While waiting to rinse off the somewhat strong smelling glop, she searched through the unpacked boxes in her bedroom and found the one she wanted. She took out the three new dresses she’d bought on the same day—Eva insisted everything came in threes—and hung them on the back of the door. Hair and make-up first, then decide on the dress.
The nerves began when she looked at her towel-wrapped head in the bathroom mirror. What if the dye had turned her hair green or orange? When that had happened to girls in high school, they’d told their friends they were experimenting, and having a Goth phase. No one believed them, and within a day or two, they were back to their original color. That excuse wouldn’t wash with Vanse if this tryout didn’t work. She took a deep breath and pulled the towel off… whew… her hair was still wet, but it looked different, lighter and without any signs of red or brown.
Now for the next step of her make-over. With Aunt Lil’s old hair cutting scissors in hand, and working with extreme care, as she didn’t want to end up looking like a banshee, she cut herself a fringe, and, using a hand mirror for the back, trimmed her hair, stopping when it was just above her shoulders. She studied the effect. Mmm… definitely different. Now for the finishing touch. She took the hair straightener out of its box, read the instructions, plugged it in, and ironed every kink and wave out of existence. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, shook her head, loving the way her straight shiny platinum locks swung back and forward, and grinned at her reflection. Her eyebrows were still dark but that made her eyes stand out more. She was going to enjoy having a new look. One to match this new phase in her life.
Next, which dress? She gazed at herself in the full-length mirror in her bedroom, wondering what he’d think of the sexy figure hugging red dress. Nope, that definitely said seduction. She wanted sultry and desirable not slutty, and yanked it off, chucking it on the floor with the emerald green str
apless sheath that revealed every line of her bra and panties. The third dress was the little black number they’d bought from the boutique in Upper Oakland. The low neckline offered a swell of smooth breast, enough to tease without revealing too much, a fitted waist that accentuated her slenderness, and a full Marilyn Monroe skirt for sheer sexiness. She’d never set out to seduce a man before. In college, she’d had a few brief affairs, and drunken fumblings at parties resulting in relationships that fizzled out when studying for exams took precedence. Once back in Orleton, work had taken over her life.
At least her hair didn’t remind her of the dead girls—not a picture she wanted to intrude on the mood she was trying to create. A light application of green eye shadow to bring out her eye color, a flick of the deep red lipstick Eva had insisted she’d need, and as a finishing touch, she dabbed a few drops of jasmine oil behind her ears. With a final twirl in front of the mirror, wobbling a bit on the black strappy heels she’d bought that day, she admired her new look. After lighting candles and incense and putting the wine in the fridge, she settled herself on the couch with a book about herbs, intending to make good use of the time while she waited.
A knock at the front door startled her. Damn, she’d fallen asleep. Giving her hair a quick smooth with her fingers, and straightening her dress, hoping she’d not wrecked the picture of seduction she’d worked with such diligence to create, she paused. Taking a deep breath, she relaxed her shoulders and pushed her chest out before tottering to the door as fast as could in shoes she hoped wouldn’t give her a broken ankle.
Vanse looked blankly at her for a minute, then examined her from top to toe before the twinkle in his eye and the way his mouth lifted at the corners told her he understood exactly what she was doing.
At the sight of him, her heart leaped and her fears eased; all she wanted was be safe in his arms. Before she knew it, she was hugging him, taking strength from his physical presence, and breathing in his sandalwood scent, surprised at the relief flooding through her. “Come in,” she said, abruptly pulling away, mortified by her uncharacteristic display. In an attempt to regain a smidgen of poise, she waved him graciously inside.
She preceded him through the shop, doing her best to sway her hips in what she hoped was a sexy manner without losing her balance. She really should have practiced walking in these things. “Have a seat. What will you have? I have a bottle of excellent red Chianti?” The salesclerk at the drug store two doors along had insisted this was the best he had in stock, and she hoped Vanse appreciated she’d never before bothered to buy and chill wine. “Or would you prefer a coffee?”
One candle spluttered out, then another. The shadows deepened.
Vanse waved a hand, and they sprang to life again.
“How do you do that?” She stared at the small golden flames. “The wax isn’t burning.”
“You don’t live as long as I have without picking up a trick or two.” He made himself comfortable on the couch and glanced at the herbal she’d been reading. “A glass of wine will be fine. Thank you”
Wow! Aren’t we polite dancing around each other? she thought, watching him from under her eyelashes. Even though her insides quivered like molten lava about to erupt, Tatya opened the bottle without dropping it, poured and carried two glasses over to him without spilling a drop on the floor, She wondered if the rich red liquid reminded him of blood. Probably not, blood was thicker and darker. She wanted to open the link and experience the ecstasy that came from joining with him. But she didn’t. Whenever she’d taken the lead, something had gone wrong. She ignored the virtually overwhelming ache to jump his bones, sucked in her gut as unobtrusively as she could, and sat down next to him.
Vanse swirled the liquid around the glass before downing it in one gulp. He stretched out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles.
“Another?” Boy, he didn’t intend to get drunk, did he? Hadn’t she heard somewhere that vampires metabolized alcohol far quicker than humans and with a fraction of the effects?
“Yes, if you don’t mind, Tatiana.”
She shot him a look. It had been a while since he’d called her by her full name, she’d taught him otherwise, but let it pass. “I added vervain to my order but the company said they’d run out and had to order more themselves. It’ll be here at the beginning of next week.”
“I have to say…” he waved a hand at her hair, “the change is interesting. Those products don’t usually take on our hair. One of these days, I’ll teach you how to use a bit of glamour to alter your appearance.”
Lessons in vamp tricks? No thanks, she’d pass on that offer. She served him a second glass.
He threw that back too.
She refilled his glass for the third time in as many minutes. “What’s wrong?” Evidently, something was, but why didn’t he open the link? She could help.
He reached out and lifted her hand to his mouth.
As his lips touched her skin, shivers of pleasure ran up her arm.
Turning her hand over, he kissed her palm. “Tatya.” It was almost a groan.
“Tell me. Vanse, please.” She surreptitiously opened the link, but he blocked her.
He dropped her hand.
Her heart sank. He was going to push her away, wasn’t he? He hadn’t responded as she’d hoped when she’d thrown herself at him when he arrived. What did she expect? That he’d whisk her off to the bedroom, they’d have divine sex and live happily ever after? Picking up her own glass she took a long drink. Conceivably after centuries of anticipation, he’d gotten bored waiting for her? Maybe he was about to dump her?
“Tatya, I promise you as soon as I’m positive it’s safe, I will take you to bed, and make you mine. Believe me, there never has been and never will be another to take your place in my heart.”
“As soon as it’s safe? Safe from what? Open the link, Vanse and let me see.”
“No, not till I understand what’s happening.”
“For goodness sake!” She leaned forward, frustrated. “Stop beating around the bush, and just tell me what’s wrong?”
“Angelus is in my dreams.”
“Brilliant! You won’t sleep with me because you’re having nightmares about Angelus?”
“No! Listen. The demon appears to me in my dreams. It’s not the same.”
Tatya flinched at the harshness of his reprimand.
“I’ve thought a lot about what you said about your dreams, and I don’t think it was an illusion. I think this is serious.” He stared at her, hints of grief and sadness in his eyes.
She hadn’t seen his mournful expression for a while. “Explain.”
“What I’m experiencing is not a dream. Angelus emerges when I sleep because that’s when my guard is down. He taunts me with what he will do to you, to my family, and to anyone associated with us. I try to rest as little as possible, and I can function normally for lengthy periods, but eventually I have to sleep. Lately, when I sleep, he is always there.”
“But how is that possible? The barrier between his world and ours is closed. He can’t have gotten that powerful that quick and breached the veil. Can he?” She told him of Otakay’s message.
“I assume that as his first progeny, and with the strongest demon blood in my veins, he and I are still linked, despite everything..” Vanse lifted the bottle and drained it.
No wonder he seemed haunted. If somehow Angelus was here, he’d come for her. Possessing and controlling her would enhance his own powers to such an extent that he’d gain control over all vampires, a goal he’d always wanted. By controlling the vampire race, he’d gain dominion over the human world. Without the help of others, she’d never have defeated him. Flickers of the pain Angelus had meted out during the brief period she was in his power surfaced. Her heart beat faster.
“Calm yourself, Tatya. However, he reaches me when I sleep, he has no physical presence here. I’ve scoured for any trace, nothing. But you see why I’m reluctant to open the bond. I’m always aware of you, and you o
f me, but if he has somehow found a gate to this plane, I don’t want to give him free rein and open access to you.”
She sensed his worry, not for himself, but for her, and she breathed deep, restoring a measure of calm to her agitated mind. “I’ll visit Changing Sky. Do you want me to set up a meeting?”
“Not yet. I’m still following up that lead on the two women.”
They sat silent.
“I must go.” Vanse pulled her to her feet, cupping her face in his hands.
She gasped, his movements so swift, she barely registered he’d moved.
He bent and pressed his lips forcefully against hers.
As she returned his kiss with equal passion, the link blossomed to life, and the love she wanted to give him flooded down the golden chain. She knew they both yearned for this joining, each aware of the other’s need. She was willing and eager to satisfy him, and ease her increasing craving for him. Every cell in her body flushed with ecstasy.
“No.” Vanse’s voice was ragged. He broke the connection and put his arms around her, burying his face in her hair, squeezing her tight against him.
“You know I’ve made my decision, don’t you?” She spoke into his chest.
The Kala Trilogy: An Urban Fantasy Box Set Page 30
