Elise drew her mouth into a tight line. “You’ve been out all night and all day yesterday.”
“And it was fine. If nothing happened in the dark, an hour in the morning during a beautiful day at the beach is hardly going to be dangerous.”
Lucan resisted grunting. His daughter was stubborn, for sure. Perhaps there were no evident threats at the moment, but as a gargoyle shifter, he’d never let down his guard. That’s when danger arrived—when it was least expected.
Elise exhaled from her nostrils. “Fine. An hour. We’ll meet you at the front of the hotel.”
“Okay.” Marguerite turned and trudged up the beach.
Lucan watched as she walked away and then turned to Elise. “I don’t like it.”
“Why not?”
“She spends too much time alone. Is she always like this?”
“Often. Come on,” Elise said. “She agreed to meet with us after being upset over last night.”
“True.” That was progress. At least she hadn’t given him another spiteful look before departing. If she was anyone else’s daughter, he wouldn’t stand for it. But, after what she’d gone through, he had to give her some leeway.
He gave his brothers a heads up that Marguerite was out exploring again.
Sounds like she has some of her father in her, Mattias joked. All that restless energy and wanting to explore. Can never sit still.
I sat still for a good part of over a decade, he replied. I don’t plan to stay put any time soon.
But, you’re a father now, Danton said. Doesn’t that change things?
Lucan rubbed his fingers into his palms. Considering she doesn’t seem to be able to stand me, I doubt it. Although her rejection stung like he’d injected poison into his chest, it also released him of some of the new parental responsibilities that had been thrust upon him. If she didn’t want him in her life, he could be free.
Was that what he wanted? Ah, fuck. It was all too confusing. Things had changed since Elise and Marguerite had walked into his life. But, he wasn’t sure just how much it would change things going forward. Would they return to France and everyone would go back to the way things were? Or, would Marguerite want to live with him?
He pictured her scowl. Definitely not.
An awkward hour passed with Elise in which they barely spoke. When they did, it was small talk remarking on aspects of the town, weather, and other light remarks. She wanted to forget that kiss last night, but he never would.
Finally, it was time to return to the hotel. They headed back there and waited for Marguerite. Minutes stretched into a half-an-hour.
She didn’t show.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.” Elise paced before the hotel entrance. “What is going on with her lately?”
For someone who was so practical and relied upon, Elise had been making one mistake after another since coming to the U.S., both with Lucan and Marguerite. She thought she knew Marguerite well, but during this trip, that notion had been challenged more than once. Perhaps Elise had damaged Marguerite’s trust in her a bit too much last night. Hopefully it hadn’t affected their relationship in the long run.
“I’m hardly the one who can answer that question,” Lucan said. “My brothers said they lost track of her when she disappeared into the Museum Place Mall.”
Her declaration to stay away from Lucan had been a challenge at every opportunity thus far. What the heck were they going to do now? Would they search for Marguerite together again? Or would the temptation be too difficult to ignore?
She sighed. It wasn’t sensible to spend the day with him considering how that had turned out yesterday. She didn’t need his raw male sensuality gnawing at her resistance. She’d already thrown herself at him once.
Right, she was a sensible woman. She wouldn’t get wrapped up by her chaotic attraction to a dark-haired gargoyle shifter with intense eyes.
“I’m going to head back to the hotel,” she declared. “I’ll hang out in the lobby. Maybe she’ll come back.” If she remained put, there was no chance of her ending up in a horizontal position on her bed again with a hot shifter on top of her.
Lucan gave her a slow nod. “We’ll keep an eye out for her. If I find her, either I or one of my brothers will be sure to notify you.”
One of his brothers and not Lucan? Her shoulders sagged and an emptiness tugged inside her gut. Why did this fill her with such disappointment?
As he walked away and she stared at his retreating figure, the answer was vividly clear—because it wouldn’t be him.
Enough of that. She could find something to distract her. She passed a bookstore on the way and picked up a book on the history of witchcraft in Salem and one from a modern witch on garden witchery. She loved to grow herbs, vegetables, and flowers back in France. She used them often in cooking, spells, and medicinal healing. She wanted to be as self-sufficient as she could, something she’d had to learn at an early age. Since her parents didn’t pay her much attention, she learned to take care of herself.
When Marguerite was born and Elise noted Veronique’s lack of maternal skills, Elise carried on her caregiving to her niece. And, she’d been doing a pretty good job as a sort of single parent.
Until now.
She sighed and turned toward the hotel. Maybe she wasn’t able to raise Marguerite any longer on her own. Sure, they had the extended family outside of the coven, but when it came down to their family circle, it was the two of them. Maybe Marguerite needed more.
A father figure, perhaps?
Or, her actual father.
Once in the lobby, Elise stopped by her room with the scant hope that Marguerite had returned. No such luck. But, the glimpse of the unmade bed reminded her of the heat between her and Lucan last night. Her cheeks warmed at the vivid memory of the flames he’d stoked inside her before they’d reached the room. She quickly rearranged the bedding as if trying to erase signs of her indiscretion, and then closed the door and returned to the lobby.
Plopping down into a comfortable chair with a view of the entrance so she could see those who were coming and going, Elise opened her book. She spent the next hour or so reading, glancing up whenever she heard someone entering.
After a few hours, she’d had enough of waiting. She left a note in the room indicating where she was headed and left the address of the restaurant where she planned to eat that night.
Elise headed back into town and kept an eye out for Marguerite and Lucan as well as any gargoyle statues that might be inconspicuously mounted on any buildings.
Although the sandwich she’d ordered at a local pub tasted fine, dining alone left her too much time to think. She glanced at other couples at the bar, having a great time over a drink. Would she ever have an easygoing relationship like that?
Not if she messed around with the wrong men.
Her thoughts vacillated between worrying about Marguerite and daydreaming about Lucan.
I wish it was you.
Those words replayed in her head far too many times since yesterday. Perhaps she was a fool for fixating on them. Even though she meant what she’d said in how they’d never have had Marguerite, she couldn’t help entertaining a fantasy about them being together.
What if it had been her who had gotten pregnant by him, instead of Veronique? She certainly wouldn’t have gone off the deep end the way that her sister had. And, she would have let him know about his child.
Well, she could dwell on the what ifs all night, but it didn’t change a damn thing. She couldn’t rewrite the past and she sure as hell couldn’t anticipate the future, not when she couldn’t predict the next five minutes with the way this trip had turned out. But, maybe she could smooth things over with Marguerite and turn it around, so she could at least have a civil relationship with her father.
Once she and Marguerite returned to France, they’d likely have minimal contact anyway.
Since Elise couldn’t figure out the near future, she might have to be more flexible to a number of possibilitie
s.
After dinner, Elise returned to the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, where she’d strolled with Lucan. She wasn’t ready to head back to the hotel where she’d spent far too much time today. Marguerite likely hadn’t returned, or if she had, she hadn’t wanted to join Elise at the restaurant. Oh well, they’d patch things up eventually.
She hoped.
When she returned to her room, she pulled out her pajamas and toiletries and headed into the bathroom to take a shower.
A loud knock on the door startled her.
“It’s me, Lucan.”
Her heart sashayed. What did this mean with him coming here?
She glanced in the mirror to ensure she was presentable and caught the excited glimmer in her eyes and flushed cheeks that practically screamed her thrill at his unexpected arrival.
After she opened the door, she said his name, hearing the excited breathlessness in her voice.
Lucan’s expression was grim, not at all the hungry, sensual one she’d anticipated.
“You need to come with me,” he declared. “She’s not safe being on her own out there tonight.”
“Why not?”
“There’s a vampire ball in Salem.”
Chapter Eleven
LUCAN HURRIED OUT OF the hotel with Elise. Darkness had fully descended, and the moon had reached its peak above, glowing with an ominous warning. A full moon on a night in Salem with vampires in town. The perfect storm.
Or cauldron. Whatever it symbolized, it boded trouble.
He’d been keeping his distance from Elise that day. But, when he discovered there was a vampire ball, he had to warn her. Too many vampires would descend upon Salem to sate their hunger. And Lucan wouldn’t leave anything to chance with his daughter out there.
Or Elise.
She took quick steps at his side over the brick pavement. “Where’s the ball?”
“It’s in a hotel ballroom not far from here.”
“Do you think she’s in danger?”
Her worried tone tugged at him. He hated to cause her any distress.
He squared his jaw. Although he’d come over to America at the invitation of a vampire, they all weren’t the same. Michel, the previous owner of Vamps, strived to control his thirst, not like some of the monsters who preyed on humans and attacked without conscience.
“They should keep their feeding to the willing parties who attend the ball, but I won’t ever let my guard down when it comes to vampires and bloodlust.”
Although Marguerite hadn’t shown any warmth toward him, the blood bond between them was there. Funny how that bit of knowledge changed everything. What if he’d never learned she was his daughter and he just passed her in the street. Would he feel anything?
It didn’t matter. She was his flesh and blood and it had reared up his instincts to protect her—even if she wanted nothing to do with him.
“What are we going to do?” Elise asked.
“Make sure Marguerite stays far from there. We can’t have her walking into a den of hungry vampires eager to feed.”
Elise took quick steps to keep up with him. It would be quicker to fly, but he didn’t need the enticement of Elise in his arms again. Why torment himself with what he couldn’t have? She’d made it clear how she felt—last night had been a mistake. Although his body and mind screamed otherwise, he had to respect her decision.
But, after a couple of minutes, the slow pace of walking across town irked his patience. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it prickling his flesh. Maybe it was simply the foreboding from that full moon messing with his instincts, but he sensed danger. And when gargoyle instincts flared, he couldn’t ignore them.
“Screw it,” he said. He glanced around to find some cover and spotted an alley in between two buildings. “Come here.” He took her hand. The feel of her fingers in his once again struck him with such vibrancy, he sucked in a breath. No, he had to ignore that. It would make the next step all the more difficult.
He released her hand, turned, and undressed.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a breathy voice.
“Shifting so we can fly. Walking is too slow.” He left out the part about his growing wariness. He shielded himself and transformed, he was aware of her gaze glued on him. That was to be expected. Although she’d be able to see him as she was a witch, non-shifters often gaped at the transformation, something they’d never comprehend.
He turned to her. “Are you okay with me carrying you?”
She swallowed and nodded. He stepped closer to her, wary of her body tensing should she change her mind. He took a deep inhale, which was a mistake. Her scent wrapped around him, making him want to moan and cradle her against him. After he exhaled, he cleared his throat.
She looped her arms around the back of his neck. “I’m ready.”
This position was too tempting. He could bend down and kiss her, caress her body, and pull her tightly against him. He readjusted their position, so he was behind her. “So, you can help search.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and discovered this position didn’t help ease the temptation. Resisting the urge to inhale her beguiling scent, he pulled her tight to ensure he had a solid grip on her.
When he ascended, their bodies pressed together. Shit. It reminded him of how good it felt to hold her again. So right—even though she was off limits. In the hotel room when she’d been beneath him, he’d yearned to kiss and touch every inch of her. Her lips had tasted so sweet. Her skin so soft.
As he searched for Marguerite below, strange stirrings flared within him. An urge to mark the woman he held. To claim her as his mate.
No. He didn’t want a mate. He wanted freedom. He wasn’t like Danton, who’d longed for Tracy from afar while he watched on in stone form. Lucan was different. He’d admired all the scantily-clad beauties who entered Vamps and planned to continue making up for lost time once Elise and Marguerite returned to France, but, picturing their departure twisted his gut with an unexpected pang that made him wince.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
The breeze whipped her long hair around her face. One strand caught on her cheek. If his hands were free, he’d touch that silky strand and tuck it aside.
“Fine,” he grunted. He focused on the pedestrians meandering down Derby Street, searching for his daughter. It helped distract him from how good it felt to have Elise back in his arms. Why torment himself?
“What are your plans with Marguerite anyway?” he asked.
“Plans?” she repeated.
“Right. You said you brought her here so she can meet me. She doesn’t seem to be thrilled about that so far, so I was wondering what happens after this.”
Elise said, “We’ll return to the coven in France.”
“Oh.”
“Oh what?”
“What about me?” he said.
“What about you?”
“I’m her father. I should be a part of her life now. At the very least support her financially. Even if she doesn’t seem to be happy about me being her dad.”
Elise sighed. “Without her mother in her life, I thought it might help to meet her father. Perhaps I was wrong. I don’t know. She’s been so different lately. Down. And the mood swings are unpredictable. It’s like a monster has crawled inside of her and possessed my sweet niece.” She ended with a short laugh.
It sounded like the tinkling of bells and it tickled something in his chest. “Isn’t that normal for kids her age?”
She turned her head and gave him a conspiratorial smile. “Do you think we were ever that bad?”
He chuckled. “Hell yes. I was much worse. Always running off to explore.” That was how he’d ended up running into a lone witch in the countryside one day and his troubles began.
Elise arched a brow. “Perhaps she got this wanderlust from you.”
“Could be.” He grinned. “So, what about you? Did you drive your parents crazy?”
She shook her head. “Oh n
o. I was a good girl. I tried to do as they asked. But, maybe I should have been more rambunctious. They might have taken more notice.”
Whatever this relationship with them was had to have been strained. “Do you still see them often?”
“No. They died a few years back.”
The pang of grief in her voice affected him. “I’m sorry.”
She fixed her gaze below and added, “Car accident.”
“Was Marguerite close with them?”
“I think so. They were her grandparents, you know? They might not have been the greatest parents in my eyes, but they were better with her. After all, she was their favorite child’s daughter.”
A defensive surge burst through his veins. Why anyone would favor Veronique over Elise infuriated him. He took a deep breath to tamp that rage and her scent filled his nostrils. A strange sense of calmness followed. What was it about her?
Family. Marguerite had lost many on her mother’s side, but she now had him and his family. Maybe one day he’d take her to meet the rest of his clan.
He grunted. That was jumping too far ahead into the future. They were better off taking this relationship one tiny step at a time.
As he approached the hotel where the vampire ball was being held, Lucan descended. He landed in a nearby park. Unfortunately, being grounded meant he had no reason to hold Elise. A part of him protested. He shoved it away and shifted to human form.
After he dressed, they trekked over the brick sidewalk leading to the hotel entrance. The Federalist building blended in with the other brick ones in the neighborhood, obscuring the unnatural events taking place within its walls. Vampires and humans would negotiate transactions that would benefit them both. The only humans foolish enough to enter there would be doing so to leave a pint of blood lighter.
When two gray figures swooped down from the rooftop of the building, Elise gasped. He took her upper arm.
“It’s okay. It’s just my brothers.” He quickly re-introduced Danton and Mattias to her. “They’re cloaked, but so are you right now as I have my magic enclosing us both. Humans won’t see them, but you likely can since you’re a witch.”
INFLAME: (a gargoyle shifter and witch romance) (Underground Encounters Book 8) Page 8
