NightFall (NightFall: Book One)

by Anastacia Kelley

  *

  By the time Indea and Michael got to her car there were no people around. Most were probably on their way home or decided to get something to eat. It sounded like a great idea to her.

  “I think I’m a little hungry,” she mentioned to Michael.

  Michael bumped her from behind. He turned her around and seized her waist rather harshly and pressed himself against her. “I’m hungry, too.” The carnal look in his eyes implied that food was not what he was hungry for.

  “No, Michael. I want food,” she stated firmly, trying to break loose from his powerful grip.

  He laughed and pushed her backwards until she felt the car at her back. He had her pinned. He pushed his obvious state of arousal against the apex of her thighs. It made her nauseous. “And I want you. Don’t even tell me you don’t want it. Not the way you were dancing.”

  Indea’s nostrils flared. “How dare you! I danced with you for fun and only for fun. Why is it a man thinks it’s always a precursor to sex?” she asked, not expecting an answer.

  Michael leaned in, trying to kiss her. “Come on. Right here. It won’t take long.”

  Indea turned her head from his sloppy advances. “I’m sure,” Indea said dryly.

  “Are you implying of my sexual prowess?” he asked menacingly.

  “I’m not implying. I’m stating it flat out!” Indea shouted. “Leave!”

  “No,” he said stubbornly. “You want me. I know it. You can’t act like a slut then leave me in the cold,” he whined pathetically.

  Indea’s temper was rising by the minute. “I’m going to do more than leave you in the cold if you don’t get away from me,” she said hotly.

  Michael narrowed his dark eyes dangerously. “Is that a threat?” His voice was low and ominous.

  Indea pushed against him once more, panic starting to set in when he wouldn’t budge. “No. That’s a promise,” she said with more bravado than she felt.

  Michael rammed her against the car, causing Indea to lose her breath. “No one threatens me.” He shook her roughly. “Do you hear me?” He pressed against her once more. Indea started to scream but he clamped his beefy hand over her mouth hard. “What are you going to do now, you teasing little b-----,”

  Quick as a flash, it seemed Michael was hurled five feet in the air. He landed with a bone crunching thud on the asphalt.

  Indea’s almond shaped eyes focused on her protector. He was looming over Michael. She could hear his animalistic growl as he spoke. “I can’t stand men like you. You pick on women solely because you’re too mollycoddled to mess with a man. A real man. Would you dare to try facing a man in anger? Are you too frightened to get up and look me in the eyes and face me as it should be? When did you get it in your head that just because a woman is nice enough to dance with you means she’s putting out later? They lady said no. Multiple times. You should have stopped at the first one.” He crossed his arms, looking more dangerous than Michael ever could. “As for coming back to work for me, the answer is no. You’re fired. Now leave before my patience dwindles more than it already has.”

  Michael, wide-eyed and holding his left arm, got up and ran off. No doubt to nurse his bruised ego.

  The stranger turned to Indea. She smiled weakly right before her knees buckled. Blackness enveloped her world. The ground was slowly rising up to meet her. She fell, though she didn’t feel the hard road beneath her, just a pair of hard arms, holding her, soothing her.

  *

  Saldivar’s temper was slowly calming. He had felt her distress and had come as soon as possible. He would not allow some man, any man, to touch her like that. He knew how it felt, centuries ago, when he was overpowered by the guards. He was helpless. Defenseless. He vowed never to witness such brutality ever again. And when Indea was in trouble, he knew he had to act. He would see to it that no harm would ever befall her.

  CHAPTER VII

  “Are you all right, my dear?” the man asked gently.

  Indea looked up to her protector and saw the most gorgeous amber eyes she’s ever seen. With his sooty lashes and black brows, he was quite ravishing. Dark and sensual with an air of mystery. The very thing she was looking for. He had the most unusual shaped goatee. Small at the lips, curved smaller as it went downward, then very wide at his chin. It was black and seemed a touch of golden color was just on the surface of his goatee. His hair was even darker than hers. It was so black it shone blue. It was short and very well trimmed save for the top. It was somewhat full with a slight curl to it. It shone in the night and looked to be styled with gel. His skin had a pallid glow to it, albeit healthy looking. He was, perhaps, pale by nature. It didn’t mar his features, only enhanced them somehow. His lips looked bee-stung and luscious and colored as a berry. And with that body and animalistic voice, he was sure feral and passionate looking at the same time.

  His nose was straight, the end being just a bit full. It had a noble air to it. He must come from an important background for he gave off a confidence in his whole being. He carried himself with dignity and honor, but without arrogance. If some of the men she had known looked even half as good as he did, they would be so conceited, the only company they would be able to keep would be with themselves.

  The man’s eyes were probing Indea’s, waiting for an answer.

  Indea took a few deep breaths. “Yes. I’m fine. Really. Thanks, Mr…….?”

  “Saldivar.”

  “Mr. Saldivar?”

  “No. Just Saldivar. Please to make your acquaintance.”

  “Likewise. My name is Indea Sky.” She held out a slightly shaky hand but when Saldivar grasped it and held it in his, the shaking ceased. He brought her hand up to meet his lips. He barely brushed his mouth across her soft flesh. Her breath caught in her throat. The velvety touch of his lips stoked a fire in her so fierce it shocked her. Shocked that she would react this way so quickly. Especially from someone she’s never met. For goodness’ sake, she only knew his first name.

  “Indea Sky.” Saldivar repeated, loving the feel her name roll off his tongue. “Quite a beautiful, peculiar name you have there.” He looked her over once more. “Are you sure you are all right?”

  Indea touched his shoulder reassuringly but thought to herself, Oh, what an arm, but said out aloud: “Yes, I am. Thanks to you, Saldivar.”

  *

  Simone just stepped out of the club when she thought she heard a muffled scream. She thought it sounded vaguely like Indea.

  Panicked, she started running to the car but stopped short when she witnessed a tall and well-built man throw Michael about five or six feet away. The man didn’t seem to have any trouble in the effort, either, even though Michael was bigger than him. She’s never seen anything like it.

  Simone wanted to go see about Indea but stopped suddenly. It didn’t look like Indea needed her help at this time. She could see the sparks already between Indea and her mysterious and handsome hero. In that split second when lips met hand, the connection was made. Simone could plainly see it even at thirty feet away.

  What astonished Simone was Indea’s reaction to the man: awe. She’d never seen that expression on Indea’s face before. But then again, no other man could hold a candle to Indea’s stranger. Well, except Van, of course.

  Looks like Simone wasn’t the only one thrown for a big loop tonight.

  After several minutes went by, Simone felt it was okay to walk on over to Indea.

  “Indea. Are you okay?” Concern was evident on Simone’s face.

  “Yes. It’s just that Michael turned out to be a major jerk. He thought that since I danced with him, I was going to do him right here in the parking lot.”

  Simone’s nose crinkled in disgust. “What a revolting little horndog.” Simone hugged Indea. “I’m so sorry I didn’t walk out with you.”

  “Don’t be. I had Sal------“Indea turned to find that Saldivar had disappeared. It was as if he vanished without a trace.

  “Don’t tell me I’m seeing things.” Indea s
hut her eyes then opened them.

  “No. I saw him too.” Simone eyed the parking lot. Empty. “I don’t see him anywhere. I tell you, strange things have been happening ever since we stepped foot into ‘Club Paradox’. Don’t you feel it? That funny feeling in the pit of your stomach? Like there’s something just beyond reach and one more step and we’ll find out something crazy?”

  “You’re right. Crazy,” Indea echoed. “Let’s just go. A good night’s sleep is probably just what the doctor ordered.”

  They got into the car and headed back to Indea’s parent’s home, agreeing that mum’s the word.

  *

  Van sat at his usual table long after the club had closed. He sat, turning over tonight’s events in his mind. The one woman who kept appearing in his thoughts: Simone. He closed his eyes. Simone. He had found her. The one he had been looking for for over one hundred years.

  He contemplated his next move. He was the only one-besides Saldivar, of course-who knew she was the Eternal Entity. What concerned him most about the issue was how to broach the subject. They were living in the twenty-first century and as odd as people acted these days, talk of being a vampire was still kind of taboo. Even saying that you are a vampire as a joke warranted strange looks with some saying it’s a mental disorder and that person needed to be institutionalized. The one time looking like a vampire was truly accepted was at one of America’s holidays: Halloween. You could be anybody on this day and be ‘in’.

  That is why he and Saldivar decided to build a club suited to people who acted out of the norm on a regular basis. Not just for one day out of the whole year. In the real world, they were rejects, the ‘misunderstoods’. Here, they were accepted. No questions asked. In fact, the weirder one was at this club, the better. As long as they didn’t break the law, that is.

  It also made it easier finding a mate who accepted and appreciated you for who you really are. No worries about a façade here. The facet of their club was strictly for those purposes.

  Van sat back in his chair. A plan would form soon. He was to meet her tomorrow at nightfall.

  “Thinking of Simone?” Saldivar’s rich voice cut into Van’s concentration.

  “Yes. I’m to meet her at the Louvre Museum eight tomorrow evening.” Van knew he didn’t have to tell Saldivar and Saldivar didn’t have to ask. They’ve conversed mentally many times since that night in Paris during the 1700’s. It took some training but Van mastered it faster than Saldivar would have expected. As Saldivar once quoted: “I am still learning every day”. Van was also still learning as well. Just thirty years ago when Saldivar had turned seven hundred and seventy-seven-as luck would have it-he had mastered the art of Invisibility and was able to stay in that state for many hours now. Van himself could only turn into a chameleon, so to speak. He could Blend into his environment. Saldivar, however, could completely disappear. Van had tried. So far, nothing. Van was just three hundred and thirty one years of age. He was younger than Saldivar when he mastered the chameleon state. Little by little, he was getting there. Saldivar expressed his proudness of Van for catching on quicker than any other vampire he has ever known. Van reminded him that he had had a great teacher. He still did.

  In the 1770’s, Van went to the United States. It seemed to him that England and the U.S. were in a battle. The U.S. wanted freedom; wanted their independence. They were tired of being ruled by England. It sounded a lot like when France wanted to be ruled only by kings who were of French blood.

  In Van’s opinion, he believed each country should have the right to govern themselves and no other. And that each country support their own people and made sure they were strong before helping other countries. It should be France for France. America for America. And England for England. There were already enough problems in this world.

  Eventually, a declaration was signed on July fourth, 1776. He saw Thomas Jefferson sign but, unfortunately, he could not stay for the rest. He allowed himself the privilege of watching this historical event by Blending. It was a momentous occasion. The U.S. finally found their sovereignty. He was glad for them.

  He stayed in America for about ten more years. He knew he had to leave after that, or else risk suspicion. He moved around so many years at a time. If he stayed longer than was necessary, people were bound to wonder why he never aged. Why he never had a wrinkle or gray hair. He moved to Scotland for a while. Then Australia. He landed back in Paris just three years ago. He figured he had another seven years or so before he decided on his next destination.

  Maybe Ireland, he thought, images of Simone popping into his head.

  “Reliving the past again, are we?” Saldivar needn’t question. He was reliving it just as Van had even though he had not been with him on this particular pilgrimage.

  “As usual, Saldivar.” Van chewed on a fingernail for a second. “What did you do while I was away in the States? Where did you do?”

  Saldivar took a seat across from Van, crossing his legs. “I stayed in Frankfurt, Germany for a little while. Absorbed some culture. They have a very unique language and it has a harshness to it even when kind words are spoken. It was a nice place. Very different from anything I’ve seen. As for what I did there. The usual. I kept to myself. You know as well as I that my solitude is sacred to me.”

  “Until now,” Van stated perceptively.

  “Looking into my mind, mon ami?”

  “Indea Sky. She would certainly affect your life of seclusion,” Van said, knowing he was right on target. “She’s the one, isn’t she? The one you have waited centuries for?”

  Saldivar ran his thumb and index finger back and forth across his chin. Moments passed before he answered. “Yes. She is.”

  “What they say is true, I guess,” Van said.

  Saldivar raised his brows in question.

  Van smiled and clarified his statement. “That opposites attract. She’s outgoing. Social. A typical extrovert. You, on the other hand, prefer your isolation. Even you said so yourself. Your solitude is sacred to you. If Indea decides to be your life mate, what becomes of your solitude then, Saldivar?” Van wanted to know.

  Saldivar shrugged and pointed a finger. “First things first. Getting Indea and Simone to be our mates. And we can’t use Persuasion. We can’t intrude by reading their minds, either. And I can’t use Invisibility.

  “Or Blending,” Saldivar added. “We cannot Blend to check up on them. We have to let them get to know use normally. Let them take their time and be comfortable around us. It has to be their decision on whether or not they want to see us. It has to be on their terms.”

  Van sighed but understood. Before he had made the ultimate decision to become a vampire, Saldivar did not persuade him in any way whatsoever. Had he done so, Van would have despised him for turning him against his will. If Van turned Simone without her approval or knowledge, it could be considered assault. Nothing good could come of it.

  Yes, he definitely understood a person’s full right to decide on what is truly best for him.

  Saldivar rose as he spoke. “Light will be showing soon. I will see you tonight. Good night, Van.”

  “Sleep well, Saldivar.” Van got up from his seat and locked the doors of the club and left for home.

  *

  Simone slipped under the plush comforter. The bed was mighty inviting. Indea’s parents always kept the rooms on the cool side. She loved it that way. Keep the room cool and snuggle under the sheets.

  As heavenly as the bed felt, Simone still had considerable trouble getting to sleep. Her mind kept going back to Van Pironẻ. She closed her eyes and his handsome face and attractive body flashed in her every thought.

  He was so sexy. So hot. So…..mmmmmm……manly. His bright gray eyes, almost cat-like in nature belied the rest of him. Bright were his eyes. Dark and enigmatic was the rest. He was quite the contradiction. Dark hair. Dark clothing. Deep, dark voice. You’d think he was patronizing and full of himself. She was elated to know he was charming and a perfect gentleman. A
nd so downright considerate. Given the way he looked and acted, she reckoned he came from a well-bred family. Very well-to-do.

  His skin was pale but smooth and taunt. He couldn’t be much older than she was. He didn’t have a single gray hair or a hint of a wrinkle anywhere on his face. His lips were plump and as red as a ripe berry. She wondered if they tasted as sweet as one. Did they feel as smooth as they looked? Would they glide like velvet over her skin? On her neck? Maybe lower?

  Van was over six feet tall and he was of medium build. She couldn’t tell exactly because of all those cumbersome looking clothes. They were nice clothes. She just wanted to see him in a bit less. Surely his body would make any red blooded woman hyperventilate. She’d only talked to him briefly and saw just his face and she’d practically melted like ice cream on the fourth of July.

  Just thinking about him now made the covers too warm for her. She pushed off the comforter and left a light sheet.

  Half an hour later, Simone finally let sleep claim her, thinking of how Van’s lips would feel on hers.

  *

  Indea was pacing the floor of her bedroom, Saldivar on her mind.

  He left! She thought incredulously. That’s the first time in her entire life a man just upped and left, especially without saying good-bye.

  She couldn’t believe it. Had the tables turned? Was he playing hard to get? It must be working already. She wanted to see him again, most assuredly.

  No doubt about it, one handshake and he had her mojo going. His lips on her hand and her heart jumped into her throat. She was speechless. Unbelievable! She couldn’t think of one single thing to say to him when she did have the opportunity. Telling him she was okay and thanking him for helping her really did not count as conversation. But as far as making said conversation? Forget it. She must have left her tongue at home, which was weird. She was never tongue-tied when it came to the opposite sex.