Sarma’s emotions spun like a twisted swing, and her body trembled with exhaustion. Her physical need to rest overcame her stubborn indignation. Laima scooped a black bag off the ground, and the three of them piled into the car. How did they get there? A part of her didn’t want to know. She asked Reinis to drive. He took them down the road to some cabins and brought her things into the room.
Collapsing on the bed, Sarma tried to reason. If Marita's aunt had known her for years, and they never harmed them, did that mean she was safe? Her lower back ached, and she touched her head. No fever but she felt weak. In the dim light of the room, Laima and Reinis whispered in Latvian.
“Let me cure you again, Sarma. I have medicine.” Laima’s eyes glowed with the same warmth and kindness as Reinis.
“Are you Reinis’ mother?” Sarma’s voice creaked.
“Yes, I am. Lie down.” She grasped Sarma's hand.
Laima sang in her lullaby voice as she massaged Sarma over her clothes. A sweet, fragrant oil was worked into Sarma’s forehead, hands, and feet. Laima gave her an amber bottle and Sarma swallowed the bittersweet liquid. In a few minutes, Sarma relaxed and Laima’s presence comforted her. After all, she had been trustworthy and kind before this. She trusted Laima now, as well.
Reinis sat across from Sarma, awake and alert. She slept now, her breaths shallow. She murmured, but her words were unintelligible as if her mind struggled to make sense of her life. In the few moments they shared on the grassy knoll, scenes from recent events replayed in her mind. Her baby. Reinis’ sudden appearance. All of it swirled in chaotic loops. He grasped the back of his neck and wished he could shoulder her burdens.
Deep down Sarma believed him, but he understood it would be hard for her to accept that he was a vampire. Against his own logic, he hoped she would care for him, that the imprint would assist her to comprehend. Sitting perfectly still, he listened to her breath deepening as Laima’s medicine took effect. Reinis’ heart hammered his chest, and he shook his head. Who was he fooling? Even if he were allowed to be with her, she would never accept him. Besides, the hierarchy elders stood between them like a pack of starving wolves on the hunt. They could be close, but not together.
All that remained was to protect her.
~ * ~
This time, Dita called Gatis on the phone instead of cooking up a new concoction. Spying took too much of her precious energy. Energy she couldn’t afford to waste. She needed to find a human to feed off of soon.
“Gatis?” Dita asked.
“Māte?”
She pressed the cell phone to her ear. “Calling to check in.”
“Things are going well, but I have to talk fast. She’s in the bathroom right now.”
“Who is?”
“The friend. Listen, it's very difficult to convince Sarma. She's stubborn, but I found a journal entry of hers, talking about her time with Reinis. I’m sure we’ll figure out some way to use it against her. Contact her mother. Or incite that crazy ex-boyfriend of hers. And Marita is under my control. She does whatever I ask her to do. Works better than regular mind control.”
“Ļoti labi,” she replied. Very good. “I didn't want the journal involved. That was meant to be used as a last resort. It will anger her. You couldn't do any better?”
“I know, Māte, but Sarma’s strong willed. I’m going to visit her again soon. And I’m not giving up. “
“Of course not. If only we still had the knowledge they have,” she lamented. “I'm sure Laima used her medicine on her.”
“The elixir is stronger. I've seen it work. Marita is my puppet. It's amusing,” he snickered.
“Pay attention!” Dita barked. “This is our last chance, Gatis.”
“Yes, Māte. I will not fail you.” He hung up the phone.
Chapter 24
Sarma peeled an eye open, peeked across the room, double, and triple checking Reinis really did lie in a bed in front of her. She almost pinched herself but the fragrant oils and ease of her body proved their presence was real. He slept side by side with Laima on the other bed. How hadn’t she made the connection before that they were mother and son?
Her stomach rumbled with hunger. She didn't want to wake them, but it would be rude to leave by herself. Reinis breathed softly. Even this early in the morning, he had sex appeal. Reinis' appearance wasn’t the only thing that drew her to him. He emanated a commanding presence. Confidence without arrogance.
Without opening his eyes he asked, “Sarma, you’re awake?”
“How do you do that? I thought you were asleep.” She sat up on the edge of the bed.
“I can feel you in my sleep.” He opened his eyes. “You hungry?”
“Yes,” she replied. “But do you eat human food?”
Reinis got up, his mussed mane standing on end in all directions. The sight scattered her thoughts and she laughed.
“My hair?” He reached up, tugging on the tips, smiling. “Yes, we eat human food. Not necessary but a fun novelty.”
“And you also drink people’s blood?” Sarma took a step back.
“We need blood to sustain ourselves, but they don’t remember that it happened.”
“So you don’t kill them?”
Reinis shook his head.
As if on cue, Laima awoke, and they readied, jumped in the Jeep, and headed down the highway. Sarma was happy to have their company. Whenever she drifted to a vision of him feeding, the kindhearted moments they shared dissolved any fears. She wished she could stay with them.
Sarma parked in the lot of the first restaurant they found. Outdoor seating allowed them to sit at a table below branches of redwood trees. Sarma gorged herself on a big stack of blueberry pancakes, eggs, potatoes, and bacon. Laima and Reinis enjoyed coffee and chocolate-drizzled croissants.
“I’m a born and raised Latvian, so it’s hard not to love sweets.” Reinis took a bite.
Latvian desserts were delicious and she couldn’t keep from giggling. She savored her food. It was the first time she had an appetite since losing the . . . Sarma slammed that away and instead, focused how secure she felt with Laima and Reinis. Admittedly, it was shocking and bizarre to know vampires existed. Yes, the proof existed, but her mind kept revolting. Vampires, really? It was hard to fathom; the subsequent denial set in just as Reinis predicted. Nothing gave away their appearance, except when they bared their teeth. From what she’d seen, vampires were exceptionally beautiful, solid in strength, and graceful in all their movements.
Reinis never acted pushy or rude like Derek. Gracious and gentle, he waited for her to give consent. But that first kiss. Sweet as spring, fiery as summer. One kiss and she was ready for him. One kiss and she was his. The memory sent a streak of desire through her.
Sarma scarfed up the last bite, inhaled and exhaled deeply, and said, “You’ve been nothing but kind. You healed me twice, Laima. I trust you both. Marita’s a sister to me, and I don't want anything to happen. So tell me what I need to know.”
Laima launched into her story. “Thousands of years ago, vampires were part of one huge family. We were unified, strong, with a plentiful population who protected and helped each other. During that time, humans believed in our existence and tried to obliterate us, even though most of us fed for survival and did not kill.
“As more vampires were murdered, differences between our covens magnified. Relationships became less about survival as a whole and more about personal gain, greed, power, and envy. These qualities infected and divided us.” She stared into the forest as if searching for something, then focused back on Sarma. “We became many small groups. Humans continued to kill us out of fear and a misunderstanding of our ways. We couldn’t blame them. We were dangerous to their kind.
“In Latvia, we were one main coven but became two—ours is The House of the Black Swan. My sister Dita’s coven is the House of the White Swan. The mother of Andis, Gatis, and Ilze, Dita wants complete control. Given a chance, she will harm everyone, human and vampire, to get what she n
eeds. When her house fights, they aim to kill, including us, their own family.”
Laima eyes became glossy but she didn’t cry. Sarma hugged her and was taken in by the scent of Latvian forest and sandy paths. Things didn't make sense. Weren’t vampires considered evil? There was nothing sinister about her. Laima's eyes expressed light and concern.
“Our coven follows old Latvian ways. Our sacred places are the forest and the seashore. We celebrate different seasons to mark the changing of time and cycles of the earth. I use herbs to boost our vampire bodies, and I have healed many humans as well. We hold a dreaming ceremony in which we drink herbal tea and enter the same dream together. We ask for guidance and receive it through these visions,” Laima paused, her olive-green eyes became still. Her voice was grave.
“Sarma, we dreamt of you well before we met you. The vision showed us that you would help our coven and vampires everywhere. We couldn't keep it a secret. Even Dita's family knows this. They want you to assist them in their plan to control all vampires and humans but know you won't go willingly. They are prepared to take extreme measures, even if you die in the end.”
Sarma analyzed Laima’s tight, serious face then glanced at a redwood tree branch where a raven preened itself.
“Let me get this straight. Even though I live thousands of miles from Latvia, a coven of Latvian vampires had a collective dream about me. What if I hadn’t come to Latvia? Would you still have found me? You had no name, no address—just a shared vision.”
“We would have. We saw you in our dream, and used our software to find your picture which we shared with our coven,” Laima said bluntly.
“How am I going to help your species?”
“We don’t know exactly,” Laima replied. “The dreams are not complete. All we know is that the dreams chose you and that you are in danger. Gatis has Marita under control with a potent elixir created by Dita. Marita's mind is almost gone. He’s using her to get to you.” Laima interlaced her fingers and squeezed her hands.
“What can I possibly do?” Sarma's voice cracked. She was scared for Marita, scared for herself, but indebted to them for helping her twice. Dita sounded evil. There was no way Sarma was a match for her. Her shoulder pulsed with pain.
“Your role will become clear. But one thing I know for sure. All humans and vampires will suffer if Dita gains control. More than you can imagine.”
“That's enough,” Sarma said nervously. Although they were outside, Sarma’s face overheated, and her breath caught in her throat. “Let's go to the beach.” Sarma stood up, paid, and walked to her Jeep. Laima and Reinis followed. They drove to the nearest beach and headed down to the shore.
As they walked along the water, a pang of guilt punched Sarma. She had left her cell off the entire time. What if Marita tried to call her for help? “What about Marita? We need to help her. Now,” Sarma pleaded.
“We’ve got her in our sights,” Laima offered. “We have to wait. The timing must be exact.” Laima and Reinis sat on the sand.
Sarma continued down the beach, the cold ocean water lapped at her ankles. Her mind still somersaulted about Marita, but she had no choice but to trust Laima. They were agile and powerful. She was strong, but not like them. Nothing made sense. Her mind felt like a live grenade with its pin pulled. What would happen if she weren’t able to help? She would become a link in a chain of destruction. It wasn't fair they just showed up in her life and expected her to jump in and save them. She sat down on dry sand. Nearby, seagulls played with a discarded bag of chips.
Sarma gazed down the beach. Reinis held his mother's hand and smiled at her with a kind of love she never felt for her own mother. With their tenderness, her fear and anger subsided.
From where Reinis sat, he sensed the shadow of anger pass over Sarma's heart. It was a risky move to show her his fangs, but he needed her to see the truth. She was in a precarious situation, and there was no other choice. He could only imagine the havoc and grief Sarma would suffer if Dita’s family got to her first.
Chapter 25
Reinis sat across from Sarma, eyeing the soft curves of her sexy, petite breasts and lovely hips. She rolled around trying to find a sweet spot on her cell phone reception, exposing enough cleavage to make him sweat. She had no clue how hot she looked in that thin material, wiggling around on a mattress. His length grew hard, and he swallowed, trying to remember the danger that encroached them. Besides, before Laima returned to Latvia on elder business, she drilled into him the importance of the mission, reminding him not to lay a finger on Sarma.
“Marita?”
“Who is this?” Marita talked loud enough for Reinis to hear.
“It's me, Sarma.”
“Oh, hi. How are you?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I'm great. How are you?” Her voice was saccharine sweet.
Seemed like she didn't remember Sarma had left. Marita’s mind was almost gone.
“I called to warn you about something.”
“Warn me? About what?” Marita giggled.
“Please, listen to me. You're in danger. Gatis isn’t who you think he is. He's trying to hurt you.”
“Hurt me? You're wrong Sarma. He's the best I’ve ever had. You're just jealous because you have no one.”
“I'm your sister, I would never lie to you. I did some research on him. He's a criminal, and he wants to harm you.”
“Sarma, shut up. You don't know what you're talking about. Gatis is amazing, and I won't hear it!”
“She hung up,” Sarma said nervously.
“Not good.” Reinis shook his head. Worse than not good. But he didn’t want to scare Sarma.
“What do we do?”
“I would tell you we should go to her, but Gatis already left San Francisco.” He ran fingers through his hair. “She’s safe for now.”
Sarma walked over to the mirror and untied her hair to brush it. Temptation made him ache. He wanted to run his fingers through her strands and kiss the graceful nape of her neck. Every day, she wore dresses that accentuated her curves and long legs. The orders were to guard her. Out of all the males on his side of the family, he was the strongest and fastest. Only the elders had more power, but they couldn't leave Latvia. Besides, if it was hell keeping his hands off Sarma, any other male vampire sent to guard her would be doomed.
She disappeared into the bathroom to change into pajamas, returned, and laid down on the bed. Her eyes closed and she settled in. The curve of her breasts rose and fell under her nightshirt that hugged close, accentuating her feminine form.
In silence, he floated over the bed, hovering above her a foot away. Her body gave off a natural heat, but when he got close, the electricity heightened. Suspended in air, he examined the curve of her face, the slight pout of her lips, and the cute slope of her nose. He didn’t breathe.
Flames of desire curled through him. He lowered himself even closer, almost touching, feeding on her dreams of him. It took every measure of self-control to resist. His coven’s punishment of death or exile hung in his mind like a chain-link curtain.
Sarma’s eyes opened and widened. “Reinis! What are you doing? You scared the crap out of me!” Statue still, he read what she thought. He’s gorgeous, even upside down.
“I'm watching you breathe. I wanted to be close to you.”
A magnetic, sensual surge flowed between them. He didn't touch her but transmitted the sensation of running his hands down her body. Her smooth scent tingled his nose, and his shaft hardened.
“You want to be close to me, but there's something deeper. I can't explain it,” Sarma murmured.
Certain she felt the imprint, Reinis smiled. “Can I tell you how you feel, and then you tell me if I'm right?”
“I think so,” she said, doubtfully.
“There’s a vibration in your chest. Right here?” He pointed to his sternum where his t-shirt hugged his defined muscles. “Feels like a warm light, especially whenever I’m around?”
“I felt
it several times before. A vibration that increases when you’re near. If you want to be close, you should be on top, not above me. Stop it!” A playful smile curled up on her lips.
“Stop what?” He laughed.
“Driving me insane. You know what I'm talking about. Like you’re touching me. Reinis, come closer and kiss me.” She closed her eyes, peeling back her nightshirt, exposing her cleavage.
He lowered, his sex tightening further with blood. The energy between them riveted him.
“What are you waiting for?” Sarma whispered.
She sucked in her breath and glanced at the raised area in his pants. He breathed next to her ear. Her breasts and face flushed red.
“You have no idea how much I want this. No idea how excruciating it was for me when you left Latvia,” he whispered, his voice erotic. He was close enough to almost brush against her. Sarma lifted her head to kiss him, but he lifted away.
“If you want me, why do you move away?”
He sensed her need for him, for his touch, for his mouth on her breasts.
“I'm not a toy. Everyone treats me how they wish, but don't screw with me, Reinis.” She opened her shirt more, exposing the curve of her breast and a rigid, pink nipple. Reinis shot across the room to the other bed and jammed his fingers through his hair.
“I can’t. It was wrong of me to be so close to you. I swore to protect you. Our rules are based on hundreds of years of knowledge. A human can’t understand,” he seethed. “I'm not allowed to touch you.”
“Well if you can't touch me—don’t do that again. I won't let you drive me crazy.” She pulled her shirt closed and covered herself with the blanket. “Excruciating when I left Latvia?”
“You have no idea how much.” He regretted the words as soon as he spoke them. “I wanted to find you. To be with you again.” He did go to the apartment. But saying that would require him to reveal too much.
“But, I was a one-night stand.”
Forbidden Darkness (Immortal Desire Series Book 1) Page 15
