Dark Secrets

by P. L. Midnight

  I looked up as a huge black nighthawk flew overhead and landed on Victor’s porch. I ducked back behind the pines and watched it from my hiding place. I saw the massive bird transform into a man before my eyes. I’d know that gorgeous, hulking body anywhere. There stood Miles in all his naked glory. His body, partially bathed in moonlight, looked every bit as magnificent as I’d remembered. I wondered what he was doing there.

  I realized that Victor must have called the guys. I watched as Miles opened the door and walked inside as if they were old friends. I couldn’t go to the road and expose my location with Miles there. I feared they’d soon discover I was missing and begin looking for me. I had to find a place to conceal myself. I looked around for a place and found one. I hoped that I wouldn’t have to wait long for Miles to leave, as it was getting colder.

  I found a little cove of trees towards the side of the house that would not only provide a good hiding place, but some shelter from the bitterly freezing winds that seemed to be growing stronger. My feet were long past being cold as I nestled between the thick pine trees. I took a few of the broken branches and made a little shelter where I could sit, out of the direct wind, and rest my sore ankle.

  Now all I had to do was wait until they left to search the grounds. Maybe they wouldn’t notice that I wasn’t inside. I’d piled up the bed with pillows to make it look like I was sleeping under the covers. I knew with Miles here it was just a matter of time before they began looking for me, as he’d probably want to see me.

  I didn’t have long to wait.

  Chapter Four

  One minute I was sitting there huddled under my shelter and the next, a hard, male body covered mine. He’d pushed me backwards onto the soft pine needles as his lips came down punishingly to cover mine. At first, I was frightened, but my body quickly recognized the one who had accosted me. Victor’s mouth kissed me, with a desperate need and a fierce possessiveness.

  I’d never been kissed with that kind of force before. He came up long enough to mutter a few words that I barely heard before he again aggressively covered my lips with his, “Emma, is this what you wanted? I can’t control myself with you. You didn’t like it when I avoided you, but you won’t leave me again, printesa. I’ll make you want to stay. It’s too late for us. I warned them. I need you too much to ever let you go now. You must be mine as I am yours.”

  My body responded to the desperation in his voice and I tentatively returned his kisses with my own. The passion became almost overwhelming as his fingers slipped under my scarf to expose my neck. I was returning his desperate kisses, when his lips left mine to kiss the delicate flesh sending explosions of emotions through me.

  We were kissing and all at once, Victor was literally thrown from atop me. I heard a loud screeching sound, followed by shouts and thuds as a brawl ensued between Miles and Victor on the front lawn. I could just make out their two figures as they fiercely engaged each other in battle amidst war cries and terrifying screeches.

  This wasn’t an ordinary street fight. It looked like Miles had shifted into a fierce, enormous black panther. However, I could swear that Victor would disappear only to reappear somewhere else, taunting the beast he fought. It was a horrifying clash as their cries echoed throughout the night.

  I was frightened, but it had to be stopped, before one of them was killed. I didn’t know what they were fighting about, but feared it was me. I didn’t want either of them hurt any more than they already were. I really was more than frightened as the gigantic beast and the disappearing silhouette became more aggressive and blood splattered all over. I had to do something. I walked as fast as I could towards them. I tried to ignore the pain that now shot up my entire leg.

  I tripped twice in my haste to stop them, but righted myself each time. When I was close enough, I yelled at them to stop. At first, they seemed to ignore me. Therefore, I used my feminine wiles and faked a fall to the ground. I yelled out as if in pain, which wasn’t totally a lie since my ankle now throbbed from my antics.

  Immediately, they were both at my side. However, I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see. As a naked, bloody Miles and a vicious looking Victor, with long dripping fangs, came towards me, I screamed in horror at the sight. Darkness immediately descended upon me.

  I woke later to the feel of a warm body next to mine. I knew who it was before I opened my eyes. The woodsy almost wild scent of Miles enveloped me in its essence as his strong arms held me close. I was reluctant to open my eyes and spoil the moment. I’d never been in his arms, as he’d seemed loath to show me much affection around Sebastian, who’d been with me most of the time during my recovery. I felt cherished and protected in his big, strong arms.

  What finally made me open my eyes was the realization that we were still in Victor’s house. I knew we were. He was a freaking vampire and probably knew exactly what we were doing, not that it mattered to me, but he was a bloodsucker.

  “Miles, it’s really you. Are you ok?”

  “Mhmm, I am now. Don’t move, babe. I just want to hold you for a while. I missed you so much. We all have. Why did you leave us?”

  “I can’t choose between the six of you. I also need to help find my mother. You have to focus, Miles.” I said as he hugged me, pulling me onto his broad, fuzzy chest. I didn’t even care that he wasn’t wearing a shirt as the warmth of his body pervaded mine. “We aren’t safe here,” I said in my most serious voice as I raised my head to look down at him. “Victor is a vampire. I saw his fangs. They had your blood on them.”

  “You’re damn straight. I bit him back, too.”

  I ignored Victor at first, trying to get Miles to focus on something besides cuddling with me, which was nice. However, this wasn’t the time for it. “Miles, did he drink your blood?”

  “Really, give me credit for having some decorum. I wouldn’t drink his beastly blood if I was starving and my eyes were red with hunger. Now your blood is another story,” Victor said in his haughty sounding Romanian accent as he made to walk towards me. We were going to die. I just knew it.

  “Don’t come any closer, vam...” I screeched.

  At the sound of Victor’s voice, I had sat up in bed, ignoring Miles’ insistent pawing at me trying to get me to lie back down. I pointed at him and could barely speak as I snuggled into Miles, “You! You’re a, you’re a—a—a, vam….”

  I was almost hysterical when I remembered his long fangs dripping with Miles’ blood. Why were we still here? I opened my mouth to scream, but was stopped by Victor’s almost bored tone, “What was your first clue? Anyway, he started it, young woman.” So, we were back to the young woman crap again. I had a name, blast him. Before I could scream, Victor addressed us both, “Madam, contain yourself. Miles, could you please control your human? It’s too much. I won’t tolerate a screamer in my house. For your information, Emma, yes, I’m a vampire. Before you ask, I don’t sparkle and I do eat food occasionally when the mood strikes me. I did however restrain myself from tasting your blood, so give me some credit, please.”

  I was glad he maintained his distance across the room as I nearly hissed at him. “Last night, you had blood on your fuc….”

  “In polite society, they are referred to as just fangs,” he answered in an almost jaded tone as he pretended to fan himself with the white handkerchief he carried.

  I was stopped by Miles’ chuckling before I could reply. He was actually laughing in the face of possible death. Was he crazy? On the other hand, perhaps he was delirious from blood loss. I wondered if Victor had done more than bit him.

  “Oh, Emma, babe,” Miles sniggered again, irritating and frightening me into action. I pulled out of his arms and rolled across the bed. I stood on the opposite side, putting him between Victor and me. I could see he’d be of no help in a confrontation, but it would take Victor longer to reach me this way. Besides, Miles could turn into that big panther and bite him if the need arose. He finally managed to sit up against the headboard as he spoke, “Truly, I’m sorry,
but he’s right, I did start our little skirmish. I thought the fucker was going to bite you.”

  “Watch your language in front of the lady, Miles.”

  “OMG are you serious? This is not a joking matter. I saw you fighting. It wasn’t a little skirmish. You could’ve killed each other.”

  “We did put on a pretty good performance, didn’t we? You underestimate me, I would have taken him if you hadn’t fainted.”

  Victor piped up at Miles’ remark, “You think? I don’t. I’d have gone for your jugular if it hadn’t been a friendly competition.”

  “You call that a friendly competition. I think you two are crazy.”

  Miles gave me a lazy grin, which was almost my undoing as he sat there all sexy and shirtless, “I don’t think you know me at all, babe. I think we should get to know each other better. Victor could you give us some privacy? Maybe you could go make us breakfast or something.”

  “The only privacy you’re getting in my house is when you close the drapes so the birds don’t look inside. I haven’t touched her and neither will you in my house. As far as breakfast is concerned, I believe you know where the kitchen is. Just don’t eat all the steaks in the freezer this time, beast.”

  I had taken in the smirk on Miles’ face and the lazy, almost bored tone of Victor’s refined voice before I spoke in a more normal tone, “Do you know each other well?”

  “You could say that. The beastie boy and I go back a few years. What do you think, Miles, about nine hundred or so?”

  “But, but…” I said.

  “I’m sorry, this is probably overwhelming for you, isn’t it, Emma?” Miles said as he looked towards Victor. “I don’t think she knew that we weren’t human. You aren’t upset, are you, Emma?”

  “What do you think? I know all about you guys, but I didn’t realize Victor was a vampire. I didn’t even know blood suc—”

  “I’d rather if you would refer to me as a vampire. I don’t refer to you as a walking blood supply.”

  I ignored his teasing tone. “You guys are actually, like nine hundred years old?”

  “Yes, that’s about right, give or take a hundred years. The old bloodsucker is a friend of mine. Actually, he’s one of my oldest and dearest friends with the accent on old.”

  “That’s calling the kettle black as the humans say. You’re almost as old as I am, give or take a century or two, even though you’ve been telling everyone that I’m the ancient one. You don’t get to call me a bloodsucker either, animal.”

  “Miles, you can’t be friends with a vampire. They drink blood.”

  “Now I’m offended. I’m willing to overlook that he’s a messy shapeshifter who eats all my steaks, dripping with blood, no less. He’s even had the audacity to fly into my home and get feathers all over the damn place. Have you ever cleaned up feathers? They’re quite messy. Well at least he didn’t crap all over.”

  “Geez, Victor I only did that once when I was wounded by that hunter. I’m also housebroken, which you already know. I’m not like a vampire I know who raids my refrigerator and drinks all the damn tomato juice, because it looked like blood.”

  “I was drunk and a fledgling vampire at the time, thank you.”

  I’d had about all the bantering between the two of them I could stand. It was too much. I couldn’t comprehend that Miles was really an admitted shapeshifter. I’d seen him shift before, but hearing him admit it and seeing the fierce beast in action was different. Victor’s a real, bloodsucking vampire, too, just like in the movies. Is the world going nuts? That’s when it started with Victor.

  No, the world hasn’t gone any more nuts than it’s always been and the movies have given vampires a bad name. Victor’s voice filled my head.

  I know, you’re all just choirboys. Now, get out of my head, vampire.

  That’s Victor, madam. Nothing has changed. I saved your life and allowed you to stay in my home. As I recall there was no biting involved and believe me, it hasn’t been easy to resist that soft, sensuous neck and your aphrodisiac-like blood.

  Why are we able to speak telepathically now?

  I don’t know. I was unable to read most of your thoughts earlier. Perhaps you’ve fallen in love with me.

  Hardly, a vampire isn’t on my potential boyfriend list and never will be.

  Oh, I believe you protest too much, little human. If I were to kiss you, right now, I believe you wouldn’t resist. You might even participate as you did earlier.

  You must have put a vampire whammy on me. If I tell Miles, he’ll punch you.

  You think. I don’t believe my beastie friend is ambitious enough now. He’s yawning again. You know shifting wears him out.

  I ignored Miles as he yawned and stretched yet again showing off his broad shoulders and muscular arms as well as his six-pack abs.

  Look I’m thankful you saved me and let me stay here with you. However, it’s over. I’m leaving. I’m not kissing you again. I’m sorry, but you’re moody and you’re a freaking vampire.

  We’ve established that fact. As for our almost perfect kiss, I recall you even offered me your neck. I loved kissing the soft contours of your neck, by the way.

  I did that because I thought all you wanted to do was kiss me. I thought you were a little eccentric, but I didn’t know you were one of those blood...

  Really, I’d rather you didn’t think of me that way. I didn’t even nibble on your neck as I remember I was trying to keep my hands to myself. You are a hot woman, Emma. Besides you might have enjoyed having a paranormal creature make love to you. I can make you forget everything you thought you knew about lovemaking.

  You didn’t make love to me and you won’t be doing so in the future.

  I would have if Miles hadn’t bloody interrupted.

  You think.

  Yes, I do, lovely little human. I don’t believe you would have stopped me either. You were enjoying it as much as I was, printesa.

  I admit I’d have helped you at the time.

  It's nice to know that you don’t find me totally repulsive.

  She might not, but I do.

  This is a private conversation. I didn’t know you could communicate this way, Miles without me speaking directly into your mind.

  Normally, I can only carry on telepathic conversations with Raven and the others, because the Order has taught us to communicate that way. It seems I can now hear your thoughts, Victor, but I can now hear Emma. I believe that she can hear my thoughts, too, can’t you, babe?

  Yes, I can, but both of you need to get out of my head.

  I will if you get out of ours first. I believe that I’ve figured out what’s going on with you.

  Yes, Victor.

  Yeah, what do you know, vamp?

  Let me get the letter I found on the floor. It must have been in your coat, Emma. You dropped it in your haste to leave. My apologies, I read it. I’ll go get it for you. I’ll bring you some breakfast when I return.

  Are you bringing mine, too?

  Hardly, as I said earlier, you know where the kitchen is, she doesn’t. Anyway, after the scare I gave her last night, I believe I owe her a nice meal.

  Thanks and then I’ll be leaving. I believe you know I can’t stay here.

  As I said last night, I don’t think you’ll be leaving me.

  Miles will take me with him when he leaves, if I ask him.

  Ask him.

  Miles, I need to get out of here.

  Victor is harmless.

  You heard my thoughts.

  The ones you projected, but I believe the vampire hears all your thoughts now. It’s one of his tricks, mind reading.

  It’s not a trick. I’ll have you know it is handy skill that I’ve honed over the years. Remember, I’m right here if you plan to discuss me. You’re also in my house and it’s rude. I can hear every thought from the both of you.

  Therefore, I’m able to communicate with both of you now without speaking. It’s just like the guys and you, Miles, when you talk telepa
thically. We can do that now and it seems we can hear each other’s thoughts, too.

  Emma, how did you even know we communicated telepathically and weren’t human? No human is aware that we can do that. It’s a fostered skill that has taken many years to develop within the Order. Raven and Vince have just learned to perfect it. How did you find out about it?

  I’m aware of it.

  I think you’ve been somehow intercepting our thoughts for a while now.

  I believe the letter will explain it, Miles. She may not be quite human.

  I’m human. I only know about your telepathy, because I heard your thoughts.

  That’s not possible, Emma. We weren’t projecting to you.

  I don’t know how I did it. I just know that I hear all your thoughts, unless I put up my barriers to stop them. I try to block your thoughts, because it gets too busy in my brain and it’s an invasion of your privacy.

  Can you hear all our thoughts, even the private ones that we aren’t projecting to one another?

  Yes, my ability to read your thoughts seemed to have gotten stronger the closer I got to my eighteenth birthday. I really try not to listen to your private thoughts, as I said, but it’s taken me a while to learn to control the telepathy. Besides, I’m not sure I want to hear some of your thoughts. Oh, I was blushing right then thinking of a few of the random thoughts I’d picked up from the guys before I learned to block them.

  I believe the blush on your cheeks answers a few questions.

  “Victor, would you mind if we had a few minutes alone? There are a few things that Emma and I need to discuss in private.” Miles spoke aloud after his last telepathic comment.

  “Of course, I’ll just go make breakfast. Maybe I’ll have a steak left that way.” He grinned at Miles and me, as he turned to leave the room. It was the first time I’d ever really seen him smile. He was truly magnificent when he smiled. He was right about one thing if he’d tried to kiss me, I’d have gladly participated when he looked at me like that with those black sapphire eyes.

  I told you so, sweetness. Vampires aren’t all bad you know. Besides I’m an amazing kisser.