by Jackie Ivie
“I didn’t hurt you?”
“Heavens no. It was…I can’t describe it. I’ve tried. There are no words. That was the most mind-blowing experience of my life, Tristan. I swear.”
“But…you cried.”
“I know. I’ve never done that in my life, either. I’m not normally the emotional type, and yet…that was too much to contain.”
“Truly?”
“What do you want to hear? That you’re a world-class stud? Is that it?”
A world class stud. That sounded like not only a compliment, but a supreme one. The boulder on his chest evaporated, freeing him. He sat to face her, while she scooted back, putting space between them. It didn’t work. He’d been denied seeing a woman’s beauty for centuries, and there wasn’t a way to stop looking. Especially with what she said. And what it meant. The response went right to his groin, stirring and hardening, demonstrating the instant craving for her.
“If you get a big head over this, I’m never seeing you again.”
“That isn’t possible, Friudil. You are my mate. And I am yours.”
“Oh no. You can just stop right there.”
Tristan froze his arms where they were - reaching for her; tipped his head sideways; and regarded her without one portion of him giving away anything.
“We need to talk. Before we do another thing. Especially that again.”
She tipped her glance to his loins, and Tristan couldn’t prevent the lurch his rod made in response. She might as well be touching him. When she returned her gaze to his, he was in the same position, only tensed to a tighter pitch. She’d changed. A dark flush emanated from somewhere about her breasts and spread upward, staining skin as it moved. Tristan tightened everything to a painful degree to keep from leaping onto her, latching on, and then feasting on what she inadvertently offered.
“Well?”
He didn’t hear it, but her mouth moved, so it must’ve been sounded. Tristan narrowed his eyes. “I’m listening.”
“It’s about this mate thing. You said it earlier, and I didn’t reply at the time because I…uh… Well, I wasn’t paying attention at the time.”
She gave a ghost of a smile. Tristan remained exactly as he was: Primed and readied and held back by sheer will.
“I should probably dress first…yes?”
Tristan’s hand snaked out and caught her upper arm, stopping her movement. She didn’t squirm, and he didn’t know what he’d do if that happened. He wasn’t willing to let her out of his sight. Not until she understood. Besides, he told himself, there wasn’t anything left of her dress worth wearing. The extent of her ire was easy to see however, as every torch in the room flared to life with a whoosh of sound.
“You need to let me go, Tristan.”
“Never.”
It sounded like every door in the castle slammed, even the ones he kept bolted, and that included the thick wood of his door. Tristan ignored it and continued locking gazes with her.
“That is an archaic, medieval, and chauvinistic thing to say. Got it?”
“No.”
“Well, it is. Trust me. Now, let go.”
“Will you leave me if I do?”
“Maybe you’ll just have to trust me.”
Tristan forced his fingers open, and started talking. Anything to keep her right where she was. “I’ve been a vampire since the year 1239, Friudil. Lifeless. Dead. Destined to walk this earth with the sameness of every waking moment. There is but one thing that can change it. One thing.”
“Blood?”
He shook his head. “That is but a fuel. A need. At times…a severe craving. But there is something more. We are told of it, but are rarely lucky enough to gain it. There is one thing that can bring a vampire joy. One.”
“Your mate.”
Tristan nodded.
“Listen, I…could fall very easily for you, Tristan. It isn’t that.””
“I love you.”
She shook her head. He frowned.
“You only think you love me.”
“No. I knew. The moment I touched you. It…feels like a rebirth. Or something akin to that, and every moment with you adds to it. I’d been told, but didn’t believe. It isn’t negotiable. I love you. Only you.”
“You can’t. It’s too soon. We just met.”
“You doubt my word? I’m known for my integrity. My sense of duty and honor. My—. Oh. You are teasing with me, aren’t you?”
That little smile of hers could be his undoing. Especially as the emotion fueled by her doubt was beating at the edges of his control.
“You only feel this way because I’m the first for you. Trust me, Tristan. It’ll probably pass.”
“I love you.”
“Nobody loves me.”
Tristan lurched to his knees, sending her onto her back with his approach, where both hands slapped onto his chest to support him. He bent his neck, bringing his nose directly to hers and delved deeply into the green of her eyes. “I love you.”
“But…I’m not loveable.”
“Who would say such a thing?”
“Every foster mother I’ve ever had.”
A sheen of moisture coated her eyes before she blinked it back, giving him a blank expression she’d probably worked at. Tristan evaluated it for several moments while he accepted the rapid beat of her pulse dragging his into rhythm with it.
“It’s in the past, Rori. Everything you’ve experienced will soon be. You’ll no longer care once I’ve finished turning you completely.”
“Whoa. Turn me?”
“You cannot stay human as my mate.”
“I have a hard time killing spiders, Tristan. How am I supposed to handle killing for my food? And why should I?”
“Feeding doesn’t kill. It takes from prey, usually without consequences. And I will be there for you. I’ll show you.”
“Maybe I don’t want to be your mate, Tristan. Maybe somebody should have taken that into consideration before making all the decisions.”
“You don’t want to be my mate?”
He jerked back, as if she’d given him a blow. It felt like one. There wasn’t any way to get all the muscles in his frame tighter, but he tried, curling inward to stay the pain. She might as well have an Islamic sword in her hand. And she wasn’t finished. He’d better learn how to deal with her rejection, and rapidly.
“I never said that, Tristan. I said I may not want what you offer. And why should I have to decide now? Can’t I even have some time to think it over?”
“I did it wrong, didn’t I?”
He had the emotion buried, and a slight thump in his lower belly would alert her to what it cost. But only if she looked. He even had his voice to a perfect modulation. There wasn’t a crack in it. Or anything showing the wound she’d given him. Akron hadn’t said a word about this eventuality. As far as Tristan was concerned, this was devastating. He’d rather stay lifeless.
“Of course not. You were amazing. Making love with you is…come on. I already went over it.”
“Yes. You said such things. Were you lying?”
“Nothing about your performance was a lie. You’re wonderful. Gorgeous. Manly. Endowed. But I have to tell you, I’ve never had such a great session of sex, followed by blunt talk that’s guaranteed to get an argument. All in the span of about an hour. Brother. You’re going to need a lot more experience on that phase.”
“Three hours,” he replied.
“Can we just call it a night? Say we had an interesting and completely fulfilling evening, discuss when we’ll see each other again, and then you can see me back to my apartment? Would that be so hard?”
“You can’t leave me. Not now.”
“Why? More of the vampire stuff?”
“There are Hunters about. You are now a prime target.”
“There are real vampire hunters, too? Guys like…what’s his name? Van Helsing?”
“Worse. These hunters are accurate and serious and difficult to fool. Some are parti
ally turned. Like you. That gives them gifts.”
“You saying my powers are a gift? From you?”
“Not the powers, just the extend of them. Didn’t they fade yesterday while we were apart?”
She didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. He read the answer in her hesitancy.
“A half-turned Hunter is even more dangerous. Skilled. Deadly. That’s why I change com-links and numbers every twelve hours.”
“The phone thing?”
“I’m the Innovations Specialist with The Vampire Assassin League. I’m very good. It’s the geek in me.”
“Geek. You. Right.”
She had to have practiced sarcasm to be that good at delivering a set-down. Tristan didn’t say anything for several moments. This could be a reason why her foster mothers didn’t find her loveable, but he wasn’t saying so.
“Oh come on, Tristan. Let’s call it a night. Okay? It’s not like I’m a vampire anyway. And I promise not to tell anyone where I am – if, of course, I even knew.”
“You’ve been marked, and you’ve bitten me. We’ve shared fluid. They’ll scent you and then they’ll track you, and they’ll find you. And they’ll use you to get to me.”
“Look. It’ll be dawn soon. That probably puts a real crimp in your travelling abilities. Perhaps you could see me back to the train station and I’ll take it from there. ‘Course…I’ll need something to wear first. Fair enough?”
“Hunters get accolades for killing a mated pair. It’s a special patch, worn above the pocket. Right here.” He pointed to his heart, and watched as she followed the movement.
“Are you trying to scare me? Because it’s starting to work.”
“We’re mates, Rori. Mates.”
“Only because you say so. And only if I become a vampire. And just when am I supposed to forego a ‘turning’ ceremony anyway?”
“I can’t turn you unless you agree. Of your own free will.”
“That’s going to put a severe cramp in your plans, isn’t it? I don’t agree and I’m not willing.”
“You’ll change your mind.”
“That’s your plan? Get me to change my mind?”
“Not exactly. Only consider it. Today. While you rest. Here. With me.”
“So…that’s it? I’m stuck here? End of discussion?”
She had the taste of the whip to her words when she wished. Tristan regarded her for several long moments without saying anything. She had her chin jutting out at him, as if expecting and already rebutting a blow.
“You don’t like Poenari Castle Number Two?”
“I don’t like having my life decided and getting virtually zero choice in the matter.”
Tristan continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “You have free rein to redesign, if you want. Or, we can go back to Tirgoviste. Or we can stay at any of the other fifteen strongholds. Or we can design a more modern one if you wish.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing. Your castles are cool. They’re the perfect backdrop…for you, actually. Archaic.”
A yawn punctuated the sentence, and Tristan held the satisfaction deep. She’d given up for the moment and that was fine with him. He’d seek out some advice while she rested, so he’d have more argument for her.
“There’s an old movie you should watch, Tristan. Can you order it?”
“Which one?”
She’d moved to one side to slide beneath the bedding, covering over womanly perfection, and he’d allowed it.
“I don’t remember the title, but there’s this one part that pertains to us. Something about how if you love something you need to set it free. If it comes back to you it’s yours forever. If it never returns, then it was never yours to begin with. That’s us, all right.”
Her voice dribbled into nothingness before she’d finished, but he heard it. He just wished he hadn’t.
CHAPTER SIX
“She’s here? This isn’t good.”
“Shhh! I know she’s here. I’m trying not to wake anyone. She’s a bit bitchy when she wakes. Did you see what she did to my clock? And we don’t need to alert anyone, now do we?”
“I was here, remember?”
“What do you guys want?” Rori asked.
“See? You woke her.”
That was Naomi. Rori cracked an eye open and saw them both squished into the doorway. A flick of her wrist sent the blinds in her room down. The sound was matched by what sounded like every blind in their four-room apartment doing the same thing. She had some powers back. That was good.
“What are you doing here?” Naomi asked.
“I live here.” Rori mumbled it into her pillow.
“Yeah. We know. It’s just we have a problem.”
They had a problem. That was rich.
“You shouldn’t be here, Rori. Not right now. And we thought—well. After meeting that guy…you know.”
“Yeah. Where did you find him, anyway? He’s the real thing, isn’t he? A real live vampire. Or maybe, it’s a real dead vampire. Whichever he is, it’s just so cool.”
“Not so loud, Elizabeth.”
Rori groaned.
“You got to admit, he’s the hottest thing we’ve seen since moving here. Come on, Naomi. Admit it.”
“I’m not saying anything.”
“Oh, come on. He’s the hottest thing like…ever. I mean…not only is he gorgeous, but did you get a look at that body? Even all covered up that guy looks like he’s got major muscle. So does he? Have a six-pack, I mean?” That was Elizabeth. Gushing. Again.
“He shouldn’t have brought you back, Rori.”
“Why not?”
“We talked about this, Rori. We weren’t even going to report you missing for…well awhile. Maybe even a couple of days. I mean, it’s not like anyone would notice.”
She could go missing for a couple of days and nobody would notice? Wow. Nice to know she made such little impact on the world. Rori was still reeling with that bit of information when they started up again.
“So…did he? Did you?”
“Did I what?”
“Not so loud! They’re probably listening, and we have a lot of thinking to do.”
“About what?”
“Hiding you.”
“What?” Rori moved to sit, but felt worse drained than she had mid-day yesterday. She fell back to the pillows with disgust. Billows of silk settled around her as if in approval. She ran a hand along the fabric, grazing fingertips on what felt like embroidery.
“That’s a really cool dress. I mean like, I’ve only seen stuff like that in specialty shops. Did he give it to you? And if so…that means he like had to replace your dress. Because maybe he tore—.”
“He didn’t give it to me, Elizabeth. Now, give it a rest.” Rori interrupted her.
“Well, it looks fabulous on you. It’s silk, isn’t it? It even looks like the real stuff. The heavy kind from—.”
“Can we discuss our problem, Liz?” That time, Naomi stopped their roommate’s gushing words.
“Oh. Right. We have to hide her. We could use the basement. There’s a really small storeroom they like, keep lawn equipment in. I’ve only been in it once. It’s pretty scary.”
“Do you need to hibernate? Or…whatever vampires do during the day?”
“I’m not a vampire.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I mean, we saw the way he looked at you. He was like, ready to devour you. Or whatever it is vampires do. And you’ve got a lot more marks on your neck, and like, they look worse than yesterday. So…are you?”
“No,” Rori replied.
“We sort-of thought that guy would like, turn you into a vampire last night, and that would be like the coolest thing…ever.”
“And it would solve our problem.”
“What problem? You guys are blowing this way out of proportion. I had a late night. I’m tired. I need some sleep. That’s all.”
“We had a visit yesterday. From some old guys in suits, claiming to represent y
our family’s estate,” Naomi informed her.
“I don’t have a family.”
“That’s what we told them. Then, they said it was technically just your mother who’d sent them.”
“My mother was a junkie. She died on the streets when I was twelve. I got the obituary when I asked for it, since I didn’t believe them over the phone.”
“We told them that, too.”
“So then they started asking all kinds of other stuff. Like…if you’d been seeing any really interesting gentlemen lately.”
“Elizabeth thought their guard was really handsome.”
“He was. Tall, blonde…built. You know, like the epitome of a really gorgeous Swede. Or…a Viking, even. And you know how I love a man in uniform. It like, shows off every bit of muscle. I bet he had a major six-pack, too.”
“Elizabeth told him way too much, in case you’re wondering.”
“I did not. I didn’t tell him anything about Rori’s vampire dude.”
“You just spent a half hour flirting with the guy in the corner without saying anything he wanted to hear?”
“We weren’t flirting. And I didn’t change anything about your story. He thinks Rori’s off visiting relatives in Maine through the weekend. Exactly the same as what you said.”
Rori had heard of a sensation akin to blood freezing, but never actually experienced it. Until now. She’d convinced herself she was immune from emotion; any kind of emotion. That phone call from her case worker telling her about her mother’s demise was just one example. Rori let everything roll off like water off a duck’s back. Never let anything get to you, and never let anyone know if it does. But this was different. Her entire body went to ice. And it scared the hell out of her.
“He didn’t look convinced. None of them did. Which means we have a problem. We have to hide you. And before they come back. Can you move?”
Rori flicked her wrist, and the cover half-slid off her. She tried sitting up next, but got the same result; another sag back to her mattress. This was ridiculous.
“I’ll go get the hand-truck. If we can get her on it, we can make the elevator.”
“Right. We stuck it like…in the closet. Be right back. Now, nobody move.”
