Undeniable

by Doreen Orsini

  Diana slid out of the booth, then stood up. The room tilted. For the first time, she welcomed the warning that she’d gone beyond her limit. She wanted to get drunk, to block out every thing that had happened tonight, to forget that her father—

  “You don’t look so good, Diana. Maybe I should just drive you home.”

  Come to me.

  Chapter Five

  Sebastian arrived at Cabana’s much later than he’d planned. He’d wasted precious time explaining the turn of events to the elders and requesting more time. The meeting had gone so well and he’d found Diana’s scent so easily that when he’d zeroed in on the ranch, he’d felt confident that she had nothing to do with Marek’s death.

  But as he’d soared over the ranch, a sight met his eyes that nearly sent him crashing to the ground and shattered his confidence that destiny had finally sent someone to fill the endless, lonely hours of his life.

  He’d hovered high above the scene, telling himself that his eyes had deceived him, that the trailer just looked like Marek’s, that the child wrapped in Diana’s arms merely resembled Luna and that the woman standing beside Frank Nostrum’s daughter and Marek’s daughter couldn’t possibly be Colette. But their voices rose up to his ears and he could no longer deny the truth. Diana Nostrum knew Marek’s wife and daughter.

  As the trailer had pulled out onto Route 9, he’d probed Colette’s memories. His heart missed a beat and a roar of denial lodged in his throat when he uncovered a recent memory of Marek standing beside Diana as she lifted Luna onto a gray pony. To make matters worse, when he’d tried talking to Colette, she insisted that Diana’s grief over Marek’s death was proof of her innocence.

  Tears? Tears proved nothing. He wondered how many other vampires knew Diana, how many relatives of her father’s victims had memories that included time spent wrapped in Diana’s arms, time trapped in the spell she had so easily cast over him during the past week. How many had met her? Trusted her? Her guilt weighed heavy on his mind and he doubted he’d ever trust her.

  He had returned to Mina’s Cove and dipped into the minds of every vampire, searching for any memory that included Diana, but none of the vampires strolling hand in hand down Main Street, shopping in the all-night boutiques or eating at the all-night restaurants had ever encountered her. A slight shift and he searched the minds of the vampires sitting along the shore of the town beach, swimming in the lake and picnicking in the park, but found no memory that included the hunter’s daughter.

  Sebastian transformed into mist and whisked past the bouncer and smokers milling around the entrance. After materializing in a dark corner, he made his way to the central bar. Immediately Diana’s scent overpowered those filling the club and called to him like no other woman or vampire’s ever had before. Following the trail of her scent, he found her standing beside a booth.

  He entered her friend Terry’s mind and through her watched Diana’s every move, heard Diana’s every word. Now, watching Diana through Terry’s eyes, he wondered if his soul mate had tricked him last night, if she had used some inner power to speak to him. He snatched the bartender’s attention from a group of women at the other end of the bar. A minute later, he held a cold bottle of beer up to his lips.

  Diana’s voice, a whisper that crackled with fear and the question she asked Terry caught his attention and filled him with dread.

  “And that? Did you hear that?” Diana gazed toward the doors leading to the deck overlooking the lake.

  “What?”

  “I could swear someone spoke to me again. Right in my ear…this time from o-outside.”

  Sebastian lowered the bottle and forced down the beer trapped in his mouth.

  Terry slid out of the booth. “Yeah right. I can barely hear you over the music, but you hear someone calling from the deck? That’s it.” She wrapped her arm around Diana’s shoulder. “I’m taking you home.”

  He stood up, his eyes darting from one face to another as he searched for the vampire calling Diana.

  “Home? But I can’t. I…there! He just said it again! He wants me to come to him.”

  The bottle in Sebastian’s hand shattered. Maintaining contact with Terry’s mind, he watched Diana glance around. Her hand rose to the spot on her neck where he’d taken her blood, His fangs responded, surprising him with the speed and length of their growth. He closed his eyes, willing his wayward teeth to recede. How could he still react this way after knowing that she knew Marek, that she might have helped catch him?

  And who the hell was calling her? Luring her outside? Show yourself, he mentally roared.

  Nostrum’s daughter looks like hell, Sebastian. Diego’s voice slithered into Sebastian’s mind.

  Sebastian searched the club. Since when had the young vamp learned to shield himself from other vamps, from older, stronger vamps? What brings you to Cabana’s, Diego? Did my mother send her boy toy out to watch me?

  Can’t find me, can you?

  Come out of whatever hole you’re hiding in and face me like a grown vamp.

  Diego appeared behind the man standing next to Sebastian and, bringing his mouth up to the man’s ear, whispered, “Go piss in the front seat of that sissy-ass corvette you have parked outside.” When the man nodded and left, Diego shifted closer to Sebastian. What brings you here, old timer? If I remember correctly, you were ordered to stay far away from Nostrum’s daughter after you passed on your blood.

  The elders want me to keep an eye on her. Sebastian stared into the vamp’s eyes. Just in case she decides to rip open some poor vamp’s neck.

  Diego blanched. Olympia said the bitch would be out of control from the hunger by now. That she’d do anything for a taste of any vampire’s blood.

  My mother doesn’t know everything, Diego.

  Your mother knows more than even the elders when it comes to Diana Nostrum. Even if she didn’t, she’d use her powers—

  Grow up, Diego. My mother is not the most powerful vamp in Mina’s Cove. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you’ll get your balls back.

  She said I could play with the bitch tonight. She told you to stay away. Diego lifted his upper lip just enough to expose the tips of his fangs. If I were you, I’d be more concerned about pissing off your mother than keeping an eye on some damn bitch. Olympia may not be as powerful as Tobias, but I’ll bet my balls that she’s more powerful than you. She carries the blood of Dracula in her veins. And now, so do I.

  Sebastian mentally wrapped his fingers around Diego’s neck and squeezed until the vamp’s eyes bulged. I didn’t have to lose my balls or become one of my mother’s slaves to get a taste of Dracula’s blood, you fool. I was born with it running through my veins. And—if you still doubt who is stronger—Dracula and Mina both held me to their necks whenever my so-called mother decided a night on the town was more important than feeding her baby. Just because I don’t flaunt my powers doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Got it, boy toy?

  He released his mental hold on Diego and watched the vamp grab onto the bar for support and drag in one long breath after another. With nothing more than a glance, Sebastian shifted the entire crowd around the bar until a wide path opened to Cabana’s entrance. Leave. And don’t ever follow me or go near Diana Nostrum again.

  When Diego didn’t turn to leave, Sebastian emitted a low growl. Better yet, let me help.

  Diego vanished. Sebastian smirked, picturing Diego’s face when he materialized in the middle of Albany’s garbage dump.

  Glancing back toward Diana, his grin faltered when he realized that the voice she had mentioned hearing was Diego’s. The vamp had tried to lure her outside. Sebastian didn’t have to enter her mind to discover how Diego’s call had affected Diana.

  Her eyes still darted around the bar, her chest rose and fell too quickly as far as he was concerned and her skin paled before his eyes. Coupled with her anxiety, her hunger for his blood during the course of the day had taken a heavy toll on her body and mind.

  If he left, if she went
another night and day without his blood, the hunger would grow unbearable. She’d go insane and rip out the throats of humans and vampires alike trying to sate a hunger only his blood could appease. Another day, another night, and fangs would replace every tooth in her sweet mouth. He’d be bound to abandon his soul mate on Fentmore Island where the Slashers would smell his blood and probably rip her to shreds.

  Sighing, he admitted that he still needed more proof of Diana’s guilt before casting her into that hellhole. He’d find out tonight, one way or another, if she’d helped her father kill Marek. Then he’d either feed her hunger or leave her to suffer for her sins.

  Shifting his gaze to Terry, he stripped her mind of any concern regarding Diana, then compelled her to go home after telling Diana that she had a headache, one he produced a moment before the words left her mouth.

  Come to me, he sent the seductive command that she’d understand and not be able to deny. He let out a relieved breath when she took a step in his direction.

  As Diana pushed her way through the crowd of people surrounding Cabana’s central bar, the cacophony of butterflies in her chest grew more and more frenzied. Any one of the men she brushed against could be the man her grandmother had foretold would bring everlasting love into her life. No one, not even Terry, understood just how desperately she needed love in her life.

  But for all she knew, half the strangers here preferred blood to the beers and cosmopolitans in their hands and were only waiting for the right moment to sink their teeth into her neck. How many closed-mouth smiles hid fangs? How many eyes could hypnotize her and draw her into a deadly embrace?

  Recalling Luna’s whispered words when she’d hugged her goodbye at the ranch, Diana shuddered. “Don’t be afraid, Diana. All the Slashers live on Fentmore Island.”

  Slashers. Just the name brought up visions of long, sharp fangs ripping into flesh. She couldn’t move, couldn’t breath as she recalled the many nights she’d sat unprotected on the porch in defiance of what she’d considered her father’s ridiculous belief in vampires. She might have believed him if her mother hadn’t insisted vampires didn’t exist.

  Why couldn’t she breathe? The bodies around her seemed to block all the air from reaching her burning lungs.

  A strong hand emerged and clamped around her left arm. Her gaze dropped to the long fingers wrapped around her arm.

  Oh, God, she knew that hand, had seen it at the lake erupting from the swirling mist that had always left her yearning for its touch.

  Her phantom lover.

  Or vampire?

  Swallowing a scream, she forced herself to look away from her phantom’s hand. Her gaze slid past the black hair sprinkling the taut muscles along his forearm, past the biceps bulging out from a short, black sleeve, past the raven-black hair that fell in soft waves to his shoulders. When she finally saw his face—the stubble coating his chiseled jaw, chin and cheeks and surrounding full, soft lips parted in a crooked smile—whatever breath she’d managed to drag into her lungs whooshed out with a wheezing scream.

  She’d kissed those lips, felt them take possession of her mouth, glide along her jaw and down her neck. Oh God, every nerve in her body tingled from the memory even as her body started to tremble with fear.

  Tearing her gaze from his mouth, she peered up into the same midnight-blue eyes that had taken her breath away in her dream last night. The pain she’d felt in that dream, the horrible burning in her veins returned with a vengeance. Diana drew in a sharp breath and felt her legs buckle just as darkness obliterated the face of her phantom lover.

  “Damn.” Sebastian slid his arms around Diana and caught her limp body against his chest. He willed her heart rate to slow down, then lifted her into his arms and carried her down the dark hallway and out the emergency exit. When he reached a spot where no one could see, he leapt into the air. Her hunger merged with his and singed him with its intensity. He soared higher, veiled them in darkness and slit open his lower lip with his fangs.

  Her lips parted on a whimper as if she unconsciously knew that a drop of his blood hovered inches from her mouth. His body hardened with need, his fangs ached from the hunger coursing through his veins and every muscle strained to bring his mouth to hers.

  One kiss and he doubted he could maintain the distance he needed to uncover her guilt. One kiss and she might once again wrap him in a cocoon of desire. Logic demanded he simply let his blood drip down into her open mouth. The first drop of his blood landed on her lips.

  Her tongue darted out and swept it into her mouth. Moonlight kissed her cheeks, nose and the crescents of her lashes. She looked so innocent, so pure with her hair flowing over his arm and her tongue glancing over her moist lips, searching for more of his blood, more of his life’s essence.

  Another drop.

  He slowed the progression of its descent, watched it splatter on her tongue. With an anguished roar of defeat, Sebastian slid his torn lip between her silken ones. Diana immediately started to suckle. The air around them crackled from the desire he refused to appease. His blood surged up to his mouth and pulsed behind the cut as his very soul demanded he feed his mate.

  He thought he had complete control until Diana’s tongue slid over his wound and caressed his fangs, until her lips shifted and bestowed the kiss he’d struggled to avoid. The power of her lips merging with his, of her moans vibrating through his body sent him soaring up through the clouds.

  Crushing her soft yielding body to his, nicking the inside of her lip with one of his fangs, he turned their kiss into a feast of ecstasy. Her pure, sweet blood, now carrying the faint taste of his own, flowed into his mouth and down his throat while his continued to sate her hunger. The scent of her body weeping for his as passion replaced hunger drove him mad with desire.

  When he could take no more and he felt the imminent return of her consciousness, he closed the tiny cut in her mouth and started to descend to the town park overlooking the lake. The air lifted her hair, wrapping it around his face. A silken caress that almost sent him back into the clouds for one more kiss. One more taste. Her eyes fluttered opened just as he alit on a bench. Cradling her on his lap, he waited until he felt her awareness fully return.

  “Think you can stand?”

  “Stand?” Diana frowned, then glanced around at the trees surrounding them. “How…how…” She stared into his eyes. A bright crimson blush spread across her cheeks. “Did I faint,” she asked, rubbing her temples.

  “Looked that way to me.” He grinned when her tongue darted out to lick a drop of his blood from her upper lip.

  “I never faint.”

  Diana shifted to stand, but he drew her back against his chest. “Maybe you should rest a minute.”

  “I…” She swayed and rested her palms on his chest to steady herself.

  Sebastian felt her heart pound and her lungs seize as surely as if they were his own. Her eyes swept over his face, and widened with fear each time they met his.

  “Breathe,” he whispered, afraid she might faint again.

  Diana whimpered. Her eyes shimmered. “I know you. Your eyes. Your voice. We’ve met before.”

  He shook his head. “I’d never forget meeting you.”

  “I’m sure…I saw…I…f-felt…” She closed her eyes and brought her hands up to feel his face.

  He grasped her hands and gently removed them from his face before she could feel her way toward discovering that he was indeed her phantom. “Not a good idea.”

  She jumped to her feet. After a fleeting glance toward his lap, she peered at his mouth and backed away.

  “How did I get here? Who are you?” Her voice cracked. “How long have I been out?” Her hands rose to her neck. Her fingers trembled as they grazed the skin covering her veins. “Someone called me…and… And…”

  “Calm down.”

  “Calm down? Calm down?” She raked her fingers through her hair, snagged one on a curl and yanked it free. Her eyes widened as she glanced past him to the park beyond. �
�How the hell did you get me here?”

  “I carried you.”

  “Five blocks?”

  Nodding, he rubbed the back of his neck and cracked his shoulders in a way he thought would convince her. He understood her fears, but he had no time for them. The scant blood they’d shared was barely enough to hold her over ‘til dawn. He had yet to unveil her guilt or innocence, but he had to feed her more so she could survive another day without his blood. “I won’t hurt you. I just thought you could use some fresh air.”

  When he stood, she tilted her head back and frowned up at him as if he were crazy. “You didn’t have to take me all the way to the park for fresh air.”

  “About fifty people were smoking outside Cabana’s.” Sebastian closed the gap separating them. She drew up her shoulders and tensed, but she didn’t step back. He smiled, impressed. “And considering that I had no idea how long I’d have to hold you, I thought a bench was a good idea.”

  Diana’s lips thinned. “I am not heavy.”

  Laughing at the anger and indignation lacing her words, Sebastian shook his head. He drank in the sight of her. The woman stood there in a miniskirt and miniscule halter that he doubted most women could squeeze into.

  “Sweetheart, you are far from heavy.” He knew his desire shone in his eyes, saw her eyes darken and widen when she noticed. “Look, you fainted in a bar filled with men who would just love to get their hands on an unconscious woman with half your looks. I don’t take advantage of drunk,” he changed his choice of words when her eyes narrowed and her brows nearly met, “or unconscious women. Let’s just say you’re lucky you landed in the right arms. Okay?”

  Diana bit her lip for a few moments, then nodded although her eyes still held suspicion. “Okay. Guess I was lucky.”

  “Guess we both were.” He grinned and breathed in the scent of her body responding to his. His body hardened as her eyes swept over it beneath her lashes. Reminding himself that she may have led Marek to his death, that he had to win her trust if he expected to uncover the truth, he held out his hand and asked, “Feel up to a walk?”