“I’m not your father, Rana.”
But you’re just like him. You can’t tell me you’re not. Anyone who knows what you are shrinks away in fear.”
A muscle throbbed in his chin.
He didn’t deny it. Had Damien’s babysitter, Jill, been suspicious when Alexandru brought her home tonight, or had he charmed her into accepting his presence in her home?
“Jill never flinched. She took the money I gave her for babysitting and headed home. Anything she saw or thought she saw tonight has been erased from her memory.”
Rana nodded, then suddenly stopped pacing and stared at him as it suddenly hit her. Why wasn’t he asking who Damien’s father was? Why didn’t he accuse her of cheating on him? Her mouth went dry and she clasped her hands in front of her.
“You know, don’t you? You know who Damien’s father is.”
Alexandru didn’t pretend to not know what she was talking about. He reached for her. “Rana.”
Hysteria rose in her throat. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Rana. Don’t”
“Tell me!” Rana twisted her hands. A flood of emotions raced through her. Fear. Disgust. Hatred. Somewhere in the back of her mind shadows emerged and dark, deep-seated memories struggled to surface. She just couldn’t wrap her mind around their meaning.
“Please understand. I never wanted you to remember.” Self-loathing thickened his voice. Moonlight streamed through her bedroom window and reflected off his eyes. They brightened to a reddish-orange glow. “I didn’t know about Damien.” Alexandru’s shoulders shook. “I didn’t know.”
“Tell me!” Rana’s stomach recoiled and fear skittered along her spine.
“Forgive me, cara.” The misery in his voice stabbed Rana in the heart. Then with one quick deft movement, Alexandru waved his hand in front of her. “Forgive me.”
A blinding pain shot through Rana’s temple. She grabbed her head and fell to the carpet. Memories rushed at her from every corner of her mind. Images flashed before her. Terrifying images. She blinked and tried to sort them all. Then one suppressed memory reared its ugly head…
Alexandru’s hand felt warm and safe in hers as they strolled along the carefully landscaped park just outside the French Quarter. The September night breeze brushed against her sleeveless arms like soft feathers. Alexandru pulled her to a nearby bench nestled behind a hedge in a secluded area of the park. “Did you enjoy the show?” A smile touched his lips.
“Of course. I always love the theatre.” Rana grinned up at him. “You know that.”
“You love anything that involves the arts.”
“Guilty.” She laughed. Then she touched his cheek. “I love you more.”
Alexandru slipped his arm around her. “Not as much as I love you. Let’s do it tonight. I can’t wait three more months to make you my wife.”
Rana swatted him on the arm. “Are you trying to deny me my dream wedding?”
“I could never deny you anything, my darling.” His eyes grew serious as he lowered his head. “Ever.”
His lips felt warm against hers, his kiss soft as a butterfly’s wing. Rana’s heart fluttered. She had to be the luckiest woman in the world. Life couldn’t be any more perfect.
A chill passed between them. Alexandru lifted his head, and Rana’s heart stilled. The man stood directly in front of them.
Watching.
His eyes resembled two black coals, his face hard and pale. Heart in throat, Rana whispered, “Give him your wallet.”
Alexandru reached behind him and pulled his wallet out of his jeans. He held up his hand flashing the leather wallet. “Look, man. We don’t want any trouble. Take it. Take all of it.”
The man hissed, then his hand curled into a claw, and he knocked the wallet to the ground.
Rana’s extraordinary sense scented it then. Bad blood. Vampire blood. This man was no mugger. She inched her hand toward her purse, careful not to draw attention to her movements. If she could just get the wooden stake…
The vampire snarled, his lips stretching across his teeth. He reared back his head, and Rana saw the fangs. Her hand slid inside her handbag, and she grabbed the stake. The vampire jerked Alexandru to his feet and threw him into the bushes as if he were weightless.
“No!” Rana lunged for Alexandru. The stake slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. The vampire pierced her with a hypnotic stare, his eyes glowing like embers.
She fought him with all her will, but he was too strong for her. Her body froze in place. “Who are you?” she whispered, unable to move.
“Vladmir Gustovez.”
Rana drew a sharp breath. Vladmir Gustovez. Master of New Orleans Nocturne Society. Leader of her father’s sector and the deadliest of creatures from the other realm. She had hunted for this vampire for years, and she hated him.
Vladmir grinned knowingly. “You may despise my kind, my lovely, but you are a part of us. Your father’s blood runs through your veins.”
“I am nothing like your kind. Vampires are detestable creatures worthy only of death. I have no father. I never have. I will send you back to the pit of darkness where you belong. Where I sent my father.” Rana’s heart pounded in her chest.
Not many knew she was the one who had hunted and killed her own father, but Vladmir did. And he was hell-bent on revenge. Which was why she had to destroy him.
Vladmir laughed, an evil sound that echoed throughout the park. “You will never be strong enough to destroy me, my lovely. Never. And now your lover will join me in the Underworld.”
“No!” Rana screamed as Vladmir turned back to Alexandru. He leapt toward the bushes, and Rana saw his fangs glittering in the moonlight as he lowered his head. She heard Alexandru’s strangled cry. Then nothing. Her feet refused to move. Her body refused to comply with her racing mind. The vampire’s hold on her was strong. She tried to move again. She had to get to Alexandru. She had to save him. Her body never responded to her silent pleas. Tears stung her eyes as Vladmir lifted his head, blood dripping down his chin. His lips curled into a sadistic grin. She looked past the creature and her heart plummeted. Alexandru lay on the ground, his body pale and lifeless. Rana blinked back the tears.
Suddenly, Alexandru howled and his body convulsed. Seconds later, he crossed over to the other realm, and Rana’s heart broke. She had just lost her fiancé forever. He was one of them now, a repulsive predator of the night.
Vladmir materialized before her. “And now for you, my lovely.” He reached for her.
Her mind screamed for her body to move. To run. But she couldn’t. He came to her. Just like her father had done to her mother. And before she could stop him, they were on the ground. She could feel rocks pressing into her back as he lowered himself on top of her. Her stomach retched, and she turned her face away as tears slid down her cheeks. She could taste the salt as the tears trickled onto her lips. She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from slipping into blackness. He took her then and made her his lover.
Against her will.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she heard Alexandru’s voice, weak and laced with pain. “Forget, cara. Forget.”
Then she slipped into darkness.
Rana lifted her head. The pain subsided, and she gripped the carpet beneath her fingers. “You knew. All this time you knew.”
Alexandru stood and hunched down beside her. He took her hand. “I never wanted you to remember. Never. That’s why I tried to erase your memories of that night. As a newly turned vampire, I wasn’t even sure I could do it, but I had to try. For your sake.”
Rana jerked her hand away. It was her fault that Alexandru had been turned. If Vladmir hadn’t been seeking revenge for her father’s death, then Alexandru wouldn’t have been his victim. She was a Dhampir. It was her job to destroy vampires, and she had failed miserably. Alexandru had paid the price for her ineptitude. “Go.”
Guilt squeezed her heart. She had destroyed the one man she had loved. Had turned him into something s
he hated. Alexandru reached for her again. “Rana, I—”
“Go!” Rana jumped to her feet. “I want you to leave. You’re all the same.” She shuddered. “Please, just go.”
Alexandru stiffened and rose to his feet. His eyes glittered with remorse. “Forgive me, cara.”
Then he was gone.
Chapter 6
The sun would rise soon, Alexandru realized, materializing inside his lair. According to the position of the moon, it would be in less than an hour. Not enough time to find Vladmir. Nor enough time to save the boy. He descended the concrete stairs to the basement.
Tonight, then. He would obliterate the vampire who destroyed his life tonight.
Or die trying.
Alexandru shut the steel door behind him and clicked each lock into place. He didn’t sleep in a coffin like the old horror flicks portrayed. That was entirely too cliché for him. Instead, he slept in bed like everyone else. A nice soft bed with red satin sheets and a black velvet comforter. The only difference between him and the rest of the world was that his bed was locked in a steel-and-concrete mausoleum with no windows, no light other than the lone candelabra on his nightstand and no other entrances or exits. His safety was secured only by three deadbolts and the undisclosed location of his lair. He undressed and slid into bed to while away the sunlight hours in the trance-like state he referred to as sleep, but his thoughts turned to Rana and sadness swept over him.
He didn’t blame her for hating him. He hated himself. He should have protected her from Vladmir. He should have done something, anything to keep the monster from touching her. Rage soared through his body like a flash of lightning. Rana would never love him again, and he may not be able to change the past, but he would make damn sure Vladmir never hurt her again.
No matter what.
The shock wore off and the anger — no, pure unadulterated hate — set in. Oh, she’d hated him before, but now, knowing his poison flowed through her son’s veins, her hatred escalated to a whole other level.
A level without fear.
Rana knelt beside by Damien’s bed. “Baby, mommy is going away for a few days. I promise it won’t be too long.” She kissed his soft cheek. He still felt warm. Too warm. His eyes remained shut, and he whined in his sleep. Rana tucked his white stuffed penguin under his arm. Damien never went anywhere without his favorite animal. “This time, when I get back, I promise you will be better.” She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him to her. “This time you will get well.”
Rana gave him another quick kiss then gently closed his bedroom door behind her.
Thankfully, it was summertime and Jill was able to stay with him overnight for a couple of days. She gave the college student instructions on what to do if his condition worsened and made sure she had all the emergency numbers. And of course, Jill’s parents would be right next door. Just in case. Finally satisfied that Damien was as safe as he could possibly be under the circumstances, Rana grabbed her backpack and set out to destroy Vladmir Gustovez. And this time, she wouldn’t come back until she sent him straight back to the pits of hell where he belonged.
Rana ignored the sinister mist that snaked around the entrance to The Voodoo Den. She ignored the continuous blink of the neon sign on top of the building warning her away. She ignored everything except her determination to find the monster who had destroyed her life. Backpack slung over her shoulder and a pistol tucked discreetly in the waist of her jeans, she jerked open the door and stepped inside. The steady beat of African drums pulsated through the room. Rana shielded her eyes from the strobe lights and searched the dance floor until she found what she was looking for.
Nico.
Rana pushed past bouncing bodies until she reached him. She pulled the pistol from her waist and shoved the barrel into Nico’s chest, careful not to be seen. “Where’s Vladmir Gustovez?”
Nico’s eyes widened, then glowed a fiery red. “Pretty lady.”
Rana pressed the gun harder. “You can do this the easy way or the hard way. But I’m not leaving here until you tell me where to find Vladmir.”
Nico looked down at the gun. Spinning bodies jostled her arm, but Rana kept her hand steady. “You’re going to shoot me? Here?” He arched a blond brow toward the mass of underworld creatures mixed with a handful of humans who partied around them.
“This gun has silver bullets and a silencer. You’ll be dead before anyone realizes what hit you. And no one will hear it in here. Now…” She flicked off the safety. “Where is he?”
“You’re one crazy-ass lady. No wonder Alexandru said you were off limits.” Nico’s lips curled into a grin.
Rana’s heart fluttered at the mention of Alexandru’s name. She forced herself to focus. “Vladmir’s lair. Where is it?”
Nico stared at the gun for a moment, then as if he finally realized she meant every word, he choked out, “In the French Quarter near the park. There’s an abandoned house with a wine cellar outside. You’ll find him in the cellar.” Rana stared him straight in the eye. “Don’t ever cross my path again or I’ll kill you.” She turned and pushed her way back toward the front door.
Fifteen minutes later, she found the abandoned house. She parked her car one block east and slid out. Staying in the shadows, she made her way to the yard then trekked through tall weeds and broken window panes until she reached the cellar. Moonlight filtered through the Spanish moss dangling like rattlesnakes in the cypress trees beside the house. The fishy odor of the bayou’s black, murky waters wafted on the sultry air from behind the house. Owls hooted their warning deep in the heart of the bayou. The shrill calls of night birds begged her to leave. Rana didn’t heed them. Adrenaline pumped through her veins and a tingle of fear raced down her spine. She pushed it aside, her determination outweighing any thoughts of terror.
“I’m here, Vladmir!” Rana shouted into the darkness. “I need to talk to you!”
“Careful or you’ll wake the dead.” Rana started at the deep sardonic voice behind her. She spun around so fast she nearly collided with a tall dark form. Alexandru stood beside her dressed in a black silk shirt, black jeans and loafers. His jaw hardened with controlled anger.
“That’s the idea,” Rana muttered, calming her nerves. Vampires! Always materializing out of thin air. It was enough to frighten even the bravest of souls.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing?” A muscle twitched in his chin.
“Luring Vladmir to his death.” She narrowed her eyes and placed a hand on her hip. “What are you doing here?”
“The same.”
Rana drew her brows together. He was here to kill Vladmir too?
“I told you I didn’t want you coming back to vampire territory. It’s far too dangerous.”
“I didn’t have a choice. I have to save my son’s life. I have to destroy Vladmir.”
“Do you have a plan?” Edginess tinged his words, and anger glittered in his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Care to share it?”
Rana shrugged. “I thought I’d get his attention, catch him off guard and shoot him in the heart with the silver bullets.” She held up her gun for his inspection. “Then I’m going to stake him and douse him with holy water. Of course, I’ll have to torch him too.” She didn’t bother to tell him exactly how she planned to catch him off guard. No need to anger Alexandru further.
“And if you didn’t catch him off guard? What did you plan to do next? Become his dinner?”
“No.” She lifted her chin a notch and met his gaze. “Because this time, failing is not an option.”
A noise in the cellar caught their attention. Alexandru stiffened. Rana held her breath. Vladmir had awakened. Despite her courage, fear gripped her heart. What if Alexandru was right? What if she couldn’t do it this time, either?
“This is too dangerous,” Alexandru hissed pulling her deeper into the shadows behind one of the cypress trees.
“I have an idea,” Rana whispered back, knowing full well he would
n’t go for it, but that he would have to. “When is a vampire the weakest?”
Alexandru recoiled as if he’d been slapped. “No!”
Rana touched his arm. A current of warmth surged through her. She didn’t have time to wonder why her body did a happy dance every time she touched him. Not when she was supposed to be repulsed by what he was. “I have to. It’s the only way.”
His eyes instantly drew to the hollow of her throat. “No! I can’t allow it. You don’t know what you’re suggesting.”
“I’m going to do it with or without your help, Alexandru.” Her mouth tightened. “It’s the only way to save Damien.” Her voice caught, and she swallowed hard. “He’s slipping away from me. I don’t know how much longer he can hang on.”
A myriad of emotions flashed across Alexandru’s face. His pained expression told her he knew she was right. Rana’s heart stilled. Alexandru was nothing like her father. How could she have ever thought he was? Her father had been a soulless creature. Pure evil. Alexandru may be tall, dark and powerful, but he was also full of goodness. Even in his afterlife, he still had a good heart. How could she have been so stupid?
The cellar door opened and Vladmir, dressed in a long, dark trench coat, stepped into the night. Rana sought Alexandru’s eyes. The worry, anger and jealousy she saw in them punched her in the gut. Did he really still care that much for her?
“I’ll be all right. Are you with me or not?”
Alexandru nodded then reached for her. He pulled her into his arms and lowered his head. His lips brushed hers, then he crushed her mouth against his.
Rana’s body heated like a furnace. She sighed inwardly and responded with the same passion. She still loved this immortal man. She had never stopped loving him. He deepened the kiss for a moment then thrust her from him. “Go, cara,” he whispered hoarsely. “Save your son.”
Rana nodded, tossed him the gun and the stake, then stepped out of the shadows into the moonlight.
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