Scott removed the last string of bulbs and carried them over to an empty box on the floor next to the chair. “I got another call earlier this morning from Dr. Lytell at the observatory.”
Her heart gave an erratic thump and she held her breath. She had a feeling that this news would be the real problem. She was right.
“The underground tremors are increasing.”
This was bad. Really bad. Jonah had received a similar warning just a few days ago. To be alerted again so soon meant trouble was not far away. Her stomach churned at the thought. “Scott?”
Scott put the lid on the box of bulbs and looked up. “Yes?”
“If that mountain blows before Jonah’s strength has fully returned, he could be in danger couldn’t he?”
Scott lifted the box with the bulbs and placed it on top of the one containing the ornaments. “He will be fine.”
“There’s no need to patronize me, Scott. I want to know the truth.”
Scott lowered his eyes, then met her gaze. “If it happened tonight, he could be at a serious disadvantage when it comes to fighting the strongest of the deep-earth vampires. But I have total faith in Jonah’s ability to heal quickly and completely.”
“But there’s always a chance—”
“There’s always a chance something will go wrong with anything, at any time, Angela. You know that as well as I do. But you should also know that worrying about it accomplishes nothing. It certainly won’t help Jonah.” Scott lifted the box that held the strings of bulbs and held it out to her. “This is light. Can you help me carry these to the storeroom upstairs?”
Scott was already on his way to the door before she started after him. He was obviously trying to take her mind off Jonah by diverting her attention to a practical purpose. But it didn’t work.
Jonah’s safety was the most important thing in the world to her.
AS HE DRESSED, Jonah thought back to the events of the previous twenty-four hours. He had never experienced such pain before. Not even all his battle wounds had done this much damage to his body. Or his psyche.
He’d always thought vampires were supposed to be immune to the illnesses that afflicted humans. But, as Michael had told Scott, this was no common illness—this virus had been present in the Whitcombe bloodline for a very long time. And it made them susceptible to illness when they mixed their blood with someone of Mediterranean heritage. Simone, Julian’s mate, had contracted the very same illness just months ago, and it had nearly taken her life.
Fear rose from his gut to his throat and threatened to strangle him. What if Angela got sick? And if she did, what if she couldn’t fight the virus as her friend had? He hastened his grooming and without a backward glance at the mirror that reflected his human countenance, he hurried from the room.
His decision to bypass the dining room where he usually went to see if Scott had left any message for him was made before he left his quarters. Angela’s room was first on his list tonight. But he didn’t get that far. Scott stood at the end of the hallway blocking his path.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Not now, Scott.”
“If you’re concerned about Angela, you needn’t be. She’s fine.”
Jonah tried to move around Scott, but his friend stepped in front of him. “This is serious, Jonah.”
Jonah had to harness every ounce of restraint he could muster not to physically push Scott aside.
“We’d best go into the dining room,” Scott said, ushering Jonah ahead of him.
Jonah let out an angry breath, but did as Scott asked. Once inside the room, Scott handed him a large glass of Double B. “The first order of business, which comes directly from Dr. Lytell, is for you to drink this.”
Jonah huffed out another exasperated breath but took the glass from Scott. His speedy and complete recovery was of utmost importance to both of them. He drained the concoction, set the empty glass on the table, and addressed his friend. “Okay. It has to be bad news. So which is it? The mountain or the audition?”
“Both.”
Jonah struck the table with his fist so hard the table shook. Scott laid a hand on his shoulder, but he brushed it away. He didn’t need comforting, he needed details. “Give it to me straight.”
“The audition has been postponed another couple of days, possibly as much as five.”
He would have felt some relief, had there not been more bad news to come. “Well, in light of what I’ve just been through, a delay could work in my favor. So it has to be news of the mountain that’s the real deal breaker.”Scott nodded. “I got a call from Lytell this morning. The volcano is firing up.”
“How long before it blows?”
“Any day now. The underground quakes have increased in both frequency and strength.”
Jonah blew out a hard breath. This information would have been hard to swallow any day of the week, but today, it was particularly unpalatable. He felt as good as new, but he’d lived long enough to know he could sometimes be fooled where his physical condition was concerned. Just because he felt strong, didn’t mean he was.
“How are you doing?”
“What?” Scott had spoken to him but he hadn’t heard a word.
“I asked how you were doing. Do you feel completely healed or do you think, in light of the forthcoming demands, you should spend some extra time recuperating?”
“I’m fine, Scott. Stop troubling yourself about me.”
Scott paused a few seconds as if wanting to say something. Then he seemed to think better of it and headed for the door. “I’ll call if anything breaks tonight,” he said.
The second the door closed behind Scott, Jonah began to pace. It was one thing to keep up a brave front before Scott, but an entirely different matter to pretend he wasn’t worried, now that he was alone.
What had he done to deserve two such cruel blows at the same time? Hadn’t he always fought against the evil creatures in the part of the world he’d been given to protect? Had he ever shirked his duty, even once? And how many times had he asked for a favor, like getting the chance to play at Carnegie Hall? Which, now that he thought about it, wasn’t exactly a favor—he’d worked like a demon toward it for more than a hundred years.
He felt the anger rise inside him, and with it came the fear that his emotions would get out of hand again. He couldn’t let that happen under any circumstances. He couldn’t afford a repeat of yesterday’s drama, even though it had harmed no one but himself. But was that really true? Hadn’t he harmed Angela by making her watch him suffer? Suddenly, guilt squeezed his chest like two iron fists vying for dominance. He hung his head in shame and let the pain in his chest overtake him. How could be have been so blind? Why hadn’t he realized that his desire for the audition had almost made him forget his responsibility to his family, to Lilith . . . to Angela?
Not that he wanted the mountain to blow—but he had no control over that. It was inevitable. But the sooner it happened, the sooner he could vanquish Zurik forever.
And when that happened, Angela would be free, free to move about as she pleased, no longer restricted by the threat of Zurik or one of his Changers lying in wait for her. How could he have let his ambition make him forget his very necessary confrontation with Zurik?
Angela. He had to go to her now, to let her know he was well, and to show her how much she meant to him. He hurried to her door and knocked once, twice. There was no answer. He headed to the kitchen, hoping to find her there, but the room was empty. A sick feeling rose in his throat. Where was she?
His chest squeezed tight and he fought to breathe. He would call Scott. Maybe he knew where she was.
And then he heard the C major scale being played on the piano, followed quickly by the scale in A minor. The pent-up air rushed from his lungs. Angela was waiting for him in the living room. ANGEL
A KNEW WITHOUT taking her eyes off the keyboard that Jonah was nearby. She smiled when she looked up to find him standing in the doorway, but the smile faded at the look on his face.
Was Jonah annoyed that she was using the piano without his permission? An apology was ready to burst from her lips when Jonah rushed across the room, scooped her up and nearly crushed her in his embrace. When his hold around her loosened enough for her to catch her breath, she tilted her head back to look into his eyes. “You’re not angry with me for being in here?”
Jonah pulled her back against his chest. “Angry? What made you think I was angry?”
She leaned back again to get a full view of his face. “You looked irritated when you saw me at the piano.”
“Oh, no my love, I wasn’t irritated. What you probably saw on my face was the worry I felt when I couldn’t find you.” Jonah’s eyes bored into hers. “Do you have any idea how I would feel if something happened to you?”
At first, she didn’t understand what he was talking about. How could something have happened to her in the house? Or did he think she had foolishly disregarded his instructions and gone out alone?
I know it doesn’t make sense my love, but I seem to lose touch with reality whenever I think of something happening to you. And when I couldn’t find you—
I thought it would make you happy to find me here waiting for you. Then, before I knew it, I found myself at the piano.
It did make me happy. Once the shock of finding you safe wore off.
Jonah laughed aloud and she laughed with him. She stepped back, her eyes appraising him from the top of his head to the tip of his trendy brown Magnanni slip-ons. She touched his cheek, his shoulder, his chest. “Are you all right? I mean totally all right?” She scanned him again from head to toe.
Jonah smiled and framed her face between his large, but tender hands. “I am fine. The medicine was just the boost I needed.” A frown suddenly replaced the smile on his face. “But enough about me. How are you? Have you had any unusual symptoms today? Any sign of a fever?” He passed his hand over her forehead.
“I’m fine, Jonah. And according to Scott, who got the information directly from Michael, there is no need for concern. Since I never became ill, it’s obvious I was immune to the virus that attacked you.”
Jonah sat on the piano bench and drew her down to his lap. “Do you have any idea how much I care for you?”
Tears gathered behind her eyes at the sincerity in his voice. She nodded. “Yes, I believe I do.”
It was time to broach the delicate subject. “You’ve spoken with Scott today, I’m sure.”
“Yes.”
“And he told you about the setbacks we’re facing?”
“Yes.”
“I hear the fear in your voice.” Jonah tightened his embrace. “And I feel it in your body.”
“I can’t help it.” Her voice quivered in spite of her attempt to keep it steady.
“Look at me.” He took her face in his hands. “If you’re afraid I’ll go off the deep end again, don’t be. I won’t lie to you and pretend that what’s been happening doesn’t matter to me because you’re too smart to fall for that. But I have my priorities straight now.”
“What will you do if . . . ?”
Jonah finished the sentence for her. “If I need to deal with the mountain at the same time I’m called to the audition?”
There was no need for her to respond.
“I’ll do my duty, first.”
Jonah put his hands at her waist and stood, lifting her high in the air. After whirling her around a couple of times, he set her in her favorite chair near the piano and took his seat on the bench. When he finished his finger-limbering exercises, he turned to her with a smile. “And now, my love, for the next however long it takes me to perfect my night’s practice, you will be second in my thoughts.”
She could accept that position with no regrets. As long as she knew when he finished, she would be the only thing on his mind for the rest of the night.
“YOUR TURN,” JONAH announced as he rose from the piano bench after his fifth and final run-through of the sonata.
Angela gave him a puzzled look. “My turn for what?”
“To practice.” He signaled her to come to him.
Angela left her chair and walked over to him, the puzzled look on her face replaced by one of joy. “I wasn’t expecting a practice session with someone of your caliber,” she said, teasingly, clearly filled with pleasure at the prospect.
“Then consider yourself a very lucky woman. Not everyone can be mentored by a soon-to-be celebrated piano virtuoso,” he returned, his tone as light as hers.
Angela’s face lit up in a broad smile. “Then mentor away, maestro,” she quipped as she slipped her hand in his. “I’m putting myself in your hands.” Fully aware of the absolute trust she had in him, Jonah lifted the lid of the piano bench, took out a piece of printed music, and, with a flourish, placed it on the piano’s music rack.
Angela’s earlier look of puzzlement was quickly replaced by one of surprise. “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” she whispered and looked up at Jonah with delight.
“I remembered you telling me this was one of the songs you practiced as a child. Before Scott left for the club this morning, I asked him to find the sheet music for you today.”
He opened the pages and turned to Angela. “You can begin whenever you’re ready.” He slid to the far end of the bench to give her full access to the center of the keyboard.
“I’m probably going to butcher this,” Angela lamented, looking first at the music then down to the keyboard as she placed her fingers on the correct keys.
“Why don’t you practice the treble clef first,” Jonah suggested.
Angela nodded and after another look at the sheet music, she struck the first few notes with her right hand. Seemingly satisfied with her accomplishment, she continued until she finished the first page.
At the last note, Jonah applauded. “Well done. You’ll be ready to accompany me to Carnegie Hall in no time.”
Angela lowered her eyes. He was certain his mention of the upcoming audition reminded her of his latest disappointment. He crooked a finger under her chin and lifted her face until their eyes were level.
“You are not to worry about me. I will take care of anything that comes my way.”
“I can’t help but worry about you, Jonah.”
The fear in her voice caused him pain. He would gladly take on double suffering if it meant she would be spared. But he had to face reality. He couldn’t shield her from pain any more than she could shield him. That, he supposed, was the price of love. The most he could hope for now was to distract her from her unpleasant thoughts.
“Will you promise to practice every day?” he asked, attempting to lighten the mood.“I promise. And thank you for thinking of me.”
He took her in his arms and buried his face in her hair. “You are the twinkling star in my universe,” he whispered, breathing in the scent of her. Desire hit him hard and fast. And that was the very thing he had to avoid tonight. Reluctantly, he loosened his embrace and put some distance between them.
“I hope you’ll understand, my love, when I tell you I must cut my visit short tonight.”
“Why? Is something wrong? Are you feeling ill?” She put a hand to his cheek.
He quickly covered her hand with his. “No, I’m fine. But I do need to get some extra rest and consume more than the usual amount of my special drink. Doctor’s orders,” he added, when the expression on her face didn’t change.
He gathered her again into his arms and gently stroked her back, reassuring her with words and his touch that he would miss her. When he felt her relax, he lowered his head and found her lips.
Her response sucked the air from his lungs. His blood hea
ted and need for her raced through his body like lightning down a metal pole. But he couldn’t do this, not tonight. Regardless of what he had told Scott, he was not at all certain he would be able to control himself this soon after his recent emotional meltdown. He ended the kiss and gently unwound Angela’s arms from around him.
“The longer I stay, the harder it will be for me to leave. And I must,” he added, sliding his hand down her arms and giving her hands a gentle squeeze before breaking physical contact with her. “Promise me you won’t worry about me.”
Angela gave him a weak smile. “I promise,” she said, her voice as unconvincing as her smile.
“And you’ll practice tomorrow? I’m planning on taking you on as my pupil.”
“I’ll be waiting for you in the living room again tomorrow night.”
He backed away, blowing her kisses as he left the room, feeling as if he’d left a piece of his heart behind. More than once during the short walk to his quarters he was tempted to turn around, take her in his arms, and carry her to her room and ravish her. He clenched his jaw against The Need that taunted him, and continued to his sanctuary.
Once inside his quarters, he stretched out on his leather recliner and willed his body to relax. As the tension eased, his breathing slowed and he drifted into sleep, something he rarely did outside of his death sleep. Almost immediately, he slipped into a dream and the goddess Lilith, surrounded by the light of her universe, spoke to him.
Your time of trial is near.
He tried to fight his way out of the dream but the more he fought, the deeper he fell into its grip. Finally, he took the hand Lilith extended and followed her to a rift in the clouds through which the earth was visible below. The sight caused his heart to miss a beat.
Earthquakes split apart miles and miles of inhabited cities. Throughout North America, lava flowed and ash flew in all directions, and the howling winds and rising waters spawned by hurricanes tore houses apart and drowned everything and everyone in their paths.
Then the full weight of his burden almost crushed him as the grinning faces of evil, centuries-old demons rose from the bowels of hell and passed before him. The pitiful wails of souls not yet born deafened him. He felt as lost as the demons he despised.
The Vampire Jonah Page 15
