On the other side of her mother sat Cousin Erin. She too had hazel eyes and auburn hair, but hers was shoulder-length, giving her a 50s silver screen siren look. Her figure was generous and it could not be denied in the curve-hugging green cardigan and dark jeans she wore. Erin was also different from her sister in the fact that she had a very pleasant personality. Like their mother, Erin was genuinely kind, and over the last year she and Emily had grown close. She was present at David’s birth and since; she just couldn’t keep away. She adored her new nephew and it wasn’t surprising to see her hovering over him. Emily knew it wouldn’t be long before Erin and her husband Chad would have one of their own.
A few feet away, Uncle Steven, or The Grand Grill Master as he preferred to be called at family BBQs, stood in the cloud of smoke at the grill. He wore an old gray sweat-shirt from his college days, the Michigan State logo barely legible any longer, and a pair of black sweats and sparkling white tennis-shoes. He was just as tall and thin as her father, and although he was two years younger, his dark hair was almost completely gray.
Benny and his girlfriend, Ione Weaver, were dressing the picnic table with a red and white checked table cloth. They were an attractive couple. He, tall and muscular, with dark chiseled good-looks and she, tall and willowy, with hiplength strawberry blonde hair, pale green eyes and delicate features.
Today the two looked as if they had just stepped out of an Abercrombie clothing ad. He with his dark expensive shades, orange cashmere sweater and dark wash designer jeans and she, in an orange and brown floral print short dress with a baby blue angora shrug and tall brown leather moccasins.
Emily noted that not only did they complement each other physically, but their opposing personalities meshed well. While Benny was outgoing, constantly cracking jokes and quick to smile, Ione was quiet and shy. They were very affectionate with each other, always holding hands, whispering sweetly and sneaking away for stolen moments together. They seemed to be very much in love and she was happy for them both. And to be honest, relieved.
When Emily had returned to work at the beginning of the year, it had been a little awkward between Benny and herself at first. She was sure Benny was attracted to her, even though she was clearly in mourning and carrying another man’s child. However, as soon as he and Ione began seeing each other, her guard relaxed and Benny became a very close friend within the last six months. There was something familiar about him that she responded to and felt incredibly comfortable with. He was always there to lend a hand to help or an ear to listen, and she was certain if she ever needed it, a shoulder to cry on.
But there were things she couldn’t share with Benny. He just wouldn’t have understood. No one could. No one except Robert. He was the only one who knew the truth about David. The only one she could talk to about him. And they did. They talked about David often. All the things she had wanted to know, but didn’t have the chance to ask him personally. It was that bittersweet bond that made them especially close. Something her family didn’t understand at first, but now fully acknowledged and accepted.
Turning, she saw the rest of the group standing with mallets in hand, beside their respective croquet balls. Her father, who was the third player, the black ball, was in the lead. Although he was dressed in his most casual clothes, faded jeans, a purple and white Dixon Dukes sweatshirt and white Nikes, he still looked very much like a high-school history/science teacher. Emily figured his wire-rimmed glasses, the distinguishing gray in his dark hair and the deep crease between his dark eyebrows gave his handsome face that perpetually perplexed look. As if he was always deep in scholarly thought.
Standing next to him was Erin’s husband, Chad. He was short and stocky, with close-buzzed black hair, a round baby face and big brown eyes that reminded Emily of a big ole teddy bear. Despite the cool weather, he wore hiking sandals and was dressed in long, multi-pocketed khaki shorts that left his large calves exposed and a plain white T-shirt that was stretched tightly across his barrel chest. As he and her father talked, he practiced his golf swing on the blue ball at his feet.
Several feet from them toward the center wicket, was the red ball and the team of Wade and his son, Joshua. Not only did these two look alike physically, with bright blonde hair and blue eyes, but they were dressed the same in jeans and orange and blue Chicago Bears jerseys.
And finally her eyes came to rest on Robert who was, as usual, wearing old faded jeans and worn sandals with white socks. However, today he was sporting a new, gray toggle button sweater over his purple Paisley shirt with the large collar. An unlit cigar stub stuck out from beneath his handlebar mustache at the corner of his mouth as he stood over his orange ball. With a solid wallop, he sent it shooting through the wicket and he let out a triumphant hoot.
However, her father would retain his lead and would be the first to strike the finishing stake. After the game, everyone gathered at the picnic table for a meal of grilled all natural chicken breasts, catfish and veggie burgers, organic fruit and green salads and homemade strawberry lemonade and iced tea. After the food was enjoyed and everyone had given it time to settle, it was time for the event of the day.
The Annual Perkins Family Triathlon was a family against family, three-part race that consisted of running, hiking and bicycling through the park. The family with the best time, and flag in hand, to cross the finish line won custody of the prized Perkins Family Mr. Potato Head and bragging rights for the entire next year.
In the past, Emily and Erin and Heather would do the first leg of the race, alternating years. They would run the 100 yards from the picnic sight to the head of Quarry Trail, where they would pass off the flag to their fathers who would then hike the half mile long trail upward 200 feet as fast as they could and pass the flag onto the moms. Who would then bicycle, coasting really, down Hairpin Curve Road back to the picnic site.
This year they decided to change it up a little. Due to Heather’s condition, Emily’s recent birth, and both mothers bowing out of the race entirely, the fathers would run the first leg of the race. They’d pass the flags off to Chad and Benny at the trail head, and then Erin and Emily would complete in the last leg of the race for their teams.
Even though Emily and her parents had won last year’s race, her Uncle Steven won the coin toss and chose to go first. Team Steven did well, completing the course in 23 minutes and 27 seconds.
Benny stood, shifting his weight from side to side as he waited in the shade at the trail head. He pushed the sleeves of his sweater back and ran his fingers through his hair. He was anxious. Not over the silly little race, of course, he knew they were going to win. It was no contest really, being hidden in the trees, he could travel as fast as he was able without the being seen by the Naturals. No, he was worried because Develyn was in the park.
Benny had felt his eyes on him and smelled his scent, but his senses now told him that Develyn was gone. He knew he was waiting for Emily at the top of hill where she would be alone. It would be the perfect opportunity for him to pounce. To re-Mark her. Or have his way with her. Or, God forbid, to Turn her. That last thought terrified him. Surely, Develyn wouldn’t do that to his nephew’s mother! Surely. But then again, Develyn was a cruel and unpredictable bastard. The last year was proof of that.
From behind his dark glasses, Benny watched John Perkins run toward him as fast as he was naturally able and he thought a hundred yards never looked so long.
CHAPTER THREE
Dangerous Curves
With his hands in his coat pockets, Develyn stood in the shadows of the woods as he watched Emily. She had walked away from her pregnant cousin and was standing alone in the green field. The sun glistened on her long dark hair that fell down her back in thick waves and a smile tugged at her full, strawberry colored lips. At that moment, he could have kicked himself, for many reasons to be sure, but in that particular moment, for having Broken with her. He would have given his eye teeth to know what she was thinking. What was it that made her smile so sweetly?
Develyn remained hidden, and for hours he watched her and her family as they enjoyed a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the park, and although he fought against it, he was envious. He envied the warmth and love the little family– the ill-tempered pregnant cousin excluded– had felt and displayed for each other. Envious how they joked, told old stories and anecdotes and the sound of their laughter was nonstop. It had been a nearly century and a score since he was carefree enough to laugh, a real, genuine laugh– and the fact that Robbie and Benny were included in her family’s circle made his ice cold blood, boil.
When her Uncle Steven stood up and boisterously explained the race and its rules for the benefit of all the new family friends, Develyn knew where and when he would make his move. When it came time for her team to compete, he simply went to the top of the hill and waited. From where he stood, he saw a shiny red Chevy pickup pull into the lot and park at the Nature Center.
Emily hopped down, put on a black aerodynamic helmet and fastened it under her chin while her Uncle Steven unloaded the bike from the bed of the truck. Wishing her luck, he climbed back in and left.
The racing bike was actually her Uncle Steven’s old bicycle. A heavy, steel-framed Schwinn that was probably a decade older than herself. It was faded green, with fenders over the white-walled tires, a green and white triangle seat and wide handlebars with white grips. Kicking the stand back, she stepped on the pedal with her left foot, swung her right leg over and sat down. It may have looked like an old clunker, but the seat was comfy and that was all that mattered at the moment. After making a few slow circles in the parking lot, Emily headed for the designated meeting spot at the trail head.
Once Benny had the flag, he bounded up the path, the knobby treads of his hiking boots flinging leaves, damp earth and gravel far out behind him as he ran. He reached the top of the trail in just 65 seconds and since he had fed from Ione before the race, his system was working naturally. His breaths were ragged, his heart pounded and his brow was beaded with sweat. Taking a few calming breaths, he stepped behind a tree and watched Emily as she approached, knowing full well Develyn was nearby doing the same.
It came as no surprise when Develyn spotted Benny’s orange jumper through the trees before Emily had even arrived at the meeting spot. Develyn knew Benny was imagining he was up there, prepared to pounce on her, and he smiled bitterly, for the boy wasn’t wrong. He was envisioning carrying her off into the woods and Marking her again. But the thought of opening a vein and releasing her sweet pure blood, was making him tremble madly. It had been days since he fed directly from a Willing, and that woman’s blood wasn’t nearly as pure as Emily’s. Nor her face as exquisite or her body as desirable. What if he wasn’t able to stop himself, control his Unnatural Mortal desire for her blood or his Natural Mortal desire for her body? he thought grimly
Braking, Emily pulled off the road and jumped down off the seat and stood, straddling the bike.
In that part of the park, towering American White Pine trees flanked the road, casting it in shadows, and as a cool breeze whispered through them, the sensation of being watched washed over her. With the hair on the back of her neck rising, she scanned the dark woods on either side of her and looked down the road in both directions, but didn’t see a soul. There were no cars approaching. No people walking or hiking through the trees. No other bicyclists around. It looked like she was alone, but it certainly didn’t feel like it. Shivering, she pulled her sleeves down and zipped up her vest.
Benny noticed that she could feel their eyes on her and sense the danger, and so before Develyn could make his move, he stepped out from his hiding place and headed toward her.
Develyn’s jaws clenched and his arms tightened across his chest as he watched. The boy was being damned inconvenient, but Benny wasn’t, by any means, going to prevent him from doing what he had come to do. He would simply follow her and make his move when able. He remembered from his drive in that there was a spot just past the overlook turnoff where the road tightened into a hairpin curve. Emily would have to slow down considerably and he would stop her there, carry her off into the woods and Mark her again.
Emily had been waiting only a few moments before Benny emerged from the trees. She was too relieved to see him to take notice of or question his incredibly fast hiking time.
Although Benny knew exactly why she was feeling uneasy, he had to pretend as if he didn’t. Pretend as if he didn’t notice her furrowed brow and blanched features. Pretend as if he didn’t smell the scent of her fear or that it ignited his most primitive vampire instincts. An image of carrying her off into the woods and sinking his own stryker deep into her neck flashed through his mind.
With a curse, he shook his head to clear the picture, and as he approached her, he removed his sun-glasses and hooked them on the collar his sweater. Wiping his brow with the back of his arm, he flashed a wide, white-toothed smile at her. “We got this, Emily! Go! Ride like the wind, dude,” he urged excitedly, handing over the flag.
Chuckling at what she assumed was his competitive enthusiasm, Emily took the flag and tucked it into the back pocket of her jeans. “All right, all right. See ya down there in a flash,” she said and started off.
Benny waited until Emily pulled away before he looked across the road and met Develyn’s eyes from within the shadows of the trees. The two men stared at one another. And with a nod they acknowledged their once friendly relationship had, at that very moment, become adversarial. With a dark look that promised serious repercussions for any future interference, Develyn tore off after her.
Emily had to stand up and pedal hard at first, but as the road began its descent, she didn’t need to pedal at all. She coasted, enjoying the sense of freedom, the scent and the feel of the cool Autumn air on her face and the beauty of the fall foliage all around her. At the first corner, she braked slightly, but at the second, she had to brake harder.
As the grade of the road dropped dramatically, her speed increased and she was soon flying, making the dried red and orange leaves dance wildly in her wake. When she came up to the third corner, at the overlook rest area, she braked again, but there was a metallic thunking noise and the pedals locked.
Something had happened to the chain and she couldn’t brake! She was in real trouble! Her first thought was to jump from the bike or drop her feet and try to stop it that way, but she knew if she did either, she would end up seriously hurt. However, she knew if she did nothing, she was going to crash into the low rock wall ahead and probably be catapulted over it, and there was no way she would survive the fall. She knew she would never see her son again. Little David would never know his mommy! He had already lost his daddy! It was so unfair! Please God, don’t take me from him too! she thought frantically. “Oh, God, no! Please, no!”
Keeping just inside the tree line, Develyn ran, the soles of his fine Italian leather shoes barely touching the ground as he moved quickly and quietly beside her. He ducked under branches and vaulted over logs and as the terrain began to change and drop in elevation, he leapt easily from the ledges and cliffs. As they approached the third corner, he heard a noise and when he looked over at her, he saw her attempting to brake. Immediately, he knew the chain must have jumped from the sprocket, which meant Emily would not be able to stop. She would crash and be seriously injured, or even killed, and for the babe’s sake, he couldn’t let that happen. Before he even heard her terrified cry, he had bolted out of the trees and jumped down onto the road.
Out of the corner of her eye, Emily saw a dark figure appear beside her. She felt a strong arm encircle her waist and a man’s voice cry, “I’m going to stop you! Just brace yourself!”
Everything was happening so fast she didn’t have time to think or examine the extraordinary rescue being attempted– the rock wall was only a few yards
away. Doing as the man instructed, she gripped the handlebars hard, braced her feet on the pedals and squeezed her eyes shut as he yanked her and the bike to a violent standstill.
When she realized it was all over, that she was safe, she opened her eyes and saw that she was only a few feet from the wall. With a sob, she hopped down and sucked in an uneven breath. Stunned and shaken, she looked over at her rescuer to thank him, but when she saw his face she gasped.
She knew that face! That pale handsome face.
Short, black hair– prominent brow over brown eyes– straight nose– sculpted lips– strong jaw. She saw that face every night before she fell asleep. Every time she glanced at any of the silver-framed photos throughout her home. Every time she looked at her phone or worked at her computer. God, it was David! David was standing before her, like that night at the gate– No! David was gone. Dead. She had sprinkled his ashes in England. This was– “Develyn?” she croaked sickly. “Wh, what are you doing here?”
Develyn, still holding onto the bicycle by the seat, stretched out his free arm and bowed dramatically. “Presently, saving you from a nasty spill that not even that,” he said nodding toward her helmet, “would have done much good. But ultimately, I have come to see my nephew,” he said, flashing a charming white smile. “If I may, of course,” he added, with a slight dip of his chin.
At first Emily was shaking her head from shock and denial, but as he spoke, it was out of anger at his audacity. How dare he come here and ask such a thing?! As if she would ever let him near her child! “Never!” she rasped.
Although Develyn had expected her reaction, it still enraged him. His eyes narrowed and his smile shrank, becoming a grimace. Pushing the bike carelessly out of the way, he advanced on her.
Develyn's Tale Page 2
