The Watcher: A Vampire Paranormal Romance (The Age of Vampyre Book 1)

by Sophia North

  "You are most kind," Horatio returned. "I am not sure I deserve it, but it means a great deal to have your trust. I pray it stays true after what I am about to say next."

  Horatio's declaration drew Simone's attention. Inside, she sensed what was coming might have something to do with her.

  "And that would be?" Dante's tone carried a sharp edge, as if he too knew where the old man was going as well.

  Meeting Dante's steely stare with his own icy gaze, Horatio didn't mince words. "I am unconvinced by Dr. Radcliffe's explanation of her presence here and worry she may be more prisoner than guest."

  Oh dear, the kindly gentleman must possess a stronger constitution than most.

  Eager to put him at ease, Simone quickly interjected. "Honestly, Horatio, it is nothing like you suspect," she assured him. "I know I wasn't most forthcoming with you earlier but it's ..."

  "Complicated." Dante completed on their behalf.

  "Hmm, I see - complicated. What isn't these days?" Horatio opined with an appraising eye. He could see his point had been made, but still felt a need to reinforce it. "Alright, I will stop prying but, rest assured I shall be popping round frequently whilst Simone is in residence - announced, of course," he qualified, careful to not overplay his hand.

  "Have you any answers about our blood situation?" Dante asked, abruptly changing the subject. He had no intention of expressing an opinion one way or the other on Horatio's threat to visit regularly.

  If Horatio wanted to play Sir Galahad it made no difference to him. Simone was his, full stop - whether the old man liked it or not.

  Horatio relaxed, relieved their confrontation was over. "It's the reason for my impromptu visit," he explained, taking a large sip of his brandy to further steady his nerves. His findings were not exactly the most inspiring.

  "I regret to inform you that progress has slowed considerably," he continued in a glum voice. "I am still unable to isolate the virus or more to the point - just when I think I have, it disappears only to appear in a slightly changed form."

  "Disappears is rather an unscientific explanation," Simone countered. "Perhaps, I could have a look - as I said earlier."

  "You are a doctor, yes my dear I remember - so am I," Horatio responded. "A haematologist to be specific. And I wish I could be more technical than 'disappears' - it is as vexing for me to be so imprecise."

  "Ah, as you were saying then," Simone graciously allowed, recognising expertise when in its presence.

  Horatio nodded his thanks. "I need more time to work it out. As we speak, I have a team running a variety of much more in-depth tests. On a positive note, your theory for reversing the effects is correct. Untainted blood counteracts the effects immediately - thank heavens."

  "To be fair, Horatio it was Simone's quick thinking which brought about the discovery," Dante explained.

  The older gentleman turned to her and said: "Then I would very much welcome your input on the latest results."

  Simone flushed at the compliment. "I am sure your team is more than competent. My medical specialism is not very relevant."

  Horatio dismissed her comment with a wave of his hand. "Pish posh, my dear. I would welcome your input. My team works on parts of my research, never the full picture. Only I weigh the results as a whole, which I suppose one might call controlling. It would be refreshing to work with someone with whom I can be frank with - shall you come by the lab tomorrow afternoon? The tests will be completed by then and if needs be, you and I can run a further analysis together."

  Simone was about to accept when Dante beat her to the punch. "Unfortunately, she will be unable to attend," he bluntly replied.

  How dare he?! she silently fumed. And to do so within minutes of assuring Horatio she wasn't being held hostage. The cheek of the vamp.

  "I will be there," she militantly replied, daring Dante to contradict her and open up that particular can of worms again.

  "You will not," Dante firmly reiterated.

  Horatio sat in his chair and wisely remained silent. He had no interest in weighing in again on their relationship - whatever that may or not be.

  Looking over at Horatio, Dante explained his position. "She has been fed on by one of Anton's vamps, Horatio. She cannot leave this house."

  Throwing up her hands, Simone exclaimed, "Not this again! I have agreed to stay here until things are resolved. But if it will appease you, Alfred can tag along for protection. Although I don't know why he'd be needed during the day. It's not like Anton can do anything to me."

  Believing she'd made an excellent case for being allowed to go out, Simone did not expect the answer she got to her extremely reasonable proposal. Nor the source from whence it came.

  "Dante is correct, my dear," Horatio replied, drawing a stunned look from her. "It wouldn't be a matter of if, but when, Anton's supporters found you topside. Regardless of the time of day, or night, as the case may be. If a human survives being bitten by a vampyre he or she can be tracked by the attacker for as long as one of them lives."

  Her brain exploded on that bombshell of a revelation.

  "I am forever marked - forever his prey," she eventually whispered once the truth had sunk in.

  Horatio abruptly stood up, sensing the conversation was taking a turn for the worse. "Perhaps it would be best if I left the two of you alone to talk," he said, gathering his coat and umbrella. "There is much for me to do in preparation for tomorrow's Meet. If, that is, my attendance has been approved."

  Grateful for Horatio's offer to hurry along his departure, Dante rose from his chair, while Simone remained silent on the couch. "It will be a frosty reception but yes, you've been accepted."

  "Duly noted," he replied with a wry smile.

  Placing a hand on Simone's shoulder, Horatio softened his voice. "My dear, you are in the safest of places. I know Dante may be gruff at times but I can assure you, no other will protect you as effectively as he can. You have no reason to believe me, but perhaps somewhere inside you sense the truth of my words."

  Stepping away, Horatio smiled down at her. "I will come and visit tomorrow night after the Meet. We can discuss my findings and I shall explain what is happening next."

  Simone looked up into his kind face and numbly replied, "Thank you, that would be nice." Except, she didn't really mean it.

  Come tomorrow night she would be on a train to Paris. Operation FU Bitches was a go. Penny would have implemented it as soon as she'd received Simone's coded note instructing her to do so.

  When Dante made to escort him out, Horatio stayed him with his hand. "No, please stay Dante. I shall show myself out. Until tomorrow, Dr. Radcliffe?"

  Plastering a fake smile on her face, she nodded. "Yes, until we meet again. Good bye, Horatio. It was a pleasure to meet you."

  So formal. For a moment Horatio stared at her, unsure what to make of her answer, but decided to let it go. Turning back to Dante, he inclined his head. "I shall see you at the Meet, Dante. Good night."

  After Horatio's departure, Simone poured herself another cup of tea and sat back. Methodically stirring her brew with a spoon, the rhythmic ding-dings set the stage for the upcoming event.

  "Your ally, Horatio, is an interesting bloke, as my people might say," she eventually said, placing her spoon onto the saucer she held.

  "Your people are miners?" Dante teased. Wrong move - humour was not the approach to take.

  Her ice blue eyes hardened. "Yes, you know, miners, millers, tinkers, tailors - the humdrum human sort, who evidently you have no regard for," she continued in a clipped tone. "Did you know?" she then hissed in anger.

  Completely lost, Dante attempted to salvage the conversation. "Honestly, Simone, I have no idea what you are talking about. Did I know what? That my world would be in the midst of a revolution I am not sure I can stop? Or in my attempts to do so I would drag an innocent doctor into a web she has no business being a part of - then 'no' I didn't fucking know, happy?"

  "Don't turn this onto me," Simone warned.
"You've repeatedly promised to be frank and yet every time I have questions, your only answer is 'soon' or 'another time'. Enough! Why didn't you tell me the truth about what Samsun did to me? Especially...especially before I allowed you to do the same thing."

  "Would you have believed me if I had?" Dante fired back.

  "Are you implying I was so overcome with desire for you, that like a whore I'd let you do whatever you pleased? Is this why you are so obsessed with killing Samsun?" she accused, her voice shaking from raw emotion as she continued her tirade. "You want him dead because you have marked me as your prize. Is this the reason for your duplicity?"

  Fuck, he hadn't seen that coming. He'd thought perhaps a few insults would be hurled, maybe the odd tear, but that eventually Simone would realise he'd only wanted to protect her from Samsun and forgive him for his slightly unorthodox methods.

  "You think my actions the other night were to trick you into letting me feed off you so I could possess you?" Dante asked in disbelief.

  "Is there any other conclusion to draw?" Simone challenged.

  "Uh, fuck yeah. Did the thought ever occur in your mind that I chose to do it in order to protect you?"

  "There, you admit it - you chose, not me. You! And to think at the time I felt...proud...yes, that's it...I was proud to be able to help you. Do you trust me? you asked. And fool that I am, I said yes."

  Illusions shattered under the force of her accusation.

  "Look at me," Dante gently urged. "Simone, please love, give me a chance to explain."

  "You've had many chances, but none were good enough for you to take. I am done with giving you chances," she answered, still refusing to look at him. " And if it is all the same to you - I'm tired and will retire to my rooms. Please have Alfred send a tray up when he returns - if I am hungry I may eat it. But regardless, I can't stand the sight of you."

  "Simone, you can't be..."

  "Serious? Watch me."

  Chapter Twenty-One

  A SOFT RAP at the door interrupted Simone's writing. "You may leave the tray in the hall, Alfred," she called out. "Many thanks."

  "It's me," Dante's voice responded.

  Simone did not reply.

  Stubborn. Well, bully for her. He was a Taurus and knew a thing or two about the disposition.

  Minutes ticked past as Dante stood silently outside her door, listening for any sign of movement.

  "I'll stand here until you open this door, Simone," he vowed. "We need to talk."

  "I thought I made myself perfectly clear - I am done talking," she bellowed back at him.

  Dante leaned his forehead against the door in exasperation. The good doctor was driving him insane, but he couldn't leave things as they were between them. The situation required a bit of a bargaining chip.

  "If you open the door, I'll bring you with me tomorrow to the Meet - you have my word."

  Movement. Thank the lord.

  Simone walked over to her side of the door. "You will say anything to get what you want - your word is of little value to me."

  The closeness of her voice against his ear softened Dante's frustration. "I know," he replied. "And I am sorry for that - but please, Simone. I need to speak with you. Tell me, what will it take for you to do that?"

  "Complete honesty, no matter how difficult my questions. And your word, once this is all over, I will be free to live my life as I so choose and you will never seek to interfere with it."

  A high tax to extol. To achieve victory at the cost of losing her forever - it did not seem fair, but then, when was life ever? "Very well, I agree to your terms. Now will you please open the door and let me in."

  The click of the lock opening was his answer. Slowly the oak panel inched open until Simone was revealed. "I'd rather we talk in less intimate surroundings."

  Dante nodded. "Meet me in the kitchen. I doubt you've eaten anything today. The belladonna should be out of your system by now and you need to replenish your strength for what lies ahead."

  "Belladonna? An archaic choice of sedative. I did wonder what you put in my wine."

  Flashing her a mischievous smile, he leaned against the doorframe. "Call me Mr. Transparent from now on, love."

  Simone stiffened at the endearment. "I will be down shortly," she replied coldly, closing the door in his face. Dante wanted to know what he'd said to make her so remote but decided to let sleeping dogs lie and left to prepare dinner.

  The smell of Thailand assaulted her nostrils when she walked into the kitchen. Her bouquet of flowers, in a vase on the table, provided an exotic splash of colour to complement her feast.

  "Please, have a seat. There is a bottle of water for you, it will help flush out any remaining toxins. The spiciness of the food will help too."

  "Then it is a good thing I love spicy food - Thai especially."

  Dante presented her with a steaming pile of Pad Thai noodles. "I gathered as much after finding your hoard of take-away menus. For a life form who requires food to survive, your kitchen was a wonderment to behold. The cupboards were bare and the fridge seemed to act only as your coffee bean humidor."

  "I'm a single, high-powered professional - what did you expect? Nigella in the kitchen? But I must say, I am enjoying hearing the truth without a need for questions."

  "Cheers for noticing. I thought it the best way to get the ball rolling."

  "Hmm, I am of a more pragmatic nature, so I made a list."

  "By all means then, we will go down your preferred path."

  Simone slid her hand into her back pocket of her jeans and produced a neatly folded piece of paper. "I suppose the first order of business is to thank you for my clothes, although it was somewhat depressing to realise most of them are suits and cocktail dresses. My lack of casual apparel reveals an unflattering tale - I don't seem to know how to have any fun."

  Dante chuckled. "I always wondered what it was I sensed in your voice at times. As I told you in our session, there was something about that woman caller...Dorothy, I believe...yes, Dorothy...your voice changed when you and she spoke. That was the night I realised not only did I need you, but that in some way you needed me too. Perhaps it was to bring passion back into your life."

  Simone swallowed her noodles. A lack of passion described her life perfectly. How strange a vampyre made sense of it better than she.

  "You've certainly delivered on that score," she conceded. "But back to my list," she announced, unwilling to dwell too long on the subject.

  "Yes, your list. Alright, I'm ready - hit me."

  "One: Horatio - who, why - human."

  Dante smirked at her officiousness. "Succinct, I like it. Who? Now how best to answer?...ah yes, you recall I told you there were humans who were aware of our existence - well, Horatio is one of them."

  "Them?"

  "The Ophanim Order - a group of humans who represent the interests of their kind."

  The explanation puzzled her. Humans were represented by an Order of some sorts? It all sounded a tad medieval.

  "Representation in, say something like a United Nations for the human and supernatural races?" she asked, wondering if things were more progressive than Dante was letting on.

  "It's not quite as chaotic as that!" Dante laughed. "I'd say relations are more like the diplomatic machinations of Elizabeth I's court - love, betrayal and secret alliances Tudor-style! The ultimate bloodline of contradiction."

  "Ah-ha, so it is a love/hate kind of thing - not unlike the UN."

  "When you put it that way, I suppose not," he graciously conceded, but the continued mirth dancing in his eyes didn't convince her he meant a word of it.

  "Is this why you told Horatio his reception at the Meet tomorrow would be frosty - relations between humans and vampyres are currently tense?"

  "More like non-existent and have been since the seventeen hundreds. Only some of our kind speaks with some of their kind - like I said, Tudor-style diplomacy."

  "And you are one of your kind who speaks, but the others you and
Vlad recruited are not - hence the frostiness potential."

  "That about sums it up. In fact, as far as I know, the only vampyre in the past three hundred years to have had any dealings with humans has been my father. I was, what you might term, a 'late-to-the-game' sort."

  Simone chuckled. "Horatio implied as much. But let's put this topic to one side for the moment and focus on the rift you mentioned between the two worlds. It leads perfectly to question number two: The Terrors? - cause and impact - Bloodlines/Bans?"

  Dante whistled low in response. "How long have you got? You may be able to distil your question into a few words, but the truth is, volumes have been written on the subject."

  "Fair enough, I'll be more precise. You spoke about the role the study of genetics played in creating the turmoil in your world, AKA The Terrors. Does this bear any relevance to what is currently happening with the blood supply?"

  "Good question, doctor - and one I hadn't yet considered. You and Horatio are going to make a fantastic team. I can see that your minds work along similar lines. You'll have to forgive me but I am not best placed to answer that one. Do you have something easier?"

  "I might, but I want your word that you will give me full access to all the information you have about The Terrors - do you give it?"

  "Within reason?" he asked.

  "Yes, of course, it will be conducted within the parameters of fair and open dialogue in order to reach an understanding. Is there any other definition?"

  She wouldn't give an inch. Damn, he wanted her. Bad.

  "Done, next question."

  Simone held up her sheet, pretending to examine it thoroughly. Her next one was a bit tricky, and she wanted to take a moment or two to carefully word it. But for some inexplicable reason she ended up blurting it out instead.

  "Sex..."

  And before she could say anything further, Dante announced: "I'm definitely pro."

  Exasperated by his humour, she sniped. "I'm being serious."

  "About sex? So am I - very pro and a strong advocate for plenty of it. You?"