Everlasting Embrace

by Amanda Ashley

  “Why else? I’ll see you tomorrow night. Where are you staying?”

  “Costain’s place.”

  “Still?”

  “He doesn’t think I’m ready to be on my own. And he’s probably right,” he muttered, thinking about last night. Maybe he did need a keeper.

  “Well, cheer up, big brother. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered.

  But when he ended the call, he felt a lot better.

  Rhys stood behind the bar at La Mort Rouge, all his senses alert. There was a hunter in the club. His gaze ran over the crowd, finally settling on an average-looking guy with cropped blond hair and a massive chest.

  As though feeling Rhys’ perusal, the man looked up and they stared at each other across the room.

  The hunter mouthed the words, You’re a dead man, as his left hand delved into the pocket of his over-sized jacket.

  What was he hiding in there? Rhys wondered. A stake? Holy water? Or both? Not that it mattered. Baring his fangs, he grinned at the man.

  Rhys closed up at four a.m. and then, instead of transporting himself to the lair he shared with Megan in Granite Hills, Rhys walked out the front door. He took his time locking up, and all the while his senses were tracking the hunter, who had apparently called for backup.

  He strolled down the road, fully aware of the two men who trailed behind him. They smelled of mingled excitement and fear and he wondered if they were hunting him in particular or just looking for a quick kill.

  La Mort Rouge was the only inhabitable building along this deserted stretch of old highway. He slowed as he approached the burned-out shell of an old gas station and motel. No doubt they would assume he took his rest there. If so, they were even dumber than they looked.

  He paused at the office door, as if fumbling with the lock, grinned as they lunged toward him. He’d heard they were capable hunters but taking them out was all too easy. He quickly broke the neck of the first, slammed the second against the side of the building, one hand curled around his throat.

  “Did someone send you after me?” Rhys hissed.

  “Go to hell, you blood-sucking vampire.”

  “All in good time.” His hand tightened around the hunter’s throat. “If you want to see the sun rise, you’ll keep a civil tongue in your head, and answer my question.”

  When the man remained mute, Rhys sank his fangs into his throat. The blood was clean but heavily laced with alcohol.

  The hunter clawed at Rhys’ hand. “No one,” he gasped. “No one sent me.” His eyes widened with horror when Rhys lifted his head, fangs still bared and dripping with blood.

  “You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”

  “No, I swear it…on the life of… of my daughter.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Megan.”

  Rhys stifled a grin. The girl would never know it, but the coincidence of her name being the same as his wife’s had just saved her father’s life.

  Easing his hold on the man’s throat, he growled, “I’d advise you to get out of town and find another line of work. I might not be as forgiving if we meet again.”

  He vanished from the hunter’s sight without giving him a chance to reply.

  CHAPTER 22

  Sylvi waited until Magdalena left to go hunting and then she called the vampire. He answered on the first ring.

  “What?”

  “She’s scaring me,” Sylvi said. “She really is crazy, you know. Losing Eduardo sent her over the edge. I’m not sure she even remembers why we’re here. She’s getting more and more violent. Rupert, I’m afraid for my life. If she finds out I know where to find Costain…” Her words trailed off as a sob rose in her throat. “She’ll kill me.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Rylee paced the living room floor. She was tired of reading. Tired of watching TV. Tired of having nothing to do. She thought of calling her parents, but after asking how they were, what would she say when they inquired how she was doing? Hey, Mom and Dad, guess what? I’m a prisoner in a Hollywood penthouse. You wouldn’t believe this place. It looks like Hell’s waiting room. Oh, by the way, vampires are real, so keep your doors and windows locked.

  She grabbed a can of soda from the ice chest, kicked off her shoes, and plopped down on the sofa. She’d just taken a drink when there was a shimmer in the air and a young woman appeared.

  Startled, Rylee almost choked as Coke spewed from her mouth.

  “Oh. I’m so sorry! I didn’t think anyone but Alex would be here. I thought he’d be awake by now.”

  Rylee stared at the stranger. “Who…who are you?”

  “I’m Alex’s sister. Daisy,” she said, with a bright smile. “And you must be Rylee.”

  She nodded. So, this was Alex’s vampire sister. She was young and quite pretty, with long, reddish-brown hair and deep green eyes.

  Rylee glanced at the doorway that led to the hall when Alex appeared, a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair damp.

  “Daisy, I thought you’d call first.”

  She shrugged. “You didn’t answer your phone.”

  He glanced pointedly at the towel. “I was a little busy. I guess you two have met. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get dressed.”

  Daisy perched on one of the chairs across from Rylee. “I’m so pleased to meet you,” she said. “I would have come sooner, but Erik and I were out of town. I’ve been worried about Alex ever since…” She paused. “Sorry, I tend to ramble.”

  “I know about his wife,” Rylee said.

  “Oh, good. He’s been so depressed. And then being turned on top of everything else…well, I was afraid he’d do something stupid. But you seem to be just what he needed.”

  “I’m not sure about that.”

  “Is his being a vampire a problem?”

  Rylee stared at Daisy, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Of course it’s problem. I thought he was going to kill me the other night.”

  Daisy’s eyes grew wide. “Why? What happened?”

  “It’s none of your business,” Alex said, striding into the room. “You know I can hear everything you two are saying, don’t you?”

  Daisy faked a look of surprise. “Really?”

  Alex dropped into the other chair. “Listen, Daisy Mae, I know you’re worried about me, but I’ve already got a babysitter in Costain and I sure as hell don’t need another one.”

  “Is that right? I’m not sure a dozen babysitters could help an idiot like you.”

  Rylee sat back and folded her arms as a rush of preternatural power swept through the room.

  “Well, well, home sweet home,” Rhys muttered. “Can’t you two take this argument somewhere else?”

  Daisy stuck her tongue out at the Master of the City. “We’re not arguing.”

  “No? Sure sounds like it to me. Where’s Erik?”

  “He’s waiting for me at our place.”

  “Smart man,” Rhys said dryly. “So, are you two finished?”

  Alex shrugged.

  “There’s one less hunter in town,” Costain remarked, his voice flat. He glanced from Alex to Daisy. “Watch your backs, both of you. I think I scared the second one off, but you never know about hunters.”

  Alex and Daisy exchanged glances, then burst out laughing. When Rhys joined in, Rylee felt like she was at a party where everyone knew the punch line except her.

  “Rhys, why don’t you and Alex go out for a while,” Daisy suggested. “I’d like to talk to Rylee. You know, woman-to-woman.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Alex muttered.

  Making a shooing motion with one hand, Daisy said, “I’m sure it is.”

  “Come on, fledgling,” Rhys muttered. “We’re not wanted here.”

  And that about summed it up, Alex thought glumly. Rylee didn’t want him.

  When they were alone, Daisy leaned forward. “I came here to see if I could make Alex feel better about what’s happened, but I think maybe you’re more confu
sed that he is. I don’t know what’s going on—or what’s gone on—between you and my brother, but Alex is a really great guy. I know he’s going through a rough patch right now, but give him some time. He’s been through hell these past few months. Losing Paula and the baby would have been bad enough, but having to deal with that and becoming a vampire is a heavy load to bear.” She paused a moment. “You said you were afraid he was going to kill you the other night. I’d love to hear what happened, if you feel like sharing.”

  Rylee clasped her hands together. Strange as it seemed, she felt an odd kinship with Alex’s sister.

  “We were making out on the sofa,” Rylee said, not meeting Daisy’s eyes. “Things were getting pretty hot and suddenly…I don’t know, something changed and I got scared. I pushed him away and stood up and he told me—growled at me—to go to bed. I’ve never been so scared.” She shuddered as images from her nightmares pushed to the forefront of her mind.

  Daisy nodded slowly. “Desire and hunger are closely interwoven in vampires. Hunger sparks desire, desire arouses hunger. It’s hard for new vampires to separate the two. Do you understand?”

  “I can’t say as I do.”

  “Well, I don’t really understand it myself, but that’s the way it is. All I know is, Alex would never deliberately hurt you.”

  “I’m not sure he can help himself. That’s what frightens me.”

  “Of course it does.”

  “Do you…ah, like being what you are?”

  “Yes and no. Mostly yes.”

  “Were you forced?”

  “Not exactly. I was dying and I asked Erik to change me.”

  Rylee sat back, her brow furrowed. If it was life or death, would she make the same choice? She couldn’t imagine such a life—never seeing the sun, unable to enjoy her favorite foods, having to hide what she was, always looking over her shoulder for fear some hunter would sneak up behind her and drive a stake into her heart. “Have you ever been sorry?”

  “A little, at first. But now…how can I be sorry when it means never growing old, never being sick. To hopefully spend decades, maybe centuries, with the man I love?”

  Rylee nodded thoughtfully. “What about the blood thing?”

  “You probably won’t believe this, but once you taste it, you won’t want anything else.”

  “You’re right. I don’t believe it.”

  Daisy chuckled. “I wouldn’t have believed it, either. Tell me, Rylee, how did you feel about Alex before Rhys changed him?”

  Without hesitation, she said, “I thought he was wonderful, the nicest guy I’d ever met. Sweet and thoughtful.”

  “He’s still the same man,” Daisy said. “He just has an unusual lifestyle.”

  Rylee snorted softly. Unusual, indeed.

  “Alex is a wonderful guy,” Daisy said, squeezing Rylee’s hand. “Kind, caring, generous, funny. I hope you’ll give him another chance.” Leaning back in her chair, she said, “They’re back.”

  Moments later, Rhys and Alex shimmered into view.

  “Well,” Daisy said, rising. “Now that you two are here, I’m going home. It was nice meeting you, Rylee. I hope to see you again soon. You, too, brother.” she said, giving Alex a hug. “Call you later.”

  “Hey, what about me?” Rhys asked, grinning. “Don’t I get a hug?”

  “You know we just tolerate you,” Daisy said, laughing. “Night, all.”

  Rylee shook her head as Daisy disappeared from sight. How did they do that, anyway?

  “All right,” Rhys said. “I guess I’ll head on home. Behave yourselves, you two.”

  Alex swore softly as Costain left the apartment. Damn his big mouth. A glance at Rylee’s heated cheeks told him she hadn’t appreciated his parting comment, either.

  Feeling suddenly ill at ease and all too aware that they were alone, Alex shoved his hands in his back pockets and stared out the window. City lights glowed in the distance. The scream of a siren punctuated the quiet of the night.

  “Your sister seems nice,” Rylee remarked, disliking the taut silence between them.

  “Yeah.”

  “She loves you.”

  Alex nodded, wondering what the devil Daisy had told her. “Is there any chance for us, Rylee?” he asked, still looking out the window. “You must know I’m in love with you.”

  She stared at his back, thinking those were the last words she had expected to hear. The last words she wanted to hear. She cared for him in spite of everything and didn’t want to hurt him. But she didn’t want to share her life with a vampire, either. Even if he and Rhys managed to get rid of Magdalena, there were always other vampires, other hunters, lurking in the shadows. If she stayed with Alex, she would never know another peaceful night. Every time he was late for a date or didn’t call, she would wonder if he’d been killed.

  When he turned to face her, his eyes were shadowed with pain. “Never mind answering,” he said. “Your silence speaks volumes. I’ll go stay in the bedroom until you’re ready to turn in.”

  By the time she thought of something to say, she was alone.

  Alex paced the bedroom floor. Rhys was going to have to find someone else to stay with Rylee at night. Maybe Erik and Daisy could take over for him, because he couldn’t be this close to Rylee knowing she was afraid of him. He wasn’t made of stone. He couldn’t inhale her scent, remember the warmth of her in his arms, the taste of her kisses, and know he would never hold her again.

  No way in hell.

  Rylee stood in front of the living room window, staring out over the city. There were men and women out there, living normal lives, going to work, taking their children to school or to the park, helping them with their homework. Couples going out to dinner or the movies, falling in love. Teenagers huddled together over their phones. Even prisoners were better off. At least they got to go outside once in a while. She had been cooped up in here for over a week and had barely seen Alex in the last two days. He arrived as soon as the sun slid behind the horizon, made sure she was all right, then disappeared into the bedroom and stayed there—with the door closed—until she was ready to turn in.

  She needed someone to talk to—needed to get out of this place, at least for an hour or two. She was almost out of food. And toilet paper.

  Rylee watched the sun slip behind the horizon. Alex would be rising soon. Maybe tonight he would talk to her.

  A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Rylee frowned, wondering who it could be.

  “Hello? Rylee, are you in there?”

  Daisy’s voice. With a sigh of relief, Rylee unlocked the door.

  “We’re going to stay with you tonight,” Daisy said, her voice overly cheerfully as she stepped inside, followed by a tall, good-looking man with black hair and ebony eyes. This is my husband, Erik. Erik, Rylee.”

  “Nice to meet you,” he said, with an easy smile.

  Rylee nodded, then asked, “Why did you knock on the door?”

  Daisy shrugged. “You looked a little startled when I popped in the other night. I didn’t want to frighten you.”

  “I’m getting used to it. Where’s Alex?”

  Sitting on the sofa next to her husband, Daisy took his hand in hers. “He isn’t coming tonight.”

  Rylee blinked at them, surprised by the rush of disappointment that swept through her. “Is he all right?” she asked, dropping into one of the chairs.

  Daisy glanced at Erik.

  “You might as well tell her,” he said, shrugging.

  “Tell me what?”

  “He’s not coming here anymore,” Daisy said. “We’re going to keep you company at night, and Rhys will spend the days here, until Magdalena is no longer a threat.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Rylee stared at Daisy. “Did he say why?” It was a foolish question. She knew why and it was all her fault. She’d hurt Alex’s feelings and her silence had driven him away. She told herself it was for the best. They could never have a lasting relationship. And yet proof of the o
pposite was right before her eyes. Daisy and Erik sat side by side, holding hands like young lovers. And they would look like that forever, faces unlined by the years, bodies fit and strong…

  Stop it! What was she thinking? It wasn’t as if Daisy was mortal. She, too, was a vampire. Rylee shook her head. The only way to make it work with Alex was to become what he was, and no man on earth was worth that.

  “So,” Daisy said, “what would you like to do tonight? Watch TV? Play cards?”

  “I need to go to the store.”

  Daisy frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “I don’t care!” Rylee slammed her hands on the arms of the chair. “I’ll go mad if I don’t get out of here! I need to see something besides these four walls. I need to see people, hear laughter, smell the fresh air.”

  Daisy looked at Erik. “What do you think?”

  “I think we’d better clear it with Rhys.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  Erik pulled a cell phone from his pocket. “Hey. It’s Erik. Rylee wants to go shopping for something to eat.” He listened a moment, then said, “I know. But I think she really needs to get out of here for a while.” He listened again. “All right. See you in a few.” Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he said, “Costain is going to take you.”

  Rylee swallowed hard, suddenly wishing she’d kept her mouth shut.

  Rylee pushed her shopping cart down the aisle, all too aware of the vampire trailing behind her like some silent bodyguard. She didn’t miss the fact that other shoppers avoided him, some even going so far as to turn around and go back the other way when they saw him.

  Costain had told her to buy whatever she fancied, and she did. If he was going to keep her imprisoned, then she intended to eat well—of course, not having an oven was a handicap, but she bought the best of everything that she could fit in the ice chest and the small refrigerator—roast beef and Swiss cheese and croissants for sandwiches, apples and oranges and grapes to snack on, as well as half a gallon of milk and a couple of blueberry scones and muffins.

  He threw her a sardonic look when she reached for a box of Count Chocula cereal.