Everlasting Embrace

by Amanda Ashley

  “As you probably know,” Rhys said, taking his customary chair, “there’s been no sign of Magdalena for months, which is troubling on several levels. Have any of you heard anything at all?”

  “I think I might have seen her up in Portland last week,” Julius said. “If it was her, she’s going through the homeless population like a hungry wolf through a herd of sheep.”

  “And you waited until now to tell me! What the hell’s the matter with you?”

  Julius shrugged. “I…”

  “Haul your ass back to Portland and keep an eye on her. And you’d better let me know damn quick if she heads back this way. What the hell are you waiting for? Get going.”

  Looking grateful to still be alive, Julius vanished from the room.

  “Any other news?” Costain asked, his gaze settling on each member in turn.

  One by one, the vampires shook their heads.

  “You doing okay, Morris?”

  The red-headed vampire shrugged. “I’m getting the hang of it.”

  “Come see me if you need help.”

  Morris nodded.

  Rhys glanced around the room. “If there’s nothing else, let’s call it a night.”

  “Portland,” Alex mused when the others had gone. “How long do you think she’ll stay there?”

  “For a while, I imagine,” Rhys said with a grin. “Prowling among the homeless is like having smorgasbord every night. Come on, let’s go home.”

  CHAPTER 40

  In the week that followed, Rylee’s days were hectic at best. When she finished her work for the day, she shopped—mostly online. She had never realized how many mundane things she used every day until they was gone—pot holders and dish soap, dryer sheets and hangers, a toaster and a can opener, hand soap, a shelf for the bathroom, toiletries—the list went on and on. Not to mention the need for new holiday decorations, indoors and out. The Amazon guy was at the door in Granite Hills practically every day. She was going to have quite a bit of baggage to haul to L.A when she finally moved into her new house.

  But it was the hours she spent with Alex that she lived for. Each night, in one hotel or another, they snuggled together, getting to know each other better, talking about their future, sharing stories of their past.

  They were on the sofa in an Arizona hotel now, with a fire burning in the hearth and the lights turned low.

  Gazing at the flames, Rylee told him about her childhood and how she had hated taking piano lessons. “I wish now that I’d stay with it,” she said, with a sigh. “Even though I had no real talent for it.”

  “It’s never too late to learn,” Alex said. Then, with a smile, he told her about the night he’d gone hunting with Daisy, and how she had broken into a vampire’s lair and found the vampire stepping out of the shower and reaching for a towel. He grinned with the memory. “I don’t know who was more surprised, the hunted or the hunter.”

  “I always wanted a brother or a sister,” Rylee said wistfully. “Not so much when I was a little girl. It was fun being an only child then. My parents spoiled me something awful. But it would be nice to have siblings now that I’m older. Do you want children?” she asked, and then, remembering his loss, she wished she could call the words back. But it was too late.

  Alex tensed beside her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

  He sat up, hands clenched on his thighs.

  “Alex?”

  “Vampires can’t reproduce,” he said flatly. “I can’t father a child.”

  At a loss for words, Rylee blinked at him.

  “I should have told you sooner, but…” He shrugged. “With everything else going on, I never thought about it.”

  She never had, either. Somehow, she had just assumed that since he’d fathered one child, he could have another. It had never occurred to her that vampires couldn’t have kids.

  “Say something,” he said, his voice tight.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “But it matters, doesn’t it?” Dammit, why hadn’t he seen this coming?

  “It doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”

  “But?”

  “A lot of people can’t have children, not just vampires.”

  “Rylee, be honest with me. Does this change anything between us?” He wouldn’t blame her if she called off the wedding. She was young, in the prime of life. What right did he have to deprive her of the chance to raise a family?

  “I won’t deny that I want children,” she said slowly, thoughtfully. “But there are a lot of babies out there who need homes. And there’s always artificial insemination. Or maybe a miracle.”

  “The only miracle I believe in is you.”

  She smiled, touched by his words. “You haven’t been a vampire very long,” she mused. “Besides, maybe you can still father a child. You know, like some men are still fertile for a little while after a vasectomy.”

  “Don’t count on it.”

  “I’m not, but we’ll never know until we try.”

  Alex slipped his arm around her shoulders, his brow furrowed. What if she was right? What if there was a chance?

  Rylee slid her hand under his shirt and ran her fingernails lightly up and down his chest. “You know, the longer we wait, the less likely it is to happen.”

  “Are you propositioning me, Miss Wagner?”

  Surprising them both, she murmured, “It certainly sounds that way, Mr. O’Donnell.”

  “Hey, I’m ready now if you are.”

  “What happened to being married first?”

  “I’m sure there’s a minister or two in town,” he said, then drew away, his gaze searching hers. “Are you serious about this?”

  Rylee nodded. “I think we should just elope. I don’t have any close friends in L.A. And my father isn’t in any mood to walk me down the aisle.” She shrugged. “I don’t see any reason to spend a lot of money on a wedding, do you?”

  “I don’t need anybody there but the bride.” “I’ll cancel the arrangements in the morning.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, very.”

  Pulling her into his arms, he crushed her close. “Just name the day and I’ll be there.”

  They moved the date of the wedding up to the first of December. Rylee called her mother to let her know there’d been a change in plans. She had expected an argument, but none was forthcoming.

  After making a few phone calls, Rylee found a non-denominational church that was available on that night. The guest list was short—Rhys and Megan, Daisy and Erik, Alex’s parents and Rylee’s mother, plus Debbie Strong and Connie Holden, two of Rylee’s good friends from college.

  In the morning, Rylee shopped online for a wedding dress. After checking several web sites, she found exactly what she wanted—a white satin gown with a square neck adorned with crystals, long, fitted sleeves, and a slim skirt. It was perfect. Knowing it was risky, she called a cab and went to the store to try it on, just in case it needed alterations.

  Which it did.

  She was smiling when she left the shop. In addition to the gown, she’d bought a sheer white nightgown and peignoir, a pair of lacy bikini panties and a matching bra. All she needed now were shoes.

  Giddy with anticipation, she called a cab and headed back to Costain’s house.

  She paid the driver, then hurried up the porch steps, only to pause when she saw an envelope taped to the front door. Frowning, she slipped it into her jacket pocket, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

  Dropping the packages on the sofa, Rylee opened the envelope and withdrew a single sheet of paper. She felt the blood drain from her face as she read the message once and then again. Five short words in bold black letters.

  I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE

  With a wordless cry, she sank down on the sofa.

  Magdalena had found her.

  Alex stirred as Rylee’s cry penetrated the dark sleep. Bolting upright, he reached out to h
er with his mind. Then, sensing her distress, he pulled on his pants and a shirt and materialized at her side. “What’s wrong?”

  She thrust a sheet of paper into his hands.

  He read it, then crumpled the note and tossed it into the fireplace.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” she said dully.

  “I don’t think it matters now. She knows where you are.” He shook his head in exasperation. “How the devil did she find you?”

  “What difference does it make?”

  “None, I guess.” But it bothered him just the same. He’d taken every precaution he could think of. Where had he failed?

  “What if she burns this place down, too?”

  “That’s the least of my worries.” Dammit! They’d been so careful. Thank goodness Magdalena hadn’t been able to breach Costain’s wards or she would have been inside, waiting.

  Rylee leaned into Alex, needing his strength. She felt weak for being so frightened and yet who wouldn’t be afraid when they were being stalked by a vengeful vampire? “What are we going to do?”

  “Remember when I took you out to dinner awhile back and you thought Costain was using you as bait?”

  She nodded.

  “Maybe he was. I think he was hoping to draw Magdalena out, and right now I believe that’s our best chance of catching her.”

  Rylee looked up at him, wide-eyed. “I think so, too.” Scared or not, it was time to end this. She was tired of being forced to stay inside, angry because she had a brand new house and she couldn’t even live in it, tired of always looking over her shoulder, wondering if Magdalena or one of her minions was lurking in the shadows. Enough was enough!

  “We’ll go back to the restaurant on the pier tomorrow night,” Alex said, thinking out loud. “If she shows up, we’ll lure her down to the beach. I’ll ask Rhys to come along. In his mist form, she won’t be able to sense his presence. If she takes the bait, we’ll have her once and for all.”

  He hoped.

  Alex decided to spend the night with Rylee. Now that Magdalena knew where Rylee was, there was no way he was going to leave her alone. And if the vampire showed up, he could transport Rylee to safety, if necessary.

  He called his sire after Rylee went to bed and they agreed to meet at the pier at nine the next night.

  Rylee was a nervous wreck as she dressed the following evening. Doubts plagued her. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Maybe Rhys and Alex couldn’t defeat Magdalena. Maybe the vampire would be the victor and Alex and Rhys would pay the price. There was no way to guarantee the outcome, Rylee thought. No way to guarantee that she, herself, would escape unscathed.

  Of course Alex, being Alex, he knew what she was thinking.

  “We don’t have to go through with this, love. I’ll call Rhys and --.”

  “No! It’s never going to get any easier.” But even as she insisted they go that night, she couldn’t help hoping Magdalena wouldn’t show up.

  Alex asked for a table by the window. Rylee ordered shrimp that she knew she wouldn’t eat, he ordered a glass of Pinot Noir.

  Rylee glanced around. “Can you tell where Rhys is?”

  “No.”

  Rylee bit down on her lower lip. They had driven to the beach in the Jag. She didn’t ask why, but she suspected it was so she would have a way to get home if Rhys or Alex couldn’t take her. When they arrived at the pier, Rhys stayed outside.

  She picked at her dinner when it arrived, thinking how silly it had been to order a meal when she had no appetite. Her stomach was in knots, she flinched at every sound.

  Rylee felt a rush of unease when Alex turned his head to the side and then frowned as if someone had just given him bad news. He nodded once, his gaze darting around the room, then out the window.

  “What is it?” she asked anxiously. “What’s going on?”

  “Magdalena’s here.”

  “She is?” Her voice emerged in a terrified squeak.

  “Finish your dinner.”

  Rylee shook her head, knowing she would never be able to swallow past the lump in her throat.

  “All right.” Alex signaled for the check and signed the receipt. “When we get outside, we’re going to walk to the end of the pier and take the stairs down to the beach. Rhys will be right behind us. It’s pretty windy tonight. That should keep most people indoors. You stay close to me and when I tell you to, you run like hell back to the car and get out of here as fast as you can. Don’t go back to Granite Hills. Find a hotel and stay there until you hear from me.”

  Rylee nodded, wishing she could stay in the relative safety of the restaurant and let Alex and Rhys confront the vampire. But if she did that, Magdalena would surely suspect a trap. Or worse, storm the restaurant and kill everyone in the place.

  Reaching into his jacket pocket, Alex withdrew a sharp wooden stake and offered it to her. “Just in case.”

  Rylee hesitated a moment before taking it.

  Reaching into another pocket, Alex said, “And this,” and handed her a small bottle of what looked like ordinary water.

  She didn’t have to ask what it was or what it did. She had already seen the effects of holy water on preternatural flesh. As they left the restaurant, she tucked the bottle into her handbag and hid the stake inside her coat.

  A chill breeze ruffled Rylee’s hair as they walked to the end of the pier and down the short flight of stairs toward the shore. But it wasn’t the cold that had her shivering, it was the thought of facing Magdalena again.

  As casually as she could, she glanced around, but there was no sign of the vampire. No sign of Rhys, either. As Alex had predicted, they were alone on the beach save for one old man fishing from the shore near the restaurant. A thick gray haze added to the chill and made it difficult to see more than a few yards ahead.

  They had left the pier far behind when Rylee felt an odd sensation crawl along her skin. Before she could remark on it, Magdalena appeared out of nowhere. With a shrill scream, the vampire hurtled toward Alex.

  It happened so fast, Rylee barely had time to register what was happening. She stared, transfixed, as the two vampires battled one another, let out a startled cry when Rhys appeared beside her. “Do something!” she exclaimed.

  “This is his fight. I’m just here as backup. Come on,” Rhys said, taking her by the arm, “Change of plans, I’m taking you to the penthouse. You’ll be safe there.”

  “You’re leaving him? What if he needs you?”

  “I’ll be back before he knows I’m gone.”

  Tempted as she was, Rylee shook her head. “I’m staying.” Twisting out of Costain’s grasp, she dropped the stake onto the sand. Reaching into her handbag, she withdrew the bottle of holy water, and tossed her purse aside.

  Rhys grinned wryly. The girl had grit, he mused. He’d give her high marks for that.

  Rylee watched in open-mouthed fascination as the battle raged on. And on. Claws and fangs ripped through preternatural flesh yet the wounds healed before her eyes. Dark-red blood stained their hands, their faces, sprayed over the sand at their feet, yet the fight went on.

  Rylee frowned. With their preternatural strength, it occurred to her that neither was likely to tire. Injuries didn’t slow them down, which meant the battle might last for hours if neither inflicted a fatal wound.

  The thought had no sooner crossed her mind than Magdalena’s nails tore a deep gash across Alex’s stomach. Dark red blood oozed from the wound.

  Rhys took a step forward but Rylee’s attention was focused on Magdalena. Without thinking of her own safety, she uncapped the bottle, darted forward, and hurled the contents in Magdalena’s face.

  The vampire let out a hideous shriek as the liquid splashed over her cheeks and trickled down her neck and chest. Enraged, fangs bared, she lunged toward Rylee, who scrambled backward, only to trip over a large pierce of driftwood.

  Rhys darted after the vampire, only to be shoved out of the way by Alex, who hissed, “She’s mine!” as his hand closed over Mag
dalena’s shoulder. In a blur of movement, he scooped up the stake Rylee had dropped, and drove it into Magdalena’s back.

  The vampire let out a high-pitched wail of pain and outrage as the wood pierced the center of her heart. Eyes wild with disbelief, she stood there a moment and then spiraled slowly to the ground and lay still.

  Rylee felt her stomach churn as the body slowly disintegrated until nothing remained but ashes, and then they, too, were gone, swept out to sea by the outcoming tide.

  Gagging, Rylee dropped to her knees and turned her head to the side as nausea roiled through her.

  Alex knelt beside her. “Are you all right?”

  Rylee nodded, though she wasn’t sure she would ever be all right again. And then she remembered that he had been horribly wounded. Hardly daring to look, she risked a glance at him. The gash was still bleeding, still deep. Why hadn’t it healed like the rest of his injuries?

  “Go home, Rylee,” he said, his voice tight and laced with pain. “You’ll be safe there now.”

  “No!”

  “Go…home.”

  She shook her head, determined to stay, until Rhys took hold of her arm and lifted her to her feet.

  “You can’t do anything here,” Costain said. “Go home and wait. I’ll take care of Alex.”

  She stared at him, mutinous. “You’ll call me if…?”

  He nodded.

  Rylee blinked back her tears as she watched Rhys cradle Alex in his arms and disappear from sight.

  Heavy-hearted, she found her handbag, then plodded down the beach toward the pier. Sliding behind the wheel of the Jag, she wondered if she would ever see Alex again.

  “Stay with me, kid,” Rhys said.

  Alex groaned as Rhys laid him on a smooth stretch of sand.

  Rhys swore softly. He had hoped to get back to the penthouse, but there wasn’t time. Blood continued to leak from the ragged wound, which should have healed over by now.

  “Help is on the way,” Rhys promised. After biting into his wrist, he held it to Alex’s mouth. “Drink.”

  “Where’s…Rylee?”

  “She’s fine. You need to drink. Now.”