B005EMAYWS EBOK Read online

  When her eyes adjusted to the light she saw that Marius held a lantern in one hand. He’d waited to light it until entering the room because he could see without it. She was the one that needed the light. Without saying a word to her, he set the lantern on a small wooden table that was tucked away in a corner of the tiny room.

  Retreating back through the door, he returned with some clothes flung over one arm. “I will bring you some water so you can bathe. When you are done you can dress in these clothes.”

  Summer stared at him, her eyes as empty as her heart. She no longer felt anything, not fear - not relief that he obviously had no intention of killing her right away, not even anger for what he was doing to her. She was simply numb.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  She nodded but said nothing.

  “We will leave for New Orleans as soon as you are ready to travel.” Marius turned to leave, but the sound of her voice stopped him.

  “Why are you taking me there?”

  When he turned back to face her, his lips were tilted in an icy smile. “I am going to take back what your wolf stole from me. He took the woman I loved, so I will take his.”

  Summer shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

  “You will join with me and become my mate for eternity.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “We will go through the rite of eternity that will bind us, and then I will turn you. You will be mine to do with what I choose.” His voice held a note of cold satisfaction, but she heard something else in his voice too - desire.

  “You are crazy! Why don’t you just kill me like you did the others and get it over with?”

  “I think revenge would be so much sweeter if I took the woman he loved in other ways. For him to know that you still existed, but were forever out of his reach … would be the sweetest revenge of all. ” Marius started out the door. As far as he was concerned the conversation was over.

  “If you turn me I could destroy you,” she called after him.

  There was no answer. The vampire Marius was too lost in his quest for revenge to be concerned about any danger to himself.

  Summer sat back and waited for him to return with the water. At the very least she would have the opportunity to wash the dirt and grime from her body.

  * * *

  Standing guard on both sides of him were wolves. They were so close that he could sense their savagery, and their fury. If it had not been for Justin Gray Eagle, Dash was sure he’d be dead, or at least as dead as a vampire could be. He had no idea if there was an afterlife for the damned souls of the immortal, but what he was sure of is that he wouldn’t be looking as pretty as he was now.

  He faced Gray Eagle and a group of 12 council elders that were looking at him with curiosity and expectation. They were waiting to hear why he’d invaded their gathering.

  “I know about the Place of Light … I was there,” Dash finally spoke up, figuring he didn’t have anything to lose.

  “I know you were there. You were being held in the Keep,” Justin voice shook with fury. “But somehow here you are.”

  “Some good hearted people over there thought I’d be better off here,” Dash smiled.

  “Yes, I can see that,” Justin frowned. “My question is … what were you doing there in the first place, and why are you here?”

  “I’m tired of living in darkness. I wanted to be in a place where I could be in the light.”

  “That’s all?” Justin folded his arms.

  Dash shrugged and cocked his head to one side. “Well … there is the matter of the vampire. I was just wondering if the answers to our curse could be found in Outerlands? I know there is a vampire over there.”

  “That’s true,” Justin looked away from Dash. “Cato,” he called to someone that was standing away from the fire.

  The man that walked into the light of the bonfire was a vampire, but he was not like most. Like Ethan, Cato would look more at home in an office than among his own kind.

  “So you come to find out our secrets?” he smiled coldly.

  Dash nodded, hoping that at last he would learn the truth that he’d been searching for since he’d been brought into the world of darkness decades before.

  Cato scowled. “The truth you search for is forbidden, except to those born vampires. Surely you must realize this.”

  “My friends are born vampires. Why can’t they know what those secrets are?”

  “If you are speaking of my nieces, the fact is that their existence is also forbidden. They are the first to be born vampires in thousands of years.” Cato stepped closer. “Before they would be given that information, they would have to be accepted by the ancients. At this point the only ones that might do this would be myself and their father.”

  “Tell me what you know about the vampire killings,” Justin interrupted.

  “I’ve been a prisoner, remember,” Dash hid his disappointment behind a malicious smile.

  “You must know something,” Justin wasn’t buying it.

  “Before I was so rudely taken prisoner, I did hear that Omar was planning a slaughter.”

  The same elder that had spoken before stepped forward. “I still believe that we need to talk with these ancients and avoid a war.”

  “I can take you to Donavan,” Dash offered. “He might listen, but he doesn’t have much control over what Omar does.”

  “But he could be an ally.” Justin was thoughtful.

  “I cannot accompany you,” Cato told them. “The others must never know the identity of the one that lives in Outerlands.” He glared at Dash. “Am I making myself clear?”

  “Yeah … sure.” Dash wasn’t about to ruin his chances of returning to the Place of Light by revealing secrets.

  “But what about this bit that you are the only vampire that can be there?” Dash wanted to know.

  “When there was peace, I agreed to live among the wolves. It was their guarantee that the ancients would honor their treaty. The realm of the wolf was never meant to be for the vampires. It belongs to the wolf spirits.”

  “And now that there will be war?” Dash asked, arching one brow.

  “Cato has earned his place among our people. What those on this side do will be of no consequence to him.”

  “So when do we leave?” Dash was anxious to get back among those that didn’t looking at him like he was lunch.

  * * *

  Kathrina’s dark eyes were impassive, revealing none of the turmoil that she was feeling. The four of them convened in a small storage room at the back of the trading post. The only light source was a single bulb that dangled from the ceiling. From the front of the store she could hear the murmur of voices as Uncle Jimmy talked with one of their regular customers.

  It was a good thing that he was preoccupied. He wouldn’t like the idea that Lex was talking with Kathrina before she was eighteen, or the fact that Laura’s daughter was missing. Laura and Jimmy had been friends since they were children and he thought of Summer as his niece. If he discovered what had happened to her, there was no doubt he’d go straight to Justin and Laura. Then there would be a war.

  At that very moment Kathrina didn’t know what she felt beyond the rage that was now consuming her. Not only did she just discover that she had two sisters, but she also found out that her cousin had been taken and possibly murdered by some psychotic vampire. Summer was the only person she’d ever felt close too. She’d always taken the time to include Kathrina in everything so she would not feel left out. Her cousin was one of the few among the wolves that didn’t make her feel like she was a freak.

  “I’m ready,” she told them. “I will kill this vampire myself.”

  Lex held up his hand. “Not so fast. None of you are yet ready to take on this vampire, but you will go to your father and ask his help. Together you will be strong, but you will need to become apprentices to a slayer.”

  “We don’t have time for that,” Kathrina frowned.

  “She’s
right. Summer will be dead if we wait,” Sarah put in, her worry evident in her shimmering green eyes.

  “It’s possible we can convince Donavan to help you go after her, but to hunt down Omar you will need training. It is time for that to begin.” Lex’s told them, his eyes scanned over the three sisters.

  Chapter Twelve

  Through the tinted windows of the black stretch limo, Summer viewed the city of New Orleans for the first time. It was a city of color, and of history. Despite the late hour, there were still many people out and about. She was sure New Orleans was a city that she would have loved to visit under different circumstances.

  Trying to ignore Marius’ watchful eyes, she lost herself in the sights. When they crossed the Mississippi, she could make out the darkened riverboats anchored in the water. They would be there until daybreak when the riverfront came to life.

  Though they’d flown into New Orleans, it was not their final destination. Marius had been kind enough to tell her that they would be going to place near Lafayette. It was not until they’d arrive at the airport in Salt Lake City that she’d even been aware of where Marius had taken her after abducting her from the motel in Wyoming. How he’d gotten her that far was a mystery. Of course he’d use a narcotic to keep her out so that she wouldn’t give him any trouble.

  Thankfully this time he’d allowed her to remain awake, though he probably wouldn’t have had a lot of choice. Getting her a hundred mile from Wyoming to Utah wouldn’t have been so difficult, but to New Orleans they’d need a commercial flight.

  Soon the lights of the city retreated and they drove through the dead of night. She was sure that it wouldn’t be a long drive because they would have to arrive before daybreak. She was right, within the hour they pulled off of the main highway and onto a long tree-lined driveway.

  Although it had to be at least 4AM, the house was ablaze with light. It was a magnificent home, like something you’d see in a Civil War movie. The scent of roses and jasmine drifted in through the cracked window. The air was warm and humid, despite the absence of the sun.

  Their limo came to a stop in front of the massive porch adorned with majestic white columns. Marius opened the door. Grasping her arm, he pulled her out with him as he exited the vehicle. In the beginning, his touch had been so cold that it left her chilled, but she was becoming accustomed to his lack of body heat. Now it only annoyed her.

  They climbed the wide porch stairs and entered through the double doors that were standing open for them. Inside was even more elegant than outside. The chandeliers and antique furniture appeared to be original to the home. Standing in the entry hall was like taking a trip to the past - to gentler time - an era when women were fine ladies and the men were magnificently male.

  That was what she saw on the surface, but sensed a darker side to the beauty of Cypress Hall. She’d seen the name on the wooden plaque that hung from a post at the beginning of the driveway.

  Marius handed her off to a girl with wide blue eyes and ash blond hair so curly that it hung in tight ringlets around her head. She looked innocent enough, but she put a grip on Summer’s arm and squeezed tightly. When Summer winced, the girl smiled as if she were enjoying her pain.

  “Wait a minute!” Summer tried unsuccessfully to pull away from her. The girl was too strong - she had to be a vampire.

  “Go with her and you won’t be harmed,” Marius told her.

  She let the girl lead her up a long spiral staircase to the second floor. It was a gallery that looked out over a ballroom on the main floor. Summer stole a glance at the room below and instantly wished that she hadn’t. Lying on the floor was a woman that could have been in her fifties. Her lifeless eyes were open and staring at the ceiling. A vampire kneeled over her, blood still dripping from his fangs.

  The vampire glared at her - his eyes radiant after his feeding frenzy. She still saw hunger in those eyes, and for just a second Summer was glad for Marius’ protection.

  At the end of a long hall she was shoved into a room and heard a click as the door was locked. Sighing in defeat, Summer turned to look at the room that would become her new prison. She had to admit that it was far better than the last one she’d been locked in. It was clean and contained a canopy bed and dressing table. The lamp had already been turned on so they had to have been expecting her.

  She wondered why there was so much light in the house if its only occupants were vampires. But there were feeders too. She’d heard of those people that would willingly become feeders for their vampire lovers. Eventually they would die, and the one they had given their heart and life for would go on the prowl for another human lover - another feeder.

  The sinister thought made her shudder. She was determined not to become Marius’ lover or feeder. With new resolve, she stepped to the window to examine it. Maybe there was a way to climb down to the ground from the window? The idea died before she’d had a chance to fully think it through. The bedroom window was secured with bars.

  * * *

  Marius stepped into the parlor where he knew he’d find Omar. He should have feared the ancient vampire, but he was beyond that now. Omar wouldn’t be pleased, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was binding Summer to him and taking her as his mate.

  Omar must have felt his presence because he spoke without turning to look at Marius.

  “You’ve brought a captive to our haven instead of killing her … why?” As he uttered the last word, her turned to glare at Marius with piercing eyes. His head was bald and he wore a red ceremonial robe embroidered with gold thread.

  “I want you to perform the Rite of Eternity for us. I will change her and take her as my mate.”

  Omar laughed. “She has stolen your heart so you intend to steal her life.”

  “It is a matter of revenge on her wolf lover,”

  Omar gazed at Marius as if he would like to cut him to ribbons. “A wolf lover?”

  “It is personal,” Marius told him.

  The vampire with the curly blond hair stepped into the room and whispered something in Omar’s ear. When she left, the ancient vampire again set his eyes on Marius. Faster than the blink of an eye, Omar was next to him, his large hand wrapped around his throat.

  With little effort, Omar lifted Marius off the ground. “You dare to bring a shifter among us!”

  “She has only … limited abilities,” Marius tried to force the words from his compressed vocal cords.

  Omar dropped Marius and he fell to the ground. “We are not ready to confront the wolves yet. How could you have been so stupid? Her scent is everywhere.”

  “I will take her somewhere else as soon as the rites are performed.”

  “Yes you will,” Omar seethed.

  “We will be ready by the next nightfall.” Marius promised.

  Omar turned away from his minion. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Marius.

  * * *

  Ethan heard them climbing the stairs to his office. He could sense the presence of a wolf. Eying the door, he watched as it swung open and the group entered. He knew Lex, Nicole and Sarah, as well as, Alec and Darrien, but he had no idea who the delicate creature was that stood among them, or the giant man that his senses picked up as a wolf.

  The young girl was the very essence of darkness and beauty. Her deep black eyes reflected the pain of a tormented soul - one that had known little happiness in life. She was petite, with delicate features that would have fit perfectly on an angel.

  Lex nodded to him. “Ethan … this is my adoptive granddaughter, Kathrina. She is the third sister.”

  Ethan’s mouth fell open. “Are you sure?”

  “Very,” Lex smiled.

  Ethan cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I guess I was expecting someone a little more … sturdy.”

  “Don’t let her appearance fool you,” Alec advised.

  His gaze traveled from the girl to the rest of the group. Ethan was relieved to note that Darrien almost looked normal again. The scarring that had resulted from
his exposure to the sun was faint and getting better each time he saw him.

  Darrien stood there with his hand entwined with Sarah’s. It was heartwarming how the newlyweds were almost inseparable, considered they’d only found each other because Darrien had been sent to assassinate her.

  “We need your help.” Sarah’s green eyes pleaded with him. “Summer has been taken. So far they haven’t found her body, which is encouraging, but we need to get her away from that vampire. Is there anything you can do?”

  Ethan had heard about the murders that plagued Reno over the last month, but he wasn’t aware that Sarah’s friend had become a victim.

  “I just don’t know,” he shook his head. “Reno isn’t my city.”

  The wolf man with the long blond hair spoke up. “I don’t believe that she is still in Reno. I think that she is now in Louisiana.”

  “Is it possible that the one that took her is one of Omar’s vampires?” Lex wanted to know.

  “It’s hard to say. That killing spree in Reno is a lot like what has been going on everywhere, but something doesn’t fit.” Ethan frowned.

  They were interrupted by the sound of someone rapping loudly on the office door. Dash stepped through the threshold. With him was a man with long black hair and the noble features of the Native American. The vampires in the room knew instantly that he was a wolf, but what they didn’t know is that he wasn’t just any shifter. Justin was the main man - the one that called the shots when it came to Outerlands and war with the immortals.

  When Nicole saw Dash, she squealed with delight - rushing to throw her arms around his neck. “You made it back! I thought I’d never see you again.”

  Dash gave her one of his roguish smiles. “Now you didn’t really think that a bunch of hairy wolves could do me in did you?”

  Dash’s companion gave him a look of distain, but apparently chose to ignore the slur against his people.

  Justin’s eyes rested on Anton. “I sent you to Reno to get my daughter. Where is she?”