A Night at Tears of Crimson (23 page)

Her thoughts rushed over him and he could only be amazed at the love she still felt for him. He didn't deserve the beautiful woman he held so tightly, but he knew without doubt he could never let her leave. He refused to think about what accepting her gift would mean, because to allow that thought to surface meant that he would be forced to give up the heart of the only woman he had ever loved. He would spend eternity making up for the sacrifice she gave, and vowed that never again would he be the cause of her pain. She was his, the thought filled him with more elation than a cursed soul should be allowed to feel, he thought.

Lifting her head her lips touched his, needing to find tenderness in his arms again. The fear of losing him terrified her, and she needed him to know just how much she loved him. "I can't walk through this world without you Rafe," she broke the kiss and spoke the words while staring deeply into his fathomless blue eyes. Her hand raised to his cheek and she gently stroked her finger across his firm jaw.

"I will never allow you to walk without me, my love," he smiled down into her beautiful face feeling the bond between them strengthen. "You are all I cherish on this plane, and I pledge my soul to you for eternity." Brushing the hair away from her eyes he could only stare in wonder at the spell this beautiful creature had woven over his existence. His fangs descended and he wanted to share the gift of his life source so that she would always know how much he loved her. Soon he would ask for her to be his bride in the eternal night, but for now he could share a part of himself that he had allowed no other.

Scoring his wrist with his fangs, he held it before her in offering. Smiling at the confusion written in the beautiful chocolate depths of her eyes he whispered, "Drink from me." He spoke into her mind showing her that he was offering her a part of his soul this night and it would strengthen their love.

Softly she grasped his wrists in her hands and her mouth lowered to the crimson wine he offered. The first taste on her lips was like the sweetest fruit and she moaned softly as it trickled into her mouth filling her mind with scenes so beautiful that they left her breathless. Her body tensed in pure sensation as each taste had her on the edge of fulfillment. It was amazing to find such pleasure in his essence, she thought, her body flooding with a desire unlike any she had known before. She wanted even more, his blood was like an aphrodisiac that demanded she take every last drop. Holding his wrist tighter she suckled deeply.

He pulled his wrist away forcefully, chuckling at the soft groan of disappointment that fell from her lips. He could feel her desire for more, but to allow her to continue could have harmful effects. "Lover, I would never wish to deny you, but your mind would suffer it you continue." He wanted her heart, but not in a capacity that would leave her unable to make her own choices.

“We are a part of each other now,” he voice strong but relenting. He pulled her chin up making her meet his eyes, “You are mine, and I will never allow you to leave again,” he was feeling very possessive and fought to keep his tone light as not to give her reason to fear.

She could only nod in agreement, and smile as a feeling of lethargy seemed to move through her veins. She felt closer to him than she had ever felt with any person in her life before. There was a tingle of sensation that seemed to stretch in a soft web from his body to hers and she was enchanted. The line seemed to sparkle in glittery undertones and a soft laugh escaped her lips in delight.

He chuckled warmly at her thought and knew his blood was seeping through her veins making her hallucinate. It would have no harmful effect and she would sleep peacefully through what was left of the night. "Rest my beautiful lover," he cajoled with a softened tone. Tomorrow they would face the council and he needed her body to be prepared for the ordeal. He had bonded with her, which assured her life, but the punishment they could inflict could still be great.

With a content smile on her face she snuggled into his arms and rested deeply. When she awoke, he was gone. There was light filtering in through the wooden blinds on the window. She was really shocked that she had been able to sleep, considering what this night would entail. She stretched out her body like a feline and felt incredible, besides the tender ache between her legs.

She felt as if she could see everything clearer, like the colors around her were more vibrant. In pleasant surprise she even thought she heard a train whistling, but there wasn't a track around for forty miles. Grinning, she breathed in deeply and was dazzled with an overwhelming sense of smell. Despite last night, and the terror awaiting later, she was so happy that she couldn't recall ever being so cheerful.

She rummaged through Rafe's chest of drawers until finding an oversized t-shirt and a pair of shorts with rubber in the waist. She had to roll the band over a few times so they wouldn't slide down, but they would work, she shrugged. Rafe's shirt fell almost to her knees and she shook her head. Feeling ravenous, she made her way downstairs finding Calvin. At least he wasn't standing in the door of the room this morning, guarding her like a prisoner.

“Miss Cara,” he smiled genuinely, “would you like breakfast?” He thought the girl looked incredible this morning and knew instinctively that she and Master Rafe had made their peace. The thought pleased him, Rafe deserved some happiness, and if the human gave it to him, she had earned his respect.

She nodded and smiled tentatively at him. The man didn't look so threatening when he smiled, and she felt herself relax in his company somewhat.

“Jasmine prepared a meal, hoping you would be,” he smiled again.

She followed him into the dining room and he pulled out her chair. The scents wafting in from the kitchen were heavenly, and her mouth watered in anticipation. She smiled at Calvin as he poured a steaming cup of coffee from a beautiful sterling silver service set.

“Cream and sugar?” he questioned quietly.

“Both please,” she answered politely. It really would be easy to grow accustomed to this kind of service she thought, not for the first time. The only thing missing was someone to talk with over her morning coffee with.

Jasmine walked in carrying an open tray of delightful foods. “Master Rafe informed us that you might appreciate some Southern foods, so I thought you would enjoy this, Miss.” her voice while polite, was filled with trepidation.

She beamed at her as she sat down a hot bowl of grits, with sausage, scrambled, eggs, and toast. “This looks incredible,” Cara hoped her smile would put her at ease and was very pleased when the woman smiled back.

“I hope you'll forgive me for bringing this up again Miss Cara, but if you would let me know what you enjoy, I will make it available at every meal," she continued to smile sensing the young woman was not easily offended.

She felt a little uncomfortable making menu choices in Rafe's house, but didn't want to hurt the woman's feelings either. "I really am easy to please, as long as it's not too fancy, I'm not a picky eater." She could see that Jasmine wasn't satisfied with her answer and Cara wanted to make her feel comfortable around her. "Maybe if it's not too much trouble we can go over that together when we have some time?"

“It will be a real pleasure having someone to cook for again, Miss Cara, I'll make sure I'm available whenever you decide you're ready,” she said kindly.

The way her face lit up in pleasure, made Cara feel like she'd just offered her some great prize instead of the opportunity to cook for her. It made her uncomfortable to think this woman thought she had to cater to her needs, and she decided to see if it were possible to lighten her formality.

“Jasmine, I want to thank you for being so nice to me, you don't have to add the Miss to my name,” they were equals as far as she was concerned and she definitely had no intention of pretending to be something she wasn't.

“Oh Miss Cara, it wouldn't be proper to do that, I hope you can forgive me.” Jasmine smiled at the beautiful girl but backed out of the room quickly. The girl had no idea what she truly was, and she wasn't at liberty to explain it to her.

Shaking her head at the woman's strange behavior, she knew there was something she wasn't understanding here. It was plainly apparent that Calvin and his wife were very proper, and neither of them were American born. Perhaps it was a culture thing she thought, reminding herself to ask Rafe about that later.

Unable to resist the temptation of the overwhelming fare before her, she dug into her food with gusto. She ate everything Jasmine had prepared and couldn't help but giggle at what a pig she'd made out of herself. The food was even better than the cathead biscuits and red-eyed gravy her granny use to make, and that was giving it her highest praise. She didn't even realize until she started eating that she was starving. She tried to remember the last time she had eaten and could only recall the last meal here at this house. She mentally kicked herself and made note to take better care of her body.

Calvin walked back in the room to check on his guest and was pleased to see she had enjoyed her meal. He knew his wife would find great pleasure in the fact, and consider it a testimony to her skills as chef. Clearing his throat to alert the girl of his presence, he spoke. “Master Rafe asked me to deliver this note to you Miss."

She took the letter from him and their hands touch briefly. She pulled back in shock, seeing images of his past life that she couldn't make sense of. He was much the same as he appeared now, but she knew without doubt she had seen wings extended from his powerful back in the vision. She felt her breath catch as the moving mental slideshow showed him in battle fighting against other creatures that sported the same incredible wing span. Her eyes raised to his and the thoughts receded, she hoped her eyes didn't show the shock she was feeling.

“Miss Cara,” Calvin knew that she had drank of Master Rafe's blood as her thoughts melded into his," are you well?” He was not at liberty to discuss his past without speaking to Rafe first, and hoped that she didn't question him. There were too many risks of her knowing about the vampire race, he didn't want to add his secrets to her burden.

Dropping the letter on the table her mind cleared and she heard his voice clearly, instead of from the distance it was coming from earlier. She nodded her head and stared up into his face. She knew instinctively that what she had witnessed was not a fabrication of her imagination. Whatever the man before her was, she wasn't sure she was ready to know. Why was she seeing these things? She wasn't psychic, so what was going on here? "Is anything in this world what I thought it was," she spoke the question out loud, but in truth she was talking to herself.

Bending over to retrieve the letter, he placed it in front of her. "Things rarely are how we choose to see them Miss Cara," he smiled warmly. "You drank from Master Rafe last night," he didn't need to make it a question as the answer was readily apparent to someone like him.

She fought the blush that threatened to stain her cheeks at his statement. What kind of girl must he think her to be she thought before shaking her head. The man, if she could even still call him that, served a vampire. It wasn't likely he would judge her for what she did last night, she thought to herself.

"It is a rare gift to be afforded such a taste of their world," Calvin smiled deeply knowing that Rafe had chosen to bond with the girl. "I will be honored to serve you Miss." He bowed and sensing how uncomfortable she was with the topic of conversation, he motioned to the letter. "Perhaps you should see what Master Rafe has sent to you, Miss Cara?"

Shaking herself mentally, she couldn't mentally deal with any more mysteries today. In the past when she needed to not dwell on something she put her mind on something else, she decided today would be a good one to try that tactic again. She tore open Rafe's letter reading it intently.

“Cara, I want you to tell Calvin to take you shopping, he will settle any debts on my behalf. You will need an evening gown and shoes for tonight, and your car should be delivered tomorrow morning. Sincerely, Rafe.” she handed the note to Calvin and he read it quickly.

“Calvin, do you think you could drive me to Angela’s house before we go,” she asked quietly looking down at her clothes, “I'd really rather not go shopping in this outfit.”

He nodded and knew there was little she could ask that he wouldn't fulfill. As Master Rafe's chosen companion, he was pressed to keep her happy. In truth, he thought it would be of no hardship to serve this human, she was the type of person he enjoyed serving. He escorted her to the limousine waiting out front and drove her the short distance to her friend's apartment.

Cara walked to the door and knocked softly. A sleepy Angela stared back at her confused for moment before her face lit up in excitement. As she was pulled into a hug, Cara couldn't help but laugh.

“You decided to come back,” Angela exclaimed in delight.

She could only smile back and nod at her, definitely not wanting to get into a discussion about the how or why she made it back. "I couldn't stay away from my best friend, could I?" she hugged her back tightly and felt her heart fill with happiness.

“I'm so glad Cara, I was going to miss you like crazy,” Angela smiled and pulled back. "So you and Rafe?" she didn't want to pry but her eyes landed on the limo outside and it was pretty apparent they were back together. Ushering her friend inside, she knew there was a story in there somewhere and she was waiting to hear it.

Knowing she wasn't going to be satisfied without some explanation, she tried to come up with something that wasn't a blatant lie, but would also keep her friend safe. “Rafe called me and, well we just couldn't let things end the way we had, so he picked me up in Nashville. The thing is, we were in such a hurry," she blushed as much from what she was implying, as the lie she was forced to tell, "I forgot to pack my clothes and well, I need to go shopping for a dress for a dance tonight. Do you think I might borrow something to go shopping in?"