A Night at Tears of Crimson (27 page)

The ball went on as if the events she had suffered never happened. As they finished their wine, Gabe informed them it was safe to leave. Finally out in the night air, she could breathe a deep sigh of relief. As they got into the car, she thought that as horrible as the early part of the night had been, things definitely could have ended worse.

“There were worse things that could have happened,” he answered her thoughts. “He could have forced me or Gabe to turn you,” he looked out the window as the thought of anyone else turning his lovely Cara enraged him.

“Has he done that to others before?” she questioned him. They had just pulled up to his home and Calvin opened the door.

“We'll speak more when we get upstairs,” he whispered knowing this conversation needed to happen. He escorted her out of the limousine and they walked inside.

After they made it upstairs, she quickly pulled off her dress and hung it up carefully in the closet. Rafe, apparently in a hurry to get comfortable, undressed down to his silken boxers as well. She pulled one of Rafe's shirts on, which was a short-sleeved oxford that almost fell to her knees. When she walked back out, Rafe smiled appreciatively.

“You look good in my clothes,” his smile was inviting, “maybe I should never return yours.”

She could tell he was joking and laughed softly. In truth, it wouldn't bother her very much to lay around without any clothing as long as he was with her. He chuckled at her thoughts and shook his head.

“Back to your question,” his eyes had turned to her and the humor was gone, “yes he has turned others that way.”

She was shocked. Cara saw nothing wrong with a person choosing to be a vampire, but being turned against your will, that was horrible to her. She didn't ask him to elaborate, because she felt that after tonight she'd really had enough to deal with.

He bent over to kiss her and the fire that had been quenched earlier was back in full swing. They loved desperately, giving and taking pleasure as if they would never be able to feel such desire again. She felt like no one could ever be a better lover than her vampire man, and after finding heaven for another time that evening, she slept.

14
Tears of Change

Several hours later they snuggled cozily in bed, the passion finally satisfied. He was such a generous lover and she was so sure that the rest of her life could be spent never moving from this spot. Rubbing her face against his chest, she sighed in utter contentment.

A loud knock on the door propelled Rafe out of her arms and onto the floor in a defensive stance. His only thought was to protect the precious gem that nestled in his bed. The knocks continued briskly and he forced himself to stand, knowing that if someone had come to attack they certainly wouldn't have continued pounding on the wood.

Gabe stormed through the door as Rafe finally opened it, his face full of exasperation. "Get dressed we need to leave now!"

Adjusting the sheets and giving both Gabe a look that said she was ready to thrash him, she cleared her throat. "You know Gabe, a phone call might have been nice," she had no idea what was going on, but as Rafe threw on his clothes with a pace that left her breathless and Gabe ignored her sarcasm, she felt a stab of dread move through her.

Rafe grabbed an extra pair of sweats and a t-shirt, tossing them at Cara, having no time to explain. "Get dressed Cara, now!" He normally wouldn't bark a command out at her but from the images Gabe was sending into his thoughts they had little time before all hell broke loose.

She wanted to smack him upside the head for the rudeness as she caught the clothes, but something in his posture warned her that she'd better heed his demands. Sliding the clothes under the cover, she put them on awkwardly, trying not to give Gabe a glimpse of anything he shouldn't be seeing.

She had barely got out of the bed before she was lifted into Rafe's arms and they took off into the night sky by way of the veranda. She didn't even have time to catch her breath as the stars flew by, their speed was that rapid. She had tons of questions, but decided wisely, that now was not the time to ask them. They flew on for hours and she guessed both of them should be exhausted, well if they had been human they would have been, she conceded mentally.

They came to land in a place that was so completely foreign to her that she could only gasp at her surroundings. It almost seemed that they were in another world, she thought, as everything came into focus.

“Do you mind telling me what in the world is going on?” She looked at Rafe and then Gabe ready to scream. Both of them seemed to be locked into some private mental conversation that she was not allowed to be a part of, she felt her anger rise. Rafe looked over at her with such dejection in his eyes that she stepped back involuntarily.

“What?” She whispered the words as her throat constricted in sudden panic. “Would you please tell me what’s going on!” She raised her voice really getting aggravated, knowing they were discussing her from Gabe’s look. "Hello, I'm right here!"

“The war has begun,” Rafe whispered the words quietly knowing that there was very little time to prepare her for what would happen. “Cara love, there are serious choices that need to be made and quickly,” he pulled her into his arms holding her against him tightly, still uncertain on how to protect her. “Eduardo has been taken and three of the elders, they will be searching for Gabe,” he read the confusion in her eyes and knew there was little time left to explain.

“We are taking you to safety,” Gabe broke in knowing that the gathering of the brothers would take place immediately and they had no further time to waste.

“We cannot be assured of her safety with them, she is not one of our kind Gabriel,” this was the last thing he wanted, and there wasn’t time to turn her before leaving her in the hands of the coven. Frustration overcame him and his fangs descended, a growl escaped him that shook the surrounding forest.

“You must stand beside your brothers Rafael, it is the law,” he commanded with authority. “I will speak with the coven but it must be accomplished immediately, there is no more time,” Gabe reached down and scooped her into his arms, taking off with a speed that left her breathless.

Rafe followed behind them with a heaviness weighing him down, fearing for her safety. They reached the walls of an ancient castle surrounded by a mote and large iron gates. To Cara it seemed like the scenery came right out of medieval fairy tale.

He would never forgive himself if anything happened to her here, Rafe thought. Again he was placing her in danger, some protector he was turning out to be, the thought had him enraged. Lowering to the ground beside Gabe and Rafe, he swore that when this deed was done, he was turning her immediately. Never again would he leave her in harm's way.

As they entered the gates, there were a dozen dogs, which looked so abnormally huge and evil that she stepped back. Their eyes were glowing red and they growled as their eyes turned on her. Moving to the safety of Rafe's arms she hid her face, waiting for the imminent attack.

“She is under our protection!” Gabe roared loudly watching as the demon dogs lowered to their bellies in submission. “Make haste,” Gabe commanded of Rafe, lifting off his feet only scant inches and moving away.

What kind of place was this? she thought in horror as Rafe nearly dragged her up to the front door. Torches flared, giving an eerie cast to the iron door that looked centuries old. She felt a chill move over her that left me shivering. Her eyes raked over the huge monstrosity of the castle, and it reminded me of the old black and white horror films that portrayed the evil villains of days past. As they made their way up the crumbling stairs to the door she wondered if it would mysteriously open on its own like in the b grade horror films.

“Your human is fantasizing again,” Gabe couldn’t stop the smile that found his face and he probably would have chuckled had the situation not been so ominous. Taking time to shelter a human would not be seen in a favorable light in a time of war he knew.

Rafe held out his hand to Cara as the door opened with a loud creak. Her hand trembled in his he noted, and he squeezed it reassuringly. The beautiful vampire before him was over a thousand years old but appeared as a mere young woman. “Kaitlin,” he whispered while lowering his head in reverence, “it has been far too long.”

Kaitlin smiled warmly holding out her hands in invitation to Rafe. “My dearest Rafael,” she all but purred with her lyrical voice as she awaited him.”

Cara felt a pang of white hot jealousy as he dropped her hand and moved into the beautiful woman’s arms. She wanted to pull the woman's waist length raven hair out strand by strand, claw her nails down her perfect ivory skin, and demand she release her lover. Gabe chuckled and her eyes shot venom at him.

Kaitlin took a step back smiling, making her look even more beautiful than before. Cara forced herself to ball her fists at her side to stop from staking her.

“I do believe your human misunderstands dearest Rafe,” Kaitlin turned her smile on me and the humor danced in her pale blue yes.

“Forgive me her love, may I introduce my cousin Kaitlin de’Armes,” he had found a great deal of pleasure at the jealousy that filled his lover, and then felt some remorse for her upset. He was pleased that she cared so much that the thought of another woman touching him gave her desire to battle. If she had been turned, he knew that she and Kaitlin would already be fighting.

“Pleased to meet you,” Cara forced herself to reply even though she still wanted to destroy her. She wasn’t sure what was wrong with her but the thought of any other woman, alive or dead, touching him enraged her.

“She will make a fine bride for you cousin." Kaitlin fought back a smile, knowing how strong the bond was becoming between the two of them.

Cara was confused at her words, but determined not to ask Rafe questions in front of her. The last thing she wanted was to look weak in front of this beautiful creature.

Kaitlin laughed softly reading her thoughts. “We will discuss the bonding while our men fight,” she opened the door and gestured for them to enter.

The entrance to the castle was breathtaking, in a medieval sort of way, Cara thought. Large iron knights graced the foyer along with priceless paintings on the walls. The stone floors were lined with red carpets and torches were placed in various places in the stone walls. A large chandelier graced the room, so it was apparent that there was electricity, they just chose not to use it.

“Lord Jonathan,” Kaitlin turned to me and smiled,” that is my husband, is awaiting you in his study.”

Rafe leaned down and kissed her cheek briefly before he and Gabe left her alone with Kaitlin. Knowing she had a husband made her feel a little more secure, and she felt herself relax.

“You have nothing to fear from me concerning Rafe,” she laughed softly before beckoning her to follow.

“Forgive me for my jealously,” She felt horrible for how she acted especially since it was apparent that Rafe considered her family.

“Do not fret dear, had it been Jonathan I would have done far worse,” her tone was light but the underlying strength in her voice told Cara that she wasn’t joking.

“I assumed you would be with Eduardo,” Jonathan raised a concerned brow as Gabe and Rafe entered the room.

“We are departing immediately,” Gabe knew there was no reason to explain the situation as Jonathan could read his thoughts easily.

“You risk much leaving the human here,” Jonathan stood up his large fist pounding the table in anger, fangs descending.

“Had there been any other options, rest assured she would not be here,” Rafe lowered his head, understanding the danger for both Cara and Kaitlin now.

“If my wife is harmed for your actions, I will require your head,” Jonathan retracted his fangs at Rafe’s brief nod. “I have summoned the wolves and gypsies for protection; they will require restitution when the battle has ended.” Jonathan stood to his full height making an imposing figure to be reckoned with. His broad shoulders stood proud and his beautiful face hardened into the post of a warrior.

“I will cover any debt my child can’t redeem,” Gabe pulled out a small knife and sliced his upper arm drawing blood. With a nod Jonathan mimicked the action, as did Rafe.

“Our pact of honor is sealed then,” Jonathan grabbed the wound on Gabe’s arm with his hand and he returned the gesture. As Rafe followed the same movements of his two other brother's, they knew that the blood pact was complete.

Vampires were known to seek out the human pets of the losing side in battle, to prove their great strength. It was a less grievous offence than attacking one of their own. Rafe understood that by bringing Cara into the family dwelling he had broken the boundaries of vampire law that demanded the women of the brothers were to remain unharmed. Their law was clear, if a vampire protected a human pet of a fallen vampire, they forfeited their own rights to protection. Kaitlin could now be taken without consequence, since she would protect his lover at all costs. If Eduardo were to fall, not only could Cara become enslaved or murdered, so now would Kaitlin.

“Tell me brother, you plan to turn this human, I assume?” Jonathan questioned in his mind why she was still not one of them.

“There had not been enough time brother, but yes I had planned to discuss the option with her,” Rafe forced himself to be honest even knowing that the answer would anger Jonathan.

“Discuss it with her?" Were you not family I would question your motives,” Jonathan was astounded that Rafe would risk so much for a human that could die in less than a hundred years if she chose humanity.

“She is mine Jonathan,” the words escaped more vehemently than Rafe had intended, but the thought of Cara dying nearly unmanned him.

“Then your troubles are far greater if she chooses mortality, of course you could turn her without consent,” Jonathan raised a brow to Rafe questioning his thought on the matter.

“If she chooses that path, I will turn her myself,” Gabe interjected after considering how much trouble the human was already causing them.