Aaron's Revenge (9 page)

“
But if you communicated with her, then why the spartum?”

“
Because she doesn’t trust anyone. And honestly, I think she would have killed me if she knew I was half human. She doesn’t know I am a half-breed.”

“
You said that before. What does that mean?”

Realizing that she never told him of her turning, she rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. “Dita told me that my mother was an ancient fabled creature and my father a powerful warlock. Both of them fell madly in love and formed a union. My father really wanted a child but for years, they were unsuccessful. He figured that because they were two separate entities from two different worlds, they would not be able to conceive a child without help. Or so my father thought. So, with magic, he cast a spell unbeknownst to my mother and she became pregnant.

“
She was not happy learning she was to have a child, but knew that she could not kill the baby inside her or she herself would be killed. I didn’t understand that part. Her way of fixing what she considered to be a problem, apparently, was to deliver me and then promptly give me away to the first Celt she saw. Dita believes, as do I, that she had assumed I was killed by them. Obviously, I was not. This is why I am now half human and half vampire and something else.”

“
Is that even possible?”

He flinched as she turned her head on the pillow with a frustrated expression.

“
Okay, I deserved that. I am sorry. It’s just that I have never heard of half vamp and half human.”

”
I know. Me neither. And no, I don’t know what that means. I do know that I am not a gypsy as you so want to label me, but by all accounts, you could call me a full-fledged witch. When I met Dita, she did a really good job teaching me both the light and dark arts. I used to think I was ok, until I ran into a witch’s coven in England. They played around with me a bit, but when it got really serious, I put them in their place. It was then that the witches and I all realized how good I really was. Needless to say, they no longer wanted me around either.”

“
Ouch.”

“
You deserved that and you know it.” Chavali smiled, turning back on her side and stared him down, looking incredibly serious again. “I really need to see that book in the morning, Aaron. If that is from Dita, it may have some answers for us.”

Aaron shifted away from her and she knew instinctively he was hiding something. “Please tell me everything she said.”

Resigned, Aaron spoke softly. “She said that you would be coming. She did not give me your name, and I am not convinced that she even knew what your name was back then. It is weird to think that you weren’t even born when I met her. She gave it to me to be the caretaker of it. She told me that I could read it because it would give me information during different stages of my own life and of Dragan’s. It was because of that book I knew that Dragan could save Amira but would lose his own life.”

“
But it didn’t speak of his redemption?”

“
No. Nothing about him coming back to life.”

“
And that is why, Aaron, magic has to be taken for what it is. We always choose our own paths and forge our destiny at different points in our life. Sometimes we make sacrifices during the leap of faith such as your brother did for no other reason that it is for someone else. In his case, it worked to his benefit.”

“
At the cost of losing our brotherhood.”

“
Is that what you are upset about? You think you have lost your brother? Never. You are forever linked to Dragan. Have you not realized yet that that is what she wants so very badly? Your souls are not the only thing that keep you connected.” She tapped him on his chest. “Your heart will always beat as one, even when he dies when his human years are over. You will feel him, you will sense him, and at times even smell him. We never truly die, just move to a different place. Your soul is not lost as long as his is saved. She cannot touch yours. With his grace, you were given grace also. I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but it’s true.”

Aaron’s heart warmed at the thought. He was not sure if she was spinning a tale to ease his mind, but he would hang on to it for a little while because it felt good.

“
So you believe that there is a God—or higher power—like my brother.”

Chavali’s face darkened for a moment. He wondered if he even imagined it as she continued. “I believe that there is One over all of us that is greater than all living things, yes. I do not profess to know what His name is. Over the centuries, it has changed. You call him God but a rose is still a rose by any other name, is it not?”

Aaron envied her conviction as he wondered if he was the only one who had doubts.

“
Be warned, she wants Dragan’s soul back. Truth is she does not want to kill him. She wants to turn him again to get that thread between the two of you, and she still has the chance to get it. Adara sent me to kill Amira.” Chavali’s heart rate picked up, afraid of telling him the rest of the real truth.

“
Tell me!”

“
Aaron, it is better for Dragan to die as a human than to be turned again. When I shot my arrow at you, thinking you were your brother, I did it to hurt him only, to find and get to Amira. Now that he is human, the only way to save him and ultimately you, is through a human death.”

Aaron felt his chest tighten up. Selfishly, a few minutes ago, he would have given anything to have Dragan a vampire again. Now he did a one hundred and eighty degree turn. Looking at Chavali, he wavered as he realized that she was either courageous or manipulative.

“
You know that when she finds out you have told me this, she will kill you.”

“
I know, Aaron, but sometimes the greater good is worth the sacrifice of another’s life. Even mine.”

“
You sound like my brother. Why do you think so little of yourself?”

Shocked, Chavali moved back on the pillow as if struck. “Is that what you think? That I don’t think highly of myself? You couldn’t be any more wrong. I feel as if I have a purpose in my life and I am focused on that purpose. I don’t want to die thinking my life had no direction or reason for being.”

“
What is your purpose then?”

“
I see the future and the possibilities of the many paths changing. I want to ensure that the greater good happens and the right side wins.”

Aaron’s fingers gently brushed the hair away from her eyes, before wrapping them on the side of her neck. “I wonder which side you are on, Chavali. This battle, it seems, is just beginning. You said it yourself. Be warned, I, too, will ensure that the right side wins, for the greater good, of course. If you are not on that side, I will not hesitate to kill you.”

The battle lines drawn, Chavali was careful to hide her thoughts and emotions, concentrating instead on feeling the heat from his fingers on her skin. She wanted him, more than anyone she had ever wanted before. She saw the doubt flicker in his eyes. She didn’t care; she was going to ask anyway.

Laying her hand on his chest, she slid closer to him under the sheets, sliding her leg between his. “Now that we have that sorted, make love to me, Aaron.”

Placing a hand on her hip, he pushed her back, not unkindly. “I can’t, Chavali.”

“
Because of Amira?”

“
Please don’t bring her into this. You know nothing about Amira, or myself for that matter.”

“
No, but I sense what is going on between the two of you, and I also know that your brother suspects nothing.”

“
Amira and I do have a connection, but I respect my brother and their relationship enough to know where I stand. My reason for not taking you has nothing to do with Dragan or Amira.”

“
Then why?”

“
Bloody hell, Chavali. Because, if I made love to you right now, it would only be for sex. I have more respect for women than to treat them that way. Even you.”

Chavali stared at Aaron, shocking him when she started to laugh. “Now that is really funny. I want sex, not a relationship, Aaron. Sometimes you sound very old-fashioned. I guess chivalry is not dead.”

“
I do not see what you find so funny.”

Kissing him lightly on the mouth, she turned, sliding out of the bed. “Look, we are vampires, you and I. Vamp sex is the best and I enjoy the release being with a man gives me. I am not asking for anything more from you than a mutual giving and taking.” Winking at him, she walked into the bathroom. “If you change your mind, let me know. I am yours for the taking.”

Aaron lay quietly stunned, her words running through his head.

Chavali saw his expression when she walked back into the room, unable to suppress the giggle as she climbed back into bed next to him. “I can see the smoke coming out of your ears from the wheels turning so hard, Aaron.” Rolling on to her side, facing away while backing up against him again, Chavali loved the heat that emanated between them. “It is going to be a long day tomorrow. We need our sleep. Can you at least hold me again please?”

He wrapped his arms around her, and Chavali fell asleep quickly.

But it was a long time before Aaron could give in to it.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Miles away from the conflict at the manor and Echo Lake, Daphne Rodriguez prepared the trays for the morning crowd she knew she would get at Boston’s Brigham and Woman’s Hospital cafeteria when they opened at 6:30. Glancing at the clock, she noted the 3:13 a.m. time. This was her favorite part of the day, not because of the work that she did at the hospital, but because it was when the spirit world was the most active.

Her commitment to becoming the watcher years ago was a sacrifice, and she had been the only one who volunteered for the job. Her friends on the other side could not understand why she so willingly agreed to live with mere mortals and never allowed her to feel the slightest sense of loneliness. In fact, they visited her so much, that many times she would have to lovingly shoo them away at 6:00 so that she could focus on her job.

To Daphne, it was never a sacrifice. To her, humans were fascinating and, as evil as some were, there were more who were kindhearted and giving. The hospital was a great place to witness many sides of humanity. Every day there was someone who hovered on the line between hope and despair. It was in seeing people in action that gave her the will to go on and not give up hope. Humans rarely gave up on hope.

Placing muffins on the giant tray, she cursed under her breath when she dropped one on the floor. Bending over to pick it up, she screamed when she straightened.

“
Really! Never, never, never sneak up on a witch, especially one who could kick your ass back through time.”

Keely smiled at her old friend. “I dare you to try it.”

Hugging her friend to her extremely large bosom, she could not contain her happiness. “What the heck are you doing here?” Watching the smile fall from Keely’s face, Daphne shuddered.

“
It is time then?”

“
Yes. You must prepare. The young vampire has reached Echo Lake, and I am afraid that the small band is not quite as prepared as we hoped they would be at this point.”

“
Has Adara learned the truth?”

“
No, not yet. The oracle did his job well. Of course, as reluctant as he was to help us, Adara helped the situation greatly when she ticked him off and right now, she is very busy keeping a group of very annoying witches from taking over her lair. The spartum did arrive. Chavali and Aaron were able to dispose of them. Adara will know something is up when they do not return.”

Daphne’s face paled. “So, we do not have a lot of time to get them ready is what you are saying. You have to get me more time, Keely!”

Nodding, Keely agreed. “I will do my best, but you must hurry!”

Daphne waited until she could no longer feel Keely’s energy before she took off her apron, grabbed her extremely large pocketbook and stepped into the hallway. Looking both ways, she closed her eyes, making sure that no one was around as she headed to the service elevator that would take her to the basement.

She would collect the rest of her belongings and head right out to the Berkshires. A part of her was sad that she would not be coming back to the hospital. She had made so many human friends, but she also had to admit that since Dragan left, it was not quite the same without him. He had insisted that he would return, yet Daphne knew better than that. His journey as a doctor had come to an end.

Tapping her foot impatiently, she waited for the elevator to reach the bottom floor. On high alert, Daphne sensed his energy long before the door opened. A simple spell should send a message. Chanting a quick spell quietly in her head, she smiled when the doors opened and a ball of fire covered his body as she stepped out. “Do you really think I am that stupid?” Walking around the warlock, now writhing on the floor in pain, her voice sharpened. “I don’t have time to deal with you now, so you had better back off before I will have to do something you will regret.”

Caleb’s voice hissed at the old woman when he extinguished the fire. His pride smarted more than the burns that were already quickly healing. “Collectively, you are no match for us. They will all die, as you will also, Dita.”

Caleb was shocked by the speed of the crone when she turned quickly, belying her size, pointing a finger at him. Cringing, he waited for the hit.

“
You are so out of your league, young man, and should show a bit more respect for your elders. For all of your bravado, you do the math…we have been around almost as long as the sons and daughters have. Why don’t you just go crawling back to Adara and tell her to prepare for battle?”

At his maniacal laugh, Dita realized that Caleb may have already lost his sanity. “Adara? Is that who you think I bow to now? Oh no, that is so funny. I am here on behalf of the one who will be greater than all in time.” He nodded his head as he saw the first flash of what looked like fear cross her face. “Not so sure of yourself now, are you, crone?”