Always the Vampire (30 page)

“We. Belong. Together.” He punctuated each word with a kiss then cupped my sex with his palm. “Promise me, Cesca.”

I cried out, arching to his touch. “Deke, please.”

“No,” he said again, this time aloud.

I blinked away a sliver of mindless passion to find Deke poised over me, ready to join our bodies. The solemn expression in his cobalt eyes commanded me to see into him.

“Promise me, Cesca. Even if the Turning fails, I have to know you won’t simply let me die.”

“You will live, Deke,” I said as I wrapped my legs around him. “I promise you will live.”

 

 

We took Saber’s SUV because he decided to go with me on my Friday night ghost tour. I think because he expected Ken and David to show up out of the blue. They didn’t, but they did call me before the tour started. The vampire buddies were together, still on vacation, and—surprise!—in Orlando. That put them about two hours away by car, a bonus considering I’d figured on eight or more hours of travel. Ken offered to come to St. Augustine right away, but I told him to wait until the following night. We arranged to meet Saturday at ten in the South Beach Grill parking lot near A1A and Highway 206.

That is, if Lynn, Triton, and our magical mentors agreed with my plan. If not, I’d phone them to abort the mission.

Saber hovered during the ghost tour, on alert for any disturbance. I stayed alert to his health and to my twenty-five tourists, shepherding them along, answering questions, and generally doing my best to insure they got a bang of boos for their bucks.

We arrived at Cosmil’s just after ten, me still in my green Regency costume, Saber in blue jeans and a white polo shirt. A similarly dressed Triton sat on the couch, his arm around Lynn. Cosmil and Lia stood at the gleaming stainless steel island, both wearing those white scrublike uniforms, whipping up either a late dinner or magical potions. Judging by the spread of bowls piled with ingredients, the flasks filled with liquid, and the aroma of herbs, my money was on potions. I didn’t see Pandora, but as soon as I thought of her, I sensed her outside in the tree line. Patrolling, I gathered.

“Wow, Lynn, you look fantastic,” I said when she acknowledged me with a shy smile. Her silver blond hair shone in the soft light, her skin no longer looked sallow, and her blue green eyes sparkled. “I’m not sure Triton is good enough for you.”

She laughed and plucked at the hem of her navy shorts, paired with a warm pastel pink scoop-neck T-shirt. “Triton ran me home to get fresh clothes, and we stopped by Mom Kate’s to prove I’m okay.”

“The phone calls home weren’t cutting it,” Triton added.

“How did you explain Triton to Kate?” Saber asked.

“They introduced him,” Cosmil said, “as my intern and assistant. I sent a note along for Mrs. Tidwell explaining that Lynn had contracted a particularly nasty bacterial infection that would need several days more treatment.”

“Nice work,” I said, leaning a hip against an armchair.

“Yes, well, we have explained the potential danger to Lynn and bought time so that we may protect her, but now tell us, have there been further developments in the murder investigations?”

“No,” Saber answered. He sank into the matching chair across from Lynn. “The autopsies may be done this weekend, but I doubt we’ll hear from Detective Balch until Monday.”

Cosmil nodded as he moved a pinch of red powder from a bowl to a flask. The liquid popped, and a very thin line of smoke rose. Lia leaned into the wizard to inhale the smoke and smiled her satisfaction.

I cleared my throat. “If that’s more miracle cure you two are mixing up, Saber could use a shot of healing tonight.”

“Why not heal him yourself?” Lia’s eyes fixed on my face.

I blinked. “You mean with the am—”

“Way,” Triton jumped in. “Wasn’t that the stuff you bought on the Internet? I think you left that here, didn’t you, Cesca?”

Never say I can’t take a hint. “That’s right. I don’t have any at home.”

Lia had watched impassively, and now waved her hand. “Never mind, then. We’ll see to it. Right now, tell us your plan for protecting Lynn. We must get this settled.”

“How do you know I have a plan?”

“You’re mentally broadcasting bits of it. We really must work on shielding your thoughts.”

“Damn, Cesca,” Triton said, “tell us already.”

“Okay.” I stood straight, ready to sell the idea. “We want to hide Lynn but also have someone looking after her in case she gets sick again. When I thought of safe places and people, the first name to pop to mind was Victor Gorman.”

I looked directly at Lynn. “I warn you, Gorman is not the most couth of men. In fact, he reeks of jalapenos and cigar smoke most of the time, but he is relentless. He’s stalked me for months.”

“He’s a stalker?” Lynn asked nervously.

“Not in the typical sense, I promise. He’s a vampire hater. A member of the anti-vamp group, the Covenant. Think a redneck Van Helsing.”

“Why would your stalker agree to protect Lynn?” Triton demanded.

I gave her a conspiratorial grin. “Because I told Gorman a rogue vampire was obsessed with a gorgeous, innocent heroine.”

“She also offered to pay him,” Saber put in dryly. “I don’t like the guy, but he’ll bust his butt for the money.”

“He won’t harm her?” Triton pressed.

“No. He knows to do the job and nothing more.”

“Plus,” I said to Lynn, “you’ll only be with Gorman during the day. I’ve made other arrangements for night guards. Two male vampires I met in Fernandina Beach.”

Triton shot off the sofa and paced toward me. “Vampires? Are you using grits for brains? They’re more infected by the Void than we are.”

“These two aren’t sick at all, so chill. Ken and David are former Marines who were trapped in the Atlanta nest. They’re very grateful that the nest system has been dissolved, and want to do me a favor. They also happen to be on vacation in Orlando right now, so they can be here tomorrow night.”

“Oh, yeah? Why can’t they get here tonight? And where will they stay?”

“They’ll keep Lynn at the beach house. Starrack may know about the property, but it’s kind of off the radar so I have a gut feeling he doesn’t. As for question two, David and Ken could have come to St. Augustine tonight, but I told them I’d need Lynn’s approval. If she says no, David and Ken stay in Orlando, and I can nix Gorman, too.”

“Well, I say no. No way in hell.”

“You have another solution?” I shot back.

“Triton,” Lynn said mildly.

“What?” he snapped.

She arched her perfect eyebrows. “I believe Cesca said I’m the one who has to approve.”

“Lynn, you could be stuck with these strangers for days.”

“Cosmil and Lia were strangers when I got here. I can manage.”

Panic flashed in Triton’s eyes. “Cos, what do you think?”

“I do not have an alternative idea, and I believe this is Lynn’s decision.”

Triton eyed Saber. “What about you?”

“I think it’s been a while since you had a girlfriend. It’s Lynn’s call.”

“Traitors,” Triton muttered as he plopped into the second armchair.

I patted his shoulder as I took a seat next to Lynn. “Triton, I know it’s an unorthodox solution, but please give it a chance.”

His mulish expression didn’t change, but he nodded. “All right. So how will you execute this plan?”

“First, if Lynn can stay one more night here, Saber will pick her up tomorrow afternoon while I’m hosting the bridal shower. Then we can both take her to meet Gorman.”

“Where,” Saber interjected, “I will put the fear of God, the VPA, and prison into him.”

“Of course Lynn is welcome another night,” Cosmil confirmed.

I turned to Lynn again. “And if you change your mind after you meet Gorman, just say so.”

“Deal. Will I stay the rest of the afternoon with him?”

I shook my head. “I thought we’d go to dinner with Triton at South Beach Grill. Then all of us can meet David and Ken there in the parking lot afterward. That will give Triton and Saber some peace of mind.”

“Won’t being in public expose us to Starrack?” Triton asked.

“Not if Lia’s and Cosmil’s whiz-bang spells perform as advertized.”

Lia nodded. “We’ve already reinforced the protection and cloaking spells on all of you, and we’ll give Lynn a charm to wear around her neck. Like the mermaid charms Cosmil told me Triton carries in his store.”

Triton looked unsure but didn’t comment, so I turned back to Lynn.

“If you’re good to go with Ken and David, I’ll get you all settled at the beach for the night. The guys will drive you to Gorman’s house every morning, see that you get inside safely, and pick you up after dark.”

“I won’t be able to see Triton?” Lynn asked.

“Not for a while. I’m convinced that Starrack knows where Triton and I live.”

“And because of the murders,” Saber added, “we believe he’s keeping tabs on our movements to some extent or another.”

“I know it’s not ideal,” I continued, “but the less you and Triton are together, the safer you’ll be.”

Cosmil nodded. “Francesca is correct. However, I have a proposition that will give you two some time together if Saber is amenable.”

Saber nodded for Cosmil to continue.

“Triton, you may stay here alone with Lynn tonight. The wards are strong, and I will leave Pandora to stand guard. Lia and I will spend the night in Saber’s home. While there, I will reinforce the wards on his property.”

“Can you make those wards long lasting?” I asked. “At least until after the couples shower on Sunday?”

Saber gave me a look.

“What? Can’t hurt, might help. And while you’re at it, Cosmil, you and Lia can lay a major protection ward on Gorman and the vampires, and the neighborhoods where Lynn will be staying. And maybe Pandora can do her invisible-stealth thing and patrol the areas, too.”

Cosmil chuckled, the first sign of humor I’d seen from him in days. “Ever practical, Francesca. Is there anything else we may do for you?”

“You can do a healing on Saber, and Lia can finish her sketch of Starrack.”

“Ah, yes.” Lia pivoted to the counter against the far kitchen wall and turned back with a sketchpad in hand. “It is not my best work, but it will serve.”

She drew a thick sheet of paper from the pad and held it up for all of us to see. Her rendering favored Cosmil in the cheekbones and forehead, but Starrack’s face was fuller and the eyes colder than Cosmil’s. The hair was grayer, too. More salt than pepper like Cosmil’s was.

“This is the guy you’re after?” Lynn said.

Triton eyed her with apprehension. “Do you recognize him?”

“Not at all,” she said, and I knew she spoke the truth.

“I haven’t seen him, either,” Triton said.

“At least he hasn’t been under our noses,” I said, then turned to Saber. “We’ll need photocopies of this for Gorman, Ken, and David.”

“I wouldn’t share it with the authorities, though,” Lia said.

“Lia is right,” Cosmil said. “Starrack is too dangerous at this stage. I would not want officers hurt or worse attempting to apprehend him.”

Saber shrugged. “I suppose law enforcement can stay in the dark for their own protection.”

“Excellent,” Cosmil said, then eyed me. “Time for you and Triton to train.”

“What about healing Saber? Aren’t you taking him outside to the circle?”

“No need. We shall do it right here.” Cosmil pointed at floor on the other side of the island and a wooden stool with a white padded seat appeared. “Saber, sit there. Francesca, Triton, go.”

We went, right after I changed out of my costume into workout shorts and a tee. First we tried a telepathy exercise, but that was a bust. Triton and I were far too tuned into Saber and Lynn, and not each other.

Within five minutes, Triton called a halt. “Since this isn’t working, spar with me.”

“I won’t be much of a partner. Saber’s only taught me a few moves.”

“Then I’ll attack and you react.”

Without further warning, he swept my legs out from under me. I fell hard enough that it momentarily stunned me.

“Is that payback for my protect-Lynn plan?” I asked, flat on my back.

“Hell, yes. I don’t like it that she’ll be at the mercy of a redneck stalker and two vampires you barely know.”

“Hey, those vampires can dance.” I sat and held out a hand for him to help me up. As he grudging complied, I admitted, “It’s not an ideal situation, but it beats having her all the way in Daytona if trouble comes knocking.”

He lunged at me, and this time I jump-flew backward ten feet.

Triton smiled. “Good move. Now come at me.”

I did, and he fell backward, taking my momentum but thrusting a foot in my belly to toss me over his head. I would’ve eaten dirt, but my flight instinct kicked in. I levitated upright, turned in midair, and landed on my feet, astounded and outright impressed with myself.

“You want to go again?” Triton asked, up and in a defensive stance.

“I’ll quit while I’m ahead. Triton, have you fallen for Lynn all the way?”

He looked toward the shack we were fast approaching, his expression one of guarded longing. “I’m infatuated, and I’m fascinated that she’s the only other dolphin shifter I’ve met.”

“And?”

He raked a hand through his hair. “I’m frustrated. I feel like I got her into all this, yet I can’t be with her. I can’t be the one to protect her.”

“But you trust her in your gut?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Then why didn’t you want me to mention the amulets?”

“Cosmil said it’s need-to-know. Lynn understands about the danger and where it’s coming from, but we haven’t told her about our major weapon.”