Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night) (42 page)

“I promised you anything
. Anything in my power to give.”

With those words he
lifted her and sank his fangs into her neck. Jordon backed away, giving him space, pulling Tomes with him.

Corin released his
bite and lowered her to the ground, making a cut across his left wrist with an extended nail. “Drink of me.” He pressed his bleeding wrist to her mouth, stroking her throat, making sure she swallowed enough for the exchange.

Tomes turned away. “Forgive me, God, but I couldn’t bear to lose another
loved one.”

Corin sealed
the slash on his wrist then leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I’ll be waiting.” He swept his hand over her eyes, helping her fall into a trance.

“She won’t come back like Louisa, will she?” Tomes
feared.

“Her body isn’t damaged to the extent Louisa’s was due to the autopsy. I
believe the transformation will take nicely. But only time will tell.”

“How long will it take?”

Galvar stepped in. “Some say seventy-two hours, but the metamorphosis actually differs from person to person. It can take longer, but the quicker the better.”

Tomes reached for Angelique’s hand. “What will happen to her now?”

“With the virus upon her, she will face Death,” Galvar continued to explain. “The angel will take her soul, but in the end, she will retain the memory of who she was in life. With the miracle of transformation, her body will undergo repair and she will eventually awaken, immortal.”

“I won’t be able to rest until I know she’s Okay,” Tomes agonized.

“Nor will I,” Corin said. “Forgive me, Tomes.”

“I asked you to change her,” Tomes
reminded him.

“Not Angelique
. Boldor. I promised you vengeance and I took the kill from you.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. Just as you were consumed by that monster, I was
overcome by my own rage. Besides, in my condition, I couldn’t have taken him on and survived it. I’m satisfied and grateful that you avenged Louisa for me.”

With Corin and Angelique settled, Galvar turned and addressed the Order.
“What do we know of the charms?”

“The Heart has been recovered but the Body was not found.” A nightwalker
stepped forward with the Heart of the Clyth and handed the charm to Galvar. “Lehndra must still be in possession of it, and she’s gotten away.”

“Unfortunate, but we have the Heart, and it will never leave our watch again,”
Galvar declared.

“What about the
se?” An immortal approached with the amber gemstones Boldor had possessed. “They didn’t disintegrate with Karlot.”

“They are charmed,” Galvar
held one up and viewed the insect inside. “We will take them. They may be of use to us.”

“You should know, Galvar, I disclosed the secret of the Order to Corin,”
Jordon confessed.

“This was a special circumstance. And because of this immortal, the Heart is
returned to us. But I suppose I shouldn’t let you go without punishment, something to fit the crime—Lehndra.”

Jordon groaned. “With her on the run, I guess my job isn’t finished yet.”

“You still have work to do,” Galvar replied.

“I suppose the fact that she’s of ancient Delghorlin blood is still an issue, even
after all of this?”

“Everything remains the same. She mustn’t be killed, only captured,” Galvar
stressed. “Leave her fate to the Order, Jordon. Remember what I told you about repercussions. Think of the consequences before you act.”

“I can’t say I’m happy about it, but I understand.”

Galvar pressed a hand against his shoulder. “Keep us informed.”

Jordon nodded. “I’ll report soon.”

Galvar called out to the Order. “Prepare to depart as we arrived— wolves.” The immortals shifted, but the commander held off changing form. “My friend,” he spoke to Corin, “the monster inside of you is a rare power, but remember, your human side has proven to be stronger.”

“The girl will give him all the strength he needs,” Jordon said.

“Yes.” Galvar nodded. “Love is a mighty power in itself. Use that.”

Standing next to Jordon, Corin extended a hand to the leader of the Order.
“I will.”

Galvar shook it.
“Good life to you.”

He then
bid them farewell, transformed, and took his place at the front of the pack. Releasing a howl, he led the Order of the Clythguard into the woods, gone as quickly as they’d arrived, a passing wind in the night.

“Who were those guys, anyway?” Sheriff Pierson
emerged from the backdrop, the manner of his question causing Tomes, Corin, and Jordon to burst out laughing. Amid all of the chaos, they had completely forgotten about him.

Jordon
approached him with a slap to his back. “Those were the good guys, Sheriff, and they were with me,” he bragged. “It took two years, but I finally got my man. I always do.”

“I think Mr. von Vadim got your man, Marshal Black,” Pierson busted his
bubble.

Jordon cut his eyes at Corin with a wry grin.
“If we have to get technical.”

“Since the agency doesn’t seem too concerned with the measures you take
when it comes to ‘getting your man,’ I suppose all of this will just be added to your growing list of presumed dead reports,” Pierson said.

“What other kind is there?” Jordon boasted.

“I sure wish I knew how I to explain this one,” Pierson fretted. “I don’t even have a body to produce.”

“There’s no explaining the truth, Sheriff. Don’t jeopardize your position by
spouting stories of immortal shape-shifters. Just make something up. Create a death. Have him burned up in a fire or lost in that black river of yours,” Jordon suggested.

“It’s hard to believe you work under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of
Justice. You make it sound so easy.”

“After two years of hunting a killer, this is the easy part,” Jordon told him.

“I’ll come up with something. I have no choice.” Pierson looked at Angelique. “Is she going to be okay?”

Corin nodded. “She’ll go through transformation and will awaken immortal.”

“Well, I’d best get moving,” Jordon faced Corin. “I don’t want my new assignment to get too far ahead of me.”

“Can I ask that you show me your true appearance before you go,” Corin
requested.

“Why not.”
Jordon’s age melted away revealing a younger version of himself.

“What the
…. You’re just a kid!” Pierson exclaimed.

“Precisely why the aging is necessary,” Jordon said to Corin.

“Will we see you again?” Corin asked. “I’m interested in learning more about your world. Maybe even make that visit we talked about.”

“When this job is done, I’ll drop in for a little RNR. I’m sure I’ll need it after
dealing with Lehndra.”

“I’ll look forward to it
.” Corin let him know he was welcome. “Don’t you have a car? Do you need one of us to pick it up?”

“I’ll have someone take care of it.”

“I didn’t think you had anyone on the inside helping you out,” Corin caught his stare.

Jordon smiled slyly. “I never said that.” He didn’t elaborate.

Corin nodded.

With everything in order, Jordon shape-shifted and took to the sky.

“We’d best be going ourselves if we plan on making it to the estate before dawn.” Corin lifted Angelique from the ground and headed for the truck. “Hopefully, Boldor left the keys.”

“You go ahead
,” Tomes motioned. “I’ll walk out with the sheriff. I have the Chevelle parked at the gate.”

“My fully restored 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport?” Corin
said.

“The one and only, and she handles like a dream,” Tomes razzed.

“It ought to with all the time and money I’ve put into it. Just remember, you’re sitting behind a bundle. I’d best not find a scratch,” Corin warned, making hast with Angelique, knowing sunrise wasn’t far off.

* * * *

“Vampires, wolves, decapitations, it’s certainly been interesting…a night to remember.” Pierson walked alongside Tomes, en route to the gate. “Does it still feel a little disturbing out here to you?” He felt the twitch behind his left ear, concerned things might not be quite as wrapped up as they believed them to be.

“There’s nothing to worry about. Boldor’s dead. And he’s not coming back.”

Pierson rubbed his ear. “I’ll tell you one thing, after tonight, I’ll never look at a cemetery the same way again.”

“I know what you mean, Sheriff. This past week has completely changed my
life.”

Nearing the gate, Corin drove by, tossing a wave as he passed.

“Where are you parked?” Tomes asked.

“Behind those trees,” Pierson pointed out the spot. “You go ahead. I’ll manage
just fine.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon, Sheriff
,” Tomes turned back. “What about my folder?”

“I’ll get it to you,” he replied
, wanting to do a little more reading before giving it up.

“All right, Sheriff.” Tomes moved on. “I know where to find it.”

Pierson went to his SUV and climbed behind the wheel, glancing at Tomes who left with a blow of the horn. He lit a Marlboro and leaned back. eave, to till Tomes left, returning a blow of the horn.

“Alone at last
.” He lit a Marlboro and flipped on an inside light.

With everyone cleared out, he reached in his jacket and pulled out a charm
that resembled a large locket. A wide grin stretched across his face as he examined the relic. He wasn’t at all the bumbling back-woods simpleton the others thought him to be, not by a long shot. Tonight, they were the ones royally duped.

Pierson had no idea what power the charm possessed, but he intended to find
out. Since learning of the reality of immortals, how could he be content with living such a short life—a mere eighty years if lucky? Knowing what he now knew, he wanted what they had…the immortals. He wanted to live forever, and one way or another, he was going to make that happen.

* * * *

Three nights later, Tomes stirred about the mansion while Corin remained with Angelique, emerging from the basement only long enough to feed.

Falling asleep on the sofa, he woke just before sunrise
and stepped onto the lanai. Collapsing in a chair, he thought about Louisa, plagued by her memory. She was gone, but he’d never stop loving or missing her.

Watching the sky growing brighter by the minute—the sun rising to a new
day—his thoughts transferred to Angelique.

“You will never see this again, Angel
.”

“I will see it from this day forth through your eyes, brother.” He heard her
voice in his mind, sending him scrambling to his feet in bewilderment.

“I hear you, Angel. By God, I hear you,” he laughed,
then cried.

With Angelique now immortal, he figured t
he telepathy was possible due to their twin connection, and her new powers. Nevertheless, all that mattered was his cherished sister, whom he dearly loved, was still with him. She was no longer mortal, but she would always be his Angel. And walking with Corin—an immortal he was now proud to call his brother—she would be happy.

EPILOGUE

Tomes sat at his computer and started typing, his fingers flying over the keys
as he transposed his memories into words. His story would be both terrifying and incredible, telling of two destined immortals—Corin and Angelique—who reside in a small town called Hixton, located in Jackson County, Wisconsin. There, they inhabit a secluded, sprawling estate, claiming their isolation, hiding the fact that in the day, they rest within the dark confines of the earth, and after the fall of night, they walk, for they are nightwalkers.

It all started one stormy night. Corin von Vadim walked amid the stones…
.

Continue the story
in Book 2

After the Fall of Nigh
t
:

IMMORTAL CALLING