ShadowsofNight (14 page)

“There are no wounds, I sealed them. Emma—we
really
need to talk.”

“You’re scaring me.” She stilled and tried not to allow
panic to grip her.

“My biting you…it really doesn’t make much of a difference
anymore.”

“Not to you, but it sure as hell does to me.” Now she was
angry. How dare he be so flippant?

“Will you stop for a minute and listen, damn it?”

“Why should I?” She glared at him.

“There were secrets your mother kept from you as a child. My
guess is she was probably trying to protect you.”

“From what?”

“I know who killed your parents—and why.”

“Oh.” She wasn’t expecting that. “Go on.”

“How much do you know about your mother’s past?”

“Not a whole lot. I was a kid.”

Christian took a deep breath. “Your mother was once mated to
one of our kind. His name was Vladimir.”

“You’re wrong. My father was in the Air Force. He died when
his plane went down.”

“I have something I want to show you. I’ll be right back.”
He threw on a pair of boxers and traced from the room, returning a few minutes
later with a manila file marked
Confidential
.

“What’s this?” She took it from him. Fear licked around the
edges of her mind and her hands trembled as she slowly opened the folder.

“You need to read what’s inside.” His expression was tense.

She flipped through the pages slowly, trying to digest the
contents. Vampires…her mother fleeing from a man in Russia…a half-breed child.

Her mind was reeling. Emma let the folder drop from her lap.
This couldn’t be true. It was a ruse to try to trick her.

No, that wasn’t Christian’s style. But perhaps they were
wrong.

“S-so what does this mean? I’m not human? Is that it?”

“You’re a half-breed, from what’s been explained to me.” He
picked up the file and placed it on the nightstand.

“What does
that
mean—I’m part vampire?”

He nodded slowly.

She felt her bottom lip quiver. This was crazy.

“I know this isn’t what you were expecting to hear but—”

“You should’ve told me before you did…what you did. How dare
you take advantage of me like this?” she choked out angrily.

He looked at her incredulously. “Do you really believe I
would bite you on purpose?I’m not that heartless.”

“Are you saying it didn’t cross your mind after you learned
the truth about me? Come on, how stupid do you think I am?” Sarcasm soaked her
words.

“Sorry you think so little of me, but no. I told you I
struggle to keep my carnal side in check when we’re intimate.”

She fell back against the pillow. “But my mom was
human
—and
I
don’t feel any different.” Her heart raced as she tried to work
through the range of emotions flooding her without losing it.

“She probably didn’t want to go through the change while she
was pregnant,” he said.

“I don’t want to hear any more.” Emma covered her ears.

“You need to know the truth, whether you choose to accept
your fate or not.” He gently touched her arm.

“If you’re lying, I swear to God—”

“I’m not. Marcus said your mother fled with you when she was
still pregnant because your real father promised you to the leader of another
coven when you came of age. Much of your past is still a mystery, and some
things are still unknown. But it appears the vampire who killed your family is
the same male you were promised to. His name is Dorian Dracus.”

“You expect me to believe this shit?” She wanted her old
life back. This was too much.

“I swear on my honor, I speak the truth. At least, the truth
as we currently know it.”

“Take me back. I want to go
right now
.” Her world was
spinning out of control, with no emergency break to stop it from crashing down
around her.

“To what—your old life? It doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Then I’ll push Rewind and forget we ever had this
conversation.” She curled onto her side and stared past him.

“I’m sorry, Em,” he sighed.

“How is this possible?” Tears ran down her cheeks.

He settled against the pillow next to her and reached out to
gently wipe them away. “I don’t know. Half-breeds are very rare. Have some
faith though, I have a feeling everything will work out.”

“Faith in what? That perhaps by some stroke of luck, I’ll
wake up from this nightmare?”

She fell silent and pulled her knees closer to her chest and
closed her eyes. The truth was an ugly reality. One, it seemed, she was going
to be forced to deal with whether she wanted to or not.

If only there was something he could do to make it better.
He understood her aversion to becoming a vampire; it had taken him a while to
accept it too. But there wasn’t any way to sugarcoat it for her.

“You can’t keep me a prisoner.” She opened her eyes and
looked at him.

“Dorian’s out there. It’s not safe.” She could really be
stubborn and willful. In a way, he enjoyed her independent side. But right now
it would serve her to be practical.

“Don’t you think he would’ve found me by now if he were
searching? It’s not like I’ve been in hiding.”

Her logic made sense. Maybe he’d decided to wait until she
was close to transitioning. But how would he know that unless he’d been keeping
tabs on her? Maybe he had.

“There’s no telling why he’s waited. All I do know is that
he’s a very dangerous vampire.” He wasn’t going to take a chance on letting
that bastard anywhere near his mate.

“Aren’t you all?” She raised an eyebrow.

“When it comes to you, yes,” Christian quickly pinned her
flat on the bed and straddled her waist, his face inches from hers, “and I’ll
do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

“Get off me!” she snapped.

“Not until you listen to reason. I know you’re angry and
upset. But you’re also a highly trained operative, so get a grip,” he said,
hoping to snap her out of her willfulness.

“If all this shit’s true, and I’m not saying it is, you need
to let me decide my fate. I don’t do damsel-in-distress very well. You got it?”

“You’ll not get a choice if Dorian gets his hands on you.”
She was being such a hard-ass.

“He’s one vampire I’ll have no trouble turning to ash.”

“Fine, but there’s something else you should know. Dorian
wants to breed with you because he thinks his offspring will be able to live in
the daylight. He was looking for
you
the night your mother was killed.
It was just a stroke of luck that you happened to be on the roof instead of in
your bed. I don’t know why he hasn’t come after you again, but I sure as hell
don’t want to make it easy for the bastard to find you now.”

Emma finally stilled. “My parents were killed because of
me
?”

Her stomach rolled and she had to swallow hard to keep the
bile down.

“This isn’t your fault.” He pressed his lips together and
moved to her side, running a hand through his hair.

“When will I become one?”

“There’s no way to know for sure. We’re not the same. I was
turned. You were born this way.”

“Great, so there’s no instruction manual for me to follow,
lovely.” Her head suddenly hurt and her joints ached. Was she feverish? Maybe
she was getting sick. Not surprising after all the shit she’d been through.

Christian reached out and took her chin between his
forefinger and thumb. He tilted her face up to stare into his eyes. “Hey, I’m
here. Whatever it takes. I’ll be there for you through the change or anything
you need from me. I know what you’re feeling. It sucks.”

“Can I stop it?” Her voice hitched.

“No, I don’t think so.” There was regret in his eyes.

“You’re right, this sucks.” Someone was seriously playing a
cruel joke on her and she certainly wasn’t laughing.

“Come here.” He reached for her.

“Don’t.” She pushed him away. Being held right now wasn’t
going to make her feel better. Everything was a blur. Her life was spinning out
of control like a tornado, taking out everything in its path.

Christian clenched his teeth, hoping to quell the rage that
threatened to consume him. Her pain affected him deeply, but there was nothing
he could do to spare her.

“I don’t wish this for you, Em. Believe me.”

“Right. Isn’t this what you wanted all along, for me to be
like you? No wonder you bit me. You figured, what does it matter? I’m going to
turn anyway.”

“You think I’m that selfish?” He grabbed her chin.

“Don’t tell me you’re not happy about this shit, because
then
you’d
be the one lying.”

He ignored her remark. He
did
think it was easier for
them to be together now. But that didn’t mean he didn’t care how she felt.

“If I’d wanted to change you against your will, I would’ve
done it already.”

“Why should it matter now, since there’s no stopping this?”

“You’re acting childish.” He shook his head.

“Isn’t this where you convince me to let you bite me a few
more times?”

“
I’m
cursed to live in the shadows.
You’re
not, so don’t you patronize me. I would never force you to bond with me unless
it’s what you wanted.” Her sarcasm had finally cut him to his very core, and he’d
had enough. He knew she was hurting and lashing out, but he didn’t have to like
it.

“I’m sorry.” She got up from the bed and walked over to the
window to look out at the rain-splattering night.

“Apology accepted.” He sat there, not sure what else to say.
Worried he’d only make it worse if he said any more.

“Do I have to drink blood?” She took a deep breath and
rested her cheek against the glass.

“Yes. But I’ve been told half-breeds also eat food.”

“That’s a relief. I’m not too keen on the blood-drinking
part.”

“It’s not as bad as you think.”

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

He climbed off the bed and went to her. “Don’t be,” he whispered
back as she continued to stare out the window. He allowed his lips to hover close
to her smooth neck as he pushed her hair out of the way, and noticed a slight
tremble pass through her.

“I read in a report that turning into a vampire involves
pain. Is that true?” She swallowed hard.

Christian wasn’t sure if he should explain that part to her.
It hurt like hell. The burning sensation alone was bad enough, and the only
release for it was sex, in most cases.

“Your situation is different so there’s no telling.”

“What happened to the vamp who got my mom pregnant?”

“Marcus said he died shortly after your mother fled. He
believes Dorian probably killed him.”

“What was his name again?” Emma turned around to face him.

“Vladimir Glazkov.” He looked into those lovely, sad eyes,
wishing he could erase the pain.

“Sounds like I have Russian ancestry.” She licked her lips
and damn if his body didn’t respond.
What an ass.
He cursed inwardly at
his lack of self-control.

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of such bad news.”

“It’s not your fault. Can I ask a favor?”

“Sure—anything.” And he meant it.

“I need a few minutes alone to process everything. Can you
give me that, please?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll be back in a little while.” He
reluctantly stepped away. He didn’t want to leave her like this. But he would
respect her wishes regardless.

“Thanks.” She went over to the bed, climbed in and pulled
the covers around her.

He nodded, threw on his jeans and headed for the door. “Need
anything while I’m gone? Are you hungry, perhaps?”

“No thanks.”

Yeah. Emma was
hungry
for a large wooden stake, a
loaded UV gun and a whole lot of luck—because she was going to kill the bastard
who’d murdered her parents.

When Christian was gone, she got up and went into the
bathroom. A shower sounded like a better plan than just lying there moping.
Besides, her skin was hot and she needed to cool down. She turned on the water and
stepped under the tepid stream.
Much better.
She sighed.

Well, at least I have a name for my next target. Dorian
Dracus.
She had to plan. It would be a lot easier for her to deal with this
mess head-on.

She closed her eyes, trying not to let her emotions
overwhelm her. Another wave of heat flushed through her body.
Damn, I’m too
young for hot flashes.
She turned off the water entirely and just let the
cold hit her skin. After several minutes, she gave up and got out. If she
was
sick, it probably wasn’t good to be taking ice-cold showers.

Emma dried off and went back into the bedroom, grabbed the
same t-shirt and sweats she’d worn earlier and threw them back on.They
were dry now, at least.

I need some different clothes. Maybe Lena has something I
can wear that actually fits.

She hugged her waist as indecision over what to do next
besieged her. The thought of leaving Christian wasn’t pleasant. Memories plagued
her of the passion they recently shared, and a dark hunger curled in her gut,
making the flush in her skin more intense. He had a deep effect on her
emotions. She was crazy about him.

Damn it,
I have to stop thinking that way.
She
couldn’t allow herself to get emotionally involved right now, not when she
finally had the name of her mom’s killer.

The gnawing sensation only grew stronger.

I have to get out of here.
She eyed the door and
decided to go look for Lena.

A cool breeze swept past Dorian’s face as he scaled the side
of the structure and entered the female’s bedroom. The faint stench of his own
kind caused him to freeze.

“What’s this?” he growled. He inhaled deeply, trying to
place the scent. It was someone he didn’t recognize. Whoever this male was, he’d
be dealt with painfully.

“Her scent is faint,” one of his men said as he entered the
room through the open window behind him.

“Indeed it is. Check downstairs,” he ordered as he glanced around
the room.

“Yes, Master.”

Plans of bloodshed spun in Dorian’s mind as he examined the
room. The vampire who dared to take what rightfully belong to him would pay
dearly. No mercy.

Dorian knew how to kill; it was an instinct entwined in his
very nature. No one had ever beaten him before and no one ever would.

Well, no one accept Emma Hayes
.

After his first attempt to claim her had failed, he’d
decided to wait until she was close to her transition phase before trying
again. He had been keeping close tabs on his female and had only lost track of
her recently. Seemed waiting had proven to be another mistake in a string of
them when it came to the half-breed.

He slid her closet door open and smiled.
My feisty little
female is spirited. I like a challenge.
She wouldn’t be submissive or
weak-minded.He stared at her combat boots and cargo pants next to
several skirts and dresses. She kept everything neat and orderly. Probably from
her time spent in the military. He’d learned she had joined a special unit that
spied for the government after her enlistment period was over. Her choice of
careers intrigued him. She was a fighter. There was no question. A strong
woman, worthy of someone like him. Just what he needed. Those easily broken
were no sport.

He opened a cabinet inside her closet, thumbing through her
files, and found something, a business card with a telephone number scrawled
across the surface. He turned it over—and his jaw clenched.

Voss International, Inc.

London, England, Headquarters

Conner Davies, Human Relations

“The Order,” he snarled.

The scent of an unknown vampire made more sense if she was
working for them. But why was the scent in her
bedroom
? He didn’t like
that one bit. There was no reason for a business associate to enter her room.

He quickly finished rifling through the rest of her things,
looking for more clues. He found another folder containing emails between her
and Christian Voss. They were professional, but looks could be deceiving. He
closed the folder.
Time to pay Mr. Voss a visit.

“We’re leaving,” he called to his guard, who immediately
materialized.

“Where to now, Master?”

“Voss International. Let’s go.”

He traced to the entrance of the office building. His guard
appeared next to him.

“She’s
here
?” His guard smiled.

“Yes. It seems my bride is working for Christian Voss.”
Dorian pushed the door open and walked through the lobby, past reception and toward
the bank of elevators.

“May I help you, gentlemen?” One of two security guards
stood up and came around the desk.

“No help needed.” Dorian pressed the elevator button.

“You must state your business or you won’t be allowed access
to any floors,” the guard persisted.

“I’m here to see Mr. Voss.” Dorian looked over his shoulder
at the guard and smirked.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“One is not necessary.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave the
premises, sir.”

“You may ask, but that doesn’t mean I’ll comply.” He pressed
the elevator button again. It was too bad he couldn’t trace to the upper
floors. It would’ve been much easier. Unfortunately, there were barriers in
place that prevented it; he’d felt them upon entering. Vampires were able to
put protective mental barriers on spaces that belonged to them to keep
intruders out. Useful when you didn’t want to be disturbed. Annoying when you
wanted to gain access.

“I need assistance in the main lobby. Lock down the
elevators,” the guard said into his radio.

“Not smart.” Dorian traced to the guard and shoved a wooden
stake into his chest, turning him to ash.

“Detail out here, now! One down!” the other security officer
yelled into his radio, just before Dorian traced to him and twisted his head
clean off. Several more guards appeared in the lobby. Dorian kicked one in the
chest, punched another in the throat, easily disabling them without much
effort. He blocked a strike from another large male and shoved a fist into his
jaw. No one could match him in strength or speed.

In the span of less than a few minutes, several of Voss’
security members were down. “Not much of a challenge,” Dorian said, stepping
over the bodies.

“Have you
ever
found an opponent who was a worthy
challenge?” His guard grinned.

“Not yet,” he sighed. “Such a pity I can’t trace to the upper
floors. I hate these mental barriers.”

“We can try entering the building from the roof.”

“Good plan.” Dorian nodded and they went outside, tracing to
the top of the skyscraper. He found the door that led to the stairwell and
tried to kick it in, but it wouldn’t budge.
Reinforced steel. Smart vampires
.

“Why do you want to see Christian?” A blond vampire appeared
on the roof. He was a large, powerfully built male wearing a suit.

“My business with Mr. Voss is of a personal nature,” Dorian
replied.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”

“Dorian Dracus. And your name is…?”

“Christian isn’t here, Mr. Dracus. He’s on holiday.”

“I thought I asked for your name? Don’t be rude or I might
lose my patience,” he snarled.

“Look, Mr. Dracus, there’s no need for more violence. I’m
Conner Davies, I work with Mr. Voss. Maybe I can be of some assistance to you?”

“You want to help, then tell me where I can find Emma Hayes.”

“I don’t recognize the name. I’m sorry. Perhaps you’re
mistaken?”

He recalled the emails he saw between Emma and Mr. Voss. “Oh
yes, I forgot, she used an alias. Does the name ‘Emily Parker’ ring a bell?” He
stepped closer. A helicopter flew overhead, its searchlights streaming down to
cast beams across the top of the building.

The blond cleared his throat. “Ah, yes—Ms. Parker. She left
us about a week ago, I think. I haven’t seen her since. Why do you ask?”

“Do you know where I can find her?” He didn’t have time to
bother with twenty questions.

“How would I know, Mr. Dracus? It seems the information I
have on this woman is likely bogus anyway. She clearly isn’t who she pretended
to be. I thought her name was Emily Parker, not Emma Hayes.”

“You should do better background checks on potential hires,
don’t you think?” Dorian gave him a look of contempt.

“She’s human, Mr. Dracus. May I ask why you’re so interest
in her?” Conner asked.

“That’s my business. Not yours.”

“Duly noted. If you give me your business card, I’ll have
Christian contact you when he returns, if you’d like.”

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Davies. I’m quite familiar
with the Order of the Dragon. I’ll be in contact with them. And Mr. Voss…when
does he return?”

“He’s out of the country at the moment.”

“You choose your words carefully, Mr. Davies.”

“If he were here, believe me—he’d have no problem speaking
with you.”

“I know you’re being vague on purpose. Where is Christian
Voss
now
?” Dorian asked, starting toward him.

“I haven’t spoken to Christian in several days. When I hear
from him though, I’ll be sure to let him know you’re looking for him.” He held
his ground.

“You do that,” Dorian growled, tracing from view before he
reached Conner.