Survive the Dawn (4 page)

“Damien, leave or die,” Sebastian said with a growl, her fangs bared, her face bloodied.

Gaylen
stood next to Sebastian and brushed his golden hair away from his face. “Take heed, dear,” he said with a grin.

“You cannot protect the mortals forever,” Damien said and leapt over Sebastian, who whirled around to see him land at the bottom of the staircase. The door flew open and Damien was gone.

She was victorious that day. Leigh was no help to Sebastian then. She and
Gaylen
had often wondered where Leigh was during the bloodbath that ensued. Now the last of the
Windhams
was dead, thanks to Leigh.

Leigh was a vampire’s vampire. Loved the hunt, loved the kill, and loved to play with the humans. It was her existence for nearly five hundred years. It was Sebastian’s, as well, until she met Anastasia—the human whom Sebastian sired and who in the end she had to release from the vapid existence of the undead.

Anastasia did not deserve her fate. Sebastian accepted the fact that she was selfish, wanting a lover for eternity. She looked down at Alex, who peacefully slept against her shoulder. Now she had fallen in love with another human. Had she made the same mistake with Alex? Did Alex have any idea what was in store for her? She told Sebastian she would love her even after death. This was something Anastasia never said; she went so far as to beg Sebastian to release her from her existence.

Right now, Alex was still human and unselfishly carried Sebastian’s life force in her bloodstream. Perhaps that would be enough for Alex. One day, she might see how hopeless life with a vampire was and would leave… The thought of it was as painful to Sebastian as a stake through the heart.

Dismissing the idea of never seeing Alex again, Sebastian turned her thoughts to
Nicholae
, the last of the old hierarchy in the vampire community. Together, he and Tatiana shared the power for nearly a thousand years. Again, rage filled Sebastian at the thought of
Nicholae
destroying Tatiana.

Now
Nicholae
stood alone, but he was afraid of Sebastian’s power and strength. Sebastian had let all that lay dormant for nearly a hundred years. Then Leigh, her old lover and companion, had to show up in Chicago, and all hell broke loose, forcing Sebastian out of the shadows and into the vampire community once again—her anonymity lost.

Perhaps now, when they arrived in England, they could find it again. Sebastian grew weary of the fighting and bloodletting. It frightened her now. She thought that savage part of her was gone, but Leigh made her very aware that it lingered deep within. This is what frightened Sebastian: that her rage, her hunger may consume her again.

If she were human, she’d pray to some god. However, the undead had no soul. She looked down at Alex and gently raised her arm. In her sleep, Alex moaned and nuzzled closer. Sebastian wrapped her arm around her and held her tight. Loving Dr. Alex Taylor was the closest thing to having a soul that she would ever know.

Sebastian hoped in England they could find peace. She feared she was asking for too much.

Chapter 3

“A limo?” Alex asked, wide-eyed as they walked to the luxury car. Alex pulled her collar up against the cool breeze.

“Alex, if you keep questioning every time—”

“Is this a Rolls Royce?” Alex stopped dead in her tracks.

Sebastian grunted when she walked into her. Oh, this woman, she thought.

Stunned again, Alex watched Sebastian walk around the other side of the car. “Is it?” she whispered across the hood of the classic car.

The chauffer, an older gentleman, opened the door for Alex, who was gaping at Sebastian. Alex looked at the chauffer, then back to Sebastian. “You didn’t call your friend, but you called your chauffer?”

“Alex, get in the car,” Sebastian pleaded.

“Oh, my,” she sighed and settled into the plush cream-colored leather seat.

“It’s good to see you again, Dr. Sebastian,” the chauffer said.

Alex’s jaw hit the floor while she listened.

“Thank you, William.” Sebastian sat beside Alex. She smiled as she looked around the interior. It was just as she remembered all those years ago.

“Is this yours?” Alex asked, watching Sebastian fondly touching the soft leather.

“I didn’t steal it.”

The chauffer dutifully laid a plaid blanket across their laps. “It is rather chilly this evening, ladies.”

When the car headed out of the airport, Alex looked around. “Are we moving?”

Sebastian grinned. “Amazing, isn’t it? It’s a nineteen thirty-eight Rolls Royce Phantom III. I bought it right off the line—”

“In nineteen thirty-eight?” Alex nearly screeched.

Sebastian winced and rubbed her temples. “Yes, love.”

“Don’t tell me you knew the owners,” Alex said sarcastically.

Sebastian offered a smug grin. “Henry Royce was a very nice fellow, though I found Charles Rolls somewhat standoffish.”

Alex blinked slowly. “I don’t believe it.”

“That’s nothing. Wait until I tell you all about the conversation I had with Elizabeth Barrett—”

“Browning?” Alex squeaked again.

“The decibel level, Alex,” Sebastian mused as she shook her head.

“Unbelievable,” Alex said in amazement. She looked down at the plaid blanket covering them and sidled closer to Sebastian. “This was nice of
Jeeves
—”

“William.”

“Whatever. I love the feel of this leather interior. It matches that damned sexy leather you’re wearing,” she whispered and slipped her hand under the blanket.

Sebastian let out a deep groan as Alex’s hand roamed between her legs. “Alex,” she whispered her warning.

“I don’t think
Jeeves
will mind,” Alex said in her ear. When she heard the noise, she looked toward the front seat. William slowly pulled the shade down over the glass partition. “I love this car.”

“I-it’s not a car,” Sebastian groaned as she felt Alex tug at the zipper on her slacks. “It’s a Rolls…”

“Hmm,” Alex murmured. She snaked out her tongue and lightly flicked it in Sebastian’s ear.

“Alex.” Sebastian moaned deeply.

Alex slipped her hand inside Sebastian’s slacks. “My hands are cold.” She sighed at the warmth that greeted her. “But not for long. I love the feel of you. You get so wet, just for me.”

Sebastian was beyond words. She just nodded and laid her head back against the soft leather. She had no control whatsoever when Alex touched her. It was amazing. It took her centuries to find Alex—the one who would save her from her lost humanity. Only Alex…

Alex allowed her fingers to glide through Sebastian when she parted her legs, welcoming the touch. She felt Sebastian’s orgasm start and she knew it would be quick—Sebastian’s breathing hitched and her body shook.

“Will you come for me?”

As Alex’s tongue bathed her ear, Sebastian groaned. “I have no choice,” she said in a ragged voice. “Almost,” she gasped out her warning.

Suddenly, the orgasm slammed through her and she arched her back. Alex saw the fangs protrude and Sebastian grabbed Alex’s hand and held it still. “Fuck,” she groaned as she collected herself.

Alex grinned and kissed her damp head. “Can I have my hand back?”

“I don’t think that would be wise.” Sebastian took a deep breath.

Alex laughed, slipped her hand out, and zipped up the slacks.

“You snuck up on me, Dr. Taylor,” Sebastian said with a scowl. “Paybacks, remember.” She looked into her green eyes. “You’d be the death of me, if I weren’t already dead.”

Alex laughed and sat up. Sebastian looked out the window at the familiar surroundings. “We’re almost there.”

“How can you tell? It’s pitch black out there.” Alex looked out, as well. She then remembered that every sense was heightened for a vampire.

The Rolls slowed and pulled onto a tree-lined road. Alex had the sensation that they were driving uphill. “I can’t wait to see this little house. I’ll bet it’s adorable.”

The car stopped and William opened Alex’s door. “Here we are, miss.”

Alex slid out of the back and looked around. Once again, she was astonished. “Okay. Where’s the adorable house, and whose mansion is this?” She turned to Sebastian.

“This would be mine.”

Alex felt like a gaping fool. She looked at her surroundings.

Sebastian looked around, as well, while William took the luggage out of the trunk.

This too was as Sebastian remembered. She must remember to thank
Gaylen
when she saw him. Nothing had changed. The two-story brick mansion, partially covered in ivy, welcomed her. The light above the porch illuminated their way up the massive steps. She took a deep breath and smelled the sea air.

As she started up, she looked back at Alex, who was staring in disbelief. She pulled her along. “Come, it’s late. You’ll get a better view in the morning.”

William opened the huge front door and stepped aside. Sebastian allowed Alex to go in before her. It was then she heard it. She looked back into the darkness. There was nothing now, but there had been something in the darkness; she felt a presence.

As Sebastian closed the heavy door, she gave the night one more careful glance.

Alex was in awe when she looked around the large foyer. “If this is your idea of a house in the country, I can’t wait to see the bathroom.”

Sebastian pulled her along. “I’ll give you the tour tomorrow. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

William gently cleared his throat. “I took the liberty of replenishing the icebox, Dr. Sebastian. If the young lady is hungry, I can prepare a meal.”

At the mention of food, Alex’s stomach growled. All three looked in the direction of the eruption. “Thanks. I think I’ll take you up on it.”

Alex sat opposite Sebastian as she ate her sandwich. After taking a long drink of ice-cold milk, she dabbed the napkin on the corner of her mouth. “What do you think that was outside?”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow and Alex offered a self-satisfying grin while she sang, “Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.” She then laughed at the typical scowl. “I was going to mention it when we walked in, but this way was more fun.”

Sebastian tried not to grin. “I honestly don’t know. After destroying Leigh, I seem to be regaining the strength and the powers I had long ago.” Her voice drifted off; she stared at nothing in particular.

She felt Alex watching her when she looked up. “No, I don’t have an appetite as you know it.” She now sported a self-satisfying scowl. She couldn’t bring herself to grin like a fool. She was a vampire after all and a member of the hierarchy, if she so chose.

Alex glared at her. “So you can read my mind. Big deal, you’re supposed to. You’re a vampire.”

Sebastian closed her eyes and counted to ten again.

Alex leaned in. “And you are one sexy vampire.”

Sebastian saw the vein in her neck pulse rapidly. “Are you finished with your meal?” she asked in a low voice.

“Yep. All done, should we clean up?”

“William will take care of it.” Sebastian pulled her out of the kitchen.

At the top of the stairs, Alex stopped. “Whew! Can we have a room on the ground floor? This place is enormous.” She followed Sebastian down the hall.