Vampire Forgotten (4 page)

“Why do your eyes look so wide?” His question threw her off the mark, and she blinked up at him.  “Do I make you nervous?”  The timbre of his voice told her he already knew the answer.

“Yes.”  She saw no reason to lie.

He chuckled and guided her toward the chintz sofa as if she couldn’t make the short journey by herself.  And the way her knees were knocking together, maybe she couldn’t.  He settled her on one cushion before sitting down beside her.  “I suppose I shouldn’t have asked you.”  The deep voice flowed over her skin like warm water.

“No, especially since you already knew the answer.” She scooted her knees to one side, putting more space between their bodies. “So tell me more about this gift of sight you claim to have.”

“Would you be surprised if I told you my gift is telling me to kiss you?”  The heat of his skin bathed her cheek.  “You know, you can tell a lot about a person from the way they respond to you.  If they melt,” he lifted a hand and brushed his knuckles down her cheek, softly, a lover’s caress, “if they sigh against your lips,” his hand moved to the long, smooth line of her neck, “or if they whisper your name.  Would you whisper my name, Mischa?” 

Her lids slid to half-mast as he moved even closer to her.  She couldn’t whisper his name because her throat had closed, making speech impossible.  His outer thigh burned against her leg, his hands resting on either side of her hips.  She opened her eyes wider and discovered he was lowering his head, his lips seconds away from touching hers.  She should stop him, back away, but she was frozen and couldn’t think of one of the many reasons why she should stop him.

His lips brushed hers once, twice and then he backed off, his eyes meeting hers.  The silence in the room was almost deafening as their gazes locked.  Tension clawed its way up Mischa’s spine, and she held her breath, waiting for him to make the next move.  She didn’t have long to wait.

Hooking his hand behind her head, Rhad pulled her closer, fusing his lips to hers in a kiss that was anything but hesitant.  Powerful emotions churned inside of her, emotions like desire, passion, and a longing so intense her heart ached.  She was sure he could taste her fear, her hesitancy and finally, her surrender.  She wanted him, but he was already pulling away.  Had she spoken her craving aloud?

He put some distance between them.  “I will not apologize.”  From the sound of his voice, he spoke through gritted teeth.

Mischa fell back against the cushion behind her, closing her eyes.  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” 

He turned, fixed her with another surveying look.  “I won’t deny what I am.”

Her eyes popped open.  “You mean a vampire?  If that’s the case, why haven’t you taken my blood?”

“Because I will not do so without your permission.”

Unconsciously, Mischa rubbed her neck.  “And if I never give it?”

Stealthy steps carried him back to her, making her feel a little like prey. “Then I shall remain a very hungry man.”

His eyelids drooped low, shadowing the heated light in his eyes.  Mischa’s palms grew damp.  “You’re either the most considerate vampire I’ve ever met or you’re lying which you said you never do.”

“If I’m what you say I am, I’d wager I’m the only vampire you’ve ever met.”

Mischa wanted to hit him.  “That makes no difference.  I don’t want to become one of you.”

The smile he gave her was filled with longing.   “Destiny can be a bitch, my sweet.”  He dipped in and caressed her lips once more before pulling away.  “You should sleep.”

“Is there a lock on that bedroom door?”

“Nothing will harm you here.”

Mischa got to her feet.  “No?  Not even the host?”

A thumb touched the corner of her mouth. “Mischa, when I take you, you will feel no pain.  Only passion, hunger, and a burning need for the feel of my body inside yours.” He brought her hand to his face and gently suckled her index finger.  “You will want me as much as I want you, and when I make you mine, you will need other men no more.”

She tugged her hand free and quickly backed toward the door.  “This is where the bell really rings on that meter I was telling you about.”

“Sleep well, little one.”

Yeah, that was going to happen.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Maybe Hamrick won’t come after her. Let’s send her back to Boston. We can keep her safe, can’t we? I mean, we’re not totally useless.”

“’Our abilities are limited.”

She snorted. “Only because we allow them to be because of the council.” Arms held wide, she swayed to and fro. “Look at me! I can do anything I want…including save Mischa’s life. I brought her to the castle, and I can protect her.”

A hard hand clamped down on her wrist. “If you interfere, your actions could end in her death.”

The brunette blanched. “How can you be so sure?”

One bushy eyebrow lifted. “You doubt me now?”

Her arms folded. “Well, I am dead, aren’t I?”

The shaman turned to look at her, and she caught the disapproval in his eyes. “So you think I allowed you to die, do you?”

She dropped her head, ashamed of her rash words. “No. I don’t. It’s just that…I’m so worried about Mischa. She shouldn’t be here.”

He took hold of her hand. “And neither should we, but all things work out in the end.”

“I wish I could be as sure of that as you are.”

“Rhad will save your sister, Rianna. That I can promise you.”

Chapter Two

Everything.  Anything.  He wanted to know what made her laugh, what made her cry, and what she wanted most in the world.  But most of all, he wanted to know what sounds she would make when he made love to her.  Would she whisper his name in a hesitant plea, or would she cry it aloud as her climax wrapped around her? 

Rhad scrubbed the back of his neck with violent twists of his hand.  The clock over the mantel read two a.m., and the night dragged on, making him curse his need for the darkness.  Any other time, he would be out in the night, enjoying the sounds and smells of the evening.

But not tonight.

Mischa would be sleeping by now, her silky hair splayed across the snowy white pillow case.  Her luscious curves would be hidden beneath the dark comforter, and were he to go to her now, he would feel the warmth emanating from those golden limbs.

His body tightening painfully, Rhad slammed the glass of brandy down on the edge of the rolltop desk his grandfather had used in the early 1700s and stormed to the window. 

Outside, the night had taken on a dangerous edge as the storm rolled in over the mountains.  Lightening split the sky and illuminated the lush green grass.  The winds snapped the branches of nearby trees, and he had no doubt he’d hear from the gardener tomorrow as if Rhad had control over the whims of Mother Nature.

He whirled back around, and for the first time in an incredibly long time, found himself at a loss.  Instincts bade him to climb the stairs to the bedroom where Mischa slept, to invade her dreams, and make them a reality.  But he would not take a woman against her will no matter how much the animal inside of him screamed for release.  Vampire he was; monster he wasn’t.

Needing the harshness of the storm to soothe his frayed nerves, he finally gave into his nature and dashed out of the house, escaping into the only life he knew.

“He makes me worry with his lack of control.”

The shaman laughed and touched his hand to her shoulder. “Relax, meu dulciuri. He will have all the control he will need when the time is right.”

“If Hamrick finds Mischa--”

“If Hamrick finds Mischa, he will find her with Rhad. ‘Twould not be a pleasant experience for the old guy, in my opinion.”

She chuckled. “You’re calling someone else an old guy. Now that’s funny.”

He cleared his throat. “Nevertheless, Rhad is more than capable of protecting your sister.”

“But what if he doesn’t know she needs to be protected?”

Mischa woke to the smell of rich, fragrant coffee.  She rubbed her eyes and turned her head slightly.  Encountering Rhad’s stoic form, she brought the comforter up to her chin.  “What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you to wake up.”

“Have you been watching me sleep?”

“Yes.”

She sat up, making sure all of her necessary body parts were covered.  “Don’t do that.”

“Why not?  You are just as beautiful when you sleep as you are when you are awake.”

Heat flushed her cheeks, and she turned away from his scrutiny.  “What was so important that you felt the need to hover at my bedside until I awoke?”

“What do you do, Mischa?”

Her sleep-fuddled brain tried to decipher what he was saying.  “Do?  What do you mean?”

“Are you employed?”

Mischa glared at him.  “If you know so much about me, you know the answer to that already.”  She plopped back down against the mattress and rolled to her side.  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to take a shower and get dressed, assuming your housekeeper provided me with more than one outfit.”

“You have many clothes hanging in the armoire.”  Rhad stood.  “You do not like speaking of your parents, do you?”

“Were we talking about my parents?”

“They are the reason you do not work, correct?  When they died, they left you financially stable.”

She returned to her opposite side to see his face once more.  “What is the point of this conversation?”

“Do you enjoy your life?”

Before she could answer, Rhad had moved toward her, his knee pressing against the edge of the mattress.  “What do you really have to go home to?”

Mischa licked her lips and stared up at him.  She couldn’t speak, and her vision narrowed to the blackness of his shirt and the broadness of his shoulders.  “I thought vampires slept during the day.”

Rhad’s lips nuzzled her neck.  “Who could think of sleep when something so delectable awaits?”

Against her will, she tipped her head back and released a moan.  Her hands moved to fist in the luxurious length of his hair.  It slid between her fingers like warm, black oil.  “You really shouldn’t be doing that.” And yet, she made no move to break the contact. How could she when the pleasure licked at her spine like a long, wet tongue?

As if reading her thoughts, he licked the length of her collarbone.  “Tell me what you don’t like, and I will stop immediately.”

She held his head in place.  “It’s not that I don’t like it.  It’s just that I still have to find my sister and,” she frowned, “there’s one more thing.”  His lips had moved down to the vee in the neck of her nightshirt, causing her thoughts to scatter.  “What was it?  Oh, yeah.  I still don’t trust you.”

Rhad lifted his head, but only slightly.  “I will help you find your sister, my love.”

She placed her hands against the wall of his chest and pushed him back.  “Promise me you don’t have anything to do with her disappearance.” Why she was exacting a promise from a vampire, she’d never know. According to what she’d read on the Internet, they weren’t notorious for their honesty.

The way he met her gaze so solemnly offered a measure of comfort. “I promise.”

Mischa nodded. Maybe she shouldn’t believe him, but his eyes seemed so sincere. It would have to do for now.  She needed his help. At least, that’s what she told herself to allay her guilt for wanting him near.  She didn’t understand her unquenchable attraction to a vampire.  Although, as a suit for the undead, Rhad Valentine, did present a very appealing picture.

“And promise me you won’t hurt her once we do find her.”

“What makes you think I would want to hurt her?”

“Well, I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you’re a vampire. Vampires like to eat, don’t they?”

She swore she saw his lips twitch before he responded. “That they do.” He lifted a strand of her tangled hair and brought it to his cheek. A low rumbling sound escaped his lips.  “But I could no more hurt her than I could harm you.”

The words created a tumultuous assault inside her stomach. “Why is that?”

His green-eyed gaze slid over her face slowly.  “Because you are my viata.”

Mischa’s heart hammered against her chest.  Having been raised in the mountains of Romania, she spoke the language fluently. Flawlessly. So she couldn’t have misunderstood what Rhad had just called her…could she?

Viata. Life. His life.

Impossible.  Wasn’t it?

“Wh-what are you talking about? What are you saying?”

“I think you already know. It’s why you’re here.”

“I’m here because my sister told me about you. She mentioned your name a lot, like you were some kind of celebrity…or…or god.” Panic began to take root. “I certainly didn’t come here because I thought I would find my destiny. Quite frankly, I don’t believe in that stuff.”