Dark Destiny (21 page)

The two sisters exchanged a long look as if well pleased with his answer. It was Velda who took charge while Inez sighed over the sheer romance of true love finding a way. "Why is the girl dragging her heels? You're an attractive man."

"Oh, my, yes," Inez agreed, earning a fierce scowl from her sister. "Well, he is," she defended indignantly. She patted Nicolae's thigh. "You are, dear, just the type of beau I had in my heyday." She leaned close. "I was a wild thing, you know," she whispered in confidence.

He removed her hand by simply raising it to his lips. "Thank you, Inez. That is a true compliment coming from a woman such as yourself. I would be grateful for direction with my wayward bride."

What BS you're shoveling, Nicolae. You should be ashamed of yourself.

There was her laughter again, winding his body tighter and tighter until he was afraid Inez was going to have something to grab hold of if he wasn't careful. He shifted his position in the chair. The sound of Destiny's happy voice was a powerful aphrodisiac.

"Flowers," Velda said firmly. "You must find out her favorite flower and give her as many as you can afford."

"Don't forget chocolates. No woman can refuse a man with chocolates," Inez added. "And you can do so much with chocolate, all warm and melting—"

"Pay Inez no mind," Velda said. "But it is important you court Destiny properly, let her know you have strictly honorable intentions. Sweep her off her feet. Take her to a dance. There's nothing like a man holding a woman close to him and dancing with her." She raised an eyebrow, pinning him like an insect with her steely stare. "You do know how to dance? Not that rot the young kids do today, but dancing like a real man. There's nothing sexier than a good waltz or tango."

"It is a large part of my education," Nicolae assured her. "You have made some wonderful suggestions. I will follow them to the letter."

"And report back immediately," Inez reminded him. "Isn't that right, Sister? We need a report to know how it is going."

"Absolutely," Velda agreed. "Oh, look, there's Martin. Have you noticed he's been looking a bit down lately, so unlike him. Poor dear must be working too hard." She stood up, waving so violently, Nicolae was afraid she might fall over. "Martin! Martin! There's a good boy, do come over and talk with us."

"It's that project of his. He and Tim work night and day on it even though they have regular jobs," Inez said. "Those boys work much too hard."

Nicolae watched the man approach, noting the pale skin and dark circles under his eyes. This was the man who had so viciously attacked the priest. Nicolae scanned Martin's memories and found no remembrance of the assault. Only the recollection of sitting on his bed holding the wooden box from the church and turning it over and over in his hands in complete bewilderment. Nicolae could find no malice within the young man, only a heavy sorrow and utter confusion.

Exactly what John Paul was feeling
, Destiny pointed out.
Can you find the blankness of the mark of the vampire
?

Nicolae was an ancient, far stronger than Destiny, one well versed in the arts of the undead. He was certain he would detect the presence of a vampire had the creature touched Martin in some way, but there was no evidence of such a violation. Nicolae stood up, drawing instant attention, holding out his hand as Velda introduced him to the young man.

Martin did his best to be polite in spite of his distraction. Nicolae could see he was naturally a friendly and outgoing person. His affection for Velda and Inez was obvious, as was their affection for the young man they had seen grow to adulthood.

"I have heard such good things about you, Martin. You are an advocate for the elderly and have a new project you are working on with Tim Salvadore. Father Mulligan tells me it is a wonderful opportunity to provide independent living in a safe environment for people on limited means. He believes you to be quite brilliant. The two of you must be great friends." Deliberately Nicolae used the priest's name, kept his voice soft and friendly and engaging. He knew the power of such a weapon. Few could resist the invitation to talk.

Martin's shoulders sagged. "Father Mulligan's a great man. I've known him all my life." He lifted his head and looked directly at Nicolae, anguish plain in his eyes. "Did he also tell you someone assaulted him? Struck him over the head repeatedly and stole the box of money for the poor right out of his hands?"

Velda gasped. Inez shrieked. Both women crossed themselves, lifted a silver crucifix each wore and in perfect synchronization kissed the cross. "That can't be, Martin," Velda protested. "No one would hurt Father Mulligan."

"There's never any money in the poor box, is there, Sister?" Inez added, wringing her hands. "What is this world coming to that someone would attack a priest in God's own house?"

"Maybe Inez and I will have to move to your community after all, Martin," Velda said. "If things have gotten so bad in this neighborhood that a thief would harm Father Mulligan, no one is safe."

"Is the poor man going to be all right?" Inez asked. "Sister dear, we must make some of our famous chicken soup and take it to him immediately." She tapped Nicolae's arm. "No one can make such perfect chicken soup as dear Velda. Of course I have to remind her what she's doing or she wanders off on one of her research projects. Velda hunts for proof that vampires and werewolves exist."

That snapped Nicolae to attention. He had been watching Martin closely for any reaction, barely registering the conversation flowing around him. His dark gaze found Velda, settled there thoughtfully.

Velda patted her hair and smiled at him. "An old hobby of mine. I dabble a bit in magic spells, but I'm not very good at casting. Inez is much more accurate than I am. Martin, dear, do sit down. You look like you could use some feeding up. I'll make a double batch of my soup and give some to you. We'll have you fixed up in no time."

Martin, still partially under the thrall of Nicolae's voice, slumped heavily into the chair Nicolae had occupied, frowning up at him. "He thinks I did it. Father Mulligan thinks I bashed him over the head and took the poor box." The confession came out in a rush, ended on a choked sob.

Velda and Inez instantly turned their attention to him, patting and stroking his hair soothingly and making clucking noises. "Father Mulligan must have suffered a concussion. He knows you would never do such a thing, Marty. I'll go talk to him at once," Velda said supportively.

"Oh, yes, Sister, we must go at once," Inez echoed. "Father must be hurt badly to accuse poor Marty of such a thing."

Martin Wright stared at his hands. "What if I did do it? Father Mulligan would never lie to me, and Tim said I came home covered in blood that night. He said I had the church box in my hands and I wouldn't talk to him. That I just sat there, staring at the box." He looked up at Velda, tears shimmering in his eyes. "I don't remember. Could I have attacked Father? I've never hurt anyone in my life."

"Martin." Nicolae hunkered down so he was eye-to-eye with the man. Distress was emanating from Wright in thick waves. "What do you remember about that day
before
the assault on Father Mulligan. Where did you go? Who were you with? What did you do? Do you remember anything at all?"

"I did all the usual things. I went to work, I met Tim for lunch. We discussed the project like we normally do. He had his astronomy class, so I went down to the project site to talk to the contractor. I was there a long time. I remember thinking I wanted to show Father Mulligan the plans again because I was worried about a series of steps and a ramp leading to the gardens from the west side. I was afraid some of the residents might have a difficult time maneuvering them. The contractor insisted that the slope wasn't that steep, but Father Mulligan knows a great deal about the hardships of people using walkers or canes because he talks with the elderly on a daily basis. I wanted a second opinion."

"Oh, Sister!" Inez caught at Velda. "He did go to see Father Mulligan that night. You are right. There is something going on in the neighborhood."

Velda nodded grimly. "Something evil is afoot. We should activate the neighborhood watch immediately."

Nicolae winced inwardly. He had visions of little old ladies with shocking hair marching up and down the streets with magic potions and garlic wreaths. "Martin, before you went to the church to see Father Mulligan, do you recall going anywhere else? Did you stop to speak to anyone, even casually, or eat dinner? Did you drop by the neighborhood bar?"

Martin frowned, rubbed his temples. "I must have. I left the work site just after six o'clock. Father Mulligan was assaulted much later than that. He always goes to the church around eight-thirty or nine, I wouldn't have tried to catch him before that."

When did you discover Father Mulligan
? Nicolae asked Destiny.

It was close to ten, between nine-thirty and ten
.

Nicolae turned once more to Martin. The sisters were fussing over him, leaving Martin somewhere between amusement and tears at their staunch support of him.

"Sister, you must make him a talisman," Inez insisted. "Something to ward off evil. Martin, Velda can give you a powerful totem to wear around your neck."

"Do you think vampires are involved?" Nicolae asked Velda with a straight face.

Velda glared at him. "Mock me, I don't mind. I've lived with the knowledge of the supernatural world for years and the unbelievers who insist on making light of it. I know my duty."

"Velda," Martin interrupted. "It had to have been me. Tim wouldn't lie, and neither would Father Mulligan. Tim says it isn't the first time I've acted oddly and not remembered. I promised him I'd go for a checkup at the clinic."

"Velda." Nicolae's voice was impossibly gentle, completely compelling. "I am so sorry you misunderstood me. I have no idea if vampires exist or not and I would never make fun or mock you. I was asking your opinion."

Velda blushed a bright shade of scarlet. "I thought…" She trailed off, her hands fluttering helplessly. "I'm so used to someone making fun of my beliefs, I jumped to conclusions."

"I think Martin should go to the clinic and I think we should do a little investigation into this matter. I do not mind looking into it for you. After all, I am in law enforcement. Father Mulligan prefers to keep this as quiet as possible. He believes something happened to you that night, Martin. He doesn't want the police brought in. He is a personal friend and I am here to help out. And, of course, Destiny asked me to help."

"That sweet girl," Inez said. "Sister dear, isn't she a sweet girl?"

Velda's attention was on Nicolae. "Yes, I believe you've been sent here to help us." She continued to stare at him, her eyes glazing, her expression becoming dreamy and faraway. Her gnarled fingers, clearly damaged by arthritis, moved in a complicated pattern before his eyes.

Nicolae felt his breath slam out of his lungs. Destiny's heart skipped a beat, then began to pound far too hard. Nicolae lifted his hand toward Velda, palm out.

No! Don't stop her. You can't stop her. Let her "see" you.

It was the sheer desperation in Destiny's voice that stopped Nicolae from preventing the reading Velda was so obviously capable of. Her talent was deep and well hidden and thinning with age, but it was there nevertheless.

Velda gasped aloud, staggered backward and shook her head as if clearing her vision. At once her trembling hand went to the silver crucifix around her neck. "I'm not well, Sister. Take me inside." Her voice shook and she avoided looking at Nicolae.

"Look at me, Velda." It was a command and the woman turned to face him, looking her age for the first time. She seemed to have diminished in size and was frail and sunken in. "You know you will never have anything to fear from me. I have come to this place to help you and your friends. You believe that."

Velda nodded solemnly. "Yes, I know," she murmured.

She knew too much. Nicolae suddenly realized that nothing was what it appeared to be in this quiet neighborhood. The ground shifted and rolled beneath his feet.
Destiny! Come to me now
. The command was made by an ancient in full power; it was a compulsion impossible to resist. He didn't even think about the repercussions of bending her to his will. He couldn't think about it. There was a strand of evil woven into the very fabric of the neighborhood, and he needed to find its root. The preservation of his race could very well be at stake.

Nicolae released Velda from his enthrallment and watched as Inez helped her sister into their home, leaving him alone with Martin.

"She looked ill," Martin said with genuine concern. "Do you think we should call Dr. Arnold? He supervises the clinic, and I know he'd make a house call for Velda or Inez. They're sort of an institution here."

"I think she just needed to rest." Nicolae's glittering gaze moved broodingly over the man sprawled out in his chair. "Where did you have dinner that night, Martin? You never said."

Martin frowned and rubbed his head as if it pained him. "I always go to the bar. I must have gone there. I knew Tim wasn't going to be home, and I always go to the bar for company when he has classes. I don't remember. How could I lose an entire night?"

"We will figure it out, Martin," Nicolae assured him, using a soothing voice. At once, some of the anxiety eased from the man's face. "It will be easy enough to ask at the bar if you were seen that night. Everyone knows you."

"Tim is upset. He doesn't know what to think or believe, and I can't reassure him," Martin said wistfully.

"Velda and Inez seem to know what they're talking about when they give advice, Martin, and so does MaryAnn. Maybe you should talk it over with someone you trust and see what they have to say."

He could feel the surge of power as Destiny flew swiftly through the night sky toward him.
Destiny
.

Martin pushed himself up out of the chair and thrust out his hand toward Nicolae. "I was feeling pretty hopeless until I talked with you. Thanks, man. I think you're right. I saw MaryAnn going in the direction of her office. Maybe I'll go hash this out with her."