Dark of kNight (36 page)

“Contacts?” I asked looking from Casey to Nathaniel. “Why would a vampire were contacts?”

“We wear tinted contacts to protect our eyes from the sun,” he replied.

“I thought vampires couldn't stand the sun.”

Nathaniel chuckled. “Well, actually we do have a problem with the sun. Our eyes are extremely sensitive to it. The sun hurts our eyes, almost blinding us, making it difficult to see in the daylight. Vampire eyes are a light crystal blue, contrary to what the legends and folklore state. It has been only in this century when we discovered the use of tinted contacts. Most of us, until then, needed to wear sunglasses to protect our eyes from the sun. It, however, does not burn us as the movies portray. I suppose this is where all the legends began about vampires coming out at night.” He raised his eyebrows as if collecting a reflective memory. “Well, in theory I suppose, they were right. Centuries ago, vampires did only come out at night.”

“Well then, Casey, help yourself to my clothes. I need to check on the housekeepers,” I said heading out of the door.

“OMIGOD!” Casey screamed, pointing at my hand. I smiled and walked back over to show her the ring. Casey grabbed my hand, and held it up for Nathaniel to see as well.

“Wow, my brother has great taste.”

“You’re impressed by that small thing?” Nathaniel asked with a grin on his face, winking at Julie. “It is a most exquisite bauble.”

“’Bauble’ your cold ass! It’s beautiful. I hope you two are always happy.”

≈≈≈

Blue-eyed vampires, the story Daniel had told me made sense. I thought for a moment, the vampires might have built the wall on Fort Mountain. Shaking my head, I knew in my heart the truth now.

For the first time in a long time, I would have the house to myself again. Jason, Heather and Daniel had returned to the clinic in Chattanooga to run more tests. Casey was well again. It appeared like everything would be back to normal. Is there really such a thing as normal anymore? I wasn’t sure how to answer that question.

For the moment, I was going to have a normal day. I went to my room to find my new swimsuit. A day by the pool was exactly what I needed. Tomorrow I had definite plans for enrollment in my online classes and moving my belongings back here. Then maybe I would have a little time to think about looking at a wedding dress. I glanced down at my hand and looked at the beautiful engagement ring again. Yes, I needed to take time and enjoy the moments fate had brought me.

The housekeepers busied themselves with dusting and vacuuming. I placed the swimsuit wrap around my waist and tossed a towel over my shoulder. Walking down the stairs, I pulled my hair into a ponytail and proceeded to the pool. I was near to my exit and the doorbell rang. I turned around and my heart fluttered slightly as I realized it was Richard standing at the front door. He looked up as he saw me walking toward the door.

“Good afternoon,” Richard announced in a smooth voice when I opened the door.

For the first time the opportunity had risen to have a good look at him. He was more breathtaking in the daylight than he had been under the moonlight. The beautiful features in his face were even more appealing, the smooth skin over the well-defined cheek and jawbones.

Richard wore a loose cream-colored short sleeve shirt over a pair of kakis. His sandy brown hair was slightly wind-blown from riding with the windows down. I glanced behind him to see what kind of car he was driving. His choice of cars impressed me. He was driving a new black Mustang Cobra with dark tinted windows. It suited him perfectly.

“Good afternoon,” I replied. “ Please come in. Nathaniel and Casey will be down shortly. Could I offer you something to drink?” Pausing a moment at my offer, a grin crossed his face. “I’m sorry. It is a habit. Southern hospitality.” I quickly added, realizing too late it wasn’t the proper question to ask a vampire.

“No need for apologies. It is a very hospitable offer.” His smile widened. “A very tempting one nonetheless.” The seductive tone in his voice had an erotic effect on me I didn’t like.

A long moment passed before my blushing actually diminished on my cheeks. The heat lingered on my face. There was no way I could hide my slight embarrassment.

Glancing over at the housekeepers, I noticed their attention was on Richard. The glances between the women only confirmed the obvious attractiveness he possessed.

“Would you like to wait with me on the patio?” My polite voice trembled. I knew I needed to move him away from their view.

Richard wasn’t the one I worried about being the attacker. Three women appeared to have a particular interest in him. I’m not sure they noticed his pale skin or even cared.

They were probably too busy admiring his beautiful features.

Richard was different from Nathaniel. He possessed a sultry and compelling property Nathaniel didn't have. The way he spoke to me sent signals to every nerve in my body.

Maybe I was more sensitive due to being a Lycan.

“Nathaniel tells me all of you wear tinted contacts,” I began.

“Yes.” The tones in his smooth voice tickled my ears when he spoke.

“May I ask you a few questions?” I felt like a kid in a candy store.

He nodded. “You are curious about me? I’m impressed.” His eyes slowly traveled from my face to the ring on my finger.

“Well… yes,” I stuttered. “I mean
you are
a vampire.”

“And
you are
a Lycan.” His left eyebrow rose. “Tell me, Julie,” as he leaned back in the chair placing his arms on the armrest, “what do you fear the most about vampires?”

Taking me aback for a moment, I had to think. He just took control of the conversation. This unnerved me. The obvious answer would be the way I saw him kill a werewolf the other night. The second had to be his seductive nature.

“Are all vampires so seductive?” I blurted out trying to avoid his question.

A wicked grin crossed his face. “Is that what you are afraid of? My seductive nature?” He laughed lightly. The gentle tones in his laugh sparked an overwhelming response in my body.

“Well, you should be afraid of it,” he warned while his facial expression changed to serious.

“So is that your secret weapon? You seduce your prey?”

“Obviously, you seem concerned about my seduction methods. Tell me Julie, do you feel as if I am seducing you?” He leaned forward.

At that moment, a sense of fear ran through me. I caught my breath and fought hard to regain my composure. “No, actually.” I lied.

“Hmm.” He sat back in his chair again. “I appeal to you do I not?”

Great. I felt as though I was a fly caught in a spider’s web.

“I believe you appeal to a lot of women,” I fired back, my head motioning to the housekeepers.

His smile broadened. “Then would you give yourself freely to me?” The question flowed from his lips with a certain amount of authority and assurance.

“No! I’m in love with Daniel. We’re going to be married and he is the only man I want.” I exclaimed firmly, astonished by his boldness.

Richard remained expressionless. The confidence he had in himself unnerved and frightened me.

“What if I told you that is a lie? Would you believe me?”

“NO!” I shot back. “I do love Daniel and we are getting married.”

Richard stood up from the chair and with a quick fluid motion he stood behind my chair. Leaning his head closer to my ear, I felt the coolness of his breath on my neck.

“See a vampire knows instinctively about its prey,”
he whispered while his lips touched my ear. “
The wants,
” his lips moved down my neck.
“The desires.
” I felt the coolness of his tongue touching the sweet spot on my neck tracing over the previous bite marks left by Daniel. A sense of thrill ran through me when my body shivered under his touch.

My body weakened while the sultry tones in his voice sent tremors down my spine. Fire wielded in my veins when his cool lips moved up to my jaw. My heart raced, pulsated the fevered blood through my veins against the touch of his lips. It was as if my blood tried to kiss the lips of this vampire. My body betrayed me, even my own blood turned against me, yielding completely to this inhumanly beautiful vampire.

“
To satisfy,”
he whispered. Then cool floral scent of his breath lingered on my face. My eyes closed as I exhaled, fighting the cloud which had covered my mind.

My mind was at a loss. I became intoxicated with need and desire. Fighting hard against my body, my will had to be stronger than this. Suddenly he returned to his chair. I found myself clutching the armrests tightly with my hands. Slightly embarrassed by my erratic breathing, I managed to pull myself together.

“All right, you made your point. Vampires are seductive. Don’t ever do that again to me.” I warned.

Richard laughed. There was one true statement about the vampire legends. Vampires were definitely, without a doubt, dangerously seductive. In a few words and gestures, they had their prey agreeing to anything.

“Don’t worry. I promise I will not harm you or make you do anything against your will,” he purred with a wicked grin. “I believe I have answered your questions.”

I nodded still trying to shake off the intoxication. Taking a moment, I tried to clear my head. Glancing up, I noticed Casey and Nathaniel standing at the patio door.

“I think they are ready for you.” I motioned toward the door as Richard followed my eyes.

He stood and smiled warmly to me. “Again, it has been a pleasure Julie. I hope to see you again.”

Much later than sooner I hoped. I simply smiled and nodded. My thoughts still wavered. I remained seated while he walked toward Casey and Nathaniel.

I loved Daniel. I knew it in my heart. Shaking my head, I pulled myself back to reality. The vampires are dangerous. Richard purposely put his spell on me. If he wanted to pursue it, he could have. I would have no choice but to give in to what he wanted. He was right when he said I should be afraid of his seductions.

I stood and dropped my wrap. A good swim was what I needed right now. Jumping into the water felt good. My senses were refreshed and soothed. After a few laps, I decided to dry off in the sun and work on a suntan. Climbing out of the pool, I dried off and laid my towel across the lounger. Lying back, I closed my eyes. The warmth of the sun caressed my skin, warming my senses and soothing my soul. The wind lightly breezed over my body. It wasn’t long before I drifted away on the lounger.

Not sure where the dream began, I found myself in the middle of what appeared to be an eighteenth century church. The partially filled church composed of people dressed in their best attire for the setting. The pews were actually benches. I guessed that it must be a small country church.

No one noticed as I stood in the back of the church while observing what appeared to be a wedding. There in the front of the church Nathaniel stood in the position of the best man. He wasn’t the pale skinned vampire I would recognize.

His sun bleached hair accented his warm golden tan. It made for a very distinct difference compared to the vampire I knew. After I made the connection, I realized he wasn’t a vampire. He was still attractive, but not as beautiful as Nathaniel the vampire.

The woman who stood in the position of the maid of honor was dressed in a long light blue dress. She was average height and attractive. Her dark brown pulled into a bun, leaving a few strands of hair loose accenting her oval face. She had a perfect figure and posture.

The bride and groom turned to face one another. The groom was tall with sandy brown hair and the same warm golden tan that Nathaniel had. It was Richard. He was still attractive but like Nathaniel, he wasn’t the beautiful vampire who I knew. This was a different Richard. A gentle smile crossed his face when his hands reached for the veil of his new bride. Slowly he pulled the veil back to reveal his bride. I gasped.

The bride who stood before him was my double. I stared in disbelief while she looked lovingly into his eyes. Everyone applauded and joyful cheers filled the church.

The minister made the new introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Richard MacArthur. The new couple turned to face their audience. My eyes widened when my own likeness came into full view.

Richard and his new bride walked down the aisle toward me. No one else noticed me except her. Her gentle eyes lifted to mine while she moved forward with Richard. My stomach tightened as my pulse raced. I stepped aside as they passed by me. As she passed by me, she whispered the name Adrianna. I gasped and jumped back when her cold hand touched mine.

Opening my eyes, I looked around and realized that I was by the pool. My heart was pounding in my chest. I tried to relax by taking a few deep breaths. The ringing in my ears was almost unbearable. Slowly, I came back to myself. Easing down in the lounger, I relaxed. The surreal wedding disturbed me.

Reminding myself, I loved Daniel and he was the one I would marry. Richard’s charm had more of an effect on me than I realized. It may be a good idea if I stayed away from Richard.

Pushing myself up from the lounger, I stood. There were a few things on my agenda for the day. I headed into the house and noticed the housekeepers had finished. The house looked great. Quickly, I organized the rest of my day while heading up the stairs for a shower. Register for my online classes and arrange to move my belongings here from my apartment in Virginia. A trip to the grocery store later on would be a good idea. I figured I needed to learn how to cook if Daniel and I were going to be married. Maybe pick up a couple of cookbooks wasn’t a bad idea.

EIGHTEEN

The week flew by so quickly, probably because I was so busy with moving my things from Virginia. It took a few attempts to find a moving company to move the rest of my belongings from the apartment. I donated all of my furniture to a local charity. Even the tatty Mustang, I sadly parted with and gave it to a local church.

While I was in Virginia, Daniel and Jason worked together arranging the research clinic. Thomas had all the legal paperwork completed so the transaction moved smoothly.

Heather spent most of her time while I was away taking care of the boys. When I returned home, she had done most of the grocery shopping and stocked my kitchen. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see several cookbooks stacked neatly on kitchen counter.