Daughters of Dracula (The Stoker Sisters #1) (20 page)

“My run in with you was completely accidental. I had no idea…”

“And why did you not have any idea,
Ashwin
? How could you not know where we were? You’ve had centuries to find us. Were we just two of many innocents that you turned then left without a word?”

“I tried to find you, but…”

“You didn’t try hard enough,” she shouted.

“I couldn’t.” For the first time
Ashwin
raised his voice. His face red and filled with age old anger, he took a step towards her. “I was imprisoned. I couldn’t do anything.”

“Easy to say.”

“The day I was staked, I knew I was to die and I was prepared for it. My day had come and I accepted that. But the hunters had a far worse fate in mind for me. Merely staking me wasn’t enough. Some of
Skars
’ men took me away and imprisoned me. For years I saw nothing of the sky and the sea and felt only the stagnate air of the deepest dungeon on my face. Everything possible was done to take away the slightest trace of humanity from my soul.”

For a long moment, Alexis and Sadie were struck dumb. Sadie felt his pain and the struggle he’d lived through and deeply regretted her strong words of accusation.

“Who is
Skars
?” Sadie softly asked.

Ashwin
leaned against the kitchen counter, his eyes barely able to meet hers. “He’s one of the most powerful
Strigois
and the nemesis of
Dracule
and Delilah. Ruthless does not even begin to describe him. No doubt you’ve heard of his rampages, atrocities and slaughters. Nothing, no one is safe from his wrath.”

“How do you now come to be here?” Sadie asked.

“A lazy guard permitted me to slip past and escape. Life hasn’t been easy since then, however.
Skars
has many hunters, far too many, and they’ve rarely been far behind me. All are smart, strong, fast and with a keen ability to smell vampires out. They’re human, but don’t let that fool you. They can be just as powerful as most vampires. Be on your guard. If you cross one, you’ll be hard pressed to make it out alive.”

Alexis and Sadie exchanged discreet but concerned glances.

“Well, that’s enough about me for tonight. I think I ought to head back to my hotel.”
Ashwin
headed for the door with Alexis at his heels.

“Hang on a minute,” Sadie said. “I think I’ll go with you after all.”

While Alexis clung to one arm, Sadie held onto the other as the threesome headed to the sidewalk.

“It’s a beautiful night for a nice stroll,”
Ashwin
announced with pride.

Chapter 21

The night air was refreshing and Sadie relaxed as they maintained a steady stride into town. Though
Ashwin’s
hotel was in the heart of downtown, many undesirables littered the streets looking for handouts and a free meal.

“How about a midnight snack?”
Ashwin
pointed his chin to an old drunk sleeping on a park bench. “We could get ourselves an easy feed.”

“I’m in,” Alexis was quick to reply.

“I don’t think
we
…”

In a heartbeat,
Ashwin
was on the frail old man,
Alexis
right behind him. Just as he was about to sink his fangs into the thin, wrinkled throat of the man a dark figure emerged from the surrounding trees and pushed him off the still sleeping figure.

Alexis was also flung far from her victim, landing several yards away from her feeding spot.

“Hey, what the hell is going on?” the old man grumbled. He sat up and squinted into the dark night. “What do you guys want?”

Ashwin
didn’t bother answering. Once he’d shaken off his aggressor, he returned to finish what he’d started.

Sadie didn’t know where to turn as more and more figures emerged from the shadows. Though every movement was frighteningly fast, the action seemed to roll out in slow motion, as though her brain couldn’t quite keep up with all that was happening at once.

Her eye caught on a raised stake and for a moment she feared for
Ashwin
. So intent was he on his feeding that he didn’t take note. Alexis, quick to rush to his rescue, sunk her fangs into his would be assailant’s hand and refused to let go. She took a firm hold of the stake and turned it into its owner.

Crying with agony, the assailant fell to the ground, his hands pressing into the wound where so much blood flowed.

“Alexis!” a strangled male voice called out.

Sadie immediately recognized the familiar voice, but judging by Alexis’ wild eyes and bitter growl, her sister saw only the figure of a hunter and not Keegan.

He rushed to her, his eyes filled with the horror of the scene that awaited him. His fellow hunter was on the verge of death and there was nothing he could do to help him.

Keegan grabbed Alexis’ arm, holding it high above her, but still she didn’t recognize him. She snarled and lunged forward to sink her teeth into him. His gaze was filled with disbelief as he stared into her reddened eyes.

Sadie considered jumping into the melee to try to make sense of it all. Her sister, the love of centuries past and the young man she’d grown so incredibly fond of were all colliding and the results were far from desirable.

Keeping a hold of Alexis only a moment longer, Keegan relented and released her, quickly retreating to the safety of his group of hunters.

Sadie wanted to call out to him, to beckon him. Couldn’t he see she wasn’t involved, that she was different from her sister? Please, Keegan, she silently begged. Look at me and see the real woman that I am.

His scrutinizing gaze swept over the scene in the park and only after a lengthy glare at
Ashwin
did he finally bring his gaze to Sadie. Bewilderment was quickly replaced with tenderness and caring.

Her heart melted on realizing he knew. His eyes were warm and lacked the hunting instinct that had been reserved for his attack on Alexis.

“Sadie,” he called out. He rushed to her and took her in his arms.

“Keegan,” she whispered as she clung to him.

“You're an angel in this hell.”

He grabbed her hand and turned to lead her out of the park, but then halted as
Ashwin
emerged from the darkness.

“Well, well, well.”
 

His voice was more menacing than Sadie could ever recall hearing. It droned, thick and deep, as though emanating from the depths of hell. Alexis stood at his side, relishing the anger
Ashwin
now directed at Sadie.

“So the lovely and pure Sadie Stoker is in cahoots with the world famous immortal hunter Keegan Knowles. How deliciously charming,” came a new voice dripping with menace.

Firm footsteps came from behind
Ashwin
and everyone turned to see the source.

“He is far more than just an immortal hunter.”
 
The booming voice startled everyone, including Keegan who stared at the imposing figure with awe and disbelief.

“
Skars
,” Keegan said.

“I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished with this young human,” the tall figure went on. “When this whole adventure began, I didn’t think he’d stand the test of time, but he’s proven to be a remarkable investment.”

“What are you doing…?” Keegan continued to stare at
Skars
with increasing disbelief.

“Time has slipped through my fingers, my old friend,”
Skars
said with arrogance and confidence. “What has it been?
A century or two?”

With age old flair, he turned dark brown-red eyes to Alexis. “Ah,” he said with rapture.
“And the beautifully delectable Alexis Stoker.
This is truly an honor.” He reached for her hand and bowed over it to lay a kiss.

Sadie grimaced at the scene while Alexis giggled at the attention.

“You know me?” she asked, more coquette than wary.

“I’ve known Cleopatra, Josephine and Antoinette; all of the world’s most tempting beauties.” He cupped her cheek before turning to scrutinize Sadie. “Of course I know you as well. “I should have made your acquaintance years ago but there was a manner of a pesky guardian you’ve had watching over you for years – Delilah.”

“Delilah?” Sadie and Alexis looked at each other.

“Amazing that she still watched over you two after you’ve turned.
All these years…from afar, fighting off hunters and
Strigois
that came near you
…keeping
you innocent and child-like in the ways of vampires so that you can retain your humanity.”

It took only one step to cause Sadie to back away, resulting in a deep chuckle from
Skars
.
“And the genteel and demure Sadie.
Always a pleasure to be in the presence of a true lady.
How two beautiful siblings can be so different is something I’ll never understand, but then again, the spice of life is in variety.”

Sadie felt dirty just for having been under his gaze. There was something vile about the man despite the practiced grin and handsome face.

“Your fate is far larger, far more important than either of you seem to realize. How is it that two intelligent, beautiful and worldly young ladies such as
yourselves
have not come to fully understand the natural ways of a vampire?”

Sadie glanced at Alexis wondering if she knew of what he spoke. Despite everything, she thought they’d done an excellent job of living as vampires. Now she knew why she kept hearing in her mind, a voice calling her to come to
Summerlin
of all places. It was Delilah’s voice. But where was she now?

“You mean the Dark Side,” Keegan said.

Sadie heard the pent up anger in that one little phrase. Never had she heard such menace and determination in his voice.

“You’re not a
Strigoi
vampire, Alexis,” Keegan added.

Skars
smiled while his eyes held a demonic gleam. “Not yet.” He quickly glided to Alexis’ side, tilted her chin up and looked closely into her eyes. “It has begun. Those beautiful eyes of hers are already glowing with a beautiful tint of red.”

Sadie was stunned to see Alexis stare adoringly at
Skars
who seemed more than pleased.

“No,” Keegan shouted. “You’ve done enough.”

“Ah.”
Skars
seemed increasingly pleased with Alexis. “But she truly does have the makings to be a natural in my army. Look at her.” He turned her chin from one side to the other, analyzing her features.

Keegan took a step closer to the pair with his hands fisted and his chin tight with determination. “Alexis is a lot more innocent than she lets on. And if Sadie has had any influence at all on her over the years, becoming the killing machine you desire is not going to happen.”

“Let me be the one to worry about that, my dear boy.” He took on a subdued fatherly tone that didn’t quite sit right on him. “I’m worried about you, Keegan. After all these years, you, more than anyone else should know that there are no innocents in the world of vampires. You’ve allowed these beauties to play with your senses, touch your heart and turn your brain to useless mush. No wonder why you couldn’t find Delilah. You’ve lost track of her for a while now.”

“I’ve done nothing of the sort.”