Fall of kNight (3 page)

My eyes darted around the kitchen to find the location of the wonderful scent. Oh that delightful smell, I must have them. “Well, Julie woke me up last night with another dream.” Daniel announced.

Charlotte‟s expression changed to concern as she set a plate filled with a variety of breakfast items in front of me. I was looking at a plate loaded with sausage, eggs and hash browns. Not to mention the pancakes and a basket of blueberry muffins.

“Julie? What on earth?” Her hand touched my shoulder.

“Charlotte, it really isn‟t anything I need to discuss.” I couldn‟t bear the thought of that horrid dream again.

“Nothing?” Thomas added as he folded the newspaper, giving us his full attention.

Great, I have his full and undivided attention. This wasn‟t going to be as good as I had hoped. I didn‟t want to go into the gory, let alone sensual, details of my meeting with Richard.

“Julie, how are you feeling after last night?” Thomas‟s graying eyebrows knitted into a frown.

“I‟m all right.” I nervously shifted in my chair as I reached for a fork.

“She had a dream about that vampire, Richard. He bit her.” Daniel announced before he took a sip of his orange juice.

Immediately I shot him a look. It was a look that told him to keep quiet. Daniel‟s right eyebrow rose slightly, his eyes suddenly narrowed into slits.

“
They need to know.”
His thoughts blared in my head.

“Bit her!” Charlotte dropped down in her chair. The horrified expression on her face sent chills down my spine. Thomas glanced toward her. I knew they were probably communicating silently as Daniel and I just did. Thomas‟s attention snapped back to me.

“What happened?” His voice was tense.

“Nothing really,” I tried to sound unconcerned as I shoved a forkful of eggs into my mouth.

Daniel huffed out a breath. “He tried to seduce her, and then bit her.”

Charlotte let out a gasp. Thomas braced back against his chair. I raised my head to the ceiling and rolled my eyes. Why is it every time I‟m truly hungry, I have to endure an inquisition?

“Seduced,” Charlotte voice trembled, “How? What did he do?”

The uncomfortable feeling swept over me again. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach. My thoughts raced, trying to find a way to explain what happened without going into too much detail. How could I explain to them Richard‟s seduction methods?

Would they have more knowledge of vampires than Daniel and I? Could they provide the answers to all of my questions?

Everyone‟s eyes were on me as they waited patiently for the details of my horrid dream. I glanced toward Daniel with a plea of hope he would save me from the query.

The man of my dreams suddenly turned against me. His eyebrows lifted, and he nodded toward me to continue. His gaze shifted toward his parents, preparing for their response.

Defeated, I placed my fork down on my plate. I was no longer hungry.

“In the dream, I was hunting for werewolves. Richard appeared. He killed the werewolf I was attacking. He seduced me … then bit me.” The visions of the dream played over in my mind, rendering me helpless to my own thoughts. Daniel‟s head snapped toward me. The fury in his jet black eyes was one of a terrifying measure. There was no doubt in my mind, or in my heart, Daniel knew what happened in the dream.

“And the seduction part?” Charlotte coaxed.

“That is something we don‟t need to discuss.” Daniel interrupted. His gaze still locked on mine.

A certain amount of guilt swept over me. My eyes drifted down staring at the uneaten food on my plate. The room fell silent for a few moments before anyone had the nerve to speak. Thomas cleared his throat, breaking the unbearable silence.

“Well, apparently it was worse than I thought. What little do we know of vampires?” He asked in a firm tone.

“Apparently not enough,” Daniel‟s voice was cold.

As I inhaled a deep breath, my eyes lifted to see Daniel‟s cold hard stare. From my peripheral vision, Charlotte looked from Daniel to me.

“Julie, my dear,” her voice was gentle and motherly. “It would be a good idea for you to keep your distance from this Richard.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Daniel growled between clinched teeth.

Thomas‟s attention went to Daniel and then followed his cold stare back to me again.

“It‟s not her fault, Daniel.” Thomas stated.

“I know.” Daniel forced himself to look away. He had seen all he needed to see.

Pain swelled inside his heart. Tears welled in my eyes burning to be released, but I fought hard not to shed them. My thoughts of a good day had faded into the abyss.

Daniel‟s heart was torn into a thousand pieces. He was frustrated with the thoughts of how to protect me from this vampire. In the same instant, he was crippled with jealously over an event that had not yet happened. His gaze lifted to me again, but this time it was softer.

“I will not let anything happen to her,” he promised.

“Are you two going out tonight?” Thomas questioned as he lifted the cup of coffee to his lips. “I saw in the news where two people went missing last night.”

Daniel‟s attention turned to his father. “Yes, tonight is a full moon. I want to make sure there are no werewolves still running loose.”

“By all means, be careful.” Charlotte paused. Her hands rested on the table. “There may be more than werewolves roaming those woods tonight.”

“I will give the Council a call today. There seems to be some unfinished business that must be attended to.” Thomas glanced down at his watch. “This morning I am meeting with an old friend. He has an urgent matter to discuss. What time do you think you two will be back tonight?”

“Not late. I am guessing after a quick run, we should be back here around maybe ten or eleven.” Daniel answered.

Thomas nodded to Daniel, his gaze shifted toward Charlotte. “Good. We will wait up for you. I am hoping we are done with the werewolves … at least for the time being.”

He rose to his feet and placed the emerald green cloth napkin on the table. “Be careful, and I will see you tonight.”

Daniel nodded to his father. Carefully, I watched as those hazel eyes followed Thomas out of sight through the living room. My attention immediately turned to Charlotte, who rose to her feet and headed toward the coffee pot.

“Daniel,” she began as she poured herself another cup of coffee. “I understand how you feel.”

“Mom?” His gaze shifted to me then back to his mother‟s overly apprehensive glare.

“Just do not be over protective. Have a little faith in Julie. She loves you very much.”

“I know this.” Daniel sat back in his chair.

Charlotte moved past him to her chair as she gave him a tenderly pat on the shoulder. “We have happier events to concern ourselves with, like the wedding.” Her words were soothing as she sat down in her chair.

My heart gave a little leap of hope. The wedding was just a few weeks away, and there was so much left to do. My To-Do list included the final alterations for the wedding dress. And I wondered if Casey was actually going to make it back in time. We still haven‟t heard a word from her. Then there was Heather. She would have to come back soon for her final alterations. I wasn‟t sure how long it would take, but I hoped not too long. It appeared we were going to be in a rush down to the last moment.

“I have put together a small gathering tomorrow night.” Charlotte peered over her cup of coffee.

“How many quests are going to be there?” I wondered in particular about my father‟s side of the family.

“I suppose the extended family. There are a few from my side of the family, who will also be attending the wedding. Oh, and not to mention some relatives on Thomas's side, probably fifty or so.”

Great, I‟ll be in a room full of people I don‟t know once again. And with my father‟s side of the family, in particular Aunt Doris, I was sure it would be a disaster. She had the most annoying way of irritating anyone she came into contact with, even if it was only for a few minutes. This was one party I didn‟t look forward too.

“Where are we having this event?” I shifted nervously in my chair as I waited for the dreaded answer.

“Mom thought it would be nice to have it here. She wants to use the grand room for entertaining,” Daniel abruptly spoke.

“Yes, I have not used that room in a long time. I have already made arrangements for a full serving staff for tomorrow night. The cooks will be here today to start preparing. Which reminds me, Julie, would you care to look over the menu?” Charlotte‟s voice tipped a higher pitch of excitement.

“Charlotte, I trust you. I know you have exquisite taste. Whatever you decide is fine with me.” Graciously, I accepted Charlotte‟s expertise in this situation.

There was no way I could manage to do the planning and preparing like Charlotte.

She was the social one of the family. Her skill and flare for unique parties was unmatched. The events she planned were always elegant and tastefully presented.

“Well, the dress is formal. Daniel, I expect you to wear something nice. And Julie, did Daniel….”

“Yes, Mother,” Daniel interrupted with an irritated voice. “I have already picked out a suit for the night, and picked up a dress for Julie.”

“Oh, you did pick out the jewelry, of course? What color dress did you purchase?

What style? You know she looks elegant in a long dress. I hope you bought her diamonds. They always look elegant on her slender neck. Something not too gaudy, I hope.”

“Mother, I took care of it. She has a beautiful dress and the jewelry matches. I chose something delicate and fitting for the occasion.”

“AND the rings? Did you pick up the rings?” she continued.

“Yes, Mother. I already have the rings. I actually picked them up yesterday from the jeweler‟s. Please stop worrying. Everything will be fine.” He tried to soothe his mother‟s nerves.

It was the last thing we needed to do, upset Charlotte. Daniel‟s overly anxious mother was in a dither. The woman had the tendency to stress over everything and anything, regardless whether it was a good event or bad.

Charlotte sat back in her chair and blankly stared at Daniel. She took a quick breath then pursed her lips together. Her disapproval of Daniel‟s behavior was apparent.

“Daniel, exactly what is it that you fear?” Charlotte asked without blinking an eye.

Daniel‟s hand immediately went to his head. His fingers combed through the black locks of hair. Nervously, he leaned forward to the table and looked to his mother. A mother knows her child.

“I am concerned about this vampire thing. Richard seems to have targeted Julie as his new quest,” Daniel rambled out.

“Is this what you feel, or what you know?” Charlotte leaned forward placing her arms on top of the table.

“It is a knowing. I know he is not going to stop until he has her in his grip.”

“Daniel, don‟t you think I have a say in this?”

“Julie, what little we know of vampires is not good. I don‟t trust them.” He pushed the chair back from the table and abruptly stood to his feet. “Not even Casey at this point.”

“Daniel!” Charlotte snapped. “I may not approve of Casey‟s choice or what she‟s done. BUT,” she paused, collecting her thoughts. “She is still your sister and my daughter!”

Daniel turned around, pivoting on his right foot. “SHE IS A VAMPIRE!” He growled.

Chills ran down my spine. I didn‟t know what to say in Casey‟s defense. She was still my best friend. At least, I hoped she would be after her going vamp. I couldn‟t see Casey as a bloodthirsty creature running around draining perfect strangers of their blood. From what I knew of Nathaniel, he appeared human enough, at least for a vampire.

“Daniel, the love Nathaniel showed toward Casey was more than what some humans show toward one another. Maybe they are not all as bad as you fear.” I tried to be reasonable.

Daniel‟s gaze shifted toward me. “It is not all of them I‟m worried about, Julie.”

“Then give it a rest,” I started with a sigh. “Daniel, I love you. Shouldn‟t that count for something?”

“I am afraid we both are going to see how far our love will be tested.” He took a deep breath and turned around toward the kitchen sink. “But I will be damned if I lose you to that thing.” He growled quietly.

“Charlotte.” I tried to change the subject. “The gathering is tomorrow night?”

Charlotte nodded slowly, “Yes.”

“All right. Well, I guess we‟ll be going now. We‟ll see you tonight if we find anything,” I spoke softly as I pushed away from the table.

Maybe Daniel would have a different prospective tonight after a good run. He desperately needed to let go of those thoughts about Richard. It probably wouldn‟t be a bad idea for me either. A good werewolf fight might do me good. I needed to release this anxiety I was feeling over the wedding as well.

Daniel placed his cup in the kitchen sink and turned to meet his mother‟s arms. I couldn‟t help but admire his love for his mother. The tall handsome man leaned down to his mother and gave her a loving embrace. Then, Charlotte turned toward me with open arms.

“Please be careful tonight.” She spoke with the same motherly tone as I always remembered.

“We will,” Daniel announced as he placed his hand on the small of my back.

We left the house, heading back to our home. Daniel glanced at me several times as I fidgeted in the car seat. Daniel‟s apparent irritation with the vampires made me more anxious than I needed to be. Thoughts of Richard attacking me, as well as the possibility of seducing me, ran wildly through his mind. What could I say to him? I wished there was something I could say that would change his mind and conquer his fears once and for all.