Forever Black (Nightwalkers 2) (7 page)

Ashleigh paused, snuggling deeper into Caleb's shirt.
"He got everything ready for her. We bought a nice house in the country.
And Dad bought me a pony, and there was a big tree in the yard. I would spend
hours out there writing my stories." She let out a tearful laugh.
"Though, they were mostly comics back then. It was supposed to be perfect,
but…"

"She didn't come home?"

"She said she was leaving him and had been cheating on
Dad with her boss, and that I wasn't his." Ashleigh closed her eyes.
"And Dad…he couldn't…he couldn't take it. He loved her so much." Her
voice was whiney and wet as she sobbed, "Oh, Caleb! It was horrible!
Horrible!"

"What happened?"

She sniffled and choked back her tears. "I found him,
Caleb." She turned her cheek and buried her face in his chest. Her next
words were muffled. "He was…all full of blood…and his head…it was…gone.
She killed him…" Her voice grew soft as her sobbing words meshed together.
"She killed him, Caleb. My dad…she killed him."

"
Shhh
…" Caleb rubbed her
back. "Oh, babe. That must've been a terrible thing to see. I'm so sorry.
She worked with Anthony
Vessling
, right?"

"Yeah, she was his
personal
assistant." Ashleigh looked up. She took a few deep breaths before
speaking. "So, he's a vampire too then, huh?"

"Yeah." Caleb sighed as he brought her into a
tighter embrace. "He runs the Council."

"So…" She sniffled again as she wiped her tears.
"How can I be his daughter if he's a vampire? I'd be one too, and I wasn't
until I met you."

"Well, you could've been a common vampire and didn't
know it. They drink blood by choice, not need. But to tell you the truth…"
Caleb narrowed his eyes on the window, a very confused expression on his face.
"I think the whole thing's impossible. You know the rules—vampires only
produce male children. There's no way he can be your father."

"Ben thinks so." Ashleigh sat up, her voice
stronger. "So, what do we do now?"

"Talk to a Councilman." Caleb pulled away from the
curb and got back onto the road. "My dad should know more about this.
We'll ask him." He took out his phone and called his father.

Lucas answered, "Hello?"

"Hey, Dad." Caleb ran a tense hand through his
hair. "I have a little problem I need your help with."

"Caleb! Are you in trouble again? What did—?"

"Please…" Caleb let out an annoyed sigh as he
closed his eyes. He slapped the steering wheel as he tried not to raise his
voice. "Stop all the bullshit. I don't have time to get into another
argument with you." Then, his voice lowered. "I need you."

"Need me?" His father chuckled. "That's
something I've never heard from your mouth."

"What do you know about Master
Vessling
having a daughter?" Caleb glanced briefly at Ashleigh. She was busy
texting someone. From the small picture on the screen, he knew it was Natalie.

"What? He doesn't have any children…you know that,
Caleb."

"We were at the Harper's today, and Ben and Marion
claimed Ashleigh was his daughter."

"Why would they think she's Anthony child? It doesn't
make sense."

"It didn't to me, either." Caleb shrugged his
shoulders. "But they did try to attack me and take Ashleigh. I swear, Dad,
Ben would've killed me if I hadn't gotten the hell out of there."

"This is a question for the Council of Elders, but as
you know, Master
Vessling
is the head of the Council,
so we must tread lightly, especially if the subject of his illegitimate
daughter is brought up." Lucas's voice was low. "It could be possible
though. There was a—"

"No, it can't." Caleb glanced at Ashleigh, their
eyes meeting. "Vampires can't have girls."

"I agree, it's rare, but still…it can happen."

"You think it could?"

"What's her mother's name?"

"Marion Harper."

"Ah…" Lucas chuckled. "Interesting."

"What's interesting?" Now stopped at a light,
Caleb drummed nervously on the steering wheel.

"Marion used to be his personal assistant. She was a
just a half breed before she met Ben, so it could be possible. If Marion's her
mother, I'm surprised Ashleigh didn't know that. Marion's been a practicing
vampire since her teen years."

"Well, some half breeds are pretty secretive about
their dirty habits, and they don't crave blood like we Elders do. Maybe she
didn't tell Ash's father about it and practiced in secret. It could be
possible."

"Let me check on this further, and I’ll get back to
you."

"So, what do we do?" Caleb gazed cautiously over
at Ashleigh then back at the road.

"Nothing for now. Take Ashleigh with you when you leave
town. Don't leave her alone until we figure this out."

"Sounds good. I'll talk to you soon then." Caleb
hung up.

"So, what now?" Ashleigh wore a sour expression as
she fidgeted nervously with her fingers.

"Dad's
gonna
figure it out
for us." He lightly tapped her leg as he smiled. "How
bout
you go on tour with me so I can keep you safe?"

"Okay.”

Chapter Four

Lucas now found himself sitting in Anthony
Vessling's
office. His office was a great distance from
Kingston. The
Vessling's
lived outside the country in
a large estate near the ocean. Anthony owned
Vessling
Enterprises, a successful investment firm with ties all over the world.

Ashleigh was on tour with Caleb, which gave his father
plenty of time to investigate the Harpers' claim. Lucas hadn't spoken to any of
the other members yet, and because he hadn't heard anything, he believed Ben
hadn't either.

Lucas glanced around the office. His fingers held tightly to
an envelope. His gaze settled on a picture of Anthony and Sandra
Vessling
. Anthony's baby blue eyes were the exact shade of
Ashleigh's.

"Lucas." Anthony's voice was upbeat as he strolled
into the room. He slowly reached backward and shut the door. "What brings
you here?"

"I need to speak to you, Anthony." Lucas' eyes
followed him as he went over to his desk.

"Of course." Sweeping the tails of his sport coat
behind him, Anthony sat. He sent a friendly smile to Lucas, his fangs covered
up by a false set of teeth. "What is it you wish to speak of? Caleb's
suspension?"

"Caleb's fiancé."

"Miss Brown, the romance author." Anthony chuckled
as he moved some papers over to the side of his desk. "Aiden has been told
to stay away from her, but he does own her publishing company, so we cannot
guarantee they will not meet on any business endeavors. You—"

"The Harpers are trying to kidnap her."

"What?" Anthony chuckled. "Now Ben is after
her, as well?"

"They attacked my son, and they claim she's your
daughter."

"What?" Anthony's gaze narrowed on Lucas, and the
friendly tone in his voice disappeared. "How dare they say such a thing? I
buried my child…
my son
."

"Are you sure?" Lucas pulled out a few photographs
from the envelope, tossing them onto Anthony's desk.

"I'm…" He picked up a picture of Ashleigh and
Caleb, studying his own smile staring back at him. "Sure. I…" Anthony
started going through the photographs quickly as his graying brow kissed his
light eyes. His breath quickened, and he seemed to have great difficulty
forming words. "Who's her mother?"

"Marion Harper."

A high-pitched hiss escaped Anthony's lips as he forced his
gaze away from the pictures.

"If she's yours, then she's the child spoke of in the
prophecy." Lucas' voice was low as he leaned closer to Anthony. "And
then, we'll be in more trouble than just having your wife find out about your
affair. If the Count finds out about this—"

"Do not worry, Lucas." Anthony handed him the
photos. His friendly smile returned. "This girl is not my daughter, and
there is no reason to believe any different. Besides, the Count does not
concern himself with rumors, so he will not wish to investigate such a small
claim."

"But what if the Harpers—"

"I will speak to them." Waving the subject away
with his hand, Anthony let out a soft chuckle. "And I want this matter to
remain private. Do I have your word, Lucas?"

"Of course."

"But…" Anthony sighed as he gazed at his family
photograph. "It would not be…" He paused and
steepled
his hands, tapping the point of his fingers against his nose.

When Anthony didn't speak, Lucas impatiently asked,
"What?"

"I would like to take a paternity test, just for my own
peace of mind."

"If that's what you want, please do, but promise me
something." Lucas' hands tightened around the envelope. "Even if she
is yours, I'd like to keep this quiet…for Caleb."

"Lucas, you do understand what will happen if this test
proves she's my daughter? I can't keep that from the Count."

"I understand. But she and Caleb are in love. I don't
want to ruin that. Those two are—"

"I'm sure this is only a mere rumor. I have known Marion to be a liar, so
if this is just another one of her lies, it would not surprise me in the
least." Anthony's smile returned. "But until this matter is
investigated, I can grant you no promises."

"All right." Lucas voice was calm. "Thank
you, Anthony." Lucas stood, but was halted by Anthony's voice.

"Speaking of Caleb… When is he serving his punishment?
This will be his fifth, will it not?"

"He will be home for two weeks at Christmas. He'll
serve it then."

"Five months? That's too long." Anthony sat back
lazily in his chair. "It must be within the next month."

"He doesn't have a break until October, he—"

"He'll make time."

* * * *

Ashleigh was alone. Caleb had gone to a gathering with his
band mate, Kris. She had never gone to one before and was curious why Caleb was
there if he was supposed to be suspended. So, now she was following them.

She was wearing one of Caleb's caps, the brim bent to cover
her face. Her long, black hair now perfectly straight. She was wrapped in
Caleb's coat and sporting his T-shirt, even though they were slightly big on
her.

When she entered the room of people, all of them were
talking happily amongst themselves. She searched for Caleb, but she didn't see
him, nor did she recognize most of the group. She did notice the Masons and
could see Catherine crying and being comforted by one of her friends.

"Well…what have we here?"

The voice made Ashleigh cringe. She spun, and her eyes were
met with a pair of demonic green ones. She was about to walk away, but he
grabbed her arm and halted her retreat.

"Come on. Be civil, Ashleigh." Aiden laughed as he
released her. "I said I was sorry."

"And
you
turned Caleb in and got him in trouble." She crossed her arms over her
chest. She glared at him, but her eyes were partially hidden by the cap.
"I won't forgive you. Drop your claim against him." Her eyes narrowed
on Aiden angrily. "Now."

"I can't. Caleb's punishment is being carried out
tonight." Aiden motioned toward a door. "Fifty lashes, I
believe."

"This is all your fault." The words hissed from
her lips as she punched his shoulder. "You stupid asshole."

He tried to grab hold of her again, but with a swift jerk of
her knee upward, she caught him in the balls, and he released her. She jogged
over to the others, but before she could get inside, the men at the door pushed
her back.

"Ashleigh?" Catherine regarded her strangely. She
wiped her nose with the tissue in her hand. "What are you doing
here?"

"Is Caleb in there?" Ashleigh glanced at the
closed door then back at Catherine.

"Yes, with his father and the rest of the
Council." Aiden hit Ashleigh's shoulder with his on his way through the
door. He spoke when she turned to him. "If you grovel for me, I might take
it back."

"You asshole! I—" Ashleigh tried to say something
more, but Catherine covered her mouth.

Aiden laughed softly. He then turned around and went into
the guarded room.

"Caleb will be fine." Catherine pulled Ashleigh
away. Directing her with soft hands on her shoulders, Catherine took Ashleigh
to another part of the room. "He's been through this before."

"It's not fair." Ashleigh sniffled back tears. Her
hand reached up to her nose and wiped at it, though it was dry. "He was
just protecting me. They shouldn't be able to do this to him."

"I know, but this is how it is. Caleb did something
against the rules, and he has to—" Her words were halted when she turned
toward a commotion near the entrance. "What in the world?" She
glanced at Ashleigh. "Let's go see what's going on."