Forever (The Forever series Book One) (18 page)

I chuckle, “That is true.”

“I would love to have a sparring session with you,” he says.

I raise an eyebrow, “You know I would kick your arse from
here to next week?”

He laughs, “Yes I know. I find it kind of hot,” he says
seductively and kisses me. Everything else falls away as we lose ourselves in
each other.

The following day is Friday. Practice one and two day on the
track. Having already been up several hours, we have finished breakfast and are
now on the terrace watching the practice sessions.

“When are we going down to see the team?” Devon asks.

“Tomorrow, during Qualifying,” I reply, “Best to leave them
to get organized today without interruptions.”

He nods as the noise is deafening as a couple of cars go by.

There’s a loud knock on the door and I rise to answer it,
wondering who it could be at this hour.

Pulling it open I see CK and Nico standing there.

“My sweet,” CK smiles at me and swoops down to kiss me.

“CK, I wasn’t expecting you until later.”

“I need to speak to you,” he says, then all business,
“alone.”

“OK, come in. Hi Nico.”

“Liv.” He nods.

Cole walks in off the terrace as they step inside. He tenses
for a second but forces himself to relax.

CK glowers at him, “Cole.”

“Constantine,” Cole glowers back.

CK takes my hand, “Come.” He orders and drags me to the
bedroom. I cast an apologetic look at Cole and say, “I won’t be long.” He nods,
his mouth set, clearly unhappy that my sire is dragging me off to our bedroom.

“What is this about?” I ask as he closes the door.

He turns to face me, “What did I say about acceptable ways
to greet your sire?”

“CK, tell me what is going on.” I say exasperated but he
ignores me in favor of exploring my mouth with his tongue. “Stop doing that,” I
say as he pulls away with a lingering look.

“You have never refused me in the past, why start now?” he
demands suddenly going all fierce on me.

“I’m not refusing you; I just want you to tell me why you
are here and what is so urgent.”

An abrupt mood shift, he sighs, that world-weary sigh he has
perfected, “It has started, my sweet.”

“What has started?” I ask in dread, already knowing the
answer.

“They know. Eloise ordered for all the records to be pulled
of who sired and who was turned in 1012 and our names will be at the top of
that list. Yours will be red-flagged and they will look into all of your
charges. It’s only a matter of time until they cross-reference your name to
Devon’s turning with the next date. From there your marriage to Fraser is
public record and well…” he picks up my left hand and fingers my ring with a
grimace. “This year is the last date on the list.”

“But I told you I won’t make it a Holy union,” I say
panicking.

“It doesn’t matter,” he snaps shaking his head. “Liv, they
will try to eliminate him. You’ve been linked very publicly with him. Even as a
precaution they will do it so you don’t succeed. And then they will come after
you to ensure that you don’t run off with someone else. I cannot allow that to
happen,” he adds softly.

“This is ridiculous!” I state unhappily. “How many times do
I have to say it? I don’t want this.”

“Whether or not you want it won’t make a damn bit of
difference. You have to end it with him today, publicly.”

“What?” I say shocked, “I am not ending it with him. Do you
know how many years I have waited for this? For someone who not only wants to
marry me but wants me to turn him as well so we can be together forever?”

He flinches visibly at my words, as he does know how long I
have waited, before he resumes his normal composure. “Then do it properly,” he
all but chokes out.

“Excuse me?” I ask, not sure I heard him correctly,

“Do. It. Properly,” he says through gritted teeth. “If you
are hell bent on staying this course then you need to see it through. You need
to do it and you need to do it now. For your own safety. And his,” he adds
menacingly, as an afterthought.

“You want me to turn him on Holy ground?” I say in utter
disbelief at this rapid one eighty. CK is unusually difficult to keep up with
at the best of times, but this is just…

“If you do it, and it does turn out to be you, there is
nothing they can do about it after you have been Chosen. If you do it and it
isn’t you, then they will leave you alone. Think about it, Aefre. Even if you
didn’t turn him on Holy ground, who is to say that in a couple of weeks or a
couple of months’ time there won’t be someone else. They will stop you,” he
presses as he steps closer to make his point.

Everything he has just said is starting to make sense. I am
sure it isn’t me but this will prove it and we can get on with our lives, or I
will be Chosen and tough shit. I continue to stare at him as he does to me. He
must see it pass across my face as he says, “I will make the arrangements. Talk
to him. Don’t tell him the real reasons, not yet. Just tell him you can’t wait
any longer.”

“Now? You want me to do this now?”

“Aefre, I am surprised that they aren’t already here.”

I stare at him, “Why would you help me do this?”

Catching him off guard he pauses. “I am your sire,” he says
simply and turns to the door to leave. He turns back around to add, “I will
protect you with my last breath, my sweet. No matter what it takes. Besides, if
there is going to be anybody I would accept to join The Council, it would be
you.”

I smile weakly at him as my heart races with all he has
said.

“Oh and I suppose if you are the Chosen one, you will have
to spend more time in Milan, with me.” He winks at me and leaves me alone.

Not five seconds later, Cole enters. I run to him and pull
him into a tight embrace. He returns the hug, burying his face into my hair.
“Are you okay?” he asks. “What did he say to you?”

“I’m fine, Cole. It's complicated. Work stuff,” I say
dismissively. Pulling back I look him in the eyes. “Are you one hundred percent
sure this is what you want?” I ask him intently.

He widens his eyes in surprise at my urgency. “Yes, of
course, my love. Are you having second thoughts?” he asks warily.

I shake my head vehemently, “No! God, no Cole, quite the
opposite.”

He tilts his head in confusion.

“I want to do it today. I don’t want to wait,” I say
quickly.

Taken aback he takes a step back. “Today?”

“Please say ‘yes.’ Please say that you are ready now,” I
plead, worried now for his safety after CK’s words.

He runs a hand through his hair and huffs out a breath.

I wait in silence while he thinks it over.

“Have you told me everything I need to know?” he finally
asks.

I nod, thinking back to all of our conversations since he
found out.

“Then yes. I am ready now,” he says, resolved.

I breathe out in relief and smile at him. He leans down to
kiss me and sweeps me off my feet kicking the door closed; he makes for the bed
and gently lowers me onto it. I kick off my shoes as he kneels in front of me.
Unbuttoning my dress all the way from the top to the bottom, he peels it away
from my shoulders. He takes his own shirt off as I reach to undo his pants. His
blue eyes darken visibly as I touch him. Freeing him, he shimmies out of his
pants and lowers his mouth to mine. Kissing me passionately his hand moves to
my breasts and he starts playing with my nipple. I groan as he trails his hand
down to lower. I open my legs wide to let him in and he inserts two fingers
into me. “Oh baby. I love you so much,” he breathes. I gasp in response as I
come and he groans as I clench around his fingers. One swift move and he’s
inside me stoking the embers of my orgasm. “Bite me one last time like this, as
a human,” he whispers, his words eerily similar to Devon’s so long ago. I roll
us over and he rises up, hunger and desire in his eyes. I drop my fangs and
bite down on his neck; he groans and pushes my hips further down onto him. His blood
is gushing into my mouth and I come again as it slides down my throat. He
groans again and I release him, retracting my fangs before I kiss him. Making
him taste his own blood in my mouth. He comes hard then. “I love you,” I
whisper and he whispers it back.

I open the bedroom door to find CK and Devon talking in
hushed tones in the sitting room. My mouth drops open in shock. I have only
ever seen them glare at each other and snarl with open, mutual hatred.

They both stop talking and lift their heads to me as I walk
towards them staring suspiciously at them. CK speaks first. “I read him in,” he
says quietly, before Cole joins me at my side.

My frown deepens as it wasn’t his place to tell my charge
anything.

“Well,” Cole says. “Are you going to tell them?”

“Uh yes, yes of course. CK, Devon. Cole and I have decided
to turn him… today.”

Neither of them looks surprised, but feign it when I glare
at them.

“Oh wow! Awesome,” Devon says.

“Yes indeed.  No need to wait,” CK says.

Oh stellar job, guys, I think to myself as I roll my eyes at
them.

“I think they knew already,” I say to Cole who is looking
confused. I motion with my finger away from my ear and he understands my
meaning of Vampire hearing. He flushes as he realizes they also probably heard
us making love.

“Okay, then,” I say. “Now that we are all on the same page,
shall we do this?”

“Where?” asks Cole.

“There is a disused chapel not far from here,” I say and CK
nods.

“Perfect. Nico, will you make sure it’s secure,” he orders.
Nico nods once and flips his phone out to make a call.

Cole looks slightly worried. “Now? It’s still daylight out.”

“The sun won’t affect you until after you wake,” I tell him
but turn to CK and ask, “Will you go to my safe room and get the ring? You know
where it is.” Next to the wedding bands that Fraser and I exchanged, I think
absently.

“Of course, my sweet.” He squeezes my hands and I can see
something resembling pain in his eyes but it is quickly masked. He stands and
teleports out in a blink.

“What the fuck?” Cole exclaims taking a step back.

I look at him in confusion before I realize, “Oh god. I’m
sorry baby. I forgot you didn’t know. Some really old Vampires gain the ability
to teleport from one place to another. CK has been able to do this for about
four hundred years now give or take,” I explain.

“Teleport? So he’s in Europe one minute, the next he’s in
L.A.?” I nod. “Holy fuck that’s an awesome power!” and Devon snickers.

“But if he can do that…” he waves in the general direction
of where CK was standing, “Why does he fly two hours in a helicopter to get
here?” he questions.

“Modern day security,” Nico answers for me. “Passport
Control, CCTV, digital cameras, even camera phones. If he was caught it would
be a disaster.”

“Ah, I see.” He turns to me then. “Why is he being so helpful?
I got the impression this was the last thing he wanted.”

“He changed his mind. He has his reasons,” is all I can say
with a shrug. “Don’t look the ancient Vampire gift horse in the mouth,” I joke
just as said ancient Vampire pops back into existence and Cole jumps a mile. CK
smirks and hands me the box. “Thank you,” I say softly and he nods briefly.

“Devon, could I have a word?” I ask and he nods and stands.
I take his hand and lead him to the bedroom and shut the door.

“How much do you know?” I ask.

“The abridged version. Prophecy, Holy Union, significant
dates, fourth Council member, Power of One thing, equals, you,” he says and
points at me.

“Maybe me,” I say.

“Constantine thinks it's you. He wouldn't have come to you
if he wasn’t one hundred percent sure.”

I ponder that and realize it’s probably true.

“Are you okay?” I ask him.

He looks taken aback. “Me? I’m fine. Are you okay? I mean
this is a huge deal, Livvie. Not to mention a fairly scary one.”

“Devon,” I say ignoring his comment that makes me shudder.
“This is happening a lot quicker than we expected. Are you okay?”

He runs a hand through his floppy hair. “Liv, it’s fine. I’m
fine. I always wanted a brother,” he jokes and I blanch at the reference. “He’s
a really great guy,” he says grudgingly, “and he loves you. You said the other
day and on the jet that nothing will change between us?” He moves closer and
curls a wayward tendril of hair behind my ear. I swallow at his touch and nod.
“Do you stand by that? I couldn’t bear to lose you, Liv. I’m not ready.” He
looks lost and my heart breaks.

“Yes, I stand by it. I told Cole that you and I will always
be together and that you’re not going anywhere.”

“Thank you,” he whispers and kisses me and we hug for a few
minutes. “I always knew you were special,” he murmurs. “And that, that seat was
yours. Give ‘em hell, Livvie. You deserve it after the way those two have
treated you.”

“I haven’t got it yet. It might not happen, and to be honest
Dev, I don’t really want it,” I admit to him. “I’m a bit scared.”

“Hey,” he says pulling away, “You have nothing to be afraid
of. Gregor and Eloise won’t dare lay a finger on you, even without this
prophecy thing. Say what you like about him, and you know I do, but Constantine
would never let anything happen to you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about.”

“He won’t let anything happen to Cole either. He knows how
devastated you will be. He was there when Fraser died; he won’t want to see you
go through that again.” He tries to reassure me and I take a deep breath.

“We should probably get going.”

“Of course.” He opens the door and leads me out.

Fortunately Cole and CK have been behaving themselves, or
more to the point just ignoring each other, with Nico strategically placed in
between the two of them. Nico looks up as we walk in. “Ready?” he asks.