Vampire Cursed (3 page)

He gave a cold laugh which chilled her.  “Bad luck?  No, this is far more than bad luck.”  He pivoted to face her in slow motion. “I was born July 3
^rd
.”

Her brow furrowed.  “Okay.  So that makes you, what, a Cancer?  So what?”

“1702,” he added.

The furrow deepened.  “1702?  What about it?”

He sighed, though it came out more like a huff of air.  “I was born July 3, 1702.”

Abby laughed.  “Yeah.  Right.  And I’m Joan of Arc.  That would make you over three hundred years old, and while I watch a lot of strange television shows, I’m not so stupid as to believe a man could still be living, looking as good as you do, at three hundred years of age. So nice try, but you can’t be that old. It’s physically impossible.”

The Duke didn’t speak, simply stood, arms folded, waiting for disbelief to segue into belief, for Abby to step into a world where impossibilities existed.

Her eyes widened.  “That’s impossible.”

“That is my curse.”

“Age is your curse?”

“Immortality is my curse, at least a portion of it.”

Perspiration pooled between her breasts.  “Could you speak in English here because, while I’m open to the supernatural and unusual phenomenon and all that stuff, I’m really having a hard time with this one?”

“As well you should.”  He was back in front of her.  How was he able to move without her seeing him?  Yet, each time he drew near, she felt him, the heat from his skin.

“Are you going to explain it to me?”

“I think I’ve told you enough for the night.  You should rest.”

“Like I’m going to be able to sleep until you tell me the rest of the story.  Come on.  You can’t expect me to go to sleep with this hanging over my head.  I mean, you tell me you’re a three hundred year old immortal with a curse and then expect me to count sheep.”  Abby hardened her own voice, her determination strong.  “I want some more answers, and I mean the entire truth. I think, at the very least, you could give me that much.”

Nathaniel muttered a curse. “You know how to try a man’s patience.”

“It’s a gift. Now let’s have it.”

“Abigail, there are things in this world that cannot be explained, things that mere mortals should not know.”

“Let me guess. I’m one of those mere mortals.” Abby folded her arms, determined to keep a brave face regardless of the secret the Duke held up his elegantly tailored sleeve

“You would be better of not knowing…at least not yet.”

“You’d rather I leave then? Because I can have a cab here like,” she snapped her fingers, “that.”

He walked away from her, his back ramrod straight. The dimness in the room his most of his body from her, but she could still make out the silky length of his hair. Her fingers itched to touch it, and she almost hated herself for that.

She knew precious little about this man, and yet, she felt strangely drawn to him, like he could give her information about herself even she didn’t know. As crazy as it sounded, Abby had to know what he was hiding before she left.

“It is not always as easy to hear the truth. In fact, sometimes it’s more difficult than revealing it.”

 “Give me more credit than that.  You just told me you’re three hundred plus years old, and I didn’t fall headfirst into hysterics.”  

“That is the least of my life, Abigail. Trust me when I tell you it’s better to receive the information a little at a time.”

“Oh, I see. You get to spout things like destiny and curses, and I’m supposed to just take it docilely, just let the big, strong man tell me what he thinks I need to know.” She marched over to where he stood and tapped his chest with her index finger. “Well, step into the 21
^st
century. I’ve been all across this world, have seen some of the worst tragedies known to mankind, and very little scares me.”

 Nathaniel moved so suddenly she felt the wind as he pushed her against the wall. His hands bracketed her as his hard body pressed into her curves. His eyes when they stared into hers were an endless pool of fire and fury. And his voice, when he spoke, was deep, guttural and exceptionally dangerous.  “You haven’t asked me how I can be immortal, Abigail.”

She swallowed. A lump lodged in her throat.  She tried again, but her mouth was too dry. Perhaps, she really didn’t want to know, after all.  Wasn’t this always the part in the movie where the woman made a dignified exit?  “I thought you said that was your curse.”

“Actually,” he smiled, his lips parting enough to allow her a brief glimpse of sharp, white fangs, “this is my curse.”

She willed herself not to faint. She would stay upright. Fainting was for sissies and women who waved fans in front of their faces, while batting their eyes at brawny men in armor.  She had more strength than that…she hoped.

Questions flowed through her mind, some she wasn’t sure she wanted answers to. Biting her lower lip, she looked up into the dark eyes that now held desperation and a hint of resolve, like now that he told her, he knew she’d run.

A very large point of her wanted to, that part that held common sense, but there went those damned instincts again.

Think, Abby. He’s not going to kill you. You’d be dead by now if that was his intention. So what other nefarious purpose does he have in mind for you, if any?
“You can’t be a vampire. I heard your heartbeat, felt your breath.”

“I didn’t become a vampire in the customary manner.”

“Oh, yes, how could I forget that? You were cursed, and now, you drink blood.  I guess this is always the part where the woman runs screaming down the hall, and you miss out on another supper.”  Sarcasm had always served her well in times of desperation.  Things couldn’t be more desperate than they were at that exact moment.

Nathaniel drew back and blinked at her, momentarily taken aback, which was a plus for her.

If she could keep him off-guard, maybe she’d find out the whole story about because her instincts were telling her there was so much more to Nathaniel’s change than just a bite on the neck.  Whatever the tale, he’d had plenty of time to offer her to drain her blood, and since she was still walking around in one piece, that had to mean she wasn’t in any danger…at least not imminent danger anyway.

Or maybe just a different kind of trouble. The way he looked at her now clearly said he had other plans for her.  Probably something dark and dangerous. Sensual. The one word sent a tingle from the top of her head to her toes. Well, she’d stuck it out this far, she might as well hang around for the ending

Nathaniel surveyed her with a steady gaze.  “You’re not afraid.” The statement held a tone of awe which she waved away.

“Should I be?”

“Most women would be.”

“I’m not most women.” She tapped her chin with one finger. “Your expression told me I was right, that were cursed as a vampire. Does that kind of stuff actually happen?” Her shoulders lifted as she laughed. “What am I asking? I’m standing in the same room with a vampire asking if curses really exist.”

“The hour is late.”  Nathaniel interrupted her conversation, cupped her elbow in his hand, and began to tug her toward the door.  “We will have plenty of time to discuss this later.  For now, you are exhausted.  I can see it in your eyes.  You need to sleep.”

She shook her head.  “Like that’s going to happen.” She broke free of his embrace.  “If you truly are a vampire, then the night is just beginning for you.  And now that I’ve seen fangs, I want facts.  Are you keeping me here so that your stomach won’t rumble?  I just want to know if I’m supposed to be your dinner for the next few evenings.” A little dose of humor was her way of getting him to open up…and reassuring herself she wasn’t on the menu.

He smiled.  “No.  I will not be drinking your blood this evening.”

“You’re supposed to add or any other evening,” she pointed out with a touch of edginess in her voice.  When the vampire remained stoically silent, she winced. “Okay, so eventually, you’re going to drag me into the world of the undead.  I’m sure you’ll pardon me for asking.  Why?  Why me?”

“Whether or not you can see it now, you are my destiny, and I am yours. I would never do anything to harm you. Is that not sufficient enough reassurance?”

She would have preferred a “no, I’m not going to drain your blood until you join me on the dark side”, but she’d take what she could get. “I just need to know if you intend on changing me.” Like he hadn’t already. She doubted her life could ever be the same after this. How often was it a woman met an 18
^th
century immortal duke?

He took her hand and began leading her to the door. “Go to bed now, Abigail. I have provided you with enough information this evening.”

“I’ll go when I’m ready.” She peeled his fingers away from her arm. “Do you sleep in a coffin?”

The question brought a smile to his face. “You have watched Dracula, I see.”

“Yeah, well, it was the in thing when I was young.”

Capturing her arm again, he continued his trek back down the corridor.  Reaching the bedroom Abby had occupied before, he swept a hand toward the bed.  “You shall sleep here.”

“And what about you?  Going to pull your coffin up next to me?”

He moved his hand over the bed, and the blankets rolled back.  “Would that alarm you?”

The thought creeped her out actually. “You don’t seriously sleep in one, do you?”

The smile broadened. “No, I do not. I sleep in a bed just as you. In fact, if you are in need of evening companionship, I would be happy to join you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Could you be any more obvious?” Abby plopped down on the edge of the mattress. “Tell me about this curse. Who did it? Why was it done?”

All humor fled from his face. “No. That is not information you require.”

“I’m sorry. Did I not just ask the question? That means it’s information I require.” Her ire on the rise, she stood up again. “You know, I’m getting really sick of these chauvinistic traits of yours, and I’ve been in your company for less than twenty-four hours. Destiny, my ass. I couldn’t see myself spending another day with you much less an eternity. Close the door on your way out.”

Nathaniel sighed and swept a hand behind him. Flames flickered in the marble fireplace, adding a soft glow to the hard lines of his face. “There is much about me you do not understand, Abigail, but know this. You are safe here. No harm will come to you, and should you wish to leave in the morning, I will not stop you.”

As he started to walk away, she called him back. “Why not?”

He didn’t turn around. “Because I will not force anyone to endure the hell that is my life. Good-night.”

Abby sat on the bed with only the flicker of the flames for light. Her heart had begun to soften in just a few short hours, and that, to her, was very dangerous. What would happen if she stayed another day?

Chapter Three

“She will never love you.”

The cold chill of the witch’s voice raised the hairs on the back of Nathaniel’s neck. He didn’t need to turn around to know she was there. “You know nothing about her.”

“Ah, but I do. She’s a regular woman who wants to lead a normal life. Can you offer her that, Nathaniel? What can you give her beyond the cold walls of this castle?”

He whirled, the fire at his back. “Her love would break the curse and set me free. I would not be trapped within the confines of these walls any longer.”

The witch, her ivory-colored hair flowing past her waist, flew toward him, nails extended. She stopped short of his face, hovering in the air. “If you really believe that will happen, that a woman will fall in love with a vampire, you have lost all sense of reality. She’ll leave at first light if not before.”

His hands curled into fists. “If that is her wish, I will not stop her.”

The witch’s booted feet hit the floor, and she tipped her head to one side to study him. “Without love, you will never leave this castle.”

“I’m aware of that.” Nathaniel put as much distance as possible between them. He wanted to demand that she leave, but the witch came and went as she pleased. Ordering her out would only entice her to stay even longer.

“Hasn’t three hundred years been long enough, Nathaniel?” With speed born of black magic, she zoomed over to where he stood next to the bookcase. “You could make her stay.” She touched her palm to his shoulder. “Being a vampire does have its advantages. You have the gift of coercion. Why not use it to break the curse?”

He snagged her wrist and flung her hand away like it was lethal. “Never. You took away my choices. I would never do the same to anyone else, especially Abigail.”

“Oh,” she cooed. “Fancy yourself in love with her then?”

Nathaniel didn’t respond. Maybe if he ignored her, she’d go away, but then, she would return. She always returned. That was, in his opinion, one of the worst parts of the curse.

“You know, Nathaniel, you could always change your mind about me.”

He shivered. The mere thought of being with her, touching her, kissing her as he had Abigail rendered him nauseous. “I did not want you then, and I do not want you now.” His gaze zeroed in on her angered face. “I’ve survived three hundred years trapped inside these walls, and I’d live another seven hundred never seeing the light of day before I touched you, Witch.”