Courted by the Vampire Read online

  Spirals of heat warmed her stomach at its brilliance. You’re dangerous, all right, to my peace of mind. What she said was, “So, you hunt vamps. Do you hunt other creatures, too?” Outside the small shelter, birds chattered to each other while the steady drone of locusts blocked out the silence.

  Forests were definitely not quiet.

  Edwin shrugged and leaned his back against the rock slope. “I can if I choose, and I have for extra money, but I think tracking vampires is more rewarding. Hunting one of the larger magical beings brings a nice price tag, and they are always a welcome challenge.” He turned his gaze to her, his eyes back to their original icy blue. “The numbers of vampire beings shrink each year. Maybe it’s the extra attention of the media and popular fiction, I don’t know, but if the rumors are true and Andre is holding Duncan captive, I can only wonder if others are out hunting for sport or profit.” He frowned and stretched out his legs. “It is a puzzle.”

  “Some of the starch is coming out of you, you know.” She sat up, mindful of the low-hanging ceiling, and then rummaged in her bag for a scrap of anything edible.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You’re loosening up. You actually included a contraction or two just now.” With a triumphant cry, she produced a granola bar and ripped it open. “I’m having a negative effect on you.” She broke the bar in two, offered half to him, and then smiled when he accepted the food.

  “A negative effect is not quite what I would say you have on me.”

  Hannah coughed when she swallowed wrong. “What about your mind reading thing?”

  He chewed thoughtfully. “It is hard to explain, but I have never been able to tap into another person’s thoughts unless they have the vampire gene or specific paranormal genetics that I am sensitive to. Why I am able to do so with you has me truly mystified.”

  “Maybe I frustrate you.” She grinned. “Or what about that prophecy thing?”

  “I will not discuss that with you now.” His eyes blazed into hers. “It is more likely we are becoming close.”

  “I thought you said you would never allow a woman to mean anything to you because of your pre-destined job. If you’re looking for a cheap date, I could fill that position. Heck, rent a sappy movie, grab a big bag of buttered popcorn, and I’m yours.”

  “I did not say I was interested in you romantically, Hannah. I only meant we share a common bond of some sort.”

  She bit the inside of her cheek. “Excuse me for putting such a distasteful thought before you.”

  “It was not distasteful. I imagine you taste as marvelous as you look.” When he reached for her hand, she pulled away. “Hannah.”

  Scrambling to her feet, she yanked her bag from the ground and wriggled out of the shelter. “I’m going in search of water. You can stay here since my appearance and questionable personality is obviously too distracting for your job.” She slung the straps of her bag crossway over her chest and stalked through the forest as tears stung her eyes.

  “Hannah, wait!”

  He crashed into the underbrush after her, but she didn’t stop. “Leave me alone, Edwin. Our association is over. I’m sorry your mission is ruined, but I won’t inflict my unwelcome self on you any longer.” She zigzagged over roots and debris scattered over the soggy ground. Another wave of tears besieged her when she realized he wasn’t behind her.

  Off the well-worn path, prickles of fear chilled her spine when she realized she hadn’t passed a trail marker in some time. Damn it! She turned slowly and frowned to see only trees surrounded her. Every angle of the landscape appeared the same. She remembered Edwin’s explanation that they also traveled at night in order to avoid tourists and day hikers in the park. They couldn’t afford awkward questions.

  Hannah wiped the sweat from her forehead and glanced at into the canopy. Birds chattered and sang overhead in their leafy neighborhoods as if to remind her of just how alone she was. She cursed the fiery Irish temper that coursed through her veins. Anxiety choked her as she recalled another of his admonitions. If we stick together, we’ll be safe. She took a few steps forward, let out a strangled scream, and went airborne.

  With a sigh, she sank into a bottomless blackness.

  *****

  Edwin, where are you? I’m alone, and I’m scared.

  I am close. Do not worry, spatzi, I am coming.

  I’m sorry I acted childish. I didn’t mean to.

  It is forgotten. You were under stress, and your outburst was perfectly understandable.

  Hannah groaned as pain exploded through her body when she attempted to move. Her heartbeat quickened. She had just communicated with Edwin inside her mind. Warmth lingered in her brain from the intimate connection. “How cool.” Disappointed that she couldn’t explore her newfound knowledge right away, she sighed. There was a more pressing need—survival.

  She opened her eyes a crack. The sun was almost down. Vivid hues of orange, red, and purple painted the sky. Fireflies twinkled in the air, tiny dots of sharp illumination against the gathering darkness.

  As she rose into a sitting position, she cried out when her left wrist throbbed with pain. Her back twitched with a few spasms. Crap! Hannah glanced up, and frowned when she realized she’d fallen about twelve feet.

  The thick forest opened into a creek bed, now dry and cracked while hard-packed sand and dirt made up the side of the ridge. The park held a handful of different eco-systems and environmental challenges. She sighed in frustration.

  As she picked random bits of debris from her hair and clothing, she stared hard at a piece of shimmering air. The weird patch began to solidify and took shape eventually as a two-foot high fairy that perched on a nearby fallen log.

  “Are you the one who has been Summoning me with a silver whistle?” the fairy demanded, a petulant frown marring her delicate features. “You interrupted my beauty rest.”

  Hannah lifted an eyebrow. “Narcissa?”

  “Who else? Do you know how long it takes me to perfect this look?”

  She glanced at the fairy, not knowing if the winged creature referred to the weird bluish tint to her hair or her skin that had a faint pattern of scales. “I won’t detain you longer than necessary, so just hand over the Mirror of Truth and you can be on your way.”

  Narcissa’s smile revealed sharp, pointy little teeth. “I’m not giving you my mirror. How will I be able to admire myself if you have it?”

  “Look, I’ll give you a choice. You can either give me the Mirror, or I can capture you and take it myself.” Her stomach churned. She didn’t like the thought of bullying the creature. She rooted around in her bag and pulled out the small glass jar with the brass lid. “Do you see this jar? This will become your new home if you don’t cooperate.”

  “It’s too small. I’d never fit.”

  “Maybe so, but do you really want to take the chance? Give me what I want and I won’t need to make this your new home.” She tossed the jar into the air and deftly caught it. “I have no problems using it.” She’d never admit she hadn’t used it successfully before.

  “You wouldn’t dare!” Narcissa scoffed. She took out a small hand mirror and proceeded to admire herself. “The Forest Witch told me all about you. She said you didn’t have enough confidence in yourself to make a carrot levitate.”

  “Marilyn has apparently underestimated me because her mind is filled with an overload of sex,” Hannah muttered as she unscrewed the top of the jar.

  “She also said once you are dead, Edwin will come back to her when he’s not consumed by one as common as you.” She raked her thin fingers through her blue hair then shook the long tresses out. “The Forest Witch has a healthy appetite for human men.”

  “Really.” Hannah surreptitiously plucked a gold charm from her bracelet and dropped it into the jar. “I rather doubt her influence on the bounty hunter is so strong. Edwin has more sense than to consort with a Witch.” She shook the jar, smiling wickedly when the charm tinkled against the glass. “This is your l
ast chance, Narcissa. Will you give me the mirror?”

  “Of course not. It’s mine.” She continued to admire herself in the mirror, primping on the log as if she had nothing better to do.

  Hannah shrugged, wincing at the throb of pain in her wrist. “Suit yourself.” She concentrated and delved through her mind for the half forgotten words of the spell. “Little fairy with tiny feet, play before me but please be sweet. Little fairy with face so charming, I leave this trinket for your disarming. Little fairy, into this jar I bind, until I release thee at a future time.” In order for the spell to work, she had to make sure the inflection of the syllables was correct and the offering was good. Fairies had a weakness for shiny objects and sweet things.

  “I won’t go! Who will admire me now?” With a plaintive whine, Narcissa vanished into shimmering air once again. She gave off a faint ping when she landed inside the small prison. Because the jar was enchanted, once a being was spellbound, their size automatically adjusted in order to fit comfortably inside the container. Upon release, they returned to their original shape.

  Hannah stared into the glass, gave a wobbly smile to the tiny fairy, and screwed the brass lid on tight. She squinted through the faint light. Edwin, where are you?

  *****

  Edwin frowned as he observed Hannah from his hidden position in the foliage. He hesitated to reveal his presence, not wishing to break her concentration. When she held the jar up, he stifled a chuckle. She was not like any other human he had encountered. He shifted, careful not to disturb the dry twigs.

  She stuffed the jar back into her bag, and scrambled to her feet then retrieved a silver mirror, which glinted in the faint moonlight. Apparently, she was unimpressed since she shrugged and threaded the chain of her pendant through the handle of the mirror.

  Tiny threads of lust streaked through his stomach when she dropped the necklace under her tank top. She did have a most desirable body. “I knew you could tap into your power if you needed something bad enough.” He stepped out from behind a cluster of birch trees.

  Hannah whirled around, relief on her face. “How long have you been there?”

  “Long enough.” As he approached her, a tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I am proud of you, spatzi. Never doubt yourself. Confidence will always win out over fear. It is the way of things.” He enfolded her in a hug. His chest tightened when she sighed against him. Even after a stint through a humidity-filled forest, the elusive floral scent of her teased his nostrils.

  “Thank you. No one has ever believed in me before, except for my Gramma. She understands, all too well actually. Some her stories are quite fantastic.”

  “I am sure you are very much like your elder.” Regret washed over him when she broke the impromptu embrace. “You handled the fairy well.”

  Her smile was small. “I’m sorry I had to strong arm Narcissa. I’ll let her stew inside that jar for a bit then let her out later.” If I can remember which spell will release her… She winced then clutched her wrist.

  “You are hurt?”

  “Just a little battered, I suppose. My wrist is the only damaged part.”

  He gingerly felt the appendage in question, his fingers delicate and gentle as he prodded. “You spoke to me with your mind earlier.” He pressed a bit of swollen flesh. “Does this hurt?”

  “A little.”

  Edwin ran his fingertips over the sensitive skin of her inner arm. He smiled when tiny shivers swept from her to him. “Now that you have used your telepathic powers, you must practice and strengthen them. It is vital for your protection.”

  She nodded. “I’ll try, but it’s hard. Can you help me?”

  Desire slammed into him when she looked up at him from under her lashes. “It would be an honor.” Aware he still held her wrist, he let her go long enough to root in his duffle bag. “Your injury is not severe.” He produced a large handkerchief of snowy white cotton and proceeded to fashion a sling for her arm. “You will need to keep your wrist as immobile as possible for the next couple of hours if you can. This, at least, will insure you won’t use that hand unnecessarily.”

  “But I’ll need my hand to help me hike.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “You will be fully healed by the time we reach our destination. Vampires are capable of healing non-fatal wounds in themselves and others.” As he tied the knot behind her neck, his fingers brushed her soft skin. He leaned close, his lips a hair’s breadth from the shell of her ear. “You must strive to be more careful.”

  Hannah stood silent. Her pulse fluttered in her neck and her breath came in rapid bursts.

  He grinned and pulled away. “The positive aspect of you taking a tumble into this shallow creek bed is that we can use the ancient water source as a guide. Sooner or later we will come to the lake and thereby eventually have our run in with the ghost.”

  “Oh.” She heaved a deep sigh. “We’re leaving now?”

  He nodded then plunged forward along the creek bed.

  “Just so you know, I don’t think you appreciate how much longer I’ll be able to keep bravely trekking along without food, water or a decent shower.”

  Edwin laughed at the whine in her voice. “You are a rather impatient woman. I am sure once we reach the lake shore all of your basic needs will be met.” He chuckled again, glad for her company.

  “You’re right, I am impatient. I don’t like waiting.” I want to know what your hair feels like. “It must be the society we live in. Instant gratification and all that.”

  I can hear your thoughts, Hannah. I would caution of you this fact so you do not embarrass yourself further.

  I’m not embarrassed. But she huffed.

  He grinned at her contradiction. “The sweetest rewards often come after days or even months of hard work or plans.” He turned to help her over a series of fallen and rotten logs and briefly wondered why her warmth lingered on his skin. Never had he been so connected with another being before.

  “Not every good thing in life is the result of planning. Sometimes the most wonderful gifts are unexpected,” she countered.

  Patience is always rewarded.

  The sun had finally sunk under the horizon to leave behind a cozy purple twilight that would usher in the velvety darkness of nightfall. Frogs croaked and the underbrush rustled with the unseen nocturnal residents of the forest. She shivered.

  “The creatures of the night will not hurt you, spatzi, unless you become a threat.” The thick carpet of moss, rotting vegetation and sand, muffled their footsteps. “Why are you afraid?”

  “I’m not, but I am terrified of what comes next.”

  He did not know how to comfort her. “Fear is the absence of confidence.” He tugged on her hand in an effort to keep moving. “Even if you feel it inside, if you project confidence then others will trust you, fear you, or respect you, depending on the situation and your level of self-assurance.”

  I hate it when men are right. “Is your quaint little nickname for me the only German you know?” She tripped on a rock but declined his assistance.

  “I speak German quite fluently since it is the primary language of my ancestors.” Edwin shrugged. “I am more comfortable with the older European dialects and know bits and pieces of French which is enough to get by on the rare times I go visit.” He smiled, but when his attempt to cheer his companion failed, he continued with his lecture. “I know that schatzi means little treasure, and ma petite caille means my little quail in French. I have a bit of both parents’ language, but I cannot speak fluently in either. I was not interested in learning words when there were more important skills to master.”

  “Great. You’ve got a thing for poultry.”

  He ignored her comment. As they climbed a steep hill, he kept a tight grip on her hand when she floundered in the loose dirt and sand mix.

  “What about you? Do you know any Irish? You speak of your grandmother often so I assume you must be close?”

  Hannah sucked in a few deep breaths before she ans
wered. “My gramma is originally from Cork, and after my grandfather died, she moved from Dublin back to her home town. They’re a very superstitious lot there.”

  “And?” He wished he had more time with her, but he needed to keep them on a tight schedule.

  She snorted in annoyance. “When my mom went away to college in the U.S. she turned her back on the silly stories and beliefs she had heard from Gramma and raised me with strict orders not to have anything to do with fairy tales or fantasy realms. It’s pretty funny given my circumstances, if you think about it. Anyway, the only phrase I can repeat is a curse, really. Gaelic is hard to learn if you didn’t grow up with it.”

  Edwin remained silent as they fought for each foothold in the shifting sand. He had learned that silence often yielded the best results.

  “My gramma occasionally lapses into the language when she’s stressed.” The harsh sound of her breathing blended with the nocturnal forest sounds. I’m going to die of oxygen deprivation.

  You won’t die. He bit back a chuckle at her steady complaints. “What is the curse?”

  A grin lit her face. “My mom always washed my mouth out with soap if I said it aloud.”

  “Is that a custom in your family before you speak?”

  Her laughter held a note of surprise. “Hardly. She feared something bad would happen, that’s all.”

  Edwin increased the pressure on her hand in encouragement.

  “Okay, I’ll tell you but don’t laugh. Go n-ithe an cat thú is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat. Roughly translated, I think it means may the cat eat you, and may the cat then be eaten by the devil. It sounds much better with an accent and a highly agitated grandmother screaming at the milk man who short-changed her.”

  “It can be very intimidating, I would imagine, in the right circumstance.” With one last tug on her hand, they cleared the hill. “I believe we have arrived at the shore of Lake Michigan.” He glanced at her, and attempted to vanquish the smirk he knew lurked on his lips as she gasped for breath after the hike. “Now you may rest.”