Unbound, page 18
part #1 of Forbidden Bond Series
“No, she said she was going to an appointment several hours away. Do you have any idea where she was going?” Griffin asked.
“She didn’t tell me, but I am going to search for her. I assume that you want her to be protected now.” Cayden hoped he wanted her under constant guard.
“I think it’s very dangerous for her out there alone. It’s also dangerous for us if she ends up in enemy hands. She was able to enthrall both of us at once, and hold it for fifteen minutes. She has telekinesis and telepathy. If there really is someone after talented youth, she would be the grand prize to them.” Griffin scowled and tried to beat back the anxiety tightening his chest.
“I would like to be her protector, Mr. Vaughn. She’s a friend of mine and I won’t stand out in her circle. It will be more comfortable for her to have me nearby than a stranger,” Cayden explained.
“That’s right. Your father called me earlier and requested I put you on the job if necessary. Congratulations on your entrance into the warrior class. I know your father is very proud. You’ll be a fine warrior, maybe even a Wrath one day. I always defer to Gage’s judgment in these cases. I just hope you can keep up with her, but first things first. We’re going to need to find her. You will need to practice guarding your mind. She could be slippery.” Griffin was still in disbelief at how easy it was for her to walk out and disappear without a trace.
* * *
It was a long ride home. Dani worried about Cayden and Griffin. She hoped they weren’t still frozen in the study. She pulled up to the curb and fished out her cell to call Cayden. She understood the reason behind them wanting to protect her, but she wouldn’t be hiding while they dealt with the situation. She wasn’t a part of their world, and had no plans on joining the black-eyed freak fan club.
“Hello?” Cayden answered.
“Hey Cayden, its Dani, are you guys okay?” she asked sheepishly. She was waiting for him to yell at her but he didn’t. He was kind, even playful.
“Yeah, that’s a neat trick you played on us. We’re fine, but I wish you had waited for me. I could have gone with you, wherever you needed to go. When will you be back?”
“Sunday afternoon. I’m sorry about what I did, but I have some very personal issues that couldn’t wait. Mr. Vaughn is very kind to want to protect me, but I’m really not one of his people.”
“Why do you keep saying that? He explained to me that you were raised outside of our society, but you’re still one of us and we protect our own. I can help you adjust to our way of life. Things will probably be much easier for you once you learn to let us help you. Really Dani, you know I’m a friend,” He reasoned.
Dani chuckled, “I may be putting that theory to the test very soon. We’ll see how accepting you really are, eventually. I gotta go, but I’ll call you when I get back into town.”
“You know you’re cryptic and crazy, right?” he joked.
“Yes, I am, but would you have me any other way?” What was that? Flirting?
“I’d be willing to give it a go.” They both laughed. “I’m serious, girl. You can trust me. I’ll protect you and your very personal issues that make you feel the need to manipulate others.”
“Thanks, Cayden. I guess maybe we could be friends,” she said in a teasing tone. “I’ll call you when I get home.” She hung up before he asked where she was.
Now to the reason for her long drive south. Her mom had some explaining to do and she wouldn’t be dancing around the truth anymore. Dani needed to know exactly what and who she would be dealing with. There was a black BMW parked out front, so she figured their guest was already there. She thought she’d have until tomorrow to grill her mom privately, but maybe she’d get more answers if she were on the spot.
Dani slammed the door behind her so Tessa would know she was pissed. She never slammed a door or yelled in her life. So this seemed like a good time to start.
“Mother, where are you?” she bellowed.
She stalked into the living room where a man stood to greet her. “Soleil?” he asked.
She had no idea who he was or what a Soleil was so she kept walking.
“Mom, who is the weird guy in the living room, and what is a Soleil?” Tessa was in the kitchen making tea. She refused to turn around and look at Dani.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” She was stalling.
“Yes, I would like some tea with a side of, ‘What the hell is going on!’” This attitude was out of character for Dani, and not polite for a stranger to witness, but she’d had enough. The man was now standing in the doorway.
“Maybe we should sit down and your mother and I can calmly explain the situation to you, Soleil.” He was smooth and irritating.
“Who are you and what is a Soleil?” Dani snapped. Tessa shot him a look of pure displeasure. He had upset her.
“I’m Mason, your Godfather, and I am sorry for calling you out of name. That has been your name in my mind since you were born and it seems I’m having trouble adjusting to your new name. Maybe I should say your real name,” he explained. He was handsome and his voice had a calming effect when she allowed it.
Dani looked at her mom. “Are you trying to tell me even my name is a lie? I can’t believe this shit!” She threw her keys across the room and went back into the living room to plop down in a chair with her head hanging off one arm and legs over the other. Taking deep breaths, she calmed herself and stared at the ceiling, waiting for them to join her.
“I didn’t think you’d be here until tomorrow,” she told the man in a much more civil tone.
“It seems we have some very serious problems at home. I need to get back tonight,” he explained.
“I guess you’re talking about the crazy vampire snatcher?” she asked sharply.
He and Tessa looked at each other. “Yes, that’s the problem I’m speaking of. Why don’t we start with you telling us what you already know, and we’ll fill in the blanks for you, Soleil. I mean, Danielle. I’m sorry.”
“So that is my real name? Why was it changed, and why didn’t you change our last name, too?” she asked Tessa.
“That’s the name your father gave you. It is a unique name so I changed it in order to make you harder to find, but I had trouble letting go of my married name. I was only trying to protect you.” Tessa was defensive and the name was the least of her worries, so she let it go.
“Alright then, I will tell you what I have figured out the hard way, since nobody thought I needed to know.” She paused to gather her thoughts.
“I believe that my father is a vampire. You guys fell in love and made a half-breed love child that was a secret. His family found out somehow and didn’t want to be embarrassed, so they tried to cover it up. I’m not sure if they wanted me or not, but they surely didn’t want you.” She pointed at Tessa. “You let them believe we both died so they wouldn’t kill us, or whatever. Griffin believed we were dead, too. So he married that snooty bitch he lives with and started a new family.” When she said his name, Tessa cringed.
“I guess I was a normal kid until I came of age. Griffin explained to me that it is not unusual for abilities to be unknown until then. I guess when my abilities made an appearance, so did my need for blood. I am a secret demi-vamp with more power than any known vampire. He wants me protected because my awesome power might fall into the wrong hands and put his people in danger. Does that about sum it up?” she finished sarcastically. By the looks on their faces, she’d just told them something they didn’t know. Good, at least she wasn’t the only one in the dark.
“Did your father recognize you?” Tessa asked slowly.
“I don’t think so. He looked at me really hard. My eyes caught him off guard, and he made a comment about my vanilla lavender scent, so it’s probably just a matter of time. I thought his wife would pass out when she saw me. I look just like him and their son.”
“Sweetheart, you have no idea how sorry I am you had to find out this way. I really did believe that you were mostly human and this wouldn’t be a problem.” Tessa and Mason went into an explanation of the events that led to them hiding from her father. Her mother cried through most of it, which made Dani feel like a heel for yelling at her. She didn’t blame her for running after he agreed to remarry, or bond as they say, less than a day after hearing of their deaths. What a slap in the face. Dani could feel her sorrow from across the room. She still loved him. It made Dani furious with him and his family, all over again.
“So many things make sense now. You never dated or married. The necklace and the story you told me. The lack of any family and your unwillingness to talk about my father is understandable. I just wish I would have known before I started to think I was going crazy. I really did think I was insane when I started to dream about biting people and liking it.” It was a weak apology, but an apology nonetheless.
“Tell me about the power you were referring to. Griffin said you’re unusual?” Mason prompted.
“Yes, he was impressed and said I need to be under Council protection until the kidnapper is found.” Tessa looked at Mason obviously confused.
Mason addressed her, “Do you remember the story Griffin told you about his sister and my brother?” Tessa nodded. “It’s happening again.”
She gasped and went into the kitchen to hyperventilate. They could hear her pacing and panting. When she returned she’d calmed and pasted on a neutral face.
“Let’s talk about why Griffin thinks you need protection. Show us what you showed him.”
Without saying anything, she lifted the coffee table, turned it in the air and sat it back down. They both laughed then. “You got that from your dad,” Mason said. “He’s been known to move people’s cars and hide them as a prank.”
They were both watching her. Without moving her lips she said, “I know. He lifted my chair off the ground with me in it to demonstrate.”
“Holy shit!” her mother yelped, and Mason laughed again.
“That is a little more common. I do agree that you should be protected, but as for having awesome power, I’m not convinced.” He doubted her.
“Oh, I’m not done yet. Let me show you something.” She went around to Mason and put her hand on his. “I can do it without touching, but it is clearer if I touch you. Close your eyes.” Then she showed him the same thing she’d shown Griffin. The whole event of the night she was attacked in fast forward.
Trying not to look shocked, he said, “So you have fed.” He commented on the scene with Nathan. “That is quite a talent indeed. I don’t think I even have a name for it.”
Her mom cringed again at the mention of her feeding. “How many times have you fed?” She asked.
“Twice, and both times I got a little stronger. You might as well know too.” She touched Tessa and gave her a tour of the memory as well. “I can also read thoughts but it mostly comes to me in pictures. I did it to Lucas that day in the kitchen, Mom, and I did it to Griffin today. I think Griffin’s major concern is my ability to control other vampires.”
Both of them looked at her like she had a third eye. Dani didn’t know what to say so she opted show them again. Without touching either one of them, she reached out with her mind and replayed for both at the same time how she’d frozen Griffin and Cayden, and made Cayden do silly pet tricks before that. Neither one of them seemed to be able to speak.
“I’m making a sandwich.” She trotted off to the kitchen. She could hear them whispering, but Dani had had enough for one day.
“So, I’m going to go back to school and try to pretend I’m not a black-eyed, blood sucking freak,” she announced, coming back to them with a ham and cheese in one hand and a glass of tea in the other.
“I’d like to clear up this notion you have about being a freak.” Mason was obviously starting to take her criticism of his race personally. “Vampires and humans have the same basic genetic make-up, with a few DNA mutations. We aren’t dead and we aren’t immortal. We need blood to survive just like we need food and water. We don’t catch human diseases, due to our strong immune systems. We’re faster and stronger with more acute senses, and some of us have extrasensory abilities. These abilities are not evil magic but naturally occurring gifts caused by the fact that large parts of the human brain that are not used are active in adult vampires. We can live a very long time if we take care of ourselves, or we can die from massive blood loss, though our strength and healing abilities make us very hard to kill. Now that we have that straight, I’m going to have to arrange for some security for you. If the monster out there taking our kids gets his hands on you again, he’ll kill you for your power.” Mason was dead serious, and her mother began to slump over in her seat like she’d pass out. Dani was still trying to absorb the vamp 101 he had just barked at her. Mason reached over and patted Tessa’s leg. “It’ll be alright, Tessa. I’ll protect her.”
“How do you plan on doing that without Griffin knowing anything?” she asked him.
“Griffin has already offered her protection. I’m going to a Council meeting tomorrow and I’m sure Griffin will tell us about her. I will naturally offer my services to protect our new found miracle child,” Mason reasoned.
“I’m not going to stop going to school. If I can’t go to school I’ll just stay home,” Dani snapped. She wasn’t willing to let the people that had rejected her push her around, and she wouldn’t accept her mother ruling her life either. She’d hypnotize them all and run away first. She’d leave and try to get her mom to go with her.
“Danielle, the safest place for you now is going to be close to Mason,” Tessa told her and turned to Mason. “She can still go to school since you live close, right?”
“I think I should go to this meeting and see what I can do without attracting attention to myself, unless you’re ready for them to know about the two of you.” He looked at them both.
“No!” Tessa shouted.
“Mom, I’m not ready either, but I don’t think it’ll be long before Griffin starts asking questions. I told him a huge lie, and he seems like the sort of guy that might try to check out my story. Especially after I put him under and ran away. How pissed do you think he will be?” She wrinkled her forehead.
“I’m afraid she’s right, Tessa. It should be funny to see what happens when these two go head to head. She seems to have his temper.” The corners of his lips lifted just a bit.
“It’s this damn change! She’s the mildest mannered girl. She’s changed so much in the last month. You see the red in her hair? It wasn’t there the last time I saw her, and she has never raised her voice to me.” Her poor mother was beginning to visibly shake. Dani went down on her knees in front of her and laid her head in her lap.
“I’m sorry, Mommy. I wish I could take it back, but I don’t think I can. I’m sorry I yelled at you. I was just upset at the shock of everything that’s happened. I’m afraid,” she whispered.
“You should both know we have security, a small army of warriors actually. I’m sure they’ll assign a couple to watch over you until we figure out what’s going on with the kids.” Mason was trying to console Tessa more than Dani.
“Great. I’m sure I won’t stand out at all around campus,” she spat sarcastically. “Is there anything special I should know? I was hoping for a handbook on vampirism and a secret handshake. If not, everyone would know about ‘us’.” She drew out the last word. “I’m ready to get out of here for a while. This is all too much.”
“Of course there are laws. Laws you must follow or face the consequences, just like in human society. You can’t tell anyone about us, obviously. We don’t kill. We only take what we need and we erase the memory of those we feed from. Don’t feed in public, if possible, due to the risk of exposure. You should try to feed every other day, by the way. Of course, you are unique so you may be able to go longer, but I wouldn’t wait until you are starving. That makes it harder to stop,” he said solemnly and looked at her mother with an apology in his beautiful blue-green eyes.
“I don’t know how to erase memories, and how am I supposed to get anybody to follow me?” She was ashamed of having to ask in front of her mother.
“You have quite a gift for mind control. Just tell them to follow you and they will. When you’re done tell them to forget about you, unless it is someone you use regularly, which I suggest. If you have regular hosts, you won’t have to hunt for blood. In that case, just tell them to forget that period of time. You should know that it can be a very sensual experience once you come of age. So it won’t be painful for the human after the bite.” Now he looked embarrassed at having to tell her that in front of her Mom.
“Just so the two of you know, I was bonded to a vampire for two years. I do know that they have to feed, and I was bitten frequently, so I know exactly what you’re talking about. There’s no need to be bashful,” Tessa scolded.
“Sorry, Mom, I actually didn’t know you were married, or bonded. I’m still trying to figure myself out. I haven’t had time to think about what this all means for you. Believe it or not, I can understand just a sliver of how you might have felt in the beginning. There is this guy I had been talking to, and after I decided I had real feelings for him, his fiancé showed up. He is going to be bonded to this mean, but absolutely beautiful, girl. He says it’s been arranged by his parents and it’s an obligation he can’t get out of. So I won’t talk to him anymore because it hurts too badly. I guess its better this way. I bet he wouldn’t want me anyway if he knew I’m a half-breed freak, not to mention his family. I don’t think anyone is going to want me or my mixed up human-vamp babies.”
“Danielle, I would be proud to have you as my daughter-in-law. I am proud to be your Godfather, and your father loved your mother and you more than anything. He loved to feel you moving in your mother’s belly, and the joy in his heart when you were born was overwhelming. I think you will feel differently about the future once all this is settled. You should focus on getting used to the change before you start worrying about other things.”
