21 Shades of Night, page 12
However, she’d also showed affection to the vampire, and I couldn’t live in someone else’s shadow. Could I?
I needed her like a thirsty man needed water.
Sucking in another lungful of air, I closed my eyes, concentrating on her scent. My eyes watered a little, but I forced the emotion down. I never should’ve let her walk out of this house.
Chapter 30
Derek
“WHAT ARE YOU going to do about it?” Elliot asked, looking from me to the door and back again.
“Take care of her as best as I can. I haven’t figured out exactly what I should do yet.”
“Sooner or later someone is going to find out, if you keep her here.” Elliot shifted from side to side, a nervous habit from when he was human.
I hated to admit it, but he was right. “Keep quiet. Word will probably get out soon enough.”
He cocked an eyebrow at me. “I’m in this as much as you are. I was there last night saving them at your side. We could both go down.”
“I’m sorry I dragged you into this madness.” An idea came to me, and while I didn’t want to ask him about it, he’d brought up a valid point. If Carmela remained here alone, she could be up against the attackers who had broken into my home. They could kill her in her weakened state, or worse, abduct her.
I glanced at Elliot. “Would you mind staying here? I need to get supplies for her.”
His eyes widened slightly, and he stared at the door. “What? She probably won’t like me hanging out alone with her.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Stay out of her way, and if she needs anything, make yourself useful. I don’t think she’ll do much aside from rest for a while.”
He nodded and headed inside. “Don’t be gone for long. You owe me.”
Really. News to me, especially with how often the other vampire said that. “Lock the door.”
Once I heard the lock click behind Elliot, I ventured off. Maybe I’d be able to pick up Carmela’s scent to figure out where she’d come from and who had beaten her so badly. But I didn’t want to take too long. I wouldn’t abandon her in her time of need.
My kind didn’t have senses on par with werewolves, so it took a while to get my bearings. I thought back to the direction she’d been walking from with her mate and headed that way. At one of the row houses ahead, I spotted a young woman rush outside, carefully closing the door behind her. Her hair color was the same as Carmela’s, and there was a strong resemblance. They had to be related.
She looked back up at the house as if it was the last time she’d see it, then she ran toward the nearest alleyway.
The scent near this house was heavy with fear and despair. It smelled of Carmela and the male who’d attacked her, as well as two other females. Her home.
I headed toward the store nearer to my house.
“Hello, Derek. You must have heard about the Cazador killing one of our own. It’s good to see you’re okay,” Prescott said from behind me. I twirled around to face the old vampire. He stood a few feet away, and I couldn’t believe I’d been so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn’t sensed his presence.
I bowed my head. “Thank you.”
“Has there been anything else worthy of my attention?” He watched me closely and tilted his head to the side.
If I said no, he’d know I was lying. My best shot of escaping this meeting without giving the absolute truth was to lie through omission. But what could I say? “Actually, I witnessed the young vampire’s death. The Cazador have a dangerous new tool in their arsenal.” I lowered my voice as two humans walked by. “The bullet glowed as if with sunlight.”
“That’s intriguing. I’ll need to look into that.” He nodded as if pleased with the new information. “Good work. Carry on.” He walked a few steps away before turning back. “I’m not a fool. You’re hiding something. Be careful with that. I wouldn’t want any harm coming to you.”
“Yes, sire.” I bowed my head again. When I looked up, he was gone.
The night couldn’t get any worse, could it?
Chapter 31
Chandra
THE WHOLE SEARCH was beginning to feel rather hopeless. Carmela’s scent was potent near where we lived, but she’d done so much aimless walking, looping around alley after alley, that I’d lost her direction. I wanted to scream.
Sitting on someone’s front steps, I put my head in my hands and fisted my hands in my hair.
What had I done to deserve this kind of life? Ever since I was born, my life had been a hard slog. I’d been born to parents who were thrown on the streets and didn’t care at all about me, then I finally found a home with Uncle William and Aunt Katarina, only to be subjected to his abuse. Now my life and future was based on whether I could find Carmela or not.
The sun had nearly set, and time was running out. I should report back to Uncle William soon—if I decided to go back—but as I continued to search, the sinking feeling that I’d come up empty-handed kept increasing.
Glancing up at the red sky, I felt a warm breeze on my skin. Desperation for some kind of direction and guidance overwhelmed me. The hair on the back of my neck rose at the sensation of being watched, but I caught the faintest scent of Carmela. Hope surged in my chest.
My gaze scanned the gloomy streets, renewed determination lifting my spirits. Sniffing the air again, I caught sight of a darkened alley. Warning bells went off in my head, but it made sense she would go there, especially to keep out of the hunters’ view.
Chill out. It’ll be over soon.
I slowly walked toward it. A shadow moved further within the darkness. There. I picked up my pace, but when I reached the alley, I didn’t see anyone. It was as if she’d vanished. Were my eyes playing tricks on me? I rubbed them and stepped deeper into the alleyway to investigate.
I drew in a breath; a musky male scent lurked among the sour stench of garbage. Alarm rippled through me, and I started to turn around. A solid torso slammed me into a wall, pinning me to it. He pressed a towel over my nose and mouth. A sharp chemical burned my nostrils. I fought to free myself but my limbs weakened.
“Ssshhh. Relax into it, girl. Don’t fight, and it’ll all be okay.” His warm breath caressed my neck, and I would’ve shivered if I could. The only movements I could make were with my eyes. My mouth wouldn’t even let me scream. “I know you’re seeing the vampire. Cross-species relations are strictly forbidden for a reason.”
What was he talking about? I kept my distance from those bloodsucking fiends. My ideal man was a werewolf of high standing. My lower lip quivered, but no words came out.
My captor turned me to face him, pressing my back to the wall. His face was covered in a skull mask, and he wore a hoodie that covered his hair. “You’re pretty. It’s too bad you made this mistake.” He tossed me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
If I’d just run when I had the chance, I might be off starting a new life away from Uncle William and all the trouble associated with him. But I didn’t understand why this man thought I had anything to do with vampires. Besides, he didn’t smell like a werewolf. He held the faint scent of death, but not because he was a vampire. It was different than that.
Zombie? Nope. Those were rare. They only happened when necromancers summoned them... Necromancer.
My gut tightened into a nervous ball of energy. If my people were a dangerous category, then his were legendary, and not to be messed with. But what purpose did he have in policing what the nocturnes did or didn’t do?
I had a feeling I’d be learning that firsthand, and soon.
Chapter 32
Carmela
I BLINKED MY eyes open, then glanced around at my surroundings. Pain saturated my senses. Where was I? Something felt off. As I sat up, agony gripped my muscles and forced me back onto the velvety couch. I groaned and did my best to relax. The blanket that had covered me pooled to the floor.
Movement caught my attention from my peripheral vision. Elliot, the vampire from last night, stood in the doorway to the den staring at me.
“Can I help you with anything?” he asked, shuffling his feet. His English accent was crisper than it had been last night.
I shook my head—instantly regretting the motion—then stared at the inlaid rose vine on the back of the couch. Derek’s home. Memories barreled back toward me. I dug my nails into my palm, trying to get my emotions back under control.
“I’ll be in the den if you need assistance.” Light footsteps retreated from the living room.
“Wait.” Curiosity tugged at me. I should’ve let him go, but I wanted to know more about him, especially if Derek trusted him. “You’re Derek’s friend.” My voice croaked, and I cleared my throat.
He froze, his back still to me. “Yes. He’s been my best mate for a while now.” He faced me but remained in the shadows. “What is your name?”
“Carmela.” I pulled the covers back over me. Where was Derek? Oh, right. Food and drink.
Distantly, the sound of rattling keys caught my attention, but I closed my eyes, trying to act uninterested in the noise. Could it be Derek? The back door creaked open, and Elliot spoke quietly to someone.
“How is she?” Derek’s voice caressed my ears.
“Woke up moments ago.” Elliot sounded carefully neutral.
The crinkling of paper bags and the delicious aroma of food piqued my interest. A cool breeze brushed my cheek, and I looked up to see him watching me. He set the two bags on the coffee table in front of the couch. “How are you?” He gave me a soft smile.
What could I say that wouldn’t be a lie?
A rosy glow filled his cheeks. He’d fed. “I’ll go cook something for you, okay?”
“Okay.”
He reached his hand out to touch me, but I pulled back. A flicker of rejection slid through his eyes but vanished in an instant. “Here’s some cold water.” He set the bottle on the coffee table, then picked up the bags. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do. Try to drink and replenish yourself.”
“Thanks.” I didn’t move. If I pushed Derek away too hard, I feared I’d be back on the streets. While I’d tried to convince myself that I could survive in the Outskirts, my rationale slowly faded as I faced the brutal reality...I was far too weak. Maybe when I recovered, but at the moment, I needed Derek. I had no money, no food, and no shelter of my own.
Once again, my supposed enemy had become my savior.
Chapter 33
Derek
I PULLED A skillet from one of the grocery bags, then removed the steak from another. “It’s been centuries since I’ve cooked.”
Elliot sat on the kitchen counter on the opposite side of the room. “I don’t know how you’re expecting it to taste good. Do you even remember the last time food touched your lips? I don’t.” He stared at the floor and tapped his fingers on the countertop as if he was nervous about something. Probably Carmela’s presence in the living room.
“It’ll be fine. How hard can it be? If it doesn’t turn out well, I’ll go get takeout.” But I didn’t want to mess this up for her. Not after what she’d been through. Part of me wanted to tell Elliot what happened while I was out—both tracking her scent and the encounter with Prescott—but I didn’t feel comfortable revealing what I knew with Carmela in the next room.
Surely her attacker couldn’t have been a relative. It had to be someone else. Someone who visited the house, a stranger. But from what I understood in my study of werewolf pack structure that didn’t make sense. She wouldn’t live with extended family unless something had happened to her parents, but the younger woman with the same colored hair resembled a sister. No, she’d spoken of her cousin before, which meant it had to be her family’s home.
I put the steak on the skillet and then sprinkled it with seasoned salt before turning the heat on the stove. From where I stood in the kitchen, I couldn’t see Carmela.
What if she tried to run again? No, she knew she was safe here, didn’t she?
If only I’d been thinking straight. I should’ve given her some soap and water to bathe with. Werewolves had an acute sense of smell; she had to be miserable.
“Elliot.” I glanced over at my friend. He warily glanced up at me from his spot on the counter. “Would you mind keeping an eye on this real quick?”
Elliot raised his eyebrows, giving me an ‘are you serious’ look. “Okay...” He slid off the counter, and the soles of his shoes softly smacked the hardwood floor.
I filled the washing basin with warm water in the spare bedroom, so Carmela could clean up in the privacy of her own room. However, my hearing was sensitive enough that I could help if she had any difficulty. Not that I expected her to ask.
She watched me as I walked down the stairs.
“There’s soap and water waiting for you upstairs while my friend watches over your food. Would you like me to escort you?” I asked.
She took the last sip of water. “No, I’m okay.”
I wouldn’t impose on her. She needed time and space. I couldn’t begrudge her that or take it personally.
Carmela tried to stand, but her knees gave out, spilling her back onto the couch. Her eyes were wolf amber instead of the sensual caramel color I’d grown to love.
I remained still, not wanting to startle her. At our first and second meetings she’d had a fire and determination. I hated seeing her this fragile.
She squeezed her eyes shut. “You don’t have to help. I can stand on my own.” She looked up at me. “Sorry—”
“Don’t worry.” I set her down, making sure she was stable before I let go. “Let’s get you upstairs.” I followed her to the second floor, even though she’d asked me not to escort her. If she tumbled down the steps and I could’ve avoided it, that would be on me. I might be undead, but my instincts as a doctor kicked in around her. Although, I suspected it was much more than that.
She opened the door to the bedroom and paused in the doorway, glancing back at me. “Thank you for taking me in twice now.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but a loud knock sounded at the front door. Who could that be?
I glanced over the balcony to see Elliot come out of the kitchen, carrying the steak on a plate with a fork and knife. He glanced from me to the front door. The banging continued, just as loudly and impatiently.
I motioned for Elliot to put the food down. If it was someone unsavory, I should be here to protect Carmela. Elliot was a centuries-old vampire. He’d be almost as capable of protecting himself as me. The bedroom door creaked a little, and Carmela peeked at me from behind it. Memories of the last time she’d been here came back to me. She’d been so adamant to leave; now I wished she hadn’t.
Downstairs, Elliot opened the front door. “Hello?” Confusion clouded his voice. Not much flustered him. Something wasn’t right.
I leaned over the railing overlooking the living room to get a better line of sight to the door. No one answered Elliot. I strained my ears to hear what was going on. I didn’t want to get closer; if it was a werewolf and they smelled Carmela on me...we could be in a lot of trouble. Prescott wouldn’t do anything at the moment, but that might change if he was forced to act.
A loud pop cracked through the peaceful evening, followed by Elliot’s soft groan and the sound of his body hitting the floor. Grinding my teeth, I leapt over the rail, wishing I’d answered the door instead of him. Who cared if the werewolves found me? Carmela could to go to her future mate. She’d be fine with Brendan.
Reaching the front door, I jerked to a halt. A trickle of blood streamed across the floor, but Elliot was nowhere to be found. I balled my hands into fists and ran down the front steps to examine the street. No blood lined the sidewalk, and I couldn’t see anyone walking down the sidewalk with a blond vampire over their shoulder.
I sucked in a deep breath, trying to sniff out whoever had taken my friend. The necromancer’s faint scent told me he was back, and he’d brought someone else with him. Possibly another nocturne, but I couldn’t place them. Anger burned in my veins. I walked back inside, slamming the front door shut behind me.
How could this have happened? I shoved my hands through my hair as I knelt down to further inspect the blood and scuff marks on the floor. I took another deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to focus on the still-fresh scents in the room.
Soft footsteps and the delicate smell of floral soap heralded Carmela’s presence.
I shot to a standing position. After what happened, part of me wanted to be her protector, but I couldn’t guarantee her safety. Maybe I should take her to Brendan’s home. He could care for her while she recovered from this.
But I didn’t want that. I wanted her to be mine. She’d chosen me. You can’t have her. You need to help Elliot. A grimace pulled at my lips. This was the second attack meant for me. Carmela was injured. If Elliot hadn’t been able to protect himself from his kidnapper, how could she?
Carmela looked at the floor behind me. “I’m sorry, Derek.” She wrapped her free arm over her stomach.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll get him back.” Even as I said it, I knew I couldn’t be certain. But I did know a necromancer, not a vampire, had targeted me. This couldn’t be related to Tom’s death and the High Council position. Necromancers were rare. It had been a very long time since I’d clashed with one, and he hadn’t survived the incident so I doubted this was revenge.
“This is your home. We both know who he was after.” She took another step closer. “I want to help you.”
I couldn’t fathom why she would want to help me. Her stomach rumbled, and I grabbed her plate from the coffee table, walking back into the kitchen with her following. “Here’s your food.” I placed it on the table and held my hand over it to see if it was even remotely warm anymore. It was...barely. “Do you want it reheated?”
