Nights master, p.17
Night's Master, page 17
part #3 of Children of The Night Series
He stroked my cheek. “What am I to do with you?”
“Anything you want,” I murmured.
I closed my eyes. Had I imagined it, or had I heard Rafe whisper, “No bad dreams tonight” before I slid into welcome oblivion?
That night, I dreamed a wonderful dream. In it, Rafe and I were holding hands as we walked along a sandy beach. A full moon cast silver highlights on the surface of the water. The sand was warm beneath my bare feet, the air tangy with the scent of salt and surf, but it wasn’t the ocean or the night that held me in its spell, it was the man beside me. He wore nothing but a pair of black trunks, and I couldn’t stop looking at him, couldn’t stop admiring his well-muscled physique. I was jealous of the moonlight that danced in his midnight black hair and caressed his tawny skin.
A wave washed up on the shore, and I gasped as the icy water splashed over my legs. In an instant, Rafe had me in his arms, cradled against his chest.
“Better?” he asked.
Locking my arms around his neck, I murmured, “Oh, yes,” thinking that nothing could be better than being held in his embrace.
He proved me wrong by showering me with kisses, one deeply erotic kiss after another, until I was on fire for him. “Rafe.”
Just his name, but he knew what I wanted. He carried me across the sand to a sheltered cove. Miraculously, a blanket sprinkled with bloodred rose petals awaited us there. The light from a dozen candles cast flickering shadows on the rocks and sand.
He lowered me onto the blanket; then, stretching out beside me, he drew me into his arms and kissed me again. Whether it was one kiss or many, I didn’t know. His hands played lightly over my oh-so-willing flesh, making my body sing a new song. He was the master and I his eager student, anxious to discover the secrets behind his fathomless black eyes, willing to follow wherever he led. His body was taut beneath my questing fingertips, his skin smooth, cool to my eager touch, exhilarating to my senses. He let me explore to my heart’s content, let me touch and taste whatsoever I desired.
Ah, desire…it hummed through my veins, sizzled over my skin. The prick of his fangs only heightened each sensation, carrying me to dizzying heights, yet I climbed them unafraid because I knew Rafe was waiting for me there, just as I knew that he would never let me fall….
I woke to the sound of my alarm, amazed that I had slept so late. I set the alarm clock every night as a precaution, but I always woke before it went off.
Sitting up, I realized I was wearing a pair of pink bikini briefs and a T-shirt and nothing else. Funny, I didn’t remember undressing or getting into bed.
Rafe, I thought, he must have undressed me and put me to bed. I glanced at the other side of the mattress, frowned when I saw a faint indentation in the other pillow, as though someone had been there only moments ago. I ran my fingertips over the pillowcase, smiling as I realized that Rafe had spent the night beside me.
The dream I’d had flashed through my mind. Had it been a dream? It had seemed so real, the smell of the ocean, the feel of the sand and the sea beneath my feet, the taste of salt water on my tongue…the taste of Rafe on my lips, the heat of his body intimately pressed to mine.
I shook my head. Of course it had been a dream. What else could it have been? We were nowhere near the ocean.
Brushing away my confusion, I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, only then remembering my visit to Susie’s house and the fight that had ensued between Rafe and Cagin. Thinking of it now made me shiver. I had never seen such a bloody battle before, nor realized the extent of Rafe’s ability to heal. And my blood had helped. It pleased me that he had come to me instead of going to a stranger. Everything about him pleased me, I thought, smiling.
Ten minutes later, wrapped in a towel, I went to the phone and dialed Susie’s number, felt a surge of relief when she answered on the second ring.
“Susie! How are you?”
“Hi, Kathy, I’m fine, why?”
“Nothing. I mean, I called you last night and you didn’t answer and…and I was worried.” I decided not to mention that I had gone by her house, or that a Were-tiger and a pair of Vampires had been lurking in the dark.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I heard the phone, but Rick and I were on our way out. I’m surprised the machine didn’t pick up.”
“That’s all right. I was just, you know, worried. Where’s your mother?”
“Oh, she had to go home. My dad was in a car accident. He’s got a broken leg and a few bruised ribs. The doctor said he’ll be okay in six or eight weeks, but right now, he can’t get around on his own.”
“Are you staying by yourself?”
“For now.”
“Do you want me to come and stay with you?”
“No, I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m fine, really.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re all right. You sound a lot better.”
She laughed softly. “You know what they say, anything that doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. I’m not crazy about what’s happened to me, but I think I can live with it, although I guess I won’t know for sure until the next full moon. The head Werewolf said he’d send someone to talk to me before then, sort of help me adjust, you know?”
“That’s great. How’s Rick these days?”
“I think he’s getting used to the idea. He took me to see the kids last night. We haven’t told them yet…Rick wants to wait a little longer. He’s probably right. There’s plenty of time. Anyway, I’m not sure they’re old enough to understand what’s happened.”
“I’m sure it will all work out. Speaking of work, I’ve got to go; I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Thanks, Kathy. You’re a good friend. Let’s get together for lunch soon.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll talk to you later.”
After hanging up the receiver, I ran a brush through my hair, applied my makeup, and pulled on a pair of black jeans and a green sweater. I ate a quick bowl of cereal for breakfast, brushed my teeth, then grabbed my handbag and my keys and drove to the store.
It was ten after ten when I arrived. Almost on time.
I was surprised to see Cagin come into the shop later that day. He wore a pair of tight jeans and a black T-shirt that emphasized his muscular torso. Amazingly, he looked none the worse from last night’s brawl. It really was remarkable, the way the Supernatural creatures healed. I imagined there must be doctors in hidden labs all over the world trying to discover the secret ingredient to the recuperative powers of the Werewolves and the Vampires. Anyone who could bottle it would soon be rich beyond their wildest dreams.
“What are you doing in here?” I glanced out the front window, praying that someone else would come into the shop. After last night, Cagin was the last person in the world I wanted to be alone with.
“I came for a book, what else?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged, grateful for the counter between us, even though I was pretty sure he could leap across it with no trouble at all. “I guess I just didn’t expect to see you.”
“Hey, I’m sorry about last night. Things got a little out of hand, that’s all.”
“A little out of hand? Right.”
“We’re all on edge these days, what with that new hunter in town, although I don’t imagine he’ll last long. Or the other one, either. Mara or Clive will see to that.”
“Two hunters,” I repeated. “Right.” Travis Jackson had mentioned there was another hunter in town, but he’d refused to divulge the man’s name. Cagin had no such qualms.
“Jackson and McGee—damn their eyes.”
“Rick McGee?” I shook my head. “You must be mistaken.”
“We can’t afford to be mistaken about things like that.”
It couldn’t be true. If Rick was a hunter…the possibility of what that might mean to Susie’s future was frightening. But surely Rick wouldn’t kill his own wife! Even as I tried to reassure myself, I knew Rick wouldn’t have to. Travis Jackson would destroy her without a moment’s hesitation.
I had to call Susie, I thought desperately. I had to warn her before it was too late, but what could I say? How could I convince her that her life might be in danger from her own husband?
I didn’t think Cagin was ever going to leave but, finally, he picked out a couple of sci-fi books and left the store. As soon as he was gone, I grabbed the phone and punched in Susie’s number. After four rings, her answering machine picked up.
“Hi, this is the McGees’ home. We can’t get to the phone right now, but you know what to do. Ta-ta for now.”
I broke the connection. Just because she didn’t answer the phone didn’t mean she was in danger. She could have gone to visit her kids again or run to the market. Maybe she’d gone for a walk…and maybe she was lying dead in a ditch somewhere.
As the day went on, I tried her number half a dozen times, until I wanted to scream in frustration.
I was thinking of closing up at five when I was suddenly inundated with customers all clamoring for the latest installment of the young adult series titled Ghost Wind. Written by a nineteen-year-old boy, bookstores all over the country were touting it as the next Harry Potter.
For the first time since I’d opened the store, I was praying for customers to leave. Instead, they seemed determined to hang around, exchanging stories of how Ghost Wind had turned their nonreaders into fanatics. I listened, I rang up sales, I bagged books, and all the time I was silently screaming at them all to go home so I could lock up.
It was almost six when I ushered the last customer out the door and turned out the lights. I was locking up when Rafe appeared. I’d never been so glad to see any body in my life.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Susie doesn’t answer her phone.”
He lifted one brow. “That’s what has you so upset?”
“Is that why you’re here? You knew I was upset?”
He nodded, sniffed the air, and then frowned. “Cagin was here.”
“He came in to buy a book. He told me there are two hunters in town, and that Susie’s husband is one of them! I’ve been calling her house all day, and she doesn’t answer. You don’t think he’d…” I couldn’t say the words aloud.
Rafe rubbed a hand over his jaw. “It’s possible.”
“You know something. What? Tell me?”
“My grandfather and I followed McGee the other night. He met up with Jackson.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding with dread. “And?”
“Jackson asked McGee if he could take her out, or if he wanted Jackson to do it.”
“I don’t believe it! How can they expect Rick to kill her! How can Rick even associate with someone crazy enough to expect him to kill his own wife! It’s…it’s insane!”
“All the hunters I’ve known are dedicated to destroying the Supernatural. They take a blood oath to do their duty or die trying.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this before!”
“I don’t want you involved in this.”
“I’m already involved. Susie’s my friend.” I grabbed Rafe’s arm. “We’ve got to stop them before it’s too late.”
“I’ll see if I can find her. You stay here.”
“No! I’m going with you.”
He shook his head. “Not a chance. These guys are killers. If you get in their way, they won’t hesitate to kill you, too. You got that?” He slipped his arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. “For all you know, she could be at the movies.” He kissed my cheek. “Stay here,” he said again. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I grabbed his arm. “I need to go. If you won’t take me with you, then I’ll…I’ll…”
“You’ll what?”
“I’ll find someone who will. Someone like…Cagin.”
Rafe glared at me. I knew he was trying to intimidate me, but I refused to back down.
“Dammit, Kathy…”
“We’re wasting time.”
With a shake of his head, he stalked out of the building.
I turned off the lights, locked the door, and followed him outside, half expecting that he would be gone. But he was leaning against the front fender of his car, waiting for me.
I told myself not to worry, that if anyone could find Susie, it was Rafe. After all, he’d done it before.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
Chapter Twenty
I gazed out the window as Rafe drove up and down the streets of Oak Hollow. I was counting on him to find Susie, but as it turned out, I was the one who found her, in a roundabout sort of way.
We had been searching for over an hour and were about to give up and go back to my place when I sensed the presence of a Were.
“Slow down.” I glanced up and down the street. “Over there.”
Rafe pulled up in front of the house I indicated. A large FOR SALE sign hung from a post in a corner of the yard. A smaller sign read VACANT. I thought I recognized Susie’s car in the driveway.
I glanced at Rafe. If it was Susie’s car, what would she be doing here, in the dark, in an empty house? I was surprised at the number of ghastly possibilities that quickly flitted through my mind, each one worse than the last.
“I’m going inside to have a look around,” Rafe said. “Any point in my telling you to wait here?”
“Probably not.”
“Stay behind me.”
I didn’t have any problem with that. I followed him up the walkway to the front porch, waited while he listened a moment, then tried the doorknob.
It opened at his touch.
Apparently, he didn’t need an invitation to enter a vacant house. He crossed the threshold on silent feet, and I tiptoed in behind him, my heart pounding as I glanced around. I couldn’t see much, but even in the darkness, I could see that the room was empty.
Rafe stood just inside the doorway for a moment, then moved unerringly through the living room and down a narrow hallway, with me close on his heels.
There was the sound of a scuffle followed by a sharp cry that was quickly cut off, but not before it lifted the short hairs along my nape. The scent of blood brought the taste of bile to the back of my throat.
Rafe stepped through a doorway to the left, then glanced at me over his shoulder. “Stay there.”
His tone left no room for argument, so I waited until he moved farther into the room before I peeked around the door frame.
And wished I hadn’t.
There were no curtains on the windows. In the faint light cast by a streetlamp, I saw Susie sitting on the floor, her back against the wall, her expression stricken. A thin ribbon of red marred her throat. It took me a minute to realize it was blood.
Her husband lay sprawled on his back at her feet, a gaping hole where his throat had been. A large knife with a wicked-looking silver blade lay on the floor beside him.
Cagin, wearing only a pair of jeans, stood beside the body. His yellow eyes were glowing. Blood was splattered across his chest and stained the corners of his mouth.
“What happened here?” Rafe asked.
It was Cagin who answered. “He brought her here to kill her. I couldn’t let that happen.”
Cagin had saved Susie’s life…. I frowned, remembering the night outside Susie’s house. Maybe the look on his face hadn’t been anger, as I had supposed, but worry. Or affection.
I stepped into the doorway. “You were protecting her the other night, too, weren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“And you were going to shift and go after her, weren’t you? Only Rafe’s grandfather beat you to it, and then Rafe showed up…. You didn’t want to fight him, did you? You were just angry because we interfered.”
Rafe glared at me. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“He’s in love with Susie.”
Rafe’s brow furrowed thoughtfully, and then he looked at Cagin. “Is that right?”
“What if it is?”
“Wolves and tigers don’t mix,” Rafe said.
“Mind your own business,” Cagin said, his voice a snarl.
I looked at Susie. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t said a word. “Susie?”
Slowly, she lifted her head and looked at me. “Joe’s been helping me adjust,” she said, her voice so low it was barely audible.
Joe, I thought. Who’s Joe? And then I realized she meant Cagin.
“He promised to stay with me when the moon is full.” She looked at Cagin, the horror in her eyes changing, softening. “He understands me.”
Good grief, she sounded like she was in love with him! But how could that be? She couldn’t have known him for more than a few days.
“We need to get out of here,” Cagin remarked.
Rafe nodded. “We need to get rid of the body.”
“You two can take care of that,” I said. “I’m taking Susie home.”
She was silent in the car. Now and then, a long shuddering sigh escaped her lips, but other than that, and a few tears, she just stared out the window, her hands folded so tightly in her lap, her knuckles were white.
When we reached Susie’s house, I pulled into the driveway. I cut the ignition, then helped her out of the car and up the walk. Inside, I urged her to sit down; then I went into the kitchen and fixed her a cup of tea heavily laced with some brandy I found in one of the cupboards.
Refusing to meet my gaze, she drank it without question, then put the cup aside.
“He was going to kill me,” she said, her voice devoid of emotion. “He said he was sorry, but it was his duty. He told me not to worry, that he’d look after the boys, and then he pulled a knife….” She looked up at me for the first time. “He had the knife at my throat, and then Cagin was there, and…” She began to tremble. “I’m cold,” she murmured. “So cold.”
I went into her bedroom and pulled a blanket off the bed. I tried to imagine what it had been like for her, feeling the knife against her skin as she waited for her husband to slit her throat, then watching while Cagin attacked and killed her husband.
Returning to the living room, I draped the blanket around her shoulders, then sat beside her.
