Part 3 (1/2)
Chapter 8.
Sebastian sat with his head against the abandoned warehouse wall, trying to make sense of what he'd done. The last thing he remembered was making love to Gitana. A sharp pain had seized his chest while he released his seed into her. Afterwards, he took her to bed and held her warm body in his arms. He laid there for hours as the pain in his chest continued. It wasn't until he'd heard the pounding in his own ears, and felt his body warm ever so slightly, that he realized his heart was beating.
It was normal for his heart to beat during a kill, while he fed from the victim and let their warm blood flow through his veins.
Sebastian hadn't fed all day. He'd had only a tiny drink from Gitana's wound, and it wasn't nearly enough to qualify as a feeding.
His heart should not have started to beat again, yet it did. An overwhelming hunger had come over him. He'd spent centuries learning to control his demon, but looking at Gitana's sleeping body had nearly sent him over the edge with carnality.
He fled before she woke and did not even dare kiss her good-bye. He was blind with the raw need to hunt, to kill. He woke to find himself here, on the floor of the old warehouse with three b.l.o.o.d.y corpses at his feet. It wasn't as easy for him to read people once they were dead, but it could still be done. Two of the men had been involved in the rape and murder of at least three girls, but the third he couldn't read. That meant that he was either an innocent or a supernatural. Sebastian had no memory of tasting his blood, and that was the only way to tell if he was supernatural or not.The thought of having killed an innocent human was tearing him apart. He'd been ”clean” for close to fifty years now. Others like him had a hard time understanding how he could go cold turkey like that, and so did he. There was no logical explanation for his behavior. He had simply lost the taste for anything other than the blood of evildoers.
The afternoon sun was high and s.h.i.+ning through the upper windows. Beams of it surrounded Sebastian as he staggered to his feet.
This much direct sunlight should have knocked him out, leaving him injured. Other than feeling slightly sluggish, a bit under the weather, and hornier than h.e.l.l, he was fine. Looking down at his bloodied hands, the vampire in him picked up on the pulsating vein in his wrist. His heart was still beating.
Chapter 9.
Gitana pulled the remaining weeds from her flower garden and gathered them to the side. Later, she'd add them to her compost pile, using them to fertilize next year's herbs.
”Ah, Dicentra Formosa,” a voice said from behind her.
She looked up and had to s.h.i.+eld her eyes from the afternoon sun. There was a tall man standing dangerously close to her. His attire screamed scholar. His tiny circular, wire-framed gla.s.ses gave his otherwise too handsome face a boyish charm. She glanced at his short brown hair and thought it complimented his green eyes well.
Smiling, he pointed at the flowers before her. ”Dicentra Formosa,” he said again, his thick British accent becoming apparent.
Gitana followed his gaze and then it clicked. ”Oh, yes, I'm sorry. These are Bleeding Hearts, yes. I take it that you're a fellow plant lover?”
He flashed a smile that was so innocent it made her want to like him. ”I'm William, and yes I do enjoy studying plants, among other things.”
Rising to her feet, she brushed her hands on her long black skirt. The Roma in her had conditioned her to wear dresses to do most everything. For the most part, she'd severed her ties with the old ways, but still felt more comfortable in skirts. She double- checked her hand for dirt before extending it out to William.
”Hi, I'm Gitana, what can I help you with today?” She bent to pick up the pile of weeds. ”I closed the shop up early today, but I'd be happy to take you in if you'd like.”
Suddenly, he was behind her with his hand on her shoulder. Dropping the weeds, she spun around fast, unsure how he'd managed to move so quickly. William's green eyes began to glow, taking on a supernatural appearance. Terrified, she swung out at him and he caught her wrist with his hand. ”I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to warn you. Sebastian is a friend of mine.”
Gitana stopped struggling and stared at William. ”You're not a vampire?” It was more of a question than a statement.
He smiled down at her. ”No, I'm not a vampire, but I'm not a completely normal human either. I posses the gifts of magic and immortality, I am also a member of the Council.”
The very mention of the Council made her take a step back. The Council was in place to oversee the supernatural community, and when they paid you a visit, it normally ended in death. They were the only checks-and-balance system in place, and they'd been around for thousands of years. The thought of the Council coming for Sebastian scared her more than the thought of Aaron showing up again.
The fear must have shown on her face because William put his hands up to signify that he wasn't a threat. ”I'm not here to collect anyone. I'm here to warn you and Sebastian.”
”Sebastian's not here.” She almost added that she didn't know where he was, but that didn't seem wise. If this man proved to be a threat then it was best he think Sebastian could show up at any moment.
”I know that Sebastian's not here.” A rather knowing grin spread across his face. ”I'm the one who lured him away.”
”You what?”
”I lured him away. It was simple. I used my power to override his system. I imagine that he felt a hunger like he'd never felt before.”
If William had indeed used magic to overload Sebastian's system, then it was amazing she was still alive. ”You say that you're here to warn me about something, yet you make a powerful vampire's blood thirst border on uncontrollable. Hmm, doesn't sound like you're much of an ally.”
He took a step toward her and she backed up. ”You are right to a.s.sume that, but I am one of your only allies on the Council. I knew that Sebastian would never harm you. He hasn't spent all these years looking for you to let a little thirst for blood ruin his chances.”
She'd only just met Sebastian. How could he have been searching for her? Opening her mouth to demand answers, she caught sight of a large green car pulling down the lane. She knew that car. It belonged to Aaron's right-hand man, Travis. Frantic, she searched for an easy escape route for William. He'd be no match for a werewolf in the woods behind them, and he'd have to cross paths with Travis to get to back to his car--that was no good either.
”Come on!” Grabbing hold of his hand, she pulled him and ran toward the greenhouse. William never protested. He simply ran behind her. They entered the greenhouse, leading him down the aisle and into the shop. She slammed the door closed behind them.
”Care to tell me what that was about?” William asked, sounding winded.
”Gitana, I know you're in there! Come on out! Aaron wants to see you,” Travis called from outside. She peeked out the window and watched as the young blond walked toward her shop door. ”Aaron just wants to talk to you, I promise.”
The minute Travis' hand touched the door handle it was propelled off. ”What the h.e.l.l?”
William looked over at her and his eyebrow rose slightly. ”Did you do the protection spell?”
”Yes, its only purpose is to keep anything out those is intent on doing harm to me. Looks like Travis had a little more on his mind than just talking.” She laughed softly.
William made an odd noise, clearing his throat. Gitana glanced over at him, unsure what the problem was. He didn't look much like the fighting type. Maybe he was scared. ”You're safe in here.”
He chuckled. ”I'm not concerned about my safety. I'm concerned about yours. The Council has no idea that you're a master of the craft. This will only serve to make them more intent on their mission.”
Why did it matter if she could perform magic? She'd never harmed an innocent person, and rarely used her gifts. The look in William's eye told her that there was more to the council's ”mission” then he was letting on. ”What do they want with me?” ”That's what I came to talk to you about.”
Travis tried touching the door one more time and yelped as his hand was knocked off again. ”Gitana, you can't hide in there forever, neither can your vampire friend!”
The mention of Sebastian made her pulse race and her throat dry. Aaron obviously knew about him. Now, it was just a matter of time before he attacked. He'd kill Sebastian, and if she were lucky he'd kill her too. The idea of being at Aaron's mercy scared her more than the thought of ceasing to exist.
Travis climbed back into his old green car and left. He'd be back and he wouldn't be alone.
”Would you like some tea, William?” It was a ridiculous question, but it beat screaming like a mad woman out of fear, so she went with it.
Chapter 10.
”What do you mean the Council wants us dead?” Gitana choked on her tea.