Part 17 (1/2)

”Oh boy,” Matthew uttered a sarcastic laugh. ”I don't believe this. I was just doing my job, oh ancient Immaculate. Thank you for allowing this child to practice on one such as you.”

Matthew stood and headed for the door.

”Matthew.”

The doctor paused in the doorway but didn't turn back.

”I can't train you.” Seraphim repeated.

Slowly, Matthew glanced over his shoulder, his eyes holding Seraphim's for a long moment before leaving him alone.

Sighing, Seraphim sank onto his pillow and gazed at the ceiling. Hannah's face floated across his mind. He missed having her with him. What was she doing? She'd be free soon, and after that he'd probably never see her again. When he and Vincent had fought in the desert, the memories of Nenet had struck him with the same deadly accuracy as the platinum bullet. He wouldn't risk another one, especially not Hannah. Until he'd met her, he'd never imagined loving a woman so much again. She constantly lingered in the back of his mind, and when he closed his eyes she was all he could see. He wouldn't drag another woman into his twisted life, yet it would be a torment knowing she existed and not approaching her. She'd mentioned becoming a hybrid, but that in itself was a risk. Maybe her body would accept the change, but maybe it wouldn't. Could they risk ending her life for the possibility of a longer one? Even if she became a vampire, was there any guarantee that she'd have a long life? The world was a horrible place for vampires and humans alike.

How could he have lived so many years and still be so confused? He closed his eyes. Maybe that was the problem. The longer he lived, the more mystifying was existence itself.

Bed rest for the following two days wasn't nearly as difficult as Seraphim might have thought. He still felt weak and tired easily in spite of the ma.s.sive amounts of blood Jules and Matthew forced into him. On the third day, he began to feel like himself again. If he hadn't been so worried about Hannah and the approaching meeting with the Jury, he might have felt even better.

It was just after sunset on the third night, and he'd gotten out of bed with plans to leave his room for the first time since his injury when the door opened and Vincent stepped inside.

”Yo.” The burly Immaculate wore a cla.s.sic suit, his hair and beard trimmed to perfection. Seraphim could only guess he was about to return to Sir Edward's. ”I'm taking off. See you at the meeting.”

”You're going back to the mansion?”

”Yeah, and by the way, Brett and Mercedes already took care of those guys Sir Edward had tailing Hannah's family. In a couple of days, she'll be outta there for good.”

Seraphim nodded.

”You okay?”

”Fine,” Seraphim told him.

”Want me to give Hannah a message?”

”No.”

”How about a big tonguey kiss?”

Seraphim's teeth clenched and he growled, causing Vincent to laugh and hold up his hands in mock defense. ”Yo, just a joke.”

”As always your humor eludes me.”

”Holy s.h.i.+t. Between you and Matthew it's so a.n.a.l around here even a diarrhea fart wouldn't have a chance of escaping. See ya around.”

”Is that a threat?” Seraphim muttered.

”Yo.” Vincent wore his most mockingly sorrowful expression before he left Seraphim alone.

At least Hannah's family would be safe, and soon she'd be reunited with them. He wished he could see her one last time. If he closed his eyes, he could almost feel her in his arms. Perhaps there was a way.

From the few times his thoughts had touched hers, he felt she had psychic potential. Though he'd never attempted a mental union with a mortal from such a distance, he sensed it might work.

Privacy. He'd need privacy.

Seraphim left his room and approached Jules' office. He caught the scent of the small hybrid as well as the twins. Perfect.

Matthew opened the door before Seraphim lifted his hand to knock. ”How are you?” Matthew asked.

”Much better, thanks.” He turned to Adam. ”Am I free to go for the evening, or am I being guarded?”

The First Father's eyes held his. ”No guards. I know you won't run away. Whatever you're protecting here is too valuable to you.”

Seraphim nodded and continued down the hall.

”You should be careful,” Matthew called. ”You're not fully recovered. LA hybrid gangs aren't too fond of Immaculates.”

”Thanks for the concern, doctor.” Seraphim glanced at Matthew over his shoulder before stepping onto the elevator.

Seraphim had no intention of wandering to the parts of the city the hybrid gangs frequented. The last thing he needed was more trouble. No, he wanted a nice, clean hotel room where he could have a couple of hours of peace and quiet.

Outside, he inhaled the smoggy air and decided to walk to a hotel he knew several blocks away. As his long legs swallowed the sidewalk, he resisted the urge to pick up his pace. Strength rapidly returning to his Immaculate body made it long for exercise, but if all went well, he'd get at least some physical release tonight.

Seraphim checked into a hotel several blocks from Jules' office. Once in his room, he undressed and took a long, hot shower, all the while allowing his thoughts to focus on Hannah. Afterward, he tugged the comforter off the bed and stretched out on the sheets, closing his eyes. Simply thinking of Hannah had given him a sustained semi-erection. A smile touched his lips before he cleared his mind enough for him to feel as if his soul was slipping from his body and mingling with the spirit of the universe.

He visualized floating across time and s.p.a.ce to touch her. There. Soft. Young. Determined.

Hannah.

Her surprise and a hint of fear reached him. He'd need to be gentle. Though she'd experienced him in her mind while they stood in the same room, it would naturally frighten a mortal with no psychic experience to feel her lover in her head.

Hannah, don't be afraid. Think to me. You needn't speak aloud. Suddenly her thoughts jerked from his.

He relaxed deeper, his mind flowing like part of the air in an attempt to find her again. He wasn't sure how long it took. Time meant nothing anymore, not in such a perfect state of meditation.

Hannah. Seraphim?

In the utter darkness, he saw the glow of a polished marble doork.n.o.b. His shadowed hand came into view as he reached out and turned the k.n.o.b, opening the door to a room lit by dozens of candles. Though windowless, there was no smoke, only the comforting yet sensual aroma of the ginger scented candles. No furnis.h.i.+ngs cluttered the room. Several large, red satin pillows were strewn across the floor covered in a thick black carpet that felt incredibly soft beneath Seraphim's bare feet. A slight breeze caressed his nude body and the candles flickered as Hannah appeared in the doorway, her beautiful body naked to his starving eyes.

”Seraphim?” Her voice filled him, and he closed his eyes, burying his face in her hair as he held her close.

”Have you been well?” he asked.

”Yes. The Baroness told me you've freed my family. She said I'll be with them soon. Thank you so much.” Her arms tightened around him and he felt a rush of love and grat.i.tude that for a moment made swallowing difficult.

Finally he said, ”It wasn't only me. I asked for help.”

”If it wasn't for you, we never would have been helped. I wouldn't have known where to look. The Baroness said you have powerful connections.”