A Destined Death (22 page)

“I will…Thank you,” I uttered before shaking my head and returning my attention to the car. I glanced at the keys in Candy’s hand. “Can I drive?”

Candy fell to her knee again. “Please Milady, I’ve taken several defensive driving courses and practiced aggressive escape techniques should you become in danger. I beg of you to let me prove myself to you.”

I blushed as I glanced around the yard. “You can drive, but please, I beg of
you
, don’t get on your knees or call me Milady when we’re out in the city.”

“Of course not, Milady. I know better than to draw attention to any of us. I will please you. I’ve taken acting classes for this occasion as well.”

That didn’t surprise me. I was surprised, however, when Candy lit a cigarette in the car. “You smoke?”

“No, not really, but you’ll need to take a puff, too. It helps with your scent…to keep predators away.”

“Are you serious?”

“Quite.” She forged a serious, but apologetic look. “Just one puff.”

I took a puff off the cigarette and exploded into a coughing fit before I threw it out the window. When I recovered, I gazed at the young girl speeding down the road. “I’ve lived in a large city my whole life, and nothing ever happened to me. What’s so different now?”

“Being around Milord makes you…well, more noticeable with his scent on you, and once you’ve been bitten…let’s just say, you’re fair game. They don’t expect consequences.”

I gulped uneasily. “So, you’re okay with all of this? You sound like you have a great head on your shoulders, very smart. I don’t see why you want to live your life this way…serving.”

Candy looked over at me and then smiled seductively. “I’m not just serving. Besides being completely…drawn to you, I know full well what you can offer me if I do well, and I plan to. You have my complete loyalty and anything else you want until you decide I’m not worthy.”

“What I can offer you?”

Candy pushed back against her seat and sped up. “I’m sorry, Milady. Milord must not have had the time to inform you fully about our arrangement. I must concede to him to tell you when he sees fit, although my loyalty lies with you completely. I’ve made a vow to never come between you or go against his wishes.”

Buildings flew by but she remained in complete control of the vehicle so I released my tight grip on the door handle. “Do you mind if I ask him?”

“Of course not, Milady.”

Candy says I have something to offer her. What is it?

His laughter rang through my head.
“You two got right down to things, I see. Everything is going well I presume?”

Yes.

“Once you are a vampire you can offer her eternal life one year at a time.”

How?

“By biting her regularly. It will keep her from aging.”

Oh. How is the hunt going?

“I’ve gotten a small lead, but nothing substantial yet.”

Okay. Stay safe.

“
I’m much more worried about you. Stay with Candy.”

I will. Draven?

“Yes.”

All my love.

“And all mine.”

“Are you all right?” Candy asked, leaning toward me.

I realized we had already parked in front of a wedding boutique. “He said I can give you eternal life.”

Candy stared at me. “You two can talk to each other…with your minds? That’s amazing!” She held the exasperated look when she grabbed her door handle. “If I may be honest, the life intrigues me as much as you do.”

I forced a quick smile. “What’s the deal with Charles? He sort of gave me the creeps when we left.”

“Oh, don’t worry about him, Milady. He’ll keep his oath. He’s just feeling a bit jealous, that’s all. He’s been with Milord for like fifty years.”

“Fifty years? So…he was around when Krista and Lissa were?”

She nodded. “He’s been through the aftereffects a few times. He said it’s like replaying a horror movie.”

Frowning at the thought, I went inside and concentrated on the beautiful dresses. I was checking a price tag, when Candy came up behind me.

“Your budget is without limit, by the way. Just find what you like. You only get married once. Um, well, once in this life anyway.”

“He told you the whole story?”

“Actually, I forced it out of him but the way he told it, it was the most romantic story I’d ever heard.”

“Yeah, he has that effect on me too.”

“No, it wasn’t him…it was the way he described you, and he was right too. You’re just what I imagined.”

“This one’s beautiful,” I said, trying to change the subject.

“Good morning, ladies. My name is Sandra. Can I help you find something today?” The older lady’s dark hair swirled in waves over her tired eyes, but she seemed anxious to help.

“Thanks. I’m looking for something that’s not so frilly.”

“Of course. We keep the less frilly ones toward the back. Let me show you.”

When Sandra led us away from the storefront, I caught a glimpse of a dressmaker’s dummy by itself near the large counter. The dress on it had feathers running across the strapless bust line. Stiff lines hugged the body all the way down to the fitted V-shaped bodice, and the length flowed elegantly with several splits to offer free movement.

“That’s the dress I want.”

Sandra shook her head. “I’m sorry, but that’s not a wedding dress. That’s a special order for the ballet premier in town this week. It’s not available for sale but we have hundreds of other dresses…”

I sighed, still looking at the dress. “That’s too bad. I thought it was perfect.”

“I’m sorry ma’am. My sister here wants
that
dress. I’m sure if you really wanted to, you could make another one in time for the premier. Look at how beautiful she is? She deserves whatever she wants, don’t you agree?”

“Yes,” Sandra said, the pitch of her voice notably higher. “Yes, I’m sorry. Of course it’s for sale. Just let me get a box, and I’ll wrap it up for you.”

I turned in time to see the woman hurry off behind the counter with more cash than I’d ever seen in my lifetime. I stared at Candy. “How much did you pay for that?”

“It’s not important, but you’re right, it is the perfect dress,” Candy insisted. “What else did you want for your wedding? A cake? Flowers?”

“We need another dress.”

“Oh yeah,” she breathed, her face beaming again.

I wondered how she moved so easily between what seemed to be at least three different personalities.

Sandra looked confused when Candy returned from locking my dress in the trunk. “Is there something else I can help you with?”

“A beautiful dress for the Maid of Honor,” I said.

The woman brightened. “Right this way, ladies.” She led us up a spiral staircase to a second floor that overflowed with dazzling, colorful dresses. “What color are you looking for?”

“What’s your favorite color, Candy?”

“That depends, what’s your favorite color, Elizabeth?”

“Is everything all right?”

I almost answered Draven but stopped myself. “Really Candy, anything you want.” I walked away and put my hand to my temple, faking a headache.

Yes, why?

“I have a bad feeling. Are you sure everything is all right?”

Yes. We’re just shopping for dresses.

“All right.”

“Blood red it is then. It will go good with her roses, don’t you think, Sandra?”

“Oh yes. It’s a beautiful choice.”

Candy paid for her purchase, locked it up with the other dress, and then led me down the street. “Have you thought about a cake?”

“I haven’t really thought about anything yet. Until a week ago, I didn’t even have a boyfriend.”

“You still want to go through with it, don’t you?”

I nodded. “I want to be with Draven more than anything.”

“There’s a bakery around the corner here that is supposed to make the best wedding cakes in Seattle. Not many people know about it.”

The bell on the door rang when she opened it, and the smell of sugar filled my senses. The closed shades kept the sun off the beautiful cakes that lined the long counter. No one appeared to be inside.

“They must be baking. Hello,” Candy called out.

“Something’s wrong. Go back to the house. I’ll be there waiting.”

“Draven says we should go,” I whispered.
 

Candy turned and reached for the door handle but a man in black leather appeared before us. He grabbed the handle the same time she did. His short, blond hair was spiked like a teenager’s, and his eyes were turquoise. “Stores closed, ladies.”

“We were just leaving,” Candy said coolly.

“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying. We’re closed, as in, the door stays closed.” His laughter came out as a low, demonic sound.

Candy whispered, “Mind your heartbeat.”

It didn’t help.

“Candy, seriously. Did you really think you could walk around town with another mark and not be noticed? We practically had to throw a party.”

Her flushed face soured. “I’m not in the mood today, Johnny. Maybe you can catch me again in my next lifetime and I’ll be interested.”

“No, I think now is fine. Oh, how I have missed the taste of you. Who’s your friend? She smells mighty fine herself.”

He eyed me up and down as three more vampires stalked out of the back room.

Candy stepped in front of me. “I have enough for all of you. Let my friend go, and I promise not to hurt you.”

They laughed but continued to advance, their eyes aglow. I stepped backward, my heart racing. I couldn’t help it, and when their fangs grew, I knew it was my fault. Candy looked as cool as ever.

A billowing cloud of smoke filled the room right before Candy threw a chair through the glass in the door. The vampires stood in a strange daze while Candy pulled a gun out of her purse and took the time to shoot each one even though it didn’t appear to affect them. She grabbed my arm and led me back to the car hastily.

I gulped for air, struggling to breathe as the car took off. My entire body shook with fear. “I don’t really want a cake.”

Candy gave me a long, surprised look and then laughed as she shifted the car into overdrive.

Draven met us in the driveway. He opened the door for me, and I immediately jumped into his arms, wrapping my body around him.

“What happened?”

Candy got out of the car and bowed down before him. “Johnny’s gang, Milord.”

Draven closed his eyes and hugged me. “Are you all right?”

I shook my head, unable to let go of him.

“No more shopping for you.”

Draven laid me down on a bed in what I could only assume was the infamous Egyptian room. Large pictures of sarcophagi, pyramids, and people with dog heads lined the walls. The rug on the floor, neatly ruled with hieroglyphics, held a painting depicting Osiris.

“That’s fine with me! Tell me you found him.”

“No, I’m sorry. There wasn’t enough time.”

I tried not to be distracted. “It’s very sweet.”

“What is?”

“That you actually loved me enough to let me do this to your room.”

He laughed. “It used to be your favorite.”

“It’s not
anymore
. Can we leave, please? It’s creepy.”

“We spent a lot of time in Egypt that year.” His mind seemed to wander off while he spoke, “You were looking for something…something special. You wouldn’t tell me what it was but I don’t think you ever found it.”

I saw the sadness in his eyes and realized that my last self was the only memory he’d had to keep him going for the last twenty years. I touched his arm tenderly, yearning to release his sorrow. “I’m here now.”