Authors: Lisa Rayns
I held out my hand to him, and he kissed the back of it. “It’s nice to finally meet you too, Armando. I’ve heard wonderful things.”
“Not from my brother, you haven’t,” he kidded, confirming my suspicions.
I shook my head. “What happened tonight?”
“Hmm, I should see Candy inside now.” He walked away and carefully lifted the girl before he carried her inside.
I immediately turned on Draven. “He knows I can’t get mad at you? Tell me what happened, please!”
Draven sobered quickly but didn’t speak. His eyes said it all right before he dipped me in a strong embrace, and his lips told me the story of his never-ending love. The kiss was so intense, my heart redlined, and my mind moved to a blissful place until he released me. When he did, my legs felt like rubber, and I almost fell at his feet.
Pleased by my response, he smiled. “Thank you for reuniting me with my brother. I wouldn’t have had the courage without you.”
I nodded, unable to remember what I’d wanted to say to him. My mind was mush but after a closer look, I jumped out of his arms in an attempt at rage. “You’re not being fair. You know I can’t think when you do that. Tell me what happened.”
He smiled and ran a finger over my neck until his healing tingles repaired my wound. “When I found Armando he was…well, incarcerated, in prison for some ridiculous crime.”
I gasped. “You got shot up breaking him out of prison?”
“No, of course not. Listen. When I told him you were back and that you wanted him at the wedding very badly, he walked right out of the jail, telling the warden he would return later.”
“And that was fine?”
“Yes. I think he knew he couldn’t really hold Armando if he didn’t want to be held. The poor man looked almost relieved when he left. Anyway, as I was saying, we walked out of the jail and started talking. I apologized to him, he apologized to me...” Draven looked like he might continue for a moment but then smiled plainly like that was the end of it.
“And how did you get shot fifty times?”
“It was only twenty-two, Elizabeth. You’re overreacting.”
I gave him an incredulous look until his comical smile made me laugh. “Thank goodness you’re okay. How did it happen again?”
“You’re stubborn tonight. We should go in and make sure Candy is all right.”
I held his arm aggressively. “How did it happen?”
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “If you must know, we went for a walk to talk things over, and like brothers sometimes do, we got into a little spat.”
“About what?”
“Elizabeth, does it really matter?”
“I’m not sure. Tell me, and I’ll be sure to give you a proper answer.”
“Anyway, the
Armée de Terre must have thought we were a hazard because they opened fire with machine guns while we were in melee.”
“Oh no! What’s the Armée de Terre?”
“The French Army.”
“Oh my God! Did they see you? Did they know what you were?”
“No. We were rolling around on the ground when they found us, and they were yelling ‘
loup garou
,’ which means werewolf in French.”
I put my hands on my hips. “They thought you were werewolves?” When he nodded, I finished, “and they shot at you with machine guns?”
He laughed. “Crazy, isn’t it?”
I rolled my eyes and walked into the house to find Candy in bed in the first bedroom. “Are you all right, Candy?” I asked, stepping into the room.
“Oh Milady.” She jumped out of bed and got down on one knee. “Forgive me for fainting. I swear I’ll try to never do it again. I didn’t think it would happen at all but then he bit me, and the pain felt so good, and then you were…moaning, Milady. It was more than I could bear.”
I couldn’t help but sound a little shocked. “So you didn’t faint because a large, unknown vampire sucked the blood out of your body. You fainted because you heard me moan?”
She nodded. “I think it was a combination but don’t worry, Milady, I know you will always belong to Draven, and I know you love me like a sister.”
“I do,” I said with a nod. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”
When she nodded again, I returned to find the vampires sitting at the kitchen table. They stood up when I entered the room. “She’s fine, Armando. Thank you for putting her to bed.”
He smiled and gave me a courteous nod. When they sat back down, I plopped into Draven’s lap, looking only at his brother. “So Armando, I’m curious. Why would the French Army be shooting at you two?”
He laughed loudly. “Would you believe they thought we were werewolves?”
“Not really.” I folded my arms over my chest. “So this is very funny to both of you then?”
“Quite,” Draven confirmed, releasing his own laughter.
I sighed and leaned against him, content once again that he was safe and wouldn’t have to leave again. “I’m glad you two are safe and finally reunited.”
“Likewise,” Armando said staring at the two of us. “You belong together. He was never as good without you. Never happy.”
“Do you mind me asking why you were in prison, Armando?”
Armando scowled at Draven. “He told you I was in prison?”
“I didn’t lie,” Draven said defensively.
Armando looked up at the ceiling, rocking his head from one side to the other. “Well, I did commit a small crime with the intention of having a place to stay during the day. Someone very special lived near the prison, and I wanted to be close, in case they needed me at a moment’s notice. Soon I found it a comfortable arrangement so I bribed the warden to keep me imprisoned. He supplied me with all the books that I wanted, anything I asked for really. My surrogate was allowed to visit whenever I called her. It was a means to an end. End of story.”
“Is she all right now? The special lady?”
Armando stiffened, glaring at his brother. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I’m afraid I am not good company right now. I need to go for a walk.” He disappeared out the door before I could speak.
I turned back to Draven, feeling confused. “I’m sorry. What did I say?”
“He just needs some time,” Draven responded. His eyes remained on the door.
I pulled his face toward mine, forcing him to look at me. “What’s really going on, Draven?”
“It’s not a lady. He’s worried about his son.”
“His son? Vampires can have children?”
“He’s not a biological son. Armando took the boy under his wing when his mother died. I’ve never seen him more attached to anyone. They can communicate like us but not as easily. The boy, Coty, was living in an awful foster home.”
“What do you mean he was? Where is he now?”
Draven heaved a hard breath and shook his head. “When I told Armando about you, he went to say goodbye to the boy. He stayed with him for an hour telling him all about you. He also told him that you were his aunt from America and if he ever got into trouble, he should send for you.”
I stared at him intently. “I don’t see where this is going.”
“Armando hid when Coty’s foster father walked in but when he struck the boy, Armando nearly killed him. He had his fangs out ready to strike when the man’s wife walked in and ran screaming ‘vampire’ through the streets.”
“Oh no!” I squeaked. My right hand slapped my mouth.
“It gets worse. Before he left, he told Coty to send for you because he wouldn’t be there to protect him anymore. After he’d revealed himself to a human…”
Slivers of fear started to stab into my heart, creating an ache. “The Elders aren’t going to kill him for that, are they?”
Draven stared at me. “How do you know about…Oh, Candy. I should have guessed.”
I dismissed his question, trying to piece more of the puzzle together. “So he told Coty to send for me? Is that why you two were fighting?”
“Yes,” he confessed, turning away.
Not finding the danger, I reflected on the story for a moment before I pulled his face to mine. “There’s more, isn’t there? Tell me the rest.”
Draven leaned back against the seat. “Coty was moved to a special monastery known for its protection from vampires. It’s surrounded by vampire traps, and unless you go as a human to retrieve him, Armando won’t see him again until he’s eighteen.”
“No wonder he’s upset.” I took my turn to look away.
Draven shook his head. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Why not?” I asked, meeting his eyes. “I owe him your life.”
“You owe him nothing,” Draven demanded, “and I will not tempt fate with your life again.”
“I’ll do it, Milord,” Candy said from the doorway. “I can dye my hair, get a fake ID. No sweat.”
Draven and I both turned to her. “Thank you for the offer, Candy, but your scent is as strong as hers.”
“What about an actress?” she asked.
Draven brightened at the idea. “Start looking. Thank you, Candy.”
She nodded proudly and curtseyed before she left the room.
“You see? I told you she was brilliant.”
“Yes, you did, and yes, she is, but what about Armando? Are they going to come for him?”
Draven shook his head. “I don’t know. None of us really know how the Elders get their information but since the incident happened right there in Paris, I’m afraid they’ll hear of it.”
“What can we do? There has to be something.”
“Just take care of him for me.” Armando stood in the doorway, his pleading eyes considering only me. “If they come for me, I’ll go. I don’t want to bring anyone else into this. I know you don’t remember me but I know you. Your soul has more compassion than any human I’ve ever met. That’s why you’ll make a great writer. Promise me you’ll take care of Coty, Elizabeth, and I will die content.”
My eyes flowed generously when I ran into his arms. “No! You can’t die! I know we just met but I love you. You are part of our family!”
He soothed my hair and chuckled. “I’m not dead yet, dear, and I may never be. It was a precautionary request only. If the time does come, I just want to be prepared and to know that Coty will be taken care of. It’s the only thing I’ll ever ask of you.”
I wiped my tears and pushed away from him to see his face. “So you don’t think they’ll come for you?”
“Not really. Considering how many vampires there are in France, I don’t think they’ll be able to pinpoint me. I’ve been hiding in that jail for so long, even the common folk have forgotten I exist. Besides that, we disappeared so fast, thanks to Draven’s special ability, that we’d be hard to track. And then even if they could track me, I don’t think they’d come all the way to South Dakota for one couple’s illusion.”
Relieved, I gathered my strength and hugged him again. “I feel like what happened is my fault, and I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t sent Draven to find you, maybe none of this––”
“Elizabeth,” Armando interrupted sternly. “It was only a matter of time.”
I nodded and looked him in the eye. “If anything happens to you, Armando, I swear I will find Coty and care for him like he was my own.”
Armando bowed in appreciation. “Thank you, Elizabeth. You don’t know how much that means to me. Coty needs a mother more than anything right now, and I sincerely hope you will become part of his life, no matter how things go. Now…” he said, brightening. “Do we have a wedding to plan?”
Draven stood up and enveloped me when I walked into his arms. “Armando, Candy may have found a way to get Coty without putting anyone in danger. We want to get him safely to America first. It won’t be a joyous occasion until the whole family is here. We know it is important to you, and that makes it important to us as well.”
I nodded in agreement and hugged Draven for thinking of it.
“Really?” Armando appeared skeptical. “Let’s hear this plan.”
With perfect timing, Candy walked through the door. “I’ve hired an actress, and their papers should be ready by the first of the week.”
Draven nodded. “That should be enough time for things to cool down in Paris.”
“So, let me get this straight. You’re going to hire someone to pretend to be Elizabeth until he gets to the United States?” Armando considered the proposal. “That’s brilliant!”
Candy smiled with her businesswoman personality. “Thank you, but there’s still information I need from you, Armando. The boy’s last name, his foster parent’s name and address, among other things. The actress will need to know all the details and of course, taking a boy out of the country will require some pretty solid paperwork. I want this to go perfectly. Would you mind?” She gestured down the hallway.
“Anything you need, my dear.” Armando followed when she led him to the office.
I couldn’t stop smiling at Draven. “Thank you. You are without a doubt the sweetest, most wonderful…” I stopped talking when he flashed a worried expression.
What’s wrong?
He closed his eyes and kissed my lips softly before he swept me up in his arms. “You must rest now, Elizabeth. Your body needs to renew itself.”
“Don’t you dare…” I spurted, but my eyes were already closing.