Born to Darkness Book 1 in the Immortal Destiny Series: Vampire Romance Paranormal (2 page)

She swung on the guy, taking him by surprise.

Losing his grip on the gun, it fell to the ground with a loud thud. The gun went off, blowing a hole in the cooler doors at the back of the store. The masked man was still dazed by the sudden turn of events, and this gave Ethan enough time to tackle and subdue him.

It had been a close call, and a stupid move, as Ethan so rudely informed her, but that was the beginning of her job and new life.

Impressed by her bravery, Ethan offered her a job working with him at his P.I agency. Nicole didn’t know a thing about investigative work, but the pay was immensely better, so she took him up on his offer.

It didn’t take long for her to realize Ethan wasn’t your average - everyday P.I. For one thing, he seemed to work closely with the police, and was always very secretive about those cases.

Then there was that first case he’d trusted her to work on.

The job had involved tracking down a psychic who was getting into people’s heads to steal their financial information. That case had really boggled her mind, but it was only the first taste she’d get of what it was that Ethan actually did.

“Nicole!” Ethan called to her.

Looking up, she saw that Ethan was already well ahead of her. Nicole didn’t like the idea of walking through a city of the dead alone, so she quickened her step and fell in behind her boss.

With his short - dark hair and wire-rimmed glasses, Ethan looked as if he should have been in a cubicle, instead of traipsing around a cemetery at night. But as Nicole had quickly discovered while working with Ethan, looks could be deceiving.

Ethan stopped in front of a large tomb. The carvings on the tomb were intricate and beautiful, attesting to the status of whoever rested within. On top of the tomb was an angel - her wings and arms spread to welcome the deceased to the afterlife.

Nicole suddenly felt chilled, despite the warmth of the evening. Her eyes widened in alarm when Ethan pulled open the door to the tomb.

“What are you doing?” she gasped.

Instead of giving her an answer, he just motioned for Nicole to follow him.

Stepping from the hot - damp air of the New Orleans night, into the dank and moldy domain of the dead, was a shock to her respiratory system. She was torn between the urge to gulp in more oxygen, or hold her breath. It didn’t take long to decide that a few mold spores in her lungs, was better than passing out from lack of oxygen.

Inside the tomb was dark, but with the glow of a nearby streetlight, she was able to make out shadows.

Sensing movement nearby, she reached out to grab Ethan’s arm.

Ethan chuckled as he was pushing the heavy door closed. “You can go ahead and switch on the flashlight now.”

In the middle of the large tomb was a concrete crypt used to hold a coffin. Alec was sitting on top of it.

Nicole’s first thought was that she was glad she couldn’t see the coffin she knew was inside that crypt.

Not now! Not ever!

She would never be able to look at another coffin without feeling that nausea - without remembering all the things she couldn’t bear to think about.

Forcing the feeling aside, she let her eyes rest on Alec.

He was so strange - so exotic. It was as if he existed apart from everyone around him - like some kind of dark god.

His fascinating eyes fell on Nicole, and again she felt herself drowning in those icy blue pools.

The spell was broken when he turned his attention to Ethan. “Well … if it isn’t the one out to save all the creatures of the night?” Alec dripped sarcasm.

Ethan smiled. “It’s good to see you again Alec.”

“What’s so important you had to contact me, regardless of the fact I told you to never do that?”

The smile vanished from Ethan’s face. “There’s been a murder in the Quarter. A tourist was found with his throat ripped out. They’ve managed to keep it out of the news so far … but this case has vampire written all over it.”

Nicole turned sharply to face Ethan.

Had he lost his mind?

“And you want what from me?” Alec asked him.

“I need you to find out if it was any of your people. This can’t be happening. We’ll have vampire hunters all over the place,” Ethan warned.

Alec’s smile was dark - almost sadistic. “You can’t seriously believe that I can do something about every wayward vampire that steps over the line?”

Nicole had heard enough. It was time to intervene. “Are you both crazy?” she asked, taking a step back.

“Vampires? Get real already! Maybe some psycho is out there, killing people … thinking he’s some kind of vampire … that’s one thing, but vampire hunters?”

Alec laughed. “I take it your assistant hasn’t a clue to your real nature.”

Nicole looked over at Ethan, again wondering if they were both mad.

Ethan shook his head. “I haven’t gotten around to telling her yet.”

Alec slid from the coffin and sauntered over to where Nicole stood near the tomb’s entrance.

“Well let me have the honor of instructing her on the nature of true darkness.”

Nicole backed away, giving Ethan enough room to step between them.

“I wanted to let her down gently,” he told Alec.

Nicole’s nerves were like live wires.

What the hell was she doing?

She was in the Lafayette Cemetery - having some type of strange meeting in a tomb? This was a long way from ringing up doughnuts and coffee at the mini mart.

“I think I’ll wait outside,” she murmured.

“Not a good idea.” Alec stepped in front of the entrance to block her escape.

“There are all sorts of dangers lurking around these old cemeteries after dark. Haven’t you heard the warnings to stay out of the New Orleans cemeteries at night?”

“Ethan!” Nicole was startled to realize that she was truly frightened by Alec’s strange behavior.

How could he draw her in one minute, and terrify her the next?

“Alec, I’ll explain the situation to her later, but right now there is something that you need to know.”

Alec turned his attention back to Ethan. “And that is?”

“Someone came to see me a few nights ago. He gave me some interesting information,” Ethan paused.

“Go on,” Alec urged.

“He said Omar has the secret to the curse … that he has always known, but has kept the knowledge hidden away.”

Alec waved his hand. “Stories … that’s all. There is no secret. We are what we are.”

“Yes, that is the common opinion.” Ethan smiled. “But Alec … this person was of the wolves. He also said Omar is gathering an army. He wants control over the entire world.”

Now Alec was really listening. “Is that so? I thought the wolves were extinct?”

Nicole was listening to the exchange - feeling as if she’d stepped into a nightmare and couldn’t wakeup.

“That isn’t all. Omar also knows how the vampire can live in the light … without becoming ill,” Ethan explained.

Again she heard Alec’s laughter. “Even if there is any truth to this … I doubt we could get Omar to share this information.”

“Omar has something that will prove he’s kept the truth hidden.”

“Now I see.” Alec placed his arm around Ethan’s shoulder. “You are trying to entice me into joining the Light Seekers.”

“You can get close to him. We can’t.”

Alec turned his gaze back to Nicole. “Why is she involved in this? Does she have a death wish … maybe?”

Nicole tore her eyes away from his.

How could he know her deepest fascination?

How could he be aware of her wish to know what lies beyond the last breath - the last beat of one’s heart?

“Nicole can lead us into the light. I sensed this in her from the moment I saw her. You sense it too Alec … admit it.”

“You forget friend … I am not a Light Seeker. It would not matter to me.”

“I don’t believe you.” Ethan was becoming impatient.

“Do not come looking for me again Ethan. It is too dangerous for both of us. Omar knows that your loyalty isn’t with him … he knows what you are,” he told Ethan, his voice turning icy.

Nicole watched their exchange in total disbelief.

Alec had turned to Nicole.

He was staring into her eyes, as if searching for something. Without warning, he brushed her lips with a feather - soft kiss. It was brief, but when his lips came into contact with hers, she was again bombarded with erotic images of sleek - naked bodies, coming together in a mating frenzy.

Nicole was frozen. Even if she’d tried, she wouldn’t have been able to move a muscle.

By the time she came to her senses, he was gone.

Nicole stared at Ethan like he was someone she didn’t know.

Maybe he was.

The Ethan she’d seen the last few minutes, wasn’t the same person she’d known and worked with for nearly a year.

“I see you have lots of questions.” He gave her a faint smile.

“You could say that.” Nicole drew her brows together. “What was that all about?”

Ethan motioned toward the door. “Let’s get out of here. I’m sure you find it as distasteful as I do.”

They made the walk back to the car without speaking.

In the distance, sirens shattered the heavy silence. New Orleans had a dark side, and Nicole was just getting a glimpse of just how dark it could be. It wasn’t just the criminals waiting in the shadows to snatch your purse, or the gangs that stalked each other. The night creatures of the city were far more dangerous than any criminal could be. It was those creatures no one believed in that would prey on the ignorance of humans.

“Nicole,” Ethan began. “I know you don’t believe in vampires, or other types of hocus pocus, as you call it … but they are very real. You couldn’t even begin to imagine the creatures that are a part of our reality.”

When they reached the car, Nicole leaned against the hood instead of getting in. “So tell me about it and let me decide for myself what I believe.”

Ethan stood next to the car, peering down at her with something between amusement and sadness in his eyes. “It happened about 10 years ago … while I was still in college. I was on my way home from a late class one night, and this guy stopped me on the sidewalk. This guy was different … not like the usual riffraff. He was dressed all in black … and he was so pale. I mean this dude was way beyond Goth.”

Ethan stopped suddenly, as if he wasn’t sure about confiding in her.

“Go on, “ Nicole urged, her curiosity peaked.

“He was a vampire. He’d followed me as I left the campus. I would have died that night, if not for Alec.”

“Really? I’m a little confused. I take it from the conversation I just overheard, that Alec is a vampire. At least you both believe he is. Why would he save you?” Nicole was skeptical, and with good reason.

He just couldn’t be serious!

“Alec is one of the unfortunate few that still retains a flicker of his humanity.”

“Why is that a bad thing?” Nicole asked, deciding she’d just play along for a minute.

“Well when you are a predator … having human traits can be a little troubling.” He smiled.

Nicole fought the urge to storm him with a hundred questions. Instead, she waited for him to finish his story.

“Alec ran the vampire off, but by then it was too late. I was next to dead. He had to feed me some of his blood to keep me from dying. I mean … I did die I guess, but I was reborn to be what I am now.”

Nicole laughed out loud. “So now you’re a vampire?”

“I am,” Ethan informed her, “but I don’t feed on humans. I get my nourishment only from animals … while I look for a way to end this cursed existence. That’s why I joined the Light Seekers. They believe the same as I do … that there’s more to what we are. We want to uncover the answers.”

Nicole stared at him, unable to find the words to express her shock.

“I could demonstrate what I really am, but it would only frighten you.”

“Oh come on Ethan! Is this some type of joke?” Nicole couldn’t believe that what Ethan was saying, could actually be real.

“No … it’s no joke, but I wish it were. Haven’t you noticed anything strange about me at all?” 

Nicole thought for a moment. She had to admit Ethan sure did have the traits of a vampire. He never went out, except at night. She’d never seen him eat a meal, though he did drink water.”

“You drink water! I’ve seen you,” Nicole grasped at the one piece of evidence she felt eliminated any possibility of Ethan being a vampire.

“We are flesh and blood, and though we must feed on blood, we must still consume water.”

“Vampires are dead. They don’t need water,” Nicole pointed out.

Ethan laughed. “Very true … if you’re in Hollywood. Not so true with real vampires.”

“Well … what is a real vampire then?” Nicole was becoming impatient with the bits and pieces of information she was getting from her boss.

“That’s what I want to know too. All that is known for sure, is that there’s something in our blood that causes death, but then it reanimates us as another form of life. We must feed on blood to live. The sunlight will make us ill, though we don’t turn to dust as you see in the movies.”

“What about garlic and crosses?” Nicole asked.

“All myth.” He opened his shirt to show her the crucifix he was wearing. “I always wear one.”

Nicole stepped away from the car and started pacing back and forth in front of Ethan. “Well even if you are serious, it looks like Alec doesn’t have the same beliefs that you do.”

“He did once,” Ethan explained. “He searched for a long time for the answer. He never found any evidence that there was anything more to know, but there is. I’m sure of it.”

“So what did you mean about me?” Nicole asked, suddenly remembering what he’d told Alec about her.

“Let’s go. It’s probably not good to hang around this cemetery,” he told her, walking around the car to get in.

Nicole slid into the passenger seat and looked over at Ethan - waiting for him to answer her. He seemed to be avoiding an answer, and this made her uncomfortable.

“Come on Ethan. Tell me everything.”

Ethan started the car and pulled away from the curb. “Where did you come from? I don’t mean what city, but who were your parents? What do you know about your family?”

Nicole turned away from him to stare out the window. It was her turn to grow silent.

As the moments passed, she did her best to focus on the scenes flying past them as they drove.

How could she tell him about something she didn’t even know herself?

Her father was long gone. He’d disappeared when she was a small child. She was still young when her mom remarried and had another child with her new husband. Before long, her stepfather was gone too - the victim of an automobile accident.

She’d never been close to her stepfather, but at least he’d given them Jay. Her little brother had been such a pain, getting into all her stuff - messing her room up. He’d tag around with her wherever she went.

Nicole felt her heart shatter at the memory of his little angelic face - looking up at her with such trust.

Jay would ask so many questions about everything, to the point he’d drive her absolutely bonkers some days.

But what she wouldn’t give to have just one of those days back.

Nicole cleared her throat. “There’s nothing much to tell really. All I have is my mom.”

“What about your father?” he asked.

“He left when I was little. I don’t know where he is,” Nicole told him, shrugging her shoulders.

“Well you should find out what you can about him, because you’re different. There’s something about you that’s special … that chases away the darkness of the soul.”

“Maybe it’s my bright smile,” she joked.

“Nicole … there’s something you should know. Because you do have this unique quality … the vampire will be more attracted to you. They will want to prey on you because they crave that light.”

“Is that why you hired me?” Nicole asked him.

“Partly,” he admitted, “but I think there’s a reason why I found you, and part of that reason could be that you can help us find answers. I can sometimes read your emotions, so I know you are a good person.”

“I don’t think I like that.” Nicole narrowed her eyes.

“It’s all okay. I just need you to convince Alec.”

“And I’m going to do that, how?”

“You have to talk to Alec … convince him to go to Omar and find out what it is he’s hiding?”

Nicole shook her head. “He’s too scary, and besides … he told you not to contact him again.”

“Nicole, he likes you, and I can tell by that blush on your face that you’re attracted to him too.”

“Well if he really is a vampire … none of that matters, does it?”

“Just don’t let yourself fall into the sex trap with him. Alec likes to consume his sexual partners,” he warned her, a cryptic smile on his face. “In more than one way.”

“Well that’s a nice thing to know about the famous Alec Norwood.”

“Oh and Nicole … I know you’ve lost someone important to you. If what I have been told is correct, you just may get another chance to see that person. That’s only if you can get Alec to help us get the information from Omar. The wolf talked about a place of light, where many things are possible … even contact with the dead.”

“That’s not fair Ethan. You are using my emotions against me.”

“I would do this myself, but Alec doesn’t believe anymore. He doesn’t want me to contact him because it will attract attention. He gave up a long time ago.”

As Ethan talked, she thought she caught sight of the creature within, just for a fraction of a moment. It had been in the way his eyes took on an unearthly sheen, as he explained the urgency of what she had to do.

It was then she began to fully comprehend her predicament.

Could she turn down a vampire?

Now that she knew the truth, would they really let her just walk away?

* * *

The Saturday crowd had thinned. All that remained were the few stragglers not quite ready to end their evening of partying.

Alec packed away his guitar, as he did, his eyes scanned the faces of those stragglers. He still had to find his prey for the evening. It was unusual for him to hunt this near home, but his feeder had died unexpectedly.

Well it hadn’t been so unexpected, but sooner than he’d anticipated. Feeders died all the time. Eventually they would succumb to the constant lack of blood. Now it was time to find a new feeder.

Once he’d been like Ethan - subsisting on animal blood and searching for the answer to the curse that had given him immortality.

That was long ago.

Each year that went by, took a little more of his humanity.

But there had been enough humanity left in him to save Ethan’s life.

The kid had seemed so confused - so frightened. He hadn’t deserved that kind of death.

Now Alec regretted that decision. Ethan was too good for the existence of a vampire. He should have let him take his last breath and enter oblivion. It would have been a better option than the one Alec had given him. The decision to turn Ethan had been too impulsive - a human fault he still struggled to control.

He sensed her before she’d even walked through the door. Glancing behind him, he saw her, but quickly turned his attention back to what he was doing.

Tonight she was an entirely different person than she’d been the first time he’d seen her. Her slinky black dress hugged her curves like a second skin. Its low cut left too much of her cleavage showing.

That bare flesh beckoned him - called to his hunger. Her neck was long and graceful, exactly the type of neck he loved to sink his teeth into.

Oh yes, she dressed like someone he would like to make into a feeder, but she was not successful in disguising her innocence. Nicole wore her innocence like a cloak - though its purity was tarnished by the darkness of sorrow, but even that darkness could not extinguish the light within her.

Coming here tonight had not been her idea. Alec was sure of that. He’d sensed her fear of him.

It was just as well. She was far too tempting. He would devour her, like he did all his playthings. The part of him that remained human wanted to preserve that light she emitted. She was special, like Ethan said.

But why?

She stood behind him - watching him as he secured the guitar case. He could hear her heart beating violently - the blood rushing through her body. He could smell her fear.

Finally he glanced behind him and acknowledged her presence. “Well, if it isn’t the little assistant? I’m surprised you would come looking for me again.”

“Can we talk?” she asked.

As she spoke, the artery in her neck pulsated in time with her heart - her life essence rushed through her. Alec felt the hunger creeping up on him. She was so tempting, it was a struggle to stay in control.

“I don’t think now would be a good time,” he told her before turning away.

If he looked at her for one more moment - the woman would end up being dinner. She was too beautiful and too innocent to be that.

“Please.” Nicole reached out to lay her hand on his arm.

Her warmth against his cold skin was like the golden sunshine he craved.

He wanted more!

His hunger exploded - he was no longer in control.

“Wait outside,” he snarled, before rushing away from her.

Once he was away from her and in the rooms reserved for the band, the burning in his body subsided, if only a little.