Born to Darkness Book 1 in the Immortal Destiny Series: Vampire Romance Paranormal (6 page)

At last the sun faded and Alec stepped from the shadows.

* * *

When Nicole opened the door to leave, she ran right into Alec.

She was so startled - she nearly jumped out of her skin. “Oh … you scared me. I was just getting ready to go to the Dark Wind and look for you,” she told him.

“I will not be going back there for a few days. We have some things to take care of.”

“Well okay. Are we ready then? Are we going to get Ethan?” she asked, as she followed him down the stairs and out to the street. She couldn’t help but notice the grim look on Alec’s face.

“Yes I’m going after him, but you and I have to talk first.”

Alec was leading her into the alley, and this made her a little nervous. Again she felt that rush that came with being close to him.

His nearness sent a surge of adrenaline through her. She wanted to ignore it, but it was difficult when her heart was pounding so painfully in her chest. Being next to him - but not touching him - was like being just beyond the reach of total bliss.

She had to focus on Ethan. He needed them, and her attraction for Alec was too much of a distraction.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“My car is parked back here.”

As they rounded the corner to the alley, she saw his car parked behind some large dumpsters. It seemed a little strange he would park back here - instead of in front of her apartment building. Nearby, a rat scurried across the pavement - missing her feet by mere inches.

Nicole shuddered. “Why did you park here?”

“I didn’t want anyone to see my car.”

Okay, well that made sense.

When they reached the car, he opened the door for her so she could get in. Nicole couldn’t help but smile at his gentlemanly manners. Too few men opened doors for ladies these days.

Alec pulled out of the alley and onto the main street. “I am going to the Cell. It is one of Omar’s nests.”

“So how are we going to get him back?” Nicole asked, not liking the way Alec was acting. His usual sarcastic sense of humor was missing, and his mood was darker than usual.

“We are not doing anything. You are going into hiding while I go and get Ethan out of there.”

“What do you mean … I’m going into hiding?”

“Omar wants me to trade you for Ethan.” Alec did not so much as glance in her direction as he spoke.

Her mouth dropped open. “Why does he want me? I am no threat to him.”

“He claims it is because you know too much, but I don’t believe it. He wants you for some other reason.”

Stricken with anxiety, Nicole bit at her bottom lip and began to fidget in her seat. The thought of Alec biting her was frightening and tantalizing at the same time, but to think that another vampire was after her was an entirely different story.

Nicole cleared her throat. “What … what could he want from me?”

“I’m not sure, but I intend to find out.”

“Who exactly is this Omar?” she wanted to know.

Alec said nothing to acknowledge her question, seemingly absorbed in the task of driving.

Finally Alec took his eyes from the road long enough to glance over at her. “He is as close to the devil as you will probably ever get.”

“Hmm … well that’s nice to know.”

“Omar is an old vampire … and he is very secretive, so no one knows just how old he is. According to legend, he comes from Sumer. They say he is a descendant of the heathen gods of the Sumerians. The very translation of the word Sumer means Land of the Civilized Lords, but these were dark lords. The ancient vampires ruled Sumer at one time. At least that is the story.” Alec smiled.

“And Omar is one of these ancient ones? But I thought vampires could not reproduce?” Nicole was enthralled, but chilled by the story. She couldn’t imagine a place where vampires ruled.

“There is a lot you don’t know about vampires, but even more that is unknown about these ancient ones.”

Nicole stared out the car window - taking notice of their location. They appeared to be in the swamps, but it was too dark to make out details.

Alec slowed the car, pulling off the highway and onto a dirt road.

“Where are you taking me?”

“You’re not worried are you?” Alec’s sinister laughter returned. It was comforting, if a little unnerving.

Nicole stared at him - still wondering just how far she could trust him. She had to keep reminding herself that if he wanted to kill her - she’d be dead.

“Should I be?” she asked.

“Maybe you should be.”

After Alec pulled to the side of the road, Nicole could make out a small dock in the beam of the headlights.

He was planning to take her into the swamps.

“Sorry, I don’t have a flashlight. We’ll have to make the trip in the dark.”

“I guess it’s a good thing that you can see in the dark,” she commented.

Beneath the light of the waxing moon, she could make out a small airboat bobbing in the black water. A rope tethered the boat to the dock - preventing it from floating away with the current stirring beneath the surface of the water.

Alec gripped her arm, helping steady her as she stepped onto the boat. “Why didn’t you just fly us?” she asked, a half smile on her face.

He chuckled - her question obviously amusing to him. “It’s quite a distance we’ve traveled. Not only would it be too much for you, but it would also drain my energy … which I will need when I confront Omar.”

Alec followed her onboard, quickly untying the boat from the wooden post. A moment later the engine came to life and they moved slowly away from the dock.

Alec slowed the boat after they were several yards from the dock. They were moving, but so slowly they might as well have been drifting. At this rate it would take them awhile to get to wherever they were going, but she knew it was necessary. She’d hate to run into something and end up in the water with the gators and snakes.

Actually, she would prefer facing the vampires.

After a few minutes, Alec cut the engine and drifted toward a small shack that was built on stilts above the water.

The boat bumped against a rickety old dock, and he secured it with the rope.

Nicole eyed the little shack with a shot of anxiety. Even in the dark, she could see that it was in an obvious state of decay.

“Let’s go,” Alec urged.

Nicole remained in the boat, still staring at the dock - trying to decide if it was safe to step on.

The sounds of night creatures added to the eeriness of the moment. Her imagination went wild. She could almost see the predators beneath the water’s surface - just waiting for the dock to give way. There were probably gators, snakes, and who knew what else.

Holding her breath, she stepped onto the dock - hoping that it would withstand her weight, but fully expecting to crash into the water below. The wood beneath her feet creaked, but it held.

Alec stepped up behind her. His weight rocked the dock, causing Nicole to lose her balance. He quickly wrapped an arm around her to keep her from falling.

When Nicole looked up at him, she saw his eyes shining with hunger.

It should have frightened her, but it didn’t. Leaning down, he kissed her with a passion so intense - even as his touch chilled her - she felt as if she were being consumed by fire.

The kiss ended and he backed away from her.

Nicole wanted to scream at him not to stop, but instead she looked away. She should be thankful he wanted to preserve her life and her soul, but her heart ached every time he pulled back.

“So what is this place?” she asked.

“It once belonged to Bellea. She was an old voodoo woman.”

“How did you come by it?”

Alec stayed behind her as she climbed the stairs to the front porch. Nicole stepped aside and let Alec go in first. She wasn’t sure she wanted to risk going into the abandoned shack. There was no telling what kind of creature might be hiding inside.

Letting Alec go first wasn’t too brave of her, but she figured it would be much harder to kill him, than her.

“I knew her grandmother,” he explained.

Nicole was confused until she remembered how old he was.

Alec found a lantern and some matches that had miraculously withstood the humid Louisiana air. He lit the lantern and the room was bathed in light. She’d been in the dark so long - she had to shield her eyes from the glare.

When Nicole’s eyes adjusted to the light, she examined the two-room shack. It was dusty. Spanish moss made its way through a broken window, but other than that, it seemed to be intact.

“So how did you know Bellea? Did you continue to visit the family?”

“No … once you become a vampire you must be dead to the world.” Though Alec smiled, Nicole thought she detected a note of sadness in his voice.

“Bellea’s grandmother and I were partners for a while. I helped her and she helped me. They were slaves of course, but I was very close to the family. I have always watched over them. Old Bellea though … she was sharp. I think she could sense when I was around.”

Nicole smiled. She liked the fact that Alec held on to enough of his humanity to watch over the family of an old friend. “What happened to Bellea?”

“She died a few years back. Now the only family left is her niece and nephew. They both live near here.”

“What if they find out I’m squatting in this shack?” Nicole was alarmed to realize the place might still belong to someone.

Alec shook his head. “They don’t come here anymore. At first her nephew came to grieve, but he hasn’t been here for a long time. Besides, I’ll be back for you soon.”

“How do you know this?” Nicole was curious.

“This is where I come when I want to escape. I am very tuned in to the creatures of the swamp … I can know what they know.”

“No kidding?” Nicole found that Alec continued to stun her with the strange beauty of his world.

“Did you have anyone special … before?” she asked.

He stood near her. Nicole sensed he wanted to touch her, but was holding back.

“I have to go. Omar is waiting for me now, but he will soon send others to look for me … and you.”

Nicole didn’t miss the fact that he’d failed to answer her question, but she didn’t push him.

“What do I do for food and water?”

“There is bottled water in the bedroom. I have to confess … the food part didn’t cross my mind, but I will be back for you soon.” Alec leaned down and kissed her forehead. 

Then he was gone and Nicole was left alone.

The Cell was a nightclub that had been converted from a vacant warehouse. This area of town was littered with derelict - abandoned buildings. It was the perfect place for Omar to house his vamps, but it wasn’t the only nest they had in New Orleans.

The nightclub was what they used to lure victims.

If you made the mistake of getting too close to an Immortal, and were lucky - you’d die quickly. The unfortunate would be sentenced to become feeders.

Death came swiftly for the victims of the vampire - unless they were chosen to become feeders. This was a fate far worse. The death of a feeder was slow and hellish.

Alec was positive this is what Omar had in store for Nicole. She’d already known so much misery, how could he let her experience such suffering?

From where Alec stood - the building almost appeared deserted, but he knew better. It was well past midnight. Soon Omar’s brood would scatter to hunt. The nest couldn’t sate their hunger with just the Cell’s victims. Taking too many of them would draw unwanted attention.

The vampires would leave the Cell and go out to prey on the city of New Orleans. With their numbers thinned, Alec would at least have a fighting chance if Omar turned on him.

As Alec watched - they began to emerge into the night, one - two - three at a time. There would still be a few that remained, but at least he would have a better chance.

At last they were gone. Alec walked toward the building.

He still didn’t know how he was going to get Ethan away from Omar, but he did know he’d die trying if need be. He owed Ethan that much.

* * *

Nicole jumped when she heard a loud splash come from just outside the cabin.

The old place was spooky enough, without thinking about the creatures in the swamp. If she let it, her imagination would run wild.

With the lantern - there was enough light inside, but outside it was pitch black. The canopy of trees and Spanish moss that covered the shack - kept away any light the moon might provide.

Picking up the lantern, Nicole took it to the small bedroom. Though the room was cramped, it appeared as if the old lady had kept it neat and clean. Everything had its place.

The whole room was covered with a blanket of dust, but it was obvious the previous occupant had taken pride in her home.

Just as Alec said, there were bottles of water stacked neatly in one corner. She hoped whoever stuck the bottles of water in the bedroom, had remembered to add purifier so it would not go stale.

Nicole picked up one of the jugs and unscrewed the cap - it smelled clean. Closing it back up, she took it with her into the kitchen. In one of the cupboards she found a glass and held it over the little sink so she could clean it. Pouring water into the glass, she started swishing it around.

From behind her she heard a slow creaking noise. Nicole froze.

Holding her breath, she turned slowly to see what was making the noise. Near the small - worn couch was an old wooden rocker. It was moving back and forth, and as it moved - the floor beneath it creaked.

The chair was empty!

The door was still closed, so it was unlikely that someone had started the rocker moving while her back was turned. Besides, she would have heard them come in and leave.

Setting the jug of water on the kitchen counter, Nicole walked to the rocker. She held up her hand to see if she could feel a draft, but there was none.

Creak - creak. The rocker still moved back and forth.

She placed a hand on the back of the rocker to stop the movement. It became still.

Sighing with relief, she turned back toward the sink.

Creak - creak. There it was again.

Nicole swung around to see the chair was again moving by itself. A shiver went up her spine and goose bumps covered her arms.

She didn’t believe in ghosts.

But then again, she didn’t believe in vampires either.

Clearing her throat, she called out, “Who is it?”

There was only silence, apart from the continuous creaking noise from the chair’s movement.

Nicole shrugged. There was nothing to do about it but share the place with its ghostly resident for a few hours.

“Well whoever you are … I will only be here for awhile. I hope you don’t mind,” she said out loud, feeling a little foolish.

Turning away from the rocker, Nicole tried to ignore the sound as she went about cleaning the glass so that she could get a drink of water.

Cackling laughter filled the room.

Nicole’s hands trembled. A chair that rocked by itself was one thing, but this was something else altogether.

Suddenly the laughter was gone and the chair stopped moving.

Nicole held her breath - waiting for something else to happen, but all was still. When she could finally breathe again, she forced herself to go back to what she’d been doing.

She didn’t mind going into hiding, but she wasn’t so sure she liked being haunted.

* * *

When Alec stepped through the door, he wasn’t too surprised to see the carnage that greeted him.

The vampires that had stayed behind were feeding on those unfortunate souls that had made the ill-fated decision to remain at the Cell and party.

Near the bar, a woman lay sprawled on the floor - her eyes open and terrified. Her death had been a surprise - a horror she hadn’t expected to find when she’d come out to party with her friends at the Cell.

A young vampire lifted his head from where he’d been feeding at the throat of another victim - his eyes were still glowing with Immortal light and his lust for blood.

The scent of blood was intoxicating.

Alec fought to keep his hunger at bay. He would feed, but after he’d faced Omar.

Stepping over a corpse, Alec made his way to the back room where he knew he’d find Omar.

Knocking twice, he waited for permission to enter.

“Come in,” the deep - raspy voice call from behind the door.

Alec turned the knob on the door and pushed it open.

At the back of the dimly lit room - Omar sat in a large chair that resembled a throne.

Alec hadn’t seen Omar for a very long time. He tended to avoid the old ones and their vamps as much as possible. The ancients were nothing but trouble - always had been and always would be.

Omar hadn’t changed, but vampires didn’t change. Not really.

They might change their hairstyle, some would push themselves to change their style of dress, but real change never happened.

Omar had no hair - his scalp was as bare as if he’d shaved with a razor. Like usual - he wore a long red robe, with a single medallion dangling from his neck.

The medallion was disk-shaped and embellished with strange symbols. Alec had never seen the symbols anywhere else, except for on Omar’s medallion. In the middle of the disk was a small crystal that created prisms of bright color whenever the light hit it just right.

The red robe and the medallion were like Omar’s trademarks. The ancients had always resisted change - Omar’s sense of fashion was a good example of that.

Alec scanned the room looking for Ethan, but he wasn’t there.

Not that Alec had expected him to be. Omar wasn’t that stupid.

Omar locked cold gray eyes on him. “I don’t see the girl.”

“Where is Ethan?”

Omar clucked his tongue. “Alec … you fail miserably as an Immortal. Such concern for your creation will be your undoing.”

“I have not come to converse with you Omar. Where is Ethan?” Alec asked again, his stare as hard and impassive as Omar’s.

“How dare you speak to me in such a way!” Omar bellowed.

Alec stepped forward - not in the least intimidated by Omar’s anger. “Why do you want the girl?” he asked.

“She knows too much.” Omar glared at him.

“Who is she going to tell? Who will believe her … even if she tells what she knows?”

Omar didn’t respond.

“I don’t believe that’s the reason you want the girl.” Alec knew his statement would be considered a direct challenge to Omar.

Instead of erupting in a fit of fury, as Alec expected - Omar continued to watch him - his eyes as cold as the arctic night.

“Tell me Alec … what is your interest in the girl? She isn’t your progeny … why should her fate concern you?”

“She’s my feeder,” Alec lied, hoping Omar wouldn’t detect his deceit.

Omar laughed out loud. “You don’t expect me to believe such nonsense do you? If that were her purpose … you would have no qualms about giving her to me.”

“What do you want with her? Why can’t you just go get her?” Alec answered Omar with his own questions. This was something that puzzled him. He’d hidden Nicole as a precaution, but Alec was no fool. He knew if Omar wanted to, he could have taken the girl instead of Ethan. 

Why hadn’t he?

“My interest in her doesn’t concern you Alec. I’m your elder, and you are to do as you are commanded.” Omar stood - obviously agitated by Alec’s defiance.

Alec smiled - determined not to yield to Omar’s wrath. “Tell me about the Place of Light. I’ve heard this place does exist, but the Immortals are banished. You have the secret to the Place of Light, and to what we are.”

For an instant, Omar seemed stunned. “This place is a myth … made up by the Light Seekers. You should be aware of that by now.”

Again Alec smiled. “I don’t believe you.”

Omar turned away from him and stared at the throne he’d been sitting on.

“I will make you a deal Alec. If you bring me the girl … I will tell you what I know.”

Now Alec was shocked.

Was it a trick?

* * *

Nicole could see herself through a thick haze of mist. She was a child again - only five years old.

Her mother was there too!

Mom was sitting on the park bench - watching her play. Nicole was trying to swing from a rope that was attached to the playground toy, but she had blisters. It hurt too much when she grabbed the rope and she kept falling.

The monkey bars always gave her blisters.

It was getting dark.

Why were they at the playground at night?

Once again, the pain in her hands caused her to slip and she fell into the sand below. Her scraped knees began to sting. 

There was a man kneeling beside her - a strange man she’d never seen before. He was wearing a long black coat and he had dark hair that hung to his shoulders. The scary part was his eyes - they were almost black. His skin was so pale that at first she wondered if he were a ghost.

“Hello Nicole.”

“Hi,” she answered. She stole a quick glance at her mom. Vicky was watching her daughter closely.

She wasn’t supposed to talk to strangers, but since her mom could see her - it must be okay.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

“Just a little,” she told him, getting to her feet.

The stranger’s eyes were drawn to the small amount of blood on her knees.

“You’re a very pretty little girl,” he told her - a smile touching his lips.

“Thank you,” she replied - her words sounding strange because she was missing a front tooth.

The man took her small hand into his. Nicole was repelled by the coolness of the man’s skin, but she didn’t pull away. That would be rude, and Mom told her she shouldn’t be rude to others.

“I will come back and see you another time,” he promised.

Then he was gone.

But the spot where he’d stood wasn’t empty.

Now an old African American woman was there. She was sitting in a rocker - moving it back and forth. She was a tiny woman - so old and frail, a gust of wind might knock her over. From her wrinkled and worn face, she stared at Nicole with eyes that were clear and alert.

“Now ya listen to ole Bellea, girl.” The woman’s voice was course, but clear. “Ya need ta find dat man.”

A strong wind hit them and the woman dissolved - scattering like the sand around her.

Gasping for air, Nicole jumped up from the sofa. She felt as if she’d died for a moment, and then came back from the dead. It was a struggle just to get air into her lungs.

When her breathing returned to normal, she realized it was morning. She’d been so exhausted, and had meant to rest her eyes only for a few minutes, but she must have fallen asleep.

Why hadn’t Alec come back for her?

Nicole stepped out to the rickety porch. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she scanned the swamp. It was beautiful - in an eerie sort of way. In the distance, a gator bathed on the bank. Not far from the shack - she saw the head of one of the reptiles sink below the waterline.

She sure didn’t want to try and get out of here on her own, even if she would have had a boat. Reptiles made her cringe, especially the extra large ones. She’d rather take on an entire nest of vampires, than one alligator.