Courted by the Vampire (29 page)

Edwin hauled her to her feet, and she was glad when
he closed his arms possessively around her. Gratitude filtered through the dark haze. She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’m so tired.”

“It’s all right.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. One hand still gripped
the handle of the dagger. “Don’t worry.”

“You used two contractions.” Her smile wobbled.
She faced her nemesis. Her head pounded, darkness surrounded her, and she sighed. “Is that the best you’ve got?” Nausea slammed into her stomach as Andre’s harsh laughter careened through her mind. The throbbing agony behind her eyes increased tenfold.

“Hardly, my dear.” Andre snapped his fingers. A long spear appeared in
his hands, the sharp silver point glinted. “I assume from your resistance that you’ve declined my offer of salvation?” He hefted the spear, and his eyes glowed a deep crimson. An eyebrow cocked in inquiry as dark scales appeared to replace his skin.

“I would rather die.” Her left leg felt like rubber and she leaned
heavily against Edwin.

Andre shrugged then flexed his fingers around the wooden shaft. “Suit
yourself.”

In the space of a heartbeat as Hannah collapsed to the floor, Andre threw
the spear with savage strength. She cringed and steeled herself for the death blow.

At the last second, Edwin brushed by her. She simultaneously heard his
grunt and the sound of the weapon as it connected deep into human flesh and bone with sickening accuracy. Her vision darkened from the onslaught in her mind, but she managed to catch him as he fell back.

Surprise creased his face.
“I am sorry,
spatzi
.”

Andre’s triumphant cry echoed off the wall. “You see, Hannah, I cannot
finish you until I have received all of your power. To ensure that you give it to me, I needed a bargaining chip.” His black wings flapped twice, stirring up a wind that whipped the butterflies into a vortex around him. “Say your goodbyes.”

She
ignored the demon lord in order to focus on the vampire. “Edwin, why? I’m not worth it.” She fought back tears. Goldfish swam under her dress as she sat in the water. She clutched Edwin in her arms, listened to his labored breathing. “I’m so sorry. I’ll get you medical attention, just hold on.” Hannah pressed kisses to his temple. Her heart squeezed with fear as his dusky skin became pale.

“It is too late
. Let me go.” He drew another ragged breath but a faint smile lingered on his lips. “It is time.”

Andre’s lips curled in an evil grimace. He easily ripped through the last of
Hannah’s resistance. “What a touching scene. It’s a pity the bounty hunter couldn’t live long enough to watch you make your grand exit from the mortal world.”

“Take my life in his place.” She met Edwin’s gaze, overwhelmed by the
love and admiration that shimmered in the blue depths. Hannah raised her gaze to Andre’s face, flinching at the burning holes where his eyes used to be. “Take me.”

“Poor Hannah. Such a choice.” His oily voice mocked her.

She could hardly breathe from the pain in her head. Her left arm hung useless at her side. Edwin’s weight sapped her low reserves of strength. The tip of the spear bit into her stomach as it protruded from his back. He’d been run through. Tears blurred her vision, but she had to fight for the man she loved. “Let Edwin live, and I’ll give you everything I have.”

Andre’s grin widened. “I will grant your request.” He reached down and
yanked the spear from the bounty hunter’s body.

A nasty gurgle sounded from Edwin. He clenched a fist but didn’t speak.

“Too bad you didn’t specify how he should live. The way I see it, he’ll have a long full life of about fifteen minutes, maybe a half hour.” Andre threw the red-stained spear to the ground. “Paranormals are very literal beings.”

“I’m sorry.” Hannah panted against the pain.

Edwin slumped against her, a crimson tide of blood flowed from his wound into her hands. His breath rasped in his chest. “Do not give in,
spatzi
. Always remember how much I love you.” He clutched at his wound. An expression of amusement crossed his handsome face. “I never thought I would die in such a manner, but I am happy to do so in your arms.”

“No, Edwin…”

He lifted a hand then let it drop into the water. “I did not believe the prophecy was true until I met you. Now it is too late and our destinies will not entwine for an eternity.” His breathing was ragged and wet as he struggled for words. “Even though I will die this night, the light of your love will serve as the beacon to illuminate my way into the dark oblivion. I will hold it close in remembrance, and can now do so in peace, even as I meet the terror that will consume my soul. I no longer fear it.”

“I love you.” Tears poured down her cheeks. “I’ll never forget.” Her body
tingled as Andre probed the edges of her mind. Paralysis moved through her remaining limbs, but she clutched Edwin to her chest as best she could. “Bastard.” She spat the word at the demon lord, wishing it were a sharp object. Sirens blared in the distance. “At least you’ll be caught. The authorities are on their way.”

“The human world has no dominion over me.” Annoyance clouded his
face. He flapped his wings. “We will finish this now.” He re-entered her mind with savage intent. The black cloud of his hate marched quickly over the remains of her sanity.

Sorrow washed through her, catching her on its mustard-yellow tide. She
heard Edwin’s fight for breath. She heard the wounded cries of the magical beings that had been caught in the fire or the fight. She heard the angry shouts of Andre’s staff as they tried to bring order to the room.

A pathetic ending to a pathetic life.

Anger surged into her depression.

You’ll have to fight harder than that, Andre. I’m not giving in.

As you wish, Hannah. It is your choice.

Pain exploded through her head. Andre didn’t waste any time. His evil
black presence invaded her mind, filled every hiding place she had, smothered every thought she ever conjured with the all-consuming hate. Prickles of sharp, stabbing violence raced through Hannah’s consciousness. Her strength wouldn’t hold up for long.

I’m dying
, but perhaps I’ll see Edwin in another lifetime.
That thought filled her with such peace and a sense of well-being that a white light formed at the edges of the darkness. Freedom from pain beckoned her onward.

With a sigh, she leaned her head against Edwin’s body. She
’d done her best and couldn’t ask for anything else. She’d known love, and that love had returned to her tenfold.

Calm
settled over her.

The white light advanced steadily, gobbling the darkness, feeding from it
as Hannah recalled images from the wonderful moments spent with Edwin. The way the corners of his eyes crinkled with laughter, the soft way his voice sounded just after they made love, the clean scent of his skin after a shower, his budding sense of humor.

Tears dampened her cheeks when the hundreds of other things she loved
about him floated across her mind’s eye. The blinding white light continued to fill her being to obliterate the darkness in its brave sweep. Delving deep where Andre had a stronghold, Hannah wrapped the last of her consciousness around him. She locked him into her mind, into the very place he wanted to be so badly.

She invited the white-hot pain and light into her body, urged it to
consume her. Andre’s rage seethed into her mind as he struggled to be free of her hold. His raw power and darkness spilled into the white landscape like an unwanted stain, but the light continued to pour in behind it to shine brighter than a thousand suns.

With a deep breath, Hannah gratefully gave into the pain. She let it ravage
her mind as it destroyed blood vessels, obliterated living cells, collapsed nerve endings.

One last sharp stab of pain shot through her mind, and
she sank into the waiting cloud of oblivion as Andre’s cries of rage and agony echoed around her.

The whisper of Edwin’s lips on her cheek was her final farewell.

Chapter Twenty-Two

No, no, no! This can’t be right!

Panic surged into Hannah’s chest and clogged her throat when she recognized the familiar white walls and marble flooring of Danu’s realm. “This can’t be right.”

The soles of her sandals slapped on the cool floor. Her tired brain took a
few seconds to process the information. She hadn’t been wearing that sort of footwear before. Bewildered, she glanced down at her feet. Thin leather sandals graced her feet, their laces wound around her calves, Roman-style. A loose white robe trimmed with silver embroidery covered her body, a thick silver cord around her waist, short sleeves fluttered over her shoulders. Obviously, the Fates had a sense of humor.

Worry swept in to blow away the panic. What would Danu do?
Her stomach churned as she walked down another long white corridor.

Images of Edwin flashed before her. Remorse blended with the worry. When she
’d left him, he’d been mortally wounded and bleeding from Andre’s final blow. What happened after that? She couldn’t recall anything beyond the flash of white light and the pain.

As she came to the end of the hallway, the minimalist courtyard
beckoned. White marble shone brilliant and austere in the sun, and the emerald green grass contrasted greatly within the all-encompassing starkness. Her sigh came from her toes as calm crept in to soothe her anxiety. She loved this place. If she was indeed dead, she would ask Danu to stay here as an apprentice goddess.

Strolling to the edge of the reflecting pool, Hannah dipped her hands into
the cool water. As it rippled, she splashed a few drops onto her face and marveled at the state of her hands. The wounds she received while battling Andre had vanished, replaced by smooth and unblemished skin once again as if it never happened.

She inhaled deeply of the perfumed air and sighed. Her body felt content
and at peace so why wasn’t her mind at the same level? When water’s surface quieted, she gazed at her reflection. A circlet of pearls held her short-layered red hair back, her green eyes blazed. She grudgingly admitted the Roman-style gown suited her figure to perfection.

If only she had those expensive strappy shoes…

“Greetings, Hannah Weybourne.” The melodious voice of the Earth Mother startled her. She glanced up. Danu stood on the marble steps. A smile hovered on her lips as she gazed at Hannah. “I didn’t expect to meet you so soon. I thought you were happy enough in the Mortal Realm.”

“Hello.”
She made her way slowly down the length of the pool, trailing her fingers through the water, and then drew to a stop at the foot of the steps. “I was happy there.” A subtle breeze lifted the hair at her forehead and fluttered the hem of her gown. She smiled at the goddess.

“You are pleased to find yourself in this place again?” Danu reached a
slim ivory hand into a squat glass jar on a white pedestal at her elbow then tossed a few grains of feed to the bizarre yellow duck-like animals that waddled past.

“Yes, pleased but a bit fearful as well.” The ducks resembled standard-issue waterfowl except they sported a blue crest on the top of their heads as well
as crazy pointed teeth within their bills.

“Fear is not an emotion that is normally associated with me.” Danu’s sun-streaked auburn hair sparkled in the sun as if a thousand tiny gold pieces twined
within the silky strands. Her vivid lavender eyes betrayed no emotion. “Tell me why you are afflicted with such thoughts.” Golden bracelets tinkled on her slim wrist as she waved a hand. Two white wingback chairs materialized on the raised platform behind her. “Please, sit with me a moment.”

Hannah followed the goddess to the chair she indicated and gratefully
sank into the sumptuously soft upholstery with a sigh. “When I was here before, you said you couldn’t send me back a second time. You also told me that you’d be forced to send me on to the next plane of existence.”

“Those are true statements. You are fearful of meeting your destiny?”

“I thought defeating Andre was my destiny.”

“It was merely one part of a greater whole. Does this bother you?”

“I’m not sure.” The caged bluebirds frolicked but failed to hold her attention. “Tell me what happened to Edwin.” She gnawed her thumbnail. “Can I see him in the pool?”

“I’m afraid not. The pool can only show images of mortals
living in one of the Eight Realms.” Her gaze bore into Hannah’s. “I must tell you the bounty hunter has died. Your attempt to spare him only bought him another fifteen minutes of life and much of that he wasn’t conscious for.” A cloud of sadness briefly marred the serene lines of her face. “I am sorry.”

“As much as I hate to find out the truth, please tell me he’s in a better
place and that’s he’s not the evil being he was fearful of becoming.” Grief poured over her in waves and she closed her eyes. Even though she knew it was true, she didn’t want to believe it.

“He was here not too long before you, actually. Edwin is not one to tarry
along in the courtyard as is your want.” She smiled but didn’t answer the last part of Hannah’s question. “Are you prepared to meet your future, the rest of your destiny? Of course, you are more than welcome to stay here.” She allowed an orange winged butterfly to alight on her finger before sending it on its way. “We have a thriving community on this Realm, and I would be glad to make you an acolyte.”

“I might like to stay here for a bit.” Without Edwin,
Hannah didn’t care much about where she lived. At least if she occupied the limbo space, peace and tranquility would surround her. The memories of Edwin would fade into the oblivion of time. “If I am to be alone, I would much rather be here.”

“I have something else that might modify your decision and prompt a
change of heart.” Danu rose to her feet and held out her hand to Hannah.

Confusion pushed its way through the grief. She stood then followed
Danu down the steps, past the pool. “Where are you taking me?”

Her soothing harp-like laughter hung in the air. “Didn’t Edwin always
caution you to practice patience?” She glided down a white pathway that glittered with specks of mica and threw a mischievous glance over her shoulder. “Humans are so anxious to do something else, go somewhere new. All of that frenetic energy must be tiring.”

Hearing Edwin’s name aloud brought a flood of sadness and despair to
Hannah’s body. She lifted her chin. She wouldn’t allow the “if onlys” of life to creep in. She was grateful for the opportunity to know him for that all too brief, blazing time.

The path ended. Hannah looked about in confusion. Two Roman columns
raised into the sky in front of her, the space between the pillars swirling with a murky pearlescent substance. She itched to thrust her hand inside to see what it would feel like. “What is this?”

“Beyond the portal is the next plane of existence you will be sent to if you
should choose to accept that option.”

Knots of fear and doubt clenched Hannah’s stomach. “I want to stay here.
I’m not strong enough to contemplate anything else.”

“I respect your choice.” Danu laid a gentle hand on
her arm. “I will accept your decision unquestionably, but I think you will be interested to see what you would miss.” She snapped her fingers. The murky space cleared to reveal lush rolling hills of Kelly green grass and a rambling manor house complete with clinging ivy vines and springy moss. “This is your next life destination.”

“Why would you show such a place to me? I
’m firm in my decision to be your acolyte.”

She inclined her head to the portal. “Look again, this time with an open
mind.”

“Fine, but I don’t understand.”
Movement at the bottom of the path caught her eye. “There’s someone in the Portal.” She frowned and narrowed her eyes, waiting until the figure pulled closer. A white hooded cloak obscured the man’s features, but there was something achingly familiar about the set to the shoulders, the gait of the walk. “It can’t be…” She refused to believe any of it was real. Moving toward the Portal, she focused her gaze on him. Clad in a soft white tunic trimmed with golden thread, the garment was unlaced at the throat to allow a glimpse of dark chest hair and a flash of dusky skin. “Is this some sort of cruel joke or character building test?” She tamped down on the excitement that threatened to overwhelm her lest she be disappointed. White leggings clung to the well-muscled legs, his feet encased in exquisitely tooled brown leather boots. “Danu?”

She glanced at the Earth Goddess only to find her gaze was riveted on the
hooded figure. A soft smile played about her lips, and admiration was evident in her eyes. “It took some clever maneuvering, but I’m pleased with the results.”

The man stopped at the
portal. With a flourish, he pulled off the cloak, allowing it to fall to his feet in a whisper of white velvet. “Why do you stare at me, Hannah Weybourne? Have I not taught you to be prepared for the unexpected?”

“This can’t be true.” Her stomach collapsed upon itself. “You must be a
ghost.” Her blood pounded loud in her ears as she stared. “Or an illusion.”

“Do you believe I would allow myself to become a ghost? I do have a
reputation in the Mortal Realm to upkeep.”

Joy bubbled in Hannah’s throat. She swallowed and blinked back the tears
clouding her eyes. “Edwin?” She stretched out a hand to touch him.

His lips tilted upward with an amused grin. “Hannah.”

“Edwin!” She threw herself into his waiting arms, laughing and crying simultaneously. Happiness danced down her spine as she settled into his embrace. His strength and warmth surrounded her. “Danu told me you died.” She pulled back to peer into his blue eyes. “She wouldn’t lie.”

Edwin met the Earth Mother’s gaze. A secret smile passed between the
two. “You came to the logical conclusion. My life in the Mortal Realm was terminated.” He released her, stepped forward, took Danu’s hand, and brought it to his lips. “Everything is prepared just as we have discussed.”

She nodded, and then turned to Hannah, her eyes alight with satisfaction
and joy. “Edwin is ready to embark on his new life.” She gestured to the lovely pastoral setting in the portal. “Are you absolutely certain you wish to remain here with me?”

“I don’t understand. I thought a new life meant I would be in a new place,
learning new things, accepting new challenges.” Hannah slid her gaze to Edwin. Her insides turned to liquid at the heat his icy blue orbs generated within her chest. “How is returning to the Mortal Realm a new life?”

Edwin’s lips twitched at her confusion. “This is not a complicated concept,
spatzi
.”

Danu’s tinkling laughter swirled around her to soothe
her bewilderment and anxiety. “It is not that difficult. As the Goddess of the Earth, I have the authority to manipulate the strings of Fate as I see fit.”

“Must be nice.” Hannah scuffed the sole of her sandal on the sparkling
path.

The goddess’s sigh sounded like a spring breeze. “Since I already gave
you a second chance, I had no choice but to move you forward. There are rules that even I as an Immortal cannot break.”

“I don’t see why not. You’re an Immortal, and haven’t gods and goddess
always meddled in the affairs of humans?” Annoyance crept into Hannah’s mind since Danu undressed Edwin with her eyes.

“Apparently death hasn’t curbed her sarcasm.” He beamed his smug, sexy
smile. Hannah stiffened. “Listen and learn, woman.” He laid a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm.

“I was allowed to meddle because your death was a direct action of an
unselfish act and you managed to keep the integrity of the Eight Realms. That feat of heroism could not be overlooked. I decided to give you a pass to the next plane, no questions asked. I would offer you the life of your choice. Edwin’s death, however, proved to be a bit of a tricky situation, also a result of an unselfish act to save you, the woman he loves.”

“And?” Hannah prompted, not satisfied with Danu’s explanation or her
adoration for the bounty hunter.

Her thick russet hair moved in the breeze. Sheep called to each other in
the field behind them. Hannah could even smell the sweetness of clover on the hills.

“Edwin is half-human, half-paranormal, which means he retains certain
privileges in the event of an untimely death.” She sighed at Hannah’s frown. “Death is complicated.”

“Obviously. So, what are these privileges?” Her fingers itched to smack
that smug smile off Edwin’s handsome face, but she was also intrigued to hear the rest of the story.

The Earth Goddess paced, her golden bracelets chiming softly together,
her gaze expectant. “Perhaps your vampire can clarify.”

“When a paranormal being dies unexpectedly and before their pre-determined life term is over, they are given the option to go back. Humans are
very rarely given that gift, but apparently Danu wanted to meddle in your Life Book again.” Edwin shrugged. A tiny thrill raced through Hannah’s body when the muscles in his chest played under the soft folds of his tunic. “Are you with me so far?”