Lord of the Night Read online

  “So you helped.”

  He nodded. “You let me carry you back into the house, but when I tried to put you down to leave, you wouldn’t let go of my neck. When the nightmares started, I seemed to be the only one who could ease your mind. So I would sit with you night after night, just so you could sleep.”

  She stared at him with a look of surprise on her face. “I remember a voice telling me everything would be all right. That I was safe. That was you?”

  He nodded, remembering those long nights so vividly. For months after the attack, he’d sat with her while she slept, keeping the nightmares away. Eventually, her young mind couldn’t deal with the trauma and wiped away the worst of the memories—and with them, Erik’s role in helping her. It was then that he’d disappeared from her life, hiding out in the basement until she was old enough to handle the truth.

  “Sometimes, when I feel the nightmare coming, I remember your voice and it makes me feel safe,” she said softly.

  The admission surprised him. He was searching for something to say when she surprised him again by reaching for his hand where it lay beside her on the bed. “You shouldn’t blame yourself for what happened that night, Erik. It wasn’t your fault.” Her features hardened slightly. “It was Gerard’s.”

  The accusation was so unexpected that he didn’t know how to react. “What makes you say that?”

  “Because he knew about vampires and never told my family. Maybe if they’d known, they could have defended themselves—or moved away. Then, at least, they’d still be alive.”

  Her voice shook with emotion and Erik felt so sorry for her that he hated to tell her the truth. But he couldn’t let her keep on believing Gerard was to blame. “Your folks knew.”

  Her eyes opened wide. “What? No, they didn’t. Gerard told me himself, when I was seventeen, that he’d kept the secret from them.”

  “Out of respect for your parents, he allowed you to blame him because he was afraid that if you learned the truth, you might blame them instead. Vince Renault was his closest friend and Gerard didn’t want his friend’s only daughter hating the memory of her father.”

  “What?”

  He saw the shock on her face. “The Renaults have worked for, and lived with, the Winslows for generations. Of course they knew about vampires. Not only was your father Gerard’s closest friend, he was mine. We often went hunting together.”

  “But if Gerard and my father were Night Slayers, then why . . . ?” Too much emotion forced her to leave the sentence unfinished.

  “Gerard and your father were vampire hunters, not Night Slayers. Only changelings can be Night Slayers because they are half-vampire themselves, with enhanced strength and ability. Vince and Gerard didn’t have a chance against that many vampires. I should never have left them alone.”

  “Did you know the vampires were going to attack?” She asked quietly.

  He was stunned by the question. “What?”

  “I asked if you knew that the vampires were going to attack us. Did you do something to cause them to attack?”

  “No, of course not.” He was trying hard not to be insulted by her questions.

  “Then how would you have prevented it? How do you prevent something from happening when you don’t even know it’s going to happen?”

  “Wow,” he muttered, feeling truly amazed. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

  “What?”

  “You’re actually trying to ease my guilt.” He was touched more than he wanted her to know. “Thank you,” he said in a quiet voice.

  “You sound surprised.”

  “It’s just that I know how much you hate us.”

  “Us?”

  “Vampires.” He waited with bated breath for her to deny it.

  “I do hate vampires,” she said solemnly. Then in a voice almost too quiet to hear without a vampire’s exceptional hearing, she added, “but I don’t hate you.”

  The admission shot through him and he worked hard not to react.

  She struggled to sit up and he moved over to give her room. When he looked up, he found her studying his face, her expression troubled. “I’m sorry,” she said finally. “I’m sorry that I killed Sedrick. I didn’t know he was your friend.”

  Erik felt himself stiffen. “I don’t want to talk about this, okay? You should try to get some sleep,” he suggested, rising from the bed and starting for the door.

  He stopped when he reached it and looked back at her. She lay stiffly in the bed, watching him. He didn’t think she even knew how tightly she clutched the bedcovers. She was exhausted and despite being one hell of a vampire hunter, she couldn’t fight her own inner demons.

  It tore at his heart to see her like that, and before he’d even thought through what he was doing, he’d turned around and went back to her bed. “Do you trust me?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she replied without hesitation. His heart leaped for a second time that night.

  “Then move over,” he said to her.

  He saw her look of surprise, but noticed that she was already obeying even as she questioned him. “Why?”

  “I’m going to sit with you until you fall asleep.” There was no chair and while he could have gone into the other room to find one, he didn’t want to. Sitting down, he turned so he could lean against the headboard and stretched his legs out in front of him on the bed.

  “What about you? Aren’t you tired? I mean, the sun is up. I would think you’d be exhausted.”

  “I’ll be fine,” he said simply. “You go to sleep now.”

  “All right, but as soon as I’m asleep, you should go back to your room. You need your sleep, too.” She shifted her body, getting comfortable. He saw her eyes close. A couple of minutes passed but he still felt the tension radiating from her.

  “Relax, Kacie.” He reached out and gently started combing his fingers through her hair. After a minute, her breathing slowed.

  “Erik?” she asked in a drowsy voice.

  “Yes?”

  “Why didn’t you turn me over to Michael?”

  Erik’s heart tightened. “Because when I found your father that night of the attack, he was still alive. With his dying breath, he asked me to protect you and I promised him I always would.”

  “Oh.” He could tell his answer wasn’t one she’d expected.

  “Now, go to sleep, little one. I’ll watch over you,” he intoned softly.

  As he listened to the rhythm of her breathing even out, he indulged himself in the fantasy that he wasn’t a vampire, she hadn’t killed his best friend, and any time they wanted, they could finish what they’d started earlier than night. Tomorrow, that fantasy would have to end because he was sending her back to York.

  Kacie woke up alone, feeling sore but surprisingly rested. She didn’t know what time Erik had left and the thought of seeing him again—after almost running him through with her sword, then almost having sex with him, and then freaking out on him—had her dreading even stepping out of the room.

  Still, she was in desperate need of a shower and a change of clothes. The ones she’d worn yesterday were covered in blood.

  Deciding to risk at least a shower, she eased open her door and looked down the hall. Erik’s bedroom door was still closed, so thinking it safe, she hurried to the bathroom. She was reaching for the doorknob when the door suddenly opened. Erik stood there, stark naked except for the towel wrapped around his waist, his skin glistening with moisture and his wet hair combed back from his face.

  Immediately, her gaze flew from his broad chest to his defined abs and then lower still. At the sight of the bulge in his towel, her mind leaped right back to the night before. The slight humming of her nerves burst into a hallelujah chorus and heat flooded her face. She still wanted him.

  “I didn’t realize you were up,” he said, sounding so calm and undisturbed that she actually felt disappointed.

  “Yes, I . . . I just woke up a little while ago.” She was too self-conscious to hold his gaze
and had to look away. “I was going to take a shower, but I can wait.”

  “No need. I’m done.” He moved to one side to let her by as he stepped out, bringing them into exceptionally close contact as they passed each other.

  Feeling horribly self-conscious in nothing but his shirt, Kacie did whatever she could to avoid touching him and didn’t breathe easy until the door was closed behind her.

  “Brilliant,” she muttered to herself. “Now he thinks you’re a loon on top of everything else.”

  She went over to the tub, pushed aside the shower curtain, and reached in to turn on the water. There was a decidedly cool feel to the tub, and the bathroom, in general, lacked the moisture in the air or condensation on the mirror that would have been there if he’d taken a hot shower. She shook her head, wondering why anyone would want to take a cold shower. One possible reason came to mind, but she quickly discounted it because the idea of Erik being attracted to her was a complication she didn’t need. She had enough problems already.

  Turning on the water, she let it run until it was warm and then pulled up the lever that diverted the water to the shower. While the running water warmed the bottom of the tub, she stood up and pulled off her shirt. She was about to step into the shower when she noticed her reflection in the mirror. She studied it, trying to see it with an impartial eye. Would Erik find her attractive, she wondered?

  Her breasts were full, but not huge. Her waist wasn’t as narrow as current fashion said it should be and neither were her hips. Her stomach, which had never been flat, had a slight swell to it. Her legs, however, were long and toned, but probably wouldn’t stay that way if she didn’t get back to running every day.

  She turned around to see her back and smoothed her hands down either side of her butt. She supposed that it had a decent enough shape. Turning back around, she sighed. Erik had probably seen hundreds or thousands of naked women before. She was nothing special.

  Besides, what Erik thought of her didn’t matter. She had a life to return to that did not include vampires or Erik, though the prospect of returning to Ben and a life of accounting wasn’t nearly as appealing as it had once been. Vampire slaying made her feel alive, and Erik . . . she didn’t want to even think about how Erik was making her feel.

  No. The sooner she returned to her “normal” life, the better for everyone.

  Listening to the sound of the shower, Erik had a hard time thinking of anything other than Kacie standing nude beneath a spray of water, one room away. Unbidden, the thought of her fiancé rose up and he almost growled. Just thinking about Kacie lying in bed with another man as she had with him hours ago had him clenching his fists. It wasn’t any of his business, he told himself, leaving the study to head back into the living room. When he heard the bathroom door open, he turned in time to see Kacie step out.

  She was a vision with her damp hair hanging about her head, and he had to force himself to look away. “I don’t have much in the way of food to offer,” he said. “But I do have a little. Can I get you something?”

  She gave a casual gesture. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

  He smiled at that. “I don’t think you want what I had—how about toast instead?”

  She blushed and smiled. “Yes, thanks.”

  He wanted to stand there, devouring her with his eyes, but instead he walked into the kitchen.

  “Do you do a lot of cooking?” she asked, following him.

  “More than you’d think,” he said, popping two pieces of bread into the toaster. “Not for myself, but for Gerard. While you and Jess were away at school, he got lonely and started coming down here. One thing led to another and we fell into the habit of dining together.”

  At that moment, the phone rang. Erik exchanged a quick questioning look with Kacie as he crossed the room to answer it. “Hello?”

  “Erik—it’s Gerard,” the familiar voice said on the other end.

  Erik took a deep breath and tried to sound as normal as he could. “Gerard—how’s the armory convention?”

  “It’s great. You wouldn’t believe the reaction I’ve been getting to my swords. I’ve received several lucrative offers for commissioned work.”

  “Really? That’s great. It’s good to know your work is being appreciated.”

  Feeling Kacie’s gaze on him, he looked up and saw her point to herself and then shake her head. She didn’t want Gerard to know she was there and he had to agree with her decision. If Gerard knew, he would come rushing home and, in doing so, put himself in danger.

  “Things are quiet here,” he lied.

  “Are you sure?” Gerard asked. “Because I’d like to stay a bit longer. Several galleries have asked me to display my swords in their showrooms and I want to work out the details. And I’ve been asked to stop at another gallery in London to discuss a showing, which will take another day or so.”

  “That’s great,” Erik said. “Stay as long as you need to.”

  “All right, then. I’ll ring you in a couple of days.”

  They said their good-byes just as the toaster popped. Setting down the phone, Erik went to get the toast. “Butter?”

  “Yes, please.” She nodded to the phone. “How is he?”

  “He’s good. His sword designs are receiving high praise from the sound of it.”

  “That’s good.” She watched as he set the buttered toast in front of her. He wanted to talk to her about Gerard, but wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. Then a ripple in the psychic link chased all thoughts of Gerard from his mind.

  “Do me a favor,” he said to her. “Get your sword and go into the bedroom. Lock the door. There’s someone outside.”

  Kacie took one look at his face and didn’t argue. “I don’t suppose you have a pair of sweats I could borrow? If worse comes to worst, I’d just as soon not fight wearing only a T-shirt.”

  “My bedroom, bottom drawer of the chest. Take your toast with you,” he told her. “My sword’s already in there.”

  She nodded, picked up her toast and went to his room. When Erik was sure she was safe, he pulled a knife from the kitchen drawer and went to open the door.

  Ty stood on the other side, completely alone.

  “I’m just here to talk,” he said, not moving a muscle.

  Erik studied the young man briefly, considering the wisdom of letting him into his apartment. Then he nodded and stepped aside. “How are you?” he asked, concerned about his friend despite their problems.

  “Worried—about you and Michael. He’s mad, Erik,” Ty said. “He’s mad and hurt and can’t believe that his best friend would defend the murderer of our brother and your friend.”

  Erik heaved a frustrated sigh. “I understand, but I won’t turn Kacie over to him.”

  “I don’t understand,” Ty said, sounding frustrated as well. “What’s so special about this one?”

  “Does it matter what my reasons are?”

  “No, I guess not,” Ty admitted.

  “I don’t suppose you can tell me what Michael plans to do?”

  “It’s not good, Erik.”

  “Knowing Michael, I wouldn’t expect it to be. I . . .” He paused, thinking he’d heard a noise. “I’ll be right back,” he said to Ty before walking back to his bedroom door. “I thought I told you to keep this closed and locked,” he growled, pulling the door closed. “Now, lock it.”

  He waited until he heard the sound of the lock bolt sliding into place before walking back to the living room. He knew Kacie wasn’t happy, but frankly, he’d rather have her pissed off and alive than dead because he’d misjudged his friend’s intentions for being there.

  “Okay, go ahead,” he said to Ty, who was staring at him with a shocked expression on his face.

  “She’s here? In your bedroom? Are you sleeping with her?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business, Ty.” Erik gave him a look that he hoped would dissuade Ty from asking any more personal questions, but he should have known better.
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br />   “I thought you were protecting her because she’s a Winslow. I didn’t realize you were sleeping with her.”

  “Leave it alone, Ty, and tell me what Michael’s up to.”

  Ty looked like he wanted to ask more questions, but another look at Erik’s face must have changed his mind. “Okay. Michael’s planning to launch an all-out attack.”

  “When?”

  Ty shook his head. “I don’t know. Soon, though.”

  Erik thought for a few minutes. With Kacie fighting by his side, maybe they could defeat the primes in Michael’s colony. As if reading his thoughts, Ty shook his head. “It’s worse than you think.”

  “What do you mean?” Erik asked.

  “Michael has at least fifty primes.”

  “What?” Erik couldn’t hide his shock. “How is that possible?”

  “It’s been a gradual thing over the years, but we’ve gotten several from other lairs and then we still get one or two each year as a result of The Dare.”

  “The Dare? My God, they’re not still doing that, are they?” About two hundred years after he died, the tale behind his death rose to cult status. Soon, spending a night in the Winslow mausoleum became a popular test of courage. Unfortunately, the chupacabras in their area weren’t extinct—as Erik had led Jess and Kacie to believe years ago—and they tended to roam the cemetery at night. Some of the young men who took The Dare never made it home again.

  Erik digested the news. “Anything else?”

  “I can’t say for sure, but I think he’s been allowing the primes to feed on humans, so not only are they stronger, but he’s also got a small army of progeny at his command as well.”

  “All right.” That was definitely not good news. “Is that it?”

  “Bloody hell, Erik, isn’t that bad enough?” Ty glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to go. Michael will wonder where I’ve gone and I can only block him from the psychic link for so long before he gets suspicious.”