Текст книги " Dark Gold"

Автор книги: Christine Feehan

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He held her in his arms for a long time before gently cleaning her and laying her to rest more comfortably on the bed. Putting the chamber in order took longer, but he did it himself, not wanting Marie or her tacit criticism to intrude on this intimate time with Alexandria. He used candles and herbs to fill the room with healing aromas.

He was becoming familiar with Alexandria’s mind, with her strengths and weaknesses. It was inevitable that soon he would unlock the barrier she was able to erect against him. His thumb caressed her forehead as she lay asleep and vulnerable in the huge four-poster bed. It was amazing to be in her mind. She was an incredible human. She had struggled against nearly impossible odds, losing her parents so young, single-handedly raising her little brother, loving him with the same fierce, protective instincts of a mother. She worked hard to provide Joshua with a decent life. She was also funny and mischievous and irreverent, filled with a love of jokes and pranks. She was warm-hearted and generous.

She was a bright light to cast out the growing darkness within him. Alexandria was compassion and goodness, everything he was not.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, thankful the herbs were working their magic. The odor of vomit and blood, the taint of evil, was gone from the chamber, leaving only the pungent aroma of the healing plants. He checked each of Alexandria’s wounds and sores, in time-honored fashion mixing some of the precious soil of his homeland with his saliva to speed the mending of each laceration. The ragged tears at her neck were the worst. The vampire had made the wounds, and they festered with his poison. Aidan packed them carefully, chanting in the ancient tongue, once more sending himself into Alexandria’s body to heal it from the inside out. The conversion was almost complete, he noted with relief.

He stretched out beside her on the bed, aware that he still had a long, uphill battle ahead of him with his new lifemate. She was going to be very resistant to his advances. She would fight the truth of her conversion, hate it when she realized what it meant. And she would blame him. Rightfully so. With the vampire’s gruesome torture and his own clumsy handling of her at their first meeting, she had nothing to thank his species for. Still, she had no choice; she was bound to him, her mind to his, her soul his other half. Joining them together completely was now a matter of patience. Aidan sent up a silent prayer that he would have whatever it took to give Alexandria the time she needed. She deserved it, and as her true lifemate, he could do no other, than to provide her with whatever she needed. Only he knew how dangerous every moment of that time would be to both of them, how vulnerable she was without him, and how he would no longer endure if anything happened to her. In addition, she was in danger from her own predatory nature, which would clamor to claim her even without her consent.

Aidan sighed, then scanned his home and the surrounding area. He checked windows and entrances. Placed strong spells at the door of the underground chamber and even more deadly, potent spells to guard the chamber itself. He was taking no chances with his mate now that he had found her. Aidan pulled her into his arms, waited until he was certain the change had completely taken place, then sent her into the deep, healing sleep of his race. His body wrapped protectively around hers, he closed down his heart and lungs and lay as one dead.

As the sun began to set, a disturbance found its way into the chamber. Then a single heartbeat interrupted the silence, and lungs drew in air. Aidan lay still, scanning the house for the cause of his early awakening. Above him, on the first floor, someone was rudely pounding on the door to his home. He could hear Marie’s soft footfalls as she moved to answer. Her heartbeat was audible to him. She was nervous about the caller. The pounding at the front entrance was loud and authoritative. A smile curved his mouth. Behind his housekeeper, he heard Stefan, ever ready to defend his wife, to defend Aidan’s home.

Aidan rose, his body supple and strong. His gaze slid to Alexandria. Shock went through him. She was beautiful! There were a few bruises marring her soft skin, but it was otherwise healthy, flawless skin. Her lips were soft and lush, her lashes long and heavy. Younger even than he had imagined, she was unlike any woman he had ever seen. And she belonged to him, and nothing on Earth would change that. His body stirred unexpectedly with a sudden, urgent ache that shocked him. She lay there helpless, a virtual stranger, yet he had been in her mind and knew her more intimately than one could ever know another after years of living together. He bent to brush her forehead with his lips, a salute to her courage, her capacity for loving, and the goodness in her. But proximity to her only deepened the throbbing ache in his body.

Quickly he put distance between himself and temptation. It had been six hundred years since he had felt a biological urge, yet this surpassed anything he had once known. This was no mild desire to appease the needs of his body. This was a raging hunger for one woman, the only woman. He needed her now in every sense of the word, and it didn’t help his self-control that she was young and beautiful, rather than the hag he had initially thought her.

The caller on the floor above them was yelling at Marie. Aidan could hear the man clearly. It was someone obviously used to having his way. Wealthy, clearly difficult. He was demanding to see Alexandria Houton. He went so far as to threaten Marie with deportation if she did not produce Alexandria immediately, obviously thinking her accent made her vulnerable to such a threat.

Fangs exploded in Aidan’s mouth, and his golden eyes glowed hot and vicious, the beast in him stronger than ever. Was it because he was jealous of any male coming near his lifemate? Because he was feeling anger—another powerful new emotion—that someone was yelling at his housekeeper? Or perhaps a combination of both? He did not know; but he recognized he was dangerous and would have to exercise great self-control. A long, slow hiss escaped his lips as he floated up the stairs and entered the kitchen through the secret passage. He moved with supernatural speed, invisible to the human eye. All Carpathians were capable of such things, and it was second nature to him.

In the entryway of his home, a tall, handsome man raged at his housekeeper. “You produce Alexandria immediately or I’ll call the police. I think foul play has been committed, and you’re in some way a party to it!” He was looking at Marie with contempt, as if she were an insect he could easily crush beneath his foot.

Abruptly the stranger fell silent, a cold shiver unexpectedly running down his spine. He had the distinct impression something was stalking him. Wildly, he looked around the immaculate yard. Empty. Still, the impression of danger was so strong, his heart began to pound, and his mouth went dry. Thomas Ivan’s heart slammed against his chest when a man appeared virtually out of nowhere. He simply seemed to materialize behind the stubborn housekeeper. The man was tall, elegant, well-dressed. Long blond hair flowed to his broad shoulders, and unusual golden eyes regarded him with the unblinking stare of a cat. He exuded power. Power and strength. Danger clung to him like a second skin.

Thomas registered that the house reeked of money, and that this occupant was no one he could easily intimidate. The man seemed to glide forward, his muscles rippling beneath his silk shirt, his movement so fluid his feet barely seemed to touch the floor. He certainly made no sound as he moved. The hand putting Marie to one side was extraordinarily gentle, yet it conveyed a sense of menace to Thomas.

“Marie is here legally, and it is extremely rude of you to threaten members of my household. Perhaps those who work for you are simply servants, but my people are my family and under my protection.” The words were spoken in a soft, pleasant voice the texture of velvet. A polite smile accompanied the words, a brief show of white teeth.

For no reason at all, Thomas felt a shiver of fear run down his spine. The hair on his body actually bristled in alarm. His mouth was so dry, he wasn’t certain he could talk. He took a breath and decided to backpedal. A housekeeper he could handle; this man was altogether different. He held up a hand in the age-old symbol of peace. “Look, I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I apologize for coming on so strong. It was definitely the wrong way to handle the situation, but my friend is missing, and I’m very worried. I’m Thomas Ivan.”

Aidan recognized the name immediately. The rising star of the computer-games industry, the imagination behind some astonishingly popular recent vampire video games, had come to call. Aidan raised an eyebrow, his face expressionless. “Am I supposed to know you?”

Ivan was disconcerted. This interview had suddenly shifted ground, and he was no longer in control. Even his famous name didn’t buy him the usual awe or entree. For some reason this man, as soft-spoken and polite as he was, scared the hell out of Ivan. He was frankly scarier than the vampires of his imagination. There was menace lurking just below his surface, as if the veneer of civilization was very thin, and a wild animal, powerful and predatory, prowled impatiently for release.

Thomas tried again. “I was dining with my friend, Alexandria Houton, two nights ago. She became ill and raced from the restaurant, leaving behind her portfolio, never to return. Her sketches are very important to her; she would never just leave them behind if she were all right. Three other women disappeared that night, along with a homeless man. There was a terrible storm that night, and the police believe the missing people somehow went over the cliff. Alexandria’s car was found the next morning in the parking lot but soon thereafter removed by your caretaker.” Ivan had given the parking attendant a good sum of money for that information.

“Alexandria is a close personal friend, Mr. Ivan,” Aidan told him. “Her younger brother was waiting outside the restaurant for her when she became ill. He called me, and I brought them both here. Miss Houton is still quite ill and cannot receive visitors. I am certain she will be pleased to hear you have returned her briefcase. I will tell her you called.” Aidan nodded in dismissal, those molten gold eyes never once blinking.

The smooth, pleasant voice made it clear that Thomas Ivan meant nothing to him. The odd part was, Ivan wanted to do as the man bade him. He actually extended the briefcase toward the man before he realized what he was doing. He quickly lowered his arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.” He said it almost belligerently. He was not going to be pushed around. And he was not going to turn the briefcase over to a perfect stranger. How did he know this was the truth?

The perfect white smile appeared a second time. The smile sent chills crawling over Ivan’s skin. It was a predator’s smile, as if the beast lurking below the surface had just been unleashed. It held no warmth, and those golden eyes glittered dangerously at him.

“I am Aidan Savage, Mr. Ivan. This is my home. I believe we both attended a party for Senator Johnson a year ago, but we were never introduced. I seem to recall now that you make up games of some kind.”

Thomas winced visibly. The voice was musical, its notes so pure he couldn’t help but want to hear it again and again. It seemed to work its way inside him and twist and turn until it was difficult to resist anything this man said. Yet somehow, despite the purity of Aidan Savage’s voice, the words stung. Ivan was a huge success with his famous games; they were the hottest thing on the market. Worse, he had heard of the illusive, highly regarded, much sought-after Aidan Savage, and if a man with such a reputation and wealth were to reject Thomas outright, the social circles he ran in, both professional and personal, might also eject him. This was turning into a nightmare. Only his need for Alexandria Houton—also personal and professional—kept him rooted to the spot.

“I really must present this to Alexandria myself. Her work is very important to both of us. She was eager for a job with me, and I certainly am eager to give it to her.” Ivan attempted to put himself back on firm footing. “When would be a good time to call again?”

“Perhaps in a day or two. Marie will supply you with my number. Alexandria and her brother Joshua are residing here now, but we have not yet had time to install Alexandria’s private phone. Her sudden illness, you see, advanced the move before we were quite ready with her apartments. You will, of course, turn over Alexandria’s personal property to me immediately. She is under my protection, Mr. Ivan, and I always take care of my own.”

The golden eyes caught Ivan’s gaze and held him captive. Thomas found himself meekly handing over the briefcase. Then the eyes released him from their mesmerizing stare. At once Ivan was appalled at what he had done. What had gotten into him? He had never intended to give up the portfolio, not to anyone but Alexandria. His gaze found Savage’s hand, the thumb caressing the imitation leather as if it were Alexandria’s skin. At once he felt jealous. Just what was Aidan Savage to Alexandria? A man like Savage would eat an innocent like Alexandria alive. Thomas completely forgot, in his surge of chivalry, that that had been his own intention until he had discovered her exceptional artistic talent.

“Thank you for coming by, Mr. Ivan. I regret I cannot ask you to stay longer, but I have several appointments. I will see to it that Alexandria phones you in a couple of days, or that you are otherwise informed of her progress. Good evening, sir.”

Ivan soon found himself outside the closed door, unable to place Savage’s European accent or to stomach the housekeeper’s rather smug smile as she reopened the door briefly to hand him Savage’s unlisted phone number. He had made no friends in this house, a big mistake. If Alexandria needed his assistance, and he was more certain than ever that she did, he had no allies in this fortress Savage called home.

Aidan turned to Marie and touched her hair lightly, a brief, affectionate gesture. “Did that imbecile upset you?”

She laughed lightly. “Not nearly as much as he upset you. You didn’t know you had a rival for the lady’s affections. A famous millionaire, no less.”

“He makes up drivel.”

“Still, from what I gleaned from his conversation, Alexandria wants to work with him.” She was openly teasing him. “And his vampire games have made the news. I’ve seen him on the covers of magazines. He’s quite taken with Alexandria, isn’t he?”

“He does not have a chance. And he is much too old for her.”

Marie and Stefan both laughed. They were fully aware that Aidan had lived for centuries. Aidan suddenly grinned himself, surprising them both. They had never seen a genuine smile light his golden eyes.

“How is the child, this night?” he asked them.

Marie and Stefan sobered. “He is very quiet, that one,” Stefan answered. A few inches taller than Marie, wide and muscular, he was a force to be reckoned with. “I think he needs to see his sister before he can be a little boy once again. He has lost too much in his short life.”

“He is a sweet child, Aidan. He already has Stefan wrapped around his little finger,” Marie pointed out.

“Ha!” Stefan protested emphatically. “It is you who weeps for him and fills him full of food at every turn.”

“I will speak to him,” Aidan reassured the couple, “and tell him that his sister will see him later this evening after she rises from the underground chamber.”

“After she wakes up,” Marie corrected with a frown. She wanted no allusions made to the otherworldly life in front of the innocent boy. “Do you think it wise to promise such a thing? What if she...” She hesitated.

Stefan filled in. “Has problems accepting what she has become? Or worse, what if she is not the true one you seek and is now completely deranged?”

“She is the true one. Can you not see her presence, her light, in me already? She has given me life, light, emotion. I see colors once more, and they are radiant. I feel things, everything from anger to a melting warmth. She has returned the world to me. She will wake as one of my people, and yes, I expect considerable resistance from her, but not in front of the child. She loves him very much, and she will try to appear as normal as possible for him. He has been her prime motivation for years, and he will continue to be so. It will be as important for her to see him as for the child to see her. I suspect that if Joshua can accept me into his life, that will be half the battle.”

“Aidan!” Joshua ran into the room and flung his arms around Aidan’s legs. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Marie told me where your bedroom is on the third floor, but you weren’t there.”

“I told you to stay out of Mr. Savage’s rooms,” Marie said with her best scolding tone, but there was no way to conceal the warmth in her expression.

Joshua looked a bit ashamed but answered her with spirit. “I’m sorry, Marie, but I have to find Alexandria. You know where she is, don’t you, Aidan?” he asked.

The Carpathian male rested his hands gently on the boy’s silky curls. His heart twisted, a funny, melting sensation. There was so much trust and faith in those blue eyes looking up at him. “Yes, Josh. She is still asleep. I want you to give her another hour or so to rest, and then I’ll bring her to you. How is that?”

“Is she all better? I’ve been afraid she wouldn’t come back—you know, like Henry and my mom and dad.” The young voice trembled with fear.

“Alexandria is not going to leave you, Josh,” Aidan assured him quietly. “She will always be here, and we will look after her together so that nothing will ever take her from either of us. You know I will always protect her, and I am not easily defeated. No one will take her from the two of us. Is that a deal?”

Joshua grinned up at him trustingly. “We’re best friends, aren’t we, Aidan? You, me, and Alexandria.”

“We are more than best friends, Joshua,” Aidan replied soberly. “All of us who live in this house are a family.”

“Marie says you want me to go to a new school.”

Aidan nodded. “I think it would be best. The one you were attending is far from here, and the school we have in mind for you is very good. You will have friends and good teachers there.”

“What does Alexandria say? She usually takes me to school. She thinks it’s dangerous for me to go by myself.”

“Not this school. In any case, Stefan and Marie will go with you if you like. They will escort you there every day until you feel comfortable with the arrangement.”

“I want you to go with me if Alex can’t take me.” Joshua managed a decent pout.

Aidan laughed softly. “You little devil. I can see you are used to getting your way. Alexandria is a soft touch where you are concerned, is she not?”

Joshua shrugged, then laughed, too. “Yeah, she lets me have just about anything I want, and she never gets mad when I don’t do what I’m supposed to do. Sometimes she tries to yell at me, but she always ends up hugging me instead.”

“I think you need the firm hand of a man in your life, young Joshua,” Aidan said, reaching down to lift the boy up to his broad shoulders. “A great big strong man who will not take all your nonsense.”

Joshua’s arms circled Aidan’s neck. “You don’t ever yell either.”

“No, but I mean what I say when I say it, right?”

“Yeah,” Josh admitted. “But I still think you should take me to school when I have to go.”

“I have to stay here to make certain your sister does everything she is supposed to do to get well. Her illness was very dangerous, and we have to be very careful for a few days. She can be quite stubborn, as you know.” Aidan said the last with a conspiratorial wink.

Joshua nodded with a small smile. “I know if you’re with her, nothing bad can happen to her. I’ll go to school with Marie and Stefan. Of course, if you took me, all the other kids would think I have a big daddy, and they wouldn’t try to pick on me.” He shrugged. “But Stefan’s big. Maybe he’ll work.”

“I am certain Stefan will scare off any bullies. But this is a nice school, Joshua, with nice children. No one carries weapons, and no one is going to try to hurt you there. If something like that were to happen, you would come to me right away and tell me.” The golden eyes stared directly into the blue ones.

Joshua nodded. “I would tell you, Aidan.” He blinked and squirmed until Aidan put him down. “Marie said dinner was ready. She’s a good cook, better than Alex, but don’t tell Alex, ‘cuz it’ll hurt her feelings. Are you going to eat with us tonight?”

Aidan found himself grinning for no reason at all. He suddenly felt as if he had a family for the first time. People had cared for him for centuries, been loyal to him, and that had helped keep him a part of the world of sanity. Now, though, he had more than mere loyalty, fine as that was. He had emotions choking him, tearing at him, warming him. He loved it, even as he found it somewhat overwhelming. “We will never tell Alexandria that one,” he agreed solemnly.

Marie took Joshua’s hand. “He just compliments me so he can stay in my good graces. He likes to lick the frosting bowl.”

Joshua was shaking his head so hard, his blond curls bounced. His voice was solemn, his eyes earnest. “No, Marie, it’s really true. Alexandria is a terrible cook. She burns everything.”

Chapter Five

She heard noises first. A drum beating. Wood creaking. Water running. Whispers of conversations, rumbling car engines, and the distant laughter of a child. Alexandria lay perfectly still, not daring to open her eyes. She knew she wasn’t alone. She knew it was night. She knew the drum beating was her own heart—and that of another in a synchronized rhythm. She knew the conversation she could hear so clearly was taking place at a distance from her, on the first floor, in the kitchen. She knew the child laughing was Joshua.

She didn’t know how she knew these things, and it terrified her. She could smell cookies and spice. She could smell... him. Aidan Savage. He was there watching her with his beautiful eyes. Liquid gold. Penetrating. All-seeing. She let herself breathe. Hiding like a frightened child beneath the covers was not going to change anything. She was whatever he had made her. And he had somehow made her... not human. But, the voracious hunger now crawling through her body in a way she had never known was a fact she had to deal with.

Her long lashes lifted, and the first thing she saw was his face. It was amazing how beautiful he was, in a purely masculine way. She studied him carefully, thoroughly. He was strong and powerful. It was there, all of it, the violent nature hidden just beneath all that civilized charm. His eyes were like a cat’s, golden orbs, unblinking and steady, lashes long. He had a strong chin, an elegant nose. His lips were very defined, inviting, his teeth exceptionally white. His hair was a tawny mane of shimmering gold flowing to his broad shoulders. His muscles were ropey and rippled when he moved. But now he remained utterly still, like a part of the room, almost blending in, watching her intently. He was a magnificent predator. She knew he was, knew there was no other quite like him.

She touched her tongue to her lips to moisten them. “So, what do we do now?”

“I need to teach you our ways.”

His voice was quiet and matter-of-fact. Did that mean people turned into vampires every day? Alexandria sat up tentatively. Her body was sore and stiff but not agonized as it had been before. She stretched her muscles gingerly, testing them. “I don’t have any desire to learn your ways.” She glanced up at him, a flash of blue eyes quickly concealed by long lashes. “You tricked me. You knew I thought I would become... human again.”

He shook his head, the force of his will so strong, she had to look up at him. At once the molten gold captured her gaze. “No, Alexandria, you know that is not true. You wanted to believe it, so you convinced yourself. I chose not to confront you with the truth, but I never at any time misled you.”

A small, humorless smile touched her mouth. “Is that what you think? How noble of you to absolve yourself of any responsibility.”

He stirred, a slight ripple of muscles, and her heart leapt in alarm. He subsided, motionless once more, as if reading her fear. “I did not say I do not hold any responsibility in this matter. But I cannot change what is. Nor could I change what occurred last evening. Believe me, Alexandria, I would give anything that you not have had to endure what the vampire put you through. Had I been able to do more to spare you such agony, I would have done so.”

His voice, so soft and gentle, rang with honesty. He seemed incapable of lying. But didn’t vampires have that ability, that power to mesmerize their victims? Alexandria didn’t know what was reality anymore, but she was not going to allow anyone to take over her life without a fight. She had a brain, she was strong, and she was determined. She had long ago learned patience. Fortitude. Survival skills. Right at this moment she didn’t have enough information to make any decisions.

“Am I like you now?”

His mouth quirked in the smallest of smiles; then his face was once again a cool, blank mask, his golden eyes soulless, reflecting back her own image. “Not exactly. I was born Carpathian. My people are as old as time itself. I am one of the ancients, a healer of our people, and a hunter of the vampire. I have knowledge and power from centuries of study.”

She held up a hand. “I’m not sure I’m ready for all this. Mostly I want to know if I’m still me.”

“Who did you think you would become? There is no longer any lingering taint of the vampire’s blood in your system, if that is what concerns you.”

She took a deep breath. Drew on her knowledge of vampire lore. Hunger was a clawing ache. “What concerns me is... whether or not I can walk in the sunshine. Whether or not I can eat like a regular person, go to a fast-food place with Joshua and eat whatever I want.”

He answered calmly. “Sunlight will burn your skin. Your eyes will have the worst reaction, swelling and tearing. In daylight you must wear dark glasses, made with special lenses for our people.”

She let her breath out slowly. “That answers one question. I’m trying hard not to get hysterical here. Just say it out straight.”

“You must have blood to survive.”

“You could have broken it to me more gently, in stages or something,” she replied wryly, her customary irreverence clearly intact even though her mind was spinning, in total chaos. It was hard to think, to breathe. This couldn’t really be happening. It just couldn’t. “I hope you don’t expect me to sleep in a coffin.” She tried to make it a joke, to help her mind accept the possibility of such a thing. More than anything, she wanted to scream.

His eyes were absorbing her, drawing her to him. She could almost feel him reaching for her, an illusion so real that she felt the warmth of his arms, his soothing touch in her mind. “I do not think that will be necessary.”

Her tongue found her suddenly dry lips. “I can’t breathe.”

He physically touched her then, his hand curling around the nape of her neck, forcing her head down. “Yes, you can,” he said calmly. “This panic will pass.”

She dragged great gulps of air into her burning lungs, fighting the sobs tearing at her throat. She could not cry aloud. She couldn’t do anything but try to inhale. His fingers began a slow massage, so gentle, so light, but her body responded, an easing of the terrible tension at the calm command of his hand.

“Why didn’t you just kill me?” The words were muffled by the quilt, by her aching throat.

“I have no intention of killing you. You are innocent of any wrongdoing. I am not a cold-blooded killer, Alexandria.”

She looked up at him then, her large eyes meeting his. “Please don’t lie to me. This is hard enough as it is.”

“I ama hunter, piccola. But I do not kill the innocent. I am a sentinel of justice for our people, appointed by our Prince, the leader of our people, to guard this city.”

“I am not your kind. I’m really not.” She knew she sounded desperate despite her every intention to remain calm. “There’s been some kind of mistake. You have to undo it.” Her voice was trembling, her body shaking. “If you would just listen to me, you would understand. I’m really not like you.”

His hand closed over hers, eased her clenched fingers, his thumb lightly stroking the frantically beating pulse in her wrist. “Stay calm, Alexandria, you are doing fine. You will heal fast. I know you did not get a look at yourself last night, but you are already remarkably healed. And you will find much to love in your new life. You will be able to see in the darkness as if it was high noon. You will be able to hear things never before heard, see things never seen. It is a beautiful world.”

“You don’t understand. I already have a life. And I have to take care of Joshua. Joshua can’t be without me during the day. He’s just a little boy. He needs me to take him to school. I have to work, too.”

Aidan said he was no killer, but Alexandria was not blind. He was beautiful but deadly beneath a thin veneer of civilization. She could not, would not, become like him. She had to care for Joshua. Aidan sighed, soft and gentle, a quiet exhalation she felt right down to her toes, and she had the horrible feeling that he knew what she was thinking, that he really was somehow in her head with her, sharing her thoughts and emotions.

“You will be able to care for Joshua. Your things have been moved into the second-floor rooms. You and Joshua will maintain living quarters there. It will be essential for you to keep up the illusion of human life. Only during the afternoon, when you are at your most vulnerable, will you come down to this chamber and sleep. Joshua remembers nothing of the vampire. I could not allow him to be traumatized for life.”