Her Vampire Rebel Page 4

  “I suppose.” She nods. “Did you have a good time?”

  I stand up and grin. “Better than I ever thought I would.”

  “I take it you’re seeing him again?”

  I look over at her and say, “God, I hope so.”

  Chapter 6

  James

  I can still taste her on my tongue. I watch her slowly walk to the door with her friend, Bella, and grin. Her blood, her scent are like a siren song to me, and I am very much looking forward to having her again.

  “So you’re sticking around?” the vampire who had been with Carolyn’s friend asks.

  “I am, at least until Lucius returns and can give me a formal invitation to stay. Theophilus gave me permission to stay until Lucius’ return, unless I cause trouble, which I do not plan to do.”

  “Good. I’m Augustus.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I say, giving him a nod.

  “So, what do you do?”

  I shrug. “A little bit of blacksmithing, a little bit of silversmithing. I am good with my hands.”

  “Silver?” he questions, looking concerned. Silver is often forbidden in paranormal circles because of its effect on shifters.

  “Mostly requested items. Decorative picture frames, rings, and the like. Nothing nefarious.”

  Theophilus sees us from across the room and strides toward us. “Did you enjoy your time with Miss Carolyn?”

  I nod. “She is quite suitable. I find we are very compatible.”

  “Good. So, do you plan to stay here, or are you on your way now that your thirst has been quenched?” Theo watches me, like he’s expecting me to behave rashly.

  “I plan to stay as long as I am welcome.”

  “He’s a silversmith,” Augustus shares.

  “What?” Theo looks at me and frowns. “We don’t want trouble around here. You’re not a shifter hunter, are you?”

  “No. I do have a weapon with silver bullets for self-defense, but I’ve never had a cause to use it, not toward shifters, anyway. I work with iron, as well, though I am going to have to replace most of my newer equipment. I had to leave quite a bit behind when I left Canada.”

  Theo nods. “All right, then. Just so there’s no trouble with the shifters in Tucson. Lucius has an agreement with them.”

  “When is Lucius going to return?”

  “In another month or two. He’s touring Europe with his mate.”

  “I see.”

  “So don’t go stirring up any trouble around here, or I will make good on that promise.” Theo glares at me.

  “What promise?” Augustus asks.

  “I believe he promised to gut me and leave me in the sunlight to turn to ash, if I recall correctly,” I answer. “I have no plans to cause trouble.” A thought occurs to me, and I figure I should probably bring it up. “I should mention the reason I left Canada. One of those nestmates, the ones who don’t like me, has been making it his life’s mission to make my life miserable. Should he track me here, I shall do my best to keep my problems from spilling over into the club.”

  “See that you do,” Theophilus demands, and then, with a nod at Augustus, turns and leaves us.

  “So why do your former nestmates not like you?” Augustus asks, looking curious.

  “I was turned during the Revolution. My nestmates were Red Coats. I was a rebel. They weren’t very accepting of me.”

  “They had a choice?” he asks.

  “Well, I suppose so, after our sire was killed. It was war, a bloody one at that.”

  Augustus nods, accepting my comment. “Well that’s a bunch of shite. Lucius makes sure there is no fighting amongst us. We may argue and snipe at each other, but what nestmates don’t?” He chuckles.

  I nod. “So how about you? When did Lucius turn you?”

  “I was born in 623 B.C. in Smyrna. I had fought in the war and was near death when Lucius found me, he asked me if I wanted to live, to learn to fight, to see Sadyattes defeated. I said yes.”

  He said it so matter-of-factly. “So you knew what he was when he offered?”

  Augustus chuckles. “Well, I was dying, but I did not doubt that he could save me. His eyes, you see, they hold the truth of what he is. I did not understand at the time, but Lucius and Theophilus both were there to guide me, explain what I was. I had no concept of it before that time. But as Lucius said, I had to die in order to live.” He pauses and looks at me as he explains, “My parents perished at the hands of the Lydians. I watched my mother scream in terror as they cut my father down and set our farm ablaze. I could not reach her in time—I had been fishing when the attack started and was making my way home to help protect our land. The Lydians threw her into the burning house. I went in after her while the Lydian soldiers laughed, moving on to the next farm. She died in my arms, and I… I could not bring myself to leave her in the burning house and save myself. That is where Lucius and Theophilus found me. My lungs full of smoke, my skin singed by the fire that surrounded us. When I awoke after, I was completely healed.”

  He looks like his mind is far away, and I allow him a moment to collect himself. “I am sorry you had to watch your parents die so horrifically.”

  Augustus smiles. “It was more than two thousand years ago, and yet, I can recall it as if it were yesterday.”

  “It is strange the things we remember and the things we forget as the years pass in a blink of an eye, is it not?”

  Augustus nods. “I think I need a drink, you?”

  While we have no real need to eat and drink, we can still enjoy the pleasure of it. “I would be happy to join you.”

  “Do you have a place to stay?” he asks and then gives the bartender a nod and raises two fingers.

  “Not as yet... I will check into a hotel until I can find a place.” I take a sip of the scotch the bartender sets in front of me.

  “Try the Cliffton. Solid walls, the windows can be easily blocked with blackout curtains. It’s shifter-run, but as Theophilus said, we have an agreement with them. They will make sure you are not disturbed during the daylight hours. And doors open straight to the outside.”

  “Thank you. I will check them out.”

  “If you plan to stay long-term, you might check out Milburne Apartments. They, too, are shifter run.”

  I nod. “I shall do that. I do hope Lucius will allow me to stay.”

  Augustus looks around the club. “It is a nice area.”

  “I admit, it is Lucius who brought me here... well his benevolence toward humans and shifters is what brought me here. I have tried to live my life in peace with those around me and do not see why we all cannot.”

  Augustus raises his glass. “To you being able to stay.”

  I clink my glass against his. “To being able to stay.” I take a drink.

  “And now I have to return to work.” He sets his glass down on the bar top and pats my shoulder. “See you around, James.”

  I give him a nod, finish my drink, set it down, and take my leave.

  Chapter 7

  Carolyn

  Blinking awake, I look at my clock. “Ten fifty-five! Damn, I forgot to set my alarm,” I say, scrambling out of bed. I look over at my desk with my open psychology book and run my hand over my face. I never finished reading the chapters for the class I’m now fifty-seven minutes late for. My head spins, and I sit back down.

  Licking my dry lips, I realize I’m slightly dehydrated, which is probably why I’m so dizzy. My mind drifts back to the night before, and I can’t help but smile. James is the perfect dom, and I hope he calls me again. Standing, I use the wall to help keep my balance as I make my way to the bathroom. I fill a paper cup with water and sip it, but the dizziness doesn’t pass. I must have lost more blood than I thought.

  Since I’ve already missed most of my psych class, I decide to give myself the rest of the morning off. I have my internship job to go to this afternoon, though, so I figure I should eat, read those chapters while I have time, and then check the computer to see what
I missed in class. With my morning sorted, I get dressed, make my bed, and head to the kitchen.

  After eating and getting everything for my class finished and turned in, I pick up the phone and call Bella. “Hey,” I say when she answers.

  “Hey, how are ya?” she asks, sounding blissed out.

  “Pretty good... I overslept though. I never do that.”

  Bella laughs that tinkling glass laugh of hers. “Me too—I was an hour late to work,” she says, still giggling. “Lauren about flipped her lid.”

  “Did you get in trouble?” I ask, concerned.

  “Not really. I’m all caught up on my paperwork and didn’t exactly have anything pressing that needed doing. I’m between projects at the moment, so she can’t complain. Besides, Mr. Garvin likes me better than her.”

  I shake my head. “Still, don’t make a habit of it. It’s a good job, Bella.”

  “I know, and I won’t. You know I love it here. I think I was just trying to recuperate after my session with Augustus last night. He likes to add a little blood play to our fun, so I’m always a little dehydrated and dizzy the next day.”

  “Huh, that’s ummm interesting. Same reason why I woke late this morning.”

  “You too?” Bella laughs again. “Well, that man you hooked up with is pretty hot. How was it?”

  “It was amazing. I don’t think I could have picked a better dom, Bella. Though I think Theo actually chose him for me,” I say thinking about it. “I bet that questionnaire I filled out helped him choose a dom that would make me feel safe. You were right about the club. Thanks for talking me into going.”

  “What are best friends for?” She giggles again. “Whoops, here comes Lauren, I’d better go. Call me later, and we’ll get dinner or something, bye!”

  I shake my head and hang up without saying anything more. She’s gone already. Sighing, I tuck my phone in my purse and grab my keys to head to my job at the Anxiety and OCD Center. It’s a paid internship and covers the cost of my schooling as well as my living expenses. Locking the door behind me, I head out to the parking lot and climb in my SUV. It’s an old Chevy Blazer, but it gets me where I need to go. I traded in my newer Toyota for the Blazer as soon as I got here to Tucson, hoping that Marvin wouldn’t be able to trace me through it. I even legally changed my name from Caroline Wilson to Carolyn Grant. It took three months for that paperwork to go through. I hope it was enough.

  No matter how many times over the last four years that I’ve moved and changed my number, he’s always tracked me down. Everyone tells me to stop worrying. That my restraining orders against him will hold. That he won’t be able to find me with the extent of all the things I’ve done to protect myself, but still, deep down, I know. I know he’ll stop at nothing to find me again. It is only a matter of time.

  When we first met, I thought I was so lucky. Marvin was older, rich, good looking, charming… everything I had ever thought I wanted. And then, things changed. Slowly, at first. Marvin stopped going to the gym and put on weight. Then it would be derogatory comments about my appearance. Telling me I was stupid, or fat, or always a problem. My cooking was horrible—I couldn’t do anything right. He tore me down bit by bit.

  He became more demanding, ordering me around, telling me who I could be friends with and who I couldn’t, which was pretty much everyone but him. He’d accuse me of cheating, even though I wasn’t. Then he decided to “teach me a lesson,” as he called it, by introducing me to the BDSM world. We went to a club, and even though he treated me badly, I did get turned on by some of the things I saw there, and I talked to Bella about it. The one friend I had managed to keep through it all. Though most of the time, I had to keep my contact with her secret.

  She is the reason I’m still here, alive. He had beaten me pretty badly. Bella found me, took me to the hospital, and then helped me move out of his house. That was a little over four years ago. I’ve been trying to hide from him ever since. LA is a big town, and I think I’ve lived in every part of it. Some multiple times. Changed jobs, colleges, phones, everything. Still he’s always found me.

  I pull into the parking lot of the Anxiety and OCD Center and park. Being a paid intern here for the last three months has been the best experience. I’ve learned a lot, and I don’t want to have to leave, should Marvin find me. Maybe I should get a weapon other than my Taser. Guns aren’t allowed on the premises here, though, given the type of patients we see. I’m pretty sure knives aren’t welcome either. And what good would either of those do if I had to leave them in the car? None. I am lucky they let me have my Taser on me, granted it stays in my purse, but still, it’s close at hand.

  “Hi, Carolyn,” Abby says from the check-in desk as I come into the building.

  “Hi,” I greet her with a smile and head over to my desk. I go through the files that have been left for me on the newest patients and look at the itinerary for the afternoon and evening. I have two group meetings to attend, then rounds with Dr. Benford, and four individual sessions that I have to sit in on. It is going to be a busy shift.

  Around eight, Abby comes and finds me. “Hey, I think there is a phone call for you? They asked for Caroline,” she whispers in my ear, so she doesn’t disturb the group.

  “Huh, okay, well I’m kind of busy at the moment, can you take a message?” I whisper back.

  “I tried, but he is pretty insistent that he speak to you,” she answers.

  I frown. “Then can you take his number, and I’ll call back?”

  Abby bites her lip and then nods. “Okay, I’ll try.”

  “Thank you,” I say softly as Dr. Benford looks at the two of us and frowns.

  She nods and scurries off.

  Twenty minutes later after the group session is finished, I head up to the check-in desk to find Abby. “Hey, so did he leave a name or number?”

  She shakes her head. “No, by the time I got back here, he’d hung up and as far as I know, he hasn’t called back.”

  “Weird. Okay, well, we’ve got two individuals scheduled next, so if he does call back, get his number and his name, okay?”

  She nods. “I will. He was kind of rude on the phone and demanded that I find you immediately. I put him on hold, but I almost purposely cut him off the line.”

  “I have no idea who it was, but I will be sure to tell them not to be rude, whoever they were.” I frown. “I can’t think who it would be though that would call me through the center’s line and not my own phone.” Did I accidentally give James the center’s number? No, I specifically recall texting him my phone number.

  “Maybe it is just someone who knows you work here? Maybe a former patient?” Abby suggests.

  I nod. “Yes, I suppose that could be it. Still awfully strange for them to ask for me and not Dr. Benford.” I shrug. “I’d better go. We’re due to speak to a patient in five minutes.”

  Abby nods. “Okay, I’ll leave a message on your desk if he calls again. I won’t interrupt.”

  “Thanks, Abby.” I hurry off to meet Dr. Benford in his office.

  After two hours with patients, I head back to my desk, weary of the day. I look, but I don’t see any messages, and Abby has already left for the night. Linda is now at the check-in desk. “Hey, you haven’t had any calls for me, have you?” I ask the older woman.

  “No, why, are you expecting one?” she asks.

  “No, not really. There was a call earlier, but he didn’t leave his name or number. We think it may have been a former patient, but Abby wasn’t sure.”

  She nods. “Well, the only thing we’ve had are a few hang up calls. Pretty rude, if you ask me.”

  “That’s unusual, right? We don’t get those often, do we?” I frown as an image of Marvin flitters through my mind. God, I hope he’s not found me again.

  “It happens sometimes with patients who want help but don’t know how to ask. Eventually, they get here.”

  “Oh.” I nod, feeling slightly relieved. “Well, have a good night. I’m going to take off.” I
smile at her, pick up my purse, and pull out my keys. “See you.”

  “Bye.” Linda gives me a wave.

  I go out to my car and climb in, locking my doors. I head home. Traffic is light this late at night on a Sunday. I purposely scheduled my classes early Monday through Thursday, so I would have Friday and Saturday off, but after nights like this one, I am dreading my eight a.m. class tomorrow morning. Back in my parking lot, I drag myself upstairs to my apartment and lock the door behind me.

  Dropping my purse on the coffee table, I pick up the remote and turn on the TV before heading into the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of wine and fix myself a turkey sandwich. Heading back into the living room, I sink into my sofa and kick off my shoes.

  As I eat and watch the end of a Friends episode, I hear my phone buzz in my purse. I think about leaving it till tomorrow, but then remember, James might text me and that makes me smile. Setting my wine glass down, I pull my phone out of my purse. I have six messages waiting for me.

  Frowning, I open the app and my heart drops to my stomach. They are all from an unknown number. Hesitantly, I click on the waiting messages.

  Think you can Fucking hide from me?

  Bitch, I fucking own you!

  I know where you fucking are.

  There is nowhere you can fucking hide!

  I’m fucking coming to get what’s mine!

  As I sit here, getting more and more panicked, the phone rings in my hand. It’s that same number. I let it go to voicemail, terrified that he’s found me. When the voicemail message pops up, I click it with shaking fingers.

  I don’t have to wait long for the message to play. “Fucking bitch, I know you’re in fucking Tucson! What did you think? That I didn’t know about that fucking slut friend of yours? I fucking know everything! You can’t fucking hide from me! You think that last fucking beating was bad, just wait till I fucking get my fists on you now!”

  I gasp out with a cry, tears streaming down my cheeks. I hit save with a shaky finger, thinking I’ll need it for proof, and turn the phone off. I pick up my tablet, pull up the Snapchat app, and send a message to Bella.