Born to Darkness Book 1 in the Immortal Destiny Series: Vampire Romance Paranormal (7 page)

What a strange place for someone to want to live.

Suddenly, the dream came back to her in vivid detail.

She hadn’t thought of the man in the park for years, so why dream about him?

She’d been confused as a child, but eventually forgotten about the man. He never did return, as he’d promised.

Bellea being in her dream could be explained. After all, she was in the old lady’s house.

It made sense, yet Nicole couldn’t shake the feeling that the woman was trying to tell her something about the man in the park?

Maybe it was time she asked her mom who the man in the park had been?

With a deep sigh, Nicole went back inside. No matter how she tried to relax - the anxiety and fear wouldn’t leave her alone. She couldn’t help but worry that something had happened to Alec and Ethan.

Twilight comes on rapidly in the swamps. Nicole sat on the porch - waiting and frantic with worry. As darkness gathered around the little shack, she contemplated spending another night.

But then she heard the low hum of an engine.  

Some of her anxiety faded when she saw Alec maneuvering a boat around some trees protruding over the water. A moment later, he was at the dock and the boat’s engine went silent. 

Nicole flew down the stairs to greet him. When he stepped onto the dock, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed his lips lightly.

Her actions surprised her. The moment she’d seen him - she felt like a heavy weight had lifted from her heart.

He was safe!

“I thought something had happened to you,” she said.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “Why do you do this to me Nicole?” he whispered in her ear.

“What?” She stepped back, smiling innocently.

He stared at her with those eyes - those stunning eyes that sent heat coursing through her body whenever she looked at them.

Alec reached out to softly caress her face. “You are as beautiful as you are innocent.”

Nicole blushed. She was unaccustomed to being showered with compliments.

“What about Ethan?” she asked, changing the subject. “Did you get him away from Omar?”

Alec shook his head. “They are not keeping him at the Cell, like I thought they were.”

“So now what? Do you think they’ve done something to him?”

“Will you take me to your vampire friend?” he asked, without answering her question.

This was troubling. Alec didn’t seem nearly as confident about Ethan’s fate, as he had when he’d left her at the shack.

* * *

Nicole opened the door and stepped inside the tattoo parlor. At first the room appeared to be empty, but then she saw Dash lying on one of the chairs with his eyes closed.

“Dash.” Nicole spoke his name loudly, thinking he might be sleeping.

Do vampires sleep?

This was just one of many questions she wanted to ask Alec. She added it to her mental checklist of stuff she wanted to know about vampires.

One eye popped open. “Oh bloody hell … not you again! What is this … tempt a vampire week?”

It was then Dash noticed Alec standing behind her.

Dash stood up and backed away - ready to flee at the first sign of movement from Alec. “Hey … I didn’t touch her … I swear!”

“Is that so?” Alec glared at him with a predator’s eyes.

“Well okay,” Dash shrugged his shoulders. “I may have asked for a bit of a taste … but she said no.”

“Relax, we’re not here because of that,” Nicole told him. When she glanced back at Alec, she was surprised at the dark look he was giving Dash.

At least she hoped that wasn’t the reason they were there.

“Oh.” Dash gave them a sheepish grin. “Well in that case … how can I help you?”

“I want you to tell me what you know about the Place of Light?” Alec stepped closer, and Dash backed away.

“I told the girl what I know.”

“Well tell me. Where were you when you saw this place?” Alec pushed. “I want more detail.”

“Like I told her,” Dash nodded toward Nicole. “I was riding a motorbike, and saw this little guy walking on the side of the road.”

“Where at?”

“It was Wyoming … before I came out here to New Orleans,” Dash told him. “We were riding from California.”

“And how is it you did that, without becoming sick from the sun?”

“I would think we had to ride at night,” Dash told him - rolling his eyes.

“Can you take us to this place?” Alec asked.

“What for? That little guy disappeared on me. I can’t see you finding him years later.”

“Can you or not?”

“Well yeah … I guess.”

Alec’s eyes strayed to the image on Dash’s shoulder. “Why do you have that tattoo?” he asked.

Dash looked down at his shoulder. “It’s one of the things I saw when I was in the Place of Light.”

“What do you mean?”

“There were wolf people there?” Dash told him. “Now I admit … it was more of a vision than actually being there.”

“Now we have another one babbling about wolves,” Alec smirked.

“Hey wait! You know someone else who saw them?” Dash asked.

Alec just smiled. 

“I want to know more,” Dash pushed for information.

“Be ready to leave when we return,” Alec told him.

Dash cocked his head to one side. “I do need some notice. I have a business to run you know.”

Alec looked around at the empty tattoo parlor and smiled. “I can give you no notice. This could be dangerous … as you should well know,” he told Dash.

Dash nodded.

“Don’t say a word to anyone,” Alec warned.

Dash brought his fingers up and made a zipping motion over his lips. “As silent as the grave … you know what I mean? We are … in a way … dead aren’t we?”

“Yeah.” Alec smiled darkly.

Dash walked to his refrigerator and pulled out another one of his bags of red fluid. “Care to try some of my recipe?” he asked, holding up the bag so that Alec could see it.

“What it that stuff?” Alec asked.

Nicole stood back and smiled. She couldn’t wait to hear Dash’s sales spill.

“Well this stuff is made from animal blood and other proteins. It tastes great cold, and will keep for days. This here recipe could really improve the reputation of the vampire.”

Alec’s face twisted and he shook his head. “I think I’ll pass, but good luck with that.”

“Hey … don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” Dash was offended.

“Be ready,” Alec told him before turning to leave.

“Bye,” Nicole called to Dash over her shoulder.

“You know girl … it really is bad practice to chill with vampires,” Dash called out to her. “It’s hard to tell when one will turn on you. Ask me … I know. That’s what happened to me.”

Nicole waved. “Thanks for the advice Dash.”

Outside, Alec looked over at her. “He’s right. It’s not a good idea.”

Nicole threaded her fingers through his. “I think I’ll take my chances.”

* * *

Alec pulled up to the curb in front of Nicole’s apartment. “I’ll walk you in,” he told her.

“Will they come after me here … if I’m alone?” she asked, not quite ready to say goodbye yet.

Alec smiled. “You’ll be okay, for now. For some reason … I don’t think Omar wants to come after you himself.”

Nicole drew her brows together. “That doesn’t make any sense. Isn’t he an old and powerful vampire?”

Alec nodded. “I don’t know. I don’t have the ability to read Omar, but I believe it has something to do with this Place of Light.”

“So you think it’s real?”

Alec shrugged. “I don’t know, but from Omar’s reaction when I confronted him about it … I think he believes it’s real.”

Nicole stared out the passenger side window. Her thoughts went to the dream she’d had the night before.

She wanted to tell Alec about it, but thought it would be better to wait until she’d talked with her mother.

Just who was the dark man?

That’s what she’d called him when she was a kid. He’d seemed so dark.

“When will I hear from you again?” she asked, turning back to Alec.

“Soon.” He was evasive.

Turning away, he opened the car door and got out. She didn’t wait for him to walk around the car and open her door.

He could practice his gentlemanly manners later. Right now, she felt the need to assert her independence. She was tired of feeling like some whimpering girl who constantly needed saving.

It was nice to know he would save her, but she wanted to be able to save herself, if need be. She wanted to be an asset, not a liability.

Nicole led the way up the stairs to her apartment - Alec was close behind. She wanted to ask him to stay, but she was getting the impression he was preoccupied tonight. Whatever was on his mind, he wasn’t sharing it with her.

“Thank you for everything you’re doing,” she told him when they reached the door to her apartment.

Alec reached out and lifted her chin so that she was looking into his eyes.

“I know you want me to come in, but that could lead to things we might regret.”

Nicole said nothing. He was right. She wanted him to come in, and she wanted so much more.

Alec kissed her gently. “I hope you know it’s not because I don’t want to.”

Nicole started to shake. Her desire for him was so overwhelming, it was sometimes difficult to control. She was becoming the same as the rest of his groupies.

“I’m fine with that,” she lied.

Alec backed away. “I’ll see you soon,” he told her, before disappearing down the stairs.

When he was gone, Nicole let herself in, shutting and locking the door behind her.

Why had she lied?

The fact was - she was anything but fine. Every time he turned her away, it felt as if he were sticking an ice pick into her heart.

* * *

Alec flew high above the city - his eyes roving the ground for his prey.

He was weak. The past few days he hadn’t fed well - not since meeting Miss Nicole Ashe.

His world had been in disarray since he’d set eyes on her. No matter how he tried - he couldn’t get the girl out of his mind.

Omar wanted her in a bad way. So much so - he was even willing to talk about the ancient truths of the vampire.

But why couldn’t Omar just go get her?

That’s what really had Alec curious.

He’d told Omar he would think about his offer, but Alec was buying time.

Below - a tall figure stumbled into an alley. Leaning against a brick wall - the man slid to the ground. He was obviously in a drunken stupor and would be easy prey. Alec hated to feed on those that were too fond of spirits, but this one would take little effort.

He came down - his feet hitting the pavement so softly - he made no sound. Kneeling in front of the man, he tapped the guy’s face softly. The old man looked up at him - his eyes sad and miserable.

“Are you happy with your life?” Alec asked him.

The man shook his head.

“I can end all of your suffering for you.” The light of the Immortal entered Alec’s eyes and he bared his fangs.

The man’s eyes widened in terror - he made an attempt to evade Alec’s bite, but was so drunk - he fell to his side - hitting his head on the pavement.

Alec stopped. The hunger gnawed at him relentlessly, but so did the terror in the man’s eyes. The drunk had known suffering and sorrow - death would likely be a welcome relief, but Alec couldn’t do it. He kept seeing the warmth in Nicole’s eyes.

Did she realize what kind of monster he was?

Alec backed away. A look of relief and gratitude entered the man’s eyes.

“I guess I will find me a goat or something,” Alec mumbled to himself.

Deep laughter emanated from the darkness behind him.

Alec swung around to face the menacing presence.

“A vampire with a conscience … now that’s something unusual.” The figure that stepped out of the shadows wore all black. The man’s gray eyes glistened beneath the streetlight. He appeared to be middle aged - with a speckling of gray in his dark hair.

The scent of the wolf hit Alec full force. Snarling, he drew his lips back to reveal his fangs.

The man’s silver-gray eyes instantly changed - taking on a golden-yellow light. For just a moment, Alec saw the stranger’s features twist and merge with the wolf, but then it was gone.

“I knew if I followed you around long enough - your true nature would rear its ugly head,” he told Alec. “So many of you are scavengers these days.”

Alec growled, and would have attacked, but the man held up his hand. “Don’t take such offense. Why not look for the truth in what I’ve said?”

“What is it you want?” Alec asked - his voice harsh and unyielding.

“I want nothing more than to protect my family,” he told Alec.

“What does that have to do with me? Who are you?”

“I am Lex. I think that maybe we can help each other,” he said.

“You are the one who went to Ethan,” Alec voiced his suspicion. 

“Yes, your friend the Light Seeker. I saw him one night and knew he could be useful. He is a vampire masquerading as a human. He hasn’t yet accepted his fate.”

“What is it you want?” Alec asked again, not yet ready to trust the wolf.

“Omar is a danger to my family … and he is a danger to your kind. He must be stopped … but I cannot do it alone,” Lex explained.

“What do you know of the Place of Light?” Alec asked him.