Cast in Blood (Morgan Blackstone Vampires Book 1) (38 page)

“It’s done,” Marcus said, interrupting her thoughts.

Sloppy, letting him get this close without noticing. I have got to be more alert. What is the matter with me? I’m not usually so deep in my own head that I miss shit.
“How bad was it?” she whispered, trying to focus.

“I expected worse.”
Hell, I’ve seen him do worse, but I’m not going to tell his wife that.
 

“It almost was. He threatened to take Alexander apart piece by piece” Morgan answered, running her hands through her damp hair.
 

“He came damned close. What happened?” Marcus asked, leaning on the island, propping his chin on his folded hands.

“I stopped him.”

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know. The way he was, it was frightening. There was no passion or rage in it. He was almost casual about it.” Morgan shivered, as her mind flashed back to Nicholas crouching over the ruin of Alexander’s body.

“Are you afraid of him?”

“Yes and no,” she answered, after a few moments. Marcus remained silent.
I’d like to think it’s because he knows I have more to say, but that look says dumbfounded
. “I’ve always known there is this darkness in Nicholas. When he truly loses control, well, it can either be passionate or destructive. This was the first time I’ve seen the destructive side. So yes, I am afraid of that facet. For the rest of it, I knew what he was when I married him, and then, when he was offered the post as Lead Enforcer, I didn’t speak against him taking it.”

“I’ve been an enforcer doll. But I really don’t have an idea of what darkness The Lead Enforcer holds in check.” Marcus watched, as she swirled the liquid in the glass, brooding.

“I wish I could say something Morgan but I can’t. It’s true that Nicholai is very protective of you, and now he knows everything, it’s going to be worse.”

“I know. Gods, Marcus did I make the right decision? Should I have told him everything from the outset?” She was second–guessing herself and hated the desperate quality to her voice.

“You did what you believed to be right, and I don’t think Nicholas would argue. Now, tell me what you know about the doctor’s whereabouts.”

“I’m sorry. That’s all locked in Nicholas’s mind.” Smiling, Morgan closed her eyes and thought about him. That simple act opened the connection between them, and she felt him near, headed their way. “He’ll be here in a minute.”

“That is just a little creepy.” Marcus laughed, as Nicholas entered from the hall. Morgan laughed too, as her husband crossed to her and slipped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, and took solace in breathing in his unique scent,
 

No matter what else happens, I love him
; she thought, as Marcus fell into questioning Nicholas about what had happened with Alexander. Morgan let her thoughts wander, as they talked.

“
Bonsoir, cher
.” Charles’ voice broke through her thoughts, as he dropped a quick kiss on her cheek.

“Charles.” Morgan smiled, as he stepped away.

“We hear there’s something we need to take care of as soon as possible?” Christophe asked, as he pulled her into a friendly embrace.

“Alexander is dead. Before he was executed, I got the information from him. I know where the doctor is, and we have to act fast. Elizabeth is slipping, there isn’t much time,” Nicholas explained. The air in the room shifted at his words. It crackled with a subdued sense of excitement, tempered with caution. Morgan listened, as they planned, but there was something tugging at the back of her mind. Something she couldn’t place. She lost track of time, listening to the voices around her, and the steady rhythm of Nicholas’s heart.
 

“Julian,” she whispered, without thinking.

“What about Julian, love?” he asked, kissing her temple.

“I was just thinking that I’m surrounded by everyone I consider my family, with one exception,” Morgan muttered, realizing as she spoke, that it was true.
 

“Julian.” Both Charles and Christophe answered at the same time; there had been times in their lives when he was more a caretaker to them than Morgan.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, love. From what I was able to get from Alexander’s mind, it seems that Julian disappeared a few days ago. I’m sorry, but they can’t find him,” Nicholas answered, his tone careful, as though she was going the break down at his own words.

“That’s not good,” she muttered, shaking her head.
What are we missing? Why did he suddenly run?
Her thoughts began spinning out of control, but were interrupted when Nicholas turned her barstool to face him. He waited a few seconds while her focus returned to the room.

“Morgan, I know you’re going to hate this, but after what happened in the garden, I would feel a lot better if you were to remain here or at The Dracul, while we take care of this.”

“Why?”

“Because there are too many variables. We can’t be sure of Elizabeth or the doctor, and there’s nothing to say that Julian hasn’t returned to the doctor by now.”

“That’s to be expected. I can take care of myself, Nicholas,” Morgan insisted, hoping her voice sounded more confident than she felt.

“I know you can, love. I saw what you did, and to be honest, it was impressive. But can you do it again, safely? I’m not sure I can stay focused, with you so closely bound to me. Not with you in the thick of the fight. I got distracted with Alexander, and it almost got both of us killed. I’m not willing to risk your safety like that again.”

“Nicholas, I could,” she started, and was glad when Nicholas cut her off, because if she were honest with herself, she had nothing.

“Don’t even think about arguing that you’d stay out of trouble,” he snapped, cutting her off, though a smile worthy of the Cheshire cat curled his lips.
 

He knows me too well.
“Alright,” Morgan grumbled, “I’ll stay at The Dracul. I’m sure there are a million and one things that need my attention.” Nicholas watched her with wariness written in his expression, storm clouds rolling through his eyes, until they were dark and foreboding. She held his gaze, hoping he wouldn’t notice the tension.

“I expected you to argue more.” His eyes turned calculating, as if he’d been presented with a difficult problem, and couldn’t see the solution.

“I prefer to fight when I have a chance to prevail.”

“I want your word that you won’t leave The Dracul, until one of us comes to get you.”

“You have my word. If you don’t trust me, you can set Danny or James to watch me,” Morgan teased and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t think the thought hadn’t crossed my mind” he threatened, though she watched the storm clouds abate, his eyes returning to their usual sky blue flecked with grey.

“Nicholai, I will not be so foolish as to risk all of our lives, because I am unwilling to stand aside. I would much prefer knowing that this so–called doctor is dead.” Morgan laid her hand on his cheek, willing him to believe, in spite of his suspicious nature.
 

“Thank you love,” he whispered, turning to kiss her palm.
 

There are times when I wonder if my life would be simpler if I hadn’t fallen in love with Nicholas,
Morgan thought, as the others started talking again.
I wouldn’t have to hide my feelings for him around all but a select few. I wouldn’t have to spend months and sometimes years only seeing my husband for a few days, or hours. I wouldn’t have to confront his temper. Yes, life would be simpler if I didn’t love Nicholas. But, what about all the little things? The secret smiles across crowded rooms, stolen moments of passion, and even throwing myself against his formidable will
. Somewhere in their discussion Morgan stopped thinking, and gave into the deep exhaustion that tapping into the magic had caused, and she drifted to sleep.
 

“Morgan?” Nicholas’s velvet voice caressed her mind. Morgan sighed, wanting to wrap herself in that voice and dream. “Love, you need to wake up.”

“I fell asleep?” she mumbled, blinking, trying to get her eyes to adjust to the light.
 

“Yes. You don’t have to go to The Dracul. You can stay here, and curl up in our nice big bed,” he murmured voice full of promise that left no doubt as to what would happen when he got back.

“I’ve agreed to lay low, but the club is closer to where you say the doctor has holed up. I don’t want to be far away if, Goddess forbid; something happens to
any
of you.”

“Fair enough,” Nicholas took her hand, and pulled her to her feet, “besides, I already called James and asked him to come to the club.”

“You said you were only considering that!” Morgan gasped and punched him mischievously on his right shoulder.

“I considered it, and followed through, since you were being too cooperative.”
 

“One of these days Nicholas, you’re going to push me and I will push back.” Morgan laughed half teasing. Nicholas chuckled, but caught her arm and pulled her to him, catching her lower lip between his teeth. She gasped when his fangs nicked the soft flesh inside. He made a low contented sound in his throat, and licked the small amount of blood that welled up there.

“You know I enjoy, and look forward to, testing my will against yours love.” He chuckled. “For now, we need to go. I’ll drop you off that the club.” He stepped back, and offered her his hand, and they walked to the garage. He opened the door to the sedan that they’d driven from New Orleans. Sitting in the car, Morgan felt her heart tighten in her chest, as Nicholas walked to his side. Alexander’s madness had been a known factor, but the doctor and Elizabeth’s stability were true wild cards. She didn’t like sitting on the sidelines.

J
AMES
MET
THEM
in front of the converted church that housed The Dracul. When they arrived, he was pacing the stairs that led up to the building. He paused when Nicholas pulled up where valets take cars from patrons, when the club’s open. Morgan turned to look at Nicholas, his strong profile illuminated in the first blushes of dawn. Heart tight in her chest, Morgan slid her hand behind his neck and pulled him to her. His blue grey eyes slid closed as she kissed him, relaxing the tight control she had on her emotions, hoping he could feel her love, worry and determination.

“Be safe.” Morgan said and slid out of the car. Nicholas caught her hand before she closed the door. She leaned back inside.

“I love you,” he whispered, and kissed the back of her hand, before releasing it.

“I love you too.” She stepped back, and closed the door, before turning to face James. Morgan had to smile; his short spiky hair had been dyed an unnatural shade of red, while his blue eyes sparkled with mirth.
Leave it to James to find something to be happy about in this situation, it’s just his nature.

“Morgan, good to see you,” James said, as she walked to where he waited.

“Thanks,” she answered, as Nicholas pulled away from the curb.
 

“What’s on the agenda?”

“I’ve got a couple phone calls to make, and I’m betting there’s a mountain of paperwork waiting for me,” she sighed, making it clear that she wasn’t happy about it.

“You don’t want to see the security enhancements?” he asked, and fell into step beside her as they walked to the oak front doors.

“Not yet. One of these calls can’t wait,” Morgan replied.

“Whatever you say,” he nodded, as they crossed the dance floor. “You know where to find me.” He paused at the door to the security office.
 

“That I do,” Morgan answered, and made her way into her office. She flipped on the light, and a low whistle escaped her lips. The stack of paperwork that had grown on her desk, was higher than she’d expected.
First things, first, I need to get in touch with Joshua. I need him to talk to Richard
. A quick check of the clock and some mental math later, she decided to call the professor at his flat rather than his office. She dialed his phone number from memory, and waited as it rang several times.

“Hello?” he muttered the word into the phone, groggy.

“Hey Joshua, I’m sorry, it’s late but I need a favor.”

“Morgan. What’s up?”

“I need you to get in touch with Richard.”

“What’s happened?” he asked all traces of weariness gone from his voice. She took a deep breath and told him everything that happened in the garden with Alexander. There was a long silence on the other end of the phone when she finished her story, about ten minutes later.
 

“These walls of flame, how large were they?” Joshua’s tone was careful, when he finally spoke.

“About five feet high, and wide… well they flowed as Alexander moved.”

“I’ll get in touch with Richard. I have no idea what he’s going to make of this.”

“Thank you Joshua.”

“Anytime. I’ll call you when I know something,” Joshua answered, and hung up without another word. Morgan chuckled and shook her head. She looked up, and found James standing in the open door.

“Want to tour the improved security systems now?” he asked, with a soft chuckle.