Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night) (29 page)

“Confined to our bed, are we?”
The intruder’s voice floated from the hall.

The menacing tone chilled
Tomes’s bones, but he fought his fear and held his aim, prepared for Boldor to rush in at any moment. However, to his dismay, instead of the human form of the foe he’d expected, a vapory mist crept through the opening and into the room.

Tomes swore and
scrambled to the opposite side of the bed. How could he shoot vapor? Penned in, he was weak and in pain, but his heightened adrenaline overpowered his physical ailments, keeping him on his feet. The vapor drew closer and closer until it passed right through his body, stunning him for a brief moment. And before he could react, Boldor had already shape-shifted and restrained him from behind.

“So, you say you know my weakness,” Boldor hissed in his ear, pressing an
arm against his throat. “Did you know my little firecat’s as well? Although, I have to say, it looks like she left this feeble, mortal body of yours with some rather deep wounds.”

“I made the mistake of trying to reason with her. Believe me, I won’t make the
same mistake with you,” Tomes spoke through clenched teeth.

Boldor laughed. “There is nothing to be reasoned. I kill you, and we’re done.”

“Are you afraid to face me, a mere mortal? You have to kill me from behind, proving yourself a coward?”

“Afraid?” Boldor laughed again. “Of you?”

“Then face me,” Tomes challenged.

Boldor spun Tomes around. Holding him with one hand at his throat, he
stroked a button with the other. The insect moved inside the gem, sending an icy wave riding Tomes’s spine.

“Von Vadim’s little lackey. I’m beginning to see why he keeps you around.”

Boldor ran a talon up the side of Tomes’s face. “I have to say, you’re nearly as good-looking as your sister.”

“I’ve always thought so. But I’m afraid you’re not my type.”

“Quite the brave little soldier, aren’t you? And a mouth to match,” Boldor responded with a calm, but assertive voice.

“So I’ve been told.” Tomes kept in character
, attempting to keep Boldor in conversation while he inched the staker up, aiming straight for his mid-section.

“I could rip your head off right now with little effort, mortal.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“You should be,” Boldor warned.

Silently counting to three, Tomes pulled the trigger, firing a shot into Boldor’s gut. The nightwalker ejected an unearthly cry and doubled over. Amid the frenzy, Tomes broke free from his hold and scrambled to the opposite side of the room.

“Blackthorn nails,” Tomes boasted. “Probably burning like fiery bullets.”

Boldor jerked uncontrollably, drool seeping from his gaping mouth as he emitted a low, steady rumble. Managing to insert his index and thumb talons into the entry wound, he dug out the nail. Pulling it free, he took several deep, ragged breaths before turning his glare on Tomes who still held a steady aim with the staker.

“Blackthorn. I’ve never experienced it before. It’s tormenting, but I’m sorry to
say, it won’t kill me,” Boldor informed Tomes, taking a step his way, teeth gnashing.

The immortal was ready to finish him off, but before he had a chance to play
out his final move, the sound of someone racing up the stairs diverted his attack.

“Von Vadim,” Boldor growled.

“I hope you’re prepared to take us both on.”

“We’ll have our chance again, lackey.” Boldor dematerialized.

Corin rushed into the room with Angelique at his heels, both inquiring about his well-being. Tomes clutched the weapon for dear life, barely able to stand.

“Man, talk about cutting it close. You got here in the nick of time. Boldor took
off when he heard you coming. And let me just say, there’s something to be said about this baby.” Tomes waved the staker at him.

“You shot him?” Corin sounded surprised. He hurried over and helped Tomes
to the bed.

“I sure did. He wasn’t too happy about it either.”

“I bet. Where is he now?”

“He turned to vapor and streamed out the door into the hall.” Tomes
motioned.

“I didn’t see anything,” Angelique said.

“I’m going to make sure he’s gone. Stay here with your brother,” Corin instructed before darting away.

“You’re lucky he didn’t kill you, Tomes.” Angelique sat on the edge of the bed
and helped him situate the bedding.

“He would have if I hadn’t kept him talking,” Tomes told her. “Engaging him
in conversation was the trick to getting the shot in. He has an ego the size of Texas. And thank God for that.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” She kissed him on the forehead.

“Please, Angel. I’m a grown man,” he whined. “What if Corin walks in and sees you babying me? I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Sorry.”

“You know, don’t you…about Corin? You don’t seem the least bit shocked by any of this.”

“He told me everything. He had to.”

“So you know about the other nightwalker—Boldor? He’s the one committing the murders, who killed Louisa.”

“I know. And he told me what happened tonight. I’m so sorry, Tomes.”

“I’ve lost her twice. But he’ll pay.”

“It’s unreal, isn’t it, a nightwalker living right next door, becoming part of our
lives? But it explains so much, the changes in you, your attitude toward him.”

“Now you know why you can’t be together,” Tomes told her.

“I trust Corin, regardless of what he is. He saved both our lives tonight.”

Outside the door, Corin paused before entering, catching the last part of their
conversation as he entered. “Sorry to interrupt. The house is safe,” he informed them. “Boldor’s gone…for now.”

* * * *

Corin left Angelique and Tomes alone, figuring they could use some private time to talk. He headed downstairs and found the marshal waiting in the foyer.

“Is everything in order?” Jordon asked.

“For the time being.” Corin showed him to the living room and poured them each a glass of brandy. “Boldor was in the house, but he’s gone now.”

“He gets around, doesn’t he?”

“He has a score to settle. At the moment, I guess we all do.”

Corin relaxed on the sofa and Jordon sat in a chair across from him.

“Now, Marshal, about you?” Corin raised an eyebrow.

“The name’s Jordon.”

“Okay, Jordon. You’re immortal. That much I know. But when I asked you earlier if you were a nightwalker your reply was ‘not exactly.’ Why don’t you start by explaining to me what you meant.”

“I’m an Indith immortal from another world called the Eleventh Dimension.
I’m not a nightwalker, but a daywalker. The sun doesn’t harm us, so we’re not prisoners to the night as you are.”

“But you have powers. You’re able to change form.”

“Yes. There are many similarities between us, but I don’t require blood to survive. I eat the same as mortals—steak, fries, and everything in between.”

“I’ve never heard of your kind, or of the Eleventh Dimension. How do I know
you’re telling the truth, and not just making this all up? The existence of another world isn’t so easy to accept.”

“Believe it or not, it exists.”

“And you’re after Boldor to retrieve a charm you say he stole?”

“A black diamond. It’s called the Heart of the Clyth.”

“You’ve been chasing him for the past two years?” Corin wanted to make sure he had the story straight.

“Two long and frustrating years. It’s crucial I get the charm back in the
safekeeping of the Order,” he told him.

“It must be powerful.”

“More powerful than you could imagine. The charm is how he’s kept ahead of me all this time.” Jordon leaned forward. “You call him Boldor?”

“We got the name from a scoundrel he’s employed.”

“The Order knew him as Karlot. He’s certainly skilled in the art of deception. Not many immortals could pull off what he did and live to tell the tale. If I may ask, what is his issue with you?”

“I’m not sure why he’s targeted me, but whatever his reason, he’s not going to
get away with it,” Corin stated. “He’s probably been around a long time, but I bet I’ve been here longer. I’ll turn him to ashes and smear him into the earth before I let him destroy my life or the lives of those I love.”

“I have no doubt of that, my friend,” Jordon replied.
“You know, in the two years I’ve been trailing him, he’s never changed his pattern, not once, until coming here. Something has definitely attracted him to this place. Any ideas what it might be?”

“I haven’t come to any definite conclusions yet, but I’m beginning to lean
toward the assumption that it may be my life and fortune he’s after. He’s seen what a five-hundred-year-old nightwalker has forged here and I think he wants it for himself. As you’ve corroborated, he’s a thief who infiltrates and takes what he wants. Something tells me he’s planning to settle, and Louisa was to be his first.”

“His first?
” Jordon’s brow rose. “His first what?”

“The first of a newly formed coven,” Corin explained
his meaning. “With his twisted mind, he wouldn’t be content living in seclusion, the way I have. I prefer to walk alone.”

“Not a family man?” Jordon said coolly.

“I keep it simple. There’s less chance of discovery that way.”

Jordon nodded. “True.”

“Boldor is a different story, he’d require followers, others to lord over, those made from him that he could stake full claim to.”

“A coven of his own lineage…he’d put himself in the position of a Godfather to
them all. Although, on my world most nightwalkers do live in covens with heads of families.” Jordon finished his brandy and set the glass down.

“And some do here too. But any family formed by this nightwalker will be
ruthless.”

“I have to agree. And if he’s after you, you’d best stay on guard. He’s crafty—a
maestro of mayhem,” Jordon warned. “Seriously, watch yourself.”

They broke off their conversation at the sound of Angelique coming down the
stairs.

“How’s Tomes?” Corin stood as she approached.

“He’s been through a lot, but I think he’ll live.” She took a seat next to him.

“Marshal,” she acknowledged. “I know you’re also a nightwalker.”

“I’m a daywalker, but close enough. And the name’s Jordon.”

Angelique smiled and turned to Corin. “Thank you for everything you’ve done
for Tomes. He told me you healed some of his injuries.”

“I did what I could, but the deeper, more extensive wounds will have to heal
on their own. He lost a lot of blood and I’m sure he’ll be weak for some time.”

“Well, thanks to you, at least he’ll live to see another day.”

“In spite of my actions, he’s a very lucky man. Things could have gone much differently.”

“But they didn’t.” Clearly impressed by his heroics, Angelique took his hand
and squeezed it gently.

Corin, catching Jordon’s grin, quickly rose.
“Angelique, you must be tired. I think you’ll be comfortable in the room next to your brother. And, Jordon, we can find a place for you as well,” he offered, thinking it would be best for them to join forces for the time being.

Jordon nodded. “To catch my mark, it looks like I’ll need to stay close to you.
So yes, I’ll be sticking around.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had company, so forgive me if I forget
something. You’re welcome to use any part of the house with exception of the basement. You should be able to find something suitable for consumption in the kitchen. I leave a few things stocked for show.”

“To show who?” Jordon asked with a laugh. “You’re a strange fellow, von
Vadim. I’ve never met a nightwalker, a loner at that, who possesses such a yearning to fit in, or one so mannerly.”

“Only in the company of a select few. I assure you, I am no saint.”

“Oh, I would never mistake you for a saint. But you are no Boldor either,” Jordon said.

Corin studied Jordon. He seemed safe enough to have around, but he
remembered how it felt having the immortal as an opponent, bringing about second thoughts. He didn’t sense any treachery in him, but he also didn’t relish the idea of harboring the stranger in his home while having Angelique and Tomes in his care. However, if he was legit, joining forces was the wise thing to do. The immortal could prove to be an asset in their fight against Boldor. He just wished what he claimed wasn’t so outlandish—the Eleventh Dimension? But then again, if vampires existed, couldn’t other unimaginable things like other world dimensions exist as well?