Dark of kNight (30 page)

“I like the way you think,” I purred back.

Daniel and I raced back to the house. Silly as it was, we wanted to test our theory. We were after all scientists and this would be another one of our science experiments.

Daniel took my hand and pulled me into the bedroom. Grabbing me in his arms, he gently kissed me. His lips ran across mine, teasing me. My heart raced and my blood boiled. Slowly he ran his lips from mine down my neck to the sweet spot. Running his tongue over it lightly, teasing me until a moan escaped my mouth. I didn't have the same urges as before. A sense of desire welled within me, but not the flaming fire down my skin. His hands ran up my back to the base of my skull pulling my head to his. His kiss was deep and passionate. I felt the moan rumble in his chest. Again, the excitement ran shivers through my body. My hands traveled across his body and underneath his shirt.

My fingernails gently glided across his chest. His hands moved to the sides of my face holding me away from him. Looking deep into his eyes, they were a soft brown again. I smiled.

“Okay?” he asked

“Okay.” I replied.

I leaned forward, pressing myself into a kiss. Moving from his mouth, I found the sweet spot on his neck. Tasting it again, I realized my theory was right. I didn't have the desire to tear into him as I did before. Instead, all I wanted to do was soothe him and satisfy his needs. Caress him and love him. Yes, whatever happened last night we left in the meadow. I tested one more time, as I gently pressed my lips to the soft spot. To my surprise, he moaned again. The vibrations excited me. I liked this feeling. I backed away from him and looked into his eyes. They were still a soft brown.

“Okay?” I asked breathless.

“Okay. I think we are all right. Your theory was right. It was the combination of our scents together that was driving us mad,” he said smiling.

“Mating scent. That is what Charlotte called it.” I smiled. “But, I um, still have a little issue right now.”

His eyebrow rose slightly over his left eye. He knew exactly what I meant. “
Let me see what I can do about that.
” He purred in my ear softly.

Apparently, we were both right. We were fine. We were rid of our curse and could love each other, as we needed to. The desire for love was as strong as the fire’s desire was. I thought it funny as the old saying goes, you play with fire you get burned. This was a true statement for us. Our love was strong enough to quench the dangerous rage that burned within us. We could enjoy each other the way love was meant to be.

FIFTEEN

Darkness battled within the light in the sky as I sat on the patio in my robe watching the sunset with Daniel. We held hand in silence while we gazed into the brilliant colors of the sky. The red embers glowed as they warmed the sky like a painting. I felt the coolness of the night when the darkness took over the day. The time had come.

The sliding glass door opened as Jason and Heather walked out to join us. I could tell by the strong spicy scent that they had an evening like Daniel and me. Jason to my surprise walked out in an Irish kilt. Daniel’s face brightened while he fought back a laugh.

“Jason? I’m so afraid to ask you this question. But why are you wearing a kilt?” Daniel held onto the laugh.

“Well, I come from a long line of Irishmen. I’d say it’s a wee bit of a family tradition. We McLaughlin Clan have always gone into a battle wearing a kilt,” he announced proudly donned in his Irish accent.

“Jason, please tell me I’m not going to have to watch you sacrifice a poor animal and drink its blood before the battle tonight.” Daniel barked out a laugh.

Jason steadied himself squarely on his feet and adjusted his kilt. Looking at Daniel, he smiled. “No, but ‘ya might see me dance ‘round the fire naked tonight.” Jason winked.

The roar of laughter continued. Yes, tonight would be interesting to say the least.

I looked up in the sky and saw the full moon. I knew this night was going to be the beginning of something. Of what, I didn't know? My only hope would be that I carried the same sword with me as the night before. Daniel squeezed my hand when he stood and helped me to my feet. We all headed off the patio and through the back yard to the wooded area. Walking silently through the woods I tried to keep my focus. Ignoring Daniel’s thoughts I had to keep mine contained. I didn't want to have a panic attack worrying about Casey again. I managed to push all the horrific thoughts far away from my mind.

Reaching the edge of the meadow Jason and Heather stopped suddenly, and then turned toward Daniel and me. Heather’s face was different. There was something disturbing her. The frown on her face was evident as she sniffed the air, indicating something was wrong. I sniffed the air. A hint of fear shot through me. The scent was strong. It tickled my nose when I inhaled. I turned toward Daniel. He knew exactly what thought. Lilly and carnations like Heather said. Nathaniel.

We moved slowly, Jason and Daniel guarded Heather and me. Neither of us knew what to expect. I listened intently when we entered into the meadow. There in the distance I saw four figures walking through the woods to the center of the meadow. Daniel’s body stiffened in front of mine. I wanted to have a better look, so I moved over slightly to look around him. He pushed me back again with his arm. Frustration consumed me. The quick glimpse I had wasn’t enough to satisfy me. I touched his back slightly; he then released his arm to let me pass. His body remained tense when his hand drew to my arm ready to shove me behind him again.

The four strangers walked into the meadow under the full moonlight. It was amazing how the light of the moon appeared to radiate from their skin. It was as though they were almost glowing in the dark. My eyes widened when I watched their slow and cautious approach.

“Julie?” A voice called out. I recognized it immediately. The same tones I heard over the phone which stung in my ears were like a high-pitched musical note mixed within his voice. The background tones wouldn't normally affect humans in the same way it affected Lycans, however, with his voice raised the effect on us was like a silent whistle to a dog, painful.

“Yes?” I called back while Daniel’s hand tensed around my arm, squeezing it too tightly. He, of course forgot his own strength. “
Stop”
I whispered to Daniel. I turned back toward all of them and watched as they immediately stopped. Amazing, did they hear that whisper?

“Nathaniel?” I asked.

“Yes. May we come closer? It’ll be easier to talk.” He asked. I noticed Daniel, Jason and Heather had a hard time with his voice as well. It was clearly annoying when he yelled.

It appeared that we could only take his voice in a low tone. What kind of person was this Nathaniel, I wondered.

“Yes. I was actually talking to Daniel when I told him to stop.” I took the chance they did hear my whisper.

“Oh. We thought you meant for us to stop because we surprised you.” He said as they started walking toward us again.

Daniel drove me crazy with the thoughts which ran through his head. His overly protective nature annoyed me. He had a problem with Nathaniel. A low growl rumbled from him as they neared. The floral smell, which exuded from their bodies, was fairly interesting. Daniel’s senses ran wild. He had an uneasy feeling concerning them. I imagined if he were a wolf right now, the hair on the back of his neck would be standing up.

“I’m Nathaniel.” The youngest of the four stepped forward and held out his hand. He was tall with blond hair and what appeared to be brown eyes. His attraction surprised me. He was absolutely the most beautiful man I had ever seen. His beauty was unreal.

Daniel released another low warning growl. This time it was meant for me. I pushed him aside and stepped forward to greet Nathaniel. Daniel moved out with me not trusting this strange smelling person.

“Nathaniel, it’s nice finally to meet you.” I extended my hand to touch his. Nathaniel’s hand touched mine lightly. Surprised I jumped slightly, realizing almost too late, that I would have to catch Daniel. He felt the fear rush from me as I watched him lunge forward. I turned quickly, his body slammed hard against mine.
“Get a grip!”
I shot the thought in my mind to him. Daniel relaxed enough as not to be to intimidating.

“I can understand the uneasiness.” Nathaniel began. “I’m sorry I surprised you.”

“No, I just hadn’t expected your hand to be so cold.” I replied hoping that I hadn’t offended him.

He laughed softly. The tones rang lightly in my ears. “I suppose I should have warned you of my hands ahead of time.” Looking back to the others, he stepped aside so I could have a clear view of them.

“This is my brother Richard.” He continued.

Richard was different from Nathaniel. The family resemblance was clear, but at the same time Richard’s beauty captivated me. The same pale skin, only Richard’s dark brown colored hair set them apart. His dark blue sweater couldn’t hide the well-built and formed body. Toned and tightly muscled, a truly exquisite specimen of the image of man. No, more like a Greek god. There were no other words I could use which would describe the beauty that my eyes beheld. Richard in his early thirties, I guessed, was the most breath taking man I’d ever seen.

“My closest friends, I call my brothers, Lance and Raphael Dupree. I guess you could say we are blood related.” Nathaniel continued motioning to the other two men.

Lance and Raphael were definitely brothers. They both had the same dark sandy brown hair and shaped face. They appeared to be in their late twenties, not too much older than Nathaniel. Lance was a little more on the stockier side than Raphael. Raphael was taller and lean. One thing other than their pales skins, they were all very beautiful.

“This is Daniel, Casey’s brother.” I motioned with my hand. “And this is Heather and Jason McLaughlin.”

“Irish?” Nathaniel nodded toward Jason. I was guessing it was the war kilt that gave Jason away.

“Borne and bred.” Jason retorted.

Nathaniel chuckled a little. “I suppose we should answer the obvious question first.” He said with his attention now on Daniel and me.

From the corner of my eye, Daniel’s body stiffened. He glared at Richard. Daniel’s thoughts ran wild with jealousy, primarily because Richard’s attention was focused on me.

Daniel carefully watched him and noticed his never left me from the time I stepped in front to shake hands with Nathaniel. Richard’s interest was very clear to everyone around. I tried to ignore his jealous thoughts and concentrated on Nathaniel.

“We are not human as you probably guessed.” Nathaniel continued.

“I figured as much. I know you’re not one of us, a Lycan.” I spoke softly.

“You would be correct. We are not werewolves either. We are actually vampires.” He said as a matter of fact.

Jason and Heather tensed and released a loud gasp. Daniel drew in a breath and bent forward shoving me behind him with his arm. The other three behind Nathaniel bent forward in a crouching position. They were prepared for an attack.

“Oh stop it every one of you!” I was simply sick of this. I pushed Daniel’s arm out of my way. “We’re not going to harm you Nathaniel, nor your brothers. I speak for each of us when I say we are a little startled. I’ve never met a vampire and frankly didn't even know they existed. They were only legends and stories.”

“Touché,” Nathaniel chimed. “We were not aware that such a thing as a Lycan existed until I met Casey. Imagine my surprise.” He chuckled. “There are two things I can tell you that we have both in common. Firstly, vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies. Secondly, I love Casey as much if not more than you do.”

“How can you love my sister? You don’t even have a heart!” Daniel hissed.

My heart dropped into my chest by his reaction. I noticed Daniel could feel the sadness that gripped my heart by his outburst. I painfully noticed when Nathaniel dropped his head as if Daniel’s words cut through him.

“That is not entirely true,” he sighed. “I do have a heart. It may not beat as yours does, but I assure you I have all the strong emotions just as you when it comes to love.” The sadness in his voice pulled at my heart.

Appalled at Daniel’s outburst I wanted to confront him, but I understood this was a shock to him. His sister was with a vampire. It was a shock to me as well.

“Nathaniel, I’m not holding what you are against you. You have to understand, what little we know of vampires comes from the stories that they feed off of humans.” I spoke up quickly.

“We don’t hunt humans. My brothers and I try to live peaceably among humans. There are other ways we obtain what we need. Just as you eat animals to survive, we do also.

There are a few other vampires out there that are like us. We didn’t choose this life but have learned to live with it.” His eyes traveled to all of us. “I hope you can understand we’re not your enemies.”

“I agree with Julie.” Heather shot in. “Nathaniel does have a pure soul. He’s telling the truth.”

“All right then. I trust my wife and what she sees. Nathaniel, you and your brothers are welcome to join us tonight. It appears we’ll need your help. So how much experience do you have in killing werewolves?”

“I would say around a few hundred or so years worth.” Raphael, the tall, well-built sandy brown-haired vampire spoke out.

“Well, I guess that settles it then.” I hoped Daniel would leave his thoughts of Richard alone for a while.

“Okay, here’s our plan.” Jason began. “We can’t fight in close quarters. We have to be in the open. Our plan was to somehow to lure the werewolves here.”

“Wait a minute.” Daniel spoke up. “Bring your friends?” He turned to me.

Thinking back, I remembered what he mentioned. “We have a problem then.” I started. Everyone shot me a strange look, like I’d lost my mind or something. “Casey’s Mom received a phone call. Telling us to bring the pack, meet them at the barn and bring your friends. We didn’t know what they meant at the time. I’m guessing they meant you. This is someone who is planning on all of us showing up there.” I rambled on.

“No one knows who we are. The only person who does is Casey.” Nathaniel’s expression turned to concern.