Fallen Embers (17 page)

“Sure. Of course,” Julie agreed automatically.

“I never dreamed she'd up and leave like that.”

“How could you?” Born Vampire. It flew in the face of everything Julie had been taught, everything she and Marc had grown up believing. But it made perfect sense and, suddenly, she knew that was exactly how it had been.

Julie and Marc had
not
been turned as children; they
hadn't
had the choice taken from them. It had never been a choice at all—they'd been born this way.

“And it
wasn't
dangerous to go along with it, to let her think what she liked—no matter what anyone said. Arguing with her would have just stressed her out even more. It's not like she was planning on…on staking them through the heart or anything silly like that. You have to understand, she
loved
those babies. She would
never
have done anything to hurt them—not for the world.”

“No, of course not.”

“She was frightened, that's all, and this was her way of coping.”

“So was she…was she
very
upset by the idea?”

“Upset? Oh, Lord no. Far from it.”

“She wasn't?” Julie breathed another sigh of relief. “Really? That-that's good to know.”

“She wasn't upset
at all—
that was another reason why I wasn't more concerned. To hear her talk you'd have thought it was the best thing ever. She couldn't stop grinning whenever the subject came up. That's mostly why I didn't try harder to change her mind. It was like…a game, almost. You know? She used to say it was our little secret. The only thing that bothered her about it was not knowing how to care for them.”

Julie nodded. It made perfect sense. Her mother hadn't known how to bring up baby vampires, so she brought them to Conrad. Who better to care for them? “I'm sure it's very common for expectant mothers to feel that way,” she said, not meaning a word of it, but wanting to offer something to Linda in the way of reassurance and thanks. “I'm sure you handled things exactly right. There was nothing more you could have done. And she
did
take care of her babies. Even though she couldn't be there for them herself, she made sure they were given the best care possible. I promise you, no one could have asked for better parents than my grandfather and his partner.”

“Thank you for saying that.” Linda's voice quavered. “For telling me…all of this, really. I'd be lying if I said I'd spent most of the last forty years worrying about her but…you know, from time to time, I
have
thought about her, and the way she left. It's always bothered me that she just disappeared like that… We were friends! And…and I felt that I failed her.”

Impulsively, Julie gave her a hug. “I'm sure you did everything you could for her. I'm sure she was very grateful for your friendship. I know she was. I feel almost like I was led here today. Like she would have wanted me to come here and find you, and let you know what happened to her so you wouldn't have to wonder anymore.”

Linda sniffled loudly. “I think so too. It would be just like her. She always found ways to do what she had to do.” She pulled back and dabbed at her eyes. “Oh, this is so silly.” Then she paused and looked at Julie curiously. “Wait. Did you just say your…grandfather raised the twins? I thought you told me you didn't know who the father was?”

Julie shrugged. “Grandfather is just what we've always called him. I don't know if there was an actual, biological link. But I do know he cared deeply for her—and for her children.”

“You remind me a lot of her. I'm not just talking about your looks now, either; it's your voice, your mannerisms—everything really.”

“I wish I could have known her.” Julie sighed wistfully.

“You would have liked her.” Linda smiled. “And she would have
loved
you. Not just because you're related, but because…you share the same spirit. I don't know how else to say it. I don't suppose you believe in auras?”

“Not really.”

“No. No one does anymore. But, all the same, I think you two would have gotten along very well. Let's leave it at that.”

“That would have been nice.”
We share a spirit?
Julie had no idea what that even meant—more hippie-speak, she supposed. Her gaze strayed once more to the photo on the wall. “Is there any way I could get a copy of that picture? I'd pay for it, of course. It's just…”

“Of course! I have a copier and some photo paper in my office. I'd be happy to make you a copy. In fact, I'll go do it right now.”

While she waited for Linda to return, Julie studied the other pictures on the wall. She wished she could find more photos of her mother. Or perhaps a picture of that man Linda had mentioned—the one who might possibly be her biological father. Would she recognize him too? Was he still alive? Maybe she and Marc could track him down and…and what? Pretend to be his long-lost grandchildren? Create a bond they could never maintain with their human relatives? No. That would suck. It was probably best not to even go there.

She glanced around when she heard the shop door open and was not surprised to see that her brother had come looking for her.

“There you are.” Marc sounded relieved.

Julie couldn't help but smile at her brother. “Hey, you're back. Come here and take a look at these photos.”

She held her breath, wondering if he would feel it too, that instantaneous connection she had felt to the scenery, the time and place. But as he closed the distance between them, Julie could feel the tension radiating from her brother. “Everything okay, bro? You get your business all taken care of?”

“How come you didn't leave a note saying where you'd gone? I was worried.”

Julie shrugged and quickly stifled her first impulse—which was to tell him everything she'd learned. “Sorry. Guess I didn't think about it. I don't know where else you thought I'd be though. It's not like I was going to get far on foot. I just didn't feel like hanging out in the motel room all day. I was hungry and this place looked interesting and I was thinking maybe I could get something to eat.”

“I left you some food,” Marc protested. “And I told you when I'd be back. You should have waited.”

Julie sighed. “I got the food and your note. But it wasn't much and, like I said, I didn't
feel
like waiting.” Much as she wanted to include Marc in on her discovery, she was probably better off waiting until later. He was too grumpy, for one thing. For another, he probably wouldn't believe her anyway—no more than she'd have believed him, had their roles been reversed. “Now would you please take a look at these pictures? I want to know what you think.”

Given his pissy mood, the odds were good that anything she said would only lead to an argument. She was still elated by the discoveries she'd made. She didn't want anything to spoil this moment for her. Besides, attempting to have a private conversation with her brother with Linda due back any minute was a bad idea. Julie didn't want to risk having her new friend overhear something she shouldn't.

Marc gave the pictures on the wall a cursory glance. “Yeah, they're great. Very nice. Are you ready to go? I want to get back.”

“Now?” If they left now, the sun would be blindingly bright the entire trip home. Even wearing dark glasses, and with the car's specially tinted windows, it would be unpleasant. She shuddered at the thought. “You're kidding, right? Can't we wait until dark?”

Marc shrugged. “Something's come up. I need to get back tonight.”

“Why does everything always have to be ‘now' with you?” She was getting a little tired of being captive to her brother's timetable.

“I know it probably seems that way—”

“No, Marc. It
is
that way and you know it.”

“Sorry,” Marc said, not sounding even slightly repentant.

“Yeah. Sure you are. I don't see why we have to rush off like this. We just got here. I might have had stuff I wanted to do down here too, you know.”

“You do? Like what? How come you waited until now to say so?”

“Oh, never mind.” She'd already found what she'd been looking for, so there really wasn't a reason to stay. “Why don't you wait for me in the car, okay? I'll only be a minute. I'm getting something…wrapped.”

Marc nodded. “Fine. Just make it quick.”

“Aye-aye, Captain.” Julie gave Marc a mock salute. “Whatever you say.” Really, playing king of the hill over at that warehouse of his had clearly gone to Marc's head. He'd always been more than a little bossy, but this was ridiculous.

Linda returned just as Marc was leaving. “Here you go, hon,” she said as she extended a manila envelope toward Julie. But when she caught sight of Marc exiting the shop, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her jaw slack, she continued to stare at him through the window as he crossed the parking lot and climbed into the car. Then she turned back to Julie. “Was that your…brother?”

“Yep. I'd have introduced you but, as you can see, he's kind of in a hurry.”

“Wow.” Linda shook her head, her expression bordering on bemused. “I can't believe it. The resemblance is amazing.”

Julie shrugged. “I guess.” She'd heard it all before. “How much do I owe you?”

“Oh, no, no, no.” Linda shook her head. “This is a gift, honey. You just put your money away. But, listen, I've been thinking. Why don't you leave me your address? I'm pretty sure I have more photos lying around someplace. If I can dig them up, perhaps you'd like me to send you copies of those too?”

Julie smiled. “Sure. That'd be great. I'd love that.” She was pretty sure Conrad would
not
love the fact that she was handing out his address to a virtual stranger, and she was doubly glad that Marc wasn't around right now to interfere. They'd both just have to deal with it—if and when it happened. Who knew if Linda would actually follow through? Besides, Conrad would likely come around pretty quick, once she explained how important it was, and as for Marc…well, what was it to him? He didn't even live at the mansion anymore!

“So how'd things go at the gallery?” Julie asked as they sped back to the city. “Did you find anything out about your friend?”

Marc glanced across at his sister. She'd been unusually quiet on the drive, her fingers lovingly caressing the manila envelope she held on her lap and refused to put down. He'd be lying if he'd said he wasn't curious about the envelope's contents, he just wasn't curious enough to mention it and open up a discussion about his own morning. It seemed, however, that that discussion was inevitable.

“Yeah,” he replied repressively. “I got a lead.”

“So it was her work?”

“Yeah.” It was definitely Elise's work. New work. Work that spoke to him about her fear of being found, her hopes of staying hidden—hopes he would shortly put an end to.

The guilt he felt about that, however, was nothing compared to his concerns over what he might have done to the gallery's manager when she resisted giving him Elise's address. He'd lost his temper and actually felt her mind begin to crack under the weight of his will. He'd reined in his anger just in time—or so he hoped. Who knew his thoughts could be so powerful?

Conrad would know.
The thought whispered through Marc's mind. Conrad would definitely know. It looked as though Marc would have to talk with his sire soon—much sooner than he would have liked.

Julie was studying him. “What?” Marc snapped, more sharply than he intended.

“We really didn't get a chance to talk much on this trip, did we?”

Marc sighed. “No. We didn't. And I'm sorry about that. I just…had a change of plans. But we'll do it again. Soon. I promise.”

“Uh-huh.” Julie sounded unconvinced. “And, given how you're in such a hurry all of a sudden, I don't suppose I can talk you into coming in with me when we get back, either, huh? Not even just to say hello?”

“Not today.”

“You can't keep ignoring each other forever, you know.”

“I just don't have time right now. I'll stop by soon though—like I said.”

“I hope so. And, after all, time
is
on our side.”

A small smile glimmered on his sister's lips as she turned her head to stare out through the windshield. Her fingers tightened around the edges of the envelope in a gesture Marc couldn't quite identify.

Was she being protective? Possessive? Was she seeking comfort from whatever was inside? And what was with the faintly wistful tone of her voice? The soft tune she was humming to herself sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. It wasn't like her to sound so melancholy—or so philosophical. Time is on our side? At the moment, that sure didn't seem to be the case.

“Soon,” he repeated yet again. He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “I promise.”

The sun was just sliding beneath the horizon when Georgia woke up. She sat up slowly, feeling stiff and cold—not surprising given that she'd spent most of the day asleep in the forest. It had been a very long time since she'd last slept outside, on the ground, with naught but a cloak for shelter. It was every bit as uncomfortable as she'd recalled. She had not missed it in the slightest.

It was also dangerous to do such a thing, especially unarmed and in so urban an area. She could only imagine how furious Conrad would be if he learned of it. But, in truth, despite the discomfort, despite the vulnerability, she'd felt far safer here, far more relaxed, than she would have felt at home.

Christian's behavior was becoming more worrisome with every passing day. She didn't know how much longer either of them could hide what was happening. At least, in her absence, it would not be as obvious to the others that she was losing control of him. She should have been expecting it. As she grew weaker, so did her hold on him. And his desire—nay, his need—to kill her, to absorb her essence and preserve their bloodline, would only grow stronger.