Illusions (Night Roamers) Book Four (17 page)

“No,” he lied. “I can’t say that I have.”

“Your sister never mentioned her?”

He walked over to the window and looked out into the darkness.
“No, why would she?”

“Because Anne was your father’s little playmate. She’s also the reason he was murdered, so, you see – she deserves to die just as much as Victor.”

His eyes moved to the barn, where Nikki was waiting. “Then, I couldn’t agree with you more.”

Nathan

Nathan and Celeste sat quietly in the kitchen. He was playing games on his cell phone while she stared at him, glowering.

“So,” said Celeste after a time. “You’re a lycan now. When did this happen?”

“Earlier today,” he replied stiffly.

“How?”

He looked up. “I was bitten by one of them.”

“Way to go,” she replied, smirking.

He smiled coldly. “Actually, I’d rather be one of them than a cold-hearted bitch like
you.”

“Oh, please,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “Come up with something original at least.”

“I guess you’ve been told this many times then?”

“You know, Martin is right. Instead of being enemies, we
should at least try to get along. I mean, we’re both trying to kill Victor. We have common goals.”

“Only when it comes to him. Otherwise, you’re just as ruthless and conniving as he is.”

She grinned. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

This time he rolled his eyes. “What is up with you? One minute you’re trying to kill me or someone in my family, the next you’re flirting. You’re really fucked up, aren’t you?”

Her smile fell. “You’re a bastard. I mean, you really are, aren’t you?”

“
Whatever. Look, just don’t talk to me, okay?” he said, looking back down at his phone. “No chit-chat, no insults, and no batting your eyes at me like I’m going to fall for it again.”

“Nathan?”

He sighed in irritation and looked up at her. “What?”

She fluttered her eyelashes. “You fell for it before?”

He scowled. “You know very well that I did – back when I was naïve and only interested in getting into your pants. But times have changed, sweetheart. I’m not falling for your charms again, so quit trying to play me for a fool. And, for God’s sake, quit looking at me like that!”

“Like what?” she asked, undressing him with her eyes.

His lips tightened. She just wouldn’t stop with the seductive shit. “Do you have any idea how pissed off I am at you? Not only have you lied to me, but you tried killing everyone I care about, including myself.”

“I know. I’m sorry,” she answered softly.

“You’re
sorry
?” he snapped. “That’s all you have to say about everything is you’re sorry?”

“Yes,” she answered, looking at him through her lashes. “
I’ve been misguided. What can I say?”

“Say nothing and maybe we’ll get through all of this without trying to kill each other.”

“You know, you almost killed me too. At the club.”

“I was defending myself, so don’t throw that in my face.”

She pulled her red curls over her shoulder and twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “You were pretty bad-assed back there. I have to admit it.”

His lips twitched
. “You think so?”

She leaned forward
. “Nathan, you were so scary, I almost wet myself.”

“Did you hear me howl? It was so intense,” he replied, his face lighting up. “You know, I think I was born to be a lycan. I mean, you wouldn’t believe the rush I had, running through the streets. Hell, I must have been going forty miles an hour.”

She nodded and grinned. “I definitely know what that feels like. We go pretty fast, too.”

“I kn
ow. Even faster. But,” he smiled, “I can’t even begin to explain how fucking awesome it was. I felt like I could have kept running for miles.”

“
To tell you the truth – it might have been from digesting some of my blood.”

His smile fell. “Yeah, maybe. Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t want it to come to that. But, you would have killed me if I wouldn’t have done it. And, deep down, I
guess I kind of knew that you’d pull through pretty quickly.”

“I wouldn’t have killed you, Nathan,” she replied, staring at him. “I would have stopped before going that far. I just
… I don’t know.” Celeste turned her eyes away. “Look, you’re right. I’m messed up. I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore. Ever since Martin left and daddy started spending so much time with your mom, I just felt like I was so alone.”

“So, what, you turned to Faye?”

She looked back at him. “Faye, as crazy and frightening as she can be, has been very supportive and kind. That’s why it’s hard for me to actually deceive her.”

“You’re not going to stand in the way of us trying to do what we have to do, are you?”

She smiled grimly. “I’m going to stay out of the way. I mean, if Duncan is being held at Martin’s by Faye, I’m not going to interfere. But, if one of you tried killing her, I don’t really know what I’d do. She’s been like a mother to me.”

“You must be the only person she cares about,” he replied.

She shrugged. “Maybe. Well, besides Ethan. Her feelings for him are a little out there, though. She is obsessed with him.”

“He’s dead though, right?”

“Like I said before, I really don’t know.”

“Now that Drake is dead, he can’t tell us either,” replied Nathan.

“Guess not.” She looked around the kitchen. “So, this is Duncan’s place, huh?”

“
Yes. Sonny’s and Duncan’s. It was Sonny’s. Which reminds me,” his eyes narrowed. “Did you kill Sonny?”

“
Sonny? No. That was Faye. She killed him and all of those other girls in town.”

“Because of Ethan?”

She nodded. “Anyone who resembled Miranda – Faye wanted them all dead. Or, anyone else Ethan seemed interested in.”

“What’s the story about Miranda, anyway?”

“From what I understand, Miranda was married to Ethan back when he was a mortal. But then, Ethan was seduced by some vampire, I guess.”

His eye
s narrowed. “You mean charmed?”

“Probably,” she replied. “Anyway, the vampire bonded with him, and then disappeared. When s
he left, Ethan said he snapped out of it, and felt really guilty.”

“Did Mir
anda find out that he’d turned into a vampire?”

“
She killed herself. I’m sure that’s why.”

Nathan’s eyes widened.  “Whoa, really?
She committed suicide?”

She nodded. “Yes and then
, I guess, some fortune-teller or psychic told Ethan that Miranda would return someday. That he should watch for her to step back into his life and try to make amends.

“As in reincarnation?”

“Probably. That’s what he told Faye.”

He scratched his head. “Wow, no wonder he was obsessed with findi
ng her. Still, I don’t feel sorry for him. He betrayed Nikki. And you… you betrayed me, too.”

“Nathan, I never made any promises of any kind
and I don’t recall actually betraying you.”

“
What are you talking about? You were going to change me into a Roamer.”

She sighed
. “A bad judgment. If you remember, I did change my mind.”

He snorted. “
Oh, yeah, and you tried to kill me instead.”

“You sure hold grudges.” She stood up and walked over to him. “But, I don’t.”

He looked up at her. “What are you doing?”

She stepped behind him and put her hands on his shoulders. “Nathan, you’re so tense.” She began rubbing them. “You need to relax and let go of all the negative thoughts.”

He stiffened up. “Get your hands off of me,” he said, trying to shake her off.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Nathan,” she pouted. “For one thing, Martin would kill
me
. For another, every time I’m around you, I just want to touch you. I can’t seem to help myself.”

“I noticed. The last time you tried touching me with your teeth,” he snapped.

She giggled. “Oh, you big goof.”

He st
ood up and moved away from Celeste. He pointed at her. “I’m warning you – don’t come near me.”

Her eyes lowered to his zipper and she smiled in pleasure. “Looks like you enjoy it when I touch you, too.”

He stepped behind the counter. “Don’t waste your breath. I’m never thinking with that head again. I know what you’re like and messing around with you would be suicide.”

“But, don’t you remember how much fun we had?” She lifted the sweater over her head and tossed it to the floor.

His eyes flew to her shiny black pushup bra. “Victoria’s Secret?” he asked hoarsely.

She gave him a flirty smile and reached for the f
ront clasp. “It can also be Nathan and Celeste’s secret,” she replied, opening it.

Staring at her breasts, he felt himself begin to slip.
She was like heroin – a seductive killer with needle-like fangs. Lurid thoughts rushed through his mind and he sucked in his breath.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, smiling wickedly. “
Go ahead, touch them.”

He tried backing away, but the kitchen suddenly felt small and confining. “Just… put those
things away!”

“But, you used to love playing with them,” she pouted
again, walking around the counter. She unzipped her black cargo pants and pushed them down to her ankles while he watched, frozen. Soon she was standing in front of him with nothing but black satin panties.

“They’re crotch-less,” she whispered, turning around. She bent over the counter and
then looked at him over her shoulder, her smile feral and seductive. “Take me, Nathan. I’ll keep my hands on the counter and you can have your way with me.”

His heart was pounding in his chest.

She spread her legs farther apart, exposing her most intimate place. “I miss you, Nathan. I miss all of you.”

A
fuse went off in his head. “You’re an evil bitch,” he growled, stepping behind her.

Anne

William
quietly left Victor and Anne alone together in the master bedroom.

“Where have you been
, Galen?” she asked politely. As usual, he was dressed in an expensively-tailored suit, and his white hair was pulled back into a ponytail. When they’d been married, his fashion had consisted of sweaters and jeans, ones that she’d picked out for him. 

Ignoring the fact that she still called him by his middle name, h
e walked over to a cream-colored recliner sitting by the reading nook, and sank down into it. “Oh, here and there,” he replied, crossing a leg over his knee. He smirked. “Why, did you miss me, darling?”

“I was just curious as to where you’ve been. I’ve been stuck in this room for days
, and it’s driving me crazy.”

He took out his cell phone and began pushing some buttons. “It’s not safe for you to be wandering through the house in your condition.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Why? I’m only three months pregnant.”

“Don’t argue with me.”

“Can’t I go outside? At least at night. To get some fresh air? It would be good for the baby, I’m sure.”

She’d learned to use the pregnancy as a way
to keep him amiable. During their marriage, he’d been quick to jump on her about anything and everything. Always complaining and lashing out at her verbally whenever he wasn’t satisfied with something she’d done, or didn’t do. Like, in the mornings – if she overcooked his toast, or failed to have dinner ready by exactly six-thirty in the evening. Her marriage to him had consisted mostly of tears and sometimes relief – when he’d go away for a few days, giving them all a break. When they’d finally divorced, she’d thought her life had taken a turn for the better. Instead, he’d manipulated and hurt her even more so. Now, she despised the man sitting across the room so much, that she wouldn’t mind killing him if given the chance. 

He looked at his watch, it wa
s almost midnight. “Tell you what – we’ll go for a walk before Doctor Shepard arrives. How about that?”

She
bit back a sigh of relief. She knew it would be her one and only chance to escape before they found out that she was no longer pregnant. “Thank you. I’ve been feeling so claustrophobic. Not that this room isn’t lovely.”

He looked around. “It’s nice. You have a television, books, and that treadmill. If you are going to exercise, however, don’t strain yourself. We don’t want you having a miscarriage.”

She forced a smiled. “No. Heavens no. That would be horrible.”

He sent a text message to someone
, and then shoved his phone back into his suit jacket. “Why don’t you finish your meal,” he said, nodding toward the glass of blood. “I’m going to change my clothing; I’ll return for you shortly.”

“Sure
,” she replied. She’d been so terrified when he’d arrived unexpectedly, that she’d almost forgotten to drink the blood. The strength it gave her would not only help her escape, but, hopefully give her the courage to remove the chip in her stomach. Now that she knew the baby couldn’t be harmed, she’d decided to try and cut it out herself.

He walked
toward the doorway and then turned back. “Oh, and by the way – don’t even think about trying to escape on this walk. One phone call to my boys in Shore Lake, and your children will be the ones who suffer for your stupid decision. Got it?”

She nodded quickly. “Yes. Of course. I’m not going to try anything.”

“Let’s hope not,” he answered. “Because I have a twenty-four hour watch on them and they wouldn’t be difficult to catch. Especially, Nathan. Neither would you, by the way.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she answered quietly. “Just a walk. With you.”

He nodded and left the room.

Bastard.

Gritting her teeth, she went into the bathroom, grabbed a razorblade and a tweezers, hoping it would be enough to get to the chip before they found her.

***

Victor collected Anne fifteen minutes later, wearing a blue fleece hoodie and matching sweatpants. She’d also changed into a gray running suit.

“Ready?”

“Yes,” she answered, her stomach in knots.

He escorted her down the long, spiral sta
ircase toward the front entryway, where he had another guard posted. The man was sitting down and reading a girly magazine.

“Enjoying
yourself, Nigel?” asked Victor, his lips twitching.

Nigel stood
up quickly and his face became flush when he saw Anne beside Victor. “Yes, I mean no,” he replied, hiding the magazine behind his back. “Going somewhere, sir?”

“We’re going for a walk,” said Victor, putting his arm around Anne’s shoulders. “We shouldn’t be gone too long.
Hold the fort down for us?”

“
Of course. Would you like an escort?” he asked.

Victor’s hand tightened on Anne’s shoul
der painfully. He grinned at her displeasure. “No, we won’t be needing one. Will we, Anne darling?”

“No,” she replied, wincing.
“Darling.” 

“I didn’t think so,” he answered, releasing her shoulder. “Nigel, if Dr. Shepard arrives before we return, show him to the study and offer him a drink.”

“Will do,” the guard replied as they stepped past him and went out the front door.

The air was cool as they stepped out into the darkness. Anne looked up into the sky at the stars and sighed
wistfully. “It’s a beautiful night… or morning, I guess.”

Victor grunted. “
Missed it out here that much, huh? I remember a day when you never wanted to leave the house.”

“That was because I worked during the day and at night, I was tired. Raising two children will do that to you,” she replied evenly.

They walked across the driveway toward the gates. “I suppose,” he replied, saying nothing more.

They walked in silence and when they got to the gate, a security guard let them through.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

Victor rea
ched into his hoodie pocket. He pulled out a cigar and a punch. “There’s a park just up the road. When we get to it, we’ll take a break and then head back.”

“Okay,” she replied, as he cut the end of his cigar and then put it in his mouth. “I thought you quit those.”

“Nope,” he replied, taking out a lighter. “Told you, I’m not a quitter.”

“Ha, ha,” she replied dryly. “Well, just don’t blow it my way. It can’t be good for the baby.”

Sighing, he shoved the cigar back into his pocket along with the lighter. “I guess it can wait.”

They walked silently in the darkness and Anne grew more nervous with each step. She’d decided to
wait until they got to the park before trying to escape. After a few minutes, she cleared her throat. “So, have you seen Nikki or Nathan?”

“Yes, actually, I did
earlier. It was at your funeral, actually.”

“Oh, y
ou held it today?” she asked stiffly. She hated the fact that he’d lied to the children.

“Yes. I had you cremated. Anyway, it was lovely and we threw your ashes into the lake.”

“Whose ashes were they?”

“Some schmuck. I don’t really know. Drake
got them for me. Speaking of Drake,” he said, pulling out his cell phone. “I haven’t heard from him in a while. Stop for a minute.”

She froze and watched as he dialed Drake’s number.

“Drake, call me pronto when you get this.” He hung up and shoved the phone back into his pocket. “I swear – you just can’t find good help these days.”

“I guess not.”

He sighed and they started walking again in a strained silence.

“How did Nikki and Nathan handle the funeral?” she asked quietly
after a few more yards.

“Like they didn’t believe you were actually dead. I expected that, however.”

She looked at him. “You’re not going to harm them, are you?”

“I already told you that I wouldn’t, as long as you don’t give me any trouble.”

“I won’t,” she lied.

“Good. Now, what were you and William talking about in the bedroom earlier?”

“Oh, well, he told me that I should watch out for the other lycan in the house. He told me that they were getting anxious around me.”

“Anxious? I suppose he means excited. I’m going to have to bring in some entertainment for them soon, I suppose.”

“Entertainment?”

He smiled darkly. “Y
es. You see lycan are very lustful creatures. Very, very amorous. Especially when they haven’t been allowed to have sex for a while. I’ll bet they’re pretty pissed off at me right now.”

Her eyes widened.
“Let me get this straight – you haven’t
allowed
them to have sex?”

“I haven’t allowed them out of the house for the last couple of weeks.” He chuckled. “I suppose their balls are turning blue, especially knowing that there is woman in the house. A vampire woman. It’s a good idea to stay out of their path until I can bring in some girls.”

“You’re actually going to provide whores?”

“Yes.
It’s better that way. Especially for you.”

Anne frowned. “What did you mean by having a vampire woman in the house? Why does that make a difference?”

“I suppose you wouldn’t know this, but we have a love-hate relationship with vampires. Not only do we want to destroy the bastards, no offense, Anne,” he said, chuckling, “your turning was well out of your control. Anyway, the females give off some kind of pheromone. Something that riles us up.”

“Are you saying
that I affect them almost like a bitch in heat?”

He smirked. “Good analogy. Yes. Eve
n I am drawn to you,” he said, his eyes settling on her chest. “More than ever.”

She raised her hand to her chest and swallowed. “Galen – I…”

“Don’t worry,” he interrupted, looking back into her eyes. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt the child growing inside of you.”

She sighed. “Thank you.”

“I’m not going to lie to you, Anne, I’m not a nice guy. I’m a ruthless prick. One who will do anything I have to in order to succeed with my plans. I even married you, just so that I’d get off of the Feds’ radar. They were watching me very closely at the time. Admittedly, I was rather fond of you and that’s why you were chosen among several other candidates.”

“
Candidates? Wow, you really know how to knock a girl’s socks off,” she replied dryly.

He shrugged.
“I know that I used you and my temper sometimes got the best of me. Believe it or not, I do understand your bitterness. But,” he smiled, “now that things are in the open, I hope that we can come to a better understanding. Who knows, maybe even become friends.”