Survive the Dawn (22 page)

Once back at her lab, Alex sat on the tall stool and rubbed her neck. Too much had happened too fast for her. All of the sudden, she felt old and tired; her world was forever changed by her love for Sebastian. She laughed ruefully. Kansas is a long way off, she thought. What made her think of that? She glanced at
Gaylen
, who watched her intently.

“Are you reading my mind?”

“No, darling. One only needs to watch your face to know what you’re thinking.” He patted her shoulder. “You are what you are and Sebastian is what she is.”

“And never the twain shall meet?” Alex looked down at the notebook.

“East is east and west—”

“I get it,” Alex said, holding up her hand.

Gaylen
picked up a test tube; Alex took it out of his hand. “I love Sebastian.”

“I’m sure you do,”
Gaylen
said. He then took Alex by the shoulders and gently swung the chair to face him. “But on what level?”

Alex heard the curiosity in his voice; she looked into his silvery eyes and answered, “I don’t know.” She was astonished by her honesty. From
Gaylen’s
raised eyebrows, so was he.

“I don’t envy you or Sebastian.”

“Thanks,” Alex said. “It’s just that so much has happened. When I first met Sebastian…”

Gaylen
cocked his head and smiled. “Tell me. I haven’t spoken of love in centuries.”

Alex thought for a moment and smiled. “The moment I saw her in the classroom, I thought she was incredibly sexy, smart, and gorgeous. But at times, I saw such sadness, it pulled me in.”

“Yes, Sebastian can be quite brooding. I remember when she first came to England. What a solemn creature she was, and on some level still is, and may always be.”

Alex looked at him then and let out a sigh of resignation. “I know. She’s a vampire, after all.”

“Yes, she is. This can’t change,”
Gaylen
said. “There is only one question now.”

Alex cocked her head and waited.

“What are you prepared to do?”

“By that, do you mean am I ready to become the undead? To be immortal?”

Gaylen
merely nodded.

“I don’t know,” Alex said. “If you would have asked me that a month ago, I would have said yes without hesitation.”

“But now…”

“Now I think I’m seeing what all this really is,” Alex said and waved her hand around the lab.

“It’s not all catacombs.”

Alex narrowed her eyes at the innocent smile. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I know. Can I tell you a story?”
Gaylen
jumped up and sat on the counter. Alex nodded. “Some time ago, I met a young man, a member of Parliament, no less. He was beautiful, so gentle and kind. We met in secret for months on end until one day he professed his love for me. I refused him and sent him on his way. He was crestfallen. He never married and lived his life serving his country in Parliament while having innocuous affairs with young men.

“I never saw him again until the day he died. He was so old, yet still very handsome. Naturally, not having seen me in nearly fifty years, I thought he would have forgotten all about me.” He stopped and smiled sadly before continuing, “When he saw me, he smiled and said, ‘I knew you couldn’t stay away.’ He never questioned why I still looked the same after fifty years, he simply said thank you and died.”

They sat in silence for a moment until
Gaylen
cleared his throat. “I never told him I was a vampire, though the urge to turn him was overwhelming. Each time we kissed, each time he touched my hand, I knew what his life would have been like.” He looked at Alex then and rolled his eyes. “Stop crying. There is no crying for the undead, my dear.”

Alex laughed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “So you’re telling me to leave Sebastian?”

“No, I’m telling you to be sure of what you want. This is not like buying a house, then selling it if you don’t like it.”

“I’m well aware, Gay—”

“No, Alex, you’re not. How could you unless this has happened to you before, which I sincerely doubt?”

Alex stubbornly set her jaw and
Gaylen
shook his head. “You’re a stubborn mortal, Dr. Taylor.”

“Yes, I am. And speaking of stubbornness, I have work to do.”

Chapter 18

“Dr. Taylor, you’ve been bent over that microscope all day,” Kendra whispered in Alex’s ear.

Alex’s head shot up and nearly knocked the microscope off the counter as she backed up. “I-I’m fine.” She looked around the empty lab. “Where’s
Gaylen
?” For some reason, she wanted the flamboyant vamp at her side. Where had he gotten to?

“He was with…others. He was bored senseless,” Kendra said. “Now I’m sure you’re famished. We can’t have you getting sick. Sebastian would frown upon that. How about dinner?”

Alex gathered her notes and shook her head. “No, I’m fine, really. I’ll just take a cab back—”

“Nonsense,” Kendra insisted and took the papers from her. She placed them in a folder on the counter. “I insist. I’ll have William take you back. You get yourself ready. We shall dine at six.”

Alex sat at the intimate candlelit table and hesitantly sipped her wine. It instantly warmed her as she looked across at her dinner companion. Vampire or not, Kendra was a strikingly beautiful woman. Her dark, smooth skin glistened in the candlelight. Alex noticed her green eyes had an amber tint to them when they reflected the light. She wore a black evening dress, her gold medallion hung sensually around her long neck; the gold hoop earrings were a perfect match. Alex was not sure she had ever seen such exotic beauty in her life. She swallowed with difficulty as Kendra lifted her wineglass to her lips.

“This seems to be a very expensive restaurant,” Alex said, clearing her throat; she drank more wine.

Kendra grinned and looked around. “What do you consider expensive, Dr. Taylor? May I call you Alex?”

Alex looked into her green eyes. “Of course. I suppose one hundred dollars for a bottle of wine is expensive.”

“Ah, but it is exquisite, is it not?” Kendra held the wineglass up to the candlelight. “You don’t approve?”

“Oh, sure. It’s wonderful.
Th
-thank you.”

“My pleasure,” Kendra said. “I’ve taken the liberty of ordering for us.” She placed her napkin in her lap, then gave Alex a questioning smile. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, thank you.”

“Splendid. I had to kill to get this table,” Kendra said.

When Alex gave her a horrified look, Kendra laughed. “I’m joking, Alex. I know the maître d’.” She poured Alex another glass of wine and watched her. “So are you in love with Sebastian?”

Alex had her wineglass to her lips and hesitated for a moment. She then took a healthy drink before answering. “Yes, I suppose I am. I know that sounds highly implausible.”

“Not at all. Sebastian has a way about her, has for some centuries now. Not many can escape her charms. And she is charming.” Kendra held her glass up to emphasize her words. “I’m sure she’s told you of Anastasia. You know Leigh firsthand, you poor darling.”

“Leigh’s gone now. That’s one less for Sebastian to deal with.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” Kendra said, swirling the wine in her glass. “Tell me, Alex, have you given any thought of your future with Sebastian? She is a vampire, after all, albeit very sexy.”

Alex bristled momentarily. “Sebastian and I will take care of the future.”

Kendra leaned in and smiled. “I’m sure you will, darling. I’m just concerned for you. Sebastian will always be…Sebastian. She will survive.”

Alex felt her anger rising. She knew Kendra was not concerned for her well-being. When she opened her mouth to say something, she looked beyond Kendra to the secluded booth behind her. She blinked several times as she watched two women in an intimate exchange. Her heart raced when she noticed one woman looked very much like Kendra—too much. This woman was smiling, showing her protruding canines as she leaned over and kissed the other woman. Alex’s back stiffened when she realized the other woman looked exactly like her. She couldn’t take her eyes off the mirror images of Kendra and herself.

This is insane, Alex thought, and shook her head. However, she watched Kendra kissing her. Alex could actually feel Kendra’s lips against hers. She could feel Kendra’s breath against her cheek. It was like watching some odd movie of one’s self, Alex thought. She was transfixed as she continued to watch Kendra kiss her cheek and lips and travel down her neck. Kendra’s hand then gently cupped Alex’s breast; Alex was riveted as she watched Kendra slip her hand inside the top of her dress.

Her heart raced as Kendra opened her mouth and sank her fangs into Alex’s neck. Alex actually stifled a gasp and put her hand to her neck as she watched the erotic scene unfold. Then Kendra slipped her hand away from Alex’s breast; it disappeared under the white linen tablecloth.

As Alex watched them, she could feel Kendra’s phantom hand between her legs, urging them apart. Her body trembled as she watched her double close her eyes and throw her head back against the cushioned booth. She could feel the hand slip inside her panties, the insistent fingers searching through her wetness. Alex’s head was spinning as she watched Kendra fuck her mirror image. She was helpless to look away and helpless to stop the orgasm she was actually feeling.

“Alex?” The sound of Kendra’s voice had Alex blinking in surprise. She tore her gaze away from the mirror images in the booth and looked across the candlelight at Kendra, who had a curious look on her face. “Is everything all right? You look flushed.”

Alex swallowed with difficulty and looked back at the secluded booth. It was empty.

“Y-yes, I’m fine,” Alex said, trying to calm her racing heart. Her legs trembled, her mouth was dry, and she hated the fact that she was frustrated. Her entire body hummed from the ghostly orgasm.

Kendra reached across the table and placed her hand over Alex’s. “Are you ill?”

“Would you mind? I’d like to leave. I suppose I’m not feeling well.”

Kendra grinned and wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin. “Certainly. You’re probably overworked. I’ll have William take you home.”

“Thank you,” Alex said, not able to look Kendra in the eye; she was afraid to.

The drive back was mercifully short. Alex did not wait for William to come around to open the door. When she got out, Kendra reached over and gently held her arm.

“I’m sorry you’re not feeling well,” Kendra said in a soft voice. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Alex looked into the green eyes and nodded. Kendra smiled, reached over, and gently cupped Alex’s face. “Good night,” she whispered as she leaned in.

Alex made no move to stop her as Kendra kissed her on the lips. For a moment, Alex’s body betrayed her; she leaned into the kiss. Then, just as quickly, she pulled back. “Y-you shouldn’t have done that, Kendra.”

Kendra raised an eyebrow and leaned back. “Perhaps not, but you shouldn’t have enjoyed it as much as you did. Good night.”

“Good night,” Alex said and exited the car.

She slammed the front door and marched into the library to find
Gaylen
in an intimate embrace with a young man. Both vampires jumped when Alex entered the room.

“Good Christ, is that all you vampires think about is sex?” Alex’s voice reverberated throughout the library.