Survive the Dawn (37 page)

She draped her arms over the arms of the chair and put her head back. She closed her eyes and against her will, she smiled as she remembered their first meeting. How Alex rushed into the classroom that night. Sebastian remembered her soft voice as she apologized for being late. She
pursed
her lips to avoid the smile as she remembered Alex holding the bottle of holy water and the crucifix that night in the lab at Windham Research. When the realization hit Alex that Sebastian was indeed a vampire, she took the information in stride; she was more curious than anything else. When Alex admitted her love, Sebastian was stymied. This redhead invaded Sebastian’s heart and soul, if she had one.

Once again, she felt a presence. When she heard movement, she opened her eyes. She was amazed at the sight before her. There stood Alex, her red hair pulled off her neck, golden combs held her thick hair in place. She wore a white silk robe, sleeveless, tied at the waist; the flowing material trailed behind her. A silver and gold necklace hung sensually around her neck.

Sebastian sat transfixed as Alex stood in front of her. She was beautiful.

“Alex, what—?”

“It was written in a letter I found in Tatiana’s book. Written to you, telling you how the ceremony should take place. How your elders would be present and
Nicholae
. How she would transfer all she knew to you, so you would reign wisely for the next thousand years. The end of the letter is more important to me.” She handed the letter to Sebastian, who took it without a word.

Alex stood and waited while Sebastian read the letter. She scanned through it, reading about the ceremony that was unimportant now, as Sebastian had the book along with the amulet and ring. She read of how Tatiana wanted Sebastian to rule wisely. How she hoped Sebastian would find her lost humanity somehow and…

She looked up at Alex, who smiled. Sebastian saw the tears well in her green eyes, how the flames from the torches made them sparkle. She read the last of the letter.

I hope you have found your lost humanity, Sebastian. I know what happened with Anastasia and how you had to kill the thing you loved. If it were possible to find your soul, perhaps this book will assist you. It is written that the chosen one will lead our kind but will not lead alone.

Find your chosen one. I knew it would not be Anastasia. She was weak, and at the time, you were too headstrong, too impatient in your quest. I could not tell you. You were fulfilling your destiny as it was written long ago. Long before the dawn, when we were not unlike the mortals.

Find the one, Sebastian, and lead wisely.

Tatiana Messalina

Sebastian folded the worn letter and placed it on the table next to the chair. She looked at Alex, who looked so lovely.

“I figured if we couldn’t have the ceremony, at least we could have this.” She lightly lifted the silken material of the robe. “I don’t think Tatiana would mind.”

“Alex, there is much you need to know.”

“There is much you need to know about Kendra,” Alex said. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

“I thought you hated me.”

“I—” She stopped; Alex searched her eyes.

“What?” Alex stepped forward. “Tell me.”

Sebastian scowled as the vision of Kendra touching Alex, kissing her, flashed once again. “I understand. I know I’ve turned your life completely upside down. It’s not your fault.”

“I want to tell you what happened with Kendra.”

“I know, Alex.” Sebastian ran her fingers through her hair.

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Sebastian, when Kendra kissed me—”

“I get it.” Sebastian shifted uncomfortably in the chair. She folded her arms across her chest, feeling very much like a child. Oh, these human emotions!

“When she kissed me, for an instant, Sebastian, I…and I don’t know why…”

Sebastian heard the confusion in her voice. “I get it. She kissed you. You liked it. I get it. I’m sorry I destroyed her. We can always have a ritual and bring her back.”

Alex cocked her head. “That’s not what I want and you know it.”

“No, really. I’m the hierarchy now. I can do it,” Sebastian said, oozing sarcasm as she snapped her fingers. “Just like that, I can bring her back.”

Alex put her hands on her hips. “I’m trying to explain how I felt and what was happening at the time.”

Sebastian grunted and rolled her eyes. She tried to remember she was a member of the vampire hierarchy now and not some jealous lover—it wasn’t working. “Fine. How did you feel?” She noticed the anger rising in Alex’s face. “Did you get all tingly inside?”

Alex glared at her. “You pompous jackass. How dare you? You’ve lived for half a millennium, romping and ravaging women and vampire alike and you have the nerve to get sarcastic with me over a kiss?” Her voice rose as she emphasized the last word.

Sebastian leaned back as she sat upon her throne. Alex was fuming; Sebastian let her rant.

“You beat all, do you know that? You fly into my life, make me love you, and do not deny it. You did. And look at me.” She put her arms out. “If I wanted Kendra or anyone else, would I be standing here like a moron, dressed in a toga, waiting for you to make love to me?” She swiped the one red curl off her forehead with the back of her hand. “Well?”

Sebastian felt her arousal grow exponentially. She raised her hand. “Come here, Alex.” She watched as Alex suddenly shivered and slowly walked up to her. “Kneel down.”

Alex narrowed her eyes for a moment. Sebastian grinned slightly as she felt her fangs protrude. “Please,” she added.

Alex knelt in front of her; Sebastian sat forward and caressed her cheek. Alex moaned and leaned into her touch. She ran her fingers across Alex’s cheek, to her ear; Alex purred into her touch and closed her eyes. Sebastian’s fingers entwined in her red hair as she pulled Alex’s head back. Alex’s eyes opened as Sebastian gazed down into the green depths. “The thought of someone touching you drives me insane. Can you understand that?” she whispered. “You are mine.”

“Yes,” Alex replied. “And if you don’t make love to me soon—”

Sebastian smothered her last words in a heated kiss. She stood, held out her hand to assist Alex to her feet, and led her to the bedchamber.

They stood by the bedside as Sebastian gazed down into her eyes. “There is much to consider, Alex.” She ran her fingers across the top of Alex’s shoulders, then down her arms, and grinned as Alex shivered uncontrollably. “My life now—”

“Our life,” Alex whispered, reaching up to touch Sebastian’s face. Her hands were gently pushed aside.

“Our life,” Sebastian said; she ran her fingers up and down the soft skin of Alex’s arms. “Leigh is back.”

“I don’t care.” Alex sighed and stood perfectly still.

Sebastian nodded and cupped her breast. “
Nicholae
is furious.”

“He’ll get over it,” Alex whispered in a ragged voice.

Sebastian grinned slightly as she slowly untied the robe. She pushed the silken folds back to expose Alex’s body. Alex was shivering, her nipples hardening as Sebastian ran her thumbs over each. “There will be others who don’t agree with me.”

“There will be those who do,” Alex said.

Sebastian inwardly smiled at the feisty, challenging tone of the mortal she loved. She lowered her head and kissed her neck, while her fingers toyed and teased her breast. “We need to go to Ireland,” she mumbled against the vein that pulsated beneath her lips.

“I’ll call the travel agent in the morning.”

Sebastian delighted in Alex’s deep moan when her fangs lightly grazed her neck. Sebastian lowered her hand away from Alex’s breast and slid down her torso; she reached around and cupped her buttock, gently kneading her firm cheek. Alex let out a deep groan when Sebastian caressed her hip, then slid her fingers through her wetness. “For me,” she whispered as she slipped through her folds.

Alex merely nodded and bit her bottom lip. She groaned impatiently when Sebastian removed her fingers and slipped the robe from her shoulders; it fell to a muffled heap at Alex’s feet. She now stood naked in front of Sebastian, who stepped back and gazed at her body. Her mouth watered when she saw the glistening red curls between Alex’s trembling legs.

“Open your eyes, love,” Sebastian said. She looked into Alex’s eyes. “There will be much for you to consider and much to deal with in the future.” She reached up and took the combs out of Alex’s hair, allowing the thick curls to fall helplessly around her shoulders.

“But not tonight,” Alex whispered with a grin.

Sebastian nodded and laid her against the pillows; she slowly disrobed. “No, Alex. Not tonight.”

Their eyes locked as Sebastian slipped out of her clothes. “You are so beautiful, Sebastian.” She opened her arms. “Come, I need to feel you.”

Sebastian slipped between her legs and lay atop her. Alex ran her fingertips over the healing wound on Sebastian’s shoulder. “This is new.”

“I got bit.” Sebastian’s grin faded when she saw the worried look and the flash of doubt. “I heal quickly, remember?”

Alex nodded but said nothing. Sebastian kissed her tenderly. “I do love the feel of you, Alex. I always will.”

Tears welled once again. Sebastian read her mind, and as Alex started to speak, Sebastian kissed her, then pulled back. “I know Kendra meant nothing. It’s forgotten,” she whispered and sensually moved her hips into Alex, slowly at first, then her pace quickened, her passion mounted; she felt her fangs protrude and her body expand. Alex groaned and writhed beneath her as Sebastian rose up and supported her body on her outstretched arms; her muscles contracted and bulged as she bore her hips into Alex.

“Oh, god,” Alex whimpered as she grabbed Sebastian’s ass, pulling her closer.

Sebastian’s fangs dropped and her back arched as her orgasm started. She threw her head back and let out an unearthly howl as she came. Alex was right behind her, her body twitching as she clawed at Sebastian’s shoulder, urging her downward.

“Now, please,” she cried out.

Sebastian growled as she kissed and licked her way down Alex’s body until she settled between her parted legs. She felt Alex’s fingers clutching her hair, holding her close. “Please, Sebastian,” Alex cried out again.

Sebastian kissed the small, nearly invisible puncture wounds on the inside of Alex’s thigh. When Alex moaned and parted her legs farther, Sebastian slipped her tongue deep inside. Alex was writhing against the silken sheets, her body convulsing as Sebastian’s teeth nipped and raked across her clitoris. Turning her head, she sank her fangs deep into Alex’s vein. Alex arched off the bed and held Sebastian close; Sebastian groaned as she drank from this woman, her savior.

The blood flowing through Alex would take Sebastian into the next thousand years.

Leigh watched from the shadows of the woods as Sebastian stood on the precipice of the burnt shell of Tatiana’s home. It was almost dawn; Leigh cautiously gazed at the eastern sky, then shrank behind the safety of the tree.

As the sun rose above the Carpathian Mountains, Leigh watched as Sebastian closed her eyes. A feeling of pure jealousy rippled through her when Sebastian smiled and lifted her head to the morning sun.

“She looks more magnificent in the light of day,” Leigh said in a low voice. “Doesn’t she, my pets?” The leaves rustled beneath her feet, but there was no one, nothing there. “What? Yes, darlings, I agree. A vampire in the light of day,” she said, watching the dawn appear over Sebastian’s face.

Leigh pulled the hood over her, shrouding her beauty and hiding her from the dawn. She retreated into the darkness and laughed. “I gotta get me some of that.”