The Progeny (The Progeny Series) (24 page)

“I’m scared of flying
, because I’ve never flown anywhere.”

“You’ve never flown anywhere, ever?”

“Nope.”

He smirked then wrapped her
tighter in his arms. “
I’ll
protect you.”

She scowled at him.

A look of arrogance shrouded his face. “I assure you that if this plane goes down
you’ll
make it out alive. Vampire speed and agility, remember?”

“Sometimes I forget. It’s easy to do that. Well, looks like you’re downright invincible.”

“Except for the things I’ve told you about, pretty much.”

She was relieved.
Immortality meant that his death was something she didn’t need to worry about. The ways he could die were few compared to the many ways a human might lose their life. Still, they held a heavy weight to her. She loathed each immortal failing as if it were her mortal enemy.

“If you could have children, how many would you want?” Shauna asked
, desperately attempting to rid her mind of thoughts of death.

“
Two or three maybe. I’ve never given it much thought.” His next words came completely out of nowhere. “I don’t know if I can live without you. Those weeks we were apart, I was a mess. Quinn was ready to deliver me to your doorstep. I moped around the house, barely attended class and called you, more often than I probably should’ve. Most times, I hoped you wouldn’t answer, just so I could hear your voice on your machine.”

“That’s pretty pathetic, bordering on stalking.
I should’ve kept those messages for evidence.”

“You don’t believe me, do you? I can’t believe you question my love for you.”

“Of course, I believe that you love me. I’ll never doubt that again. It’s just hard for me to believe that you feel as deeply for me as you say. You could have any woman you want, so I’m still not sure why you want
me
.”

Shauna’s childhood
, full of verbal abuse, chipped away at her self-esteem, leaving her with a less-than-positive opinion of herself and the belief that she wasn’t worthy of any man’s love. If she ever had kids, she’d love them unconditionally and build them up, not tear them down.

“
Sweetheart, you’re so amazing. There’s no one else in the world like
you
, Shauna. You’ve awakened me in so many ways. Before you, I felt nothing. My beating heart was so cold and my life felt meaningless.

“Then
, you came, bringing a life force I’d never experienced, the wonders of the world blazing in your eyes. It was the first time I felt my heart and I tried to deny what I was feeling, but Quinn never let up on me. He saw the effect you were having on me. When you allowed me into your heart, it was the first time I felt
that
kind of love. The feelings and emotions overwhelmed me. I love my family and I know they love me, but it’s different. I never knew
that
kind of love existed until I felt yours.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to
say
anything.” He smoothed the tears from her face. “When we make love, it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt—like the world stops and nothing else exists in it, but us. I want to spend the rest of my existence loving you, protecting you, making you happy. I don’t know exactly what that means just yet, but I know that I’ll love you for eternity. I don’t have a choice. My free will disappeared the first time I looked into your eyes. They pulled me in and they continue to sink me deeper every day.”

Shauna
sighed, as his lips kissed hers, sparking that inevitable burn in her body. She stopped him. “I thought we weren’t going to make love tonight. You said I would weaken you.”

“I know I said that, and I probably shouldn’t. I need to learn restraint with you, but I can’t help how much I want you.” He kissed her again. “I can’t be this close and not burn for you.”

She gazed into his eyes. “I’m yours for the taking. Besides, you’re a vampire. What happened to all of that eternal
strength
and
invincibility
? You shouldn’t be worried about me
weakening you
.”

“I’m strong in all of the ways vital to a vampire, Father and Gabriel saw to that.
Still, loving you makes me weak. Your touch, the way you make me feel has altered me forever. My human sensibilities are overtaking my immortal senses. You’ve made me more human than I’ve ever been in my life. That’s what I meant by you weakening me. Making love to you diverts my attention from everything, but you.”

“I wouldn’t want to distract you when so much is on the line.” She kissed him. “
But, then again.” She raised his shirt, kissing his chest before concentrating kisses on his neck. “Who says that focusing on the woman you love is a
bad
thing?”

Ascher
grabbed her up, landing her underneath his flushed body. “You wouldn’t believe how much I want you at this exact moment.”

“Yes
, I would.” She wound her hand up his neck, threading his hair into her hand. “If you want me Ascher—just take me.”

He
swiftly ripped her nightgown away.

Sh
auna gasped at the rapid disrobing, and she always felt something new each time they made love. There was something different about their lovemaking that night. Each touch magnified and each kiss burned deeper. More emotion bubbled up from a new place inside of her. That night, something amazing and unexpected happened. Their bodies joined, twisting and thrusting in sync with their beating hearts, as the world shifted around them.

The levitation of their bodies wasn’t enough to stop them.
Orgasm didn’t quench the fiery passion between them. Their conscious minds were absent as they floated weightlessly, drowning in the gratification of loving another so
completely
.

* * * *

It must have become too quiet as the cessation of the plane’s engine woke Shauna. She glanced up to find the sun streaming into the small window. Ascher’s side of the bed was empty. A yawn escaped her lips as she stretched her hands above her head. A rumble came from her tummy. She was starving.

The plane was at a hangar
and a quick glance didn’t reveal their whereabouts. She couldn’t make sense of any of it, because the signs were in French. She spotted Ascher, laughing and conversing with a rather portly and balding man.

The large envelope
containing the truth of her childhood sat on the night table, glaring at her and daring her to open it. She grabbed it, weighing it in her hand. The contents of this package could alter her life. She didn’t want to open it, but knew she
needed
to open it.

Indecision and fear made her position waver.
Open it—don’t open it. Yes…no. Maybe her life was fine the way that it was. She’d turned out well, despite her upbringing. Her hand trembled as she held what should be an inconsequential object. Shauna had to admit that she was curious. What could it hurt to look? Ascher went to so much trouble to get it for her.

She drew
in a deep breath, running a nervous finger along the unglued edge. Her heart pulsated with anxiety, causing her to feel lightheaded.
What’s wrong with you? It’s only a package of nothingness…it doesn’t change who you are.

Anger replaced her fear. She wouldn’t let this give her one more minute of grief. She ripped the envelope open, letting the contents fall to the bed. Her eyes focused in on a picture turned right side up, a sign that it should be looked at it first. She held the black and w
hite photo in her anxious hand.

There was a man and a woman holding a baby. They looked young, barely out of their teens. The woman was not very tall, had a smooth, caramel coated complexion and long wavy hair. The look on her face was weird. It wasn’t a smile as much as it was a smirk. The guy was tall, Caucasian, with brow
n hair and dark brooding eyes.

Sh
auna shivered.

The back of the photo read:
Lisa, Jason and Shauna, April 13, 1990.
That date couldn’t be right. She would be a week old. The baby in the picture was at least six months old and who were Jason and Lisa? Summersaults of anxiety made leaps in her stomach as she picked up an old newspaper clipping, next.

OCTOBER 31, 1995

COUPLE KILLED IN ACCIDENTAL FIRE

POLICE AND THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A HOME FIRE ON KENNLY DRIVE, EARLY THIS MORNING. THE VICTIMS, LISA WILLIAMS AND JASON LASSITER, WERE FOUND INSIDE AND BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED IN A MURDER/SUICIDE. POLICE AREN’T SURE HOW THE FIRE STARTED, BUT THE COUPLE’S DAUGHTERS, 6 YEAR OLD SHAUNA AND 3 YEAR OLD KATHERINE, WERE NOT IN THE HOME AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. DSS HAS TAKEN CUSTODY OF THE CHILDREN WHILE THEY SEEK RELATIVES.

Shauna’s heart felt like it might explode in her chest. She was finally getting the picture. She fumbled around the pile for the one thing she needed, the common denominator to glue the pieces of the puzzle for her.

Bingo!
She found it at the bottom of the pile. Her mouth gaped as she held the piece of indisputable proof in her hand. Her eyes blurred with tears as she read the piece of paper that would change her life forever.

Twenty ~ Complications

Paris, France

Ascher walked into the bedroom of the airplane, glancing at the scattered papers on the bed. Things had changed. Her face resembled the hurt and uncertainty it’d displayed the night Ursula blew them apart. He stopped in the doorway, unsure of how to proceed.

Sh
auna sat on the bed with a blank stare on her face. He’d seen that look staring back at him many times—when patients learned of their cheating spouse, or when a patient had the breakthrough that revealed sexual abuse in their youth. Her mind was busy saying everything and nothing.
It all could have been different. Nothing is the truth—my life is all a lie.

Her stare broke a
s her eyes swung over to where he stood. She managed to utter one thing before tears clouded her eyes, “Asch…” She didn’t finish his name before he securely wrapped her in his arms.

He held her to him as the sorrow spilled from her.

She alternated between low, almost calm cries and heart wrenching outbursts of angry pain. “I can’t believe this.”

“I’m here,” he whispered.

“What do I do now?”

“Whatever it takes to get you through
it.”

“Who am I?”

“The woman I love.”

“My parents aren’t my parents.”

“That doesn’t change who you are to me.”

“But Ascher,
this
changes everything.”

“You’re still the same
amazing woman I left in this room.
You
haven’t changed, only your origin.”

“I have to know more about my biological parents.”

“Whatever you need.”

She stared at him with suspicion. “Where have you been?”

“I went out to talk to Max. Then, I got you something to eat. Lucy is out visiting family.” He handed her a paper bag. “I hope it’s to your satisfaction. There weren’t any vegetarian restaurants at the airport. I didn’t want to leave you and go somewhere else. The others are
out.
”

“What do you mean by
out
?”

“The others are feeding.”

“Why aren’t you with them?”

“I have to st
ay with you. Besides, I’ve had
you
and there are bottles of synthetic if I get thirsty. My thirst is minimal.”

“You’ll thirst
again. What will you do then?”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about that. Before you, I bled young
women and I don’t want to do that anymore. It’s solely for hunger, but I’d still feel guilty, almost like I was being unfaithful to you.”

“I told you that I’d be your donor. You have to feed.”

“Sweetheart, that is so generous of you but I couldn’t do that. There is still the chance that I might hurt you and I wouldn’t take that risk. I’m thinking of becoming a buveur des animaux.”

“I’m assuming that was not in English,” she muttered
, giving him a dumbfounded glance.

“A drinker of the animals
—animal blood.” He chuckled before his tone vibrated to serious again. “I tried it once before and it didn’t work out as well as I’d hoped.” He smiled at her. “Many vampires live off the blood of animals. Olivia and Aaris do and they are very well satiated. They’ve agreed to teach me and guide me through the change.”

“That is unnecessa
ry. You could just feed off me.”

“I could, but that would leave you so weak you’d barely be able to function. What if I decided that I wanted to change you, your blood would no longer be available to me. This is the best way to spare my conscience and keep you safe.”
He motioned his hand towards the bag. “Eat your breakfast, so we can sightsee.”

Sh
auna gave him a small smile for his effort. While she ate, he sifted through the pile of documents. When he came to the birth certificate, he paused. The tearstains marked it as the document that unhinged her. It obliterated a lifetime of memories and experiences.

“You look like her around the mouth, but you definitely have his eyes. Looks like you took color in between the two.” His eyes wavered back and forth between her and the photograph.

“I guess I see it a little bit.”

“Your birthday is Halloween and not April
sixth,” he noted. “I wonder why they changed your birthday.”

She shrugged. “I have no clue.”

“Your given name was Shawnette Abigail Williams, just like the young lady from the witch trials. You were born in Charlotte, North Carolina.”

She scooped up the documents, placing them
back into the torn envelope and glimpsed out through the window. “That’s enough of that for one day. Now, where are we?”

“Bienvenue en France
.”

Her head tilted as confusion lit her face again. “English, please
.”

Ascher
seized her into his arms, whispering another phrase in perfect French enunciation. “Je t’aime.”

Sh
auna didn’t need a dictionary or translator to know what that meant. The meaning rested in his eyes. Suddenly, she didn’t care where she was as long as she was with him.
He
was her home now. She leaned in to kiss him and whispered, “I love you, too.”

* * * *

Shauna enjoyed her day shopping with Olivia. She might have enjoyed it more had she felt better. Twice, she’d gotten dizzy in the boutique. Olivia finally insisted that she go and rest. By the time they reached the hotel, Shauna could barely hold her head up and the churning in her stomach was unbearable. She glowered at Ascher and Aaris, as Olivia helped her out of the car with frosty arms that secured her waist.

Ascher
narrowed his eyes as if he sensed her illness.

“Did you have a good time, dearest?” Aaris asked, encircling Olivia into his arms.

“Yes, very good. Shauna is the perfect shopping buddy.” She gave her a wink.

Henri handed Ascher t
he bags. He pulled Shauna closer, giving her another suspicious stare. “And did
you
have a good time?”

“I enjoyed my time with Olivia, but I did not enjoy spending
such obscene amounts of money!”

Aaris and Ascher laughed.

“I wish
this
one thought the way you do, Shauna.” Aaris pointed to Olivia and her six bags.

Ascher tilted her face up to his. “You
did
get everything that you wanted, right?”

“I did, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to all of this.”

“You are so adorable.” He kissed her forehead. “Not in the least bit selfish. That makes me want to spoil you more! Would you like a nap? You look so tired.”

“I’m
not
a child!”

Ascher
smirked and leaned over to whisper in her ear, “True, but you are a
human
and you need your rest. You don’t have sleepless periods.”

“I’m sorry for snapping.
I don’t feel well.”

He ran a hand across her forehead. “You don’t feel hot. What’s wrong?”

“I think your ancestral food has poisoned me.” She groaned and gripped her tummy.

They all laughed at her.

“If you aren’t well, we’ll stay in tonight.”

Dizziness
swept her as she attempted a step. She stopped to center herself. Her vision blurred as the next wave of nausea crashed over her and a hot uneasiness bubbled upward from her tummy. “Ascher, I really don’t feel good.”

“Shauna?” He grabbed her waist and held her to him. “Your forehead is clammy. Sweetheart, what can I do?”

“I feel sick. I need to—” She leaned over, spewing the contents of her stomach onto the sidewalk.

Ascher stood still
but rubbed her back in calming circles. “Better now?”

“A
little, but I still feel bad.”

“What did you eat today?”

“Breakfast, cheesecake at a café with Olivia and I drank a cappuccino.”

Ascher gave Aaris and Olivia a quick glance. “I’m taking her upstairs to bed.”

“If she needs anything let me know,” Olivia called back as she and Aaris walked ahead.

“I will
.” He scooped Shauna into his arms and carried her to the room.

* * * *

Olivia sat on the bed, next to Shauna’s sleeping body, reading Modern Obstetrics Journal. She wasn’t sure why she still read these things, considering delivering babies was self-explanatory and required the same knowledge she’d acquired over a century ago. The gadgets may have changed, but the basic principles still applied. An accomplished OB/GYN, Olivia Rousseau enjoyed worldwide prestige and privilege.

Born
in 1862 to Irish peasants, Olivia seemed destined for a lifetime of misfortune and poverty, but all of that changed when she met an affluent gentleman named Paul Bentley. They fell in love, despite the disapproval and interference of his rich uncle Thaddeus. When Olivia was eighteen she and Paul married, and she became Lady Olivia Bentley—a title and lifestyle that definitely suited her.

Olivia ran her hands through her bobbed head of strawberry blonde hair, flinching as she remembered the unsettling end of that love story.

She glanced at her watch, realizing that Ascher and Aaris had been gone a while. How long did it take to get some ginger ale, crackers and soup? Running a cold hand across Shauna’s forehead, she checked to see if her temperature had fallen. Olivia knew it was absurd to feel such an attachment to her, but she strangely did. The rhythmic beating of her heart was so soothing.

She heard human hearts every day in her line of work
, but Shauna’s was different. Each thrum was like adrenaline to her cold soul. She’d only felt that sort of connection one other time—when Ascher was born.

There was something odd about Shauna tonight. Her
skin looked unusual, a glow touched her cheeks—more so than usual. Her skin was luminous, radiant. A thought hammered Olivia’s brain, but she dismissed it knowing that the chances of it were slim.

Quietly, Olivia
observed the steady thumping of her pulse but there was something else. She grasped her wrist and began counting the thumps against her breathing. She had twice as many heartbeats as a normal human.

It
was
possible.

Olivia jumped up and called Aaris. “Ascher needs to come back to the hotel. I don’t think ginger ale is going to cure what ails Shauna.”

* * * *

“A child
,” Ascher whispered as the shock pulsed out in waves along his body.

“
Your
child,” Olivia corrected him with a smile. “Feel her pulse for yourself.”

He ran his fingers along her neck, picking up the double palpitations in her pulse. His eyes widened. “I can’t believe it. She wanted this, just in case I died in Romania. I can’t believe it actually happened.”
Ascher slumped down in the chair beside the bed.

“Is he all right?” Aaris questioned.

“He’s in shock. Give him some time for it to sink in,” Olivia replied.

“Guess
this
puts the question of your fertility to rest,” Aaris teased.

Olivia
playfully shoved at him.

“Is there anything that you need me to do?” Aaris asked with more compassion in his voice.

Ascher waved him off as he continued to stare at Shauna.

“We’re going down to our room. If you need us, call down.”

“Olivia,” Ascher managed to say. “Please stay for a while. I have questions.”

Aaris kissed his mate
, and then left them alone to chat. Olivia sat back down on the bed, beside Shauna’s sleeping body. She checked her pulse then ran a cool hand across her forehead. “Her temperature is coming down.”

Ascher half smiled.

“What’s bothering you?”

Ascher
glanced at her, the fear pulsing in his vision, a lump residing in his throat. “This pregnancy...is she strong enough to withstand it?”

Olivia gave him an affectionate smile. “She’s in peak physical condition to carry a baby. I’ll need to give her an internal exam to be sure she can deliver one, but I don’t foresee any problems for her.”

Ascher’s expression strained. “My mother—”

“I know. I was there.”

“How can you be sure that the same won’t—?”

“I can’t
.”

“What do you think
it
is?”

Again, she was short with him. “
Your
baby.”

As
cher knew he was being ridiculous. Shauna was young and healthy. She'd never so much as had a fast food burger and not many young humans could honestly say that. If he were going to have a child with a human, she’d be the pick of the fertility litter.