Vampire Forgotten (13 page)
Authors: Rachel Carrington
Her name floated on the wind, and she looked down at the valley where the bright green grass and blue flowers waved in the wind. Dusk had barely touched the sky, but Rhad was already climbing the hill towards her.
“That’s my cue, Rianna.” She laid her palm atop the tombstone. “He said we wouldn’t have long. A storm is coming in or so he says. Personally, I don’t see it, but I’m not about to test his knowledge now.” She stood and brushed off the seat of her pants.
“I’ll miss you.” She shot a look over her shoulder just as Rhad reached the knoll behind her. “As much uncertainty as I have about my life, one thing I am sure of. He wants me to stay. And I guess I want to stay, too. Well, I guess that makes two things.”
Through a hazy cloud of tears, she pressed a kiss to her fingertips and touched the cool marble again. “I love you, Rianna. Always have. Always will.”
And I love you.
The soft voice jerked Mischa’s head upright, and the silvery white form glowing in front of her still Rhad’s progress.
“Rianna! I thought I wouldn’t see you again!” Irrationally, she wanted to hug her sister.
You’re not supposed to be seeing me now, but I snuck out. And I brought along someone who wanted to meet you.”
An ethereal hand reached out, connected with one just as transparent, before an elderly man with stooped shoulders came into view.
Tears flooded Mischa’s eyes. “Grandfather?”
Your sister is correct. We should not be here.”
He gave Rianna a warning look.
But she is also correct in that I wanted to meet you. You look so much like your mother. Just like Rianna.
Mischa hiccupped and laughed at the same time. “I never thought I’d see you.” She touched the air where her sister and grandfather stood together. “Papa told us so much about you. I wish I could have met you. Hugged you. Told you I love you.” The words came so fast, they melded together.
I love you as well, my child. I always have. You and Rianna were always the bright lights in my universe. Though our lives are separated by death, the love remains. Your sister and I will be a part of you forever.
Rianna looked over her shoulder.
Uh-oh. We have to go.
She waved her hand at Mischa.
Can you believe there are still rules in the afterlife? What kind of a deal is that? Oh, before I forget, that Hamrick fellow bought the farm before he even made it to the hospital. I watched to make sure he wasn’t coming back.”
“Rianna, you didn’t hurt him did you?” Mischa wasn’t quite sure how much damage a ghost could do, but the thought of her sister harming anyone was a foreign concept.
“
Hurt him? Exactly how do you think I could do that, Sis? Never mind. No, I didn’t hurt him. I wouldn’t waste the small amount of energy I have to touch that guy. I’d rather save it so I can see you
.”
Mischa couldn’t remember her sister ever being so sentimental. Tears leaked in long, running streams down her cheeks.
“Anyway,
Rianna blew a kiss,
we’re never far away, and we’ll always be watching. Well, except for when you and Rhad…
Come along, Rianna.
Their grandfather’s voice held a stern note.
Amidst a flurry of waving hands and blowing kisses, Mischa waved goodbye to her sister and her grandfather, her heart both heavy and full.
Rhad finally joined her on the top of the hill, hooking an arm around her waist. “Now you know she’ll never be far away from you.”
“Is she really gone? I mean, will I be able to see her again? Can you still see her?” Mischa had if there was even the remotest of possibilities Rianna could still participate in her life no matter how.
“Her essence is, but they’ve traveled beyond my sight.” He turned her in his arms. “But the two of you will always be a part of each other.”
“It helps to know she’s not alone.” Mischa laughed and swiped at the dampness on her cheeks. ‘How crazy does that sound? I mean, I want her to be alive, but if she has to be dead, I’m glad my grandfather is with her. She still sounds like Rianna, like she’s just in another country or something. And she sounded almost happy.”
As she rattled on, Rhad rested his chin atop her head, letting her get everything she wanted to say, couldn’t say to Rianna, out of her system.
“I just wish I’d asked her if I could see her again, if she can leave the country. Is she trapped here? When she said she’ll be watching, will I know when she is? See? I have so many questions, and there just wasn’t enough time.”
“She may not live in this realm, Mischa, but she can still exist here. Her spirit lives inside you, and by living your life to the fullest, you’ll allow her to experience all that she didn’t.”
Mischa rested her forehead against his chest, holding onto his biceps. The feel of his hardness against her palms, the reassuring strength of his arms around her, took the edge off the pain encasing her heart.
“Let’s go home.” Rhad made the suggestion a demand before his fingers tangled with hers, and he began walking.
The winds shifted, and thunder rumbled in the distance. She held onto this strange, enigmatic vampire at her side and allowed Boston to slide from her mind. Soon, it would be nothing more than a faded memory, one of little more than busy streets, a lonely apartment, and takeout dinners on even lonelier evenings.
Here she had a chance at something more. Though the journey had brought her pain, it had given her an opportunity to find the one missing part of her life. As the tears rained down her cheeks, she looked over her shoulder and whispered. “I forgot, Rianna. Thank Grandfather for bringing me here.”
The wind whispered a response then she saw the castle over the horizon. And much more than that. She saw home.
About Rachel Carrington
Rachel Carrington began her career writing fantasy romances of powerful wizards and wicked witches. Since then, she has branched out into contemporary romance and romantic suspense and has had books published with Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, Red Sage Publishing, and more.
Currently, a freelance editor/writer residing in historical Charleston, South Carolina, Rachel has written non-fiction articles for Absolute Write, The Writer’s Journal, Writing for Dollars, Writer’s Magazine, and Writer’s Weekly.
Because she likes staying busy, Rachel has also taught classes for Suite 101 and for author groups regarding promoting, writing, starting your own business, and editing.
When not writing, Rachel loves to read romantic suspense (Lisa Gardner and Roxanne St. Claire are two of her favorites), rework old furniture, cross-stitch, cook, and drink lots of coffee.
Rachel’s website is
www.dawnrachel.com
, and she’s also on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/rachelcarringtonwrites
, on Twitter at rcarrington2004, and Pinterest at rcarrington2004.
Vampires Destined Series
Three vampires. Separate destinies. All desiring a woman to love them for who they are not what they are.
Book I
Vampire Cursed
Buy your copy today at Amazon.
Cursed to live alone. Existing as cold, soulless vampire. His life is no longer his own.
Nathaniel, Duke of Lehr, has been waiting for someone to love, a woman to break the witch’s curse that holds him captive within the walls of his own home. For only unfettered, unconditional love will sever the ties binding him to a reality he abhors.
Abby’s been drawn to Castle Lehr for a long time. She wants an interview with the elusive owner, a chance for a big break in journalism. But the story isn’t one she can write about in the newspaper.
One moment, one connection, is all it takes for Nathaniel to realize his heart will be forever bound to Abby’s, but could she ever trust a vampire much less love one?
And Coming June 2012
Book III
Vampire Betrayed