A Job From Hell (24 page)

"What's that?" The feeling of warmth turned into ice. I waited for his answer, suddenly oblivious to his kissing.

He sighed and stopped, his tone turned serious. "There's something you need to retrieve for me. For us. Trust me, if I could do it myself I would.

But you carry the gift now. And if we don't do this soon, others wil continue to come after you. I can't protect you during the day."

"Just say what you want, Aidan." I held my breath, my heart racing again. Once I knew, maybe I could bargain with him to get my old life back.

"There's a book, a dark manuscript that once belonged to the Shadows. The one who turned me—Rebecca—stole it a long time ago. Before she disappeared she hid it, and no immortal has been able to find it." His fingers resumed tracing circles on my neck.

"So, Rebecca turned you. What happened? After a rol in the hay she bit you? Or was it al a big misunderstanding, a love bite gone wrong?" I snorted, unable to hold back my jealousy. "What's that book good for anyway?"

"Rebecca turned me, Kieran and Clare," Aidan said. "I turned Blake when she sucked him dry, ready to dispose of his dead carcass. I couldn't let her kil one of my friends. That's why he thinks he needs to protect me. The book's one of enchantments and incantations, the most powerful in the paranormal world."

That was a touching story. Turning your friend into a vampire because the girlfriend was about to kil him. I fidgeted on his lap, unsure what to say. Eventual y I decided to return onto safer terrain. "You said Rebecca stole it. I gather she didn't spend one minute in the slammer since that might be hard to do with a ripped out throat."

"How did you know about the wound? I never said that."

I shrugged. "Kind of saw her in her room, sprawled out on the bed. Trust me, she wasn't a pretty sight."

"What else did you see?" Something in Aidan's voice made me look up.

"Is there something I should've seen?"

He shook his head. "Nope. Anyway, she hid the book before she died. It's said only someone carrying your skil —Sight—can find it."

He was keeping something from me. I could sense it. The whole affair sounded suspicious to me. How convenient for Rebecca to die before anyone saw the manuscript. "But if no one can find it, how do you know for sure this book even exists?"

"Believe me, it's not just a legend. Others have longed for it. Immortals like me, but far more wil ing to do whatever it takes to get it." He placed a finger under my chin and lifted my head until our lips almost met. "Lore rules or not, most wouldn't hesitate to kil for it."

I held my breath, captivated by the moment, waiting for him to lower his mouth on mine. When he didn't, I said, "The books about enchantments, right?"

"I don't know much, but from what I've been told it's more than a simple spel book. It knows the answers to al kind of questions. Legend says long time ago it was written by Blye, a powerful Shadow who sought knowledge. One night a demi-goddess appeared in his dreams. She offered to share al her wisdom with him if he promised to be hers forever. Blye knew he couldn't deny her. No one denies a demi-goddess. He loved her during the night. During daytime, he worked on the book. Twenty-one days later, the manuscript was complete, but he found a horrible fate."

My interest was piqued. "What happened to him?"

Aidan buried his face in my hair, chuckling. "You don't want to know."

"That's okay. You don't have to tel me. I'l just summon him right up and ask myself." I smiled, enjoying his warm breath on my skin. "I'm sure I have a pretty good picture of what happened."

"You've no idea," Aidan said. "The book's said to be one of the most powerful manuscripts in the world. It's unique, invaluable, and of greatest benefit to the one who owns it. It's also the reason why Layla arranges a race every five hundred years. She loves to watch the bloodbath."

I considered his words for a moment. Dal as had been wrong about the gemstones. They were worthless to mortals, but worth kil ing in the paranormal world. As if Cameron's cheating on me wasn't bad enough. Trust Dal as to find new ways to make my life suck even more. "What do you want the book for?"

Aidan pul ed away. I could sense a certain seriousness in his voice. "There's a ritual that can take away the bloodlust and the danger of burning in the sun. Layla wouldn't take your prize away so others wil continue to chase us, but with the help of that ritual I'l be able to protect you at al times."

I gazed at him as I made a decision. "I'l use the gift to find the book. In return, I want you to promise me you'l let me return to my old life. I don't want a bodyguard 24/7."

The reaction I got from him wasn't quite what I expected. Moistening his lips, he looked away and then back at me. "It's not that simple, Amber."

He shook his head vehemently. "To find the book I'l have to lead you to the threshold of death. Once there, you might not be able to find your way back unless—" his expression darkened, his blue eyes glinting unnatural y bright "—you were to become one of us."

"You want to turn me into a vampire?" I snorted, flabbergasted. He couldn't be serious. None of this could be real. I was stil waiting for that moment when I'd wake up from a bad dream, then laugh it al off at my parents' breakfast table.

He squirmed beneath me as though the mere thought was an uncomfortable one. "This is a choice you have to make for yourself. I'l fil you in on al the pros and cons. I promise I'l be with you every step of the way. Take some time and think it through with no pressure from me. Immortality isn't a decision to take lightly."

"Real y? And I thought you didn't have a heart. I'm touched you're so concerned about my wel being." I inhaled to calm my racing heart, pictures of eternal youth flashing through my mind. And then I remembered a movie scene showing thirsty female vampires tearing a guy to pieces, blood dripping down their chin. It was just a bad B movie, but how could I know Aidan's life wasn't like that? Why else would he keep a room in the basement, locked and marked private, unless he had a stash of bodies down there? I knew al along he was a vampire, and I knew vampires drink blood, yet I hadn't real y taken it seriously. I'd been stupid not to put two and two together, and admit that Aidan needed blood to survive. Maybe he dressed al contemporary, but deep inside I doubted he had also traded his blood supply for a Bloody Mary.

"Should I thank you for giving me a choice to join your legions of the undead? Hol ywood would've a field day with this one." I shot him a suspicious look and pul ed back just a bit, ready to dash back to the house if he so much as lifted a finger. He could say what he wanted, but I didn't trust him one bit. "Sorry, your food's not for me. Nothing beats a steak and an old fashioned cup of tea."

Annoyance crossed his brows. "Can you take this seriously for one moment?"

"Sure, as long as you promise to introduce me to al your friends. Are there any other mythological beings or legendary creatures from the supernatural world I should know of? Any zombies or werewolves I should meet? Is your childhood best friend a mummy? Was your first kiss a ghoul?"

"Quit acting like Kieran." He regarded me with raised eyebrows for a second, then said, "I'm giving you a shot at immortality here, but I want you to keep a clear head."

I scoffed. Was he real y thinking I'd just jump at the opportunity of becoming a raging monster crazed by the smel of blood? "You got me al wrong here. I'm—"

He cut me off. "Don't fight it." With lightning speed he grabbed hold of my wrist and sank his fangs into the soft flesh. It wasn't painful, just a tiny sting that seemed surreal. For a moment, my body recoiled at the realisation what he was doing. My mind raced, searching for ways to ward off the unexpected attack. I pushed him to free myself as a sense of peace washed over me. His grip tightened. I closed my eyes and let myself drift off, lul ed in by an unspoken promise of peace and joy.

"Amber? Wake up."

Moaning, I pried my eyes open and peered at Aidan's concerned face leaning over me.

The woods were stil gloomy, but the moon peered through the heavy clouds, casting a soft glow on the trees to my right. My senses seemed heightened; I could see as far as the house, hear the soft rustling of leaves, and smel the sweet, faint scent of Aidan's skin. Was it the bite from the Prince of Darkness or the prize that made me perceive al those things?

I pul ed my wrist away. Aidan retrieved a tissue from his back pocket and applied pressure on the two punctures.

"You freaking bit me," I said, my voice hoarse. "You're lucky I don't cal animal control."

"It was the only way to let you see."

"Pul a stunt like this again, Aidan, and I'l kick you where it counts."

"I'm truly sorry."

I nudged him in the arm. "You could've turned al Dracula on me."

Aidan smiled. "Not likely. I have excel ent self-control."

"Said the spider to the fly." I pushed his hand away. "Just get away from me. Why did you bite me?"

"I wanted to show you that I'm not a monster. I don't inflict pain or rip out throats."

I smirked. "Right." He failed to mention he used mind control to sedate his victims so they couldn't fight him. Pictures flooded my mind. For a while, I just sat there, trying to make sense of what I saw. Aidan staring wide-eyed at a beautiful red-haired girl clad in a brocade gown covered in blood, sitting amidst bodies and torn limbs scattered across the floor. The same girl leaning over Aidan, licking the ghastly gash in his throat.

Shaking my head to get rid of the disturbing images, I peered at Aidan. "You hooked up with a serial kil er? Seriously, Aidan, were you drunk?"

"Never underestimate a kiss from a vampire." His eyes twinkled as he ran a thumb over my lips. "You, out of al people, should understand that."

My cheeks burned. Our knee-weakening, mind-blowing kiss stil consumed my thoughts every second of the day. "You were drawn to Rebecca, I get it. She was beautiful."

Aidan shook his head. "Beauty's only skin deep. Beneath Rebecca's splendour hid a raging, psychotic, bloodthirsty monster. She enjoyed kil ing."

I clicked my tongue. "She was the girl your mother warned you about."

"I guess." Aidan nodded and lifted my chin to kiss my forehead. "But she couldn't hold a candle to you."

I knew he must be lying, but I couldn't help smiling. "Thank you. It's nice to know I'm your type."

"Are you B positive?"

I laughed. "You only date mortals or vampires?"

"Yeah. Zombies, werewolves and mummies kind of stink like dead meat. Not to mention, they don't clean up al that wel once they start losing their hair and limbs." He started rubbing my back.

"Why was she dressed like Cinderel a at the bal ?"

"It was the year 1499," Aidan said. "The year my life was turned upside down."

I gawked. Was he serious? That'd make him—

"You look great for a man who's over five hundred years old and happens to be dead. I mean, you could've hitched a ride with Columbus on his epic voyage to America and helped Sherlock Holmes solve crimes. You were around to see the great plague claim mil ions." And my father was upset that Cameron was a few years older. He'd kneel over knowing Aidan's age. What would it be like to work the graveyard shift for hundreds of years and never feel the sun on one's face?

Aidan grimaced. "Thanks for reminding me."

"Go on," I said, smiling.

"Before meeting Rebecca, I led a sheltered life with my parents and my brother. At night we'd sit around the campfire and listen to stories about people like her—vampires roaming the streets of London, feeding on the poor and homeless. I didn't believe one word."

I squeezed his hand to convey my sympathy. "Until you met Dracula's spawn."

"Yes. Rebecca was dangerous, charming, and mysterious."

A pang of jealousy hit me in the pit of my stomach. I raised my brows. "Sexy?"

Aidan rocked slowly back and forth, his gaze focused in the distance as he recal ed his memories. "Yeah, that too. Something seemed odd about her though, but I couldn't place it. I never thought she was a kil er, not until one fateful night when she decided I was worthy of her blood. I was never given a choice."

"I take it there's no support group for newbies. Why did she do it in the first place?"

He shrugged, his gaze lost in the woods around us, as if he was reliving the details of his former life. "Maybe she was bored and wanted a companion, or personal slave. I had just turned eighteen and was easy to manipulate. She never revealed her purpose. There's another reason why I wanted you to see the sort of vampire I am." His gaze locked with mine. "You and I—we're meant to be together."

I rol ed my eyes. "The bond again. Everybody keeps mentioning it. What's that al about?" My heart pumped hard as I let my voice trail off.

Something told me we were meant to be together, and it scared the living hel out of me.

Aidan spoke slowly. "When two people are destined for each another, they're cal ed mates. A strong psychic connection bonds them together.

That's what you and I have. Some of us wil never find that rare and beautiful love of a lifetime. Blake, Kieran and Clare have been searching for hundreds of years. I've found mine and I'l never let go." He cupped my face in his hands, our gaze connecting in the darkness. "Can't you see, Amber? Losing you would be like a stake to my heart. We can make this work. I'm not a dreadful person. Being together won't be as bad as you think. Just don't give up on us."

The moonstone pendant burned against my skin. I shook my head, hesitating. His words touched my heart because they rang true. I wanted to believe him, but I couldn't.

"Fal ing in love with a vampire ruined your life," I whispered. "I don't want it to ruin mine." This was the stuff of nightmares, legends and horror movies, and pretty darn freaky. I knew I should get away as far as I could, but I couldn't. I felt torn inside, unsure what to do. "I care about you more than you'l ever know." I searched his eyes, trying to make him see the turmoil inside me. "I'm trying so hard to understand your world, but al of this is too much to handle." I got up from his lap and dropped down near a tree, surprised to find I could stil distinguish his features in the darkness.