Angels and Hunters (Stoker Sisters 2) (15 page)

“I didn’t really think you were the daisy type, Ashwin.”

“It’s a favorite among guests’ children.” He pushed another door open. “This one is preferred by guests who are stressed and pressed by the rigors of business life. Very Zen.”

Taupe, black and eggshell white streaked across the room in straight lines with no fuss or muss. The furniture was tasteful, but lacked ornamentation of any kind.

“Not my cup of tea,” he admitted, “but many enjoy the simplicity.”

When they reached the last door down at the end of the eastern wing, Ashwin paused. His hand on the doorknob, he leaned closer to Sadie. “This room will tell you exactly the man that I truly am.”

Sadie smiled as Ashwin pushed the door open to reveal his room. Strong and masculine, the room lacked frills and flora. The furniture, dark, heavy oak, was skillfully crafted without being overly ornate. The hardwood floors were darker than the remainder of the house, although a rich and thick rug was thrown beneath the bed.

Earth tones blended well with the occasional scattering of brushed silver and heavy pewter. The bed, massive with its four posters and heavy drapes, took center stage.

“For an eternity I’ve waited to share such splendor with you.” 

His hand was gentle, yet hungry as it lured Sadie to the bed. A single white rose lay on a black pillow and Sadie had to smile. “So you brought in a feminine touch after all.”

Picking up the rose, Ashwin brought the scented flower to his nose before handing it to Sadie. “While I have a great love of the arts and all that is beautiful, I needed to have a space that left no room for lace, satin or ruffles.  The only femininity I need in here is the one you possess.”

He scooped her up into his arms and laid her down, his nose diving into the crux of her neck, into the web of her hair. “But the moment I make you mine, you can have free reign over this room or any other for that matter.”

A sense of giddy anticipation overtook her, bringing a tingling sensation all the way down to her toes. Her life with him, here. It was more than she’d ever dreamed of. Her eyes locked on his and reveled in the love she saw reflected in them. Smiling, sure and confident, he was every bit the man she’d fallen in love with so long ago.

When he brought his lips to hers, she instantly knew what it was like to be a woman in love; a woman who was loved. All the words her sister was so apt to call out came to her suddenly; prude, prim, chaste. Alexis had never understood Sadie’s need to maintain her innocence with regards to men.

Admittedly, there had been moments when Sadie had question that need herself. Sex was everywhere, prevalent and so easy to obtain. She often felt she was the only virgin left in the world. But now, with Ashwin’s lips warming hers, with his arms wrapping her with love, with his body close, so close… she knew her decision had been the right one. The wait and the wonder had been worth it.

“You're the most ravishing and enticing creature I’ve ever known,” Ashwin said. He’d pulled away from her and was propped up on his elbow, looking down at her with awe and admiration.

“Were you aware that Mama and Papa wanted us betrothed? From the moment they saw you…”  Her heart skipped a beat as she looked into his eyes. Her hands roamed up the length of his arms and over his shoulders. “I had never seen my parents so charmed. Before long everyone was scheming to get us together. Can you imagine? You, the grand Lord, and me, the Lady.”

“I can imagine it all too easily. Truth be told, I understood the perfect match we made the very first time I spoke to you. There was a light in your eye, a love of life that instantly captured me. The life of a Lord isn’t always fun and games. It can be dreary and stifling. You brought laughter into my life, and a fresh and innocent way of looking at the world around me. I never forgot that.”

His gaze dipped to her lips and down to the opening of her shirt. With a feather touch, he brought the back of his hand to her cheek and brushed it lightly over her jaw and down to where his gaze had paused.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Oh, how I loved you then, Lord Ashwin.” She heard her roots in her voice, the sound of Dorset, the English accent she worked so hard to hide since arriving in America. “It was impossible for me to act upon it, being the proper young lady of modest standing that I was. Why, simply being alone in the same room with you was scandalous.”

She could feel the slow and mischievous smile make its way to her lips. Proper young lady… if her mother could see her now.

“You were my Mr. Darcy, even after I learned what you truly were, a vampire, I couldn’t stop loving you.”

“Then don’t stop loving me, my dearest Sadie.” His grin was wicked, his eyes pure passion.  “Love me all you wish.” He leaned closer and whispered, “I’m all yours.”

She reached up to touch his lips with her own. The need to devour him, to have him was suddenly overwhelming. Her body ached for him.

For a moment he held back, keeping his weight off her. The challenge excited her all the more and her lips grew hungrier over his. Her hands snaked around his neck and she pulled him closer.

“Ashwin,” she whispered in a strange rasp that startled her. “Don’t play with me. I’m here, now, and I want you.”

“Lord help me,” he grunted before allowing his full weight to bear down on her.

Her body’s response was instantaneous. Every fiber of her being yearned for more contact with his skin. Thrills shot through her as Ashwin made quick work of her clothes.  Heated and sweaty, her skin crushed against his.

“You’re delicious, my angel,” Ashwin whispered as he lavished her with tiny kisses.

In the distance, she heard a knocking. It couldn’t be.  Perhaps it was simply the erratic beating of her heart.

But the persistent sound came again, louder and insistent.

“Damn,” Ashwin spat as he shot up and stepped over to a small console by the door.

The sound of fist meeting wood sounded again, beyond insistent, it was now furious.

“No one knows I’m here,” Ashwin muttered. Anger sizzling down to his fingertips, he clicked on the monitor.

Sitting up, Sadie glimpsed over his shoulder, trying to see who the intruder could be. A variety of screens lit up, many showing one empty room after another, and even more peering out into the darkened grounds outside.  Finally she came upon the screen that displayed the main front entrance. A chill ran up to the base of neck. The screen was virtually blotted out by the backside of a large bulky man.

“Is that a Strigoi?” Sadie ventured.

Ashwin simply nodded in disgust as his fingers moved to verify other surveillance cameras.

“How do they know you’re here?”

“I have no idea,” he grunted. Stepping away from the wall of screens he turned to Sadie. “We have to go.”

“Is he one of Skars’ men?” Hearing the urgency in his voice, Sadie reached for her clothes and threw everything on as quickly as she could.

“I wouldn’t be surprised, but we can’t stick around to confirm.” Though lacking the slick polish of his usually pristine appearance, Ashwin pulled his clothes on, all while keeping his eyes on the screens.

The man on the main screen turned to face the camera.

“Ruthless.”

“What?” Sadie said as she struggled with her sandals.

“Mikael Ruthless, one of Skars’ best.”

“I’m assuming he wears his name well.”

“Too well.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the door.

With only one sandal secured to her foot, Sadie hobbled behind him.

At the door he stopped suddenly. On guard and tense, he listened through the door.

His tension was quickly transmitted to Sadie. Her body shook. The heat of moments ago was replaced with a deadly chill. Skars’ men were already here. How long before they actually got their hands on her?

Satisfied with the silence from outside the room, Ashwin opened the door and led her down the hall.

“We can’t go out by the garage. That’s exactly what he’ll expect. We’ll have to walk out the back.”

At the end of the hall he pushed open a short, thin door the led to a narrow stairwell.

Choosing to leave the stairwell in the dark, Ashwin made quick work of each step, but with only one sandal on, no knowledge of the twist and turns of the stairwell and losing her hold of Ashwin’s hand, Sadie stumbled her way through.

“Ashwin,” she called out.

His steps were silent.

“Ashwin,” she called again.

Her hands as her guide, she felt the wall turn sharply in front of her then make another sharp turn. A thin, dim line of light appeared far below her. Quickening her pace, she headed for the light that was streaming in from under a door on the main floor.

“What’s keeping you?” Ashwin opened the door and appeared suddenly in a yellowish glow.

“Sorry, I’m trying to keep up.”

“No,” he said remorsefully, taking a firm hold of her hand. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have let go of you.” He squeezed her hand. “I won’t let you fall behind again.”

Following the hazy glow, he meandered past a table, some chairs and around a wall, finally coming to a glass door.

“Ready,” he said, his hand poised on the doorknob.

Balancing on one foot, Sadie reached for her one sandal and pulled it off, letting it fall gently to the floor.  “Okay.”

Ashwin turned the doorknob and inched his way out. Sadie stayed close, her heart thundering so loud, she felt certain it would lead Skars’ henchman directly to them.

Only a few feet out of the house and her premonition proved too accurate. The huge bulk that had taken up the whole monitor moments earlier now turned the corner. His monstrous features were made downright demonic by the snarl and sneer that accompanied him.

Before Sadie even had a chance to consider letting out a scream of horror, Ashwin shoved her aside, sending her flying into the nearby bushes before the beast could spot her.

Eager to be out of the monster’s reach, she hid among the branches, her eyes riveted to every move Ashwin made.

The beast, his face pockmarked and oozing with puss, put on a jovial grin. “Ashwin,” he said in a voice filled with gravel. “I wanted to stop by for a visit. We’ve been wondering what you’ve been up to. We haven’t seen you around for a while. Skars is starting to ask questions, you know?”

“I can imagine.”

“Did you know that Keegan guy, the Hunter, escaped? Skars was a little upset, you know. I mean having him under his thumb was kinda important, you know.”

“You stopped by for a visit?” Ashwin’s voice was steady and cool. “How did you even know where I lived?”

The chuckle that rippled through Ruthless’ throat left Sadie feeling sick to her stomach.  They were playing polite.  How long before the calm conversation turned ugly and bloody?

“You know how Skars is about knowing the whereabouts of his people. You're his people. He’s always known where you are, and always will. What he doesn’t know is what you're doing out here. Skars is assembling all of us. Strigois from Europe, Asia and Africa. The time has finally come, Ashwin. We’re going to exterminate human-loving vampires once and for all.”

“You don’t say.”

“Not only is he angry with you for the goof with the Hunter, but Delilah is giving him another headache.”

“I’ve heard she has that effect on people.”

“Yeah, well, she has some freakin’ ridiculous idea that’s supposed to save all humans from all vampires.  They’re not going to need human blood anymore, at least not directly from the vein, you know what I mean.”