Back to You (49 page)

He is dangerous. That’s what he’s trying to tell me.

He looks at me, overcome with an emotion that I can’t quite decipher. I get lost in the deep pools of his eyes, drawn in by the liquid onyx framed by thick black lashes.

“But not too dangerous,” I whisper, shaking my head, trying almost to convince myself. “Sometimes I get a glimpse of what is behind the mask, and what I see is light. Beauty.”

“You’re wrong,” he mouths almost imperceptibly.

He looks deeply into my eyes, his shining with sincerity. He raises our entwined fingers to brush my cheek with the back of his hand.

My eyes stare at the ground, and when I look up at him again he shoots me an irresistible look that pierces my heart. Entranced, I wonder why he doesn’t elude fear in me. I feel anxious, uneasy, but most of all I know I am totally under his spell. The same old story, every time I’m near him. The silence continues until he breaks it.

“And what if I weren’t a good guy?” His irises dilate as he pauses to add emphasis. “What if I were the bad guy?”

His voice sends a chill through me. I sense hostility, a trace of menace in his tone. I bring my hand up to his face, without letting his fingers slip from my grasp. His eyes close as I caress his nose, his lips curving into an ecstatic smile.

I hear a growl from deep within Vuk’s chest. He turns his nose up in disgust as our eyes meet, mine pleading with him to hold back, to bear with me, just for a few moments more. I know that the scent of my blood throws Donn into turmoil; it sets off a desperate thirst. From what he has led me to believe, it’s somehow sweeter than others’ blood, a bit like a bottle of bourbon for an alcoholic. But he doesn’t seem to fear it.

Vuk emits another strange noise, a muffled roar, somehow wilder. It vibrates in his chest like a warning, but more powerful. Resolute.

Donn brings the palm of my hand to his baby-soft lips, his teeth brushing against the throbbing vein of my wrist at the point where the sharp tip of his cufflink perforated me during the sealing of the pact. I can barely begin to guess just how much willpower goes into such a seemingly benign act. He seems to be dying of thirst, crushed by burning desire. It saddens me to imagine the titanic efforts he must be summoning up inside, comforted only by the fact that when the agreement comes to an end, his torture will as well. That unbreakable bond, the blood tie, as Donn himself put it.

I can feel Vuk approaching, his muffled roars expressing his displeasure at the presence of a third party. Donn pretends not to see, but his eyes suddenly dart toward him, as black as coal. I can feel Vuk about to explode if he doesn’t have his say.

“Cut it out, don’t push it, vampire! My patience has its limits,” he exclaims in irritation, his tone bordering on the hysterical.

Donn replies with an amused smile and lowers our hands, though not letting go. Vuk mumbles something incomprehensible and stands rooted to the spot, his arms folded across his chest. His idea of being my guard dog has been a little on the extreme side just lately. Silence falls again, my heartbeat now slowing down to normal. There’s nothing left to say. Or maybe just one little thing.

“You’re not the bad guy,” I repeat, with candor. “I refuse to believe that!” It’s true; I feel bad for even having thought of it.

It’s beyond doubt: he’s not the dark knight he makes himself out to be, I’m sure of it
.

“Pigheaded, as usual, baby girl!” quips Donn ironically, gently teasing me. His eyes keep burning onyx and turquoise enticingly. Vuk groans, exasperated.

“At least they agree on one thing! I’m still here,” he cuts in jokingly, rolling his eyes. I can sense his unease though.

Donn suffocates a laugh.

“Right,” he comments, releasing his grip on my hand and changing the subject. “So, you want to know about the hunt, right?” he asks me with that impenetrable look returning to his face.

“Sure, sure,” I say hurriedly, trying to muster as much enthusiasm as I can.

“The rebels went to Vermont, then they came back here. Aaron and Jason usually would reach Canada tracking them down. But this time they’ll do better, they’re on their trail now like bloodhounds. And we’re not going to let the girl get away with all this. Adam has picked the wrong person to hunt this time and soon, very soon, the air will be heavy with the screams of his companion. Her time is out.”

His tone is cold, dripping with menace. I swallow hard, a cold chill running down my spine. Vuk seeks out my eyes as he tenderly caresses my shoulder. I stare at him in bewilderment.

“You still don’t know who’s behind all this, do you?” he asks Donn. Worry creases his face. Donn shakes his head helplessly.

“No,” he says firmly.

“Could it be Jack?” I ask.

“No,” he replies. “I don’t recognize the traces left, they’re unfamiliar. It’s someone I don’t know, or someone who is able to hide their scent very well.”

“I don’t recognize the traces either.” Vuk shakes his head in confusion.

“Maybe someone else in the Council?” I suggest, the blood draining from my face.

“I know that Graham didn’t give the order,” points out Donn. “I’m your guarantor, he’d have to tell me.”

Vuk turns to him sharply.

“Are you awaiting official orders?”

“No.” Donn’s jaws tighten.

“But why would someone act on their own,” wonders Vuk aloud. He bites his lips, his mind racing to find an answer. “Maybe it was Graham’s idea, or Debra’s. Both are in a position to send Adam and the girl after her.”

“I don’t think so,” insists Donn. “It makes no sense. Any other names to add to the list? Maybe someone with has fur, who stinks like a dog?” he snaps.

But who, I wonder. Nathan is dead. Is he referring to Ian?

“I don’t know,” growls Vuk through clenched teeth, his face darkening.

Donn pulls me in close to his chest, a protective arm around my waist. Vuk relaxes and his tone is calmer now.

“Look, I don’t like this whole story either.”

I’m gripped with fear now and I can’t breathe. Donn, overcome with anxiety, tries to calm me down.

“You’re safe.”

“How long has this been going on?” I ask despondently.

He takes a deep breath, but Vuk cuts him off before he can answer.

“Not long, just a couple of weeks, at most.” I’m stunned by the dirty look he casts on Donn. My eyes plead with him not to treat him this way. I can’t bear for them to be at odds, especially in this situation.

“Anyway,” Vuk continues. “When Adam comes back, he won’t be your problem anymore,” he growls at Donn. “We’ll be taking care of him.”

“No!” I cry. “It’s too dangerous!”

“He’s crossed a line, Stella. I’ll deal with him personally.” I shiver. The resolute calm in his tone makes his words even more menacing.

“You won’t have to deal with anyone,” replies Donn. “You broke one of the conditions of the pact, meaning that right now you have to get out of the picture.”

“You can’t think I’ll keep away from her!” cries Vuk, infuriated.

One of Donn’s eyebrows rises, while his eyes glaze with arrogance.

“We’ll keep an eye on the situation. We’ll take on any bloodsucker that dares come too close to our house or Wolfeboro,” adds Vuk unruffled.

“Listen, I can take care of myself!” I retort indignantly. “However strong you may be, you’re not invincible, Vuk.”

Donn snickers.

“That’s what I keep trying to tell him.”

Vuk looks throw darts at both of us.

“Just don’t let yourself be fooled!”

“I won’t,” I reply sarcastically, before getting back to more pressing issues. “Vuk, I don’t like the idea of you taking on those vampires or that you still insist on fighting at the ceremony.”

“Oh, give me a break, Stella!” he exclaims, losing his patience. “What counts is that we kill a vampire or two!”

Donn stiffens as he stares Vuk down. He returns Donn’s stare.

“I’ll be coming to the ceremony, you can bet on it. And I’m not asking for your permission. I volunteered and Donn accepted my request, even though he actually tried to persuade me not to, more than once.”

I take a deep breath, which gets stuck in my throat. Donn looks at me again, his eyes softening.

“Vuk, I have everything under control,” he says. He’s being his usual control freak. “Your presence is not needed. This is an experiment. We don’t know if the Council will really cooperate or not.”

I notice that he said
we
. Maybe he’s talking about Aaron. “Nothing like this has ever happened before,” he continues. “Only to types of humans have ever had dealings with the Council; those who become part of the feast and those like James, the night watchman at the library, who promise loyalty. They know they could die, but they hope to become immortal.”

Vuk clenches his jaw.

“So?” Donn’s doubts about the Council’s intentions obviously only increase his desire to be there, by my side. I stiffen.

“To tell the truth, I just don’t want you there, getting in my way,” he says, his face impassible.

“I can handle myself, I don’t need a savior,” Vuk snorts in reply. “If you won’t allow me to be there, I’ll ask Graham. But you can bet I’ll be there, one way or another.”

“You’ll be killed,” Donn replies unruffled.

“If you care about Stella, keep your promise.”

“And you keep yours!” roars Donn.

“What are you talking about?” I cry, exasperated.

“I promised to let Vuk take part in the ceremony if he kept up his side of the deal. You know, preparation for the cage fight is tough and it can bring out the worst in you. It’s best to take precautions. That’s why I want to meet your pal in the library tomorrow.”

“I guess having someone on your side can’t hurt,” ponders Vuk aloud.

“I’m sure Vuk would agree not to go if you…” I begin to say before Donn interrupts me.

“Now that your life is in danger, Stella, things have changed. He’s even more stubborn than you!” He looks at Vuk earnestly. “You have to trust me.”

“You know what? I do actually trust you, it’s the Council I don’t trust.”

Donn’s mouth twists into a bitter smile. A mocking look that I don’t trust takes over his face. I push him away slightly with the tips of my fingers.

“I accepted the conditions of the deal because you didn’t leave me any choice,” I murmur, my thoughts broken by the sound of Jeff’s voice from inside the house.

“Ella May! I know you’re down there. Come into the house immediately!”

I raise my head, alarmed.

“Shoot! I’m in trouble now!”

Vuk looks over to the house.

“Jeff’s going stir crazy, you’d better get inside now!” he suggests, nodding toward the house.

“Wait, one last thing,” Donn stops him. “You know you’re not allowed to have Stella in your territory without any extra protection, Vuk.”

His expression is calm, but his eyes speak volumes. Deep down inside, he’s in agony.

“If one of us, bar exceptions, were to enter your territory, the pact would be annulled.” He turns to me. “Do you want to set off another war?”

“Have there been others in the past?” I ask disconcerted.

“Many, over the centuries,” he sighs.

“You said
bar exceptions
just now…” I try to bring the conversation back on track, wanting to understand just who or what he’s referring to.

“Yes, I meant Aaron,” he says. “He’s the only one with permission to enter wolf territory, but I won’t go into the details of why. Not even the Council knows. Anyway, Aaron can explain better than me.”

Donn turns to Vuk again.

“You violated the first condition of the deal, the one about you. You may be tempted to do it again. But let me tell you this. If you bring her home with even one scratch, I don’t care who’s to blame, I’ll personally break your legs. Get it, hound?” Donn’s velvety voice is heavy with menace. He smiles apologetically, sheepishly, at me.

“If I didn’t warn him, I’m sure I’d regret it later.” He strokes my cheek tenderly. Lethally.

“Maybe you should take it out on people of your own breed,” I retort, defensively.

“Maybe…” he agrees, never tearing his eyes from Vuk. “I have a few advantages over you, dog.”

“I know it wouldn’t be a fair fight,” retorts Vuk, a proud half grin lighting up his face. “But it would be to my advantage!”

I roll my eyes, exasperated. Donn just grins back at him challengingly.

“Don’t kid yourself, little boy. As I said, if Stella has a single scratch on her, I swear I’ll break not only your legs, but your arms and that pretty little face of yours too.”

From Donn’s courteous tone, you’d think they were discussing fine wines; the underlying menace is even more terrifying.

I glance at Donn, incensed.

“Come on, Donn, take a chill pill. You’ve made yourself perfectly clear.”

But as I feel the blood draining from my face, I stumble over my words. The two of them remain stock still, eyeballing each other. Vuk mumbles something incomprehensible. His stance is relaxed, but the muscles on his face are contracted, he’s ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.

“Stop it! I’ve had enough of listening to you fighting all the time!” I yell. “From now on, I’m neutral ground, ok?”

They smirk at each other, disgusted.

“I don’t give a damn who is a vampire with corpse-like skin or who is a werewolf with thick fur. It’s all irrelevant to me.”

Donn knits his brows.

“But I’m the vampire,” he says, impassible.

“And I’m the werewolf,” adds Vuk, confused.

“So what!” I cry in exasperation. “To me, you’re just Donn and Vuk. And I’m Stella. The rest counts for nothing.” I stare off into the dark, silent woods nearby.

I crack a smile, trying to swallow down the knot in my throat. But I can’t. I can’t bear to see them at odds. A gentle breeze blows through the trees, sending a chill down my spine.

Time

I glance at
Donn, trying to keep my feelings hidden deep down inside, but find his eyes staring into mine. The liquid turquoise flares up enthusiastically; he can’t keep the stony expression on his face, and a hint of a smile appears on his lips. I know that I’m looking in the wrong direction if I want to keep my thoughts to myself and hide the troublesome ebbs and flows of my heart. I’m like an open book to him. He takes a deep breath, which gets caught in his throat. His insecurity surprises me, moves me. I try to lie to myself, convince myself that everything would be ok, but the anxiety racking my body just won’t wane.

As soon as I manage to tear my eyes from Donn, from his stone-cold eyes, I meet Vuk’s gaze; he throws me one of those smiles that I love so much. And the panics within melts away, like ice under a tropical sun. Just then, the sky opens up. A few light droplets splash against the trees and grass with a delicate patter. I close my eyes and raise my face to the fresh rain. When I open them I see the silvery-white clouds racing across the sky, illuminated as they flow before the mighty moon. It’s a bright night, the beams speckled by the trees like an impressionist painting. I can now make out the dark outlines of the house.

“Ella May!” cries Jeff again, waking me from my reverie. I’m startled.

“Let’s go,” hisses Vuk, turning to the porch. “I’ll see you to the door.”

“Jeez,” I exclaim, remembering my dad is waiting for me. I take a final glance at the dark sky, pregnant with clouds, but I can’t quite read the message they’re sending me. Donn leans his head down to meet my eyes.

“Jeff is at the door, behind those trees.” The rain is now falling heavier, obscuring my limited human eyesight.

“If you don’t go now, he’ll be here in a split second,” Donn warns.

“Bad news,” I murmur, slipping off his feet, which he had tucked under mine to protect them from the slippery mud.

“Yep,” he winks. “So unless you want to make an official presentation…”

“Thanks, but I think Jeff is already on the warpath,” I blurt out, trying to assume a normal expression before I meet Jeff.

He smiles, amused.

“But I told you…I haven’t finished with you yet.”

“What is left to say?” I ask curiously.

“You’ll find out on Wednesday,” he whispers in my ear, his breath velvety smooth.

“The day of…” is all I can manage to say. Donn stiffens.

“At dusk.”

I shiver. He has finished my sentence, leaving out the middle part.

“Come on,” urges Vuk, looking anxiously toward the house, no trace of a smile on his face.

“I promise I’ll take care of Stella,” he says. I recognize the very same words that Drake said to him.

“Thanks. On her behalf. Thanks for tonight.” I imagine he’s referring to having put off talking about
that
thing that had to be tackled in the library the next day. Donn acknowledges it with a gracious nod of his head.

“See you tomorrow,” he says in a formal, polite tone. He lets his arms drop, but his body remains immobile.

“See you soon, baby girl,” he whispers tenderly in my ear. “Not long to go until Wednesday. I’ll come find you myself.” His warm, golden tone is like a sunbeam hitting my ear, a direct contrast to the wintry cold of his fingers delicately caressing my cheek.

He suddenly darts over to the car and opens the door, but before getting in, his eyes quickly search out mine. I try to read his face, but the car lights blind me. I look at Vuk, a silhouette against the powerful beam. He’s staring at Donn, his expression a mix of frustration and defiance.

The Bentley’s engine starts up, the tires crunching across the wet gravel path. It takes off at top speed and fades from view in a few seconds, leaving the road in the dark.

Vuk turns to me, his emerald eyes shining. He glances worriedly at the dark path leading to the house. He grabs my arm and begins to lead me home in silence.

I scrutinize his face; I’m tormented by the strange discussion that took place this afternoon when we were in front of the fireplace in Wolfeboro, on the way home.

“We’re still pals, right?” I blurt out, too fretful to think clearly.

I can feel his warm breath floating through my hair, but I get no reply. I try to imitate Donn’s unwavering gaze, but to no effect. Vuk doesn’t fall for it.

“You promised. That’s the most important thing in the world to me right now,” I murmur.

Vuk shakes his head slowly.

“I’ll try,” he says, forcing a smile.

I beam back at him, realizing that our skirmish has come to a close.

“But I can’t guarantee anything,” he adds, after a moment’s reflection, his face stern.

I wonder if tomorrow’s meeting with Donn could have anything to do with this clarification. An imperceptible thought buzzes round my head; I feel a terrible sense of doom.

Vuk comes to a halt in the shadow of the trees and he places his soft lips against my cheek to kiss me goodbye. A normal, tender kiss…at first. Then something changes. His kiss becomes more passionate as he runs one hand through my hair, and the other slides down to my hips. I feel the feverish warmth of his body through my jacket and I huddle in close to him. He suddenly breaks off the kiss and pushes me away delicately but firmly.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbles breathlessly. “I went too far.”

“Don’t worry about it,” is all I have time to say before he gently pushes me in the direction of the house.

“See you tomorrow,” I whisper.

“Sure, sure,” he replies, reassuringly.

I can feel his eyes still boring into me as I race off toward the house under the relentless rain. When I get there, the lights on the porch are still on. I run up the steps, taking them two-by-two, with a last glance back at the confines of the dark woods. As I cross the threshold, Jeff appears from around the corner.

“Finally!” he says in a normal tone but betraying a touch of resentment.

“I was just outside, by the path that leads to the woods.”

He seems taken aback, concerned.

“What happened?”

“Just because I went into the woods, it doesn’t mean there was something wrong.”

He pauses, scrutinizing me.

“You never go. Is something wrong?”

“No!”

“I don’t want you going into the woods at night.” So that’s why he was yelling for me to come in.

“Since when?”

“From now on. Scott and the rangers spelled it out, loud and clear. It’s dangerous. The forest rangers will deal with it all, but for now we have to be careful. What were you two up to?” he asks, suspiciously.

I can tell he wants to comment about me seeing Vuk, or not seeing him, more like it. But when he sees how pale and worn-out I look, he decides to let things go and goes back to being his good-natured self. He seems to sense that there’s tension between Vuk and me, and he studies my face in quiet satisfaction.

“Were you guys fighting? Sorry if I interrupted,” he says with a wide grin spreading across his face.

I grimace and slam the door tellingly behind me.

“Goodnight,” I call out as I make my way up the stairs, his eyes following me every step of the way.

“Wait, Ella May.” Still smiling, Jeff looks at me, his worried look turning into one of confusion. I freeze where I am, one foot on the last step. Doubt surfaces in my mind. Has Tyler said something to Scott, who in turn passed it on to my dad before I got home? But Jeff seems relaxed now that I’m safe and sound under his roof.

“We never get a chance to chat these days. How was your day?” he asks.

“Fine,” I reply. I rack my brain trying to think of what I can actually reveal to him. “I went to class, nothing special. The cafeteria served Chinese food today, but I just ate a cereal bar. I wasn’t very hungry.”

“Wow! I didn’t know they served Chinese at college.”

“Once a week.” I try to look enthusiastic, but my foot taps nervously against the step.

He smiles again, encouragingly.

“And then what?”

I obviously leave out the details of my trip to Wolfeboro and the race through the forest on Vuk’s shoulders.

“Tyler helped me put away today’s delivery.”

“And Scott?” he asks.

“To be honest, he was holed up in his office doing accounting, but Tyler’s a big help in the storeroom and out front.”

He makes his best effort to look interested.

“Right…Tyler is a good friend. Good people, his family.” He reflects on his words for a few moments.

“Why didn’t you invite him out to the bar you went to on Saturday? You went dancing, right?” he asks. I can’t figure out if he thinks there might be a spark between us, or if he’s just trying to egg me on, to get Vuk out of the picture.

“No, Jeff. I didn’t go out to dance.” I assure him. Dancing is way, way beyond my capabilities.

“But you would have had fun with Tyler,” he says encouragingly. His enthusiasm falls on deaf ears. It’s not hard to guess that Jeff would prefer me to hang out with Tyler, an apparently
normal
person. I try to regain my composure.

“He would have been bored stiff. I don’t dance. I can’t risk my neck out on the dance floor, so I just sat at the bar,” I reply, totally dismayed at the mere thought of dancing.

“Yeah, right,” he sniggers. He’s disappointed, but glad my comments were not an outright refusal to go out with Tyler.

“And…what about Bryan?” he ponders aloud.

“Jeff! He just started seeing my friend Jamie. And don’t ask about Seth, Ronald’s son. He’s going out with Tess. Plus, you know full well that I’m not looking to meet other boys. I’m with Jason.”

“Right…” He stretches out the word sarcastically, “Really?” He crosses his arms, never tearing his eyes from mine.

I nod slowly, trying not to give anything away about how sensitive a time it is right now for us, how this distance between us is torture. “Ah, yes” he says, ironically. “Really?” He keeps his arms crossed, his eyes locked on mine. I nod, calmly, and try not to give anything away. The moment is delicate and I feel distance between us.

“Whatever happened to him?” Jeff asks. “I haven’t seen him since last week.”

Exactly. He looks at me square in the eyes and understands what I’m going through.

“What happened, Ella May?” he whispers. “He seemed too kind to stand you up like that. Well, he seemed to care.”

“Yes, exactly. There must have been a mistake. He went hiking with Aaron in the mountains, east of the Canadian border.” It’s not too far from the truth. “He’ll be back in the next few days.”

“Ah, I understand” he mumbles. “And you…are you ok?”

“I’m a little worried about Jason,” I say in deep thought. I can see in his eyes he is perplexed and I feign some enthusiasm.

“But he’s ok, he’s back in Boston now and…”

”Yes” interrupts Jeff. “I know that he’s working in the financial district at Aaron Dale’s Bank. You know, people talk… and rumors spread. He’s become part of the family, of their financial empire, to be exact.” Well, it is probable that Jeff knows Aaron, after all. His presence in the high finance reception photos on Lake Michigan leaves no doubt.

“But now that Aaron is camping and hiking with Jason, who is in charge at the bank?” I ask.

“Preston Rooney, or someone for him” answers Jeff. “He’s part of the Dale family. He is as well-known as Aaron in the financial district.”

“Jeff, you are confused. Preston, Aaron’s brother, and Rooney are not the same person.”

“Yes they are” he replies. “To tell you the truth, the complete name is Preston Logan Rooney.” I open my mouth to say something but he interrupts me. “Yes, it’s him. The young proprietor of Rooney Investments.”

“The job interview is next week.” I say quietly to myself. That is why Donn was not enthused about my internship at Preston’s. I would have become part of the Dale family. I wonder if the job interview is still on, now that I know the truth, now that I know that Jason was able to find me through side ways. He risked his life in the library courtyard. Jeff’s face changes.

“Anyway, it’s better this way for Jason. He’s very lucky to have been
adopted
by the Dales after that trip to South America. Strange decision, suddenly. Do you know what happened to him?” Jeff asks with curiosity. “More than a year has gone by since I saw him last at the reception on Lake Michigan.”

“I think he needed to try and live somewhere else. He needed to do that before he started to work in Boston.”

“I wonder how worried his parents are,” Jeff says. “To disappear like that, suddenly, with just a sleeping bag, without a word. Very difficult, whatever the reason for leaving.”

“I don’t agree,” I say quickly to end the discussion. If he only knew the real reason why Jason left. “His intentions were pure.”

“Regardless, I don’t think there is a need to be as worried about Jason as you are,” Jeff continues. “A guy who reacts this way, with all this energy and focus, has to be able to start over. As hard as things have been for him this past year.”

“Yes, you’re right,” I sigh.

“Listen, Stella.” He falters, as if not wanting to reveal something. “He’s a well-mannered kid. I will try to remember that. I can’t promise anything, though.” He smiles. “But do something for me, please. Be careful. Scott wanted me to tell you that they’ll keep an eye on you.”