Creatus (Creatus Series) (9 page)

Ryan, a younger member of their family who’d just returned home from England a few years ago, stood up. He was smaller than Derrick, but strong as an ox. They’d wrestled a few times in fun, and Derrick had always liked him, thinking he’d be someone they could bring into their inner circle of leaders. He was forty-two now, the perfect age. But lately he’d been spending a lot of time with Michael, frequenting places they shouldn’t, looking for quick hook-ups. Ryan looked to the family and then back at Michael. “I’ve been watching the news, and I don’t get it. How do you know it’s a creatus?”

Michael sighed. He didn’t like anyone to question him. He may only be forty-four, but he was a born leader. “I’ve studied our past, that’s how,” he said, no inflection of his irritation, which Derrick sensed was teetering just below the surface. His brother also had a temper. “Creatus are smart, as we all know.” Michael looked to his father, as if challenging his earlier assessment. “Even the so-called crazy ones. One of the signs of a rogue kill is separating the body so the authorities won’t have any identifying marks. They take what they want and leave the rest. Unlike an animal that rips a human to shreds and leaves the carcass, a creatus will pull the human apart with his bare hands and take the parts he wants.”

Collective gasps filled the room.

“Okay, Michael,” Derrick interrupted. “I think we get the point.” Derrick, as he assumed a few others felt, was glad he hadn’t eaten lunch yet. He didn’t like to think that there were animals that would do such a thing.

“He asked,” Michael defended his repugnant answer. “But here’s the part that baffles me. Whoever this is, they want us to know.”

“How’s that?” Dean spoke up again, curiosity lighting in his eyes.

Michael moved backward toward the desk, resting on the edge as though he
was a professor addressing his students. “Even though a creatus is smart enough not to give any indication of how the person was killed, they usually hide the victim, bury them. These victims have been left for authorities to find.” Michael paused for effect. “The rogue wants us to know.”

“So, as Michael and I discussed earlier, there’s only one answer,” Derrick cut in. “We need to start
watching
again.”

Vic burst to her feet. “What? What happened to ‘the rules’? Isn’t that why you banished Jonas?”

Derrick shook his head, casting a glance in Ryan and his mother’s direction, wondering if they had thought the same thing too.

Michael also stared in the direction of Ry and Margaret and then hopped off the desk to answer. “We didn’t banish Jonas; he left on his own. Jonas was a good friend of mine, but he used watching as an excuse to fight. He didn’t care about humans any more than you or I, Vic. He was only looking for a fight. And he was sloppy.”

“So we’re supposed to put our existence in jeopardy because a few humans are dying.” Vic raised her hands in the air and paced. “Derrick’s just worried about his new precious human.”

“Sit down, Victoria, or leave,” Derrick ordered. “Your choice.”

Vic inhaled a deep breath as though she would argue, but then flopped down in her chair again.

Derrick held up his hands in a silent request to the rest of the group. No one as much as breathed. “They are the rules, and I intend to keep them. As for Kristina, she’s my concern.” He leveled his eyes on Victoria. “No one will get near her; I will make certain of that. As for the rest of you, we will set up a perimeter around Boston where the killings have occurred.” Derrick glanced around to see if anyone else dared to question him. “Per ‘the rules’, as Vic pointed out, I do not want you to get involved with a crime; we’re only looking for the rogue. Only interfere if the
rogue is involved. And make sure you are always dressed in black with a knit ski mask you can shield your face if need be; we don’t need to start any vigilante investigations again.”

His father stood up again. “So, if we see a human getting attacked, you want us to stand by?”

Derrick’s stomach plummeted. No, he didn’t want that. What would Kristina think of him saying such a thing? But, it was the only way. “We don’t have a choice, Dad. It’s not like it was when you were protecting the streets. Humans are busy 24-7. They never sleep, it seems. Also, everyone has a video camera on their cell phone. We’d be on the front page of
The National Enquirer
the next day.”

Chapter Twelve

After Michael presented the map and the schedules of where he wanted everyone stationed, the barn cleared.

“Hang on a second, Vic,” Derrick called as she made her way toward the massive doors that were big enough a tank could fit through.

She threw her head back in disgust, acting like a spoiled child. He almost expected her to stomp her feet and stick out her tongue at this point. “Now what?” she whined.

Michael stopped his departure as well, which was probably a good thing. With Vic’s attitude, no telling what they’d end up saying to each other. Besides, Derrick needed to question his brother as well.

So as not to accuse just Vic, he addressed both of them with a razor-sharp scowl, “Which one of you were outside Kristina’s window last night?” he asked pointblank.

Vic rolled her eyes and Michael’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, clearly digesting this information.

Smoothing her hair
with her hands, sending him the image of a cat preening herself, Vic laughed. “That was fast, Derrick. Didn’t waste any time getting with the human, did you?”

Derrick huffed out a breath. What a one-eighty her personality had taken. Again, he hated to keep thinking she was the typical scorned woman, but he now understood all the colloquialisms. There clearly was a thin line between love and hate.  “You didn’t answer my question, Victoria?”

“I have better things to do with my time than spy on your little girlfriend. Besides, I didn’t know you’d decided to bring her into our humble family until you showed up with her on your arm.” Vic bit her lip, her tough façade seemingly melting. He knew she was heartbroken, understood that her antagonism was directed at the situation, not him. She had to know he’d tried to make it work with her. “Thanks for that by the way,” she said sharply, attempting to hold onto her anger.  “You could have warned me instead of blindsiding me, making me look like a fool.”

Derrick rubbed his chin. “I’m sorry. I guess you’re right.” He walked toward her and she stepped backward, away from him. “I was worried you’d leave without me having a chance to explain.”

“What’s to explain, Derrick? I always knew you loved Kristina, even if you denied it. You’ve been spellbound by her for years. I figured it would happen when she got old enough, when you finally saw her as the beautiful woman she is.” The corners of her lips turned up, and a semblance of a smile dawned on her face that he hadn’t expected in the middle of her rant. “She is beautiful, by the way. I still hate her, mind you, but I can see the attraction. I guess being half-human makes you boys want a weak shell of a woman—”

“Not me, Vic,” Michael burst into the conversation. Derrick was surprised he’d kept his mouth shut as long as he had. An unusual occurrence for his brother. “I love a tough woman.”

She laughed, and for a minute, Derrick wondered if they could be the trio they’d been all these years.

“That’s the problem, Michael. You’ll love just about anything with legs,” Victoria teased.

Michael’s bravado dropped, looking as if she’d slapped him. “That’s not true. You’ve just been too busy to notice what I do.”

Victoria waved her hand in dismissal. “I’m just messing with you, Mike. Chill. You know you’ll always be my number one guy.”

His brother smiled, but Derrick could see he hadn’t been placated. Not wanting to embarrass him, Derrick decided to drop the subject. He’d revisit it later. “I hate to interrupt you two, but let’s get back to the purpose of our little soirée here. Neither of you paid Kristina and me a visit last night at her apartment?”

They shook their heads in unison.

Michael rolled his eyes. “Last I saw, you two were playing kissy-face in the park. I actually met up with Ry after we talked and went clubbing.”

“What time was that?” Derrick asked.

Michael looked toward the roof of the barn as if the answer would be dangling from the rafters. “Hmm… I went to dinner. Had a few glasses of wine for St. Paddy’s Day. You know we have an Irish heritage by way of Mom, right?”

“Michael…” Derrick chided.
His brother could be so juvenile sometimes.

“Oh, right. I don’t know. Ry called me. Asked if I wanted to hang out.”

Derrick rubbed his fingers across his eyebrow. “So… six, seven, eight?” he prompted.

“Honestly, I don’t remember. I guess I had a few too many
glasses.” Michael laughed, but Derrick didn’t find it funny. A rogue creatus was stalking Boston, and Michael was out getting drunk after chastising him about his choices. “Wait? What are you thinking, Derrick? You don’t think Ry—”

Victoria huffed. “That’s just rich… Who’re you going to blame next, Derrick? Your father? We all went to school together for God’s sake. He even stayed with us after his brother left.”

Derrick paced the room. “All I know is someone was hanging outside Kristina’s window last night. By the time I caught a glimpse, they were on the next building. No human can move that fast. So, yeah, I’m perturbed, to say the least. I’d be happier if it was one of you and not the rogue.” They both shook their heads again instead of appeasing his concerns.

Michael hopped up from his desk where he’d been perched. “I’ll make sure I take the section near your apartment. And I don’t know if you’re up for it, but I was thinking…” he trailed off, his dark eyes lighting a shade in his apparent excitement. Derrick didn’t like when his brother got that gleam in his eyes. It’d gotten them into plenty of trouble as teenagers. Even though they were five years apart, they’d always gotten along. “If the rogue is interested…”

“Don’t even think about it, Michael. No way will I allow you to use Kristina as bait.”

“I’m just saying—”

“No!”

“Man, you’re awfully
testy. I thought you were supposed to be all lovey-dovey after falling.” He laughed. “Oh… I get it. It’s because you haven’t consummated your relationship.”

Victoria jumped up. “What? You fell without—”

Derrick sighed, cutting her off. “Honestly, you two are like a couple of college kids. Can we get return to the point here? Kristina’s not bait, and we still have the other issue I’m dealing with. I managed to delete all the messages on Kristina’s phone, but he’s not giving up. What do you think he has?” He peered at Michael for an answer.

“The detective doesn’t know what he has. He’s actually worried about her believe it or not. You won’t believe who he is…” Michael trailed off as if Derrick could actually guess. “Give up?”

Derrick resisted rolling his eyes at his immature brother, and instead, just stared at him as he sat down. His brother had been alive for forty-four years, but acted as if he was twelve sometimes. The problem with aging slowly was that most of his kind also matured slower.

Michael pulled
up a chair in front of Derrick and straddled it, leaning over the backrest. “You’re going to flip. He’s the uniformed cop who was first on the scene of Kris’ mother’s death, but now he’s a homicide detective.”

Derrick whipped his head up. “You’re kidding?”

“What are the chances, huh? Small town. Evidently he got the ‘jumper’ call. He ran her tags, since her car was left on the bridge, and realized who she was.” Michael shook his head. “You should have called me sooner. We could have avoided all of this if I’d moved her car immediately.” He smiled. “But I understand you weren’t thinking clearly. I jacked it from the impound yard, pulled all the records as you’d requested. So far, they haven’t even figured out it’s missing. But Murphy, that’s his name by the way, Murphy O’Brian, doesn’t seem to want to throw in the towel. He wants to make certain if she’s dead or alive. I think your best bet is to have her speak with him, and maybe he’ll back off.”

Chapter Thirteen

Kris
gathered the coat Sabrina had given her tighter to her chest as she watched Derrick shove the canoe off the shoreline of the lake and jump in gracefully. He was amazingly lithe for such a large man. She’d always imagined a man of his size to move like an oaf, but his movements, as well as his actions, were always smooth and methodical. Her insides warmed as she imagined some of those movements. Though he’d been nothing but a gentleman, she found herself imagining all sorts of future actions where she could test his physical abilities.

“Why are you smiling?” he asked as he paddled. With every stroke, they moved the length as if he’d dipped the paddle in the water ten times instead of just once. And yet, as with everything, there was barely a ripple in the water, smooth as silk he was.

“You,” she admitted, a warm rush of blood filling her cheeks.

“What about me?”

Kris shrugged. “Still wondering if I need to pinch myself.”

He laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”

Derrick stopped paddling, and Kris scanned her surroundings to see they were already in the middle of the lake. The tree line bordering the water’s edge emphasized Harvard’s rolling hills, pleasing the eye with a subtle rise and fall instead of a straight line. The sun had begun to make its final descent, casting an orange glow at the center of the horizon with swirled hues of peach and pink adding to the remarkable sunset. The image reflected onto the pond, encompassing their canoe with a picturesque setting for a nighttime boat ride.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered. The lake was so peaceful that it felt as if even the vibration of her voice would cause the glass-like surface of the water to ripple in response.

“It is. I’ve been coming here since I was a boy.” Derrick glanced around at the vast lake that even had small wooded islands in the middle. “It’s one of the largest lakes in this part of the state, and in the summer, you’d think you were at Spring Break in Florida with the amount of beachgoers. But what I enjoy are the peaceful evenings this time of the year and the privacy of being off land, away from prying ears.”

“I guess you would. With your family’s ability to hear you from several blocks away, you can’t say anything aloud you want to keep private.”

Derrick laughed. “Nope. Thankfully my parents installed soundproofing in their bedroom, which helped some.”

Kris
burst out a laugh. “Oh! I guess, um… that would be awkward, huh?”

“Very,” he agreed.

“So, why are we hiding?” she whispered conspiratorially.

Derrick shrugged. “I just wanted to bring you here, and we do have a few things to discuss.” He inhaled a deep breath and then reached out for her.

Hesitantly, afraid of tipping, she moved to her feet, keeping herself in a crouch. Before she could even attempt to balance herself, he swept her onto his lap. “You’re going to have to start warning me before you sweep me off my feet, Derrick. You keep taking my breath away.”

He pressed his lips to the side of her neck. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”

Leaning against his chest and into his kiss, she murmured. “Yes.”

“Is it okay if we talk like this,” he asked. “I mean, instead of eye-to-eye. There are a few things I need to tell you, but I’ve been aching to have you in my arms all day.”

She turned her head to look at him. “Can’t we talk later?”

Derrick took her mouth with his and she felt her body melt in response. She’d missed this too. They’d ambled around the property earlier, making chitchat with the family, but the entire time
Kris had been thinking the same thing. She had to admit it was an interesting afternoon, though. Surprisingly, the buffet of food Sabrina had set out, didn’t look much different from any other banquet spread. Derrick’s mother had learned how to make their diet pleasing to the eye and palate for creatus and humans.

He released her mouth and sighed. “I love kissing you. It feels so right.”

She burrowed her head between his chin and chest, reveling in the feel of his chest as he breathed in and out, completely content in his embrace. For the first time in her life, she felt safe. Maybe sharing a bed with Derrick would even chase her nightmares away; she could only hope. Reliving her mother’s murder night after night, attempting to rewrite the past unsuccessfully, had nearly driven her to madness. “It feels right for me too,” she confessed. And it did, as nothing in her life had ever felt. She kept teasing him whether he was real; when in fact, her time with Derrick had felt more real than all her previous twenty-two years, as if she were finally home.

Derrick withdrew one of his arms from around her and reached into his pocket. “It’s too beautiful right now to talk, and while you can still see…” He lifted his hand in front of her, holding up another black velvet box. Though he’d said ‘forever’ repeatedly, she gasped in a mouthful of air, hoping this time it was what she thought it was. Using his thumb and forefinger, he flipped open the tiny case. “I know what I said, and it’s still true, but… I do have a traditional human mother, and I know how much it excited her when my father proposed.” He stopped and pressed his hand to her cheek, turning her head, so he could see her face. “Kristina, will you marry me? Officially.”

Tears poured down her cheek, and she hoped he didn’t get the wrong impression as she tried to find her voice. She gulped them away the best she could and gasped out, “Yes! Without a second’s hesitation, yes!” She kissed him quickly as he lifted her hand and slipped the ring onto her left ring finger. The vintage-style ring had a beautiful center diamond, but as large as it was, it didn’t look gaudy. The band had a crisscross of diamond paves, shanking the center diamond. It was simply breathtaking; she’d never seen anything like it. Though she’d never been one to peruse bridal magazines, she’d listened to Beth enough to appreciate this masterpiece. “Oh my, Derrick. It’s so beautiful. When did you—”

“I ordered it online and had my mother pick it up.”

“So they knew?”

“My mother did
… she’s always known.”

A chill traveled
the length of Kris’s spine. Sabrina had been so kind to her today, but she’d assumed she was just comforting her after Victoria’s rude comment. “I don’t know what to say.”

He pulled her tighter against him. “You already said it. ‘Yes’, was all I needed to know.”

“But you already knew that,” she teased, resting her head against his shoulder, luxuriating in the feeling of his broad chest as he breathed in and out, the refuge that just his closeness provided.

He trailed his fingertips down the side of her face, twisting a strand of her hair around his hand when he reached her neck. “You’re human; I’m sure you could break the spell if you so desired. If something repulsed you enough. Like the way Vic reacted. I’m sure that must have frightened you.”

“A bit.” She crossed her arms over his and tilted her head back to him. “But, I don’t scare easily. I’ve been through worse.”

He exhaled a breath. “Yes, you have. About that. Not to ruin the mood, but we really need to talk.”

“If you insist,” she said on a sigh, not wanting to ruin the beautiful evening.

“It’s about the calls. We never finished the conversation.”

She shrugged under his embrace. “I trust you, Derrick.”

“Well, I’m not proud about this, but I deleted several messages from your phone. I won’t do it again. I just thought you needed a moment to digest everything without throwing several barbs at once.”

She squirmed under his arms. “Okay… I’ll forgive you this time, but you promised to delete all the tracking devices. I don’t want to feel like a hostage in a relationship.”

Kris
felt Derrick nod his head. “Of course, and I said you were free to come and go as you please, but there’s been a new development, so please don’t be upset if I’m extra careful.”

This time she turned in his arms so she was facing him. Seeing what she was doing, he pulled her sideways on his lap. He lowered his head to her ear. “I came out here for a reason. As I mentioned, away from prying ears.” She nodded in understanding. “When you were eight, you told the police officer on the scene that a dark angel had rescued you.”

Her eyes bulged. “I did? How did you know?”

He nodded again. “I never left you unprotected. I waited until the police came. I couldn’t leave you alone in that alley. I would have killed anyone who approached you, though.”

“I’m sorry. And here I thought I’d never told anyone.”

Derrick touched her cheek. “It’s okay. You were in shock. And the police officer chalked it up to a child’s fantasy. The murderer had already jumped up by the time they came, and as much as I wanted to follow him, I couldn’t leave you. Instead, he got away with murdering Janelle.”

She shook her head, trying to make sense of his comment. “I’m confused. You think the family will be upset at me now? For something I did when I was eight?”

“The officer’s name is Murphy O’Brian. He’s a detective now. Homicide. He got the call about your jump, and he’s been trying to reach you to make sure you’re okay, since they never found your body.”

Kris clasped her hand over her mouth, a wave of nausea washing through her. Dampness spread over her skin, and for the first time in days, she wanted a drink to calm her nerves.
The same officer who worked her mother’s
homicide,
she digested, her head spinning for some reason at this revelation.

“Are you okay?” Derrick’s words came out in a rush.

“No. I think I’m going to be sick.”

Derrick picked her up and set her on the opposite side of the canoe. Within seconds, they were on the shore. He lifted her from the boat and set her on a weathered bench. “I’m sorry. What can I do?”

She moved her head back and forth sluggishly, unable to speak, attempting to restrain the bile in her throat. What was wrong with her?

“You’re having withdrawal symptoms again, Kristina,” Derrick answered her unspoken question. “Just breathe through it—slowly. And if you have to get sick, do it. I’ve seen it all before so it doesn’t bother me.”

Her mouth filled with saliva, and she nodded, in fear that if she tried to speak, she’d puke right in front of him. How romantic would that be? She concentrated on short shallow breaths, willing the clammy wetness on her skin and the queasiness in her stomach to subside. She shook the coat off, appreciating the coolness of the evening.

Since the sun had set, the temperature had dropped by at least ten degrees, which she would normally hate, but right now the brisk air soothed her skin.

Derrick sat down beside her. “Better? Your color has returned. You were pale white a minute ago.”

She nodded again, still concerned with her speaking ability.

“You feel like moving to the car? You really shouldn’t be out in the air while soaking wet.”

Kris
patted her hands against her body. Sure enough, the perspiration had soaked right through her clothes. “Okay. Give me just a second.”

“Take all the time you want,” he said, but then layered the coat she’d discarded around her shoulders again.

“What else?” she asked. “Though, I feel silly. I don’t know why that affected me that way?”

“Maybe we should wait on the other information.”

“No. Talk to me. No more secrets,” she insisted.

“Okay. The reason I ripped you out of your home last night… It was my brother in the park. Michael came to check on us and let me know that we have a rogue.”

She tilted her head. “A rogue?”

“Yes. A serial killer of the worst kind is terrorizing Boston—one of my kind. The police will never catch the perp; it is up to my family.” Derrick pursed his lips as if not wanting to reveal everything.

“And this
rogue
? You think he was the one outside my window last night?”

“Yes. He or she. Though, Vic swears it wasn’t her.”

“Why would you think a rogue would come after me?”

Derrick closed his eyes for a second and then swallowed loudly before answering her question. “To get back at me.”