His Dark Embrace (20 page)
Chapter 27
As the miles slid past, the fever took over. He drifted in and out of consciousness, his fevered dreams filled with disjointed images of planes and tanks and roadside bombs, of buddies being blown to bits, of women sobbing and frightened children, of being afraid to close his eyes. Sometimes a woman was there, her hair and face covered, her bright blue eyes wide with terror as she ran and ran from a nameless, faceless enemy. And sometimes a tall, dark-haired man was there sporting realistic plastic fangs and red contacts that blazed like twin coals plucked from the bowels of an unforgiving hell.
He saw those eyes now, boring into him, penetrating his heart, piercing his very soul, heard a voice whispering in his ear.
“Wake up, soldier. You’re safe now. Wake up.”
He came awake with a harsh cry, the sound of his own heartbeat echoing like thunder in his ears.
“It’s all right, son.”
He blinked at the man bending over him. “Who are you? Where am I?”
“You’re in a hospital, here in the States.”
“I’m American?” He glanced around. The room was filled with beds. He saw several nurses moving from one patient to another, checking blood pressure here, taking a temperature there.
The man nodded. “I’m Dr. Wharton.” The doctor picked up a clipboard and pulled a pen from his coat pocket. “How are you feeling, Sam?”
“Sam?”
The doctor paused in the act of looking over the chart on his clipboard. “Your dog tags were missing when they found you, but according to the fingerprints on file, you’re Samuel Patrick McNamara.”
“If you say so.” He repeated the name in his mind but it had no meaning.
“You listed your sister, Skylynn O’Brien, as your next of kin. We tried to notify her, but the number listed in Chicago has been disconnected and there’s no new listing.”
Sam shrugged. So, they couldn’t find the sister he couldn’t remember. Big deal.
The doctor made a notation on his clipboard. “Do you remember anything that happened before you got here?”
Sam stared at him, then shook his head. “No.” His fingers curled around the blanket that covered him.
“It’s all right.” The doctor made another notation. “Just try to relax. Let the memories come back on their own. Don’t try to force them.”
“What if my memory doesn’t come back?”
“Let’s not worry about that now,” the doctor said briskly. “From the looks of you, you’ve had it pretty rough. A little downtime will be good for you.”
“How did I get here?”
“I’m not sure of the details,” the doctor replied. “It’s all hush-hush, but from what I gather, the Iraqis traded you and several other men for one of their own. You were burning up with fever and suffering from severe head trauma by the time you got here.”
“Sam! Hey, Sam! Is that you?”
Sam looked past the doctor to see a tall, lanky, redhead grinning from ear to ear.
“Do I know you?” Sam asked.
“Are you kidding me? Hell, we trained together at Hood. Roger Boyle. Don’t you remember?” He held up his hand, two fingers crossed. “We were tight, man.”
Sam shook his head. “Sorry.”
Boyle hobbled closer to the bed. Only then did Sam notice that Boyle’s left pant leg was empty from the knee down.
“What’s his story, Doc?” Boyle asked, leaning on his crutch.
“I’d say retrograde amnesia, most likely caused by a severe blow to the head. But, all things considered, I’d say his odds of a full recovery are good.”
“When can I get out of here?” Sam asked.
“Soon. You’ve been discharged, due to your injuries. The paperwork should be here any day now,” the doctor said, “but I need to run a few more tests before you can go home. In the meantime, you take it easy, and I’ll see you in the morning.” With a nod, the doctor moved on to his next patient.
“That’s rough,” Boyle said, “not being able to remember who you are.”
“You said we were tight. Do you know anything about me?”
“Just that you lived with your grandfather in Vista Verde, California, and you have a married sister, Skylynn, who lives in Chicago. You drive a restored ’66 VW Bug and you’re hoping to be a mechanic when your tour’s up. You took a few college courses, worked at the local market before you enlisted. Does any of this ring a bell?”
Sam shook his head.
“Well, like the doc said, it might take some time.”
“Yeah,” Sam muttered. “Time.”
“Hang in there, buddy. I need to get off my feet.” Boyle grinned ruefully. “Foot.”
Sam nodded as he watched Boyle carefully make his way back to his own bunk at the other end of the room. All things considered, he guessed he’d rather have lost his memory than his leg.
Sam folded his arms beneath his head and stared up at the ceiling. Sam. His name was Sam and he had a married sister, Skylynn. Was she older or younger? Did she have kids? Dammit, why couldn’t he remember?
Chapter 28
Thorne lay on his side, one elbow bent, his cheek resting on his hand as his gaze moved over Skylynn’s face. He had made love to her off and on all through the night. He ran his fingertips along the side of her neck. He needed to stop being so greedy, to remember that she didn’t have his strength or stamina. But making love to her was like an addiction he couldn’t shake. The more he held her, the more he kissed her, the more he wanted her.
He wasn’t sure how it had happened, but about a week ago, he’d fallen into the habit of spending the night at her house. It was the closest he’d come to having a normal life in centuries. He found himself liking the arrangement far more than was probably good for either of them.
She smiled in her sleep. Was she dreaming of him? It didn’t matter. Waking or sleeping, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. It amazed him that, even knowing what he was, she loved him enough to give herself to him completely. He deserved neither her love nor her trust, not now, when the monster within him was fighting so hard to get out, when it was a struggle to keep his hellish thirst under control. When all he really wanted was to gather her into his embrace and drink and drink until there was nothing left.
With a growl, he sprang off the bed, his hands clenched at his sides as he turned his back to her. What madness had made him agree to stay with her when just being near him put her life in danger? And yet, how could he leave when Desmarais was sniffing around like a wolf on the scent of fresh blood? An apt description for all their kind, Thorne mused. Predators all, whether they killed or not. And those who spared the lives of their prey were rare indeed because the urge to kill, to take it all and leave nothing behind, was always there.
Why had Desmarais approached Skylynn? Was he still hoping to find the missing ingredient for the formula? Now that he was a vampire, that hardly seemed likely. Unless Desmarais knew it would allow him to walk in the daylight. Would Paddy have shared that information with Desmarais? And if not, then what was Desmarais after?
The answer came with such clarity, Kaiden was surprised it hadn’t occurred to him sooner. Desmarais was seeking revenge for his wife’s death. Cassandra had warned Desmarais of dire consequences if he destroyed Thorne. And if the monk couldn’t destroy him, what better way to avenge himself than by killing someone Thorne held dear?
The logic was inescapable.
Closing his eyes, Thorne forced himself to take several long, slow breaths. He would have to remain calm and clear-headed if he hoped to best Girard Desmarais. The man was nothing if not sly and resourceful. Add to that Desmarais’ fifty years of experience as a slayer and Desmarais was not a threat to be taken lightly.
Expelling a deep breath, Thorne slid back under the covers beside Skylynn and put his arm around her. She made a soft sleepy sound as she snuggled against him. He drew her closer, basking in the warmth of her body, the softness of her skin against his.
He ran his fingers lightly through her hair. Making love to Skylynn was the most incredible high he had ever known. It made him feel young again, truly alive again, and for that, he would forever be grateful.
“Kaiden?”
“I’m here.”
“You’re not going home, are you? I ...”
“What is it, love?”
“I don’t want to wake up alone.”
“Then I’ll be here.”
She snuggled against him and then she smiled. “Good. The curtains are closed, and I promise not to disturb you.”
He laughed softly as he hugged her tight. “You can do whatever you like, darlin’.”
“I love you,” she murmured. And then her eyelids fluttered down as sleep claimed her once again.
Lying there, with the scent of their heated lovemaking all around him, he vowed he would forfeit his existence and everything he possessed before he let anyone or anything hurt a hair of her head.
Skylynn woke slowly, reluctantly. She had been having such a delicious dream, she hated to see it end. In her dream, Kaiden had made love to her all night long. Never before had she felt so cherished, so loved. He had made her feel as if anything was possible, and maybe it was. He had tasted her during their lovemaking and in some way that she would never understand, he had given her access to his thoughts and feelings. It had magnified every touch they shared, enhanced every caress. It had been amazing, their minds and hearts and bodies merging so that they really had become one flesh.
With a sigh, she rolled over and opened her eyes. And he was there, the man who made her feel like the most desirable woman in the world. Remembering the night she had spent in his arms caused her stomach to curl with pleasure. He was so gorgeous, his body hard and sculpted with muscle, his face serene at rest. A male sleeping beauty. If only she could wake him with a kiss, she thought with a sigh, and then smiled. It was probably just as well that she couldn’t. She ached in places that had never ached before, but it was a wonderful kind of pain, a reminder of how thoroughly, how exquisitely, he had loved her. It was a night she would never forget, one she couldn’t wait to repeat.
Whispering, “I love you,” she kissed his cheek even though he couldn’t feel it. And then, with a low groan, she slid her legs over the side of the bed. She sat there a moment; then, taking a deep breath, she headed into the bathroom for a hot shower.
Sky had just poured herself a cup of coffee when there was a knock at the door.
She froze a moment, remembering last night when Desmarais had come calling, and then laughed with a giddy sense of relief. The sun was up. It couldn’t be the vampire.
Still, Kaiden had warned her about opening the door without knowing who was on the other side. And he was right. Better to err on the side of caution.
Wishing she had a weapon, she went to the door. She peered through the peephole and then, with a cry, she turned the lock and opened the door.
For a minute, she just stood there, too stunned to speak, and then she threw her arms around him.
“Sam! Oh, Sam! I’ve been so worried about you.” She released him a moment and stood back so she could get a good look at him. He needed a shave, his hair was long and unkempt. He looked thinner, far older than his years.
Blinking back tears of joy, she wrapped her arms around him again. “I’m so glad you’re all right.” She hugged him tightly, then grabbed his hand, afraid if she let go, he might disappear again. “Come on in. We’ve got so much to talk about! I want to hear everything, where you’ve been, why I never heard from you.”
When he seemed reluctant to follow her, she tugged on his hand. Once inside, she shut the door, then headed for the kitchen, pulling Sam along behind her. “I just made a fresh pot of coffee.”
“Slow down, lady,” he said, jerking his hand from hers. “Who are you?”
Sky turned to face him. “What?”
“Who are you?”
Skylynn blinked at him. “Are you kidding?” she asked, frowning. “It’s me, Sky”
“Skylynn, right. You’re my sister?”
“Yes, of course.” How could he not know her?
“And I’m Sam?”
“Yes. Samuel Patrick McNamara.” Fear coiled in Skylynn’s belly as she saw the confusion in her brother’s eyes. Had he lost his mind?
He ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t remember who I am.”
“Then how did you get here?” This had to be a joke. Sam had always liked to tease her, like the time he had told her that her face would turn blue if she chewed blueberry bubble gum.
“Some guy at the hospital ...”
“Hospital?” Her gaze moved over him again. “What hospital? Were you wounded in action?”
“I had a high fever for a while.” Sam lifted one hand to the back of his head. “I got shot. They said I hit my head pretty hard, probably when I fell.”
“Go on.”
“Anyway, some guy at the hospital recognized me. He told me my grandfather lived in Vista Verde. I looked up the address in the phone book. Is he here?”
Sky folded her arms over her chest, wishing she didn’t have to tell him bad news when he’d just returned home. But putting it off wouldn’t make it any easier. “Granda passed away while you were gone.”
“Were we close?”
“Very. He raised the two of us after our parents died.” Sky bit down on her lower lip. How could he not remember?
“Boyle said you were living in Chicago.”
“I was, but I moved back here after Granda passed away.” She reached for his hand again. “Come on, let’s have a cup of coffee. We have a lot to talk about.”
Skylynn sat by the front window, staring out at the rain. Sam was home, wounded in mind and body. They had talked for almost three hours, with Sam asking her one question after another about their parents, their grandparents, events of the past.
Sky had dug out an old family album, hoping that photographs of people he had known and places they had visited might help him remember. She had waited, hoping that seeing their old house, his old friends, might trigger a memory, but so far it wasn’t happening. Sometimes she thought she saw a spark of recognition in his eyes, but then it would fade.
“Who’s this?” he had asked, pointing at a photograph of Nick taken shortly before the wedding.
Sky had stared at the picture. How had she missed that one? After the divorce, she had thrown away everything that reminded her of her ex-husband. She told Sam about her disastrous marriage and quick divorce in as few words as possible and then pointed at a photo of Sam and a small black and tan puppy.
“Do you remember Nellie?” she asked. “We found her in an alley. She’d been hit by a car and you nursed her back to health.”
Sam stared at the photo for a long time, his brow furrowed, and then he shook his head.
“Maybe seeing your room will help,” Sky suggested, and Sam followed her up the stairs.
She had stood in the doorway, watching as he walked around the room. It was still decorated as it had been when Sam was in high school, with posters of rock stars and baseball pennants on the walls. A number of CDs and DVDs lined the shelf over his bed, an old footlocker held his favorite baseball glove, a bat, a football, a pair of inline skates, and other odds and ends from his teen years.
When he was finished, he looked at her and shrugged.
Skylynn hid her disappointment behind a smile as they returned to the living room. Telling Sam to rest, she escaped into the kitchen. For a moment, she stood at the sink fighting back her tears. She had to stay positive for Sam’s sake. Remembering that she had read somewhere that familiar scents could awaken old memories, she made a batch of chocolate chip cookies.
As soon as the cookies were done, she put a dozen or so on a plate, poured two glasses of milk, and carried everything out into the living room.
Sam looked up, smiling for the first time since he had come home. “Smells good.”
“They’re your favorite. Remember how we always liked to eat the raw dough and how Grams used to pretend to get mad whenever we snitched some?”
Sam’s face scrunched up as he tried to remember, and then he shook his head. “No. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Don’t try to force it. I know it’ll all come back to you.”
Sam raked his hand through his hair. “What if it doesn’t?”
“Then we’ll just have to make new memories.”
That had been two hours ago. Now, she found herself wondering why the army had released Sam when he was still suffering from amnesia. She didn’t know anything about the illness other than that it was usually caused by a sharp blow to the head, which was apparently what had happened to Sam.
She paused as a horrible thought occurred to her. What if the army hadn’t released Sam? What if he was AWOL? Lordy, didn’t she have enough on her plate without worrying that the army would come and arrest her brother?
She glanced upstairs. Sam had gone up to take a nap. Kaiden was asleep in her room. That was going to require some explaining, she thought. What would Sam think when he found out Kaiden had been spending the night here? Then again, maybe seeing Kaiden would be the key that would unlock Sam’s memory. Lord, she hoped so.
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