Chapter Three
Relationships—Who Needs Them?
Even after a couple of weeks, the feelings churning around inside him were still bugging the shit out of him. Not to mention they were growing stronger. Stefan knew what caring for a woman could do to a man. He’d seen the sadness in his father’s face and watched him deal with the deep hurt caused when his mother left them.
The one relationship with a woman Stefan had allowed himself destroyed his life and any chance of a decent future. His grandfather, who raised him, showed no emotion as Stefan, half-crazy with bloodlust, had explained how he became a creature of the night. It tore his grandfather’s heart out. The old shaman did what he could to help, but in the end, Stefan had to leave for his safety and that of his tribe.
No, I gotta cut her loose tonight. Determined to get it over with quickly, he ran toward the trailhead and their usual meeting place.
Sucking in a breath he didn’t need, he paused at the vision before him.
She sat on top of the tall rock, ankles crossed and leaning back on her hands, face relaxed, looking up at the glittering stars strewn across the midnight sky.
The lump in his throat got bigger as he walked slowly toward her. She is beautiful and…Wishing fervently it didn’t have to be this way, he glanced up to where she sat and touched her ankle. “Brandy, we need to talk.”
“Oh, I don’t like the way this conversation is starting,” she teased, a smile playing around the corners of her mouth
He didn’t return her smile. “I’ve enjoyed these weeks together, but I don’t think this is going to work.” Looking up at her, he was surprised to see her expression didn’t change. “You don’t know what you are getting yourself into. I’m dangerous.”
She tilted her head and raised a copper eyebrow. “Don’t I?”
Her calm demeanor infuriated him. “No, you don’t. I’m your worst nightmare.”
“Afraid, are you?” she asked quietly.
“Of course not. After giving it a lot of thought, I think this is best for both of us.”
Brandy bolted straight up, staring defiantly into his dark eyes. “Who gave you the right to decide for me?” she countered, green eyes glittering.
“Brandy, you don’t understand,” he said gruffly.
A crimson blush crept up her neck and exploded across her cheeks. “Oh, I understand all right. You’re afraid to take a chance even though your heart, mind, and body are telling you it’s right.”
“I’m not going to debate this with you. I came here tonight to say goodbye.” He turned to walk away.
Brandy launched herself off the rock and landed smack dab in front of him. She jammed her finger into his broad chest, forcing him to take a step backward. “Look, vamp, the way I see it, you’re either afraid or too boneheaded to see what’s right in front of your face. You may not deserve a chance at happiness, but I do, and that requires your participation.” She paused, narrowing her eyes. She shoved him again, harder and with the palm of her hand, in the center of his chest.
Unable to keep the beast inside any longer, his fangs unsheathed and claws broke through his fingertips. Clear crimson liquid dripped from his fingers, but it didn’t seem to faze her. Still grappling for control, he retracted the claws and grabbed her arm. Completely unprepared for her tirade, he couldn’t think of a single thing to say or do that made any sense. In fact, at this moment, it was all he could do to maintain control over the beast.
Suddenly, a shiver shot down his spine. Panic bubbled up through his reactive haze. She’d called him a vampire. Nobody here knew his closely guarded secret. Who was she? Better yet, what was she? Had the Vampire Council sent her?
Stefan took a deep breath and tried to clear his head, tamp down the panic. His fangs drew back as he gained complete control. The Vampire Council wouldn’t send someone for me. Lady Rose gave me a clear release of my obligation to her.
He’d located and helped rescue the Demon Overlord of the Western Hemisphere’s mate some time ago while retrieving the stolen Vampire Council’s Labrys. Lady Rose had decided his indentured servitude was at an end. He’d paid his debt. She wouldn’t renege.
He closed his eyes, reducing his sensory overload, and the last bit of panic gave way to rational thought. Opening his eyes, he saw a pissed off woman standing before him, tapping her foot, staring at her arm where he still gripped her. Stefan loosened his hold.
Jaw clenched and lips tightened into a thin line, Brandy hissed through her teeth, “Take your hands off me before I do something we’ll both regret.” She jerked free of him, stomped a few steps, then drew in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
He stood in the same place, waiting to see what she did next.
In a calm voice, she asked, “Did you know that you can exist on animal blood? I can teach you to hunt…” The blush that had started to recede pinked her cheeks again. “…Animals…I mean. It isn’t the most pleasant experience at first,” she stammered. “Not that feeding from humans is. But it’ll satisfy your thirst. I know you’re a troubled vampire, but it’s time you take a good look at yourself, accept your fate, and make the best of it.”
“And what would you know about feeding on humans, or animals for that matter?” he growled, watching Brandy intently as reddish-gold feathers erupted from beneath her curly hair, spreading across her forehead as it changed shape. Her body shimmered and the edges of her form blurred. Stefan blinked a couple times, shook his head, and opened his eyes wide. Am I seeing things?
“Aagggg. I can’t do this right now!” She turned and ran, disappearing behind a huge stand of pine trees.
Shocked, it took a few seconds to get his feet to move. Whipping around, he felt a whoosh of air and caught a glimpse of a large form taking flight above the trees, blending into the star-strewn sky.
Searching the area where she disappeared, he found no evidence of what had taken flight. Spread across the ground were shredded pieces of clothing she had on before she escaped into the trees. Plodding back to his truck, he tried to make sense of what had just happened. Apparently, Brandy has secrets too. He didn’t know why, but that made him feel better.
As the full moon drifted to the west beneath wispy clouds, he looked up and swore, “Shit. I’m going to be late for work.” In a blur, he sped down the path, stopped at the cabin to change clothes, then bolted for the station. The tall skinny kid, whose words still echoed in Stefan’s head, stood in the control room. Where is Cody? Shit, this is the last thing I need.
The clock on the wall struck midnight as Stefan strode in the door and said gruffly, “I’ll take it from here.” Without a word, the kid grabbed his coat from the chair and disappeared through the open door, slamming it behind him.
The phones were unusually busy during his shift. Each time the phone rang, Stefan hoped to hear her voice. Pathetic.
The days stretched into weeks, and still no Brandy. A little voice in the back of his head had grown louder and louder since the night she disappeared. How did she know I’m a vampire? Who has she told? How did she find out, and who else knows? He considered the questions. Am I at risk? Probably not. His intuition and lightning-fast reflexes were all that kept him in this world during his service to the Vampire Council. He’d given them no reason to recall his release. He shoved the pesky voice right out of his mind and immediately felt better for it.
What he wanted, needed, was her, and by God, he was going to have her. She’d hinted that fate was playing a part in their meeting. What is fate doing now? Nothing. Sitting here on my dead ass isn’t going to find her either.