11 comments/ 7475 views/ 11 favorites Seeking Eternity Ch. 02 By: silver_firefly AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please be warned that the erotic scene in this chapter does not come until you have patiently read through most of the text. This installment had been subjected to more than a dozen edits, two of which had seen the deletion of an entire chapter that was as long, if not longer, than this one. I could only hope that you, dear readers, will enjoy the fruit of such sweet yet painful labour. As always, any comments and feedbacks are welcome, and you have my deepest gratitude for both. ~~~~~~~~ Locate the target. Watch its every move. Remain invisible. And when the moment is right, strike. The basic rules of the game. Even new recruits knew it: surveillance was as much a part of a good hunt as the actual killing of the prey. Knowing the target was knowing its weakness, and knowing its weakness was halfway through winning the fight. But...why this target? Lee could not fathom the reason behind this surveillance. She was not one of the enemies. In fact, as far as he knew, she was an ally. An asset. The order came three days ago—an order bearing the seal of the head of the organization. An important mission, entrusted to a very few. Lee had been thrilled to receive it. Until he read its contents. Boiled down to its core, the order had been simple: keep an eye on Raine Amethyst Reinhart. The "how" of the mission had been exhaustively laid out, a plan that involved six people in three separate cars. But the "why" had been left out—an omission that made Lee uncomfortable. It was just never done. Usually, every detail was provided to those who would undertake a mission—even the tiniest detail. So, why was it that they were being kept in the dark now? A flash of memory took Lee back to the conversation he had with his friend Bram four months ago. Drinking in a bar, they ended up talking about women, and the way Bram talked about his partner assured Lee that the guy was head over heels in love. Although he had not met Raine before, Lee was left with the impression that the woman was reliable, loyal to a fault. Just like most of them. So, why would their boss ask them to tail her? After Bram was killed two months ago, Raine had been adamant to avenge his death. She single-handedly took out Boris and Eliza and two or three more vampires in a single night. There was no reason to suspect her. Drumming impatient fingers on the steering wheel, he glanced furtively at the woman on the passenger seat. Miranda. Lee tried to hide his annoyance. She knew why Raine had to be watched. She had been summoned to the boss's office soon after the missions were issued. And, as always, she was hiding the information from him. If only he could change his partner, Lee would. Miranda was an excellent slayer, never hesitating to exact death upon any vampire they encountered. She was a well-oiled killing machine, but after two years of working with her, Lee was very much afraid that she was just that: a machine. He had witnessed firsthand Miranda's ruthlessness when she killed a girl bitten by a vampire even though there was no sign that the girl would transform. The incident fueled Lee's suspicion that, in Miranda's world, there were no compromises; there was only black or white. He was not sure he could continue to work with a person like that. Still, having Miranda as a partner had its perquisites. Lee glanced at her again, his eyes taking in his partner's beautiful face, her perfectly formed lips. Lips that had been around his cock just the night before. Even now, whenever he remembered the glorious way she had used her mouth to bring him to pleasure, Lee could feel his cock standing up to form a tent in his pants. Damn, but she was excellent at that, too. She never shied away, taking his full length into her mouth, even down her throat, and swallowing his seeds when he came. Lee had been with countless women, but Miranda just blew his mind with that blowjob. She knew every weapon in her arsenal. He kept drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as he narrowed his eyes on Raine, who had just finished filling her car's gas tank and was now about to pay. What the hell did the woman do to earn Gilford's mistrust? Miranda's phone rang, breaking the silence in the car. She answered it promptly. "Yes?" After a pause, she smiled, her full lips curving up in an almost-seductive way. "Good. We're still keeping our eyes on her. We'll call as soon as she's close to your location." She ended the call, turning to Lee. "That's Theodore." "I suppose he and Lana are ready to pick up where we'll leave off?" Lee asked. "Exactly." Miranda leaned back on her seat, causing her breasts to push against the fabric of her shirt. She caught his eyes on them, but merely grinned at him. She knew he wanted her, just as Lee knew that she wanted him. That was probably one of the few things they had in common—that insatiable lust they had for each other. It was not unusual for them to spend a whole day in bed, exploring each other's body until they both fall down completely exhausted. "Where are you staying tonight, Lee?" she asked a few moments later. Always the same question. Lee almost laughed. "I'll inform you when I find out." Miranda smiled, running moist tongue over her lips. "Make sure you do." Lee shook his head, grinning, as he watched Raine emerge from the filling station's convenience store. "You know I will." ***** Miranda glanced at her partner once again, her mind filled with thoughts of how to spend the night with him. On her back, or straddling him? Or, perhaps, kneeling down? She could not decide. Maybe she would just keep him awake all night. Fortunately, Lee had the same penchant for pleasure as she did, always keeping up with her unquenchable thirst for more. The perfect lover—perfect for her in every imaginable way. They had spent the best nights together, always in each other's arms. Always making love. Or, maybe "fucking" was the appropriate term? Certainly, there were no feelings involved when they take pleasure in each other's body; there was just that primal urge to mate, to fill and be filled, to seek release. But—no more of that. At least, not at this moment. Miranda focused all her attention on their quarry as the latter walked from the store back to her car. She bit back a moan as she raked her eyes over the woman's body. Full breasts, trim waist, perfectly-rounded buttocks, shapely legs. Raine Amethyst Reinhart had a body enough to make men's mouths water. She tore her gaze away from the body to examine Raine's face. Miranda grinned. She had to admit, Raine had all the assets a woman could use to enslave a man. A gorgeous body topped by a beautiful face. Absolutely delectable. Laughter bubbled up her throat, threatening to spill over. As expected, his tastes were impeccable. Miranda did not think she had ever seen a woman as tempting as this one, with her platinum blonde hair and deep blue eyes, proud, straight nose and full, sensual lips. No wonder he had chosen her, she thought. Lee followed Raine's car at a safe distance, while Miranda's thoughts drifted back to the conversation she has had with Gilford. The boss had been worried over Raine after the woman asked for a vacation. Although it was generally the case that a slayer asked for a few days off after his or her partner died, Raine never indicated the exact duration of her leave, thus alarming the head of their organization. Miranda's lips curled up in a grin. She did not delude herself that Gilford only wanted them to tail Raine because he was worried. There was something about the possessive glint in Gilford's eyes whenever he would mention Raine's name that warned Miranda of—danger. She frowned. Could Gilford be foolish enough to think himself in love with Raine? Sure, he was merely five to eight years older than Raine, and as far as Miranda knew, he took much interest on Raine's welfare, but—was it really because of an affection that ran deeper than it ought to? Or was there something else? Ahead of them, Raine made a left turn, heading toward a busy street. Miranda groaned, wondering if there was something in Raine's actions that had ticked off the alarm in Gilford's head. Was she actually doing something suspicious? Miranda hoped not. It would mean trouble. Perhaps it was the train of thoughts running through her head, or perhaps it was the subtle way Raine went about it, but when Miranda realized the other woman's intent, it was almost too late. "Fuck," she hissed, reaching for her phone to quickly dial Theodore's number. Beside her, Lee, too, realized what was happening. Immediately, he hit the accelerator of the car. Ahead, Raine was expertly negotiating her way between cars, steadily gaining speed, moving farther and farther away. Even as she talked to Theodore over the phone, Miranda admired the way Raine handled the wheels. She was a truly good driver. A reckless one, perhaps—judging by the honks she got from other drivers—but a damn good one. "She's getting away," Lee muttered under his breath as he sounded his horn when a van cut in front of them. The other driver stuck out an arm, flashing a finger at them. "It's hopeless," Miranda said, ending her phone call and looking at her partner. Their view of Raine's car was greatly impeded by the van straight ahead. Lee looked pissed. He swept a hand through his brown hair, a frown of frustration emphasizing the strength of his jawline. "Gilford will have our heads if we screw this up." "We already did," Miranda said, keeping her facial expression unreadable. Inside, she was applauding the woman who smartly outmanoeuvered Gilford's plans. No wonder he had chosen her, indeed. ***** Raine glanced at the side mirror, making sure that her tail had been cut off. So far, no sign of them. No sign of another car picking up the trail, either. If Gilford thought she was so easy to trick, he was mistaken. It had to be Michael who sent those slayers after her. Why he would do it, she was yet to know, but that he did do it, she had no doubt. Something changed in her after she had slept with the vampire. Always on alert, she started to note her much sharper senses. She could sense other slayers nearby, could feel their eyes upon her. She was attuned to her surroundings such as she had never been before, and it unnerved her. At first. This time, though, the change paid off. She had seen through Michael's otherwise well-crafted plan. He had asked a pair of slayers to follow her as soon as she left the apartment suite. They let up when she was halfway through the cottage, only to be replaced by another pair. Raine had to take a route away from her destination lest they discover where she was heading. Not trusting her instincts, she had driven to the filling station even though her tank was more than half-full. She surreptitiously watched the second pair, going inside the convenience store to see if they would drive past. They did not. Instead, they stayed in their car, hardly speaking to each other. A pair intent on their job, as far as Raine could tell. They did not even realize that an onlooker would find it odd to see their car parked on the side of the road when there was apparently nothing wrong. Heaving a sigh, she finally relaxed. The sun was near the horizon now, and a hot bath in the cottage would further soothe her spirits. She would decide what to do with Gilford once she was through taking her vacation. For now, she would enjoy her days off work. Raine stepped on the accelerator, at the same time increasing the volume of the car audio. The road was quiet, much like the night she vowed never to come back to this place. She smiled bitterly, reminiscing how her whole world shattered after that last visit to the cottage more than ten years ago. It was such a beautiful evening, and her father was driving the car, chatting away about the family trip he just booked for the Christmas holidays. They would go to Santa Claus Village in Finland, the one place Raine had been dying to visit ever since she heard of its existence. Raine had been ecstatic, already looking forward to telling her friends about it. It was not meant to be. A woman jumped in front of the car, forcing her father to slam on the brakes. Her parents immediately got out to help the woman, finding out that, although wounded, she was miraculously conscious. They helped her inside the car, asking her to sit beside Raine on the backseat. "We will drive you to a hospital," Raine's mother had promised, once again apologizing to the woman. The woman merely smiled, asking them to drive her home. Her brother was a doctor, she said; he would know what to do. She turned to face Raine then, still smiling. That smile brought Raine's heart hammering against her ribs. She tried to smile back, but could not. The woman was looking at her in a strange kind of way, and it unnerved Raine so much she just turned her gaze away. In hindsight, Raine realized she should have told her parents. She should have warned them of the fear the woman evoked in her. Maybe if she had, they would still be alive. Immersed in memories, Raine almost did not notice the deer that jumped in front of her car. Reacting quickly, she slammed on the brakes, flinching when she felt the impact of the collision. Her breath coming in gasps, she got out of the car, cursing herself for not paying attention on the road. She hated the thought of killing a poor animal because she had been daydreaming. She was not prepared for what she saw. The front of her car remained intact. No blood, no dent. And no deer lying dead on the road. Confused, Raine got down on hands and knees, checking underneath the car. Just to make sure. Still nothing. Her heart missed a beat before pounding erratically inside her chest. With a gasp, Raine stood up as a bead of perspiration trickled down her back. Her body started trembling in fear, once again remembering the last moments she spent with her parents. A woman hit on the road, wounded but conscious after the collision. Sitting down beside her in the car. Smiling at her with a strange glint in her brown eyes. Asking her parents to drive to her brother's house. And then betrayal. Five vampires waiting for them at the place where the brother was supposed to live. Her father being dragged out of the car to be devoured by the group. Her mother's strangled cry as she whirled to look at Raine. The woman reaching out to grab her mother's throat before sinking fangs into the neck that had been Raine's solace when she was a child... Reminding herself that she was not a helpless ten-year-old girl anymore, Raine wiped the tears that began running down her face. Yet her body would not stop trembling. Her feet would not move. She seemed rooted to that spot, paralyzed by the fear she never conquered even after all the training she underwent to become a slayer. She knew she had to get out of there—knew it in her bones that vampires would come to get her. She could sense their purpose, feel the rush of excitement in their blood, hear the celebratory hymn already singing in their veins. Or...was it the force of memory that made her feel this way? "It's all in the past," she reassured herself, clenching her fists in order to get a hold of herself. "Let it go, damn it..." As she shut her eyes, she saw a pair of violet eyes staring at her, issuing a challenge without words. Raine snapped her eyes open, unnerved that she should think of him now. If the thought had any good consequences, however, it was precisely that it helped her snap out of idle vulnerability. She felt it then: the unmistakable approach of a powerful vampire. Cursing, Raine ran back to the rear of her car, opening the hood to reveal the weapons she always carried. No sooner had she grabbed a pair of daggers did she hear footfalls behind her, approaching her location at a speed no human possessed. Whirling around, she slashed at her attacker, barely missing the outstretched arm that was about to grab her from behind. Surprise registered on the vampire's face as she moved back, although her stance told Raine she was ready to pounce any time. "A slayer," she purred, licking her lips. "How very, very exciting." Raine looked at the vampire from head to toe. The woman had finely-curled, burnt-gold hair framing a beautifully carved face. She licked full red lips as a twinkle of delight appeared in her dark brown eyes. Raine would have taunted her then if she were not busy calculating the odds of getting out of this situation alive. This vampire oozed with power that would put to shame most of the vampires Raine had encountered. This was the kind of monster that slayers like Raine never hunt down alone, and especially not when there was no possibility of reinforcement coming. Perhaps it was not a good idea to shake off the other slayers, after all. But she had not expected to find any vampire around at this time of the day. Even then, Raine was wondering how far the woman's resistance to sunlight had developed if she could attack a human prey when the sun had not yet completely set. Once again, Raine cursed Michael Gilford with a vehemence that would make her mother turn on the grave. If he had not sent the slayers after her, Raine would have long been inside her cottage, and if vampires attacked her then, she would have been ready, not emotionally vulnerable due to the memories that were her living nightmare for the past decade. "Do you want to play, little slayer?" the vampire asked in a singsong tone, flashing a smile that would have looked absolutely gorgeous in a human. "If you want my blood, you had better work for it," Raine answered, glad that her voice did not betray the doubt she felt. "You have guts, slayer," commented the vampire, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Come, then. Entertain me." Raine knew that this vampire's entertainment was a matter of life or death on her part. Though she had faith in her abilities, she could not deny that the fiend she faced right now was powerful—so powerful that Raine would have to take a defensive stance while thinking of a way to best the vampire. If she had to go down fighting, then so be it, but she would try to take the vampire down with her. The attacks came one after another, fast and strong, but Raine was able to block them all. If she had time to think, she would wonder at the speed of her movements, but Raine was too intent on trying to keep her head upon her neck that she had no time to pause. A blow delivered on her left side caught Raine by surprise, but she was able to react quickly and draw blood from the vampire, too. The woman reared back, baring her fangs, as blood dripped down from her left cheek onto the paved road. The transformation of the vampire's face was almost fascinating to behold. With fangs bared, she definitely looked the part of a villain now, so unlike that calm, angelic female that could have turned any man's head. Her brown eyes had turned red, and the sharp look she was giving Raine was definitely enough to strike terror in another's breast. Glad for the brief reprieve, Raine ignored the soreness of her limbs and the throbbing pain on her side. Her breaths came in gasps, and she was starting to sweat heavily, but she kept her attention on her opponent. To let it slip would be the death of her, as Raine learned from the fight with Boris. Perhaps, she could take this vampire down without having to shed blood of her own. The anger and frustration emanating from the woman was enough to tell Raine that she had a chance. But, once again, Fate was against her. As they resumed the fight, Raine felt another presence closing in, and the unmistakable glint of victory in her opponent's eyes told her that the vampire, too, sensed the upcoming arrival of one of its kind. Seeking Eternity Ch. 02 Incensed and frustrated, Raine changed the pace of the fight. If another vampire comes, she was doomed to fall; she would take her chances now. Gripping her daggers—her favourite weapons—with deadly purpose, she launched her attacks, obviously surprising her opponent, who expected her to continue her defensive strategy. Rearing back, the vampire avoided Raine's blows, succeeding to deflect all but two of them. Raine already felt it—that distinctive sense of victory—when the vampire hissed and began backing away. Still, Raine did not let up. Persistence and hard work. Those were the first two values that Reginald Gilford instilled in her, and this situation called for both. And yet— And yet—! Before she could deliver her final series of attacks—the ones that would definitely saw the end of the vampire she faced—Raine felt another vampire behind her. This new one moved fast—so fast that Raine hardly had a second to breathe before he gripped her arms, effectively stilling her efforts in killing the female fiend, who leapt forward and roughly grabbed Raine's neck. The vampire behind her—a male one, by the looks of it—twisted Raine's arms, eliciting a cry of pain, but not twisting them enough to break any bones. "You are one hell of a slayer, woman," the female vampire hissed, deliberately squeezing Raine's throat. "It shall be fun to know you better." Just that—and nothing more. For, a few heartbeats later, darkness came and consumed Raine. ***** Her body... It felt as if on fire. Tried as she might, she could not move her limbs, for the fire seemed to consume even her very bones. But she had to open her eyes; she had to take a look... She was lying on her side on the cold, hard earth, wrists tightly bound together behind her. But— There was a leather jacket spread beneath her, somewhat protecting her from the dampness of the forest floor. Hard-learned discipline kept Raine from groaning aloud in the face of such agony. There was, she realized, a bundle of fabric cushioning her head, a make-shift pillow that she was grateful for. But her head felt as if it were immersed in water, so that Raine did not know whether she dreamed or not. As of yet, there was no sign of her captors, but Raine could sense their presence nearby. Unbelievably, they had thrown a blanket over her body. Hers, if she had to guess, judging by the smell of pink roses emanating from it. They had also built a fire to keep her warm, for Raine did not believe that the weather made a difference to vampires. Or, did they leave it to do what they did not? Did they expect the flames to spread and roast her alive? Yet, at exactly that moment, the female vampire appeared, depositing more firewood next to the fire. Finding a fallen log, she pulled it over and sat upon it as if it were her throne. The woman then grabbed a stick, poking at the fire as if it were an enemy she would like to kill. Her face was grim, and the pursing of her lips told Raine that the vampire was not in a good mood. "Stop sulking, Melisande," came an authoritative voice from behind Raine. "It will not solve anything." The male, Raine thought, noting the power that emanated from him as he walked past and continued to where the vampire called Melisande was sitting. Tall and broad-shouldered, the vampire radiated danger adeptly kept under control. His hair, like his mate's, was the colour of burnt gold, and Raine could imagine it sweeping across his shoulders if it were not bound in a ponytail. The woman glanced at him and frowned, although she stopped poking the fire. "Is her car safely hidden?" she asked him stiffly as the man sat beside her. Raine could not know for sure, but she man's face—if she were not dreaming, that is—looked as beautiful as the woman's. His skin was alabaster white, his eyes molten gold. Eyes that knew the twinkle of mischief and wit, she would wager. A golden god, Raine thought, as she watched him take the woman's dainty hand in his strong one. "It is safely parked two miles from here," he answered. "Come, ma chérie. This frowning woman is not you." "I am worried, Seth," Melisande admitted, shaking her head. "If he finds out..." He? Raine wanted to know who they were talking about. Judging by the expression on the woman's face, Raine could tell that she was more than worried: the vampire Melisande was scared. If there was a person that could inspire such fear in a vampire... But who could? "He will find out, so it will be better if you tell him about it yourself," the one called Seth told her. "It was a mistake, chérie. You did not know that the slayer had been claimed." Melisande gave out a bitter laugh. "The truth is, I knew. But it was already too late when I found out." "It could not have been," Seth said. "You could have walked away." "Are you mad?" Melisande asked, incredulous. "That woman is a slayer! She would have killed me." You're wrong, Raine thought groggily. If you had left me, I would not have followed. And it was not because Raine did not want to kill the vampire; quite the contrary. But Raine knew that she had no chance against Melisande at all. She thought the woman so far above her level that it would be folly to fight her. Melisande ran her fingers through her hair and continued, "If you had not come the moment you did, mon amour, I'm afraid she would have succeeded." "But I came, as I promise you that I will whenever you need me," Seth told her. "Listen, chérie. There is still a way to fix this. Go to your sire and explain everything to him. Ask for pardon. Tell him that you realized she was claimed, but that you had no idea that the woman does not know." Does not know what? The couple's conversation was confusing Raine more and more each passing minute. Maybe she was dreaming, after all. Nothing was making sense, and the pain she was suffering through was enough to cause delusions... "She does not know?" There was disbelief in Melisande's voice. "We yet live," Seth answered, the hint of a smile on his voice. "That alone proves that she does not know." Raine tried to focus on the vampires' image, and saw—or at least, thought she saw—a smile on Melisande's face. Raine almost swore that her heart skipped a beat. What was it that she did not know? Was the information so crucial that the difference between her awareness of it and her complete ignorance would be key to the female vampire's mood? Now that the woman knew that Raine was completely without knowledge of whatever that was, would she want to kill Raine? Maybe it was the thought of dying helpless and alone, or maybe it was the pain and dizziness that seemed to increase by the second, but before Raine knew it, she had once again lost consciousness. ***** The vampire sank elongated fangs into her mother's neck... And then a blood-curdling scream. Who was it? Raine thought, slipping between sleep and wakefulness as a pair of strong arms carried her limp form. Who was screaming then? Ah, yes. The vampire. For her mother's hand—with fingernails extremely long and sharp—had reached out to grab the vampire's hair, hauling the monster away. The vampire had screamed then, spitting out the blood that she had sucked. Raine had been shocked into inaction, staring at her mother, who turned to her while clutching at her bleeding neck. Her eyes—those green eyes that her father always likened to the brightest emeralds—had turned yellow, so yellow that it was already the colour of the citrine ring that her mother favoured. "Run, Raine," the yellow-eyed woman had said, and Raine got a glimpse of short fangs that was definitely not her mother's. Raine did not have to be told twice. The horror of what happened to her father and of the transformation of her mother had her getting out of the car as fast as she could. The female vampire tried to stop her, but her mother—or at least, the creature that had taken possession of her mother—dragged the vampire away. Off into the woods, Raine ran with tears running down her face. Her world was crumbling as fast as a deck of cards, and all she could do was run away from the ruins, heartbroken and so very, very afraid. She ran until her feet could move no longer—ran until she was completely lost in the woods. Falling onto the leaf-covered ground, Raine wept, distraught and disheartened as she had never been before. The next time she opened her eyes, she was in a hospital, with memories of what happened to her father still fresh in her mind, but with what happened to her mother completely forgotten. ***** Raine clutched at the memory that kept slipping from her mind, but the fire consuming her body was holding her back. Unfamiliar voices surrounded her, their conversations a drone that she could not always comprehend. Sometimes, things seemed to have sprung from her memory, but at other times... "Six vampires in all," said a woman. "A female and five males. The female had been inside the car, but the males... They seemed to have been busy attacking the man." "The girl's father?" asked Reginald Gilford, his voice matter-of-fact. This one... Raine tried to smile. It had to be a memory, for Reginald had been dead these past four years. "It would seem," answered the woman. "What we don't understand was how the vampires died..." She had been in the hospital then. They were talking about that incident... Raine opened her eyes to see a brunette in hot argument with the blonde vampire she fought. What was that vampire's name again...? "—to bring the slayer here?" the brunette asked in her distinctly British accent. "I did not think—" answered the blonde vampire. "You never think!" hissed the brunette. "Both of you!" a familiar voice ordered. "Out—now!" Was it him? Raine groaned and tried to sit up, but the blonde vampire stopped her, the look in her eyes both concerned and alarmed. "Melisande," the man growled. It was him. Raine tried to look at the direction where his voice was coming from, but the world was spinning faster and faster, spiraling out of her control. She raised her hand to try to stop it—perhaps to cry out for help—and he took it in his, holding it tightly. Suddenly, Raine cried out, as searing pain began to spread to her body from the centre of her chest. The pain grew more intense—so much so that Raine thought it was definitely her time to die. But the hand holding hers kept her grounded, sharing a bit of her pain as she clutched at it with every ounce of strength she possessed in her body. "Stop it!" she cried at the top of her lungs as she felt as if her heart was being ripped out of her chest. "No more! Please!" Even amidst the haze of her agony, she saw the raw alarm in his beautiful violet eyes as he bent over her. As another bout of pain racked her body, Raine clenched her teeth, unsure how to express the torment she was under. He lifted her into his arms, cradling her tightly while tears poured of her almost unseeing eyes. "Help me," she groaned as she held tight to him, clawing at his back when she felt another spell of torture looming near. "Please, please... Help me. I beg you..." She did not understand—did not know why she had to be hurt that way. Her body felt as if it would soon get shredded until she was no more. Only the arms around her seemed to hold it fast together as he refused to let her suffer through the ordeal alone. ***** A cool breeze was coming into the room from an open window, touching her face in the faintest caress. Raine sighed, pulling the blanket closer to her body as a slow smile formed on her lips. This was what life was supposed to be. Full of warmth and comfort, of light breeze and soft caress, of the scent of musk and sandalwood with a hint of cedar. Raine curled up on her side, inhaling deeply as she buried face on the feather pillow. Yes, definitely. Musk and sandalwood, cedar and spice. So sexy, so masculine—so very, very familiar. Tilting her head so that she was facing left, Raine opened her eyes, feeling completely content— —to find herself staring at the most handsome face she had ever known. Raine blinked—once, twice. Just to make sure that she was not hallucinating. His image remained, making her conclude that this was no hallucination. This was no dream. It was real. He was there—eyes closed, face so serene the very sight of it made her heart ache. Sleeping beside her on a bed that was not her own. Disbelief made her gape for a moment, before reality sank in and Raine muttered, "What on earth..." His eyes suddenly opened, and faster than Raine could breathe, he was lying on his side, attention completely upon her. The violet eyes that so fascinated her were quite unreadable as he scrutinized her appearance. Bolting upright, Raine attempted to get out of the bed before he could say anything—only to shock herself when she found that she was not wearing anything at all. With a horrified gasp, she clutched the silk blanket close to her chest, glaring at the vampire who was now watching her with faint amusement in his eyes. "You—" she took a deep breath and tried to conceal the blush rising in her cheeks by throwing accusations. "You brute! What have you done?" "Whatever it was that I have done, I can assure you that I did not resort to force," he answered in a lazy drawl, challenging her with his gaze. Raine held her breath as she furiously racked her memory. What had she done? Did she actually sleep with the vampire again and then forget about it? Had she really lost her mind, after all? Licking her suddenly dry lips, Raine wondered why she had no memory of what happened between them. Indeed, unlike like the last time she woke up thoroughly sated by this same vampire, she felt...divine. Exhausted to the bone, but her body still tingled with memory of his touch. But now... With a slight frown on her face, she looked at him again, only to find him watching her with laughter in his eyes. Then it dawned on her. He was merely teasing her! "Arrogant pig!" she shrieked, grabbing the pillow that was cushioning her head earlier and hitting his face with it. "How dare you mock me?" His only response was to laugh, ripping the pillow from Raine's hand so that she could not strike him again with it. Seething with indignation, Raine looked around for something—for anything—to hit him with. There was the beige—and absolutely tasteful—lampshade on the bedside table, but he was unfortunately nearer that side of the bed than she was. "Trying to find a weapon to use against me?" he mocked her again, still chuckling from the joke that she did not find amusing. "Unfortunately, sweetheart, the maids of the house have already hidden your silver daggers somewhere safe." "So that I cannot plant them in your chest and rid the world of your insufferable presence," she snapped. Still casually lounging on the bed as if he had all the time in the world—and perhaps he had, if he could keep Raine's hands off her slaying weapons at this moment—he grinned at her with an arrogance that could only be superseded by that of the whole brood of Adam. "I do not think you found me so insufferable the last time we were... together," he challenged her, the deliberate pause between 'were' and 'together' blatant enough for her to start grinding her teeth in silent fury. "You are the most vexatious vampire I have ever met," she spat, gathering the blanket around her body in an effort to appear presentable. He chuckled, as if by her words she had somehow complimented him. "Then I find it curious that I am still alive considering that you take pains to eradicate more than half of the vampires who unfortunately happen to be your acquaintance." Raine shot him an irritated look, forcing herself not to notice that muscular span of chest lightly spattered with hair as black as the one on his head. Damn the man, but he had such body! Thankfully, he was decent enough to keep on white cotton pants while she was as naked as the day she was born. "Don't tempt fate," she answered him, getting out of bed and looking around—vainly—for her clothes. "Do you mean to say, don't tempt you?" came his taunt from the bed. "But what do you expect me to do, my love, when I have witnessed firsthand just how pleasurable such a pursuit can be? Or, do you mean to tell me that you did not enjoy our dalliance as much as I thought you did?" Raine rolled her eyes even if she blushed at the crass reminder of the complete gratification she experienced in his arms. "The arrogance of the man!" "Ah, progress," he said, sitting up on the bed to rest his back on the headboard—to better watch Raine as she ran her eyes over the room in search of clothes to wear. "From an arrogant pig to an arrogant man." When Raine frowned at him, he grinned. "At least, you are honest enough not to deny the truth of what you felt that last time." That last time. Raine's frown deepened. That last time, if she had any sense at all, she should have killed this vampire and spared herself the trouble of conversing with an overly-conceited beast. But he had been so irresistible then. One touch and she had melted in his arms. Running her eyes over him now, Raine assessed his current charms haughtily. The light coming from the lampshade on his side of the bed was enough to highlight the sheer masculinity that was so obviously his. Not a good sign, Raine had to admit. If she let him, he would charm his way into her bed once again. Or his bed, she thought ruefully, with my very wanton self practically begging him to take me. "Where are my clothes?" she snapped, more annoyed at herself than at him. "What kind of a host am I if I let my guests sleep in their moss- and earth-covered clothes?" he asked, for the first time talking of what brought her here. Suddenly, Raine forgot her petty anger and began to think again. The conversation Melisande and Seth were having... It was not a dream, after all. The implications of what were said and what were left unsaid during that time seemed all the more crucial now. Raine looked at the vampire she was now facing with questions in her eyes. "You are Melisande's sire," she told him. A faint light of surprise touched his violet eyes before he answered her question. "Yes." "They were talking," she said. "Melisande and Seth. While they thought that I was asleep. They were saying something about—" "Come, my love," he cut her off. "Think nothing of what they said." He stretched a hand toward her. "Here. Go back to bed. I will make sure that something is brought up to you—" "No!" This time, it was she who cut him off. The uncertainty was back. The confusion, the fear, the feeling of helplessness. Raine had a vivid vision of a pair of citrine-coloured eyes, and a sharp order for her to run. Her body started to tremble, and her keen sense of being near vampires returned. Without even asking, she knew that there were five vampires in the house. Surprisingly, there was also the same number of humans. "Raine," his voice cut through the unpleasant fog of confusion. His arm was still outstretched; he was still offering a hand. "Come here, sweetheart. Let me hold you." Raine stared at his hand—that big, strong hand that had been all over her body once—before staring into his eyes. His expression was unreadable as he held her gaze, but from the firm set of his jaw Raine very much feared that he was trying to hold back a strong emotion—anger, perhaps? Knowing that she needed what he offered right now, Raine walked back to the bed, placing her hand on his and letting him guide her to his side. His arms wrapped around her as she climbed onto the bed and nestled against him for much-needed comfort and security. She inhaled deeply, savouring the scent emanating from him as she buried her face on his neck. Seeking Eternity Ch. 02 But—gods! He smelled divine. With a sigh, Raine snuggled closer, pressing her body to his as he began caressing her back. She felt his lips on her forehead, on her cheek... "I'm here, my love," he murmured against her skin. "I will hold you close for as long as you let me." Raine felt the knot forming in her stomach loosen as she heard that promise. Even so, she could not stop herself from admitting, "I'm afraid..." "Of vampires?" he teased while his hand caressed the back of her neck, sending a much-too-pleasant shiver along her spine. "You are a slayer, Raine. Surely, no vampire can hurt you?" Remembering their first meeting, she looked up into his eyes and smiled softly. "I was almost killed by one. If you had not come..." "Boris would not have seen the light of day either way, and the whole vampirekind would have suffered the consequences of his folly," he said in a hiss, while his eyes took on such a protective look that Raine felt compelled to believe him. Placing his forehead upon hers, he added, "You are mine, Raine. I will protect you as ably as I can." A shaky sigh escaped her lips as Raine closed her eyes, reveling in the sensations caused by his talented hands that were even then stirring up fire in her veins with caresses in all the right places. Under his careful ministrations, she relaxed, wondering where the arrogant creature that had been goading her earlier had gone to. Raine felt him tugging off the blanket from around her body, and gladly said nothing about it. She yearned to have his hands on her skin, and the blanket wrap was probably not a good idea at all. As his light touches woke up her senses with the random patterns they traced on her bare back, Raine struggled to stay still in his arms. All of it was wasted effort, for only a stone statue would not be moved by those intimate, seductive strokes. All her squirming gave her the satisfaction of knowing that he was sporting a hard-on under his pants. Still, the vampire seemed to be intent on playing the role of a gentleman, as he asked in a husky, lust-thickened voice, "Are you hungry, Raine? Should I inform the maids that you require food?" Food was the last thing she wanted at the moment. So, planting her hands on either side of him, she brought herself up to his eye level, making sure that her body made contact with his bare flesh. She had the pleasure of seeing him drag his eyes from her now naked breasts to her slightly parted lips, before they finally settled on her eyes. The violet hue of his gaze had turned so dark it could be mistaken for black at first glance. "Indeed, I am," she answered in a whisper, loving the play of desire and discipline in those fascinating eyes of his. "But I'm afraid no food can satisfy the hunger I feel." Deliberately running a finger from his chest down to his abdomen and then lower still until it touched the tip of his erection, Raine flashed him a rather naughty smile, stroking his manhood through the pants. "I think this will do in place of food." She planted an open-mouthed kiss on his chest, running her tongue on the taut skin covering hard-packed muscles that proved his virility. He uttered a moan of approval, gathering her hair in one hand and holding her gaze as she used her tongue to touch his nipple, capturing lit lightly between her teeth and flicking her tongue back and forth over the tip. He hissed in pleasure and gently tugged on her hair, earning but a coy smile from her as she kissed her way to his other nipple. "You are a vixen, Raine Amethyst Reinhart," he intoned, throwing his head back to better rest it against the headboard. For a brief moment, Raine remembered that she still did not know his name, but she dismissed the thought right away. It did not matter. Not at this moment, when all she cared about was having him beneath her palms. Inside her mouth. Between her legs. Casting another coquettish glance up his face, she moved down, kissing and licking the muscles of his torso as she moved closer to her target. A delicious shiver washed over her body in anticipation of what lay ahead. She had seen his manhood before, under the pale light of the lampshade in her room, but, what would it look like up close? How would it taste like? Feeling more aroused by the minute, she still managed to tease herself a little by taking her time lowering his pants. The sight of the dark hair leading down added to the anticipation of knowing him more intimately. Her mouth practically watered when his erect member sprang out, huge and hard and hot against her skin. Its vein-covered body and purplish head enticed her to have a taste. "You are gorgeous," she whispered, wrapping her hand on its base while glancing up at the vampire's face. His eyes gleamed with male pride, one that she could hardly begrudge him as she spoke the truth. "I want to taste you." Licking its head, Raine had her first taste of him—of the pre-cum that covered that delicious-looking tip. A growl of primal lust escaped his throat, driving her on to the task of giving him what he desired. With as much patience as she managed to conjure, she tugged on his pants until she was able to throw it away and run her eyes over his whole naked body. The man, sitting with his back against the headboard, merely raised an enquiring eyebrow at her, his relaxed posture telling Raine that he did not mind the brazenness of her stare. Running her tongue over suddenly dry lips, Raine took a deep breath to calm her now racing heart. The grin that appeared on his face told her that the vampire could hear her every pulse, and he thus knew how badly she was lusting after him. For a brief moment, Raine debated on whether or not she should castigate him for such show of conceit. But the yearning in his eyes and the rise and fall of his chest, together with that huge hard-on between his legs, were enough proofs that she had the same effect on him. So, with a coy smile, she continued what she had already begun. Carefully holding his cock, she ran her tongue on its underside, savouring the texture of its vein-covered body. A glint of mischief shone in her eyes as she began to tease him. Rubbing his balls, she lightly licked his shaft, watching every change in expression on his handsomely-chiselled face. The play of desire and pleasure visible there was priceless. Raine moaned, letting him know how pleased she was to know that she could affect him that much. It more than pleased her, in fact; it gave her a sense of power. Raine was not one who gives men blowjobs frequently, not because she did not want to, but because she reserved such acts for those moments when she was feeling generous. Giving head, for her, was akin to giving gifts. It was meant to be special. It was meant to be great. And, for this man, it was meant to be the very best. When she was satisfied that he was fully—perhaps painfully—aroused, she finally wrapped her lips around him, swirling her tongue on his head before sucking on it lightly. He tasted good, as she knew he would. Squeezing his balls a little, she gave the tip one final swirl before plunging her head down all the way, taking as much of him as she could, though even then, she could only accommodate half of his length. Soon, she promised herself, already wondering what it would feel like to have all of him inside her mouth, even down her throat. For now... He let out a hiss of pleasure and once again gathered her hair in his fist. The tugging of her hair encouraged Raine more. Bobbing her head up and down his shaft, she drove him on to a place of bliss, using her tongue to urge him on, sucking him from time to time. Yet when she felt him getting close, she backed off. "Little minx!" he groaned when Raine released his shaft from her mouth. "I want to enjoy you," she cooed, chuckling softly. "What's the rush?" She flashed him a grin before taking his balls into her mouth and sucking on them leisurely. Wrapping her fingers around the base of his cock, she began to slowly pump on it, giving herself an imaginary pat on the back when she heard him groan. She released his balls with a kiss, before licking her way up his shaft until she was once again face to face with its head. It was time. Raine planted a kiss on the tip, parting her lips to allow him in. Still in slow motion, she lowered her head, taking more of him into her mouth in that unhurried descent. The pace was slow torture, Raine realized when she heard him growl and felt his hips rising from the bed to meet her while his hand on her head kept her from pulling away. She would have loved to tease him more, to resist the strength of his hand and pull away so that she could go down on him on her own terms, but the look of pure bliss on his face gave her such a rush that Raine felt the response of her body more acutely. The ache between her legs was an answer to the pure longing written on his features. So she ceded control. Holding her head steady, she allowed him to fuck her mouth, letting him plunge all the way in until she could feel his thickness in her throat. She moaned, closing her eyes and sucking him hard, eliciting from him a growl of pleasure and a tightening of the hold on her hair. Raine grabbed onto his thigh, feeling the strength of his muscles as he continued to pump his length in and out of her mouth, while she slid her other hand between her legs, touching the warm wetness that yearned for his touch more than anything else. As he took her pleasure in her mouth, she used her fingers to play with herself, seeking the nub of pleasure in the core of her femininity and rubbing it back and forth...back and forth, until she felt a greater need building inside. It was there again—the sweet ache that craved for a man's flesh in her womb, a man's touch on her body. She plunged two fingers into her depths, feeling hot juices flow between her digits and drip on to her palm. At the same time, he thrust his shaft into her mouth, throwing his head back as he let out a primal cry. The hold of his hand slackened enough for her to pull back halfway, so that, when his rope of cum shoot out, Raine was able to swirl her tongue around the tip of his shaft. With a moan of appreciation, she savoured his taste on her tongue before swallowing it all down. She let him go with a soft kiss and a sigh, before she looked up at his face. He was staring at her with dazed amazement in his eyes, yet what made Raine hold her breath was the sight of the red eyes and elongated fangs that marked him as a vampire. How odd, she thought, that forgetting what he was comes to her as easily as breathing. But it was odder still that, now that she was staring at the man who was, for all intents and purposes, her prey, she found no disgust and no hatred directed at him, and she felt no guilt about what she had just recently done. In fact, there was only pride and pleasure raging in her veins—pride and pleasure at the knowledge that it was her who had taken him to the peak of ecstasy and back. She crawled over closer to him, watching in awe as his fangs retreated and the colour of his eyes darkened to plum, before softening to a lovely shade of the darkest blue that made it appear violet. She wrapped her arms around his neck, claiming his mouth in an eager, passionate kiss. Tonight—if it were night, that is—she would forget what he was and what he was supposed to be to her. Tonight was for their pleasure, and for nothing else. Seeking Eternity Ch. 03 He stared down at her sleeping form, cozily tucked into his bed. When asleep, she looked so much younger. As if she did not carry the weight of the world on her shoulder. Bending down, he brushed away the stray strand of hair that curled across her forehead. She was beautiful with that platinum blonde hair and alabaster skin. And when she smiled, it was as if he was basking under the light of the sun—provided, of course, that he imagined himself a human beforehand. As he watched the regular rise and fall of her chest, a slow grin formed on his lips. Last night, she had warmed not only his bed, but also his still, unmoving heart. With the soft, sweet breath that fanned across his skin as she kissed him all over his body, it seemed that she had breathed life into him. And all he wanted to do was protect her now. Which was madness. She did not need protection. Especially not from him. Turning away from the sight of her, he quietly walked to the door. Amélie, one of his sire's female children—which made her his sister—was leaning against the wall across the door of his room. "You should not have kept her here," she said in greeting, her British accent more pronounced than usual. "I decide who stays in my house and who doesn't," he countered, heading for the stairs. He heard her sigh, but Amélie said nothing more. Soon, her silent footsteps were following his, down the stairs and across the foyer to the front door. Outside, the sun was already up, cloaking the world in warmth and light. Putting on his shades, he gritted his teeth and stepped out the door. Even after all this time, the rays of the sun still stung his exposed skin. At least, you do not burn, he thought ruefully, getting in the car whose door was held open by the chauffeur. Amélie was soon seated beside him, and the car was driving away. "Schedule a meeting with the others," he ordered his friend, who, by all accounts, was also his assistant at work. Pushing a button, he activated the tinted window that separated them from the driver. "We need to discuss our next course of action." "A miracle," drawled Amélie, rolling her eyes. "When was the last time you consulted the others before making your decisions?" He let it go. If he tried to explain himself, Amélie would see him as guilty, which he was not. Besides, what explanation would he give? Melisande brought Raine to him. There was virtually no choice but to keep the woman, especially in her condition. But any mention of Melisande would set Amélie off. Better say nothing, then. "I need you to work a miracle today," he said instead. Amélie's eyebrows shot up, although she reached for the agenda book she normally carried in the office. "What? Chase the sun away?" He ignored the sarcasm. She could try, but Amélie knew that it would not work on him. He had not lived for centuries just to be set off by that kind of provocation. So he leaned back on his seat and said, "Set up a meeting with Titan-Argentum." Beside him, Amélie tensed. He did not have to hear the acidic tone of her voice to know exactly how she despised his order. "Wolves?" "I need to talk to Cassandra," he said in reply. "You have gone mad," she remarked in a snarl. Raising an inquiring eyebrow, he turned to her. Sometimes, Amélie forgets that he was older than her by at least two centuries. And he forgets how young she still was. "Can you do it or not?" Amélie pursed her lips and scribbled away on the book she held. "If she pounces on you and bites, do not say I didn't warn you." "Considering that I will be dead by then, of course, I will not blame you," he replied, amused. ***** Raine reluctantly opened her eyes, uncertain of how she would face the day and the consequences of her night-time decisions. For a moment, she just stared at the ceiling, unaware of her surroundings as she pondered on what had taken place. She slept with the vampire again. And unlike the previous occasion, there were no excuses that would justify her actions this time. She was well aware of what the consequences would be, and she decided to do it anyway. At least you had a great time last night, she reminded herself, smiling as she took a deep breath. Her vampire lover knew how to satisfy a woman. But the time for idle pursuits had come and gone, and now she had to face the reality of the situation again. Reluctantly, she sat up, clutching the black sheet against her chest as she surveyed the room. Most of the furniture was black, although the lamps of various styles and heights were mostly grey or beige. The bed was a classy black one with a headboard made of slate-grey stonework. Both the floor and the walls were pure-black marble, so smooth that Raine could see her reflection on them. In the middle of the room was a patchwork cowhide carpet of brown and white—a luxurious addition that had sinful thoughts of fucking senseless on the floor running through her mind. With just a faint splash of maidenly blush colouring her cheeks, Raine shook her head. He would definitely not object to that idea. The question was, would they be able to engage themselves in the act? Now that the sun was up and spilling into the room from the open window, truth came back with a vengeance, stealing away her dreams of living in this godforsaken room and enjoying all the luxuries that came with it, in flesh or otherwise. Get real, Raine, she reminded herself, heaving a big sigh as she gingerly left the bed after wrapping the sheet around her body. This madness needs to end. And she had to get out of the house soon, before the vampire comes back and she forgets all reasons why she should not be here. Last night had shown Raine just how badly the vampire affected her, so there was no need to deny her attraction to him anymore. If she stayed and he returned, she would be happily bedded in no time. But before she left, she had to know who it was she bedded in the first place. Put a name on the face she vowed she would never forget. With this thought firmly in mind, she approached the desk at the other end of the room, where a dual monitor was mounted. His personal computer. There ought to be files here that would point out to his identity. If she could get past the passwords, that was. But computers were not Raine's forte, and it was too late to start learning the basics of hacking. So we do old-fashioned spying, she thought, going around the table to sit on his leather swivel chair. The desk had, as expected, drawers, and when she pulled one, she was greeted by a number of folders. Taking them all out, she began looking at the files. It did not take her long to realize that the vampire was either associated to a very powerful man or a powerful man himself. The folders contained charts and figures that belonged to a boardroom meeting, and the money projected in most of them were large enough to make Raine let out a low whistle. There was, however, no clue as to which company it belonged to. But it would not deter her. She had more drawers to explore. Raine was just about to open the third drawer when a series of soft knocks sounded from the door. "Mistress?" a voice called softly. "Are you awake yet? Shall I bring you breakfast?" She could have kept her silence, but then her stomach growled. Raine grinned ruefully. She could not remember when she last ate anything. Last night, she had declined the vampire's offer of a meal in lieu of another, more exciting pursuit. "Breakfast will be lovely!" she answered, hoping that the person asking her had not left yet. Is the woman human or vampire? No matter. Nobody would attack her while she was inside her lover's home. She was certain of it. "It will come right away, Mistress," the woman answered. "No, wait!" Raine hesitantly closed the third drawer. She would have time enough later. She walked to the door, opened it slightly, and stuck her head out. The woman—young woman, she should say—was still standing outside, breathing. Raine hid a smile. She would really take avail of all luxuries this house had to offer. "Can you also prepare a bath for me?" A small smile appeared on the woman's lips. "Of course, Mistress. As you wish. May we enter the master's room anytime, then?" Raine smiled. She would not want anyone to see her rifling through the vampire's files. "As long as you knock on the door first." She closed the door softly, listening until the sound of retreating footsteps was gone before she returned behind the desk. She had to be quicker about this. If she could find out the vampire's identity before she takes a bath, it would be so easy to slip out once she was clean and refreshed. Provided, of course, that she was given some clothes to change into. The maid will not assume that I will stay naked until her master comes back, will she? Raine asked herself, blindly staring at the logo on top of the thick folder she found inside the third drawer. Would they assume she was only here to provide the vampire pleasure? She would find out soon enough. For now... Her breath caught as she made sense of the logo on the expensive-looking leather folder in her hands. It featured the initials "HC"—in a unique, chrome-black font reminiscent of medieval texts—embossed upon the face of a silver disk. It was such a ubiquitous logo that it would be impossible for Raine not to know what it was for. The initials stood for "Hayes-Crowe"—as in, Hayes-Crowe International, one of the most successful conglomerate companies in the world. Its businesses included hotels and resorts, bars and restaurants, cruise lines and casinos, automobile manufacturing, and software engineering. The company also owned hospitals and other medical facilities, as well as numerous private schools, all over the world. Overall, it was a pretty damn big company, earning billions of dollars every year. Unable to bear the pain of wondering what the vampire's connection to HC International was, Raine opened the folder. As with the other files she had seen, this one contained statistics on how well the company was doing—only now, all figures were compared to other companies selling rival products. Everything about HC International was highlighted in yellow ink so that it seemed to jump out of the page and glare at Raine. Fascinated, she leafed through the pages, a sense of disbelief hanging above her head as she read the highlighted numbers, some of which had more than ten digits on them. She was barely halfway through the files when a sticky note on the back of the page grabbed her attention. She read it. "Ash, call Seth ASAP. Little Mel brought home trouble." Raine gaped at the note. Heart beating fast, she scanned the pages, looking for the date they were printed. Sure enough, it was there: about five days ago, probably when she was brought to this house by the blonde vampire and her mate. "Ash," Raine repeated, dazedly looking at that small piece of paper which pointed out the identity of her lover. Ash, she was certain, was the diminutive form of Ashford. That was, Ashford Hayes-Crowe, CEO of HC International: that one bachelor billionaire whose face never appeared in any tabloid, newspaper or magazine, thus making it impossible for anyone to recognize him. Raine had thought the man ingenious for his ability to avoid getting his photos published, especially in a world where everybody who was anybody was treated like celebrities. Now, as she closed the leather-bound folder and stared at the HC logo, Raine finally realized how he had managed to do that. Ashford Hayes-Crowe was a vampire. One who had slept with her twice. "You've got to be kidding me," she said out loud, feeling as if all her energy was drained by what she just discovered. Putting the folder back inside the drawer, she thought about what she should do next. Michael and the other slayers had to be notified. The information was too vital. Surely, Michael would know what measures must be taken to try to contain this... this... What? Situation? Raine groaned, massaging her forehead. Her head was starting to pound. Maybe she should not have been so persistent in trying to find out who she slept with, and then maybe, she would have spared herself this dilemma. Just then, knocks sounded on the door. Raine stood up and tried to appear normal even though she was shaken to the bones. First this meal, then her bath. And then she was getting the hell out of here. Of course, she could not predict the phone call that would change her mind. ***** Cassandra looked up from her desk, twirling a pen around her forefinger. Her blue eyes snapped to the door at the other end of the room mere seconds before it opened. She put the pen down. "I said I need no interruption," she told her assistant, who was even then striding toward her desk as if the icy cold tone Cassandra used did not affect her. "Jenna?" "My apologies, but I thought this might interest you," Jenna said, handing a dossier to her. The girl was good, efficient. But she did not seem to have any instinct for survival. That, or she lived to court danger. "I received a call from someone named Amélie Lecourt." Raising an eyebrow, Cassandra opened the dossier, staring at the picture of the brunette on the first page. Hazel eyes, shiny locks, pale skin... Though she only saw Amélie once before, Cassandra would recognize her anywhere. "What does she want?" she asked, closing the file and leaning back on the chair, fixing tired grey eyes on the young woman before her. "Mr. Hayes-Crowe requests a meeting this afternoon," Jenna answered, quickly opening the agenda book on her hand. Cassandra watched with amusement as a slight frown registered on her secretary's face. "But your schedule is full and—" "You will clear it," Cassandra cut her off, waving a hand carelessly when Jenna stared at her in surprise. "Did Miss Lecourt mention what Hayes-Crowe wants?" "No," Jenna answered, closing her book. For the first time, she looked ill at ease, as if she just realized how big of a mistake she had made interrupting Cassandra's reverie. "But she said he would be most pleased if you could meet with him before dusk." Cassandra shook her head as a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Only a fool will meet with Hayes-Crowe after sundown." Not that Jenna would know that. Cassandra stood up, back straight, and walked to the desk where she kept her wine. "Fair enough. Call Miss Lecourt and tell her that I will consult my department heads to see who among them can meet with Hayes-Crowe." Jenna nodded, scribbling on her note pad. "Then I will gather the heads in the conference room and—" "No," Cassandra said, pouring herself a drink. "Of course I will meet with Hayes-Crowe. I just need them to think that I have better things to do than to cater to their wishes." The woman was smart enough not to question her decision. "Of course, madam. As you wish." Alone again, Cassandra looked out of the window, staring unseeingly at the view before her. Ashford Hayes-Crowe. What did he want now? It had been more than a decade since the last time Ashford asked for an audience. Of course, he was not Ashford then—or at least, not this Ashford. Shaking her head, Cassandra took a sip of the wine. Vampires. It was fascinating how they manipulated the truth. HC International was founded by the first Ashford Hayes-Crowe, grandfather of the current CEO. Supposedly. Cassandra knew better. The Ashford she had met when she was still young was the same Ashford who now ran a billion-dollar conglomerate that seemed to be intent on taking over the whole damn business world. What could Ashford want this time? Cassandra's grip tightened on the stem of her wineglass as she tried to control her rising anger. Last time that this same vampire contacted her, it was to offer assistance. But he failed, as Cassandra knew he would. She had not forgiven him for that failure yet. How dare he contact her now? ***** Ashford closed his eyes and leaned back on the seat, shutting out all the noise that started to bother him. The day had been long—longer still with that meeting with Cassandra. The woman was not pleased, as he had expected, and at the end of the meeting, nothing was settled. She eyed him with suspicion, as though she doubted every word that left his mouth. And perhaps she did. But for the sake of the honour he thought he had forsaken centuries ago, Ashford had to contact her. It was as much his duty to tell as her right to know. Whether she believed him or not was another matter. For his part, he knew that he had already reached out. Now, riding the car back to his house, he wondered whether or not he would find Raine in his house or if the house would be as empty as a tomb at his return. With her duties done and Raine safe, Amélie would be happily ensconced in her own house right now, probably sipping warm human blood from a crystal wineglass while listening to soft classical music. Either that, or she would be cursing Ashford to the very depths of hell. And Melisande and Seth... At the thought of his child and her lover, Ashford had to smile. Who knew where the couple would be? Probably out cavorting in a club or busily satisfying each other in one of their many love nests. They might even be plotting his downfall at this very moment. Heavens knew how he tried to keep Melisande in line, but with her stubbornness and Seth's influence, it was quite possible that she would stake him through the heart one of these days. It was not a comforting thought. It was bad enough that a slayer now knew of his existence and might kill him in his own bed, but the thought of his child, his own creation, turning against him and ending his existence was a bit too much. But, in the end, Ashford still had faith. Raine would keep her slaying tools from his chest, and Melisande would rather die for than kill him. As for his other children... Ashford reached for his phone and called Adam. The man picked up almost as soon as the first ring began. "How are things?" Ashford asked. A chuckle came from the other end. "Well enough, I believe. Ross and I are having fun keeping the dogs at bay." In his car, Ashford shook his head, although a grin spread across his face. The dogs would not appreciate knowing that a vampire referred to them as such. "They're sniffing around, alerted by your summons," Adam was saying. "Of course, our trails are clear, so there's nothing to worry about." Ashford frowned. "There is nothing to worry about. Not from this pack. What about the others?" "Deaf and blind to the world," Adam replied. "Or, at least, it seems that way until a week ago. Rumour has it that one or two of the Council members will visit soon." That last piece of information got Ashford thinking, even after he ended the call to Adam. The Council. There was only one council on earth that was of great concern to vampires: the Council of the Wolves. If the Council discovered the secret vampires were keeping, all hell would break loose. The uneasy pact that kept vampires and wolves from each other's throats for the last five centuries would break. Damnation. Ashford had worked so hard for that pact. Although not all vampires abide by the rules, there are covens that dedicate most of their manpower hunting down renegades, Ashford's included. Besides, the slayers unknowingly helped handle some. And there was the Council to keep the wolves in line and punish those who defected. It was not the best of truces, perhaps, but it had worked for centuries. Now, it was on the verge of collapsing. And just because Ashford refused to give the wolves the one thing they wanted. It was quite fortunate that the Council, as of yet, had no clue as to the vampires' secret, but as soon as it finds out... Seeking Eternity Ch. 03 At least, everyone in my coven is with me on this, Ashford thought. Tomorrow, he would talk to other covens, explaining the situation and hoping that they understand why he would not willingly cater to the wolves' demand. Hopefully, they would remember Ashford's sire, Iulius, and that they would agree to protect his child. If not, not only would the pact between wolves and vampires break, but so would the kinship that held vampires together for at least a millennium. Remembering his sire, Ashford closed his eyes. He made a promise to Iulius and he intended to keep it, regardless of the cost. At the same moment, the chauffeur announced, "Master, we have arrived." Ashford opened his eyes and looked outside, sighing when he realized that the sun was still in full blaze. Although sunlight could not burn him anymore, the sting that came with contact between ultraviolet rays and his skin was quite irritating. Without waiting for the chauffeur to open the door for him, Ashford got out of the car, gazing up at the windows of his room. He could tell by listening to the heartbeats inside the house that Raine was still there. A slow smile formed on his lips as he leisurely approached the house. Even from the foyer, he could hear her soft humming that came from his room, the quiet splash of water on bare skin. So, the woman decided to bathe. "Fetch a robe for the lady," he ordered the maid who approached him to take his suit jacket. "And bring us something to eat." Not that he needed any food. Breakfast, lunch and supper were all for appearance's sake. Although, by now, of course, the servants should know the truth about him. Quietly, he walked up the stairs and then into his room, taking off his tie and throwing it on the bed. Raine had stopped humming, but judging from the soft sighs that came from her, she was immensely enjoying herself. He ignored his reflection on the floor-to-ceiling mirror by the entryway and instead took the right turn that would bring him to the stone and granite room. He parted the dark burgundy curtains that mark the place where a traditional door should have been, leaning against the frame to better appreciate the sight before him. In distinct Romanesque style, the room featured richly adorned mirrors and lamps on marbleized walls. But Ashford's eyes were glued to the woman in the bath, under the well-lit dome supported by marble pillars. Raine had her eyes closed, her head resting on a burgundy bath pillow. Her body was submerged in water covered by an abundance of white and red roses. Without opening her eyes, Raine spoke to him. "I feel your eyes on me, but I don't know whether to feel appreciated or unwanted." Ashford chuckled and moved away from the entrance, letting the heavy curtain fall to enclose them in the warmth of the room. "If you would but open your eyes, you will instantly know how you affect me." Raine shook her head. "I don't want to open my eyes. I live in an exquisite dream. I don't want to wake up." He sat on the edge of the tub, heedless of the consequences of such action on the clothes he wore to work. Gently, he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, revelling on the smoothness of her skin. "Then, far be it from me to wake you up, my love." She smiled then and opened her eyes, her hand slipping into his. Her blue eyes danced with merriment as she asked, "Did you put me under your spell, vampire?" Ashford could not help but return her smile. "Should I not be the one asking you that, slayer?" Raine chuckled and pressed her lips on his knuckles. "We are fools, then, to fall under each other's spell." "Fools indeed," he agreed. She raised her hand to touch his face, unmindful of the water dripping from her arms onto his clothes. Not that Ashford minded, either. Thoughts of ruined clothes were not foremost in his mind, especially when her fingers were touching his lips. "Kiss me," Raine whispered, her voice smooth and sweet as the finest honey. She did not have to ask twice. Slightly tilting her chin up, he lowered his head and took her mouth in a dark, passionate kiss—the kind of kiss that involved not only lips and tongues but also a piece of his badly shattered soul. Her response was immediate, her groan of pleasure completely non-fabricated. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, as Ashford felt the heat of desire raging in his veins, threatening to pump life back into his cold, not-beating heart. He reached for her and guided her wet body up, just enough for him to crush her against his chest and deepen their already demanding kiss. She was soft and sweet and warm—dark, addictive temptation personified. The press of her wet skin on his clothed body did nothing to cool his ardour, but instead added fuel to the already raging fire. She smelled so sweet, so good, that Ashford felt the hungry beast inside him rear its greedy head, urging him to take a bite, to sink his fangs into her neck and savour the taste of warm blood in his mouth... Ashford broke their kiss with a growl, kissing his way across her cheek, toward her ear, nearer that delectably tempting vein where her blood pumped the hardest. Raine desperately clung to him, not even fighting him off even though she must know what the vampire in him demanded. Indeed, she moved her head so that her neck was exposed, all but asking him to take a bite. His body burned for her; he desperately yearned for her blood. Yet, with an impressive bout of self-control that he never thought he possessed, Ashford denied himself, instead placing an open-mouthed kiss on her creamy white neck. His body shook with the effort it took him to ignore the heavy pounding of blood in her veins, but he managed to hold back his hunger, unwilling to give in. Dear gods—the woman did not need a stake to reduce him to ashes! As Ashford fought with himself and tried to curb his urge to feed, he admitted to himself that he would rather starve and die than take advantage of this girl. And, at that moment, he realized: he has already found his mate. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know. It's been a while. And I'm really sorry. It was not part of my plans, but I had to go on vacation before I meet an untimely end. Know, however, that I intend to finish this story, and that, even now, I'm halfway through the next chapter (although, given my reputation for trashing fifteen pages of one installment when I feel that it does not work too well for the story, "halfway through" is probably not much of a good news). Either way, thank you very much for sticking with me and supporting me throughout my unexpected hiatus. Much love, SF.