Date with a Vampire (2 page)

Guystof left the foyer and crossed into the parlor, pointing his finger at the stone hearth. A fire exploded, and flames shot through the iron grating. The sudden light waved across the old Victorian parlor, touched on the dark oak furniture and Aubusson carpeting. He rarely used his powers, and almost never to do something he could just as easily do manually, but he needed to see his brother’s face to decipher the real reason he’d come to call. Guystof knew him well enough to know his words alone might not provide the truth. Though he cared deeply for Theo, and owed him his life, he was not fool enough to trust him completely, for there was a side to him that no one knew. He’d betray his family if it served his purpose.

“A little longer out in the light and I fear I’d be treating you again, brother. Stirs up memories, doesn’t it? Only this time might have proved more difficult. We’re not in our country. These Brits don’t look so kindly on our type.”

Guystof studied Theo, outlined by the flickering orange flames. Although it had been more than a century since he’d seen him, his brother looked unchanged—shorter and stockier than he, with a face and body women adored. His blond curls were the complete opposite to Guystof’s straight dark locks. Theo’s boyish good looks were a tool he used to his advantage, but beneath his handsome facade lay a heart as dark as the devil’s own.

Guystof leaned against the mantel, crossing one polished black shoe in front of the other. “What brings you to these parts? I know you haven’t come merely to save my neck.”

“That hurts. Why assume I don’t care about your well-being?” The faintest hint of a smile graced his full lips, making him look oddly effeminate.

Guystof narrowed his eyes. Theo was toying with him and enjoying it. “You’re fully aware no offense was meant, so let’s cut to the chase, shall we?”

“All right, old boy, we’ll save the small talk for later. You were right. I haven’t come of my own accord. Father sent me.” Theo leaned forward in the chair and reached into his back pocket, drawing out a crumpled piece of parchment. “I’m to give you this.” He handed over the paper with a look Guystof couldn’t decipher.

After unfolding the letter, he began to read. His brow furrowed and he waved the paper out in front of him. “How long have you had this?”

Theo took a drag on his cigarette and exhaled a long line of smoke. “You’re not an easy man to find. I traveled Europe for weeks before finding your quaint little London abode.”

“Nonsense. Tessa knows my whereabouts,” Guystof said harshly, aggravated by this game.

“You don’t know?” Theo’s eyes glistened. Were those tears?

His fingers tensed on the paper. Something had happened. “Know what?” His voice cracked when he spoke.

“Tessa’s gone. Killed by an assassin.”

Guystof squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw. It had happened again… Memories of another time and place whirled through his mind. His own mother had been killed by assassins, when he was only sixteen. Her death had been so painful that he’d never forgotten the agony on her face. After that tragedy, he’d vowed to never turn a woman into a vampire. He’d travel through eternity alone rather than risk losing someone he loved that way again. Yet it had happened…this time to his beloved Tessa… And she’d always been so careful too. That didn’t seem to matter, though. A woman turned as an adult never acquired the skills necessary to protect herself from her enemies. It had only been a matter of time before she faced an excruciating death.

He crossed the room and stood beside Theo, placing his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I loved her too.” Although she hadn’t been his natural mother, he’d cared for her as such, and she’d returned his love by treating him as her own. She’d never showed Theo preferential treatment. Both boys had been raised under her careful tutelage.

“Is that the reason for this?” Guystof’s gaze filtered down to the letter he held limply in his hand.

Theo shook his head. “Father’s devastated. He’ll not marry again. He’s barely able to hunt for food, let alone raise enough money to keep Dragesa afloat. The castle needs repairs, to say nothing of the state of ruin the grounds have fallen into.”

“But I can’t marry. I took a vow.”

Sneering scorn crossed Theo’s handsome face. “That was no vow. Merely a silly promise you made to yourself as a boy. Now it’s up to you to carry on the family legacy. You must choose a bride, and select wisely. You’ll need one with a fortune,” he said with a snicker. “Oh, and remember, you’ve only sixty days.”

Guystof reread the letter, more carefully this time. When he finished, he directed his gaze back to Theo. “Father says nothing about the reason for the rush.”

“Why prolong the inevitable? We all know you won’t come through.”

“And if I don’t?”

Theo’s eyes glittered dangerously, and a smug smile curved his mouth. “Then you’ll no longer be a LeBreque. Father will disown you, and I shall become the family heir. We’ve ruled for centuries, and I’m not about to let the LeBreques lose that honor. Besides, I’ll have no problem finding a mate. Of that, you can be sure.”

The impact of Theo’s words was not lost on Guystof. If he failed, not only did he face disgrace, but the kingdom would become a much more dangerous place. Theo loved nothing better than the taste of blood, and with him in control, there’d be nothing to stop him and his twisted desires.

— : : —

“Don’t answer it,” Melody shouted from the living room, wishing the phone would stop ringing. Her roommates chattered in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Just a week had passed since she’d gone to lottery headquarters and learned she held the only winning ticket, making her New York’s latest most-eligible female, yet the word had spread like wildfire. It seemed everyone wanted a piece of her.

“I want my old life back,” she said wistfully while sinking onto the couch. She scooped up the pile of messages the girls had taken for her and fanned through them.

“Sorry, Mel, that’ll never happen.” Ann entered the room, carrying a tray filled with chips and dip. She set it down on the coffee table in front of Melody, then snatched the papers from her hands. “I’m afraid these are just the beginning. Not only are you rich, but you’re single. And being gorgeous doesn’t hurt, either. You’re one hot commodity, babe.”

Melody groaned. “I don’t want to be a hot commodity. I just want to be me, unknown old Melody from Hope.”

Ann dropped the messages on the table, took hold of Melody’s hand and pulled her to her feet. She dragged her over to the wall mirror. “Look, Mel, with a face and figure like yours, there’s no way the media’s going to keep you from the spotlight.”

Big blue eyes stared back at her as she studied her reflection. A nice straight nose and full lips rounded out her heart-shaped face, while long strands of honey-colored hair draped her shoulders.

“Face it. You’re America’s new sweetheart.”

Melody rolled her eyes.

“Get used to it. This is only the beginning.”

“How am I going to live my life? How are we going to live? The phone never stops ringing.” Her gaze scanned over the roses, carnations, and various other flowers spilling out from the vases sent to her by an endless stream of gold-digging men. “Seems like everyone in town now knows where I live.” She turned to face her friend. “It’s not fair to you…to any of you guys…but where can I go and not be found? What can I do to change all this?”

She crossed the room and plopped back onto the couch. Picking up a handful of messages from the table, she began to read. “‘I’m a single white male, thirty-five, who would love to love you.’” She made a face and tossed the paper onto the floor. “Here’s another one. ‘Although I’m fifty-seven, don’t let my age scare you. I can teach you things that young guys don’t even know exist.’ Yuck.” She crumpled the message and threw it on the floor along with the other one. “And the list of Hope’s single men goes on and on,” she said, fanning the rest of the letters.

Ann’s eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped open. “I’ve got it, I’ve got it,” she shrieked, jumping up and down.

Melody scowled. “Oh, not you too. Don’t tell me there’s someone you want to fix me up with.”

“Not someone. Twenty someones.”

“What?”

Ann spread the papers over the coffee table. “Oh, where is it? I only just took the message this morning.”

Melody patted her friend’s arm. “Calm down. Where’s what?”

“The message from the producers of
Dream Girl
.”

Melody groaned, and her fingers tightened around Ann’s upper arm. “You’re not going to tell me what I think you are, are you?”

Ann’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Well, if you think they want you to be the next Dream Girl, then yes, that’s what I’m telling you.”

She took a deep breath and coaxed Ann onto the couch. “Sit here and listen very carefully. I am not going to be the next anything. I don’t want any TV appearances or interviews of any kind. I want to live a quiet life. Got it?”

Ann drew her brows together into a deep scowl. “I know that’s what you want, but I’m afraid the media doesn’t give a fig about your wishes. That’s why this idea is so fantastic. Don’t say no. As a matter of fact, don’t say anything until you’ve heard me out and given it some thought.”

She leaned back against the couch and folded her arms across her chest. “Okay, I’ll listen, but that’s all. You’re not going to convince me to do anything.”

Ann grinned, exposing the gap between her two front teeth. “Fair enough.” She tucked one leg up under her and faced Melody. “I was skeptical too when I took the call. I mean, who would want to star in a reality show? Especially one where twenty gorgeous guys are vying for your love? But think about it, Mel. The producers screen these guys. They do extensive background checks. We’re not talking average Joes here. These guys are the crème de la crème. So aside from having a fabulous time with twenty hunks wining and dining you, we’ll put an end to these.” Ann held up the pile of messages from the litany of men wishing to meet Melody.

“I’m afraid I’m not getting it. How is my going on
Dream Girl
going to put an end to all this?”

Ann rolled her eyes as if Melody was dense. “It’s simple, really. The purpose of the show is for you to find your soul mate, and that’s exactly what you’re going to do.”

“Have you lost your mind? You know how I feel about those shows. They might be fun to watch, but I don’t believe anyone there really finds a lasting love.”

Ann took hold of her hands and squeezed. “No, silly. I don’t believe that either. You only have to give the appearance of falling in love. Whichever man you choose, you announce your engagement to the world. A very long engagement,” she said with a wink.

Melody’s eyes widened. “I get you now. It’s all for show, but as far as the public is concerned, I’m off the market.”

“Precisely.”

“Oh, Ann. I don’t know. It sounds good in theory, but what about the poor man? The one I choose. It’s not fair to deceive him.”

“Mel, you’re such a softy. You’re worried about the feelings of a man you don’t even know. Toughen up, girl, and worry about yourself.”

She shook her head. “Even if I agreed to do it, I don’t think I could carry it off. He’d see right through me and know my feelings weren’t real. You know I’m a terrible actress.”

Ann opened her mouth, then snapped it shut as Mags and Billy entered the room, carrying trays filled with food and drinks.

“Hey guys, what’s up?” Billy asked, pushing the papers aside to set her tray down next to the chips and dip. “I’ve got a bunch of messages for you too, Mel.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful.

Mags laughed, though she sounded uneasy. “I do too. Looks like we’re going to have to get an unlisted number.”

Melody looked at each of her friends. Despite their joking, her newfound celebrity had become quite an imposition. They couldn’t continue to live this way. Something had to be done and soon.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Ann’s solution was the only one she had. Spending a few weeks with twenty handsome bachelors sure beat disappearing into anonymity, or losing her friends because of this annoying, unwanted celebrity. If she was going to be a media darling, she might as well play the game and get the media to work for her. An island vacation. Fun times with guys who were undoubtedly searching for their fifteen minutes of fame more than true love, anyhow. No one would get hurt, and she’d be off the hook.
Go for it
, that little voice of intuition whispered. Grinning, she said, “Ann, I think you may have come up with the answer after all.”

— : : —

Guystof paced his bedroom floor. The clock was ticking, and as each day passed, so did his chances of fulfilling his father’s ultimatum. He had to find a bride, no matter how distasteful that might be. But how was he to find one with a huge fortune and do so in a short period of time?

He crossed the room and grabbed his father’s letter, then tore it into tiny pieces, letting them flutter to the floor. Impossible. And not only did Father know that, but Theo did as well. The thought of his brother as head of the LeBreque family turned his stomach. Theo was cruel, even by vampire standards, and to have him running things sent a chill straight to Guystof’s heart. There had to be a way for him to find a rich woman to marry…

The knock on his door turned his thoughts from his dilemma, at least temporarily. The heavy wooden door opened, and Blakesley, his butler and confidant, strolled in carrying a silver tray topped with a tea set and the morning newspaper. “I thought you might like something warm to drink before you retire for the day, sir.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you,” he replied, offering up a woeful smile. “But sleep is not something I’ve had much of lately.”

“I know that, sir. It shows on your face, especially in the dark rings beneath your eyes. Perhaps if you read a bit, it will take your mind off your problems and help you to relax.” Blakesley set the tray on the bedside table and poured a steaming cup of tea, then pulled down the bedspread and proceeded to shut the heavy velvet draperies surrounding the large mahogany four-poster.