Embrace the Darkness (Darkness Series) (17 page)

No good deed goes unpunished
.

“Why is Timmons still alive if my mother is dead?” It didn’t seem fair. Her mother had been a kind, generous woman. Colonel Timmons was obsessed with power and advancing his military career at the expense of innocent people.

Nicolas grimaced. “Timmons kept his knowledge a secret, but your mother was on a mission to expose vampires. One of Surratt’s fledglings killed her.”

Amber’s heart slammed against her ribs. “Who’s Surratt?”

Nicolas jerked as if she’d shot him. “It’s not important.”

“He’s the ancient who turned you. Isn’t he? That’s how he knew my mother called the authorities—through his connection to you.”

“Let it alone, Amber.”

Her hands curled into fists. “Not a chance. He’s responsible for my mother’s death. Did his little buddy kill Andrew too? What was his excuse? He couldn’t have been protecting his
kind
from discovery. Andrew didn’t know vampires existed.”

“But you did.” Nicolas’ eyes shone with such profound sorrow, she couldn’t hold his gaze. “A vampire can implant false memories and manipulate thoughts, but we can’t erase memories completely. Especially tragic memories. A sliver always remains.”

“So, Surratt got tired of wondering if I’d remember something and decided to kill me? Is that it?” He'd really want her dead now. She no longer doubted her memories. She knew vampires were real.

“Surratt was there that night, but he didn’t attack you and your friend. Claus did.”

Knowing the name of Andrew’s killer didn’t ease the pain. The bastard was still alive—and would most likely live forever. “Did he also kill my mother?”

“Yes.”

“And you let him get away with it? Why? Were you protecting him because Surratt created you both? Is he your blood brother or something?” Nicolas had twice saved her life, but how could she trust him when he allowed a murderous vampire to go free?

“Saving your life that day was more important than going after your mother’s killer. And when I confronted Claus later, Surratt protected him.”

“So, Surratt
is
responsible.” The murderous vampire had to die. No matter how long it took, she would kill the bastard. “He sanctions the killing of mortals.”

“No. Vampires need humans to survive. Killing them not only diminishes the food supply, it draws unwanted attention to our kind.”

A slow burn heated Amber’s blood. Her fingers curled into fists at her side. “So, you see humans as little more than dinner. Is that it? Saving me was no different than stopping a farmer from beheading a chicken.”

He raised his hand as if to touch her. Amber moved beyond his reach, heart hammering with fury. If looks could kill, she would have destroyed him without a second thought.

Dropping his hand to his side, he sighed. “You matter to me, Amber. More than you’ll ever know. And Surratt isn’t the enemy. He’s trying to prevent a war between mortals who know vampires exist and vampires who kill indiscriminately.”

“His methods aren’t very effective. Claus got away with murder. Twice.” Just saying the bastards name made her blood boil with impotent fury.

“Claus learned of our existence when he was mortal. He had documents he rediscovered after his memory was erased. And he began his investigation again, armed with the knowledge that vampires could alter his memories. So, Surratt converted him. Claus then made it his mission to protect the identity of vampires from mortals, which is exactly what Surratt wanted. But after Claus killed your mother, Surratt put him on a shorter leash. Then you showed up in Germany—where Claus lived.”

“The army sent me to Germany.”

“But they didn’t send you to the cemetery—the cemetery where Claus was supposed to be buried. He thought you’d remembered. He thought you were gathering evidence to use against him.”

Had she remembered something without realizing?

It had been her idea to visit the cemetery that night, but she wasn’t looking for vampires. Since her mother’s death, she’d found cemeteries peaceful. After Iraq, she’d needed to find tranquility where ever she could.

“I didn’t even know Claus’s name,” she whispered. But had she inadvertently walked over his grave?

She stepped closer to Nicolas, leaned in, and glared. “I wasn’t looking for vampires before, but I damn sure am now. Is Surratt connected to the vampire who committed the murders at Lifeblood Labs?”

“No. And he’s just as interested in stopping that rogue vampire as you are.”

“I doubt it,” she said with a snort.

“Let it go, Amber,” he said again. “Let vampires handle vampires. I’m sure there are enough mortal crimes to keep you occupied.”

Seriously? He expected her to just walk away and let vampires handle it? That would be like putting terrorists in charge of punishing those responsible for the 9-11 attacks.

“I don’t think so. I’m a cop. It’s my job to investigate crimes, no matter who commits them.”

“This investigation is going to get you killed.” He ground his teeth like a father lecturing a teenager. “And you can’t go after Claus. He’s dead.”

A hollow ache settled in her chest. Her mother’s killer was dead. Her need for revenge should have been appeased. But the pain didn’t go away. Her mother was still dead. “Who killed him?”

He inhaled sharply and let the air out slowly, deflating his chest and the simmering anger in his eyes. “I did. Despite the shared blood flowing through our veins, I risked Surratt’s wrath and killed him.”

She met his dark gaze. Memory stirred.

The crack of her skull against cold concrete. The hot metallic scent of blood. And the scream that tore from her lungs as Claus ripped open Andrew’s throat as cleanly as if he’d sliced it with a blade. Smiling, the vampire lowered his mouth to the gaping wound to drink his fill. Then he’d tossed Andrew aside like a rag doll and turned toward her. His approach had been slow. Methodical. Words emerged from his lips. She heard nothing but the roar of blood in her ears.

Fear held her silent. Immobile. Before he could drag her to her feet, Nicolas appeared between them, saving her from certain death.

Terrified, frozen, she lay sprawled against a family crypt, fighting to regain control of her mind and body. Nicolas and Claus fought. Sculptures of saints and angels stood watch between the graves.

She woke up in the hospital two days later with a sketchy memory and post-traumatic stress.

“You erased my memories again,” she whispered as the recalled images in her head faded to black.

Nicolas clenched his fists. Tension rippled across his broad shoulders in waves. “Let it go, Amber. Claus is dead, and Surratt didn’t punish me for destroying one of his own. He also agreed to leave you alone as long as you didn’t remember anything. So walk away and forget what you know. Stay away from vampires and forget they exist. Do I make myself clear?”

She folded her arms over her chest. “I can’t forget. Not again. And I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect and serve, whether it’s in the army or the Asheville Police Department.”

“If I thought it would do any good, I’d make you forget—again. But then something else would trigger your memory and you’d never forgive me. So, I guess there’s just one thing left to do.”

He pulled her into his arms and the world went fuzzy.

Chapter 11

Gerard picked up Amber’s discarded purse and prowled the parking lot at Lifeblood. His nostrils flared, breathing in her lingering scent—and the smell of an immortal—two immortals.

Thank God he didn’t smell blood. The thought of her turning vampire chilled him to the bone. He wouldn’t wish this hellish immortality on his worst enemy—much less someone he…cared for.

Cared for? Who was he kidding? He wouldn’t react this way if he only felt friendship. Even without her purse and abandoned car, he would have known she’d been here. He sensed her presence—her fear. And he’d never felt anything like that with a mortal before. While Weldon had been slashing Tina’s throat, he’d been in Alexandria, spying on her ex-husband, unaware of her terror.

The intensity of his emotions now made his infatuation with Tina pale.

Guilt flushed his skin. He’d failed Tina. Now, it looked as if he’d failed Amber. He didn’t know where she was, and he didn’t know who’d taken her. Or how to find her.

Indecision immobilized him. He felt trapped in his own dark world without the tools or knowledge to find his way into the light. His mind reached out, searching for answers. Embracing his dark powers. Lost in thought, he was only vaguely aware of contacting Vincent.

Moments later, he appeared by his side. “What’s wrong?”

“Amber’s missing.” The words choked him.

Vincent scowled. “Since when are you on a first name basis with Detective Buckley?”

“It doesn’t matter. She’s been abducted.” Exposing her to the truth had put her in danger—just as it had Tina. “I don’t know the vampire who took her, so I can’t track him. I couldn’t track him the other night either, but I know he was watching outside Amber’s house.”

Vincent’s brows climbed his forehead before snapping down over disapproving eyes. “I won’t ask why you were at her house—or why you’re hugging her bag.”

Gerard lowered his chin to stare at Amber’s purse, unable to meet Vincent’s knowing gaze. “She dropped it.”

Explaining why he was hugging Amber’s purse was easier than explaining why he’d been at her house—on more than one occasion. Or why he’d kissed her. She was a cop—a possible threat to immortals—especially since most Vampires used false documents to maintain a believable identity. But Vincent probably knew how he felt about Amber without him having to say it. He’d made no effort to block the mental connection between them.

Vincent furrowed his brow. “Why would a vampire be interested in a mortal detective?”

“To protect her? To protect himself?
Je ne sais pas
.” And not knowing was killing him. How could he keep Amber safe if he didn’t know from whom—or what—he was protecting her? “I think he might be her ancestor.”

Gerard didn’t want to
think
about the second vampire he’d sensed in the parking lot. It was as if he shared some strange psychic connection with him. It was weak, but he sensed the creature’s need to kill. He just couldn’t grasp the other vampire’s reasoning. Or get a clean fix on his location. There was something—different about that second vampire. And yet—strangely familiar.

Vincent closed his eyes. His nostrils flared. His body swayed. Then his eyes sprang open. His irises were red, his pupils dilated. “There was another vampire here. He fled before the ancient took Detective Buckley.”

“But where did he take her?” The other vampire wasn’t an immediate threat. Nicolas was.

“The connection is weak, but the other vampire seemed to be…you.” Vincent sounded puzzled rather than accusing.

Apprehension skittered down Gerard’s spine. “What if it was my clone?”

“You think Dr. Weldon perfected cloning to the extent the creature is functional? Recognizable?”

Earlier versions of the clones Dr. Weldon created from Gerard’s DNA were pitiable creatures with exposed muscles and tendons, unable to speak, think, or function—suffering so much Gerard had felt their pain.

Emotion tightened his gut. “Yes.”

Vincent’s face paled to the complexion of a vampire in the regenerative sleep. “He’s made another
you
.”

“Good thing you can tell the difference. I guess that means the copy isn’t as good as the original. Huh?” Flippant was better than frightened. And he was terrified. He shuffled his feet, unable to stand still.

“Vampire DNA replicates quickly,” Vincent reminded him.

“
Mon Dieu
. There could be a half-dozen me’s running around out there.” How many mortals would they attack? Kill? How many of his associates would believe him responsible?

“Megan.” Vincent’s eyes went wild. Dangerous. “She knows Weldon is working with a vampire, but if it’s a clone—your clone—she won’t be able to tell the difference if he approaches. Not like I can.”

“No one will be able to—until it’s too late.”

Paranoia spun out terrible possibilities. A clone could take Megan captive for Dr. Weldon to use as bait. Or he could force her to work in his lab. She’d created the vampire sedative and the antivirus. There was no telling what Dr. Weldon could do with her research.

But why had the clone gone after Amber? Had he sensed Gerard’s connection to her when she came near? Smelled him on her skin?

How didn’t matter. Weldon had used his DNA to create the creature that put Megan and Amber in danger. “Where’s Megan now?”

“I put her on the company jet last night and sent her to my New York residence. Trying to find Weldon and keep an eye on her at the same time is impossible. And now I find out Weldon isn’t just working with a vampire. It’s your clone.” He raked a hand through his hair. “How can I keep her safe?”

If Weldon could create vampire clones and control them, there’d be no stopping him. Not at night when his vampire could protect him—which explained why he needed the antivirus. He needed protection during the day.

Or had working with vampire DNA converted him? Maybe he was now a vampire. It was another explanation for his taking the antivirus. The serum samples hadn’t been ready to administer in vaccine form, but Weldon was a scientist. Even without Megan’s help, he’d eventually figure it out. That’s probably why he’d taken Axle—to turn him into a vampire and then test the vaccine on him.

The possibilities were endless—and none of them good.

“We have to find Weldon and stop him before he goes after Megan again.” His breath caught in his lungs. “Or Amber…”

Vincent paled. “I’m sorry. I have to get to New York. I have to make sure Megan’s safe. And you have to find your detective.”

“Go,” Gerard said. “I’ll call if I need you.”

Vincent vanished, leaving Gerard alone in the parking lot, his arms tightly clutched around Amber’s purse.