Everlasting Embrace (Embrace Series) (31 page)

“
Care to share? Maybe we can help.
”

“
I doubt it. I broke some rules
,
and now
,
for the protection of someone I care about
,
I need to keep my distance. She doesn
’
t even remember me anymore. Look
—
i
t doesn
’
t really matter
,
and I
’
ve said too much already. I appreciate you wanting to help, but there
’
s nothing any of us can do.
”

“
We understand Michael
. Y
ou
’
re a good guy
,
and we would all like to see you happy. I mean
,
come on
…
you
’
re an angel
.
I thought that should be the ultimate happiness. If you feel like talking about it some mor
e
,
a
lways know
,
any
one of us
is
here for you.
”

“
Thank
you. You
said
that you
lost a student in battle. I
’
m sorry for your loss. I didn
’
t hear of anymore
nephilim
being destroyed, so I assume the demons we were fighting were not after Ben.
”

“
You assume correct
ly
. The Cerberus are a cult of vampires
. T
hey took us by surprise. We thought they were here to exact revenge on Caspian and Danika, but it appears they have a new agenda now
,
”
Florence interjects with a small glance at me.

“
I don
’
t understand
. W
hat is it you think they are after?
”

“
We
’
re not confident with our assumptions yet, but we suspect they are after little Nik. Long story, but we think they want the power of a
day walker
,
”
Florence explains with a hint of concern.

“
Wow, I had no idea. You really think they are done with Danika and me? I never heard anything about them wanting a
day walker
when I was undercover with them,
”
Caspian says with surprise.

“
Think about it
,
Caspian
. W
ould they want anyone else to have that information? Their little minions might get ideas
,
and rebel even further. Then
,
again, we aren
’
t even sure if this has any truth to it yet.
”

As Florence explains our suspicions, my concern grows again. I
’
ll do anything to protect Nik. I just can
’
t imagine what it would do to Nathanial and Luke if anything ever happened to
him
. To top it
off
, if it was the same group that took their parents from them, that would just make it even worse. I shudder at the thought of any
more loss
. T
he last few years have been so unbelievable
,
and
we
’
re all ready to move on.

“
Okay
,
well
,
we better get into the class
;
the students are waiting
,
”
I suggest, trying to advert the discussion. I just can
’
t think
about
anything else happening to those I love
;
n
ot right now at least.

We follow Caspian and Michael into the auditorium and prepare for a day filled with learning and exercises. Michael is a great teacher
,
and we
have
learn
ed
a tremendous amount from him already. The angels are a lot more complicated than any of us could imagine. I think the best thing about him being here for the class toda
y
i
s th
at
he is able to reassure everyone that Carlina is in a better place. Who knows
i
f it
’
s true, but it makes coping a little easier. I know he
’
s trying really hard not to let us in, but the way he has stood beside us has been amazing. Michael is a true friend, even if he doesn
’
t want to admit it. I was so surprised when he showed up at the fight
and started whipping his wings around like thousands of samurai swords. I gotta ask him and Ben about that
…are
all angel wings like that?

Caspian
’
s Heart

After Michael
’
s lesson, Siobhan and I stick around to chat some more. We haven
’
t really talked much since last night, but I can tell the day is wearing on her. I
’
ve never witnessed the effects of silver on another vampire before; it appears to knock the crap out of us. I decide to take Siobhan to the dining hall. There
’
s a small fridge filled with beverages
; taking
a small paper cup from the water cooler, I pour her some of Florence
’
s blood punch. Hoping it will perk Siobhan up a little, I hand her the cup.

“
Thanks Caspian
;
you know this is such a terrible feeling. It almost reminds me of what
’
s it was like
to
hav
e
the
flu when I was mortal.
”

“
I can
’
t even remember what it
’
s like to be ill. I guess that
’
s one of the perks of being immortal
;
we don
’
t get sick. I feel awful that you
’
re going through this
;
I
wish there
was
more I could do.
”

“
It
’
s my own fault
;
I got cocky and distracted. The moment I let my guard down, they got me.
”

“
It was a tough fight
,
and more of us got injured than we knew
. J
ust
,
some were hurt more than others.
”

“
I guess. So I want to thank you for everything you are doing to help me recuperate. Watching over me last night was really sweet of you. I know we are just getting to know one another, but I really enjoy your company. I
’
ve never felt as safe
,
and like I belong
,
as I did last night in your arms
…
and
anytime
you are with me.
”

“
I know what you
mean;
I
feel it too. I
’
ve only been secure and at peace once before in all my hundreds of years. There
’
s a connection between us
,
Siobhan
.
I
’
d love to explore this further if you would like to
.
”

“
I think that sounds perfect. I
’
d love for you to start by telling me more about when you felt like this before
…if
that
’
s okay?
”

“
To be honest, I don
’
t talk about her much. It
’
s a pretty painful memory.
”

“
I
’
m sorry
.
I understand.
”

“
No, I don
’
t think you do. I feel like I can talk about it, about her
,
now. Here with you, I feel peace and strength.
A
bout thirty years ago
,
I fell in love with a mortal, Ashley. I never told her about my family
’
s immortality. One night
,
things went too far
,
and I fed from her. I
’
d never tasted anything so clean, pure and perfect before. That
’
s when everything changed
.
I drank too much
—
and Ashley was killed that night.
”

“
Oh my god, Caspian. I
’
m so sorry. It must have been horrifying for you
.
”
She
pauses for a moment, looks at me and shakes her head.

“
What
’
s wrong
?
D
oes that concern you?
”

“
No, not at all. It
’
s nothing really
. I
t
’
s just not possible.
”

“
Now
,
you
’
ve peaked my interest
. W
hat is it?
”

“
I just got the most overwhelming déjà vu feeling.
”

“
Really? That is a little odd
. A
bout what?
”

I
’
ve never known a vampire to get déjà vu
:
s
omething about our increased senses and being more aware. It
’
s pretty unusual for a vampires mind to play such tricks.

“
It
’
s your story about Ashley. It
’
s impossible for me to have been there
.
I mean
,
my mortal life only began about thirty years ago. Maybe the effects of the silver have my mind playing tricks on me.
”

“
You may be right. I think Constance
or Isaac should check you out again
,
j
ust to make sure there
’
s not going to be any lasting effects
,
”
I suggest as I watch the beautiful, vibra
nt
girl from the pool hall the other night
a
ppear weakened and fragile.

“
That doesn
’
t sound like such a bad idea. I
’
m sorry this has taken away from your story. I still want to hear more
,
and learn more about you.
”

“
Please don
’
t worry about that
. R
i
ght now
,
my concern is you. I
’
ve been put in charge of ensuring
that
you heal with minimal complications. My only concern is that you
’
re alright.
”
With her soft, porcelain
-
like hand in mine, I raise it to my lips. Pressing my lips to her hand
,
I feel the excitement build between us. I look up at the beautiful woman beside me
.
C
oy and shy
,
she looks to her lap. With a slight touch of my index finger to her chin, I lift her chin until our eyes meet. What starts out as a soft, gentle kiss, become
s
more passion
ate
then I
’
ve felt in years. I feel like we
’
ve known each other forever. The passion between us continues to grow every moment we spend together.