Desperately, I needed my father at that moment. My body trembled against Richard‟s chest as my tears poured out. My father was not here to protect me and to talk to me. He was not here to give me words of wisdom and to tell me what to do. I was alone once again.
Richard rested his head on mine as he held me tightly in his arms. My body shook violently again against his chest as he continued whispering.
A fragrance I remembered all too clearly was like a cool breeze on my face. My crying soon slowed to a sniffle as my body and senses went numb. I rested my head on the cold hard chest as my eyes closed and my body relaxed. I drifted, unable to move.
The pain had numbed me, but the storm was not over. I was just in its eye waiting for the aftermath of the fierce winds to approach and finish what had already begun. I was prepared for my fate, prepared for the storm to take me to my death. Death would be better than this torment.
The seconds turned into minutes and the minutes turned into hours. The sun set, and darkness filled the inside of my home. I was still in the arms of the vampire who held me too tightly. The tears had ceased as he quietly held me and no more words were spoken. I remained a piece of flesh that he held on to so tightly. I couldn‟t move. My body was now cold, but I didn‟t care. Maybe, I thought, the cold would freeze my heart and end this pain.
It was only when I realized I heard a soft thumping, that I slowly came to my senses. I listened closely as I heard the sound of Richard‟s heart beating faintly in his chest. Nathaniel was right, vampires do have hearts and they beat as ours do. They are a type of living creature. Interesting.
There was no way I could move. My thoughts were just now coming back to me.
My body hadn‟t caught up with my mind or my ability to speak.
I listened as I heard the patio door open and two sets of footsteps entering.
“Oh my God!” I heard Casey‟s voice as it tingled my ears with a chime. “Richard?
What happened? You didn‟t…OH GOD PLEASE TELL ME YOU DIDN‟T!” Her voice went into a higher pitch.
“Brother?” I heard the caution in Nathaniel‟s voice.
“No, I didn‟t. She‟s well…I‟ll let her explain.” He gently moved me.
Casey came to the front of me where I was curled into a fetal position in Richard„s lap. I noticed she had removed her contacts. Her once beautiful brown eyes were now a clear crystal blue. They reminded me of a blue diamond, like Richard„s. My eyes went to hers.
“Julie?” Her voice was soft as she reached for me. Her cold hands slid under my arms and lifted me up like a baby away from Richard.
“Casey?” I strained out as I felt the pain in my throat from the excessive crying. My body was stiff from staying in one position too long.
“Come on; let‟s get you on the sofa.” She paused. “Nathaniel, could you go upstairs and find a blanket? She is freezing. Richard I think you over did it a little.” She scolded him.
“
She was in pain,”
he whispered softly.
My legs buckled under me as Casey‟s arm went around my waist and lifted my body away from Richard. She guided me to the sofa and set me down. Nathaniel covered me with a blanket.
“I‟m going to get you some hot tea, okay? I‟ll be right back.” I watched her dash off toward the kitchen.
“Richard?” Nathaniel began in a stern voice. “Where‟s Lance?”
“He went off hunting after you two.” Richard stated flatly.
“Did you hurt her?” A frown crossed his face showing his discontent.
Slowly my eyes traveled up to see the muscles in Richard‟s jaws flex. His eyes shifted to mine as I could see for the first time the reflection of my own pain in his eyes.
Finally, his attention returned to Nathaniel as he shook his head and slowly turning he walked away towards the front door.
Casey returned with a cup of hot tea and placed it in my hands. I took a sip as the warmth of the liquid burned the back of my throat.
“What happened?” She asked peering into my face.
I shook my head. My senses were still a little numb.
“Oh, Jewels. I‟m so sorry. I forgot how strong the bond between Lycans can be,” she said softly.
“Casey, this hurts worse than when I lost my father. Casey?” I whined. “I don„t know how to deal with this.”
“Julie, I„m sure he„s feeling the same pain right now. It„s going to be all right. I„m here for you,” she spoke softly.
“There is so much I need to tell you. The werewolves. The Dark Wolves. Honestly, I fear for my life, but I fear for Daniel„s more.” I spoke softly.
“If any of those things come near you, I will kill them.” Richard shot out harshly.
“Richard?” Casey called out in a warning tone. “You need to go hunt.” She pointed toward her eyes.
The room fell silent as everyone‟s eyes were on him. His eyes looked very much like Casey‟s did a few hours ago. I turned my head slowly to see the anger and hunger on Richard‟s face. I believed that Richard would protect me. But who would protect me from Richard? We all realized at that moment, even Richard knew, that he let more than his anger slip out. I shivered as Casey‟s arm reached around me. Her long blond hair fell over her shoulder as she leaned closer to me. Her lips touched my ears as a tingle ran through my body.
“I think I need to talk to you in private.” She whispered so low I could barely hear her. I nodded. “Nathaniel, I am going to stay here with Julie for a little while,” she said as she stood up.
Nathaniel‟s eyes dropped to the floor. Slowly his gaze lifted as he looked back to her. He nodded. I knew he understood the severity of the situation.
“I‟ll bring you some clothes and your contacts.” He motioned to her eyes.
She grabbed his arm and Richard‟s then headed toward the front door.
“You boys behave yourself. I‟ll be home as soon as I take care of this.”
“She could stay with us.” Richard began. “They wouldn‟t dare cross a house full of vampires.”
“Richard.” Casey warned softly, “I can handle this. She will be safe. I love her, and I will not let anything happen to her. Do what you are supposed to do.” She smiled as she opened the door and pushed the both of them out. “Call Lance and let him know.
Maybe you can pick him up on the way back.”
Nathaniel lingered behind, only to get a lasting kiss from his new bride. Her hand went gingerly to his face as their noses touched slightly. They showed so much love toward one another. She gave him a warm smile as the door closed behind them.
Turning to me her lips pursed as she paused to look at the broken glass on the floor.
“Well, I guess we need to talk, huh?” she said clasping her hands together. “Now tell me exactly what the dream was about.”
Casey walked back to the sofa and sat down beside me again. I knew she was a vampire, but she was still Casey, my best friend. I sat the cup of tea down, reached my arms around her neck, and hugged her tightly.
“I love you, Casey.” I began as the tears welled in my eyes.
“Oh Jewels. I love you too.” She wrapped her cold arms around me and held me close to her. “I‟m so sorry about the separation with Daniel. I know it‟s very painful for you. Mates often feel the harshness from separation anxiety.”
My hand went to my eye to wipe the tear away as I released her and sat back on the sofa. There was no way I could to tell her how much I was hurting at this point. In some small way, I knew deep down inside, she understood.
“Casey, it all started with the werewolves and then the Dark Wolves.” I began.
“The Council wanted him to become their leader. I just never thought we would be separated like this.”
“Jewels, listen to me, you are going to get through this. Daniel is doing what he feels is necessary. He is his father„s son.” Casey‟s gaze shifted. “I hate to ask this question, but what‟s the deal with you and Richard?”
“We talked, had coffee, and…”
Her eyes squinted letting me know there was a difficult question on the way. “You haven‟t…I mean well…” I knew what she was implying.
“No!” I replied. “Casey, no, I haven‟t had sex with Richard. Yes, he gets me all flustered, but I have not, nor has he ever crossed that line. Did he put some spell on me?”
Casey laughed lightly and shook her head. “I warned you about Richard. “ She laughed. “I think you have had firsthand experience of how seductive Richard can be.”
“So he seduced me?”
“Julie, Richard is a vampire. I think part of it, honestly, is that you are attracted to Richard. He is a gentleman. I don‟t think he would do anything to you that you didn‟t want,” she said looking into my eyes.
“He told me the same thing.” I paused looking down at my hands. “It is difficult for me to be around Richard at times.”
She nodded. “I can only imagine.”
Casey stayed with me the rest of the night while I slept. I felt some type of security knowing she was there. Sleep didn‟t come easy for me as I tossed and turned all night.
Casey lay beside me motionless, as I slept. There were times I would open my eyes and look at her only to fall back asleep. Her soft fragrance reminded me of Richard.
The pain of separation still burned in my heart. No one knew the torment I was enduring. Could this be a part of this Rite the Council spoke of? I wondered. The only hope and prayer I had was the next two days would come and go quickly. My heart and soul were truly in torture.
So I would endure this pain. Deal with it, until my loving man returned home. And I made my mind up; he would never leave me again.
The next day came, Tuesday, Day One of my separation from Daniel. No phone call from Daniel, and I was still walking around in a daze. Casey stayed by my side every moment of the day. The only time she managed to leave was when Richard relieved her, and only then so she could hunt with Nathaniel. Mostly, I stayed in my room in bed, attempting to sleep my misery away. I would wake only a few times to see him sitting quietly in my room. He never really spoke much, just watched me intently as my eyes would open and close. Most of the time, I slept trying not to cope with the separation from Daniel.
That night was a vague memory. I wasn‟t sure if it was a dream. I remember I woke up suddenly, tears streaming down my face; the dream I was having was unclear. All I know is that my heart was crushed. I remembered hearing Richard‟s soft voice as he spoke to me.
“I am here. You are safe. No one is going to hurt you.”
I remember the words clearly as his cool breath gently brushed over my face.
“I swear it, with my life.”
My eyes closed, feeling the relaxing tones in his voice, so soft and soothing. The cool finger gently running down the side of my face and I felt safe again. Whatever my dream may have been, I must have called his name out in my sleep. He was there, watching over me while I slept, my guardian angel.
It was Wednesday, Day Two of my separation. I think it was late in the evening when Casey picked me up from the bed, and walked into the shower with me. She held me under the water. The fog had not lifted from my loss, and I couldn‟t even fight against her as the water poured down my grief stricken body.
She mentioned she had something exciting for me. My remark was asking her if I was going to be the main course at a vampire buffet, a sad and sick joke as she called it. I dressed while she acted as my coach, pushing and rushing me to hurry. I almost fell twice as she pulled me down the steps towards her little black Mercedes. Nathaniel and Richard must have dropped the car off sometime during the week. I don‟t ever remember seeing or hearing them.
Casey drove past Atlanta and circled around on the Atlanta beltway. She pulled the car up to Atlanta Speedway. As she pulled in, I noticed the large trucks and stock cars.
We drove around until we made it to a decent parking spot. I turned to Casey, as she looked to me with a glimmer of hope.
“I said it was a surprise. You are going to have a ball. Trust me.” She smiled broadly.
We left the car, and walked to the trailer that had the number sixteen pasted on the side. We walked to the back of the huge black trailer, and stopped as Nathaniel popped his head around the corner. She gave a little jump into his arms as he grabbed her and held her to him. He flashed a toothy smile toward me as he sat her down.
“Julie, I am so glad you could make it. I hope Casey didn‟t ruin the surprise.”
I shrugged my shoulders, “I still have no clue.”
“Julie!” another female voice said as I looked up and saw Adrianna walking toward me. Her French accent definitely gave her away. She held her arms wide as she grabbed me and gave me a gentle hug. “Oh, it is so good to see you again. Come,” she took me by the hand.
I glanced over my shoulder to Casey. Casey nodded and smiled as she waved me on. My frown clearly showed her I disapproved of leaving me alone with this woman.
Adrianna took me down to the garage area where a crew was already working on the number sixteen racecar.
“I‟m going to need a new distributor!” a voice shouted out from under the hood.
As we walked closer, the mechanic‟s head popped up and looked around the car. It was Raphael. He was wearing a crew uniform and began wiping his hands with a shop towel.
“Hey babe,” he spoke excitedly as Adrianna walked toward him. His gaze immediately settled to me. “Julie? Hey, it‟s great of you to join us tonight. Do you know anything about cars? I‟m going to need an assistant if my brother doesn‟t find me a distributor soon.” Raphael said as he looked towards Lance.
“Slow your roll, brother!” Lance shot back.
“What are we doing?” I asked looking at the racecar.
“Racing!” Lance said handing his brother the part he needed. “How‟s she looking?”
“Great, I think. The damn thing was shot when he did the final run last night.”