Immortal Sins (14 page)

They walked in silence for a time. It was a lovely night, cool and clear, beneath a black velvet sky crowded with stars. Kari slid a glance at Rourke, wondering if he had dined on one of the residents of the city.

As though sensing her thoughts, he looked at her and smiled. His teeth were very white in the darkness. “I took only a little.”

Kari felt her cheeks grow hot. It was disconcerting knowing he could read her thoughts. She looked up at him and frowned, remembering how she had heard his voice in her mind when she was on the plane.

“How did you do that?” she asked. “Talk to me when you were in the cargo hold?”

“I felt your fear and I simply spoke to your mind.”

“But I felt your hand on mine.” She shook her head. She could accept that he could read her thoughts. Many people claimed to be able to read minds. But to actually feel his hand on hers? “How did you do that?”

“I have many supernatural abilities. I have tasted your blood, and it has formed a mental bond between us.”

Kari nodded, though she didn’t really understand. The city was pretty by night. When they passed an old church, she glanced at Rourke, wondering if he could go inside or if he would go up in smoke if he crossed the threshold.

Her stomach growled when they passed a café. Backtracking, she went inside and Rourke followed her. She ordered soup, a sandwich, and a cup of coffee. As usual, he ordered a glass of red wine.

It was pleasant sitting outside under the stars. Kari grinned inwardly. Never in a million years would she have expected to find herself in Romania with an actual vampire!

“I really wanted to see Bran Castle,” Kari remarked when she finished eating, “but I won’t have time now.”

“It is a beautiful place.”

“You’ve been there?”

He grinned. “Of course. How could I not go?”

“Right. You didn’t know Vlad Dracula, did you?”

“I doubt that anyone really knew him. But I was acquainted with him.”

Kari stared at him, awed and repulsed at the same time. “Are all those horrible stories about him true?”

“I cannot speak for all of them, but he was a harsh, cruel man to those he considered his enemies. That much is true. If you still wish to see the castle, I will take you there.”

“Isn’t it closed?”

He shrugged. “What are locks to me?”

“But…”

“Come.” He took her hand and led her away from the lights of the city. “Hold on to me,” he said. “And do not be afraid.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Take you to the castle.”

She looked at him suspiciously. “How are we going to get there?”

“You will see. Hold on now.”

Before she could argue further, they were…she didn’t know what they were doing. Sight and sound were lost to her and there was only a growing coldness and the sensation of moving rapidly through the night.

When the world slowed, they were standing in the castle courtyard. “How did you do that?” she gasped. “Wait…don’t tell me. More vampire magic.”

“Yes. Vampires are capable of moving faster than the human eye can follow. And now, here we are. You see that fountain, there?” he asked. “It conceals a labyrinth of tunnels.”

“I suppose you’ve seen them, too?”

“Of course, but we will not go there.”

“Good!”

Rourke worked a bit of vampire magic on the castle door and Kari found herself inside the citadel. Rourke found a candle to light their way. It was an amazing place, she thought, especially in the warm glow of candlelight.

She loved the arched ceilings in some of the rooms, the fairy-tale atmosphere that came from the mixture of Renaissance, Romance, and Gothic styles. She didn’t know which room she liked the most. Queen Marie’s bedroom was lovely, with its baroque rosewood bed. There were a desk and a couple of beautiful carved chairs, a long table covered in a tapestry, a vase of flowers, paintings on the walls. Then there was Queen Marie’s library, with its paneled walls, dark floors, and comfortable-looking furniture. The shelves that lined the walls held plates, vases, and pitchers. She wasn’t surprised to see a deer head and horns on the walls of the hunting trophies hall, or the bearskin rug on the floor. There was a council hall, a dining room decorated with large, dark furniture. The music room had carpets and another bearskin rug, a ceiling with dark wooden beams, comfortable-looking furniture, and a line of beautiful windows. All the rooms were lovely and beautifully decorated.

Outside again, they stood in the courtyard.

“Thank you for the tour,” Kari said. “It was wonderful.”

He inclined his head. “My pleasure.”

“Do you suppose Dracula really stayed here?”

Rourke shrugged. “Who can say?”

Kari blew out a sigh, and then she grinned. “Well, there’s a real vampire here now.”

“Indeed.” Rourke smiled at her, and then his gaze dropped to her throat, and the pulse beating there. An indrawn breath carried the fragrance of her hair and skin, the tantalizing scent of her life’s blood. She was pure temptation wrapped in sweet mortal flesh. He clenched his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her when he wanted nothing more than to brush her hair away from her neck and drink and drink until he was filled with her warmth, her very essence.

As though sensing his thoughts, she took a step backward. Her next words confirmed that she did, indeed, know what he was thinking.

“I don’t like that look in your eyes,” she said in a shaky voice, and then her own eyes widened. “They’re…are they glowing?”

Swearing softly, he turned his face away.

“Rourke? Are you all right? Rourke?”

When he had his hunger under control again, he met her gaze. “I want you,” he said quietly. “I want all of you.”

She took another step backward. “What does that mean? All of me?”

“What do you think it means?”

“I don’t want to know.” She crossed her arms under her breasts in a timeless gesture of self-defense. “I think we’d better go back to the apartment.”

“Do you think you will be safer there?”

“Rourke, you’re scaring me.”

Unable to resist the way she looked in the moonlight, he moved slowly toward her, hating himself for his weakening control, for the fear that he smelled on her skin.

“Rourke.” She stared up at him through fathomless blue eyes. “Don’t. Please, don’t.”

“One kiss.” He backed her against a low stone wall. He could hear the rapid beating of her heart, smell the crimson nectar that flowed through her veins, hot and sweet. “One taste.”

“You won’t stop at one,” she said breathlessly. “I know you won’t. Please, Rourke…”

His hands folded over her shoulders. Drawing her body against his, he took a deep breath. “I can smell your sweetness.”

“Don’t.” She placed her palms against his chest to push him away, but it was like trying to move a mountain. “I’m afraid….”

“One taste,” he said again, and lowering his head, he nuzzled her neck, just below her ear.

Kari gasped as his tongue swept over her skin. She felt a familiar pressure, but no pain, and then there was only the same pleasurable warmth she had experienced before. Soul-deep, heart-stopping sensual pleasure.

She surrendered with a sigh, her arms sliding down to wrap around his waist. What had she been afraid of? He had taken her blood before; she hadn’t been afraid then. But this time was different. Maybe it had been the eerie red glow in his eyes. Maybe it had been the way he said, “I want all of you.” Or maybe it had been the look in his eyes when he said it.

But none of that mattered now.

Rourke groaned low in his throat. Sweet, so sweet. He had tasted the blood of hundreds of mortals, men and women alike, but none had soothed his hunger or satisfied his unearthly craving as did the woman in his arms. The heat of her body warmed his, the fragrance of her hair and skin aroused his desire, making him yearn to lay her down and bury himself deep within her.

With an effort of will, he drew back. He would have her, he thought. One night soon, he would have her. But this was not the time or the place.

Holding her close, he willed them back to the apartment.

Kari tossed and turned all that night, her mind in turmoil. She was troubled by her growing affection for Rourke, frightened by the fact that his drinking her blood didn’t disgust her more than it did, and even more upset by her growing curiosity about what it would be like to be a vampire. She was also worried about his plans to free Ana Luisa the next night, getting the girl back to the States with no one being the wiser, and what they were going to do with the wizard’s daughter, assuming they were able to smuggle her out of Romania.

Kari wasn’t sure why she was so worried about the girl. Rourke had managed to adapt to the twenty-first century pretty well; maybe she was worrying about the girl’s ability to adjust to her new surroundings for nothing.

And maybe, if she was honest with herself, she would admit that she was just plain jealous of the girl. Ana Luisa was young, she was beautiful, she had been intimate with Rourke, and she was obviously infatuated with him.

With a shake of her head, Kari flopped over on her stomach and commanded herself to go to sleep.

It didn’t work, of course.

Rolling onto her side, she stared into the unfamiliar darkness, wishing that she had never set foot in the Underwood Art Gallery and never seen that blasted painting. It had turned her whole life upside down. And now, like it or not, she was falling in love with a vampire. And how stupid was that? She didn’t know what Rourke’s plans were once they got back home, but somehow she couldn’t picture the two of them settling down together in a cozy little vine-covered cottage.

She punched her fist into her pillow. It just wasn’t fair!

She closed her eyes again and willed herself to sleep. She was drifting when, from out of nowhere, she found herself wondering how many other vampires were wandering around the countryside and since vampires were real, did that mean there were other mythical creatures like werewolves and zombies lurking in the shadows?

It was not a thought conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Rourke wandered aimlessly through the night. He had found the museum where Ana Luisa’s painting was housed without any trouble. In spite of the rigid security that protected the building, he hadn’t had any trouble getting inside. He had stayed only long enough to locate the painting and determine the night watchman’s routine.

And now he roamed the darkness, remembering the years he had spent in this city. Though many of the buildings remained, life as he had known it no longer existed. Filled with bittersweet memories, he found himself wondering how long it would take him to feel at ease in this century.

And what of Ana Luisa? What was he to do with her? It would probably be wiser to leave her where she was. Vilnius would know the moment the spell binding his daughter had been broken. Would he also know who had freed her? Would Vilnius come looking for her? Rourke had no desire to confront the wizard a second time, yet, in spite of that, he couldn’t leave Ana to her fate, not when he could help her, even when it might mean putting Karinna’s life in danger, as well.

Muttering an oath, he stalked the dark streets, inwardly cursing the streak of innate gallantry that refused to let him abandon the wizard’s daughter to her fate. Though he hadn’t prayed in years, he prayed that he would be strong enough to protect Ana Luisa and Karinna from the wizard’s wrath, that he would emerge victorious if he and Vilnius faced each other again.

Kari spent the following day sightseeing. Overwhelmed by the intricate beauty of the ancient buildings, she found herself stopping time and again to admire one edifice after another. She bought a few souvenirs for herself, as well as a delicate teapot and six matching cups for her mother. She also picked up a Dracula shot glass for Mel, a bloodred scarf for Tricia, and numerous postcards of different landmarks, because she’d left her camera in her suitcase.

She browsed a few more gift shops, then ate lunch at a quaint sidewalk café, where she spent an hour sipping coffee and people watching. And all the while, she wondered where Rourke was spending the day.

She took a long walk, went to a movie with English subtitles, enjoyed a leisurely dinner, and then drove back to her apartment, her tension mounting with each passing moment.

Where was he? How long would he wait before he freed Ana Luisa from the painting? Was he there, even now? What would the girl’s reaction be when she realized that she had been imprisoned for three hundred years? Kari frowned. What if, after all the trouble they had gone to, Ana Luisa didn’t want to leave Romania? Would Rourke agree to let her stay here, alone, or would he stay to look after her?

Kari sighed. If he stayed here, her life would quickly go back to normal, as in incredibly boring and mundane, she thought ruefully. Still, it might be for the best.

Sitting by the window, Kari tried to read one of the paperbacks she had brought with her, but she couldn’t concentrate on the words, could only sit there, waiting and wondering when Rourke and the wizard’s daughter would arrive.

She stretched her arms and back, moved her head from side to side, then settled back in the chair again. She had never known the hours and minutes to pass so slowly. Time and again she glanced at her watch, willing the hands to move faster. She hated waiting. Why hadn’t she insisted that Rourke take her with him? At least then she would know what was going on instead of sitting here waiting and wondering.

What would she do if something happened to Rourke? In spite of the complications he had brought into her life, she could no longer imagine her life without him. Yet she had no idea if he intended to stay with her once he freed Ana Luisa. For all she knew, he had plans of his own that he hadn’t seen fit to share with her.

Thrusting the thought aside, she tried to concentrate on the book in her hands. She even tried reading it aloud, but it didn’t help. She couldn’t think of anything but Rourke and the wizard’s daughter.

Rourke paced the shadows listening to the footsteps of the night watchman as he made his way from one end of the museum to the other. He had no trouble tracking the man’s whereabouts.

Pausing near the back entrance, he wondered idly what it was like to be an old man, to endure the aches and pains of age, to have one’s health and vigor slowly slip away. He could no longer remember what it had been like to be mortal, to be subject to physical ailments, or to endure injuries that didn’t heal almost immediately.

At midnight, the old man went down into the basement to have a bowl of soup and a cup of coffee. Moments later, Rourke slipped into the museum. He could have entered the building earlier. He could have hypnotized the watchman and sent him away. Now, making his way toward the wing where Ana Luisa’s painting was displayed, he wondered why he hadn’t done so. Was it because he was in no hurry to shoulder the responsibility for Ana, or because he didn’t want to divide his time between Karinna and Ana? Or because, deep down, he knew that, in freeing the wizard’s daughter, he would have to face the wizard again?

Muttering an oath, he turned a corner and entered the wing where Ana waited. He stared at the painting for a moment, thinking how lovely she was, remembering how a few drops of her blood had scorched his tongue. He moved closer to the painting. Was she aware of his presence, or was she deaf and blind to the world around her?

Taking a deep breath, he called her by name.

“Ana Luisa, come to me.”

There was a sharp crack as the glass broke in two. Rourke stared in wonder as Ana fell to the floor at his feet, a lovely young woman clad in a flowing white gown.

He knew a sharp stab of fear as she lay there, unmoving, and then, with a shake of her head, she sat up.

She stared up at him for several seconds, her expression blank, and then she frowned. “Jason?” Her voice sounded dry, rusty with disuse. “Jason, is it really you?” she asked in Romanian. “Is the nightmare finally over?”

“Aye. Come, Ana,” he said, answering in her native tongue, and taking her by the hand, he lifted her to her feet. “We must go, quickly.”

She didn’t argue, but when she tried to follow him, her legs gave way. With a little cry, she stumbled and fell.

Muttering an oath, he swept her into his arms and transported the two of them to the apartment where Karinna waited.

She was free.

The wizard’s head snapped up as he felt the curse he had placed on his daughter’s painting unravel.

Vilnius felt the glass that had encased the painting split in half as if it were his own soul, knew the moment his daughter took her first true breath in three hundred years, just as he knew that it was Rourke who had summoned Ana Luisa from her prison.

Vilnius swore a vile oath, cursing the vampire for meddling in his affairs even as he vowed to avenge himself anew on the creature who had defiled his daughter. There would be no escape from his vengeance this time, not for his daughter, not for the vampire, and not for the puny mortal female who had called Rourke forth from his prison. The vampire was a creature to be reckoned with, Vilnius mused, and more powerful than he had suspected, else he would not have been able to move about within the painting. In so doing, he had given life to the other creatures, as well.

Vilnius shook his head ruefully. He had placed the same curse on both paintings, had done so to give Ana a little taste of freedom within her prison, thinking she would use her witchcraft to bring her world to life. Instead, it had been the vampire who had gathered the strength to move.

He would not make such a foolish mistake again. He would not underestimate the vampire’s power this time, or be swayed by his daughter’s tears.

This time his punishment would be swift and irrevocable.

Kari couldn’t seem to stop staring at the wizard’s daughter. Ana Luisa was, in a word, stunning. She had luminous green eyes, the longest eyelashes Kari had ever seen, and hair that fell over her creamy shoulders in waves of honey-gold silk. She wore a long white gown reminiscent of the kind women had worn in medieval times. The material clung to every voluptuous curve of her slender figure. She looked like some fairy-tale princess come to life.

When Rourke introduced them, Ana Luisa surprised them both by speaking to Kari in English.

“Where did you learn my language?” Kari asked.

“The guard in the museum. His son married an American woman. Every night, he listened to English-language tapes so he could learn his daughter-in-law’s native tongue. I practiced, too,” she said with a note of pride. “It gave me something to do.”

Kari nodded, glad that the girl spoke English. It would make everything much easier, especially since Rourke wouldn’t be around to translate during the day. Kari was less enthusiastic about the way the girl looked at Rourke, her eyes filled with affection. Although Kari had no idea what Rourke’s feelings for Ana Luisa were, it was obvious that the wizard’s daughter was hopelessly smitten with the vampire. She looked at him, touched him, and spoke his name at every opportunity. Once, meeting Kari’s gaze, Rourke smiled and shrugged, obviously amused by Ana Luisa’s infatuation.

Kari was not amused, nor was she looking forward to having the girl staying at her house. And she intended to tell Rourke so the first chance she got.

They spent the rest of that night bringing Ana Luisa up to speed as best they could on life in the twenty-first century. Kari wasn’t sure how much the girl actually understood, but Ana Luisa stared at Rourke, hanging on his every word, her expression rapt. Kari folded her hands in her lap to keep from slapping that silly, lovesick expression off the girl’s face.

But there was something else bothering Kari even more, and that was Rourke’s plan to get the wizard’s daughter onboard the plane with no one being the wiser. A year ago, his plan would have been impossible due to layovers, the difference in time between the United States and Romania, and the need to show proper ID and passports every time they changed planes. But now, thanks to jets that went faster and farther on less fuel, it was possible to book a nonstop flight to just about anywhere in the world, which meant fewer stops and less chance of being discovered.

And if his plan didn’t work…Kari shook her head. She had done her part. She had gotten him this far. The rest was up to him. If he and Ana Luisa got stuck in Romania, so be it. Whatever happened from here on out was Jason Rourke’s problem, not hers.

It was after midnight when the wizard’s daughter curled up on the sofa and went to sleep.

Kari yawned behind her hand. It had been a long day.

“You should go to bed,” Rourke remarked.

“Yes, I think I will.”

“I will meet you at the plane tomorrow night.” His smile caressed her, making her toes curl inside her slippers. “Try not to worry.”

“Right.”

Rising, he moved toward her chair. Hands braced on the arms, he leaned toward her. “Sleep well, Karinna,” he murmured, and then he kissed her.

With his mouth on hers, she could believe that everything would be all right.

Kari was a nervous wreck all the next day. After explaining what a shower was to Ana Luisa, and convincing the girl to give it a try, Kari got on the phone and made sure that the coffin would be delivered to the airport as previously arranged, hoping, all the while, that Rourke was safely inside.

Later, she took the girl out to breakfast. It seemed to Kari that everywhere they went, men turned to stare at Ana Luisa. Kari couldn’t blame them. Even attired in a loose-fitting dress, the wizard’s daughter was a knockout.

After breakfast, they went sightseeing for a few hours. Ana Luisa’s expression seemed to change every few minutes. One minute she was smiling as she saw a building that was familiar, the next she was wide-eyed and frightened as a young man went speeding by on a motorcycle. She watched the people passing by, no doubt bemused by the current trends in hairstyles and fashion.

After stopping for lunch, Kari suggested they head back to the apartment so she could pack.

Ana Luisa had hardly spoken a word the entire day. Kari didn’t know if it was because she was just shy or because she was so awed by the world she now found herself in, she couldn’t find the words to express her feelings.