The Dark Proposal (The Claire McCormick Trilogy) (26 page)

She sighed. “I don’t know where or how I went wrong. Michel was my first creation and nothing went wrong there. I made Daniel and he flourished. I made a few others and they did fine. But that one? He ruined me. Completely destroyed my standing as a Defender of the Blood.”

It took a moment for Claire to understand her. “You’re not allowed to make vampires anymore?”

Hilde shook her head, her mouth twisted in a near sneer.
 

“But you did well with your other vampires.”

“True, but like I told you, Henry nearly blew our cover and destroyed us. Some of us are currently in hiding. Where they are, I don’t know, but they are not to come out until the coast is clear.”

“Why aren’t you locked up now?”

“I should be, out of punishment. I actually spent a week locked up in a box there before the Brothers put me on trial. I don’t know how they managed to find me. I went into hiding after Henry died. I know, that’s cowardly. But I was hiding in a motel in some small town upstate for two weeks when Casames himself actually found me. I am still baffled to this day that someone found me. I barely told anyone where I was going! Just how…”

Hilde shook her head again before continuing. “I could’ve faced decades in that box, consumed by thirst, for letting Henry loose without their permission, which led to this fiasco. But many rallied around me, begging me to live. Michel stood up for me, as did Daniel. Those two were my lifesavers, and I was allowed to be free, but with restrictions. I am now under Michel’s authority - the opposite of how it used to be - and I can never make a vampire again. Those vampires may be five millennia old, but they don’t have short memories. They’ll never forgive and forget my mistake.”

There was a soft silence between the two. Claire didn’t know whether to say something or wait for Hilde to go on. She had learned a lot just then, and she was still making sense out of it. Clearly, it was a massive gamble to allow her to be changed with Henry still fresh on the vampire’s minds. She had already shown signs of rebellion, such as contacting NYCHunter before. What if she didn’t go along with what Daniel told her, the laws, and other regulations of being a vampire? Would she be tortured for decades to come?

She looked at the vampire. Her sad eyes were staring into space, reflecting on how things used to be with her and how she failed. Claire’s heart began to soften, but she flexed the muscles needed to harden it. How could she sympathize with someone who was always unfriendly toward her? And how could she suddenly sympathize with all vampires after they killed those around her to force her to say yes, she’ll join them.

But she knew she couldn’t stay angry with them for all time. Here she was, just days away from becoming a vampire and it was her choice. She could have been made a slave and had others be killed.
 

Hilde suddenly cleared her throat, reached into the box for one more book and checked out its cover. “Have you traveled a lot? You really appear to enjoy novels that take place in other countries.”

“No,” Claire shook her head. “I mean, no I haven’t traveled much. I’ve been to five states, Ireland, Aruba and Quebec, but that’s about it.”

“I see,” Hilde lowered the book she was holding onto the pile the next to her. She then looked right at Claire, her eyes shining with anticipation. “Guaranteed you’re going to travel a lot more once you’re one of us. The world will be your oyster!”

Before she could respond, the other woman stood up and grabbed her hand. “Come on, let’s get you ready for your big night! Can’t be transformed looking like you do!”

Getting to her feet, Claire followed Hilde to the couch, where she was turned around away from Hilde. The vampire dug through her shoulder bag to produce a comb and began running it through Claire’s brunette hair.

“Do you want to keep your hair this length? Would you want some highlights? I think you’d look good with blond streaks. Oh, once you’re in Paris, I’ll see if I can arrange for an esthetician to come and give you a facial. Your face will glow for eternity.”

Hilde went on giving suggestions like a new best friend, but it made Claire wonder if this new friendship was to be true, or something else was slithering around.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Claire and Hilde went through more of the boxes, particularly those that had her clothes. It was Hilde’s suggestion that she give most of them to a thrift shop so she could be rid of what she called, “crappy outfits.”
 

“Obviously you didn’t have much money, so you shopped at cheaper stores,” Hilde said. “But now since you’re going to be living in TriBeCa, in the richest city of the world, you can buy anything you want and dress as you please.”

“I think some of my clothes are fine,” Claire said, holding up a pale green shirt with an asymmetrical neckline.
 

“They were fine for a girl fresh out of college, but not anymore. You’re a trophy wife now. Remember that!” Hilde gleefully smiled.
 

Claire returned the smile. Maybe she could learn to enjoy the rich life.

They separated the clothes into two piles: one for a thrift shop, the other to wear in Paris. Hilde suggested Claire go shopping the next day and buy something that would go well with the ruby and diamond necklace, which Daniel was keeping in the bedroom. Chances were he would happily give her some money to spoil herself.

After they put the clothes away, they then made room on Daniel’s bookshelf for Claire’s three dozen books. “Maybe for Christmas, I’ll give you an eBook reader,” Hilde said as they squeezed the books into their spots.

The last box had miscellaneous items, such as some jewelry and knickknacks, which Hilde again told her to sell. As for the several photo frames of her friends and family, there was literally no more room on the shelves for them, so Claire made a mental note to buy a photo album sometime soon.

When they were all done, the two sat on the couch and watched a late night talk show. Things were quiet between them, but it was a peaceful silence, the type between those on friendly terms. They did laugh and chat about the guests on the show, but they didn’t have the deep conversations as they had earlier.

It was a quarter past midnight when Daniel and Michel returned from having their fill of blood. They were gone longer than they said they would be, but Claire knew better than to ask questions. Daniel was now in charge of her, as much as she hated that fact.

 
“Ah, you two got a lot done tonight!” Michel said upon seeing the flattened boxes piled against the coffee table.

Daniel looked around his living room, taking in the new books and knickknacks. Nodding, he turned to Claire and said, “I guess it’s safe to say you’re going to be here for a long while.” She could only smile.

Seeing that, Daniel told the other two it was time they leave since he had to grade essays. They agreed and embraced him good-bye. Michel was able to kiss Claire on the cheek, but the increasingly friendly Hilde planted a peck on her lips. She seemed delighted to have finally passed that barrier.

When the door closed behind them, Daniel looked at her and said, “You can go to sleep if you want. I’ll be staying up doing what I said.”

On cue, a yawn came over her and she said, “Yeah, it’s been a long day. A hard day, too.” Then her eyes widened. “Oh no! I forgot to call them. I told them I would.”

“You can do that tomorrow. I’m sure they’ll be fine with that.” He put his hand on her lower back and guided her to the bedroom. There, Claire changed into her pajamas while Daniel turned the bed down for her. As he did, he asked her about Hilde. “You both seemed more at ease around each other.”

“Yeah, she helped me unpack.” Claire said. “We bonded, I guess.”

He looked pleased and gestured to the undone bed. She climbed in and asked, “What time will you be coming in?”

“Probably when the sun rises. I’ve got twenty seven papers to go over, and then got to print out our plane tickets.” He sat down beside her and looked into her eyes, a glimmer of tenderness in his. “I understand none of this was easy for you. But as time goes on, you’ll get past it. A new world is about to open for you, and I believe you’ll enjoy it.”

Taking a deep breath, she said. “I don’t think I will enjoy everything overnight.”

“Well, no,” he said. “But in time, you will.” Smiling, he squeezed her hand and gave her a kiss. He then stood up and began walking out.

“Hey, Dan?” she called out to him. He stopped from turning the lights off and looked at her. “What am I going to have for breakfast tomorrow?”

Daniel thought for a moment and said, “We’ll worry about that in a few hours.” He flicked the lights off. “
Bon soir.”

Like he said he would, Daniel came to the bedroom at a quarter to seven. He didn’t say anything when he walked in, but as he began to change into flannel pajamas, Claire sat up. She was wide awake and did not see the point in sleeping anymore. This was one of her last days as a human, her last chance to enjoy New York in the daylight. She was not going to let the opportunity pass.
 

“Morning,” she said to him.
 

“Uh, yeah, good morning,” he said. He roughly tossed his clothes into the hamper. He must have gone through another batch of poorly-written essays.

“I’d like to get something to eat,” she said carefully. Now that she had moved in with him, and was to be submissive to him, she wondered what he could and would do to her.

“Okay,” he said, running his hands through his hair. “I only have wine.”

“Is it all right if I get some coffee and a bagel?”

He paused, took a few breaths and looked at her. “Yeah, go ahead. I’m won’t stop you.”

She slid out of bed and walked over to one of the dresser drawers where Daniel had made room for her sometime before she moved in. She began to choose her clothes for the day when he spoke up from making sure the thick curtains were tightly shut.
 

“Try not to stay out too long. I don’t want you wandering off yet.”

She stopped from lifting a sweater from the drawer and hesitated. “Can I go out later on? Like in the afternoon?”

“What for?” he said, glancing down at her.
 

“I’d like to buy some clothes for Paris. Hilde told me my wardrobe needs work.”

He thought that over for a minute. Then as he climbed into bed, he said, “I see nothing wrong with that. But I’ll have to be awake in order to give you the money, unless you want to max out your credit card.”

“I’m not paying the utility bills or the rent, am I?” This was a genuine question. Daniel never told her if she would have to do her part in maintaining their home.

“No need,” he said, lying down with his hands behind his head. “I’ve got all that taken care of for a long time. Think of me as your sugar daddy.”

She had to giggle at that. “Okay, so I will use my credit card. I’m just going to get a few items, no big deal.” She headed for the bathroom to get into the shower. When she closed the door, she heaved a sigh of relief. That was one hurdle she got over. Maybe he would give her some freedom for who knows how long.

She showered quickly, thinking of what she wanted to do and see during the day. It was mid-December with a dusting of snow on the ground, so she couldn’t exactly sit under a tree in Central Park and watch people go by. She decided walking around the city and simply enjoying it with the sun out was enough.

She dried her hair, dressed, and headed out for breakfast. There was a bagel shop a few blocks away, so she joined the rest of the world in lining up in the crowded store to get a whole wheat bagel with melting butter sliding off the edges, and simmering black coffee with some milk to cool it.
 

While she waited, Claire found herself surrendering to all that was around her. Even though it was dreary day with a distant sun, everything was colorful and shining. The dark wool coats people wore looked bright to her, the small piles of white snow poking out from under the black soot glittered like crystals. The cold, polluted wind tickled her face and smelled sweet in her nose. Even the taxis that sped by her, their horns beeping rudely made her almost giggle. The world was so alive, and she felt like a newborn in it.

She was loving this experience until she got back to Daniel’s building, and realized she did not have the key to the apartment. She nearly dropped her food when that thought came to her, and the world got dull and dark. Great. He seemed to be in a lousy mood earlier, and now she had to disturb him. She had no idea how he react to that type of situation.

She placed her breakfast on top of the short wall around some bare bushes outside of the building, and dug out her phone. She had put back both Daniel’s apartment and cellphone numbers in her contact list last week, and tried the apartment first.

After two rings, he answered with a grumbled hello.

“Hey babe,” she tried to control her anxiety. “Um, I don’t have the key to the apartment. Can you let me back in?”

“Huh? Oh, right. Hold on.” He abruptly hung up.

She went inside and waited to be buzzed up. It didn’t take long, and once she exited the elevator, Daniel was waiting in the doorway. She felt relief as he didn’t look too annoyed.

“Sorry about that. I’ll get you your keys when we get back from France,” he closed the door and locked up.

She slowly lowered her coffee and bagel onto the dining room table. “Am I to stay here all day?”

“Not necessarily, but I want to be awake when you go out. This way I could buzz you in when you get back.” He scratched his face roughly and headed back to bed.
 

“Please don’t make too much noise for the next several hours,” he called over his shoulder. “And be careful of that bagel and its crumbs; I don’t want any rats or roaches.” He heavily shut the bedroom door behind him.

Claire slowly began to eat. She knew he would be irritated to some degree, but having him basically tell her she was to be a silent prisoner for most of the day stung her. Was he always like this in the mornings?
 

For the next couple of hours, Claire worked on her freelance assignment that was due the next day. She never had to squeeze so much time into a big project like this before. She would have done it earlier this week if there hadn’t been so much going then.