Night's Illusion Read online

  “You can leave that job any time you want, Cassie. I know you don’t like working there.”

  “I’d love to quit, but I like having my own money. I know I’m not contributing anything to the household, but at least I can pay for my own clothes and things.”

  “Maybe after we’re married, you could look for another job,” he suggested. “One where you’d work days. Isn’t there something you’ve always wanted to do?”

  “I always wanted to be a hairdresser, but I could never save enough money to go to school.”

  “I’ll pay your way.” He held up his hand when she started to protest. “Once you’re my wife, half of everything I have will be yours. Consider it an investment in our future.”

  Cassie smiled, then kissed him. “You’re so good to me.” She kissed him again. “But now I really have to get ready for work.”

  He stared after her as she hurried into the bedroom to change. He could get used to this, he thought. Holding Cassie on his lap, having her kiss him spontaneously, knowing he could kiss her in return . . .

  He shook his head. Life couldn’t get any better than this.

  Chapter 31

  Cassie frowned as she stared at the return address on the envelope in her hand. Try as she might, she couldn’t imagine why Mara would be writing to her. Muttering, “Only one way to find out,” she slit open the envelope and withdrew a single sheet of paper.

  It was an embossed invitation to a bridal shower in her honor to be held at Mara’s home in Hollywood the following night. Cassie frowned. Talk about short notice!

  She blinked at the invite and blinked again. A bridal shower, given by the Queen of the Vampires. Unable to help herself, she burst out laughing, wondering if her life could get any more bizarre.

  * * *

  Johnny shook his head when she showed him the invitation that night. “You just never know what that woman’s going to do next. Well, you have to go.”

  “You’ll go with me, won’t you?”

  “I’ll take you and pick you up when it’s over.”

  “But . . . you can’t mean to leave me there, alone, with her.”

  “I’m sure she’s invited the other women in the family.”

  “But I don’t know any of them! And they’re all . . .”

  “Vampires?”

  “Yes.”

  “If you marry me, you’re marrying into the whole bunch of us. You know that, don’t you?”

  Cassie bit down on her lower lip. “I knew it, but . . . I guess it never really hit home until now.”

  His whole being went still as he waited for her to say she’d changed her mind.

  “You won’t be far away, will you?”

  “No. If the other men come, we’ll go downstairs and find something to do. Either way, I’ll be nearby.”

  “All right. Do I need to write a reply? Or can you just call her?”

  * * *

  Giovanni called Mara later that night, after Cassie was asleep. “Is this shower thing on the up-and-up?”

  “Of course, it is,” she said, sounding deeply hurt that he would ask. “Why would you think otherwise?”

  “It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing you would do.”

  “Well,” she huffed, “that just proves how little you know me.”

  Giovanni shook his head when he heard Logan laughing in the background. “Apparently I’m not the only one who finds it hard to believe.” He grinned when he heard Mara tell Logan to shut up.

  “She is coming, isn’t she?” Mara asked. “I’ve gone to a great deal of trouble to arrange it.”

  “No tricks?”

  “No tricks. I just thought it would be nice for the women of the family to meet the bride before the wedding.”

  “The men aren’t coming?”

  “No, but Logan will be here to keep you company.”

  “All right, we’ll be there.”

  * * *

  Cassie was a nervous wreck when Johnny knocked on the door of Mara’s home. Knowing the vampires would be able to sense her uneasiness made her even more nervous.

  She grabbed Johnny’s hand when the door opened and Mara stood there looking like a New York supermodel in a pair of black silk hostess pants and a white, off-the-shoulder sweater.

  Cassie swallowed hard. She was always surprised by the vampire’s sheer beauty, the perfection of her features, the power that radiated from her.

  “Welcome, Cassie,” she purred.

  “Thank you for doing this,” Cassie replied, surprised that her voice came out sounding almost normal.

  Taking a step back, Mara said, “Come in, won’t you? Giovanni, Logan is downstairs watching a movie.”

  Giovanni squeezed Cassie’s hand. “Have a good time, cara mia.”

  She forced a smile, then followed Mara into a living room that threatened to take her breath away. Pale blue walls, pristine white carpet, tables made of polished ebony. On the walls hung pictures that Cassie was certain had been painted by Old Masters. A pair of long sofas faced each other in front of a large white brick fireplace. Two overstuffed chairs covered in a burgundy print took up the space between the ends of the sofas farthest from the hearth.

  “I recently had the place redecorated,” Mara said.

  “It’s lovely.”

  “Thank you.” The vampire gestured at the women seated on the sofas. “Ladies, this is Giovanni’s fiancée, Cassie. Cassie, these are your guests. Abbey Marie is married to Nick, Brenna is married to Roshan, Savannah and Kathy are married to Cara’s twin sons, Rafe and Rane. And this is Sheree, who is married to my son, Derek.”

  Cassie nodded to each one in turn as Mara introduced them, thinking it was nice to put faces to the names as she took the chair Mara indicated. Johnny had been right about them, Cassie mused. If she had met these women on the street, she never would have suspected they weren’t human. And yet . . . there were subtle differences. They were all lovely, but it was more than that. Their hair had an added luster, their skin was flawless, almost translucent, and they moved with a kind of innate grace, as if they were lighter than air. But none of them radiated the same degree of power that Mara possessed.

  Mara took the chair next to Cassie’s. For a moment, there was only silence.

  Then Abbey Marie said, “Cassie, we’re all so pleased to meet you. We didn’t think Father Lanzoni would ever marry. How did the two of you meet?”

  Cassie felt herself relax as she related how Johnny had saved her from Lynx and his friends.

  “Were you surprised when he told you he’s a vampire?” Savannah asked.

  “You could say that.”

  The ladies smiled as they exchanged knowing glances.

  “We’ve all been where you are,” Kathy said. “You must have questions.”

  “Dozens, but mostly I wonder how one makes a decision to become a vampire.”

  Savanah smiled wistfully. “It’s an easy choice if you really love him and want to be with him forever.”

  “It’s a good life,” Abbey Marie remarked. “I never got to make the choice and, yes, it takes some getting used to, especially if it’s thrust upon you. There are adjustments to be made, but in the end, if you love him, it’s worth it.”

  As Johnny had said, none of the women seemed to have regrets, at least none they were willing to share. “He’s not at all what I thought a vampire would be like,” Cassie remarked. “Not that I ever imagined I’d meet one. Or even believed they existed.”

  “What did you expect?” Brenna asked.

  The question brought a flush to Cassie’s cheeks. “Well . . . you know . . . I’ve seen the movies. . . .”

  “Were you disappointed when he didn’t sparkle?” Sheree asked, stifling a grin.

  “Ladies, we’re embarrassing her,” Mara said. “Maybe it’s time we opened the presents.”

  Abbey Marie and Cara hurried into the other room. They returned moments later carrying armloads of colorful bags and gaily wrapped boxes.

  Ma
ra handed Brenna a small notebook and a pen. “Why don’t you write down each gift and the giver?”

  Brenna nodded.

  “This first one is from Savannah,” Abbey Marie said, handing Cassie a large rectangular box.

  With every eye watching her, Cassie lifted the lid. “Oh! It’s lovely,” she murmured as she pulled a long, black silk nightgown and matching peignoir from the box.

  “I’m sure Giovanni will love it!” Kathy exclaimed.

  There followed a wide assortment of negligees—long and short, silk and satin, and one, from Mara, that was little more than a whisper of white lace. There were numerous sets of sexy underwear, as well, mostly black or red.

  By the time the last gift was unwrapped, and the last bottle of wine had been consumed, Cassie had forgotten the guests were vampires. They oohed and aahed like women everywhere, winking at her from time to time as they teased her good-naturedly about wedding a vampire priest who had been celibate for hundreds of years.

  It was late when Johnny came upstairs. He held up his hands in self-defense as the women all clustered around to give him hugs and congratulate him on his upcoming marriage.

  “So,” he asked Cassie on the long drive home, “did the good ladies talk you out of marrying me?”

  “No,” she said. “Just the opposite. They all love you.”

  “They’re the only family I’ve known since I was turned.”

  “Will they expect you to turn me?”

  “Probably. But that choice will be yours. I would never force a life-altering decision like that on you or anyone else.”

  Good to know, Cassie thought. She couldn’t imagine ever wanting to be a vampire. And yet.... She looked at Johnny. He appeared to be a young man in his late thirties and he would always look that way. How would she feel when he still looked thirtyish and she was fifty? Or sixty? Or eighty, if she lived that long? Would he be sorry he’d married her when she was as wrinkled as a prune?

  Would she still love him when she grew old and he didn’t? Or would she hate him because he remained a virile, sexy, younger-looking man and she was an old woman?

  It was a thought that lingered in her mind when they reached home, and followed her to sleep.

  Chapter 32

  Alric stared at the text on his phone. The sender’s name was unknown, but the message was short and sweet. I don’t know where she lives, but I know her daughter-in-law’s whereabouts.

  He read the words again, then called the number listed.

  The phone rang twice before a man picked up. “Hello?”

  “Are you sure she’s related to Mara?” Alric asked.

  “I’m sure.”

  “Where is she staying?”

  “There’s the little matter of a reward first.”

  “You’ll get it. Where are you?”

  “In New York. Meet me at Pike’s in New Jersey tomorrow night at ten. And bring the money.”

  “How will I know you?”

  “I’ll be the only one not wearing black,” the man said, and disconnected the call.

  A slow smile spread across Alric’s face as he slid his phone into his back pocket. All that time and money wasted on hunters and detectives, he mused. But, no matter. Tomorrow night at ten, if luck was with him, he might have something to bargain with.

  * * *

  Alric arrived at the appointed place at nine-thirty. Pike’s was a high-class Goth club that catered to the rich and famous who wanted to mingle with the strange and bizarre. Two walls were black, two were gray. The bar was ebony-colored marble veined with gold, the tables covered with alternating black and gray cloths, each one adorned with a white vase of blood-red roses.

  He took a place at the end of the bar, his gaze sweeping the room. He counted four vampires in the crowd—three male and one female. As his informant had said, everyone wore black.

  At exactly ten o’clock, a vampire dressed in navy blue slacks and a light blue jacket sauntered into the club. He glanced around the room, then headed toward Alric. “You got the money?” he asked briskly.

  “You got the information?”

  The vampire nodded. “Let’s see the cash.”

  Alric pulled a fat envelope out of his coat and lifted the flap, exposing a sheaf of one hundred-dollar bills.

  “She’s staying at the Windsor Hotel with another female. For the last two nights, they’ve attended one play or another and then come here for drinks afterward, usually around ten-thirty, eleven.”

  “What does she look like?”

  “She’s young, real pretty, with dark blond hair. Her name’s Sheree. You’ll know her when you see her. I’m not sure who the other woman is, but she’s a looker, too.” The vampire held out his hand.

  “Good work.” Alric slapped the envelope into his palm. “You won’t say anything about this to anyone, will you?”

  The man shook his head. “Nice doing business with you.”

  “Uh-huh.” Alric waited until the vampire left the bar, then followed him outside. As far as he was concerned, the only people you could trust to keep a secret were dead ones.

  * * *

  Alric leaned against the bar, a glass of red wine in his hand. A glance at his phone showed it was ten-fifty. He was beginning to think his informant had sold him a pack of lies when two women glided into the club.

  He whistled under his breath. They were both lookers, all right. And both vampires, though not particularly powerful. They looked around, then headed for a small table in a far corner. Perfect.

  Leaving his glass on the bar, he strolled in their direction.

  * * *

  Sheree sipped her wine, then put the glass aside. “So, what did you think of Cassie the other night?”

  “I liked her,” Abbey Marie said. “And I’m guessing Mara does, too. I mean, seriously, did you ever think the Queen of the Vampires would throw a bridal shower?”

  “Not in a million years,” Sheree admitted. “But she’s always been full of surprises. I’m just glad Father Lanzoni has finally found someone. So, what shall we see tomorrow night?”

  Abbey Marie thought a moment, then said, “There’s a revival of Les Miz that looks good.”

  “I hate sad endings.”

  Abbey Marie grinned at her friend. Sheree had the kindest heart of anyone she had ever known. “Well, Cinderella is playing off-Broadway. How about that?”

  “Better. This trip is the best birthday present I’ve ever received. I’m still surprised that Derek . . .” Sheree’s voice trailed off as she sensed a vampire standing behind her. A moment later, he was beside her, a small dagger pressed against the side of her throat.

  “What are you doing?” Abbey Marie gasped. “Do you know who she is?”

  “Not really.”

  “Abbey, don’t tell him anything.” Sheree glared at the stranger, her heart pounding with trepidation. He was one of the ancient ones. She could feel his power coalescing around them, preventing those nearby from noticing what was going on at their table, preventing her and Abbey from transporting themselves to safety. She thought of contacting Nick through their blood bond but decided against it. At least for now.

  “Since you’re a vampire, you must have heard of Mara,” Abbey Marie said. “Well, this is her daughter-in-law. I suggest you go away and we’ll forget this happened.”

  The vampire snorted. “I forget nothing. I have a score to settle with the much-vaunted Queen of the Vampires. All I want is her whereabouts.”

  “Abbey, don’t tell him anything,” Sheree said again.

  The vampire increased his pressure on the knife at Sheree’s throat, hard enough to draw blood. “Shut up,” he hissed. Glaring at Abbey, he said, “You’d better tell me what I want to know right now, or I’ll cut her damn head off.”

  “All right!” Abbey Marie cried. “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. Just leave her alone.”

  “That’s better.” He eased the pressure against Sheree’s neck but didn’t remove the dagger. “Whe
re is Mara?”

  “The last I knew, she was at her home in the Hollywood Hills.”

  “What’s the address?”

  “I don’t remember. It’s the only house on Crow Haven Lane.”

  “And the priest? Where does he live?”

  “I don’t know,” Abbey Marie said, fighting tears. “He moves around a lot.”

  The vampire stared at her, eyes blazing with hatred.

  And then he was gone.

  Abbey Marie grabbed a napkin and pressed it against the wound in Sheree’s throat. “Are you all right? I should have called Nick, but I was so scared of what that monster might do.”

  “You made the right decision.” Sheree smiled grimly. Nick was very protective of her friend. She’d been pretty sure the vampire wouldn’t kill her. Whoever he was, he was a dead man, because if Mara didn’t kill him, Derek and Nick certainly would.

  * * *

  Alric strolled down the street, oblivious to the lights and the crowds. He chuckled softly. The Queen of the Night had been right under his nose the whole damn time. Filled with exhilaration, he crossed the street, heedless of the traffic as he plotted his next move.

  He glanced up at the sound of screeching tires in time to see a long-bed truck bearing down on him. Before he could vanish, the vehicle slammed into him.

  Pain engulfed him as he felt bones shattering, breaking, before he pinwheeled through the air, then skidded across the road, leaving pieces of skin and bone behind.

  Barely able to move, he dragged himself into the darkness.

  Chapter 33

  Mara muttered something very unladylike under her breath when the doorbell rang.

  “Don’t answer it,” Logan said, his soapy hands resting on her shoulders. “I haven’t washed the best part yet.”

  “Very funny.” Climbing out of the tub, she grabbed her robe and wrapped it around herself. “It’s Abbey Marie and Sheree.”

  “What the hell are they doing here? I thought they were in New York.”

  “Only one way to find out,” Mara said. “Something’s wrong. I think you’d better get dressed.”

  “Might as well,” he said sourly.

  The man had a one-track mind, she thought as she answered the door. Abbey Marie and Sheree stood on the porch, both dressed for a night on the town.