Night's Illusion Page 28
When she finished, she licked her lips and sent the man on his way. “I like that way too much,” she muttered, which made Johnny laugh.
“You’re a vampire now, love. You’re supposed to like it.”
“It’s a good thing I have you with me,” Cassie remarked, reaching for his hand. “Otherwise there might be bodies everywhere.”
He laughed again as he drew her into his arms. “I think that’s Mara’s blood talking.”
“Mara? What does she have to do with it?”
“Her blood runs in my veins, remember? And mine runs in yours.”
Cassie wasn’t sure she liked that idea. From what she’d heard, the Queen of the Vampires had once killed indiscriminately. Maybe she still did.
“Come on,” Johnny said. “We’d better get back to the hotel. The sun will be rising soon and believe me, you don’t want to be caught outside when it does.”
* * *
They were nearing their hotel when Giovanni paused. Head lifted, he scented the air. It took a moment to sort the witch’s scent from that of the dozens of other people on the street.
“What is it?” Cassie asked.
“Angelica is here.”
“Who?”
“She’s a vampire and a witch. I’m not sure what she’s doing here, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that she’s outside our hotel.”
Cassie glanced around, her gaze searching the darkness. There! A flicker of movement behind a stone pillar. Grabbing Johnny’s arm, she whispered, “I see her, too.”
“Don’t stare. I don’t want her to know we’ve seen her. Look at me as we walk that way.”
Johnny kept his focus on Cassie as they strolled in the witch’s direction. He wasn’t sure what his next move would be, but as they neared the pillar, Angelica made the decision for him.
Screaming, “You killed him!” she sprang forward, the long, wooden stake in her hand arrowing toward Giovanni’s heart.
With a cry of her own, Cassie threw herself in front of the witch, her arm deflecting the blow meant for Johnny’s chest. The stake skidded across her forearm, opening a shallow gash.
With lightning speed, Giovanni grabbed the witch by the neck and gave it a sharp twist. She went limp in his grasp. Tossing the body aside, he glared at Cassie. “What the hell were you thinking, jumping in front of me like that? You could have been killed.”
“What did you expect me to do?” Cassie retorted, eyes flashing fire. “Just stand there and watch her destroy you?”
“Damn right. Better me than you.”
Arms akimbo, she glared back at him. “Is that right? Well, I don’t think so!”
With a shake of his head, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “How’s your arm?”
“What?” She glanced at the wound, which had already healed. “Fine. I didn’t even feel it.”
“You’re one hell of a woman, Cassandra Douglas Lanzoni. I’m glad you’re on my side.”
“Is she dead?” Cassie asked, and wondered why she wasn’t more horrified by what had just happened. Johnny could have been killed. She could have been killed. But she felt nothing for Angelica. Maybe she was more like Mara than she thought.
“Not yet.” Bending down, he picked up the stake and drove it into the witch’s heart.
“What are we going to do with the body?” Cassie asked, grimacing.
“Leave it here.”
“Seriously?”
“Either someone will find it and report it to the police, or it might turn to ash when the sun comes up. I’m not sure what the effects of the sun are on witches who are vampires. If she doesn’t turn to ash, the city will bury her if they can’t find any next of kin.”
When he jerked the stake from the witch’s chest, a thin trickle of black blood oozed from the wound.
Laughing with morbid humor, Cassie remarked, “I guess what happens in Vegas really does stay in Vegas.”
* * *
When they returned to their hotel room, Cassie sank down on the edge of the mattress. She tried to feel sorry for the witch, but the woman had wanted to kill Johnny, so what little sympathy she had was short-lived and quickly forgotten.
Kicking off her shoes, she said, “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to leave Sin City. In fact, I think it’s time I got to see my wedding present, don’t you?”
“You have but to ask.”
It took only minutes to pack their few belongings.
“How about if you carry our bags,” he said, “and I carry you?”
He had already paid for the room, so after leaving their key cards on the dresser, Giovanni slipped his arm around Cassie’s waist and transported the two of them to their new home.
When they reached the front porch, a wave of his hand unlocked the door. Taking their luggage from Cassie, he set it on the porch. “Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Lanzoni,” he said, lifting her into his arms.
Cassie clasped her hands behind Johnny’s neck as he carried her over the threshold. A new life in a new home with the man she adored, she thought, happily. Who could ask for more?
“Oh, Johnny,” she murmured as she glanced around the living room. “It’s lovely.”
“I hoped you’d like it,” he said, setting her on her feet. “Of course, you can change anything you don’t care for.”
She followed him through the house, imagining how she would furnish it. The electricity hadn’t been turned on, but one of the perks of being a vampire was that she didn’t need artificial light. The carpets were the color of oatmeal, the walls a light tan. That was the first thing she would change, she thought. No neutral colors. Maybe a pale mauve, or a light turquoise blue. The dining room was paneled in cherrywood; the kitchen held all the modern appliances—none of which they were likely to use, she thought with momentary regret. She visualized a vase of artificial flowers on a corner of the counter, maybe a colorful teapot to set on the stove and a picture or two on the walls just to make the kitchen look lived-in.
Upstairs were the bedrooms—a master and two smaller ones, each with a walk-in closet and its own bath.
Returning to the master bedroom, Cassie made a slow circle in the middle of the floor. The carpet was the same oatmeal color as downstairs, but the walls were a pale robin’s egg blue. In her mind’s eye she pictured the room done in blue and white with yellow accents.
“What do you think?” Johnny asked.
Grinning, she said, “I think we definitely need a bed.”
“Later. You haven’t seen the backyard yet.” Taking her in his arms, he transported the two of them outside. Overhead, a million twinkling stars smiled down on them.
“Oh, Johnny, it’s beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like it.” She gazed around, wide-eyed. The grass looked like green velvet. There were flowers and shrubs, and a swimming pool that reflected the light of the full moon. “I love it!” she exclaimed. “It looks like the Garden of Eden.”
“And you’re my Eve,” he murmured as he sank down on the grass. He stretched out, drawing her body close to his as his gaze caressed her. “No regrets?”
“No. You?”
“Are you kidding?” He cupped her face in his palms and kissed her lightly. “You’ve made my life complete, cara mia, given me everything I ever wanted and more.” He rained kisses on her cheek, her brow, the tip of her nose before claiming her lips with his. Lifting his head, he gazed into her eyes. “Still think we need a bed?” he asked with a grin.
“A bed of grass is just fine for our first time in our new house,” she said, eyes sparkling with anticipation. Now that she was a vampire, the blood link they shared made their lovemaking even more intimate.
“But by no means our last,” he murmured as he gathered her into his arms and swept her away into a wondrous world all their own.
AMANDA ASHLEY is one of those rare birds—a California native. She’s lived in Southern California her whole life and loves it (except for the earthquakes). She and her husband share a home with a
fluffy Pomeranian named Lady, a curious cat named Trouble, and a tortoise who remains nameless.
Amanda and her alter ego, Madeline Baker, have written over 90 books and short stories, many of which have appeared on various bestseller lists, including the New York Times Bestseller List, the Waldenbooks Bestseller list, and the USA Today list. Not bad for someone who started writing just for the fun of it.
You can visit Amanda’s website
at www.amandaashley.net
or email her at darkwritr@aol.com.