A Vampire's Saving Embrace (21 page)

Abby swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. Would Desmond find her and kill her? A bead of sweat broke out on her brow and she wiped it away absently. “From…from Desmond?” she stammered, although there was a large part of her that wouldn’t believe that he would
ever
hurt her. Unfortunately, that part was her heart, and she knew that because she had fallen completely in love with the vampire – it could no longer be trusted. No matter how much she wanted to.

Lexie shook her head and pointed a long red nail at Abby. “The two of you are
really
hard to read,” she explained, her frustration palpable. “It’s as if there is this wall around the both of you that keeps you from everyone’s thoughts but each other’s. It’s very strange.” She eyed her critically a moment, her mouth set in a thin line of grim determination. “And you say he hasn’t drunk from you?”

“No. We…I…” she was at a loss for words. Should she tell Lexie that they had been intimate? Could that explain this barrier she was talking about? She decided that it didn’t matter. She just needed to get as far away as possible – as fast as possible. As impossible as she knew it was going to be, she had to get Desmond out of her mind as well as her heart. “What you saw…” she asked hesitantly, “about him drinking from me, can your visions change?”

Lexie smiled at her, taking her hand in hers. “No future is set in stone,” she said. “Things can change – and they often do.” She stood and grabbed the pot of coffee, holding it out to her, Abby nodded, feeling as if she needed something much more strong.

Desmond was still pacing angrily when Luke walked through the door – followed by a very pale and shaken Caleb -his eyes downcast. Luke took the boy by the arm and pushed him towards Desmond, his face set in a tight, furious line. “Tell him,” he said - his tone ice, and his amber eyes glowing slightly.

Desmond looked at Caleb and saw the boy struggling with his emotions. He placed his hand on his shoulder trying to keep his panic at bay. “Caleb, where is she?” He questioned as calmly as possible- but the thought of Abby out there had his body in panic mode. He had never been so scared in all of his existence.

“I took her into town,” he breathed, looking as though he were about to burst into tears. “She told me you knew! She said she had to pick something up from a friend and that they would bring her back before dusk. I swear Des - she said you knew all about it and that she couldn’t take one of your cars because she couldn’t drive stick…and…” he trailed off, having the good sense to realize that he was rambling and lowered his head, his shoulders sagging with shame. He had failed Desmond and it was more than obviously crushing him.

Desmond couldn’t fault the boy for falling under Abby’s charms and believing the lies she was telling him. The woman could charm the fangs from a Cobra – he thought with a pang of sadness as the realization hit him that she had left willingly – and he cursed. Why? He felt a painful twist in his chest at the thought of her running from him – and it hurt worse than anything he ever thought possibly could.

“Des, I’m so sorry…” he heard Caleb mumble, his lower lip trembling. “I should have known you would
never
let her go anywhere alone!”

Desmond shook his head, squeezing the boys shoulder reassuringly. “It’s not your fault, Caleb.” He said softly and saw the boy’s body relax slightly. “Where did you drop her off?”

“A coffee shop, um…I don’t remember the name, but it was right on Main.”

Desmond nodded and turned to Marcus. “There was a coffee house across from where she worked.” He turned and stormed towards the door.

“Des, what are you doing?” Luke called after him. “It isn’t dark yet.”

“It is close enough – besides the Benz’s windows are tinted,” he answered. “I’m going to bring her home.”

That is - if she wants to come back, he thought with another painful stab to his heart. Could he force her to return with him - to love him. But the main question hanging in the air was why she felt the need to leave him in the first place – and it was a question that he feared the answer to. Had she finally come to her senses and realized that he
was
a monster?

“I’m going with you,” Luke said, following after him. He glanced back at the distraught Caleb. “Stay here in case she calls or comes back,” he ordered, and the boy nodded slowly. “If there is
any
word from her, you are to contact us immediately. Do you understand?” He finished - his eyes boring into the boys as Caleb slowly nodded his head, acknowledging his understanding.

“You’re stuck with me too,” Marcus added, following suit.

Desmond didn’t argue – he was much too worried about being too late, and that thought was like a vise squeezing his heart. He had a very bad feeling.

“Abby!” Kat cried as she burst through the door. The red-head ran over to her and hugged her fiercely. “I have been worried sick! What in the hell happened?”

Abby broke their embrace and glared at her friend - her already strung tight temper flaring. “You’re a
witch?
” she bit out. “A witch! For God’s sake Kat - why didn’t you tell me? Did you know Desmond was a vampire too?” She barked, her heart doing a painful twist in her chest at the mention of his name.

“I had an idea,” she answered quietly – wincing slightly at the admission. “But, honest to God Abby, I only got really good vibes from him – and I thought a little adventure would do you good. You
needed
some excitement! And he was just so…” she stopped, looking guiltily toward her friend.

“Really?” she bit out, her eyes narrowing. “Well, did your
vibes
tell you that I am half freaking Fey? Or that the vampire you got such warm, fuzzy feelings from only wants to keep me around to use as his own personal blood bank?” There it was again, that damnable twist of her heart.

Kat’s jaw dropped, her mouth forming a perfect O. “What?” she breathed, shaking her head as if trying to clear it. “No,” she stammered, completely stunned. “No, way! That’s just not possible.”

“Oh, it’s
very
possible!” She bit out. “That bastard makes me fall in love with him only to find out that it’s my blood he wants – not me!” Tears sprang to Abby’s eyes and slid down her cheeks. She brushed them away, refusing to let her emotions get the best of her. She still needed to get out of town.

She glanced out of the window of the coffee house and realized with a start that the sun had begun it’s decent – yes, she needed to get out of town fast. She would have to wallow in her sorrow later. “Kat, I need your help. I need to get as far away as possible, right now – but I’ll need some cash. I have no idea what happened to my purse, or id or…anything,” she finished, trying hard not to let her emotions break free. She needed to be strong now more than she ever had been before.

“I have some money at Echo’s,” she replied, still not wanting to believe what she was hearing – this was just all too surreal - and had Abby actually told her that she was a Fey?

She grabbed her hand and headed toward the door. “Lexie, thanks!” she called as she pulled Abby along. They ran across the street and to the door of the bar. Kat unlocked it quickly and pushed her inside ahead of her. “I’ve got to get you out of here fast,” she said, running behind the bar and disappearing. She reemerged a moment later holding a wad of cash. “That asshole’s been back trying to find out whatever he could about you,” she explained and Abby felt herself shiver. Well, at least now she knew if Desmond had killed him or not.

Kat reached into her purse and pulled out a small silver medallion. “Here,” she said, placing it in Abby’s hand. “Keep this with you and I’ll be able to find you.”

Abby turned the small disk over - fascinated by the intricate scrolling along its surface. “It’s beautiful, but I don’t understand how will it help you to find me?”

“It was given to me by my mother when I entered the coven,” she explained, leading her toward the back room. “Because I have such a strong connection to it, if I need to find you I can scry for its location.  So, if you keep it with you at all times - ta da, a little witchy GPS!” She finished with a smile that couldn’t hide the worry in her eyes.

Abby half-heartedly returned the gesture and nodded, shoving the medallion into the pocket of her jeans along with the cash she had given her.

“Thank you, Kat.” She whispered, hugging her friend tightly. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been a sister to me,” she finished roughly, her throat constricting with emotion.

“Where are you planning to go?” She asked, returning her embrace full force as tears sprang to her eyes.

Abby shrugged, her own eyes filling. “Right now, to the bus station, then - as far from him, and any and all demons as I can get,” she choked out, before turning toward the door that led to the alley. She hesitated - remembering the last time she had left Echo’s this way, but a moment later she heard tires squeal out front and her heart slammed in her chest. Oh, God! No, no - not yet!

“Go!” Kat urged- her eyes wide. “Whoever it is, I’ll stall them.” Abby kissed her quickly on the cheek before turning and opening the door and running out. She had only made it a few steps when she ran right into the arms of the waiting demon.

“Hello, my lovely,” he hissed right before slamming her head into the wall, knocking her unconscious.

Desmond burst through the doors of the bar like a class five tornado - his eyes glowing and his massive frame taut with tension. As soon as he got out of the car he could sense that Abby was near, her scent was all around him - but he could also smell the distinct smell of sulfur and rotting meat.

His entire body was rigid as he glared at the red-head walking casually out of the back room, her chin thrust out defiantly as she eyed him up and down. “Well, howdy handsome,” Kat purred, smiling broadly. “We aren’t technically open yet – so if you’re looking…”

“Where is she?” He roared - his hands clenched tightly into fists, his fangs exposed. He was not about to play games with this troublesome woman.

“Why, whoever do you mean?” Kat questioned - her expression innocent.

“I swear by all that is Holy,” he growled and saw her eyes widen slightly. “
Where is she?”

“Gone,” she replied simply and Desmond had the overwhelming urge to choke her. She watched him closely, her mouth set in a tight, stubborn line. “Do you actually think I would tell
you
where she is?” Kat finally snapped. “She doesn’t want to have anything to do with you.” Her tone was hard and accusatory as she placed her hands on her hips and she glared at him.

Kat’s words cut him to the quick. The thought that Abby wanted nothing more than to be away from him hurt like Hell – but a part of him could not -
would not
accept that until he heard it directly from Abby herself. She
was
his mate. He had never been more certain of anything before. He could feel their connection.

“She is mine,” Desmond growled, taking a step closer to the fiery redhead – the muscle in his jaw twitching dangerously, and he was tempted to just use his compulsion on her and get his answers – but for some reason, he hesitated. It hit him a moment later – he smelled witch. Abby’s friend was a
witch!