Fateful 2-Fractured (18 page)

“I don’t understand what they could possibly
want from me.”

Ethan and the other men looked just as
dumbfounded.

“Maybe we should leave.”

“But—the hobbit house. I didn’t get to even
start a drawing.” She cast a longing look toward the round
structure, or tried to, as she bent down to collect her art
supplies. Every single one of the guards had gathered to form a
tight circle around her and Ethan. She couldn’t see much else.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Please. I want to see inside of it so
badly, and we came all the way out here…”

“I could check it out first,” offered the
Frenchman.

“Good idea,” said Ethan.

The man ambled off, and Danielle still
couldn’t see much of anything. She just heard the one hinge groan
as the door was opened and then the heavy footfalls of the guard as
he entered the miniature dwelling.

After a few moments of listening to his
boots clomp around on what sounded like wooden floors, he then came
out and said, “There’s no sign of pixies inside. It’s all
clear.”

Ethan considered her for a beat or two or
three, before he said, “All right, but only for a moment. And you
can’t sketch while you’re here. I want you to just take mental
notes and start doing that in the Land Rover.”

“Okay,” she agreed quickly, hoping he
wouldn’t soon change his mind.

It was almost comical the way they kept
close to her and worked themselves into the small doorway as one,
only thinning enough to squeeze their way in. Ethan wouldn’t even
allow air to pass between his chest and her back as they stepped
inside, and hunched their backs so they could fit.

But once she got a good look of the interior
she smiled and gasped, “Wow!”

The furnishings were still there, rugs and
curtains and books. It was as if the inhabitants had not simply
become extinct but vanished suddenly. “Why? Why are their
belongings still here?”

“I don’t know. No one knows.”

“But don’t the books tell their story?
Shouldn’t the information inside them be recorded? Reprinted?”

“The information has been recorded and then
returned here. And the fey have actually reprinted the works that
are here.”

“So then they know the history?”

“I’m afraid not. The books are simply filled
with recipes, gardening tips, and hobbit fairytales. There was no
history to be found.”

“Weird.”

“Yes,” Ethan whispered into her ear. “Are
you taking mental notes of this? Would you like to see the kitchen
and the bedroom?”

Danielle sucked in a breath. “Please.”

They moved from room to room in this funny
tight huddle and then traveled back outside.

When they had more headroom, she spun around
and hugged Ethan. “Thank you for not freaking out and letting me
see that. I can’t wait to start painting.”

Ethan smiled, and kissed her. “You’re
welcome, darling.” He surveyed their surroundings cautiously, then
said, “I’m terribly sorry, but while I would like to show you more
here, I think it would be best if we left.”

Danielle took a moment to devour the rest of
the landscape and then nodded. She could have spent hours exploring
that place, but not with creepy little pixies with a hunger to
snatch her lurking about.

“What was with those things, those pixies?
Why did they want me? Are they cursed like vampires are?”

“No. They’re beings of nature, just as
fairies are. I don’t understand their interest in you.”

She shuddered.

“It does make me wonder, however…” Ethan
said as he hooked one arm behind her knees and one behind her back
to lift her into his arms.

“Wonder what?” she asked, locking her arms
around his shoulders.

“What other beasts have become fascinated in
you?”

“Oh, now that’s just wrong! Having vampires
after me is quite enough.” And of course, her thoughts were on
werewolves and if they too would want to take her. Chills shimmied
up her spine and she shivered again. Then her blood froze at what
she could see flying directly behind them as they traversed back to
the cars. That horde of evil sprites was crowding them, snapping
their teeth and making snarling buzzing sounds. The guards behind
her and Ethan were swatting at them like they were an obnoxious
mass of mosquitoes. “Why are they following?”

Ethan didn’t look; he just scowled and kept
walking, accelerating his pace. When they got to the Land Rover he
shoved her into the driver’s side door, pushed her to the
passenger’s side, then jumped in next to her and slammed the door.
The mini-monsters paid no attention to the men who casually filed
into the other vehicle because they had their hideous little faces
squished against the windows. She’d certainly have nightmares after
this. “Will they come into the city too?”

He tugged her to his side as he revved the
engine and cranked the music to drown out the spooky noises they
were making against the glass. “No, darling, they’d die there.
They’re extremely susceptible to pollution.”

She slanted another look at the flying
beasts. “But won’t the exhaust kill them then?”

Danielle followed his gaze as he considered
the pixies in the rear view mirror, and gasped when one of them
stiffened and then dropped dead. “Well, I guess that answers my
question.”

Silence hung between them, as more pixies
dropped off, which encouraged the rest to finally fall away.

“I can’t believe it…”

“Hm,” he agreed.

“And I thought getting married would solve
some of our problems.”

Danielle clung to her husband until they
neared London and she knew the pixies were no longer a threat.
“Ethan?”

“Yes, love.”

“Are there any creatures like that that I
need to worry about at home? Trolls? Zombies? Demons? The boogie
man?”

She gulped when his reply took a long
time in coming. “Not that I know of.”
And
that was his answer...?

* * * * *

After a couple of weeks at home without any
monster attacks Danielle felt like she could relax. She created
paintings of the shire and the hobbit hovels. She knew they weren’t
as accurate as she would have liked. She simply hadn’t had enough
time to study them. But the happy-looking landscapes did help her
forget the frightening pixies. And that was enough for now, plus
she could sell these paintings and pull some of her own income. She
went to the office, where Ethan was doing the budget, to show him
her latest piece.

Danielle opened the door and stared as Ethan
fumbled with something in his hands before stuffing it into a
drawer, as if he were hiding it.

He sat upright and grinned, attempting to
look innocent and completely flunking at it.

“What was that?”

“Nothing important.”

“You nearly dropped it.”

“You startled me, darling.”

“It looks to me like you’re hiding
something.”

He visually swallowed.

“Ethan, it looked like a pair of glasses. Do
you need reading glasses?”

His lips thinned as he guiltily pulled the
drawer open and removed the item in question. Yes, they were
glasses, and she bubbled into laughter.

Ethan confessed, “I required spectacles
before I was turned. It seems that particular ailment has returned.
I was mortified when I realized I needed a prescription.”

She swallowed, attempting to drown out the
next set of snickers. “I still love you, even if you wear
glasses.”

He stared at them as if they made him less
of a man.

Maybe changing the subject would help. “Um,
anyway … look what I painted.” She held the art in front of him,
with one edge resting on the desk.

He squinted at it and then propped the
glasses on his nose. Dang, he was cute with those on.

“It’s lovely. You’ve really captured the
shire quite well.”

“Thank you. Do you think someone will buy
it?” she said, though she was still thinking about the glasses and
how good he looked wearing them. Setting the painting down onto the
desk, she moved around it and dropped into his lap.

“Of course they would, but I think you
should display it here.” His arms curved around her waist.

“I need something to do as a job, and I
figure I won’t be allowed to get any work outside of the home, will
I?” She ran one finger along the frame and then trailed her fingers
through his hair.

“Unfortunately that wouldn’t be safe, though
I would allow it, if things were … less perilous.” The pads of his
fingers were traveling the length of her spine from her tailbone to
her hair and back.

“Really? You’re not trapped in the Victorian
era so much that you expect me to sit home and embroider
pillows?”

Ethan laughed. “I’m modern enough.”

She caressed the rim of his glasses again.
“And look how hip you look in spectacles.”

Smiling, Ethan said, “You’re quite fond of
these, aren’t you?”

“Yes, they look really good on you. You
shouldn’t have been ashamed of this need.” She could feel the smile
on her face as she fanned her fingers over his chest and then
palmed his pectoral muscle. That smile stretched further when she
heard him hiss at the touch.

Ethan wasn’t smiling when he curled his hand
around her nape and tugged her forward for a kiss. His lips were
parted, his gaze was hungry. She could feel the cold rims touching
her cheek when their mouths molded.

As they ended the kiss and simply
snuggled, he said, “I suppose it doesn’t hurt
too much
to be mortal, even if I need the
assistance of prescription eyewear.”

“Good, I’m glad you’re willing to stick it
out.”

“All the way, baby. Till we’re old and
gray!”

“With arthritis and carpal tunnel?”

“Yes, of course.”

“And hemorrhoids? And bunions?”

He chuckled. “Maybe you should stop before
I’m scared half out of my wits.”

The phone rang then and Ethan answered it,
listened intently for several beats and then hung up with an abrupt
goodbye.

“Who was that?”

“Beon.”

“About?”

“The room is ready. We have two weeks…”

Chapter 11

The Cure

“Danielle…”

Not really listening, she stared blankly at
the cement door with super thick steel hinges along the edge, and
memories of the last time she’d faced a door like this flooded her
mind. She knew there was another thirsty vampire inside. And she
was supposed to go in there knowing that?

“Danielle, look at me, honey.”

Exhaling, she turned to face Ethan.

“Are you all right?”

“We’ll make certain you’re safe,” Max
promised, not letting her answer. As he spoke, her gaze traveled
over the men there to protect her: Ethan, Max, Beon, Seth, Cedric,
and two of Ethan’s guards, Lance and Merrick, she thought.

Danielle nodded mutely. It didn’t help that
she was remembering what Ethan was like consumed with lust for her
blood: the sharp fangs exposed, the empty silver gaze, and the
terrifying snarls that ripped from his chest. Certainly Nadia was
going to be just the same ... just as dangerous.

“It’s time, Danielle, the sun set a couple
of hours ago,” Beon said, his tone gentle.

She blew out another slow breath. “Okay.”
Still she hesitated another moment before saying, “Let’s do
this.”

“Are you certain, Danielle? Because I’m
not,” Ethan said, clearly having second thoughts about this
plan.

“She wants me to do it. You know that.”

“But, it’s just—”

A shake of her head silenced him. She
understood what he was trying to say. While Nadia cared about
Danielle as a friend, she didn’t love her like Ethan had and she
might not be able to stop herself because of it. Brutally shoving
those concerns aside Danielle squared her shoulders and said,
“Please, let’s just get it over with.”

Beon reached around her, unlocked the door
and then swung it open. Just like the dungeon in Lucas’ home, there
was a second door before the final chamber, except it was better
lit. She followed Ethan and the others inside. The sound of them
there did give her some comfort, but she remained aware of the cold
fact that she was the one who had to get the closest to this evil
version of Nadia. She was expected to bite her and feared how Nadia
might react to that. Ethan’s obvious hesitations didn’t help.

The clicking noises sounded loud and
menacing when the second door unlocked and began to slide open. As
a crack widened, an arm shot though the space, accompanied with a
terrifying guttural growl. Beon slapped his hand over a button that
halted the door. Ethan grabbed Danielle around the waist, shoved
his way behind the other men, and sandwiched her between his body
and the first door for safety. She was certain it hadn’t helped
Ethan’s state of mind when she’d shrieked reflexively as the
thirsty vampire’s arm appeared.

“No! No! I’ve changed my mind. I can’t allow
this. I’ll do it,” Ethan said.

After what she’d just witnessed, she didn’t
really want to do it either but said, “Ethan, she begged for me to
be the one.”

“No!” Ethan bellowed again. “Beon, I’m doing
this. Not Danielle!”

When Beon didn’t answer, Ethan continued.
“You wouldn’t let Sophia do this,” he ground out.

Nadia hissed menacingly again, as if to
prove his point.

Sighing, Beon replied, “You’re right. I’d
never allow my wife near that.” After exhaling a measured breath,
Beon added, “Very well, Ethan. You can do it.”

“I’m afraid I have to object,” Max said.
“I’m sorry, Ethan, but I think it has to be her. If we send you in
there she’ll kill you for going against her wishes. She cares for
you, and would regret her actions, but she adores Danielle. She’s
the only one Nadia will succumb to in this state. I believe she
would submit to me as you did for Danielle, but I’m not mortal. It
has to be Danielle. I swear to you as a knight, we will not let
Nadia harm her.”