Hyde (7 page)

He grimaced seeing where it was all going, “Are
they your next of kin?”

She nodded biting her lip again.

He took a deep breath, “This changes
everything.”

“I thought it might.”

He bit his lip, making her focus on his mouth,
he had a beautiful mouth. She couldn’t deny the fact she was
insanely attracted to him.

“So have any memories come back then?”

She nodded, “Yup, I remember we went to my aunts
first then Starbucks. We ate cookies at her house, she had left
them for me on a plate. We ate them and then went to Starbucks. I
remember telling Rebecca I wanted to go home and I had my coffee in
my hand. My stomach was starting to hurt.”

“She poisoned you both with cyanide then?” He
looked confused at her still sitting beside him and not dead like
her best friend.

She shrugged, “I must have gotten sick, at any
rate I don’t remember anything after the car ride. She must have
stopped the car by the woods and I got sick there. Then whatever
happened to us happened there.”

He looked very gravely at her, “This is serious
Hanna.”

“I know, I went back to get proof.”

He looked lost again, “I’m not following
you.”

“I snuck into my aunt and uncles back yard. I
watched in the kitchen window as they ground something white up.
Then they stirred it into the sugar canister on the counter. My
aunt told my uncle not to eat it and to tell me how he had switched
to honey in his coffee and tea. She was reading a letter and they
started talking about my money. It was awful. She was saying I
would take it all with me when I left. She said they deserved the
money.”

He looked disgusted, “What happened then?”

“I got very upset and ran into the woods. I ran
really far and started to feel sick again. I called Roland and he
came and got me. I've been here since.”

He shook his head, “I see so many bad things
everyday but this takes at least one cake. Why would she poison
your cookies with cyanide?”

She looked up at him through her lashes, “How do
you know it was cyanide?”

He sighed, “It was what we found inside Rebecca,
she died of cyanide poisoning. We thought she had been around
something radioactive at first. After the autopsy we found out what
it was.”

“How could we eat that and not know?”

“Baking is a good place to disguise it. It’s a
type of poison I wouldn’t have thought of, it comes from apple
seeds.”

“That’s ridiculous apple seeds aren’t
poisonous.”

“Oh yes my dear they are highly poisonous. But
processing them can be a bother.” Roland laughed as he brought the
tea tray into the room.

“You know how?” She asked raising an eyebrow at
the old man.

He nodded, “I’ve read a lot of mystery novels in
my many years dear girl, the inside of the seed is highly
poisonous. One must split it and remove the guts of the seed then
grind that very fine. I've never heard of it used in baking I will
say.”

She looked at Andy who smirked, “I am almost
wondering where you were that night Roland.”

Roland laughed, “Oh officer Paulson you flatter
me, I don’t have the energy for such adventures.” He turned to
leave the room but turned back and smiled mischievously, “Not
anymore anyway.”

Hanna laughed nervously wondering about the old
man more than she cared to acknowledge.

Andy laughed, “Well I have to say we have enough
for a warrant.” His eyes turned back to Hanna, “Thanks so much for
calling.”

She nodded, “I feel so guilty that Rebecca died
because of me.”

He put a hand on hers covering it completely,
“You can't take the blame for something you had nothing to do with.
They made the choice and they committed the crime. You were a
victim as much as she was.”

She tried to focus on his hand and not the tears
threatening to spring from her eyes.

His eyes grew puzzled again, “Where were you for
all those weeks then if you didn’t end up like your friend?”

She frowned fighting her bodies want to tell the
truth, “No clue but where ever it was I almost hope I don’t
remember.”

He nodded, “Yeah we found GHB in your system,
that doesn’t bode well for your missing time.”

“Yeah my thinking too. Maybe its better I don’t
remember anything.”

He looked at her putting his hand through her
hair and tucking it behind her ear. She shivered against the feel
of his warm hand, as it brushed against her face, “I feel anger and
disgust when I think about you missing for all those weeks. Scared
and alone with strangers or worse your crazy aunt and uncle.”

His blue eyes seemed to grow in color and
intensity.

“I feel scared too.” She wanted to stop his
fears, she wanted to tell him the truth.

“I never want you to be afraid again.” He leaned
in brushing his lips against hers softly. He pulled back suddenly,
“Oh my god I’m so sorry. That was so inappropriate.”

She shook her head, touching his face marveling
at how beautiful he was, “No it wasn’t. Please don’t be sorry.”

He smiled lifting one side of his mouth
slightly, “I’m not sorry I kissed you I just can't do it again
until I’m not working your case, its not right.” He looked down at
her, “Can I get a rain check for this exact moment?”

She nodded biting her lip, wanting to kiss him
again. She didn’t want the light feathery kiss, she wanted
everything she could tell he was capable of.

“I will be here the minute this is over and it's
not a conflict of interest.” He stood from the couch creating a
space of cold air between them, “Like the second its over. But I've
got to go. Now.”

She laughed, “Goodnight.”

He waved, “I will call you when the warrant has
been executed.”

She watched him leave feeling a burning desire
to chase after him. She picked up the throw pillow beside her,
hugging it to her body grinning.

“It can't ever be more than flirtation
love.”

She turned sharply frowning at Marcus, “What do
you know of anything beyond flirtation, you're the devil, I know
it.”

He laughed, his booming voice echoed throughout
the room.

She frowned at him wanting to throw the pillow,
“I get now why my father would want to be able to change on demand,
moments like these. What are you doing in my house? Does Roland
know you're here?”

He cleared his throat as he sat on the couch
next to her. He scent made her want to strip naked and rub up
against him, “Contrary to popular belief love I have never driven
your father to wish for a change. He and I got along in perfect
harmony. I let myself in, as I always have.”

She looked at his blue black eyes regretting it
instantly, he had a hold on her the moment she saw the color, “Its
those. They make me want you.” She pointed at his eyes shuddering
as she forced her face to turn away.

He snuggled against her, “You're quite the
little tease Hanna.”

She pushed away from him but his arms encased
her, pulling her in, “It can't ever be with the police officer
because you can't control yourself. Young officer Paulson would
never get out of harms way fast enough.”

Struggling to get free she looked at his arm
beside her face. She bit as hard as she could into his bicep.
Something very odd occurred, not what she expected, he moaned. She
listened to him moan realizing she loved the feel of his strong
muscled arm in her teeth. She let go pulling back. She didn’t know
what to say. She closed her mouth and looked at the other wall as
he started to laugh.

“You're my favorite monster Hanna. Of all the
monsters in all the world you're my favorite. You're feisty and
spicy but deep down in a place you don't let anyone see, you're
sweet too.

She grimaced, “I could never be sweet to
you.”

He laughed harder, “I would never want you to be
sweet to me,” he kissed her cheek roughly, “I like spice better
than sweet.”

Feeling anxious about being so close to him she
changed the subject, “How many monsters are there?”

He tilted his head, “Many.”

She rolled her eyes pulling back as he slowly
let her go, “So vampires and werewolves and trolls exist?”

He raised an eyebrow not answering her. He
examined her carefully making her more nervous.

“What about mermaids?”

He nodded, “Yes its all true. Do you really
believe there is a human gifted enough in imagination that they
could create beings so amazingly accurate in strength and
weakness?”

She nodded, “Yes, Frankenstein.”

“It happened.”

Disbelief crossed her brow, “What, no not
Frankenstein.”

“Yes Frankenstein and yes Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde obviously. I find it hilarious you turn into a monster and
doubt the existence of other monsters." He pointed to her and
continued, "And yes count Dracula and yes the Mummy.” He picked up
a piece of her hair smelling it, “You smell delicious for such a
naughty beast.”

She snatched her hair back, “You are a pervert.
How old are you anyway?”

He shrugged, “What does time matter to me? Only
the dying considers time.”

She sat for a moment thinking about other
questions he might answer if she let him sit so near enjoying
himself, not that she minded much.

“Did my aunt and uncle drug me?”

He rolled his eyes looking bored, “You know they
did.”

“How long have you known? Not only that they did
but would?”

A snake like grin crossed his sensual lips, “Ah
there it is, the right question.” He twirled a new piece of hair,
“For some time.”

“Can you read my thoughts?”

He laughed, “As well as you can read mine.”

She frowned, “How did you know then?”

He looked at her sharply, “I pay attention.”

She inhaled rapidly, frightened by the look in
his eyes. She proceeded cautiously, “Did you tell my father it
would happen?”

“What do you think?”

She shook her head, “I think no, you wanted me
to be poisoned. But why?”

“I think I’ve answered enough questions for one
night."

"How could you let me turn into this?"

"I never let you turn into anything. I never
poisoned you."

"But you knew?"

He grinned, "You assume I knew. How about you
answer one for me?” He looked down at her keenly.

“What?”

“How did your mother die?” His question seemed
sarcastic, as if he knew the answer and was asking to hurt her.

She answered softly, beginning to see the full
scope of the cruelty he was capable of, “She was in a car accident
on a freeway. It was a ten car pile up.”

He nodded, “Hmm, did you ever try looking it up
online?”

She scowled, starting to grow increasingly
anxious, “No, I was seven years old.”

“Did you see anything in the paper?”

“I was seven.” Her words turned firm and
adamant.

He stood up from the couch, “Well I must be
going, goodnight love.”

She watched as he walked from the room. She
loathed him in a lustful and perplexing way.

She sat on the couch wondering where he had been
going with the accident. Her aunt was her mother's best friend,
surely she had looked into the accident. Surely she would have told
her the truth. She thought about the poisoned cookies and sighed,
maybe not.

Chapter Seven: The Roses and The Thorns

Hanna sat on the edge of her bed watching the
sunrise. Her skin had started to itch, as if it needed something.
She couldn’t put her finger on what it was.

"I have someone I need you to meet." She looked
up at Roland standing in the doorway.

She smiled, "Who?"

"A woman who can help you, well try to fit into
the world in which you were born."

She felt confused but nodded, "When do I meet
her?"

"She's down stairs now."

Hanna frowned, "Roland that's called
ambush."

He laughed, "No my dear that's called concern. I
wont be around forever and Mr. Dragomir can't very well be the only
friend you have."

Hanna rolled her eyes, "Whatever, you’ve
probably been alive for centuries. Fine I will come down now." She
climbed off her bed and walked after him down the hallway and grand
staircase. He led her to the front sitting room and smiled at the
older woman sitting on the huge couch, "My dearest Ms. Crane may I
introduce my Ward Miss Maria Hanna Jekyll."

The older woman had white hair tucked up in a
bun and a wrinkled kind face. Hanna liked her immediately.

"Hello my dear girl. Thank you Roland." She
stood, taking one of Hanna's hands softly in her own. She smiled
delightfully.

"Tea ladies?"

"Please, thank you Roland." Ms. Crane spoke
softly.

"I feel like I'm on a BBC movie set." Hanna
blurted out watching them in action.

"Well Roland and I do go back quite a ways. Now
dear my name is Lydia firstly and secondly I want to say how
dreadfully sorry I am about your father."

Hanna frowned, "You knew him?"

She nodded, letting go of Hanna hand and sitting
back on the couch.

Hanna sat across from her bewildered, "Are you
different like my father was?"

Lydia nodded, "I am. I have my own gifts,
nothing quite like your father. I understand you however have
become more like him in the last few months?"

Hanna sighed, "Yes. I didn’t even know he was,
well, different until I read the journals."

Lydia's expression changed, "You read them?"

She nodded.

"I am very sorry you had to read that my dear.
He was quite mad for a time." Lydia smiled compassionately, "I want
you to know I am here for you if you need anything."

"Thanks, but how did you know my father?"

"Lets just say we ran in the same circles."

Roland carried in the tea tray, "You mean your
circle ran after him."

"Oh Roland."