Redemption (13 page)

Abe hadn’t left for Iceland as early as he had wanted. He planned on arriving before Becca did, but he had appeared at the airport just seconds before she and her companions drove off in the black sedan.

He waited in an alley across from the tavern that they had entered and noticed the driver get out and go in a few moments later. He was prepared to wait a while, when he saw all the windows in the tavern glow with a bright red light.

He rushed in, taking the door off its hinges, to find a young woman lying on the floor. No Becca, no Sam, not even Ian... He knelt down at the woman’s side, trying to revive her.

She groaned as Abe lifted her up into his lap.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Abe questioned, as he brushed the hair from her face.

“I... I... I’m not sure.” She focused on Abe’s eyes and smiled. “I like your eyes. So big.”

Abe let out a soft chuckle as he helped her up to the chair sitting next to them.

“I’m Abe, by the way. I was supposed to meet Sam here. I saw their car outside, and then there was a strange light coming from the window. Sorry about your door,” He apologized, giving her a lopsided grin

“It’s okay; I’ll get one of the boys to fix it. I’m Renee.” She smiled back at him with a slight blush gracing her cheeks.

“Can you remember what happened when my friends came in?” Abe pulled out the chair next to Renee and sat beside her.

“The three of them came in. I recognized Rebecca from some pictures Lily had of the two of them. They all introduced themselves and said they were here to visit Lily. I tried to call her but I couldn’t reach her. Then this guy with these really blue eyes came in. I wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but he looked like one of those guys that are all talk. I’ve dealt with those idiots time and time again, so I tried to kick him out. Obviously, that didn’t work out too well ‘cause the next thing I know, I’m waking up on the floor with you staring at me. Not that it was a bad way to wake up, just a little unexpected.” She took a breath after practically running out. “Sorry, I let the words get away from me sometimes.”

“It’s perfectly alright. Do you think you can take me to Lily’s place? Maybe I can figure out where she’s gone from there.”

“Sure, just let me call Ivan to come and fix the door.” Renee stood a little too quickly and began her descent back to the floor, but Abe was there to catch her first. “Thanks. Whatever that guy gave me was pretty powerful stuff.”

Abe helped Renee right herself before clearing his throat. “Yeah, let’s hope he’s not doing anything to my friends or Lily.”

Renee nodded before slowly making her way behind the bar.

Abe settled back down into his chair, his mind racing in a thousand different directions. He knew if he could pick up a trail he could find them, but there was no trace left of Sam, Becca, or Ian in the tavern. There was a hint of Lily that he assumed would be even stronger where she lived.

He thought of using a talent he hardly ever used because he had such little control over it. He could survey a room and see what had occurred within a time period. The drawback of the power was that if anyone was with him, they would see it also. He never had control over how long the images would flash in front of his eyes or how long they would last. Not wanting to scare Renee he decided to wait until they were ready to go to Lily’s to explain.

Abe watched as a large man with a slight eye twitch repaired the front door. Renee stood talking with the man, handing him several tools then taking short glances at Abe. He noticed her blush which only made her that much more endearing to him. He also noticed the way her hair fell in waves past her shoulders to the middle of her back, the way her lips formed a tiny heart shape when she smiled, how her green eyes sparkled when she blushed…

He shook the thoughts from his head as he noticed Renee saying goodbye to the twitchy eyed repairman. She came over with her coat and gloves already on.

“We should probably take my truck. It’s used to the roads. It shouldn’t be too bad, but just in case.”

“I need to tell you a few things first if I may. You might want to sit down for this.” He pulled out a chair for her, which she slowly took.

He sat in the chair across from her. “First, I’ll let you know that I’ve known Lily for about seventy-five years.”

“Get out!” Renee slapped the table with both hands. “The guy with the sleeper pen said something about an immortal. Are you both immortals?”

“In a way, yes. I’m a type of angel, a shadow walker to be more specific.” Renee sat back in her chair with her hands covering her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers. “As for Lily, she’s actually a vampire. Not your killing humans kind – she only drinks from animals.”

“Wow. That kinda makes sense though. She’s so beautiful and she never seems to eat anything. Then the other day when I was trying to wake her up, she wasn’t breathing. It scared the crap out of me.”

“You’re taking this a lot better than I expected.” Abe let out a soft laugh as he shook his head.

“I grew up in Southern California. I learned very early in life that the strangest things in life were often very real.” She raised her eyebrows as she grabbed one of the abandoned glasses of ale and took a large gulp.

“Near El Centro?”

“Yeah, why?”

Abe slapped his hand on the table and laughed at his memories of the small town. “There was a group of devil worshipers there back in the nineties. They actually caused a pretty big mess, released a lot of demons. It was a messy clean up. I’m sure some even got away.”

“Shit, really?”

“Really, but back to the little matter of our friends being abducted.”

“Right. Yes, sorry.” She put down her glass and gave Abe her full attention.

“I can do a sweep of a room and visualize the activities that have happened. If you’re here, you’ll see them too. They can go at different speeds and I can’t control how far back they will go. Do you think you can handle it?”

Renee got a serious look on her face as she nodded her head. “As long as I can sit here, I think I’ll be okay.”

“Alright. Here we go.”

Abe stood up and brought forth the images of the room. It started with what looked like a memorial service. A picture of a stocky man with Renee’s eyes had its place on the bar as people stood next to it telling stories. It raced by fairly quickly up until the moment the driver guy walked in. Renee’s body fell swiftly to the floor before he got a glimpse of the man’s wrist and the markings embedded in his skin. He saw Sam’s face fill with fear as the box with the red orb appeared. The glow filled the room and then they all just disappeared. It sped up to the moment the man was fixing the door. What were originally short glances between Abe and Renee became slow motion frames. By the time the images came back to the present and stopped, Abe and Renee were both flushed and slightly exhausted.

“What was that box thing?” Renee panted while she reached for her glass of ale.

“You really don’t want to know. We should get going, but we don’t need your truck.” Abe stood in front of Renee, offering his hand. “Just take my hand and visualize Lily’s place.”

“Okay.” Renee took his hand as Abe pulled her in his arms.

“Hold on tight.”

“That was awesom
e!” Renee was panting heavily, her head down and hands grasping her knees.

“You’ll get used to it after a few times.” Abe shrugged, trying to let her know it was no big deal.

“Alright, we’re here. Do your thing.”

Abe looked around Lily’s living room thoroughly before concentrating on what he needed to know.

He saw a man with jet black hair snooping around the house, before placing a note and what looked like a ring on Lily’s stove. Lily swiftly appeared and looked frantic as she read the note and began searching the house herself. More of a lot of nothing showed until Lily and the man appeared together cuddling on her couch. Then they were up and excited. Abe concentrated as hard as he possibly could to slow the scene down a bit. He was able to read their lips and find out they were going to Rome and that the man’s name was Ryan.

In another blink they were gone and Abe was brought back into the present.

“Do you have any idea who that man was?” Abe turned to find Renee curled up in the corner of the couch.

“Nope, but she looked really happy. Like ‘in love’ kind of happy.” Renee sighed. “I knew she had to have a guy. A woman that beautiful can’t be alone forever.”

“You’d be surprised,” Abe replied, rolling his eyes at the knowledge of Lily’s severe lack of male companions over the years. “It looks like they were off to Rome. You up for another adventure?”

Renee looked over to see Abe’s sparkling eyes and mouth watering smile. “Rome? Yeah, of course! But, what about passports and stuff? Even if we travel like that, won’t we need them?”

“Just let me take care of it.” Abe stood up and pulled Renee into his arms. “It will last a little longer this time since we’re going further.”

“Right. I won’t let go.” Renee smiled at Abe before burying her face in his chest and placing a death grip around his rib cage.

Moments later, Abe and Renee were standing outside of a hotel suite. Abe was holding Renee upright as she attempted to catch her breath.

“Where...are...we?” She panted.

“ ‘Hotel de Russie’ in Rome. This must be their room.” Abe responded, as he began knocking on the door.

He heard footsteps approaching before the door swung open to reveal Lily in only a fluffy white hotel robe.

“Abe? Renee? What are you doing here? Together?”

“It’s a long story.” Abe pushed passed her into the suite as Renee grabbed onto Lily, following him in.

Thousands of scenarios soared through Lily’s mind as she made her way into the living area of the suite with Renee clutched to her side. She could never of prepared herself for the meeting she was about to have with three very different individuals.

Abe plunked himself down on the couch facing the opened terrace doors. “Nice view.”

“Uh...Thanks?” Lily didn’t really know how to respond. She hadn’t seen Abe since the day he and Becca escaped from Gideon, and she had never really expected to see him again.

“Did you order champagne or something?” Ryan entered the living area wearing a robe identical to Lily’s. He surveyed the room and took in their guests. “Friends of yours?”

“Yes.” She took Renee from her side and sat her down next to Abe, then motioned for Ryan to come stand beside her.

“I’m not sure how to...” Lily looked to Renee with a tilt of her head and brows furrowed.

“It’s cool. Abe told me about the whole vampire thing. And that he’s an angel or something.” Renee sat nodding for Lily to go on.

“Okay.” She turned to Ryan to begin her introductions. “Ryan, this is Abe North. He is a shadow walker and works for The Manchester Group. This little spit-fire is Renee. She’s my friend from Seltjarnarnes, she owns the tavern there.” Then she looked to the two that were sitting on the couch. “And to you two, this is Ryan Edwards. He’s an agent of Peter’s and...my husband.”

Renee squealed and jumped up, bringing Lily into a tight hug while Abe sat there noticeably shocked.

“You got married in Rome? How romantic! Was it beautiful? I’m sure it was beautiful. I’m so happy for you!” Renee let it all out in a rush as she swayed Lily violently from side to side.

“No, we were already married.” Lily answered as she peeled Renee off of her.

“Her human husband?” It was meant as a question, but Abe said it more like a statement of fact.

“Yes, we were married in 1905. Late spring, if I recall correctly.” Ryan wrapped his arm around Lily’s waist. “We’ve just now found out where we both ended up and were in the middle of a second honeymoon, but I guess you’re here to cut that short.” He raised his eyebrows to Abe.

“Yes. I’m sorry to say, Becca had tracked you to Seltjarnarnes. She had Sam and her fiancé with her.”

“Fiancé?” Lily questioned. “I just spoke with her; she never mentioned anything to me.”

“I don’t know how recent it was but he made it pretty clear the other day in my office that she was his alone.” Abe scrubbed his hands over his face in noticeable frustration.

“That Ian guy was her fiancé?” Renee bit down on her lip in clear confusion. “They didn’t tell me that.”

Lily had brought her hands to her head, shaking as she squeezed her eyes shut. “Ian Holt?”

“Oh, that’s just not right.” Ryan shook his head as Lily made her way over to the chair.

“That’s what he said his name was. Is that why you think she came to find you? To tell you about the wedding?” Renee asked, as though it was the most logical conclusion.

“I don’t know.” She squinted as she looked to Abe for some sort of answer. “Where are they now then?”

“That’s why we are here. Did you know the Ahbmonites had resurfaced?”

If Lily could have gone any paler at that moment, she would have. Flashes of the man with jet black hair and pure blue eyes flooded her mind. The small symbol on the inside of his wrist burning its way into the permanent recesses of her brain.

“I wasn’t sure, but I guess you are telling me they have.” Lily lolled her head to the side, cupping her jaw with her hand propped up on the arm of the chair.

“They called him Liam, if that helps,” Renee spoke up cautiously, obviously realizing the severity of the situation.

“I never knew his name, but I felt it – the pull that Martin told me about. It scared the hell out of me, if I’m being honest. Once I realized what was happening, I got out of there as fast as I could.” Ryan gently began massaging her shoulders in attempt to ease the tension of the conversation.

“Well, this guy is one of them, markings and all and he has Becca, Sam, and Ian.”

Lily sat straight up in her chair. “What! How?!”

“An Anarcori. Remember that little gold box with the red orb that was lost in the twenties?” Lily nodded. “He’s got it and he knows how to use it. I don’t see how he can be alone on this one.”

“Hold on just a moment.” Ryan came around the side of Lily’s chair to face her. “What exactly is an Ahbmonite and why would he take your friends?”

Lily looked to Abe for any sort of explanation, but he had none. She then rose from her chair and pushed Ryan down into it.

“There are so many legends about how vampires came into existence; some even saying that Judas Iscariot was one of the first, after his transgressions with Jesus of Nazareth. From all that I learned from my sire, Martin, the line we come from started long ago in Jerusalem.” Lily took a deep unnecessary breath before moving on.

“According to Martin and all the books that we have held over the years, the Ahbmonites were basically food for a quartet of vampires. The four, all males, found the odd race of humans fascinating. They were drawn to them unlike any other human, not to kill them but for them to nurture each other. The vampires fed from a type of blood they never had tasted before and the Ahbmonites acquired vampire traits strengthened in them with each feeding. When their human bodies could no longer handle the vampire traits, they were either killed or turned. After a few centuries, the families began branding their children with the mark of the black flame. Martin’s sire was one of the Ahbmonites, but he believed that it was time for their race to end. Stop using humans as cattle and learn to live off the blood of animals. That fight eventually led to the practical extinction of the vampire race. Now, only three of us remain.”

Ryan held out his hand in invitation. She took it and snuggled into his lap as visions of blue eyes and black flames raced through her mind.

“He took them to use as leverage against you?” Abe looked up at Lily as her gaze met his.

“I’m not sure of any other explanation. If this Liam is the same man I encountered in Las Vegas, he knew all about me and wanted to be my companion.” She felt Ryan’s hand moving up and down her spine attempting to soothe the strained muscles.

“So, you drank from this guy and now he’s got some vampire traits, enough that he could take all three of them?” Renee inquired.

Lily turned to Ryan and nodded shamefully. “I’d never felt that kind of pull ever in my existence as a vampire. It was truly some sort of biological connection, like somehow we were made for each other. As though our existence depended on one another.”

“What now? We just sit around and wait for him to call?” Renee was full of questions, yet all completely relevant.

“I’d need to get to Martin’s library. All of his books are stored there. It’s just outside of Reading.”

Renee straightened up in her seat. “You mean the Reading that’s in the UK? I’ve never been to the UK.”

“Looks like today’s your lucky day.” Abe took Renee’s hand, lacing his fingers through hers before patting her hand.

Lily noticed Abe’s movements wondering exactly what the meanings behind them were.

Renee’s face tinged a slight shade of pink and her heart rate increased as each pass of Abe’s thumb caressed the heel of her hand. Lily had seen that look on Renee’s face before, the day she met Peter. It was attraction; and from the looks of it, the feeling was mutual.

Lily shook herself out of the haze created by Abe and Renee to focus on the task at hand. “I’ll just make a call to Jefferson. He is the caretaker for several houses in the area. I’ll need to let him know we will be coming to stay for a few days.” Lily lifted herself from Ryan’s lap to retrieve her cell phone from the bedroom. She stopped as she reached the door, turning back to the rest of them. “We just need to get dressed and gather a few things. We should be ready to go in a few minutes. You remember where it is, Abe?”

Abe swallowed hard as images of his trip with Lily and Becca began to surface. “Yes, I think I can recall the way.”

Lily entered the bedroom and retrieved her phone from the dresser. She dialed Jefferson’s number and heard his voice only after two rings.

“Ah, old girl. It’s been a while.”

She let out a soft laugh at the voice of her old friend. “Jefferson, how many times have I told you to call me Lily?”

“Every time we talk, but that’s neither here nor there. What can I do for you?”

“I’m going to be using the house for a couple of days – well, myself and three friends to be more accurate. Will that be a problem?”

“Not if you don’t mind getting wet. It’s been pouring on and off for days and has shown no sign of stopping.”

“We’ll be fine. Actually, we will be arriving in about an hour or so.”

“It’ll be good to see you again. I hope you’ll be staying for a while, the house was meant to be used for more than just a holiday.”

Lily ran her fingers through her dark tresses as she bit down on her lip. “I know. I hope I can spend more time there now. We’ll see what happens.”

“Alright, little miss. I’ll drop in and check on you tomorrow.”

“I’ll see you then. Thank you, Jefferson.”

“Not a problem. Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” She ended the call to notice Ryan standing just inside the bedroom with the door closed behind him.

“I’m sure we’ll find what we need, my sweet.”

Lily walked over to him, her arms slipping around his waist as her cheek pressed against his chest. “I don’t know what I would do without her.”

He kissed the top of her head while his eyes squeezed tightly shut. “I’ll make sure you won’t have to.”

The sudden realization of the situation flipped a switch inside her. Her anger came bubbling to the surface ready to devour all in its path. “I just can’t believe all of this! This Liam guy took three of the most important people in my life; how am I supposed to think it’s not about me?” She gasped, as all her thoughts came rushing out. She pulled away from Ryan and began to pace in front of him.

“And what is all of that about Becca being engaged to Ian? How the hell did
that
happen? I mean, what the shit is that?!” She glanced to see Ryan giving her a subtle glare. “I know it’s like a mortal sin to cuss in front of an angel, but fuck, I just can’t help it. I’m so fucking mad! And Peter, that little shit, he knew this was going to happen. He told me it was going to get worse before it gets better. Why couldn’t he give me a heads up so maybe, just maybe, all of this could have been prevented?
Fuck!”
Lily collapsed back onto the bed after her fit of rage subsided.

“Are you done?”

Lily’s head popped up, her glare fixed on her husband’s raised brow. She propped herself up on her elbows as he sent her a glare of his own.

“Lil, I can’t deny that this situation is completely cocked up. First, about the Becca and Ian thing…I’m sure he found her because he was looking for you, and who knows what she told him. What she does know, is that you left him with no intention of ever going back. That fact alone could have brought them together.” He reached the bed, his fingers stroking the chilled flesh of her exposed shoulder. “This Liam character is some delusional little twit that will have to be put in his place, and who better to do that than us.” He knelt beside the bed, his lips meeting her collarbone. “The whole dirty mouth is actually dead sexy. I’d like to see what you might say in a very different situation.” Her head fell back as his tongue flicked across her hardened nipple.

She let out a soft moan as the heat began to radiate across her chest. Her fingers threaded into the hair at the nape of his neck and pulled. She brought his lips up to hers as his body took its place on top of hers.

“We...don’t...” She tried to speak, but his tongue kept interfering with her ability.

After a moment, Ryan pulled back, his hand cupping at her cheek. “I love how I do this,” he said, as his thumb caressed her warmed cheek. “But you’re right, we need to get dressed and get your friends back.”

“If Liam wants what I think he does, it’s not going to be easy.”