ShadowsofNight (25 page)

Emma took a deep breath as she placed her hand on the thick
mahogany grain, the wood hard and smooth to the touch. Her emotions were barely
contained beneath the surface as she unlocked the door and stepped inside.

“I wondered if curiosity might eventually win out.” Petrina
looked up and smiled.

“I need answers or I wouldn’t be here,” Emma replied.

“I’m pleased you’ve come.” Petrina smoothed her dress where
she sat on the chair in a small sitting area. She actually seemed happy to see
Emma, which seemed odd.

“I wouldn’t try anything foolish if I were you. I’m not here
to make friends. I want answers. I’ll ask the questions and you’ll answer.”

“I’m sure you have plenty.”

“What do you know of my parents?” She didn’t want to waste
time with chitchat.

“You mean Anna Lisa?” She placed her hands in her lap.

“Yes, and don’t play games with me. I’m really not in the
mood.”

“I told you before, she was your caregiver.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“It’s not my intent to mislead you,” she said, her voice
eerily calm.

“Then what
is
your agenda? Why are you really here?”
Emma eyed her suspiciously.

“I have none. I needed protection from Dorian. He’s become
extremely hostile.”

“So you came
here
, where you knew your lover would
surely show up?” Emma shook her head.

“He comes for you. Not me.”

“Yeah—he wants me because I’m a half-blood.” Even though,
deep down, there was still a question mark about all that.

“You’re mistaken about your true origin. You’re not a
half-blood. We’re not like the others, you and me,” Petrina began. “We come
from the stars.” She pointed toward the window.

“We…we’re
related
and we’re aliens from outer space?”
Peachy, now I’m an alien. What next…?

“Yes. I’m your half sister.” She smiled slightly.

Emma couldn’t breathe.

The woman sitting before her was her
sister
? Talk
about dropping a huge bomb in her lap. “Why didn’t you ever try to contact me?”
she asked finally, not sure how to process this new information.

“Dorian wouldn’t allow me to.”

“I see.” Emma began to feel a bit sorry for the girl. Both
their lives obviously hadn’t been easy. Though at least Petrina seemed to know
some things. Emma felt entirely in the dark. “Tell me more about our people.”

“Our race has visited this planet many times during several periods
in history. Different cultures worshipped us because we came from beyond the stars.
Some call us the Anunnaki. I prefer Night Beings. The woman you called mother
was once a slave to our father. She became your caregiver after she was taken
from Earth by him, and later returned to Earth with you at our father’s
insistence.”

Emma tried to focus on Petrina’s words, to sense if there
was any truth or if she was lying. Her life was a Pandora’s box that was
evolving into something she couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

“How can this be? I-I was human. I changed into this. I’m
not a Night Being…”

“No. You were never human. We have similar characteristics.
But you’ve always been one of us. You haven’t fully come into your own yet.”

“Why should I believe you?” Emma thought she might be sick.

“Because you know I speak the truth. You felt the connection
between us. I know you did, because I did too the moment I got close to the
compound,” Petrina continued.

“I-I don’t know what to think.”

“Do you want to know why Dorian chose you over me?” Her
voice was sad.

“Only if you want to tell me.” She glanced in her direction,
sensing her pain.

“He doesn’t want me because I’m not a producer. Some females
of our race can’t bear young. That’s why Dorian wants you so badly. I can’t
give him what he wants. But he believes you might be able to.”

“You deserve better.”

Petrina went on without missing a beat. “Not if you’re born
like me—unable to breed—then your purpose is much different. You’re considered
lower in status and are used in the service of pleasuring others.”

“Are you saying our father turned you into a whore?” Emma
blanched.

“You make it sound dirty when you put it that way.”

“That’s not what I meant. It sounds like choice is
completely outside your control. And the male who should’ve protected us is a
son of a bitch,” Emma replied.

“You’ve changed so much. You’re strong. A fighter. I’m not
surprised.”

“I had no choice in the matter.”

“Was Anna Lisa kind to you?”

“She was very good to me. I loved her like a mom and in my
heart, she still is my mother, even if she didn’t give birth to me.”

“I’m glad for you.”

“So tell me, why Earth?”

“Blood is our life force, and humans are a perfect host
because they’re very similar to our race. So when the cycle time draws near,
the males visit other planets, including Earth, and take blood from living
hosts. Some are drained while others are offered immortality and made slaves to
the race.”

“Cycle time? What the hell does that mean?”

“For our race to survive, we need regular infusions of new
blood. It’s called our cycle time. That’s why we visit other planets and drink
from living hosts. The blood strengthens our race. It’s part of what makes us
more powerful. That’s why we pick our victims carefully.”

“Is that what happened to Dorian?”

“Yes. During the cycle, warriors are often chosen. We offer
them immortality.”

“Who’s Vladimir?”

“Interesting that you know that name,” she replied,
“especially since most of what you’ve learned about him is false. Stories
weaved purposely to keep you and others in the dark.”

“I was told he’s my father.” Emma frowned. There was a
hollow ache of dread inside her chest. She wasn’t sure how much more she wanted
to hear.

“He
was
our father, until Dorian killed him.”

“I can see you’re all choked up about it. Not that I blame
you for not shedding a tear over the bastard.”

“You don’t see me as the enemy?”

“Why would I? It sounds to me like you’re a victim in all of
this, just like me.” She rose to her feet. “So we’re sisters then. That’s
actually kind of cool. I thought I was all alone in this world. I’m kind of
glad to know that I’m not. I have family. I mean, of course I have Christian
now too. But it’s nice all the same.” Emma glanced at her. It was strange to
think she had a sister, and under rather sad circumstances.

“We have the same father. Different mothers though. Mine was
a slave.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“You have empathy. Being raised by humans seems like it was
a good thing.”

“Human, alien…I don’t know what the hell I am, to be honest.
So if I’m not a half-blood, why does he still want me?”

“He wants his children to have our strength, and you’re the
key. He’s not in love with you.”

“I’d rather be turned to ash than have sex with that
bastard,” Emma replied.

“He’s not a bastard.”

“You certainly must have a very low opinion of yourself then.”

“I wish I were you, so I could make babies for him. With
you, it’s just sex. I think I can live with that—or at least, I thought I
could.”

Emma understood meaningless sex. She’d been able to fuck men
without feeling anything other than the physical release that came with the
act. Her heart could always remain detached and unaffected. Maybe then it wasn’t
so weird that her sister—if she really
was
her sister—didn’t feel anger
toward Dorian. She saw his plan as nothing more than a way to attain a goal.

“You can’t live with it any longer? Maybe that’s because
it’s
wrong
.”

“You know nothing of me or my feelings toward the male you so
despise.”

“True. I’m still trying to figure you out. I guess in some
respects we’re not that different.” Emma should have felt dread at that
statement, but oddly she didn’t. “I’m surprised you’d come to his enemy asking
for refuge.” Emma raised an eyebrow.

“He will be very angry. Hopefully he’ll forgive me.”

“If he survives. Roman and the Sentinels are powerful in
ways most other vampires are not. Dorian will be seriously outnumbered by them.”

“Marcus shouldn’t underestimate him.”

Emma noticed a subtle change in Petrina’s expression,
something hidden behind those eyes.

“We’re not, don’t worry.”

Petrina concealed her emotions as she jerked her gaze
straight ahead. Emma closed her eyes, sensing impending doom.
He’s coming.

The only question that remained was…when?

“I’m glad we met,” Petrina whispered.

“Me too,” Emma replied.

I’m inside Marcus’ compound, my lord.
Petrina’s voice
filtered through his mind like a soft whisper.

“She’s done it.” Dorian smiled. Marcus was an
extraordinarily powerful vampire, with the ability to keep anyone from gaining
access to his grounds.

Unless one was invited.

The invisible mental force field around Marcus’ entire
compound was impossible to breach, unless you had a blood link to someone on
the inside. There were other vampires who possessed the ability to create such
barriers, of course. But none could control it as well as Marcus.

Always the gentleman, you played right into my hands.
I’ll make this quick
.
Get in, get out. Hide her where she can’t be
found.
He knew just the place. An underground cavern surrounded by thick
limestone, nearly impossible to locate unless you knew of its existence.

He tuned in to Petrina and listened to her telling Emma
about their past.
How endearing.
Keep her busy until I get there.

Yes, my lord.

Dorian closed his eyes and saw their surroundings through
Petrina’s eyes. The women were alone.
It’s time.

He traced to the top of the hill overlooking Marcus’
compound. Standing concealed within the shadows of some trees, he watched the
activity below. He smelled rain in the air, musty and damp.

Wretched place.
He didn’t like the Highlands, too
blasted cold here. He exhaled, his warm breath steaming from his nostrils in
the frigid air. His men appeared, along with the hired help. He had a surprise
in store for his enemies.

His men were taking up their positions while he had others
rigging unprotected sections of the wall with explosives. They had to be
careful; the whole compound was crawling with Sentinels. He knew the explosives
couldn’t breach the exterior because of the force field, but the sound of
explosions would draw the attention of the surrounding villages, and that was
something Marcus wouldn’t want. He’d act swiftly to neutralize his enemies.

Dorian didn’t need more than a few minutes after the
fireworks began to get what he came for.

“The charges are set,” Antonius said.

“Blow them now,” Dorian ordered. Antonius nodded and quickly
disappeared from view. Moments later, the ground rumbled and shook as the first
explosion lit up the sky. A swirling illumination of fire and smoke danced
above Dorian’s head, cracking the calm of the night.

Beautifully done, Antonius.

A few minutes later, a second charge blew and, just as he
suspected, Marcus and his Sentinels appeared outside the compound.

And were greeted by Rogues Dorian had hired to keep them
busy while he snuck inside the mansion.

You’ll not escape me this time.

* * * * *

“Oh shit, did you see that?” Emma gasped at the sight of the
bright-orange fireball outside Petrina’s window. She ran over and looked out. “I
need to help them.”

“Forgive me,” Petrina said quietly.

“What did you say?” Emma asked, still distracted by the
turmoil outside.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” A deep male voice whispered in her
ear—as the sharp point of a knife pressed into her shoulder blade. “Move an
inch and you’re ash.”

“What—?” Before she could react, Dorian hit hard, knocking
the wind out of her.

She fell flat on her stomach and he landed on top of her,
using his massive weight to pin her to the ground while he tied her hands and
feet. Then he yanked Emma upright before wrapping an arm around her neck in a
chokehold.

“We’re going to get acquainted very soon.” His hot breath
fanned her ear.

“Like hell we are!” She continued to struggle but it did
little good. He had her, and they both knew it.

“Oh yes,
very
acquainted with each other.” His voice
grew husky as he made his intent clear.

Anger coiled inside her like a viper ready to strike. “Your
death will be my greatest pleasure.”

“You may change your mind after a few rounds with me.”

“Not likely.”
Smug bastard. How could Petrina stomach
him? My God, he’s an intolerable pig.

“I like your spirit, Emma. It’s no wonder Christian finds
you so desirable.”

He pressed her against his massive frame, squeezing her neck
harder until she thought she’d pass out. She couldn’t move, couldn’t scream.
Black spots dotted her vision.
No! I have to stay conscious.

“You’re nothing but a piece of s-shit!” Emma hissed out.

“Shut up!” he snarled. “Petrina, let’s go.”

“Yes, my lord.” Her voice sounded fearful.

This is a bad dream. That’s what this is, a really bad
dream.

Emma panicked. Where was Christian? Why hadn’t he come when
the explosions started? She should’ve let him come with her! The bitter taste
of fear washed over her as she struggled against her restraints.

“It’s time for you to go to sleep.”

“No!” she screamed with her last breath. Then a cloth clamped
over her mouth and nose and fumes overwhelmed her.
Can’t…sleep…must fight…

Her eyelids grew heavy and limbs sagged. Just before she
sank into oblivion, her last thoughts were of Christian.

I love you. Forgive me…