He stopped talking and sat there unable to respond. I wished now that I hadn’t been so stupid. Elena kept saying that she didn’t know everything and I just assumed that Nathaniel was the one to blame.
‘You wanted to know. So, now you understand why I don’t like talking about this. McGregor desired her for himself; he couldn’t bare it that she’d chosen me.’
‘Is she still alive?’
‘I believe so. We haven’t seen each other since that day. She wasn’t the same person after she was turned.’
McGregor didn’t have a soul. People told me that vampires were the most dangerous creatures that lived on the earth, but I never cared. Now I understood why my grandmother wanted me to stay away from Nathaniel.
‘I would understand if you desired revenge.’
‘His business was flourishing, so I had done everything in my power to destroy him, and in some respect I succeeded,’ he said, smiling. ‘After my mother died I was rotten, then Isabelle came and took all the pain away. I loved her.’
‘I’ m sorry that I doubted you,’ I said and wrapped my arms around his body, burying my face in his neck. He didn’t move and he didn’t hug me back.
‘That’s why I wanted to protect you. I wasn’t planning to ever be involved with a woman again. Then you came along and ruined everything. Caleb hurt you because you were close to me. He won’t stop until he has you.’
‘I’m sorry.’
Chapter twenty-six
Dream on, Mister, you are going to be the one that will beg me!
It turned out that my leg wasn’t broken, but the injury was serious enough to keep me in the hospital for a night. The healers suspected a concussion and a magical skin infection. Yesterday when I passed out, the doctor patched all my wounds so I was allowed to be released today. Nathaniel took me home. We drove in silence, both lost in our thoughts. He never told me how he really felt about me, and I couldn’t rush him. He obviously still felt strongly about Isabelle. I always knew that he’d had a complicated past, but this was beyond what I imagined. If we were going to build anything together we had to move on.
I spoke to Kate briefly, apologizing for what had happened. She didn’t blame me, but she gave me a long lecture, and I had to promise not to pack myself into any more trouble in the future. Kel was curing her injuries with another date, so I skipped the idea of calling her. When I got back to work a few days later, Dad refused to talk about his investigation. Nathaniel clearly needed space, there was still no news about Rufus, my best friend didn’t return any of my phone calls, and on top of that, my psycho ex-boyfriend was back in town.
Dad wasn’t joking when he said that I would have an escort. Two undercover officers kept following me everywhere. They were normally outside the office watching me from their car. Roberto insisted on driving me everywhere. I needed to get away from all this mess for a day or two, but I couldn’t leave work and McGregor was still out there.
The weekend came, and I hadn’t heard from Nathaniel, so I decided to visit Ella. I suspected she took drastic measures and changed her number. Roberto willingly offered me a ride to Ella’s house. Two officers followed us. It was a Saturday night, and I had at least two hours before I would go out. Ella had never met her father, and for as long as we’d known each other, she’d never talked about him. Was it possible that he could be paranormal?
I shook my head, refusing to agree with Nicky. Roberto insisted on waiting for me. I hoped that Ella was willing to talk to me. I’d lied in order to protect her, but knowing her, she wouldn’t simply forgive me. I knocked and waited. Surprisingly, she opened the door and stood there looking at me like I didn’t belong in her world anymore. Her fake tan had faded, and she wore no makeup. She looked fine but not her usual self.
‘What are you doing here? I told you to stay away from me,’ she said, tensing with anger. I hated that I lied to her all these years. I never had guts to go through with the truth, but she deserved it. There was so much that I wanted to tell her, but I knew that I had to take things slowly.
‘Come on, Ella, we need to talk.’
She was just about to shut the door, but I stopped it with my foot.
‘You can’t do that. I’m going to call the police,’ she squeaked, shivering.
I glanced back at the two officers in the car. They were watching us intensely. I forced my way inside her house and shut the door.
‘I’m not asking you for much. Let’s just talk,’ I insisted.
‘I don’t have to listen to this,’ she spat, moving away from me.
‘I’m worried about you, Ella, please.’
‘I have nightmares because of you,’ she yelled. ‘Other people need to know what is going on around them!’
I was really worried that she would start talking about what she knew and put herself in even more danger.
‘No one is going to hurt you. We’ve known each other for years. I’m still the same person, but with a special gift.’
‘No!’ she shouted. ‘You’re a freak, like the rest of your family.’
‘For God’s sake, Ella, will you listen to yourself? Paranormals have been part of this world for decades. I knew how you were going to react. That’s why I kept this away from you.’
‘So you want me to forget about everything and just carry on as normal?’
‘I don’t expect that, but at least try to understand me. We need to get to the bottom of why the spell didn’t affect you,’ I said.
‘I’m not a freak like you,’ she said, shaking her head. I had to be careful, Ella hated changes, and the subject of her father might only make this whole situation worse.
‘Humans can’t be immune to our spell. Maybe someone in your family had some paranormal genes.’
‘I’m a normal human being and I don’t want to know anything about your world. I started dating a nice normal guy. My life is getting back on track, and you won’t ruin this for me,’ she said pressing her lips together. ‘Stay away. Don’t come to my salon or near my house. I don’t want to be a part of whatever you do.’
She was serious, and I didn’t have to read her thoughts to know that she didn’t consider me her friend anymore.
‘Fine, Ella,’ I sighed. ‘I can’t beg you to forgive me, but I won’t give up on you. We are still friends.’
She stood in her living room watching me. Her thoughts were tangled; she was still deeply confused and petrified. I left and told Roberto to drive me home. I looked at her house as we were driving away. I might have lost her but she was part of my life. When I got home I drank a sleeping potion. I needed to have a good night’s sleep and dreams without worries, where my life was perfectly balanced.
***
After days of not hearing from Nathaniel, I took the initiative and invited him for dinner with my parents. He agreed, sounding happy to hear from me. We both had time to think about what we needed from each other. Dad’s relationship with Nathaniel was much better now, and when I told mum that I was inviting him, she was excited.
It was the weekend and I wanted to have a good time. I got into Nathaniel’s Aston Martin in the late afternoon feeling slightly nervous. He quickly waved off any worries, giving me a long, deep kiss. Soft, slow music played in his car as he swept me into his arms. Willingness unfurled, desire crawled under my skin as his mouth took over mine. His ripped body coiled closer. Heavy tension filled the air. His lips were on my neck and I moaned, remembering how much I needed this closeness. High blasts of energy crawled over my back, as his hand found my bare skin. His right hand was in my hair, his left slithered into my jeans. Lust dazed out of control.
‘I missed you, my firecracker,’ he muttered, moving his lips down to my jaw. A flood of moist warmth streamed down between my legs, when his finger stroked me.
‘Oh…I missed you, too,’ I mumbled, forgetting where I was. His pace between my thighs rose quickly, taking away my breath.
‘So wet, are you going to beg me to make love to you?’ he asked, pulling
away.
My control was back as soon as he popped that question. I sat back on my seat, breathing heavily.
‘I told you I can go without,’ I growled, and he looked amused by my weakness. A small smile crept over his mouth as he drove away from my apartment. I was so aroused; several parts of my body were pulsing with warmth.
Dream on, Mister, you are going to be the one that will beg me!
‘You’re such a bad liar.’ He laughed, his eyes turning into a liquid caramel, and I shivered, pushing away sensual thoughts. I started asking him about work to keep away my inappropriate thoughts. Nathaniel was himself again and our awkward conversation from the hospital was long forgotten.
‘Just be careful. Dad might be warming up to you, but he still doesn’t approve of me dating you,’ I said.
‘We get on better than you think. Both of your parents think that I’m the best thing that ever happened to you,’ Nathaniel said, smoothing his sandy hair in the front mirror as he parked the car outside my parents’ home.
‘You’re so full of yourself.’
‘And you love it.’ He gave me a sexy grin. ‘Besides, I’m a highly respected paranormal. Your father knows that our relationship is not based on my thirst for your blood.’
‘I’m not so sure,’ I muttered as he opened the door for me. Dad might have changed his mind about Nathaniel, but he didn’t just accept our troubled relationship. I didn’t have time to think too hard about this because Mum opened the door. She looked excited, beaming and stroking her blond hair as we approached.
‘Mrs. Taylor, nice to finally see you again,’ said Nathaniel, kissing my mother’s hand. She giggled and I rolled my eyes.
‘Oh, you are too charming, dear. Come on in. Jerry is in the living room.’
Nathaniel took my hand, looking around with interest. My parents were old fashion and most of their furniture was vintage in age, so not in his style. Dad shook hands with Nathaniel, and I left them to bond over a rugby match while Mum dragged me to the kitchen. I knew that this wasn’t wise at all, but I had to try.
Mum praised Nathaniel. ‘Oh, Julia, he is so charming and so good looking. I’m so happy that you gave him another chance.’
‘I didn’t give him another chance; it’s a work in progress,’ I explained as she checked the meat in the oven. I hadn’t eaten anything today, and the aroma of roasting meat filled the kitchen, making my stomach growl.
‘So what does he do again? Your aunt keeps asking, but I always forget to ask you.’ She clapped her hands, no doubt convinced that I would finally be getting married. She obviously wasn’t listening to anything I said, but that was just Mum.
‘He has his own pharmaceutical businesses.’
‘So he is rich, then?’ she asked. ‘Perfect candidate for a husband—handsome, rich and well mannered.
Oh sweet Jesus.
‘Mum, we’re only dating,’ I said. ‘So how are you anyway? Work going OK?’
Her imagination was getting out of control, so I had to shift the subject away from my hot company in the living room. Dad and Nathaniel cheered, so I guessed that this was a good sign.
‘Work is good. Jenice invited us on an evening due. It would be good if we could go shopping together.’
‘Jenice Wilkins? The same one that works as an admin assistant?’ I asked.
‘Yes, she met this nice bloke online, so she is moving with him to America,’ said Mum. ‘Can you believe it?’
Jenice pretended that she was a normal human being, but she was a mermaid. It ran on her mother’s side. We’d met once when I went to drop off some paperwork to Mum’s office. She didn’t take my comment on her grey skin too well.
‘Oh well, at least she is happy,’ I said. ‘I’ll see when I’m free so we can go shopping together.’
‘That would be fabulous, hun. Come on, let me talk to Nathaniel before I serve dinner. He isn’t vegetarian by the way?’
‘No, Mum.’
‘That’s good.’
In the living room I saw a very unusual picture: Dad and Nathaniel were screaming. I didn’t know anything about rugby, but I was certain that this was the end of the match. They congratulated each other after the commentator announced the winner, cheering with bottles of beer in their hands. I had no idea that Nathaniel even liked rugby.
‘Oh hey, hun, you OK?’ asked Dad, finally paying attention to me.
‘Yeah, you?’
‘Great, we beat the French. I need to open that bottle of champagne later,’ he muttered. I was gobsmacked seeing Dad treat Nathaniel like an equal. He was having fun with him. This whole dinner was going better than I expected. When the TV was off, Nathaniel chatted away with Mum. Later on we sat down to a wonderful roast dinner.
‘So what’s up with Ella, hun. You haven’t mentioned her recently?’ asked Mum. I started choking on the meat. Nathaniel clapped me a few times on the back before I was able to regain myself.
‘We had a fight, so she isn’t talking to me right now,’ I explained.
‘Oh dear, you never fight,’ Mum observed, wrinkling her forehead.
‘It’s nothing mum, we only—’
Someone rang the doorbell and everyone turned to face the hallway.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll get it,’ I said and rushed to the door, glad that I could avoid conversation about Ella.
‘It’s probably Karen from next door,’ shouted Mum. ‘She probably forgot to buy sugar.’
As soon as I opened the door I knew that I spoke too soon. This dinner was about to go downhill in the worst way.
Chapter twenty-seven
God I want him so badly
‘Oh, dear me, what a day. The traffic was atrocious,’ complained my grandmother, clapping me gently on the cheek. I was frozen on the spot as she and my grandfather passed me through the hallway.
You have to be fucking kidding me.
‘Hello, dear, how are you?’ asked Grandpa, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. I rushed to stop them, but they were already walking towards the living room.
I am screwed.
I rushed toward my family, ready to stop my grandmother from seeing Nathaniel, but it was already too late. She noticed him as she entered.
‘Barbara, I’m so glad you could make it.’ Mum got up swiftly. The electrifying silence buzzed in my ears as my grandmother’s eyes rested on Nathaniel. My heart smacked me in the chest as I waited for the worst to come. Her nostrils flared, anger tore through her, calling up her magic. Her eyes popped wide as Mum said, ‘This is Julia’s boyfriend, Nathaniel La Caz.’
Oh no, no, no, why did she have to introduce him straight away?
Dad knew what was coming, so he shot a suspension charm towards Mum. A cold breath of shock came over me.
‘JULIA I THOUGHT I WAS PERFECTLY CLEAR WHEN I SAID THAT I FORBID YOU TO SEE THIS CREATURE.’
Yep, my grandmother officially lost the plot. The magic jetted through my veins, Grandma’s face went from ashen to scarlet in the matter of seconds. I was ready to dig a grave for myself right now. Dad got up and Nathaniel looked freaking amused.
‘Mum, for Christ sake, will you calm down?’ Dad shouted.
Grandpa Fred ignored my grandmother; he walked up to Nathaniel and shook his hand.
‘Pleasure to meet you son.’
I didn’t know if I should cry or laugh. I should have known that Mum would want to let the world know that Nathaniel and I got back together.
‘I’M NOT GOING TO CALM DOWN!’ roared Grandma, shaking with anger. The rush of power that shook the whole house was tiny at first, but I felt it growing fast, throwing everything around us. The set of china started flying, a mass of bright green light exploded on the table. My skin tingled and buzzed, trying to connect with grandma’s unsettled energy. Dad was screaming.
‘FRED.’
Grandpa didn’t have to listen to her twice; he knew what she was capable of. Instead of trying to stop her, he hid behind the table. I couldn’t believe it.
??
?My granddaughter won’t be involved with a vampire, not until I die!’
‘He is a half vampire,’ I muttered, but I doubted that she was paying much attention to me.
‘Mrs. Taylor, I can assure you that—’
‘Don’t you dare speak to me, vampire! Julia is still naive and stupid. She won’t be wasting her life with you!’ She cut him off and a few glasses exploded, ruining what was left of the chicken.
‘Mother, this is none of your business. It’s twenty-first century.’
Then the mirror behind me cracked. Nathaniel looked unmoved, his eyes glancing back and forth between me and my grandmother.
‘I can’t believe you allowed this, Jeremy Taylor. Selling your own daughter to a vampire!’ The magic burst from her, and suddenly she was levitating a few inches off the floor, keeping her eyes on Nathaniel.
I panicked, I had no idea what was coming, but whatever it was it wasn’t good. A mass of light that came from nowhere was jetting towards Nathaniel, but Dad successfully blocked her spell before it killed him. The hair on the back of my neck lifted and I finally understood why Grandma was the president of the Elf Association. White and dark magic flooded through her veins, her energy was lethal and more powerful than that of anyone I’d ever met.
‘Mother, I’m warning you—this is my home and La Caz is my guest. I won’t tolerate that kind of behavior!’
‘Grandma, please,’ I pleaded.
‘Over my dead body,’ she said and turned to look at me. ‘I warned you to stay away from him. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into,’ she continued and narrowed her eyes, looking toward Grandpa.
‘Fred, we are leaving, now!’ She marched out, cursing under her breath. Grandpa Fred followed.