Tempest Read online

  “I have been all over the tri-state area, doing double the work just so you can stay home and play house with some girl!” Luke had cornered me in the kitchen after a dinner that he was once again absent from.

  “She is not just some girl. And I have to protect her, you know. The Vasquez wanted her enough to come to our house. Our house, Luke. You can’t expect me to leave.”

  “The contract expects you to leave, Hayden. And I’m tired. You have the next one. Christopher agrees with me on this. That’s what he is talking about with her right now.”

  “He wouldn’t dare,” I cursed. I knew it was suspicious that my father had asked Ana if she would join him for a walk after dinner. I turned toward the direction they were walking on the beach. I should interrupt.

  “Besides, I really don’t see you having a choice now, do you?” Luke taunted.

  He was right. I didn’t have a choice. What did he lose by not fulfilling his part of the contract? Nothing. But I had everything to lose. I had Ana.

  “I will kill you myself if you let anything happen to her. And don't you forget: I know how.” I watched outside as I saw my father and Ana come back up the beach.

  In the sliding glass door’s reflection I saw Luke’s wicked smile. “Don’t worry, brother. I won’t.”

  When I came outside, Ana was swinging in the hammock I had set up for her. She was lying back, looking up at the darkening sky.

  “So are you in trouble or what?” I teased.

  “No. But you are.” She got up and grabbed a hold of the lapels of my shirt, playfully pulling me into the hammock with her. I kissed her as I flipped her over, pulling her on top of me.

  “Your hair smells so good.” I marveled that it still smelled of lavender and vanilla, as I pulled the silky strands away to place kisses on her neck. “You. Are. So. Beautiful,” I said between kisses, working my way slowly up to her lips.

  “Hayden,” Ana wriggled under me and I groaned.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” I was surprised to see the concern on her face.

  “Luke will be here tomorrow and I’ll be fine. You need to go do what you need to do.”

  I sat up with her, “Oh, so that’s what this is about. I knew it.”

  “If you’re afraid for my safety, think about what will happen if you don’t go.”

  I clenched my jaw as she repeated the same words Luke did minutes ago. She planted a sweet kiss on my jaw, once again trying to distract me.

  “If you won’t go alone then I’ll go with you,” she offered.

  “No!” I growled, and when she pushed off me, I knew I had been too harsh. “I’m sorry, love. It’s just that it would be even more dangerous for you to join me.” God, I couldn’t even imagine, brining her into my world like that. Certainly, she would be running for the hills after!

  “Then you’d better go alone.”

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Either you go alone or I go with you. Either way, you're going.”

  I rose one brow at her. “Is that supposed to be an ultimatum? You are so stubborn, you know that?” I tried to be serious when I said that, but she giggled as I pulled her back on top of me to finish what she had started.

  We had spent some of the night under the stars before Luke came out to see what my decision was.

  “I’m going, I’m going. Don’t rush me,” I whispered harshly at him. Ana had fallen asleep on my chest and I could scarcely move lest I disturb her.

  “I can carry her up to her room, if you need to get ready.”

  I wanted to laugh out loud. But Luke wasn’t joking. What was with him? And suddenly, all at once, I suspect I know. No.

  I grunted as I worked to a stand, cradling Ana in my arms. I pointedly ignored Luke as I carried Ana up to her room. It’s one day. I told myself. One day and then I’ll be back. What’s the worst that could happen in one day? After that, Luke and I would need to have a very serious chat.

  * * *

  Finally, I was on my way home to her. I didn’t even have time to wash the vampire’s blood off my hands; I could barely stand being away from her. I was still one state away from her, in Mississippi, and wasn’t going to follow any human traffic laws. I hadn’t called Ana, wanting to surprise her with an early return. I hadn’t expected to be back before dawn. I had at least been able to communicate with my father. He had told me Ana hadn’t left her room all day. The thought made me smile. It was just one of the many signs that we were meant for each other.

  When I finally pulled into the driveway, all my concerns about leaving Ana alone came back to me. My parents ran out to the driveway and I left the car running to meet them.

  “What happened?” I nearly shouted.

  “She’s safe, she’s fine,” my mother tried to calm me.

  “Where is she? What happened?” I growled.

  “She’s fine, ok? She’s with Luke,” my father reiterated. “They must have known you left. Her room was 110 degrees so she went outside to get fresh air. We weren’t near her, I’m sorry.”

  I closed my eyes, inhaling. I knew something like this would happen. “It sounds like witchcraft. They must be cashing in favors.”

  My father nodded. “They know you won’t kill her now, even if it means being free from the curse. They will try harder than ever now—“

  “You wanted to kill me?” Ana was walking off the boardwalk toward us.

  “Ana!” She had taken me by surprise; I was so distracted, I hadn’t even sensed her near. I opened my arms, happy to see her and relieved that she was safe.

  “No,” she stopped me and shook her head. “Is that why you kidnapped me? Because you wanted to kill me and be free of the curse?” Her eyes were glistening and I had never felt such pain as I did then. She has misunderstood. I would have never hurt her, even then.

  “Ana, listen…”

  “Is it true?” She snapped.

  “Ana…”

  “Tell me,” her voice came out like a sob, “is it true that if you kill me your reward will be freedom? Tell me!”

  I paused, “Yes.”

  Ana let out a puff of air and her whole body slumped. She looked defeated. Hopeless. Suddenly, her demeanor changed as she looked around. Then she was running. Before I could react, she was inside my Porsche, locking the doors.

  I tried the handle anyway. “Ana, what are you doing?

  What was she looking for? When she grabbed the stick-shift, I put it together. “Adriana, open the door.” I pounded on the window, carefully avoiding smashing it in. My parents came to my side, seeing my panic.

  “It’s ok, Adriana,” my mother called through the window.

  “Come inside and we will sort this all out,” my father added. They weren’t helping, although I did see Ana hesitate at the sound of my father’s voice. She wasn’t really going to drive off, was she?

  My question was answered when the car jerked back. Luke appeared on my other side, having, once again, impeccable timing.

  “Adriana, don’t,” I warned as she attempted to shift again. The car stalled and I was relieved until it started again, just as quickly. The car shot back again, and Ana slammed on the break, turning the wheel. Luke went over to the passenger door and tried to open it. I watched Ana as she shifted one last time before she was speeding away.

  “Ana!” I ran after her, easily catching up to the car at supernatural speed. I followed her until the main road, where I couldn’t be seen using my abilities. I watched the direction she turned before running back to the house.

  “I’m taking your car,” I told my father.

  My father nodded.

  “Find her,” my mother gave me a silent plea before I hopped in the SUV.

  I heard the passenger door open as I started the engine. I didn’t bother telling Luke to get out of the car as I had wasted enough time already.

  Ana hadn’t been speeding since she got on the main road which allowed me to follow her scent easily.

  “A graveyard? Inter
esting choice,” my brother smirked as we pulled in.

  I was relieved she didn’t get far. There was still a chance that the Vasquez hadn’t found her yet. But why would she come here? Did she just need to get away?

  When we came up to the headstones, I saw the Porsche parked. I slammed the SUV in park and jumped out.

  No! “It’s empty.”

  “Ana!” Luke called out in the dark.

  I shook my head. “Don’t bother. She’s not here.”

  “What do you mean?” I have never heard worry in Luke’s voice.

  “There are another set of tire tracks here. The Vasquez.”

  “Dammit!” Luke cursed. “No, impossible.”

  “There is no sign of struggle. She gave herself up.” I went back to the SUV.

  “Well, let’s hurry up, we can track them!”

  “Whatever they were driving had a masking spell on it. They aren’t taking any shortcuts this time. Get in.” I started the truck.

  “What’s your plan?” Luke closed the car door after jumping in. There was a surprising lack of mock in his tone.

  “I don’t have one,” I replied honestly. I had never felt emptier, more hopeless, in my entire existence. I had imagined it was just how Ana had felt before she stole my car.

  “I have to get her back, Hayden.”

  He had to get her back? She was mine! “I will do anything to get back. I’ve vowed to protect her. She is mine to protect.”

  “I already know you know. Do you really want to have this discussion now?”

  I shrugged. “What better time to do it?” I spoke through closed teeth.

  “Where are we going?” Luke asked as we passed the private road to my parent’s house.

  “New Orleans.” Where else?

  “Look, I already know you know. You’ve had to smell her on me.”

  I hadn’t. But now that he mentioned it, I could smell her on him. Strongly. “Luke, I am killing mad right now. I’m also older than you and stronger than you. It’s in your best interest to not piss me off right now. Ana is mine. The only reason you are coming along right now is because I can’t waste a second dropping you back off, although tossing you out of a moving vehicle is sounding more and more appealing…”

  “Listen, I didn’t plan on this. No one chooses who their mates are.”

  I scoffed. “Your mate? Finding the One isn’t just about attraction. It’s something you don’t understand. Something I got from the start while you contemplated killing her.” I added this last part with disgust. “You’ve been a hunter for like, what, two years? I have waited over a century for her. I know in some messed up version of your head you think that this desire you feel toward her means she’s your mate but she’s not, because she is mine! And Hunters only have One.”

  “You don’t think I wish that were true. You don’t think I am ashamed to admit that I can’t stop thinking about her, that I can’t stay away from her?”

  No.

  “I know you are angry but I think she feels it, too. There is an attraction between us. And as long as she is willing, I am going to keep trying.”

  “This is unbelievable,” I shook my head. “She thinks you hate you her! And you’ve done a very good job of making her think so thus far.”

  “I know, and I hate myself for that. But she knows how I feel now and when we kissed—“

  “You kissed her?” I roared and slammed on the breaks simultaneously. The car jerked to a stop in the middle of the lane. Cars honked their horns as they blazed past us. I clenched the steering wheel. Holding onto my control with a thread.

  “Jeez, Hayden! What the hell!”

  “You kissed her?” I repeated.

  He sighed. “Yes, yes I kissed her. I couldn’t help it. I love her.”

  I clenched the wheel harder, not caring if it broke clean off. “Did she kiss you back?”

  I knew we should get moving again but I couldn’t until I knew the truth. Is that why Luke had smelled so strongly of her?

  “Yeah. Well, no.”

  “Did she or did she not?”

  “If you must know, she kinda pushed me off. She thinks she’s in love with you. That’s why she ran up the boardwalk alone. I wanted to give her some time to think.”

  I started driving again, despite feeling as if I were dying. I only could concentrate on one thing; getting Ana back.

  “No wonder she gave herself up so easily!”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “If you can’t answer that, it’s obvious you don’t know her at all.” The phone buzzed in the cup holder beside me. “Hello,” I answered my parents call. “We found the car at a cemetery up the road… No, we don’t have her… Why? Because Ana was being self-sacrificial…No, they have masking spell on the car; I told you witches were involved. We’re on our way to New Orleans now… I know.” I hung up the phone and put it back in the cup holder. I remembered something and picked up the phone again.

  “Troy? Are you still in New Orleans... good. I need the usual brought to us. Let say the corner of Barracks and Royal Street in,” I looked at my watch, “eight hours. Oh, and have the guest room nearest mine set up at the house. And fill the closet with clothes— for a girl. I’ll text you the sizes later…anything. Thanks.” I hung up.

  “If they hurt her, I swear I will eliminate their entire clan.” It was hard to remain angry at Luke when his concerns were so genuine.

  I shook my head. “They won’t. Not until they get what they want from LaLaurie at least. She’s their insurance policy.” I can only imagine what LaLaurie would give them in return. Most importantly, why would she want Ana dead? I never questioned the reasons when a supernatural wanted a human dead. They were often irrational and complex. But Ana was so innocent, so far removed from our world.

  When we arrived in New Orleans, I took a mental note of the damage. The hurricane had hit all of five weeks ago and the place was still a disaster. I knew the vampires would be rejoicing. It was filthy and the prey was easy.

  Downtown was much the same as before the storm. This was the New Orleans I knew. I could still navigate the streets based on directions I learned over a hundred years ago. There was something comforting about that, and I was glad now that I had bought the house here.

  When I turned onto Royal Street, Troy was waiting just as instructed. Luke rolled down his window.

  “Sir,” Troy slipped a duffle bag inside and disappeared without another word.

  Up ahead, I saw a black limousine parked outside the LaLaurie Mansion. I identified one person inside, the driver. The back was empty. Damn. How long had they been there? I parked in an alley up the block and deserted our car.

  “I’ll take out the driver, you just find Ana,” I instructed Luke. Luke nodded and disappeared in a blur.

  As I was pulling the driver's body from the car, I heard Ana’s scream. No. I left him in the street as I vanished inside the house. The house was steeped with LaLaurie’s presence. My ears were ringing and I marveled at the irony. LaLaurie would have to be destroyed. But we would have to take care of that later.

  I listened for any signs of Ana or Luke and located them up a flight of stairs. I disappeared into the master bedroom. The room was empty; the balcony’s French doors were open. The wind blew white curtains, revealing Ana, Luke and one of the Vasquezes outside. Luke was hovered over the lifeless body of the young Vasquez, an arrow sticking out of his chest. Ana was crouched on the ground, her face looking in horror at her blood-covered hands. I appeared at her side, helping her to a stand. She was alive! And the blood wasn’t hers. Something in my chest finally felt whole again. Nothing mattered anymore. I didn’t care about Luke or the kiss; Ana was looking up at me with relief and happiness, yet she was hesitant, afraid.

  “Hayden, I…” her eyes brimmed with tears.

  “Shh…”I pressed a finger to her lips. They felt incredibly soft under my touch and there was nothing I could do but kiss her. She responded instantly, her lips moving agai
nst mine. I didn't care where we were, I needed this. I needed her. I heard the breaking of glass and then felt the change in temperature. I turned from Ana to see Luke inside, smashing the lanterns on the floor and lighting anything flammable. Luke closed the French doors behind him as the fire roared to life.

  “What are you doing?” Ana yelled, her eyes searching for another exit.

  “Do you think others were called?” I asked when I understood what Luke was doing. The supernatural would be curious and it could get ugly if others showed up.

  Luke went over to the balcony railing, preparing to jump. “I don’t know, but I am not waiting around to find out.”

  I agreed. “Let’s go.” I picked up Ana, cradling her.

  “Wait!” She cried out when I stepped onto the ledge.

  I paused, gazing down into her impossibly blue eyes. “It’s going to be ok,” I willed her to trust me. I saw an emotion flick over her face before her eyes slid closed. She nodded slowly and I took one step, dropping stories to the courtyard below.

  I set Ana down but as soon as she took one step, she limped. I immediately went to scoop her up again but she declined. I closed my eyes at the rage that was threatening because she got hurt. How fragile she was. Was it broken? Would it heal? I should have gotten there earlier. And I felt like I had failed, even as the house behind me became consumed with flames.

  I put Ana’s arm around me, understanding her need to be self-sufficient. She had been doing things for herself her whole life. I couldn’t wait to change that. I couldn’t wait to take care of her.

  We had slowed down because of Ana’s ankle, and Luke turned around to see what was keeping us. When he saw that Ana was attempting to walk by herself, he shook his head and ran back to help.