CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The evening was cool. A gentle wind stirred from the north and with it came fresh reminders of home, the smell of the woodland area that surrounded me. It was good to be home. The short trip was nice, but home is always nicer.

We had stayed one more day in Scotland and then left the following day. Today was Tuesday. Daniel‟s need to call a meeting of the clans was our highest priority.

Thomas had called together some of the local clans to meet at his home. With loads of laundry to do, I decided I wanted to stay at home this time. Daniel agreed and left.

I made a few phone calls, checking on Gramps and Aunt Tess. I let everyone know we had arrived back safe and sound. I also explained the extra danger of the werewolves to my family. Taylan‟s group would take extra care to watch out for any unwelcome and invading werewolves.

The next phone call I made was to Casey. She was elated Daniel and I were back in town. Casey explained to me that Richard had also returned. The news was not good.

Richard was planning to meet with us tomorrow. In my heart, I was glad to see he made it back alive. For whatever reason, I still felt a part of me connected to him. I couldn‟t understand it. There was just something odd that I felt had to do with more than just his venom.

It was only a few hours; at least that is what I thought. The sudden opening of the front door woke me up from a sound nap. Apparently, I had fallen asleep in front of the television. Daniel moved into the living room. The expression on his face was pure worry. Rising up on my elbows, I tried to make some sense of the words that rambled out of his mouth.

“…tonight!” Was the only word I heard before he rushed up the stairs.

“What?” I called after him. The time on my watch said it was 8:30 p.m.

“Get dressed!” He called back to me.

What on earth for? Where were we going this time of night? A couple of minutes passed before I managed to make my way up the stairs. Daniel was already dressed. He had on a pair of black jeans. The black Lycra shirt he wore strained against the muscles in his chest. He slipped on a black leather jacket. Daniel was a handsome sight before my eyes.

“Julie?” Turning, he opened my closet and pulled out clothes.

“Where are we going?” My mind was still trying to wake.

“We are going to a club. Didn‟t you hear me?” His voice was in a rush.

“Why?”

“We are meeting Richard and this guy named Mithras.” He stated. He tossed an outfit on the bed.

Mithras. That name sent chills down my spine. Was Daniel out of his mind? Fear shot through me. After the dream I had of Mithras, I really didn‟t want to meet him.

Why on earth did Richard bring this man back here? Casey said the news wasn‟t good.

So where did this leave us?

“But…” I began when Daniel shot a firm look to me.

“But nothing. We have to meet him tonight. Jewels, this is important. Mithras wants to meet us in person. He knows what is hidden in Fort Mountain.”

I shook my head and began to dress. This was not my idea of fun. Daniel stood behind me like a football coach as he pushed me. My choice of dress was different than his. After I managed to pull up my black tights, I grabbed a turtleneck sweater dress from the closet. I topped it off with a wide black belt and a pair of black thigh high boots.

Tossing my hair a couple of times, I rushed through my makeup. Finally, I was ready to go.

We made it to the club safe and sound. Daniel‟s driving, of course, left something to be desired along the way. Inside the club, it was dark. It took a second or two for my eyes to adjust. The smell of mixed drinks and beer filled the air. Also another scent caught my attention, the floral scent of lilies and carnations. Vampires. There was more than one in the midst of the tiny club. The club was packed with them. There were humans scattered about. My attention to this newfound mystery came to an abrupt halt.

Daniel‟s hand grabbed mine and pulled me through the crowded room. The scent became stronger as we moved through the crowd. My eyes darted around the room. So many of them. Vampires that lived around us who we never knew existed. There was such as distinction between the clear blue glistening eyes and the eyes of the humans.

Here Daniel and I were in the middle of a club for vampires, the only two Lycans within the whole crowded area. I was sure our scent would attract more attention than needed.

Most were curious, others…such as the one who‟s attention was now focused on me…dangerous.

Daniel stopped. The scent was stronger than I had ever encountered. Moving alongside him, I froze in my step. Richard sat in a booth with another man. Richard lifted his eyes to me. He wasn‟t wearing contacts. Those blue diamond like gems shot straight through me. My heart fluttered to an absolute stand still. Waves of emotions and feelings swept over me. Just feeling his presence evoked familiar feelings. A calling. A wanting.

A will almost beyond my control.

“Julie.” His voice was normal and controlled.

“Please sit. Join us.” Mithras motioned to the empty side of the booth.

It was odd that I never noticed the man sitting in the shadows. Daniel sat down and slid closer to Richard. To my relief, I was happy. I moved in closer to Daniel. The shadow hidden body suddenly moved into sight, leaning closer to the table.

Mithras. He was every bit as breathtaking as he had been in my dream. His black hair, long and silky, flowed down his back. He wore a black silk shirt that only enhanced his pale appearance. His cheekbones were high and well defined. The eyes were the same jeweled blue eyes as Richard‟s. The scent however, was almost over powering, strong to the point of being almost breathtaking.

“My name is Mithras,” he began. His hand slowly wrapped around a tall glass in front of him. “I am honored you have decided to meet with me under these circumstances.”

“Daniel Maxwell,” Daniel stated firmly, “and my wife Julie.”

Mithras caught my gaze. Chills immediately ran down my spine. Goose pimples prickled my arms. The hair on the back of my neck stood on its ends. He studied me for a long moment. A look of confusion swept over his face. He glanced to Daniel then to me and my heart fluttered. What did he see? Did he know something I didn‟t? Maybe.

“We should discuss this matter in private,” Mithras said glancing toward me.

“What you have to say can be said in front of my wife,” Daniel growled.

“I see.” He paused, eyeing Daniel cautiously. “You regard your women with a sense of nobility,” he scoffed. “Yes, I see this could be something of a distraction to you.”

“Mithras,” Richard interrupted. “The Lycans do view their women with high authority. They are warriors the same as the men.”

“A woman warrior?” he mocked. “Is this true, Julie? Are you a true warrior?”

Mithras asked. The words purred from his lips in the most intoxicating manner.

“Yes.” The words had to be forced from my lips.

Mithras chuckled softly. “Many years ago women were high consorts to the kings of ancient times, and some even considered to be Goddesses. There were some who would betray a man, given the right circumstances, of course.”

“I assure you…” I began.

“Never the less!” Mithras hissed. He inhaled a deep breath. “Richard, would you please escort Julie to the dance floor? I would like to discuss this matter in private with Mr. Maxwell.”

“She can be trusted,” Richard sharply returned.

Mithras immediately turned to Richard. His hand slammed down on the table. His sudden movement jolted me out of my chair. I rose with my heart pounding loudly.

Richard eyed Mithras. The tension between the two was thick. Thicker than what I could stand. Whatever happened in their previous lives I didn‟t know, but what I did know was that they were not the best of friends. For that matter, I doubted if Mithras had any friends.

Richard glanced to Daniel, a firm and controlled look on his face. Daniel was furious. Richard stood and then moved around Mithras. Mithras eyed Daniel carefully.

Daniel bristled as Richard‟s hand touched my arm.

“Remember our agreement,” Daniel sneered to Richard.

Richard‟s attention went to Daniel. “Yes, of course. How could I forget?” His voice was sarcastic.

Daniel burned with rage. He absolutely despised Mithras and vampires in general.

He inhaled a deep and controlled breath. Mithras turned to Daniel immediately. His crystal blue diamond-like eyes flared.

“Come on,” Richard whispered softly against my ear, directing me toward the dance floor. “Leave them be.”

Despite my attempts, Richard‟s hand gripped tightly under my arm leading me away from them. I couldn‟t help but watch as Daniel‟s eyes blackened with anger. He hated to see me with Richard. Mithras spoke softly to Daniel, pulling his attention away from me. Richard‟s hand slid around my waist pulling me closer as he moved to the slow music that started to play.

“Daniel will be fine.” Richard stated. His hand pulled mine around his neck. “At least look like you are enjoying this.”

My gaze fell upon Richard. His eyes were soft and his lips formed a gentle smile.

The soft sounds of the music flowed over me. Richard‟s body felt like steel next to mine.

There was something odd about him, something different. I couldn‟t help wonder. He even smelled differently.

“You smell different.” I shot out.

Richard shook his head. A soft chuckle followed. His eyebrows rose. “Exactly what do I smell like to you?”

My body moved in a slow movement with his. He pulled me closer and pressed my body against his. His face was only a few inches from mine. The coolness of his breath swept over my face and the scent lingered in my senses. My mind swirled. The world twisted around me, spinning wildly out of control.

“Must you always do this to me?” My heart raced out of control.

His lips twitched into a smile. “Julie, what am I doing to you?”

His breath feathered my skin again. “Make me …you…” I couldn‟t even say it.

The beautiful face came closer. “Make you what? What would you like me to do? ” His lips pressed against the side of my face. His voice was no more than a deep and sultry breath.

A breath escaped me. I trembled. His body … Dear Fate … his body felt like it was molding itself to mine. Or was it my body that fit so perfectly with his. With each beat of the music, Richard moved in a provoking manner.

“What?” I could barely think. My body moved with his in the perfect rhythm he set for the dance, flowing to the slow sultry beat of the music. Another gasp of air and I was panting.

“Tell me, Julie.” He whispered again. “What would you have me do?”

“You … are … not being … fair.” I pressed.

“Vampires never are,” he seethed.

“Our … friendship.” My breath strained in my throat.

“Ah yes…” He hissed. “I tell you what, since you decline to tell me what you would have me to do. I will tell you what I will do.”

“OH no!” I choked as his hand slid down to the small of my back.

My skin was burned. His fingers moved smoothly up my back pressing my chest to his. My breast swelled and ached. He moved, grinding his body against mine. Oh Dear Fate! I needed to be away from him. Every part of my body was on fire. I wanted him. I couldn‟t help it. I couldn‟t fight the urge. I wanted to know what he would feel like.

“Mmm…yes,” he growled against my ear. “I would ravish your body. Send you into a world of bliss you never experienced before. Make you cry out in pleasures you never imagined.

Make you cry out my name until you were breathless. Oh yes, my lovely, I would make you sing a beautiful song.”

“Richard…No…” I begged.

“Yes,” he hissed softly. “I would take you places you never imagined. Tell me Julie. Tell me you want me. Tell me you want me to do those things to you.”

“No!” I whispered but my thoughts betrayed me. I could envision every moment; every touch; every moan. Every cry of pleasure he described.

Richard inhaled a deep breath. His chest rose against mine, sending me into another wave of heat flustered madness. Why me? Dear Fate! Why me? I buried my head into his shoulder.

“Your body betrays you, my lovely,” he cooed softly. His breath cursed my skin.

“Please…stop.” He was right; my body had betrayed me, so had my words.

“You want to know what it would be like with me. I told you. I told you exactly what I would do to you. And you alone. Tell me yes.”

“N-o.”

“Yes, Julie. Tell me yes and I will end this burning inside your body. The desire you need to be satisfied. The desire that makes your body aches for me to be inside of you. Tell me yes, and I will put an end to all of this.”

Another pant escaped me.

“N-o…I…”

His lips pressed against my ear. He inhaled a soft breath. “Just tell me yes. I want to hear you say my name. Say it like you did when I first kissed you.”

My breath shuddered. Overwhelming feelings of desire rose inside me. Dear Fate, was I going to take him right here on the dance floor? Did he have any idea what he had put me through? Of course, he did. It was his seduction. I was a fly. A fly caught in his web! I was powerless. A helpless victim caught in his web of seduction. How could any woman resist him? He was a vampire, an inhumanly beautiful vampire skilled in the art of seduction.

“Just one more time.” The sultry tones of his voice shook me. “Let me hear you say it.”

His lips trailed down my jaw, lingering lightly against my lips.

The soft floral fragrance consumed me. Yes, I was his, my will was no longer my own. The woman who desired him had won. I was without a doubt, under his spell. I was intoxicated with his wine called desire. The wine that tempted and challenged my very soul.

His head moved to the side of my face, inhaling another breath. A soft growl rumbled in his throat. The hot fevered blood pulsated through my veins. The woman who desired to be unleashed, she called to him, arching herself to his lips. Satisfied, he responded. The coolness of his lips pressed against hers. My body trembled with excitement. My eyes closed tightly.

Our bodies moved together, swaying in a soft and sensual dance. He took every bit of resistance I had, tossing all cares aside. At that moment, there was nothing left of me.

The only thing on my mind was Richard.

“I know you want me, Julie.” His voice filled with lust. “I can smell the desire within your veins.”

“Richard…”

“Ahh- it sounds so good to my ears. Tell me what you want me to do.”

My lips trembled against his wanting more of him, wanting to taste him, to reenact our first kiss.

“I…”

Before I had the chance to answer, I was suddenly ripped away from him. Swaying wearily, I felt my body hit something hard and hot. It was Daniel. Mithras moved beside Richard. Richard‟s eyes flared toward Daniel. A menacing growl, deep and throaty rumbled loudly from Richard.

“We had an agreement!” Daniel roared between clinched teeth.

“Come now, Daniel,” Mithras cooed. “A vampire is a vampire. You don‟t expect Richard to give up that easily. Do you?” He coughed out a laugh.

“She is mine. Not his!” Daniel‟s eyes darted to Mithras.

“Yes, that may be true enough,” Mithras touched Richard‟s shoulder with his hand.

“But, you see, there is one distinct difference between us. When a vampire sets his sights on something…there is nothing any one can do. They are powerless against the will of a vampire.” He laughed again. “If I heard correctly, your agreement with Richard was to take care of her in the event of your death? Is that not correct?”

“So I survived,” Daniel growled.

Mithras released a haunting laugh. His eyes twinkled. “Your ignorance amuses me.

She is marked. There is nothing you can do about it. I assure you, killing Richard is the last thing you will want to do.”

Daniel‟s eyes narrowed. “Marked?” His gaze immediately went to Richard. “You told me the effects would wear off!! How can this be? You lied!”

Mithras slithered between the two of them, his eyes still twinkling with delight.

“Daniel, I think you should understand where you are. You are in the middle of a club filled with vampires. Now, take a moment to digest it. You wouldn‟t make it out alive.

Then she would be Richard‟s … forever. Do yourself a favor and let it go.”

Turning to Richard, Mithras‟ hand rested on his shoulder again. “Come now, Richard. Let us leave. I have much to prepare for.”

Richard gave Daniel one last growl before turning swiftly. Daniel‟s body pressed against mine as he returned the growl. Daniel‟s thoughts were raging. He was going to kill Richard at the first opportunity he had. Richard‟s life would end. Daniel planned on killing him when they met at the mountain.

Daniel grabbed my arm. His fingers tightly gripping me as he pulled my vampire intoxicated body out of the club. He dragged me to the car. I couldn‟t speak. I barely could walk. Daniel was furious. He knew how very dangerous Richard was to me. He saw firsthand what this had come to. A series of curses streamed from his lips as he started the car.

There was nothing I could say to him. My mind was still drug intoxicated. My drug…Richard. I felt the overwhelming need to be with him. Dear Fate…I could even feel him calling to me. Drawing me to him. I had to go.

Daniel hit the interstate, his driving erratic. He rolled the windows down on the car. The fresh air did not help. The smell of Richard still lingered in my senses. My thoughts were irrational. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew I was with Daniel. But I felt dreamy, like I was walking on a cloud, living in a dream world. I knew I was married to Daniel. I knew Daniel was my one true love. But…I also knew I longed for Richard.

As my muddied state of mind continued, I could feel Richard‟s pull. I could almost sense him; feel him calling to me, willing me to come back to him. Totally consumed in my own thoughts, I realized something else. I couldn‟t hear Daniel‟s thoughts.

Daniel drove fast. The car‟s tires squealed as he turned off the interstate onto the secondary road to our driveway. The engine whined as he pressed the accelerator to the floor. I didn‟t care. I was in a state of euphoria. I longed for Richard.

The night air blew into the car, chilling me to the bone. The air was cold enough to freeze me. I sniffled a couple of times, shivering against the cold night air. It still didn‟t matter. My thoughts drifted again.

We arrived in front of my house, but I sat motionless in the car. Daniel huffed a deep breath as he slammed the car door. The car rocked for a moment. I supposed I should move. Where would I find the strength? My hand moved toward the car door. It was snatched away from me. Suddenly, my body was jerked from the seat, lifted into the arms of this madman.

“Put me down!” I growled.

Daniel ignored me. His strides were long as we entered the front door of the house.

He promptly placed me on the sofa, then left for the kitchen. I heard footsteps moving down the staircase behind me, Heather and Jason.

Jason paused as Daniel came from the kitchen. His eyes remained black as night.

Wearily, I looked toward Jason and Heather.

“What happened?” Heather shrilled.

“That damn vampire! I am going to kill him!” Daniel roared.

Heather moved to me. Her petite figure knelt down in front of me?

“What‟s wrong with her? Why does she look like this?” Her eyes were wide. “Julie, can you hear me?”

I nodded. “Yes” My voice was still weak. I couldn‟t believe everyone was so alarmed. I just wanted to sleep.

“He will die!” Daniel roared again.

“Daniel? What exactly happened?” Jason asked. He pushed Heather aside and carefully examined me.

Daniel paced back and forth. He had the cell phone against his head.

“Richard! That‟s what happened!”

“Did he bite her or something?” Jason moved my head from side to side, looking for bite marks I presumed. I pushed his hand away.

“No. But he may as well have bitten her. Look at her!” Daniel snapped.

“What happened with Mithras?” Heather turned to Daniel.

“That arrogant….” he shot out.

For the next few minutes, I listened. My mind was cognizant; I just couldn‟t shake the effects of Richard from me. I remained silent while Daniel explained the conversation he had with Mithras to Heather and Jason.

Mithras knew about the item hidden somewhere in Fort Mountain. It turned out that he was the one who sent it over to the New World. America. Mithras would not divulge the identity of the item itself. Mithras himself would go to collect this secret item because he didn‟t want the werewolves to have it. He said the evil it contained could destroy all of us.

A pact was made between Mithras and Daniel. For one night, together, the vampires and Lycans would go to Fort Mountain. They would find the item and Mithras would return to his home with it. Daniel mentioned he had pressed the issue of having the item destroyed.

Mithras claimed, “You can‟t destroy evil. Evil in itself lives in many forms.”

The plans were set forth to meet under the next full moon. The Lycans would keep the werewolves busy, distracting their attention from Mithras. The vampires would also play their part in killing off a few of the stinky creatures.

I listened further as Daniel told Heather and Jason of his plan. He didn‟t trust the vampires. According to Daniel, if this item was pure evil then it needed to be destroyed.

He would make sure the item was annihilated Then together the Lycans would finish off the vampires.

The next full moon there was going to be a war like no other. I knew it. The war that brewed was not one I wanted to be a part of. Killing all the vampires? Daniel had lost his mind. Something had changed inside of him. Death and killing had become more a part of him than I had ever imagined.

Worse yet, he was going to lead an entire group of Lycans against a pack of deadly werewolves. Becoming a Dark Wolf had changed Daniel. It had changed him into something deadly, far worse than a vampire. He was not evil but his thoughts of killing evil were precise and calculated.

Thomas and Charlotte showed up for the final debate. Why did everyone look at me with such sympathy? The debate continued for another hour or two, I‟m not sure. I rested my head against the pillow on the sofa and slowly I drifted off to sleep. The sound of voices continued to rise and fall as I sank deeper into my slumber.