“Not at all,” Inez affirmed. “He was horrified by Helena’s injuries. He didn’t remember yelling at her or hitting her or…” She trailed off, glancing at her sister.
Rape. The ugly word was unspoken but it shimmered in all of their minds. Destiny’s stomach churned in protest. Helena loved John Paul. And John Paul was incapable of such acts. What would cause such bizarre behavior? She held her breath, waiting for the answer, waiting for Nicolae to confirm her worst suspicions.
Do not jump to conclusions. Our minds are always on the undead, but not all crimes are committed by vampires. Humans are capable of great atrocities.
She didn’t want to be reminded of that. She wanted to think a vampire was responsible. How could a human be responsible for changing John Paul’s entire personality? That didn’t make sense to her.
“How is Helena?”
“She doesn’t come out of her house much, and when she does, she is quiet and subdued. Not at all like her. And John Paul is upset and afraid of losing her. He told me he honestly doesn’t remember anything about that day. It’s sad,” Velda said. “And, of course, there are other things.”
The door to the bar opened, spilling light and loud music and laughter into the street. The three women turned to watch Mary Ann emerge with a man beside her. He was holding her elbow. Neither glanced toward the women, but rather turned toward the small alleyway leading behind the tavern.
Destiny’s heart nearly stopped beating for a moment, then began to pound fearfully.
Chapter Five
“Velda, Inez, I know this is important, and I do believe you. I want to hear everything you have to say about what’s happening, but unfortunately, I have to go right now.” Her breath was rushing into her lungs. Don’t you touch her! There was no pleading, just a very real threat in her sharp command. She leapt to her feet, began jogging toward the alley, blurring her figure so that she could put on a burst of speed and the sisters wouldn’t be able to see. The wind picked up, rushed down the street in a gale, pushing loose paper, sticks and leaves ahead of it, swirling dust eddies into towers of turbulence.
Her body moved with grace, with power, a lethal machine rushing to stop the inevitable. She tried to use the blood bond between them, reaching for him, attempting to immobilize him. She should have known he would never have given her his blood if it would give her complete domination of him. He was a true ancient with more power and strength, more battle savvy than she could hope to muster in her short years as a hunter. It was too late to stop him; she knew exactly the moment his teeth sank deep into MaryAnn’s vulnerable neck.
Destiny hissed softly, a promise of retaliation, the taste of betrayal bitter in her mouth. Why had she allowed his voice to deceive her into believing he was something different? She burst around the corner, skidding to a halt as she saw them. MaryAnn was turned toward her, a small frown on her face. Nicolae’s arms were around the woman, holding her in front of him like a shield. He lifted his head slowly, almost lazily, his gaze drifting over Destiny in a kind of challenge.
Destiny halted a few feet from them. MaryAnn was in terrible danger. Nicolae might easily kill her. Destiny was very aware that one wrong move on her part could be the deciding factor. “What do you want?” She would give him almost anything for MaryAnn. She prayed she wouldn’t have to kill MaryAnn to keep her from falling into his hands. “Tell me what you want.” She was moving in a slow circle as she stalked him. The air between them vibrated with tension. Overhead the darker clouds began to boil. Small veins of lightning arced from cloud to cloud. The wind began an eerie moan, rising every now and then to a shriek of anger.
Nicolae smiled, revealing his immaculate white teeth. He looked the predator he was. “I am no fledgling to be tricked, Destiny. Back away and listen to reason.”