I don’t detect a vampire, she told Nicolae.
Are you certain? John Paul is a simple man. Perhaps he is so shaken, you are not receiving a reliable brain pattern.
Destiny frowned. Does that happen?
It is possible. If the vampire had a soft enough touch and made the suggestion from a distance, you might not encounter the blankness they leave behind.
Destiny tapped her finger lightly on the back of the pew. Is there a possibility that there is no vampire? Is there an illness that would cause John Paul to become violent? I don’t know much about illnesses. I was only a child when I was converted, and I haven’t spent much time around humans.
She could feel Nicolae weighing his answer carefully, thinking it over. Do you detect a tumor or a brain bleed, something physical that would affect his behavior?
No. His brain patterns seem normal enough. He is very focused on Helena. I don’t think he is capable of hurting her this way.
Why? Nicolae prompted. Everyone is capable of violence.
Destiny sank into the pew. Nicolae was right. John Paul was a huge bear of a man, quite willing to indulge in a brawl if the opportunity presented itself. But not violence toward her. Never to Helena. He loves her.
A wave of warmth flooded her mind. Her heart. Her very bloodstream. I understand how he feels. I believe you, Destiny. We will figure it out.
Chapter Nine
Nicolae couldn’t miss the purple-haired woman waving at him, as much as he would have liked to. She was flapping her arms and jumping up and down on the sidewalk while the small, pink-haired lady beside her shouted out a welcome to him. He found himself returning to the small neighborhood near the bar, seeking out Mary Ann. The counselor for battered and abused women meant much to Destiny. Mary-Ann also had some psychic ability; he wanted to know more of her.
Destiny might have run from him physically, but he could feel her, a quiet shadow in his mind, sharing her fears, talking over the puzzling problems of “her” humans, laughing with him. She didn’t give him any sympathy as he deliberately shared the embarrassing vision of two elderly ladies in neon colors jumping up and down on the sidewalk and making frantic noises and wild gestures.
Their antics were drawing undue attention to him, something no Carpathian desired. Resigned, he turned away from MaryAnn’s office to saunter down the street toward the two older women who obviously wanted his attention. He heard Destiny’s muffled laughter brush at his mind. It lightened his heart. They would always be connected.
There are times when being invisible comes in handy. You could have warned me.
I think a good dose of Velda and Inez is exactly what you need.
He gave an exaggerated groan just to hear the sound of her laughter. After so many years of pain, it was a miracle to hear the amusement in her voice, to feel the lightness in her heart. She was slowly coming to terms with what she had become, slowly accepting that she might not be the evil creature she had been led to believe.
I am uncertain what I did this rising to deserve such punishment. Flashing his most charming smile at the two women, Nicolae bowed low over Velda’s hand, skimmed Inez’s knuckles with brief, old world courtesy. Both women fluttered their eyelashes and giggled like schoolgirls. “What can I do for you?”
Stop with the voice! Do you want to give them heart attacks? Destiny was really laughing now. She sounded so carefree, he felt a strong burst of emotion.
The women introduced themselves and patted the chair waiting between them, gushing over his name, his foreign accent and wonderful manners.
“What brings you to our neighborhood, Nicolae?” Velda asked curiously.
“We saw you with our dear Mary Ann,” Inez added.
“I have come courting,” he announced, devilishly sharing the conversation with Destiny. “The beautiful woman you were speaking with the other evening. Destiny. I am doing my best to make her my wife, but she is attempting to resist my charm. I do not suppose either of you would have any suggestions to further my cause?” he added hopefully.