under the white sheet and simple violet quilt. James gathered from her taste, she was a woman who liked the little luxuries life had to offer. He would offer luxuries she had never dreamed of, and a love like no other. Leaning in closely, James whispered in her ear, “My darling Alessandra, please forgive me. I do this to protect you.”
“James,” she whispered softly in her sleep.
It was almost his undoing. His name was on her lips, her voice soft and husky. A voice that was the most seductive thing he had ever heard, and Alessandra was the most enticing sight he had ever seen. He wanted her with a fierceness he had never felt before.
They were soul mates, two halves of the same whole. She called to him, and he answered.
Fighting temptation with everything he had, James leaned down once more, and in a soft, smooth, sexy voice filled with compulsion, he whispered, “Forget tonight for now, my darling Alessandra. You will remember what happened later, when you need to.”
All immortals and vampires could inject compulsions into their voice, leaving the victim no choice but to do what they demanded. She experienced the evil side of compulsion tonight with Vincent. He had compelled her to stay. James had felt her struggle against it but in the end, Vincent would have won. Until she was brought fully into the Immortal existence, Ally would be controlled easily. Once the transition was complete, she would be immune to compulsions from Vincent or anyone else.
He placed a light kiss upon her forehead. She was deep in sleep. James got up and moved to the one seater chair next to the fireplace, opposite her bed. There was nothing else to be done, so he sat down and got comfortable, deciding he would spend the night watching over Ally to make sure she was safe, and no other harm befell her.
Chapter Four
The following morning, Ally walked into the kitchen to track down a much-needed coffee after her late-night stakeout. Her grandmother was in the process of brewing a fresh pot as she walked through the doorway.
“I thought I smelled something delightful,” Ally said with a yawn.
“Late night?”
“Yeah.” The morning was unusually bitter and cold. She was so glad for her favorite track pants and jacket, and comfy Ugg boots.
“Did you catch them?” Adele asked.
“Yeah, I think so,” she answered, feeling unexpectedly confused. She sank down in a chair at the table and ran her fingers through her hair, as Adele handed her a coffee.
Adele studied her for a minute and asked, “What do you mean you think so?”
Ally scrunched her eyebrows together thinking, and trying to remember last night, but after a certain point, she couldn’t.
“I remember seeing my mark, Sarah, come home. And then some guy was in her apartment, but that’s all I remember…”
Adele felt guilty seeing her granddaughter clearly distressed, but she told herself it was for Ally’s benefit not to remember just yet. She sat down at the table with Ally and put her hand on her arm. “You are obviously exhausted honey. Don’t worry too much about it.”
“Hmm…maybe.” She shook her head lightly trying to clear the fog. It was like the memories were there, but she couldn’t access them. How strange, she thought.
“It’s just a sign you’re getting old and senile,” Adele joked.
Ally looked at her over the cup of coffee in her hands and glared. “Gee, thanks, Grandma.”
“Have I ever told you I don’t know what I would do without you Ally?” Adele asked in a solemn tone.
“Is everything alright, Gran?” Ally looked at her, and thought she caught a flicker of something in her eyes. It was so quick that if she had blinked, it would have been missed.
Adele started fluttering about, trying to play it down. “Everything is fine, sweetie. I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me, and that I would be lost without you.”
Ally smiled warmly at her, then stood up, walked over and gave her a hug. Adele stood up and returned the hug.
In truth, it went both ways. Alessandra needed Adele, and Adele needed Alessandra. They had been the only ones left after the dearly departed had gone. They had relied on each other to get through a very difficult time and had become quite the successful duo in many aspects. Life would have been a lot harder if they hadn’t had each other during the last five years. There were tears, love and laughter, sometimes all at