need to put as much distance between me and that monster as I can.
Chapter 2
Halloween is the hardest holiday of all. While children dress up as their favorite characters, action figures, and heroes, and adults dress up in whatever will get them laid, I’m stuck remembering the real reason for this holiday: All Souls’ Night. Looking up at the sky, I peer into the dark expanse. Is my wife still looking down on me? Does she still even care?
Though I’m far from home, the need to be with her drives me forward every year. Even centuries later, I find myself wandering through whatever cemetery I’m near, just to possibly get a glimpse of her. The veil is thinnest around this time, after all. What does it mean if a loved one died near All Hallows’ Eve? Shouldn’t that grant them extra time back on Earth?
Kicking at a rock in front of me, I squat down in front of a worn tombstone. The words are faded, just like the memories I so desperately cling to. How many more centuries before I forget the color of her hair? Her smile? Her warm embrace? Already, the smaller details are lost. Soon, I will have nothing more to keep me company.
A loud shriek pierces the night, startling me out of my morose thoughts. Tilting my head up, I scent the air, picking up on a faint scent of a woman. My fangs pulse as I follow her smell. She isn’t alone, and if what I’m smelling is correct, she’s most certainly in danger.
Up ahead, I see a large crypt with candlelight spilling out of it. This has to be where the other vampire has gone to ground. I hope what I’m smelling is incorrect, but my gut is telling me otherwise. Growling softly, I ease my way even closer, my body humming with adrenaline. He doesn’t smell like anyone I’ve met at Club Toxic, so, until proven otherwise, he’s a threat to be dealt with.
Taking the steps two at a time, I come upon the bloody scene. Two people—one a vampire and the other obviously human—converge close together in the cramped vault. Her tiny frame is as far away from the predator as she can get, but in such close quarters, it’s not nearly far enough. The vampire, paralyzed, but still very much alive, lies prone on the floor, a large wooden beam sticking out of his chest. I stare down at him, my body stilling. Though incapacitated, he could still be dangerous.
She’s so small, clearly not helpless, but I’m still overwhelmed by the need to keep her safe. As I edge closer to the woman, I reach out to make her aware of my presence. Her shriek of fear fills the chamber, and damn it if my cock doesn’t twitch. Clearing my throat, I grab her arm and put myself between her and the other vampire. With her safely behind me, I look down at him. Definitely no one I recognize. The glazed look in his eyes still holds a glimmer of evil.
“It was an accident. Just an accident,” she mutters, her voice frantic. I glance over, and her slender arms are wrapped around her body as she rocks back and forth. I need to get her out of here, and fast. Pulling her into my arms must have snapped her out of her panic because her small body becomes a flurry of movement. Tiny fists rail against my chest. I can barely feel the impact, but she’s fighting me in earnest. Smiling, I grab her wrists.
“Calm yourself. Mio Dio. I’m here to help you. Now, let’s get out of here before he gets back up.”
Her face tilts up and her eyes lock onto mine. Candlelight dances across her face, shadows dipping and swirling like a lover’s caresses. Unable to stop myself, I reach out and slide my fingertips across her cheek. It’s just as soft as I imagined it to be.
“Alessandra.” Her name slips past my lips before I can stop it. Pain and longing flow through me as I take in this woman standing before me.
“It’s Dahlia, you freak. Now let me go!” She twists her neck to frantically look behind her. “Is he actually going to get back up?”
Shaking my head, I clear my vision. This isn’t her. This isn’t my precious Alessandra. Once I can think rationally, the differences are noticeable. However… her eyes. Every time her eyes lock with mine, I’m brought back to memories of simple nights