Coveted - Book 3 in the Gwen Sparks Series Read online

  “Don’t worry about it,” he waved away my apology. “But I would appreciate you respecting my privacy from now on.”

  I nodded. “Of course.”

  “Aiden’s here by the way.”

  Suddenly all of the lightheartedness of my conversation with Fiona dropped like an anchor in my stomach. I hated disappointing people, especially those I loved. Aiden was not going to be happy when he heard what I had to say.

  I began forward, taking a step toward the door. Dorian braced his hands on either side of the doorframe, blocking my path. As he stared down at me, his lips loosened and formed his infamous smirk.

  “What?” I asked after the awkwardness of his gaze began gnawing at my insides.

  “I don’t think a woman has ever gossiped about me, at least not within earshot.”

  I could feel heat creeping into my cheeks. “Just because I was talking about you doesn’t mean it was good gossip. Your enormous ego has deceived you. Again.”

  Dorian licked his lips, glancing away for a moment before returning that smoldering gaze my way again. Though his eyes were covered by his aviators, I could feel the heat of them on me like they had turned to pure steam. Not waiting for his reply, I ducked under his outstretched arm and headed down the hallway.

  “I’m curious,” Dorian said from behind me. I stopped, turning to face him and hear what had him so damn inquisitive. “Do you plan to keep your promise to Fiona?”

  Stunned speechless, I stood unmoving as he stalked closer. How the hell had he heard what she had said? His confident walk and hungry presence made me feel like the smallest of prey ready to be devoured.

  “Saddle up, cupcake, this bronco’s ready to be ridden.” He passed me, heading to the living room, but his chuckles taunting me all the way down the hall.

  *

  Aiden and Lauren were standing out on the rooftop patio. When I opened the French doors their eyes found me. Lauren was dressed in a pair of the tightest jeans I’ve ever seen. How she was able to fight in something so restricting baffled me. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a high, taut ponytail and the cut of her sweater left little to the imagination. Could vampires get boob jobs or were those puppies real?

  My eyes flicked to Aiden. No matter what passed between us I would always be affected by his appearance. His raven hair was brushed back, a few unruly strands escaping and hanging over his forehead. Blue eyes the color of the cleanest water searched my face. How in the world was I going to watch him walk away? Aiden had been in my life for two years and after tonight it could be centuries before I saw him again, if at all. It was possible that after I delivered my decision he would hate me forever.

  “Give us a minute,” he told Lauren.

  She nodded, sauntering across the patio and toward the French doors. As she passed, she winked and smiled. Only when the doors closed did Aiden move. He turned his back toward me, resting both hands on the railing as he stared at the street below. His gray wool pea coat fit him like a glove, having probably been tailor made. He was classically beautiful and sexy beyond belief. And I was about to push him away. I admit I was second-guessing my decision.

  “You’re staying,” Aiden said, his voice low and confounded.

  I joined him at the railing, hugging my arms to my chest. Of course he’d know my decision before I uttered a word; we were bonded now.

  “It wasn’t easy to turn down such an offer,” I admitted. “Even now I’m debating if I made the right choice.”

  Aiden’s head cocked to the side so that he could look at me. My heart broke at the defeated expression on his face. He may not be able to rip people’s souls from their bodies like Dorian could, but I knew he would be able to keep me just as safe. If I left with him, he’d do everything in his power to shield me from harm’s way.

  “It’s not set in concrete, my Gwen. You still have time to say yes, to leave all of this behind and walk into the sunset with me; metaphorically of course.” He tried for a smile but it didn’t reach his eyes. I thought I could literally feel my heart tremble.

  What could I say that would make my decision okay in his eyes? No words could weave a bandage to lessen the blow. I knew Aiden’s heart had been set on whisking me away from the dangerous world I now found myself thrown in. I was on the battlefield against darkness, and he was offering to rescue me from it.

  “Everything inside of me is telling me to go with you,” I admitted as tears blurred my vision. “Life with you would be so easy, wonderful but…I cannot run. I have to stay and fight for the life I’m not supposed to have.”

  Aiden’s forehead creased. He didn’t know that I was supposed to die that day at Broomsticks and that Dorian had gone against my destiny and restored my soul. I had spent the last couple days thinking that had it not been for the rebelliousness of Death, I’d be taking up space in the Flora cemetery. I was in debt to a man I barely knew and heartbroken by another. My heart was being pulled in two different directions, straining under the pressure of wanting to please both men.

  “What if you stayed?”

  Aiden stood up straight, reaching out to clasp my hands in front of our bodies. His thumb traced a back and forth pattern. “I have to leave, my Gwen. I’ve already hurt you once. If Aaron was to order me to drain you…and the transformation didn’t work.” He looked away, anger contorting his features for a split second. When he looked back at me he said, “I couldn’t live with myself if I were the one responsible for ending your life. Being here, next to you is dangerous.”

  A tear slipped out of my eyes, trickling down my cheek.

  “I told you the story of my family’s tragic end. The La’Rues see me as property to do with as they will. They’ll order me to drain you just because they can, and if your body didn’t accept the vampire virus you would die at my hands. Another person taken from me because of them.” He reached up and brushed away the tear. “I won’t allow them to take any more from me. I’ll leave you for forever if it means they won’t be able to use me against you.”

  “We could fight… Isn’t it worth it?”

  Aiden shook his head, just a slight movement, but it told me his mind was made up. “It’s too dangerous. They’re the original six, Gwen. Their strength is immeasurable and without mercy.”

  Another tear slipped down my cheek and Aiden pulled me into his arms. I closed my eyes, absorbing the smell of him and the way the roughness of his coat felt against my skin. His arms were the softest steel around my body. Flashes of our time together played behind my eyelids, and the tears responded by falling quicker.

  I saw Aiden’s face in the café when we first met, his blue eyes alight with mischievous curiosity. When he first smiled at me, I’d smiled in return, unable to restrain my lips from mimicking his. The time when Micah broke up with me and I had gone for a walk and fallen asleep in Willow Park. Aiden’s beautiful face greeted my puffy red eyes, offering a shoulder to lean on. Our first kiss, in his backyard. The way he had confessed how he felt, delivering words that could have been stolen from my own mind…

  I leaned back up, clearing my face of tears and smiling at one of the few men who’d been able to claim my heart.

  “I don’t blame you for the whole Ian and Brew thing,” I said through quivering lips. “I needed you to know before you left…I still don’t agree with your decisions, but I understand.”

  “Thank you, my Gwen.” He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, his fingers gripping my shoulder. “I never deserved you, but that won’t stop me from always loving you.”

  When he turned and began walking away my body went into panic mode. It was tougher than I imagined watching him go. My feet itched to run after him, clutch his hand and follow him anywhere. I fisted my hands, my nails digging into my palms the tighter I squeezed. He wasn’t just taking himself out of my life; he was taking a piece of me with him. I could already feel the hole where the piece should be, leaving my soul shaky and fragile. Tears continued to splash against my cheeks, my eyes p
inned on his back. A golf ball sized lump lodged in my throat and the air I was breathed thinned making me unable to fill my lungs completely.

  “Aiden…” I took a step forward, faltering to move further. He looked over his shoulder, but wouldn’t make eye contact with me. I thought I saw a glimmer of moisture against his cheek.

  “Where will you go?” I needed to know where he would be so I could visualize him in there, see him in my mind.

  “They’ll be expecting me to go home to Italy. So I cannot return there. It’s between Norway and New Zealand; I haven’t decided. Check the mail.”

  He began walking, stopping at the railing on the far side. I held my breath, clinging to hope that he’d change his mind and stay. His body was still, his head tilted up as if looking to the stars for answers. And then he jumped.

  My feet thawed and I raced across the patio, hitting the short wall as my hands gripped the railing and my eyes searched the space below. Off in the distance I saw a silhouette walking down an empty street and I knew this moment in time would replay in my mind for many nights.

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  Aiden turned, though he was at least three blocks away. He stopped in the middle of the street, the lamppost lighting his face. I couldn’t make out his features but I imagined they were as miserable as mine.

  “And I you, my Gwen.” I heard his voice as clear as if he were whispering it in my ear. It resounded in my mind, fading as he turned around and disappeared amongst the shadows.

  As soon as I lost sight of him my tears responded by falling freely down my cheeks; my heart too upset to race as quickly as my mind was. I hadn’t heard any footsteps but flinched when hands fell on my shoulders. I whirled around, my eyes expecting to find Aiden returning. Instead, Lauren nodded toward me, a sad smile on her face.

  “He’s gone,” I said through a sob. “He actually left.” Up until it happened I hadn’t realized I didn’t really expect him to leave. The shock was gut-wrenching.

  “I know, sweetie,” Lauren said, wrapping her arms around me and offering any amount of comfort she could. I willingly accepted, reaching my arms around her and resting my head against her shoulder as I came to terms with what just happened.

  A shadow blocked out the light spilling from the French doors. I lifted my head from Lauren’s shoulder and found Dorian’s large frame occupying the space. We watched each other, unmoving and lost in this moment that was bound to throw both of our worlds of their axis. I couldn’t pretend to know what Dorian was thinking, but I knew my breakdown wouldn’t sit well with him. The magnetic pull we held for each other was undeniable, but we both knew it wasn’t on the level of what I felt for Aiden.

  Maybe in time Dorian and I would get to that place, share something far more complex than raw attraction, but my heart wasn’t vacant just yet.

  “He left something for you,” Lauren said and I released her from my grip, taking one last look toward Dorian just as he walked away.

  Lauren removed something from the small of her back, producing a manila envelope. With shaky hands, I grabbed it, tracing a finger over my name in beautiful script. I looked up at Lauren, hugging the envelope to my chest.

  “I’ll give you some space, but if you want to talk just let me know.”

  I nodded, forcing a smile on my face. When she turned and walked away, I went to the railing and watched all of the people completely oblivious to my heartache. My eyes trailed up to the star-encrusted sky as a soft breeze brushed against the wetness of my cheeks. I made a silent promise to myself that I would do everything I could to take down Holly and take care of the VC. I’d make my decision worth all the trouble it had caused.

  My eyes fluttered open. I found myself back in the bedroom I first stayed in when I arrived in New Orleans. Sitting up, I rubbed a hand across my face, pushing my hair out of my eyes. I didn’t remember going to bed. I spent the night on the patio just staring at the envelope Aiden left me and trying to find the courage to open it. Somewhere between my contemplations I must have dozed off.

  I reached over and turned on the bedside lamp. It was still dark which meant it wasn’t morning yet. The soft glow illuminated just enough for me to see. The door was closed, a small sliver of light slipping beneath. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I gripped the mattress in both hands and took a moment for the last of my sleepiness to dissolve.

  The bed creaked when I stood. I was still dressed in my clothes from the day before, though my boots had been taken off. Cutting across the room, I opened the door and looked right and then left down the hallway. All of the doors were closed, except for the bathroom. I headed in that direction. Once inside, I gripped the edge of the sink and stared at my reflection. My eyes were cushioned by puffy bags and my skin looked paler than normal. My dark hair was disheveled and in serious need of a meeting with a brush, but I couldn’t find the motivation to carry out the task. After going to the bathroom and washing my hands, I headed down the hall.

  As I neared the living room, soft music lingered on the air. Rounding the corner, my eyes searched for the source of the beautiful melody. A chorus of pianos, violins and cellos came together to form a dark alluring composition. The entire living room was dark except for the glow of the moon filtering through the sheer curtains. Still, the music carried on the air around me, filling my ears with a peaceful calm.

  Taking slow steps, I ventured further into the room. My eyes landed on everything, expecting to find someone with a radio on. When only furnishings and walls greeted me, I stopped in confusion. My eyelids grew heavy, seduced by the peaceful cadence of the orchestral music.

  Slowly, the French doors glided open, a soft breeze washing into the room and caressing my face. I squinted as I tried to understand how they released by themselves. The wind was timid, unable to force such heavy doors open.

  Not an ounce of fear resided within me. I was relaxed, albeit curious. The haunting lullaby resounded in my ears, lulling me like a newborn baby. It urged me forward, my feet moving on their own accord. I couldn’t feel the pressure of my feet against the hardwood floors. Believing I was floating, I stared down at my feet and let out a bubbly laugh. Sure enough, my toes did not touch the floor. I was hovering a good inch, my body carried forward and ensnared by the enthralling notes.

  My hand reached out, my fingertips brushing the sheer curtains away. They danced in the wind like graceful ballerinas welcoming me. Stepping, or floating rather, onto the patio, my eyes found the silhouette of a man on the far side. I couldn’t say what he looked like, either my eyes or the music were playing tricks on me. The outline of his body was that of a man, but when he turned to face me no discernible qualities appeared. His face was a collage of colors, weaving and dancing in a wave to the rhythm.

  He held his hand out and my body reacted, floating forward like it was controlled by the mystery standing in front of me. I clasped his offered palm and my skin filled with pins and needles as soon as I made contact. Still, fear eluded me. My head filled with fluffy, sleepy clouds. The man took a step to the right, keeping my hand held in the air between us. With a quick twirl, he spun me around and I giggled. The crescendo of the music grew louder, wrapping around my body as he twirled, dipped and glided with me across the patio. My cheeks stretched wide as the giddiness he caused consumed me.

  He stopped moving and brought his opened palm to his lips, blowing across his skin. A flutter of glittery musical notes floated out of his hand and danced in the space between us. My mouth agape, I stared in wonderment. The notes sprung up, dancing toward the night sky where they evaporated, leaving behind multi-colored glitter to rain down. I held out my hands, anxious to capture the shimmering confetti.

  “You and I have much to talk about,” the figure said. Ignoring the glitter, I stared transfixed at the sound of his voice. It was definitely masculine, but more intoxicating than the music he used to lure me with. My entire body went slack, my eyelids struggling to keep focus on him.

  I tried to
speak, to ask him who he was, but my lips wouldn’t corporate with the signals my brain was sending. The figure placed a finger against my lips, making a hushing sound.

  “Death resides against a gray backdrop. Travel through the deserted hills until you reach the top. Only when the music sings should you stop.”

  My eyes were fully closed now, mesmerized by sound of his voice. He released my hand, my arm dropping against my side in slow motion. The music faded from my head, taking with it some of the fogginess. And I opened my eyes. The man was standing in his original spot, his back turned toward me. Only, when he turned around this time, he was clear. He wore a long black robe, the hood obscuring his face from detection.

  “Who are you?” The words felt funny against my lips.

  “Find me,” he replied, reaching up and snapping his fingers.

  *

  I shot up in bed, panicked. Wait, why am I in bed again? My chest rose and fell heavily, my hands fumbling to find the bedside lamp. Clicking the switch, I hopped out of bed and paced the floor, stunned and confused. I was positive it hadn’t been a dream, yet it was the only explanation. My brain fought to believe it’d all been my sleeping-self’s imagination.

  “Gwen?”

  I jerked, my eyes flashing across the room. Dorian was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. His sunglasses were resting atop his head, his eyes light and calm.

  “What are you doing?” I hadn’t meant for the question to sound as harsh as it did. Whatever had just happened had shaken me to my core. Still, it was bizarre he was just hanging out in my room while I was sleeping. Plus, I’m not a pretty sleeper. I tend to drool, snore sometimes and mange to turn my hair into something resembling what I suspect a person who’s been shocked looks like.

  “I was wondering the same thing,” Dorian responded, dodging my question. “You hopped out of bed like it was filled with snakes.”

  “I…uh.” I looked at the bed, and then down at myself. “It was just a dream I guess.” Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I pulled my feet up and rested them on the bed frame. The riddle the man had recited flowed through my head. If it was just a dream then why did my subconscious tell me to take it seriously?