Chapter One
ION
This tradition of cooking outdoors and spending time with family is rather new to me. Well, at least in this century. Long ago, there was no choice but to cook outside. For so long, it was a luxury to have indoor stoves that no one would choose to build a fire outside. Especially those living in villages.
However, here I sit under a large awning attached to the back of my granddaughter’s mate’s house, watching him grill several large steaks. Of course, the three vampires, myself included, will not be eating, but the camaraderie is very nice.
“Ion, do you want more wine?” Sam is a literal giant. He closes the cover on his grill and walks to a cooler placed near the back door. There’s no ice within, but it keeps the wine from getting hot while we’re outside.
I finish the last sip of the California Cabernet. “That would be appreciated, Sam.”
Once he’s filled my glass, he returns to the grill.
“I like this tradition.” I relax into the Adirondack chair and enjoy the wine.
“Barbecuing is a good way to spend an afternoon. I understand you, Mari, and Tilda plan to hunt together later.” He turns the steak over.
The scent is pleasant, even if eating cooked meat has not appealed for more centuries than I care to count. “Thank you for including me. This idea of family has been long missing from my life, such as it is.” It does no good to dwell on those I’ve lost, even if their absence still twists at my barely beating heart.
Sam stares for a moment. “I have felt you were my family since our time in Belgium, Ion. Even after our lives moved in different directions. I always knew I could count on you and that if you had need of me, you would call.”
Before the world became so small with increasing technology, Sam worked for me on my farm in what is now Belgium. “And that is so, my friend. I’m sorry for the circumstances that brought us back together, but I’m pleased you called for my help, and that led to finding my granddaughters.”
His frown is eased by a nod. “I know you would have wished for Pierre Brochet to be rehabilitated, but I cannot say I’m sorry he’s gone.”
“I understand.” Wishing a vampire from my line had made better choices in his long life will not make it true. Pierre chose violence, domination, and torture. He stole unwilling women and made them vampires and then told them lies to keep them at heel. Mari and Tilda were among those women. “Things did not go the way I would have wished, but I was not surprised by the outcome.”
With a frown, Sam closes the grill’s cover. He picks up his beer and takes a long pull on the bottle. “I think a car just pulled in.”
My granddaughters and Max, Tilda’s Sasquatch mate, are inside the house. “Are you expecting someone else?”
“No.”
As a car door opens, I sniff the air. “It’s Lori Manning.” Rising, I go inside. A knot forms in my stomach, worried about the possibility that something more has gone wrong in the human woman’s life. After her daughter Livi was kidnapped in the middle of the night by a boogeyman, things have not been going well with the child’s trauma recovery.
Mari is already at the door when I approach. “It’s Lori.”
“I know.” I step beside her as she opens the door.
Dark rings around Lori’s eyes, and her red hair like a wild halo around her pretty face, it’s obvious that she hasn’t had enough sleep.
My heart pounds once at the sight of her. Something about this sweet, single mother of twins has captured my attention beyond anyone else in my exceedingly long life. Shaking aside my inappropriate attraction, I wait for Mari to speak. Meanwhile, I remind myself that Lori is human and young. The term “too old for her” is laughably accurate.
“Lori, what’s wrong?” Mari reaches out her hand as soon as Lori is under the porch’s roof.
Looking from Mari to me, Lori bites her bottom lip. She catches her breath. “I’m so sorry to interrupt your family party. Max mentioned you were all getting together today.”
“You’re welcome to join us.” Mari steps back to allow Lori to enter. “But you look as if you’ve come for more than a steak. What’s wrong?”
Max says, “Is it the girls? What’s going on?” Tall and hairy, the Sasquatch is fiercely protective of this town and those he cares for. An officer with the local police department, he works with Lori, who is a dispatcher.
“The girls are safe.” Lori’s gaze shifts to me. “I wonder if I can speak to you, Mr. Radu?”
“Of course.” I point to the couch in the living room and offer her a seat.
Mari clears her throat. “We’ll be in the backyard if you need anything.”
Once we’re alone, I sit in the chair. I long to offer her some kind of comfort, but sitting too close would be foolish. Not that I would ever harm her. I’ve lived so long, my need for blood is minimal. However, my other desires are another story. “How can I help?”
