Tempest felt the color drain from her face, and she sat back in her chair, needing the support. Before she could reply, Cullen held up a hand to stop her. “Just listen. Whether or not you believe there are vampires among us doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the people I was affiliated with believe it, and they are out to capture, dissect, and destroy any they might find. Some of them have gone completely off their rockers, I’m afraid. The singer that you’re traveling with—and don’t deny that you’re with her; I’ve done my home-work—is being targeted by the society. They’ve already made attempts on her life, and believe me, they’ll do it again.”
Tempest drummed her fingers nervously on the table-top. “Why aren’t you going to the police? Why tell me?”
“The police won’t believe me—you know that. But I can try to help you and maybe even your friend the singer. This picture was taken at the same place where they found Matt Brodrick’s body. He was part of the society, and, unfortunately for you, this picture condemns you in its eyes. They sent me to track you down and bring you back to them to see what they can learn about your group before... disposing of you. And I’m sure I’m not the only one they’ll be sending. I want to get you out of here, get you somewhere safe, where you can lay low until they lose interest in you.”
Tempest shook her head. “Just like that? I’m supposed to believe you and take off with you? If all this was true, the only thing I could do would be to warn Desari and the band, go to the police, and hope they catch these nuts.”
“Don’t be so damned stubborn,” Cullen hissed, leaning across the table, his face inches from hers. “I’m trying to save your life. These people are dangerous. They believe Desari is a vampire, and likely her new boyfriend, too. They are going to capture her or destroy her. Killing her would be doing her a favor, given what they have in mind as the alternative. But you’re first on their list, because they see you as a way to get information about her and her troupe. You have to go into hiding, get the hell away from the band. It’s your only choice, Tempest.”
“Do they think I’m a vampire? For God’s sake, they have a photo of me outdoors in broad daylight. I’m having lunch with you in a diner in the middle of the day,” she replied, exasperated but a little afraid. Darius was going to kill her when he realized she was having lunch alone with a man involved with human vampire-hunters and Matt Brodrick. Maybe she didn’t dare go back to the band. Maybe she would be leading the enemy straight to them.
“You’re no vampire,” Cullen said grimly. “I’ve seen a vampire, a real, honest-to-God vampire. Those idiots in the society have no idea what one of the undead is truly capable of doing. Desari is no vampire either. But they’re already suspicious of me, so I’m going to have to go into hiding, too. Likely they’ll send their ‘military’ after me because I know them all, their identities. I’ve seen their faces and been to their secret meetings. You have to come with me, Tempest.”
Tempest tilted her head to one side. She wasn’t a vampire, but there was something definitely different about her. She could hear Cullen Tucker’s heartbeat. A loud, strong, healthy pounding that echoed through her own bloodstream. She could hear the swish of water from the kitchen, the clink of individual dishes, the low murmur of conversation between the cook and a waitress. A couple across the room were have a whispered quarrel. She smelled food cooking, various perfumes and colognes, all mingling, overpowering each other until her stomach lurched from the onslaught.
Colors were vivid and bright, almost like when she was with Darius. She noticed the thin veins in the leaves of the daisy in the glass vase on the table, the extraordinary petals and each round pollen center. Her gaze hung there, entranced by the flower’s unusual beauty, the precise creation of nature.
“Tempest!” Cullen hissed across the table at her. “Are you even listening to me? For God’s sake, you have to believe what I’m telling you. I’m no crackpot. These people won’t stop. They’re hunting you. Let me at least get you to a safe place. I’ll try to protect you, although you’ll probably be safer without me. They might give up hunting you, but once they know I’ve betrayed them, they’ll never stop hunting me. You just have to hide out for a few months. And it’s imperative that you distance yourself from this group.”
“What about Desari? She’s done nothing wrong. If I go with you, these crazy, dangerous people will still be after her. Maybe this time they’ll kill her.” Tempest shook her head. “I can’t run away and leave her to them.”
Cullen wanted to reach across the table and shake her, grab her, and haul her little butt out of there. He had seen another woman die, one he loved, one with that same innocence in her eyes. “Damn it, you’re so stubborn, so unreasonable. They’ll get you, Tempest. If I was still with them, you’d already be on your way to their hideout.” Frustrated, he stared out the window, trying to think of anything that might convince her to leave with him. If she didn’t go, he would have to stay and try to protect her. And that meant he was going to die. He would have no chance at all.
Tempest remained silent while the waiter placed their plates in front of them. Immediately her stomach lurched at the overwhelming odor of food. She was no longer able to eat anything without Darius’s aid. Her insides had changed somehow. She didn’t know how she knew it, but she knew. It was the same as her enhanced hearing and eyesight.
“I can’t help but notice that you aren’t shocked and horrified at the idea that vampire-hunters are after you. Why is that?” Cullen’s blue eyes were serious, almost accusing. “Why is that you aren’t scoffing at the very idea of vampires?” he demanded.
Tempest indicated the picture. “Brodrick was always intimating that he thought Desari was a vampire. I thought he was an isolated nutcase, but now I can see he was part of a bigger organization. Why in the world did they settle on Desari? She’s so sweet to everyone. Why would they believe such a weird thing about her?”
“Her nocturnal habits. Her mesmerizing voice. And when they sent an organized paramilitary hit squad after her, she somehow managed to escape, while the’soldiers’ died or disappeared. These people were professional killers. They sprayed the stage with automatic gunfire, yet she escaped death.”
“That’s it? That’s why she’s a vampire?” She wanted to believe he was making up the entire thing, but she knew, deep in her heart, that he wasn’t.
“She stays up all night; no one has ever seen her during the day.”
“I’ve seen her during the day,” Tempest lied valiantly. She was becoming agitated. She couldn’t afford to get upset. Darius was so attuned to her, she knew it would disturb his sleep, and she was worried about his health since she had observed his family’s concern.
Cullen shifted position in the straight-backed chair and regarded her steadily. He shook his head and sighed as he picked up his fork. “You’re going to die, Tempest. And it won’t be an easy death. Damn it, why won’t you listen to me? I swear to you, I’m telling the truth.”
“I believe you. I don’t know why I believe you, it’s so absurd, but I do. I’m even fairly certain you aren’t trying to lure me into going with you to put me in their hands.” Tempest fiddled with her glass of water. She was beginning to sweat. Her head pounded. She needed to touch Darius. Just for a moment, just to assure herself he was really alive and well.
“Why don’t you let me hide you, then? We can warn Desari if you think it will help, but don’t go back there. Stay away from them,” Cullen begged her.
“Why are you doing this?” Tempest asked. “If you’re telling me the truth, your people will never forgive you for this. Why would you risk your life for me?”