Boxed Set Page 21
"I'll agree with that," Kathleen said.
Beth turned to her and smiled. "Sweetie, you don't know what you're involved with here, but I would suggest keeping silent before I rip your throat out," she hissed coldly.
Kathleen took a frightened step back. "I think it's time for you to leave," Liam growled.
Beth laughed and walked back to him. "Oh, Liam, trying to get rid of me again? Why? Is it because of her?" she asked as she nodded to Sera.
"It's time to go."
Beth's eyes flashed red; it was obvious she was close to losing it. "I'm not ready!" she spat. "I think I might even stay a while, now that I've been invited. Know what I mean?"
Fury boiled inside of him as he clenched his fists. "I know what you mean. I think you better figure out what I mean when I say it's time for you to leave."
"Do you boys want me to leave?" she called over her shoulder.
"We didn't leave you because we wanted to be around you," Jack replied.
Liam let out a snort of laughter. "It doesn't look like you're wanted, Beth."
"I could have told you that," Kathleen said coldly.
Beth's eyes flashed again, and then she smiled. "Yes, but it was your lover who invited me in."
Her head tilted back to gaze at him as she stopped before him and rested her hand on his chest. Hungry and ferocious, her gaze traveled to Sera. The sight brought the beast within him rushing to the front.
"Ah, so it has begun," Beth whispered.
Her words managed to suppress the monster within him. She knew what was going on, knew what was happening to him. "What has begun?" he asked.
She grinned as her hand stroked his chest. He grabbed hold of it and squeezed. Her eyes filled with pain as she fought to pull free.
"What has begun?" he demanded harshly.
She finally managed to rip her hand free. Her jaw clenched as her eyes burned a brilliant, blood red. Then, she smiled as she took a step closer to place her hands on his chest again. "I'll never tell," she taunted.
Liam shoved her back. Beth stumbled, regained her balance, and came up spitting. He braced himself for her attack, but it didn't come. Instead, she took a deep breath and smiled chillingly. "Get out of here!" he spat.
"Yes, I think I will go," she said. "But I will be back." She turned to walk away. Liam launched forward to block Sera before Beth could get near her. Beth's eyes blazed as he grasped hold of Sera's arms and pushed her firmly behind him. Mike and Doug moved forward to stand beside him, while Jack stood behind Sera.
"She's dead, Liam. I will get her," Beth vowed. "I'll get the other two as well."
Her words ripped the beast out of him. His eyes blazed as his teeth instantly sprang forward. "I'll kill you if you ever come near her again Beth. Do you hear me?"
"I'm older and stronger than you."
"Not all of us though," Mike said.
Beth's eyes flickered toward him before settling on Liam again. "I will get to her, and I will drain her dry."
The room suddenly became a shade of red as the bloodlust tore from him. Sera's hand grabbed hold of his arm as he surged forward.
"Liam, no!" she cried as she pulled him back. "Not here! Please!"
Mike and Doug moved forward swiftly. They were certain there would be a bloodbath, certain his rage would cause him to go after Sera, as well as Beth. Mike had never seen him so incensed, so far out of control. Jack seized hold of Sera's shoulders, ready to rip her out of the way if Liam spun on her. They were all stunned when he froze in mid-launch and took a shuddery breath to try and control himself. Beth's gaze flicked to Sera.
"Don't even look at her!" he shouted.
Beth's eyes flew back to his. "I'll see you soon," she vowed.
Liam's jaw clenched, but he made no move to go after her. Sera's hand kept him grounded as it pacified the raging demon straining to break free. Beth turned away from them and headed to the door.
Liam waited for it to open and close before turning to Sera. Fresh anger blazed through him as he spotted Jack's hands upon her shoulders. "Get your hands off her!" he spat.
Jack's hands fell limply to his sides. Sera tilted her head to look at him. There was a wealth of confusion and love blazing out of her. "Are you okay?" he demanded.
"Yes." She stepped forward to wrap her arms around his waist and bury herself in the security of his chest.
He enfolded her, drawing her close. Gradually the beast within him began to ease as he held her. After a few minutes, he lifted his head to gaze at his friends. They gawked at him.
He knew exactly how they felt because he felt the same way. His control was slipping further and further away. Sera could reach him now, but he wasn't sure she would be able to reach him for much longer, and he didn't want to think about what would happen if he lost complete control.
What if next time he turned on her in his fury? He couldn't bear the thought of that happening, but even thinking about letting her go made him want to destroy everything around him. If the idea was enough to make him almost crazed, what would the reality do to him? He didn't know what was happening to him, but he knew he had to figure it out before it was too late. And Beth knew the answer.
"I want to know who that was and what is going on!" Kathleen demanded from the other side of the room. "And I want to know now!"
Sera rested her head on his chest. She wanted to bury herself in him and shut out the rest of the world. "You have to tell them something," she whispered.
"Doug, do you have your cell?" Liam asked.
"Yeah."
"Call David."
"I don't know if it's going to work up here."
"Screw the phone! Give me some answers, or get the hell out of here!" Kathleen commanded. "I'm sick of this crap!"
"Get it to work!" His hands clenched on Sera as his patience began to fray. "Now!"
He turned toward Kathleen. She stood with her hands on her hips; her jaw clenched as she glared at him.
"Until we talk to him, we can't talk to you," he said more calmly. "So, you're going to have to wait."
Kathleen opened her mouth and then closed it. He turned back to Doug. "Get him on the phone and tell him what's going on."
"Now you want to let everyone in," Doug muttered as he walked away.
"Mike would you go get some blankets, mattresses too. It might be better if everyone slept in here tonight."
"Yeah, I think you're right."
"Jack, would you help me bring in some extra logs?"
"Sure."
"You two," he said to Kathleen and Danielle. "Stay in this room and stay together."
"Whatever," Kathleen angrily threw herself into the recliner.
"Come with me."
He took hold of Sera's hand and led her from the living room. He almost went down to the bedroom but quickly changed his mind. No matter what was going on, he knew if he got her in there, he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off her. He led her into the kitchen and sat her at the island while he helped Jack gather wood.
"What are you going to tell them?" she asked.
"I don't know," he admitted. "We'll decide that when David gets here."
"There's a blizzard outside, Liam. I don't think David is going to get here."
"He will," Jack said. He stepped back into the kitchen with a bundle of wood balanced carefully in his arms. "Can I ask you a question?"
Liam straightened to look at them. "Sure," she said.
"Why are you doing this? You don't have to stay, you don't have to be a part of this, and you would probably be safer if you left."
"Safer from who?"
"From Beth, from..." his voice trailed off, but his eyes flicked toward Liam. Liam's hands clenched upon the logs as he stepped back into the kitchen. "From us. We don't exactly live a normal, safe life."
"I want to be here, and I am safe."
There was a scrutinizing look on Jack's face as he studied her and then Liam. "Yeah, I guess you are."
"I know I am."
"Okay. Here, take these." He handed the logs over to him. "And take her into the living room. Make sure she's safe."
He followed them to the foyer and watched as Sera followed Doug into the living room. He almost went after her to bring her back, he hated having her out of sight, but he needed to talk to David, alone. He grabbed the phone off the stairs and sat down. "Hello."
"Hey." David's voice was distorted by static. "Sounds like you got a mess up there."
"You could say that. How much did Doug tell you?"
"Enough. I can't believe you told your girlfriend."
"Don't start, David."
"I'm not. How did Beth find you guys?" David inquired.
"Same way she always finds us I guess, but this time she left a mess for us to clean up."
Another wave of static swept through. "Yeah, what do you want to do?"
"I don't know yet. Tell them the truth?"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"I don't know, maybe," he admitted.
There was silence as static crinkled over the line. "There's more, isn't there?"
"Yes, we need you here."
"In a fucking blizzard?"
"Yes, if you can. Things are... I don't know what they are, not with me, not anymore."
David took a deep breath. "This doesn't sound like you, Liam."
"It's not." He hated to admit it, but it was true.
"All right, I'll see what I can do. Guess I'm leaving school sooner than I planned. How do I get there?"
"I don't know, hold on. Kathleen!" he yelled.
"What?" she snapped.
"I need you for a second."
He listened to her rustling around in the living room before she stomped up to him. "What?"
"I need you to give a friend of mine directions to get here."
"No way, I've had enough of your friends."
"Kathleen, this is important. If you want any explanations, then you're going to have to wait until he gets here."
Resentment was written all over her face as she snatched the phone out of his hand. "This is what you do," she spat. She rattled off directions from the main highway and threw the phone back at Liam.
She turned and stormed away. Liam picked up the phone again. "Got that?"
"Yeah, I managed to copy the rapid fire. Sweet personality. You want to tell that girl?"
"Maybe, I don't know. How long do you think it will take you to get here?"
"I can probably get a flight out tonight, but I don't know what airports are open in that area. Or how I'm going to get there from the airport. I don't know, hopefully tomorrow, maybe the next day."
"Just see what you can do. We won't do anything until you're here."
"All right. One more thing."
"Yeah?"
"Do you love her?"
"More than anything."
David sighed. "All right, I'll see you soon. Bye."
"Bye."
Liam hung up the phone and sat for a few minutes as he tried to sort out his mangled emotions.
Chapter Sixteen
Sera woke slowly the next morning. The blanket was pulled firmly over her head, and she snuggled in deeper seeking warmth. It was then she realized Liam was no longer with her, and that’s why she was cold. She sat up quickly.
Recently rebuilt, the fire’s bright flames leapt high as it crackled, and the smell of wood permeated the air. Kathleen was passed out on one of the couches, and Danielle was curled up in the recliner. Mike had abandoned his spot on the other couch, and Jack was gone from his mattress on the floor. Doug remained on his mattress next to the couch, his mouth open as he snored.
Muffled voices from the kitchen drifted to her. She wrapped the blanket around her as she stood and made her way toward them. Their voices drifted to her, but she couldn't make out any of the words. When she entered the doorway, they stopped talking and turned to look at her. She glanced curiously at them as she made her way to the coffee pot and began to gather the ingredients.
"What's going on?" she asked as she turned to face them. Liam stood and made his way around the island to her. She stared at him, suddenly very disconcerted by his behavior. He seemed distant again. "Is everything all right?"
He brushed back a strand of tangled hair. "Yes," he assured her.
His face was still remote, but the familiar warmth was back in his brilliant eyes. "Sera, when you opened the door last night you invited Beth in like you knew her, did you?" Mike asked.
Her eyes flicked to him. "I had met her before."
Liam stiffened. "Where?"
"She came by when you guys were on your walk, and Kathleen and Danielle had come back inside. She said she lived in the cabin down the road and was walking to her friend's house. We talked for a few minutes, and she left. Kathleen said the people who used to own that cabin are dead."
"That's probably where she's staying," Jack said.
Sera drew her cold hands into the blanket. "I don't know."
Liam stared at her for a minute, and then looked over at Jack and Mike. "You want to come with me, Jack?"
Jack slid off the stool. "Absolutely."
"How far away is it?" Liam asked her.
"Kathleen said it was about a mile down the hill."
He reached under the blanket and clasped hold of her cold hands. She smiled as warmth swiftly spread through her body. "I have to go." She opened her mouth to protest but closed it when she saw the haunted look in his eyes. "I have to find her."
The snow was still falling, although it seemed to have eased, and the wind had died down. But how much was out there? Her gaze returned to Liam as she bit nervously into her lip. "Mike and Doug are going to stay here to make sure you're safe. I want you to stay inside. Okay?"
"Yes."
He squeezed her hands and released her. She grabbed his shirt before he could turn away and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. For a second he was unresponsive, then his mouth seared into hers before he pulled away. Sera's breath caught in her throat at the savage gleam in his eyes.
"Be careful," she whispered.
"I will. Come on, Jack."
Sera watched as they bundled up and walked out the door. A wave of loneliness and loss swallowed her. She closed her eyes as she fought against it.
The grandfather clock chimed out five o'clock as Sera sat, sipping hot chocolate, and watching the flames. Kathleen sat in the recliner, her eyes frozen on the flames as her hands twirled the mug in her hands. Danielle sat before the fire, her knees drawn up, and her arms wrapped around them. Mike and Doug had wandered off, bored, and tired of the silent treatment Kathleen had been giving them all.
"You know, don't you, Sera," Kathleen finally said.
Sera felt her heart clench. She had been wondering when Kathleen would confront her. "Know what?" she asked as she tried to bide her time.
"What's going on, you know."
"Kathleen—"
"Sera, you're my best friend, but if you lie to me one more time I'll never talk to you again."
Sera winced. "I can't say anything," she finally said.
Kathleen looked back at the fire. "Yes, you can. I don't care what they say, or what you may say, but there was something wrong with that girl. Something's not right. She's dangerous. I could sense that, and she puts us in danger somehow. And so does Liam. There's something wrong with both of them." Her gaze darted nervously toward the door. When she spoke again, her voice was so low Sera had to strain to hear her. "Maybe there's something wrong with all of them. I think we deserve to know what."
Sera stared down at her mug as steam rose in waves. She desperately wished Liam were here to help, that any of them would show back up and help. Her glance fell on the clock. Where was he? He’d been gone for so long. Way too long.
Uneasiness had officially turned into full-fledged panic three hours ago.
There was so much snow out there, it was cold, and Beth said she was stronger than he was. Was he laying out there somewhere injured, maybe dying? He wasn't completely immortal. Vampires could still be killed somehow, couldn't they?
"Sera," Kathleen said. "Answer me."
She took a deep breath as she tried to ease the growing knot of anxiety in her chest. "I can't say anything, Kathleen," she said again.
"If your life were in danger, I would tell you why."
"It isn't my secret to reveal, Kathleen." She wasn't going to tell her that her life wasn't in danger, it was, and Kathleen knew it. To lie to her now would only cost Sera her best friend.
"It is your secret if you know what it is, Sera."
She looked over at Kathleen, who stared at her with tear-filled eyes. "I promise you will have answers soon enough."
"We'd better. I'm serious, Sera, no more lies."
"No more lies, Kathleen," she promised. The fact she may have just lied to her was something she didn't want to contemplate.
"Good."
"But some things are better off not knowing."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Sera took a sip of her hot chocolate and pulled her blanket more firmly around her. "Just what I said. Sometimes it's better not to know. The truth isn't always the answer, but just the beginning."
Kathleen didn't speak as she turned to stare at the flames again. A loud knock on the door startled them all. Sera's hot chocolate spilled onto her blanket as she jumped up. Liam and Jack wouldn't knock, but maybe, just maybe, it was them.
"I got it!" Mike yelled as he ran into the foyer. He pointed sharply at Sera. "You three stay in there."
Doug came into the hall as Mike flung open the door. Cold air and snow blasted into the house. "Jesus! You made it! Come in," Mike said.
Sera watched as a tall figure set a pair of skis down on the porch outside before stepping into the flickering candlelight. "How you doing, man?" Mike asked as he embraced the man.