Free Nightshifters by Tamelia Tumlin Page B

now…”
    “Now…?”
    She jumped to her feet and paced the room. “I don’t know how
I feel or what I think anymore. I loved you so much, Alexandru. It nearly
killed me when Vladmir turned you. When I saw you lying there, morphing into a
creature of the night, all I could see was my father and what he had done to my
mother. She died a broken, frightened woman.”
    Rana whirled with gritted her teeth. “He did that to her. I
hate him. Everything about him.”
    “I’m not your father, Rana.”
    But you’re just like him. You can’t tell me you’re not.
Anyone who knows what you are shrinks away in fear.”
    A muscle throbbed in his chin.
    He didn’t deny it. Had Damien’s babysitter, Jill, been
suspicious when Alexandru brought her home tonight, or had he charmed her into
accepting his presence in her home?
    “Jill never flinched. She took the money I gave her for
babysitting and headed home. Anything she saw or thought she saw tonight has
been erased from her memory.”
    Rana nodded, then suddenly stopped pacing and stared at him
as it suddenly hit her. Why wasn’t he asking who Damien’s father was? Why
didn’t he accuse her of cheating on him? Her mouth went dry and she clasped her
hands in front of her.
    “You know, don’t you? You know who Damien’s father is.”
    Alexandru didn’t pretend to not know what she was talking
about. He reached for her. “Rana.”
    Hysteria rose in her throat. “What aren’t you telling me?”
    “Rana. Don’t”
    “Tell me!” Rana twisted her hands. A flood of emotions raced
through her. Fear. Disgust. Hatred. Somewhere in the back of her mind shadows
emerged and dark, deep-seated memories struggled to surface. She just couldn’t
wrap her mind around their meaning.
    “Please understand. I never wanted you to remember.”
Self-loathing thickened his voice. Moonlight streamed through her bedroom
window and reflected off his eyes. They brightened to a reddish-orange glow. “I
didn’t know about Damien.” Alexandru’s shoulders shook. “I didn’t know.”
    “Tell me!” Rana’s stomach recoiled and fear skittered along
her spine.
    “Forgive me, cara .” The misery in his voice stabbed
Rana in the heart. Then with one quick deft movement, Alexandru waved his hand
in front of her. “Forgive me.”
    A blinding pain shot through Rana’s temple. She grabbed her
head and fell to the carpet. Memories rushed at her from every corner of her
mind. Images flashed before her. Terrifying images. She blinked and tried to
sort them all. Then one suppressed memory reared its ugly head…

    Alexandru’s hand felt warm and safe in hers as they
strolled along the carefully landscaped park just outside the French Quarter.
The September night breeze brushed against her sleeveless arms like soft
feathers. Alexandru pulled her to a nearby bench nestled behind a hedge in a
secluded area of the park. “Did you enjoy the show?” A smile touched his lips.
    “Of course. I always love the theatre.” Rana grinned up
at him. “You know that.”
    “You love anything that involves the arts.”
    “Guilty.” She laughed. Then she touched his cheek. “I
love you more.”
    Alexandru slipped his arm around her. “Not as much as I
love you. Let’s do it tonight. I can’t wait three more months to make you my
wife.”
     Rana swatted him on the arm. “Are you trying to
deny me my dream wedding?”
    “I could never deny you anything, my darling.” His eyes
grew serious as he lowered his head. “Ever.”
    His lips felt warm against hers, his kiss soft as a
butterfly’s wing. Rana’s heart fluttered. She had to be the luckiest woman in
the world. Life couldn’t be any more perfect.
    A chill passed between them. Alexandru lifted his head,
and Rana’s heart stilled. The man stood directly in front of them.
    Watching.
    His eyes resembled two black coals, his face hard and
pale. Heart in throat, Rana whispered, “Give him your wallet.”
    Alexandru reached behind him and pulled his