Free Hair, Greg - Werewolf 03 by Requiem (v5.0) Page B

was the second greatest day of my life.”
    “The second?” she laughed, jerking her hand out of his. “If meeting me was the second best day, what’s the first?”
    “The day you turned me—when I was given eternity to spend with you.”
    The Danish woman blushed, her pale, Northern European skin, glowing red as they allowed themselves to be stuck in the moment. A single tear flooded, then fled, her eye.
    A gondola slipped past the square where the little café sat, the boatman slowly pushing his vessel along, like Charon on the River Styx, waiting to ferry his next passengers.
    “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “I hate it anytime we’re apart, but that always makes the return that much sweeter. I’ll always come home to you.”
    Ryker smiled as he stared into her deep blue eyes. The same pair of eyes he’d been looking longingly into for centuries. He had never grown tired of gazing into them.
    Suddenly, Connor burst upon them, panic smeared across his face.
    “I’ve been looking all over for you guys,” he said.
    “Why? What’s the matter?” asked Ryker.
    “It’s Catalina. I mean, it’s Landon. I mean—“
    “Calm down,” Annelise said. “Take a second to breathe, then tell us.”
    Connor took a couple deep breaths, then tried again.
    “Catalina just called from Mexico. Landon’s on his way to Kentucky. Nicholas called Cat’s phone using Celeste’s. Cat said that Landon just left, and he’s heading to Louisville to meet Nicholas. She thinks it’s a trap.”
    “And I agree,” said Ryker, standing from his chair.
    “What are we going to do?”
    “We’re going to Louisville. Sorry,” said the Dane, turning to his wife. “We’re gonna have to reschedule this date.”
     
    The bright lights of Paris, bringing Ryker out of his inner trance, illuminated the way to the entrance of the catacombs, though, of course, the vampires needed no illumination.
    “I’m sure there’ll be other vampires who may have something to share,” Ryker said. “This is the only stop we can make, though. After this quick bite, we have to get moving again, and not stop until we reach Kilchurn Castle.”
    “Alessandro understands. Yes he does.”
    Entering the dimly lit subterranean, the pair found that Ryker’s guess had been right. A Parisian vampire paused his feeding as the travelers approached. Speaking in French, Ryker introduced himself and his companion.
    “And you seek nourishment?” asked the Parisian.
    “We do,” said Ryker.
    “Alessandro did not know you speak French,” asked the Italian in English.
    “Your time on the island has caused you to forget a great many things, I think, my friend. Like the capacity of a vampire’s brain.”
    “Why do you not seek food above?” the Frenchman asked, in English. “I will speak in English so that everyone understands.”
    “Thank you. We are in a great hurry,” said Ryker, “and knew of the famed hospitality of the French.”
    “You are in luck, then, my weary travelers. As we have plenty tonight, and are accommodating other guests, from the United Kingdom.”
    The Parisian motioned to small group, three vampires, feeding in a dark corner behind him.
    “A hundred thanks,” Ryker said. He and Alessandro approached the meal being offered by the French—a young man, in his early twenties.
    “He wishes to be turned,” said the Parisian. “So I will accommodate after dinner. By the way, I am Jacques.”
    Ryker and Alessandro, their eyes blue, fangs extended, each chose an arm, and fed. The thousands of skulls of long dead Parisians watched from their perch. Blood dripping from his mouth, Ryker looked toward the other travelers.
    “So,” he began, “you’re from the UK?”
    “Yes,” said a member of the group, not looking up from his meal.
    “What brings you to Paris?”
    “We are looking for other vampires, and werewolves, to join our cause. Actually, it is another’s cause, but one we fully support. We