Seeing I’m in my room, I move to my purse still sitting on the chaise where I left it my first night and I quietly dig through it until I find my car keys, credit card, and passport. Once they’re in my grasp, I look at the door. There is no way I’ll be able to leave without being caught if I go that way. I close my eyes as a sudden pain hits my chest and radiates through my heart. If I leave, I’m leaving Cameron, leaving the man who made love to me and touched me like I’d always been his.
Vampire.
That word screams inside my skull, reminding me of what I could lose if I stay. I open my eyes and look at the window behind me then shove my card and passport into the back pocket of my jeans, keeping my key in my hand. Even on the second floor of the castle, I know the drop from the window isn’t life ending. I also know my car is still parked outside. If I can make it, I’ll be free.
I carefully go to the window, push it open, and pause, waiting to hear if anyone’s coming. Not hearing a sound except the blood rushing through my veins, I stick my head out and look down, feeling dizzy by the distance.
Do it. Just do it, I tell myself, right before I leap from the window. The ground rushes up at me, and I land with a jarring thud that makes me see stars. Ignoring the pain radiating through my body, I push myself up off the ground and run. I run as fast as I can until I reach my car then fumble with my keys before I hit the Unlock button. Wrenching open the door, I get in, slam the door shut, and lock it. I hit the button to start the engine and don’t look as I put the car in Drive and speed away. My head and heart ache as I drive, both telling me to turn around, but I refuse to listen and don’t stop until I park in the lot of a hotel near the airport.
Exhausted from crying and lack of sleep, I go to the front desk and rent a room. Then I go to the computer in the lobby and buy a plane ticket back home.
A noise wakes me from sleep, and I sit up in bed with my heart pounding. Daylight shines through the gaps in the curtains, and I search the room with its help. I spot Cameron lounging in the chair across the room and I study his body language along with the look in his eyes as he stares back at me.
“What are you doing here?”
“I think you know the answer to that question.” He sits forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“To kill me?” The question is whispered, and I watch him laugh. “I don’t know what you could possibly think is funny right now.” I tug the blanket I’m holding higher around me.
His expression gentles. “I’d never harm you, love. Never. I’d rather end my own life then hurt you.”
The words ring with truth and I relax slightly. “Then why are you here?”
“You’re mine.” The statement is final and claiming. “You’ve always been mine.”
“I… I don’t even know you.” I lie, I do know him, I know everything about him or the him he used to be.
“You know me, my sweet Isabel. You know you’re mine, know just like I do that our souls are intertwined and have been for hundreds of years.”
“It’s not possible.” The lie is thick on my tongue. “It’s completely impossible and insane.”
“As insane as it might be, you know it’s the truth.”
I close my eyes, wanting to block him out, to escape what he’s saying, but I know. I know that somehow I’m the woman he was going to marry hundreds of years ago. I know we are meant to be.
I open my eyes and look at him. He looks normal, even with his outrageous beauty, even with the air of darkness that surrounds his presence. “Are…” I pause, trying to get my thoughts in order. “Are you really a vampire?”
“Yes.” He stands, and I clutch the blanket to my throat like it might protect me as I search his mouth for fangs. He smiles. “I will not take from you until you say you want me to. And believe me there will come a time you beg me to take from you.”
I ignore that statement even though it makes my nipples and a few other places tingle and ask, “How are you not asleep right now?”
“What?” he questions, while he comes closer to where I’m sitting.
“The sun is out.” I glance at the light coming in from the edge of the curtain. “Shouldn’t you be asleep right now?”