Night's Touch (Children of The Night 2)

And what of the creature? What if it killed someone else?

Anton took another drink to fortify his nerves. The easiest thing to do would be to bury her body where it wouldn’t be found and then leave town, but he couldn’t do that, not until he’d found a way to undo what his mother had done. But first, he had to get his mother’s body out of the lab.

He refilled his glass, drained it in a single long swallow, and left the house. Climbing into the car, he locked the door before driving out of the garage, his gaze darting from right to left before he pulled out of the driveway.

He kept one eye on the rearview mirror as he drove toward the lab, ever mindful that the creature was still out there somewhere.

He saw the smoke first, great plumes of dark gray smoke drifting skyward on the rising wind. The wail of a siren screamed in the distance.

Muttering an oath, Anton drove around the corner, then hit the brakes, hard.

His father’s laboratory was engulfed in flames.

Chapter 34

Cara was quiet on the way home from the police station. She had told the sergeant in charge that she and Vince had been out for a walk when they heard a baby crying in the park and that they had found the infant wrapped in a blanket on a bench. The police had asked numerous questions, but no matter what the question, Cara had given them the same answer: “I don’t know.”

The sergeant had asked them to wait while he made a phone call, and ten minutes later, a man and a woman, both clad in pajamas, bathrobes, and slippers, ran into the station. They had taken one look at the baby and dissolved in tears of joy. They had showered Cara and Vince with hugs and fervent words of thanks. They had offered them a reward, which Cara refused.

Finally, after more questions, the police had decided Cara and Vince didn’t have anything to do with the kidnapping and, after taking their names, addresses, and phone numbers, had let them go.

Though she knew it was foolish, Cara felt bereft, her arms empty as she left the police station. She had held the baby only a short time, but holding the infant had made her yearn for a child of her own, a little girl with Vince’s black hair and deep brown eyes.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Vince remarked as he braked for a stoplight. “Are you worried about your father?”

“Not really. He’s a vampire, after all,” she said with a forced laugh. “I’m sure he’ll be all right.”

Vince glanced out the window. It had been a long night; it would be dawn soon. “What’s bothering you then?”

“You’ll think it’s silly.”

“Maybe, but tell me anyway.”

“Holding that baby suddenly made me want one of my own.” She looked up at him. “Do you like kids?”

“Sure. I always wanted a big family.”

“Wanted?”

Thinking quickly, he said, “I’m not sure big families are practical these days.”

“Maybe not.”

Cara snuggled against Vince, her head resting on his shoulder. Frank hadn’t been at his house, so they had taken one of her father’s cars and driven to the police station without him. With a sigh, she closed her eyes. It had been a long, nerve-racking night. Replaying everything in her mind, she knew she was lucky to be alive.

“Where do you think Anton went?” she asked.

“I don’t know.”

“And that creature…” She sat up, her adrenaline flowing. “It’s out there somewhere.”

Vince put his arm around her and drew her against him once again. “Don’t worry about it now. That thing has no reason to come after you.”

“But…”

“Shh, darlin’, you’re safe here with me,” he said, though he, too, had been wondering where the creature had gone and what it might do. Did it have any memory of its former life? Would it go through the city, wreaking havoc, like the zombies in horror movies? How long would the incantation last? A day? A week? Would the enchantment dissipate on its own, or would it have to be broken, and if so, how?

He was still pondering those things when he pulled up in front of DeLongpre’s house. The place was dark save for a light in one of the windows downstairs.

Brenna opened the passenger-side door almost before the car came to a stop. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, although for a while I thought we were going to be spending the night in jail,” Cara muttered. “Honestly, do I look like a kidnapper to you?”

“Of course not,” Brenna said, smothering a grin.

“How’s Dad?” Cara asked, following her mother into the house.

“Resting. He’ll be fine in a few days.”

“Can I see him?”

“He’s not here.”

Cara’s eyes widened. “Where is he?”

“He’s resting where he won’t be disturbed.”

“But…”

“No more questions tonight, dear,” Brenna said. “You need to get some rest. Frank’s in the kitchen. He’ll be staying in the house tonight.”

“Where was he?” Cara asked. “We went by his place, but he wasn’t there.”

“He was out taking care of a few loose ends,” Brenna said, her eyes twinkling. “Vince, you’re welcome to stay, too, if you like.”

“Thank you, but I’d best be getting home.”

Cara squeezed his hand. “I wish you’d stay.”

“I’ve got a few things to do, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Promise me you won’t go anywhere alone.”

“Promise me you’ll still be here tomorrow.”

“I promise. Now you.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t go anywhere.”

“That’s my girl,” he said with a wink. He looked at Brenna. “If there’s anything I can do…”

“Could I see you for a moment, alone?” Brenna asked.

“Sure.” He followed Brenna outside and waited while she closed the door. “Is something wrong?”

“Have you told Cara the truth yet?”

“I’ve been meaning to, but…” Vince shrugged. “I’m afraid I’ll lose her.”

“The longer you put if off, the harder it will be,” Brenna said. “Believe me, I know.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t told her.”

“Her father already did,” Brenna reminded him, “but she didn’t believe it. Maybe she just doesn’t want to believe it.”