Shadows of Eternity

Chapter Twenty-Six

“ L eia!” Janae exclaimed. “I’m so glad you called! I was beginning to think you’d dropped off the face of the earth.”

“I wish I had.”

“Oh-oh. Trouble in paradise?”

“You could say that.”

“Well, mama’s here to listen.”

Leia sighed. How could she tell Janae what the trouble was when she couldn’t tell her the real problem?

“Leia? You still there?”

“I’m trying to decide whether I want to stay with Rohan or not.”

“Well, you know how I feel about it. But what’s your problem this time?”

“It’s complicated. We get along really well. He’s a wonderful lover. He’s kind and considerate and protective.”

“And that’s your problem?” she asked dryly. “He’s nice?”

“No. It’s just that there are some huge differences between us and I’m not sure we can resolve them.”

“Like what?”

Leia ran her fingers through her hair. “Like I said, it’s complicated.” If only Rohan hadn’t wiped the memory of what he was from Janae’s mind, this would be so much easier, she thought. “Let’s just say I found out something about him that bothers me. A lot.”

“So you know?”

“Know what?”

“About his record,” Janae said, then muttered an oath. “Oh, crap! It’s very hush-hush. I’m not supposed to say anything about it. Trent will kill me if he finds out.”

Leia frowned, thoroughly confused. Had Rohan told Janae that Trent was a vampire hunter? But surely she must know. And if she didn’t, what did she think her husband did for a living? And what did she think Rohan was wanted for? What kind of record did she mean? A police record? Did Janae think Rohan was wanted by the law?

“Promise me you won’t tell Trent I told you.”

“I promise,” Leia said, her mind racing.

“So, that’s the problem, then? His being in trouble with the government?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

“Did Rohan tell you what he’s wanted for? Trent wouldn’t say.”

“Neither can I. You understand?”

“I guess so.” Janae sighed heavily. “These kids are driving me crazy. Hold on a minute. Mark! Get out of the cookie jar. Right now! Go play in the backyard and take Mike with you. Okay, I’m back. So, what are you going to do?”

“I wish I knew.”

“Well, I’m here if you need moral support or a shoulder to cry on. Maybe we can get together for lunch one of these days when Trent gets home. He’s off on business again.”

Who was he hunting now? Leia wondered, as she ended the call. Rohan? His sire? The vampire, Magdalena? How many vampires were there in the world? In the city? How many had she met without even knowing it?

If Rohan had been a petty thief or a small-time crook, it might make her decision easier, she mused with a rueful grin. She could probably live with that. Not that being a bank robber or an embezzler or whatever was all right, but at least he’d just be a man in trouble. Thinking Rohan could be wanted by the law was ludicrous. He could read minds, manipulate or erase memories, shield his presence. Even if he was some kind of felon, the police would never know it. And yet, what if it was true? A vampire con man. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Feeling a headache coming on, Leia fell back on the sofa and closed her eyes, afraid that no matter what decision she made, it would only end in misery and regret.

It was late afternoon when Leia woke. For a moment, she lay there, remembering the days and nights she had spent with Rohan. Impulsively, she grabbed a notebook and pencil from the drawer in the end table and made a list of pros and cons of staying with Rohan. When she was done, she had a long list on the pro side and only two things on the other side— vampire and, in smaller letters , possible felon.

She smiled as she tossed the notebook and pencil on the coffee table and reached for her phone.

Fighting off the dark sleep, Rohan reached for his cell phone and uttered a groggy “Hello?”

“Can you come over?”

Wide awake now, he sat up. “Leia. Is something wrong?”

“No. We need to talk.”

That didn’t sound good. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

He was as good as his word. Five minutes later. he appeared in her living room. Leia felt her heart skip a beat when she saw him. Tall, dark, and gorgeous in a white shirt that complimented his dark hair and skin, and a pair of black jeans that emphasized his long, muscular legs.

“I’m here,” he said, fighting the urge to read her mind. “What do you want to talk about?”

“You.”

“What do you want to know now?” he asked warily.

“Janae thinks you’re wanted by the law. You aren’t, are you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The police don’t even know I exist. Anything else?” He frowned when she didn’t answer. “Leia?”

“Is there still an us?” she asked, her voice so quiet only a vampire could have heard it.

Feeling a flicker of hope, he shoved his hands into his back pockets to keep from reaching for her. “I guess that’s up to you.”

She took a deep breath. “Do you still want me?”

“Silly girl, you know I do.” He took a step toward her, and then another. “Are you sure this time?”

“Very.”

He drew her into his arms. “So, if I asked you to marry me, what would you say?”

“I’d say, when?”

“Whenever you want.” His gaze burned into hers. “What changed your mind?”

“I made a list of your good points and your bad.”

His brows shot up in surprise. “And you still want to marry me?”

“I could only think of one objection,” she said, with a shrug. “You can probably guess what it was.”

“Yes,” he said dryly. “I’m pretty sure I can.”

She smiled up at him, her eyes shining with happiness. “In some ways, it’s also a plus.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “Like when I call you, you can get here in no time at all. We can talk mind-to-mind. I know I can count on you if I get into trouble.”

He grinned at her. “Are those the only reasons?”

“Well, you love me.”

“Indeed.”

“And I love you.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” he said. And then he kissed her.

Liquid heat spiraled through her and she leaned into him, wanting to be closer, closer, wanting to touch him and taste him, to wrap him in her love and never let him go.

Lifting his head, he asked, “What kind of wedding do you want?”

“Just a small one.” She had never wanted a big wedding with all the fuss and frills, had never liked being the center of attention. “Just my family, Janae, and a couple of friends from school.” She bit down on her lower lip. “Can we get married in a church?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“You don’t have a problem with that?”

“Should I?” he asked, amused by the question.

“Well, in the movies, vampires are repelled by crosses and holy water and that kind of thing. I’d hate to see the groom go up in flames.”

“It makes for good story-telling,” he said, with a laugh. “But there’s not much truth to it. The only thing that repels me is silver.”

“Oh?”

“It weakens me and burns my skin if it touches me. So, how long will it take to plan the wedding?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve never done it before. We’ll need to reserve a church and order a cake. And tell my folks, of course. And I’ll need a dress.” That was the one thing she had always dreamed of—walking down the aisle in a beautiful white wedding gown.

“Buy one that’s easy to get out of,” he said, with a wink.

“And you’ll need a tux. Oh. I’m sure my parents will want to meet you before the big day.”

“I was afraid of that.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Only if your father is a hunter on the side.”

“I love you, Rohan.”

The words, softly spoken, went right to his heart. “And I love you. Do we need to talk about anything else?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“Because I’m dying to take you to bed.”

“We can’t have that now, can we?” she replied, with a saucy grin.

“Hang on tight,” he said as he swung her into his arms and headed for the bedroom. “I don’t have much time, you know. I’m due at the theater at seven-thirty.”