Page 102 of The Diary of the Vam'pir Jacques

‘Father, the last vampire from the coven is dead. Michael.’

I read the small note again and crumbled it in my hand. It’d been Mihal standing watching me. That was why I hadn’t foundanyone. A Vam’pir could mask his presence from others. Also, the speed at which Vam’pirs could move would take us miles away in a split second.

Idly, I noted that he’d signed the note as Michael. Was that Mihal’s way of distancing himself from his roots—and me?

No… Mihal had written ‘Father’, so maybe that idea was wrong. The boy was damn confusing. Doesn’t want to know me but calls me father still. Ornery bastard.

Sighing once more, I flung the scrap of paper into the fire and went to bed.

???

I saw Caroline the next evening, and she did her bloody hardest to ignore me. Amused, I allowed Caroline to get on with the game. As the night drew to a close, Davenport approached and whispered that Caroline hadn’t got a partner for the last dance.

Smugly smiling, I walked over and asked her mother’s permission.

“Of course,” Victoria agreed with a simper and waved Caroline over.

Caroline came unwillingly and with a scowl but publicly could not refuse, not without shaming her mother.

I led Caroline onto the floor, where she was decidedly chilly. Caroline refused my attempts to engage in polite conversation, and I left her to her sulky silence.

Finally, Caroline could bear the silence no more.

“That woman you showered with attention—who was she?” Caroline demanded.

“Julia?”

“Oh, you are on first-name terms withJulia!” Caroline spat quietly.

“Of course, I have known Julia since we were children. Julia is a very close friend of my family. Am I in love with her? Is that what you wish to know?” I questioned, and Caroline pouted.

A chuckle escaped my lips as Caroline’s eyes flashed with ire.

I bent my head to Caroline’s ear. “Yes, I love her. My feelings for Julia are not romantic, nor will they ever be. Not while you are around, my darling girl.” Caroline relaxed a little. “But don’t ever attempt to come between Julia and me. That is a mistake you’ll not recover from,” I warned.

Caroline stiffened before offering a tight nod. Pushing my luck, I asked Caroline to go for a walk in the garden. Caroline glanced over at Victoria and nodded as she saw her engaged in conversation.

Tonight was mild, and the moon hung bright in the sky. The scent of roses hung in the air, and I guess it was romantic. It gave me a chance to breathe, and we walked in silence.

Caroline stopped by a pool and looked alluringly at me.

Without hesitation, I took Caroline’s invite and bent, kissing her full on the lips. Caroline gasped before flinging her arms around my neck and tugging me closer.

I allowed Caroline to kiss me as my mind wandered, wondering when to make her mine and a vampire. Not tonight, maybe tomorrow.

Gently, I pulled away and sat on the ledge. Cheekily, I guided Caroline onto my lap and embraced her gently. Caroline leaned back, and I took her slight weight easily.

“Meet with me tomorrow,” I whispered in her ear.

Caroline brushed aside a ringlet, meeting my gaze.

“Where?” she asked.

Naughty girl. The chit should have displayed some outrage. Caroline’s boldness was amusing.

“At Lady Marchton’s ball. The Lady has decreed it is fancy dress, and no one will know who we are if we sneak away. Find me wearing a highway man’s outfit, and I shall have a purple rose.”

“Shall I tell you what I am wearing?” Caroline asked.

---