Page 100 of Shadows of Eternity

“Did you win the lottery or something?” Rohan asked when he saw her. “You look like you’re about to burst with happiness.”

“I am!” Smiling hugely, she said, “My Mom and Dad still love me.”

“Hell, I could have told you that,” he said dryly.

“And they don’t have a problem with us getting married.”

“So, I guess that means we don’t need to elope.”

“I guess not. You don’t mind waiting a few days, do you? I canceled the church, so we’ll have to find another date.”

“I don’t think we should get married right now.”

“Why not?” she asked. And then frowned. “Josiah.”

“Yeah. Probably not a good idea to make any plans while he’s around,” Rohan remarked, and then he grunted softly. It might not be a good time for a wedding, but it might be the perfect time to set a trap.

He discussed his idea with Leia, who seemed doubtful but was willing to go along with it. After Leia went up to her room, he roused Trent.

“What the hell do you want?” the hunter growled. “It’s the middle of the night.”

“Prime time for vampires,” Rohan said. “Listen, I need your help. I have an idea.”

Leia was by turns nervous and scared the next night as the details of Rohan’s plan were worked out. Her only part was to call the church and find a date. She didn’t tell her parents what was going on.

It took several calls before she found a small, non-denominational church that had several nights available during the week.

The night of the wedding, Leia told her parents that she and Rohan were going out for a while. Knowing that if things went wrong she would never see her parents again, she hugged and kissed them both before she left the house.

Trent waited for them on the sidewalk.

Once outside, Rohan dissolved into mist and went to Leia’s bedroom to retrieve her wedding gown and his suit. They quickly changed clothes in the garage.

The skies were cloudy when Rohan transported the three of them to the church.

Leia took a deep, calming breath when they arrived. Clinging to her future husband’s hand, they walked up the stairs and into the foyer, with Trent trailing behind. Leia took another deep breath when Rohan gave her hand a squeeze and murmured, “Here we go.”

The couple playing her parents sat in the first row. Another eight or nine “guests” were scattered on both sides of the aisle. A spray of bright yellow daisies adorned the center of the altar. White candles flickered on either side.

Whispering, “Good luck,” Trent moved down the aisle to take his place as best man.

Hand-in-hand, Leia and Rohan walked down the white runner to where a tall man clad in a long black cassock waited, Bible in hand. His gaze moved over the congregation and then he opened the book. “Dearly beloved,” he intoned in a deep, deep voice. “We are gathered here … ”

Leia let out a gasp when she heard Josiah’s voice in her mind.You foolish girl. Did you really think I’d let you marry someone else?She cast a frantic look at Rohan. “He’s here!”

Rohan opened his preternatural senses, searching for his sire, but either Josiah wasn’t nearby or he was blocking his presence. Speaking to Leia’s mind, Rohan murmured,Relax, love. We’re ready for him.

Before she could reply, Josiah burst into the chapel.

Chapter Forty-One

Rohan immediately put Leia behind him. The minister dropped his Bible and darted out the side door.

The remaining men and women—vampire hunters all—stayed where they were.

Josiah chuckled as his gaze moved over the “guests” and then settled on Rohan. “You think this pathetic bunch can take me?” he asked, his voice heavily laced with disdain.

Rohan shook his head. “No. This is just between you and me.”

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