Page 108 of Shadows of Eternity

The chapel had been decorated with flowers and ferns. A white runner stretched from the foyer to the altar, where long, white tapers burned. An organist played softly as Luke seated their mother. The minister stood in front of the altar clad in a black suit and tie.

A side door opened and Rohan and Trent took their places beside the minister.

Butterflies went crazy in Leia’s stomach when she saw Rohan. Had there ever been a more handsome man in all of creation? She melted inside when he winked at her.

The organist broke into theWedding Marchand Janae started down the aisle.

“This is it,” Brian said, giving Leia’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

They hadn’t taken more than three steps when all hell broke loose.

Feeling as if she were reliving a nightmare, Leia watched half-a-dozen men carrying rifles and wooden stakes charge down the aisle. She gasped as she recognized the man in front. It was the minister from their sham wedding, the man who had run out the side door when Josiah burst into the chapel.

Janae let out a scream when one of the intruders hissed, “traitor” as he twisted Trent’s arm behind his back and shoved a pistol into his belly.

Leia glanced at Rohan as she felt his preternatural power gather around the hunters, stealing their ability to move.

Leia’s father muttered, “What the hell’s going on?”

Her mother fainted and only her brother’s quick reflexes kept Cynthia from sliding to the floor.

Luke’s eyes lit up. Leia had no doubt that her brother was imagining the mayhem they were watching as a scene in a future horror movie. She had been somewhat nervous about telling Luke about herself and Rohan, but he’d been excited to learn his sister and future brother-in-law were vampires. Considering his fascination with super-hero movies, she probably shouldn’t have been surprised.

Janae grabbed Leia’s hand and held on tight.

The minister seemed unaffected by the intrusion.

Rohan took a few steps forward, his angry gaze sweeping over the hunters. “I’m getting damn sick and tired of this,” he snarled. “So I’m giving you clear warning. I suggest you tell whoever the devil your leader is to leave me the hell alone. I haven’t killed anyone in a long time, but if you don’t stop harassing me and mine, I’m coming after you. All of you. There’s nowhere you can run, nowhere you can hide, that I can’t find you.”

Eyes blazing red, he unleashed more of his power. Helpless, the hunters stared at him. One man fainted. Others dropped to their knees. A keening cry filled the chapel as pain ripped through them, one and all.

Withdrawing his power, Rohan said, “That’s but a taste of what I can do. If I ever see any of you again, you won’t like what happens next. Now get the hell out here.”

In less than a minute, the hunters were gone as if they had never been there.

“Well, damn,” Luke said. “That husband of yours sure knows how to put on a show.”

His words broke the tension in the room. When all was in readiness again, the minister smiled at the guests.

Leia stared at him, startled to see a hint of fang, and only then realized that he was a vampire.

The ceremony was brief. An exchange of vows, an exchange of rings and a heartfelt pledge to love each other forever. Leia couldn’t help but notice that everyone let out a relieved sigh when the minister declared, “I now pronounce you man and wife. Rohan, you may kiss your bride.”

Leia smiled as Rohan lifted her veil and took her in his arms. “Forever and always,” he murmured.

“Always and forever,” she whispered. Her eyelids fluttered down as he claimed his first husbandly kiss and she knew she could endure anything as long as he was there beside her.

The wedding party returned to the Winchesters’ house after the ceremony. Her mother had arranged for a caterer and there were sandwiches and salads and champagne for those so inclined, and a chocolate cake with white frosting with the customary bride and groom on top.

While her mother and Janae were busy in the kitchen, Leia took Rohan aside. “I have to know,” she said. “Were the hunters who showed up tonight the same ones who attacked us before?”

“No.” He caressed her cheek. “After tonight, I don’t think we’ll have any more trouble with any of the hunters in thisarea. Now, stop worrying. Brides are supposed to be happy and carefree.”

“I am happy,” she said.

He kissed her, hard and fast, before they returned to the party.

“Well,” her brother said as they entered the living room, “that was the damnedest wedding I’ve ever seen. Lucas and Spielberg would have loved it.”

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