Vampires Gone Wild (Love at Stake #13.5)

Vampires Gone Wild (Love at Stake #13.5) Page 23

“Miss Ralston! Now I must insist you retreat to the safety of the cabin. Your father wouldn’t have you lingering in ‘sensations’ of any kind, I am sure.”

“Fortunately, Father is not here,” Angelina whispered.

“What did you say?”

She cleared her throat. “I’m a hunter of light, Mrs. Blackwell. I put my consciousness upon its reflection, watching, waiting to capture what I can.”

Stellan’s eyes widened as he listened.

“Life isn’t all about photographs, Miss Ralston.”

“It is this evening. Father’s instructed me to record the seascape.”

“Yes, for the bridge . . .”

“Bridges.” Angelina emphasized the plural. “One along this ferry route, from Oakland Mole to Market Street Landing, and the other . . .”

“Across the Golden Gate, I know!” Mrs. Blackwell sighed. “The esteemed Mr. Ralston, and my son, your fiancé”—she exaggerated each syllable of that last word—“speak of nothing else.”

“Then perhaps you’ll appreciate . . .”

“I appreciate nothing in this damp, cold fog and endless sloshing of water all around. It’s unnatural.”

“Not to me.” Her voice was wistful.

“Yes, I’ve heard about your proclivity toward swimming.” The older woman fussed with her coat buttons, doing them up to her chin. “I’m going inside, and you are to follow directly. Gather your things. I’ll not have you out here unattended.”

“Of course, Mrs. Blackwell.” Angelina kept her eyes on the sea, making no move to leave.

The matron turned to a man who stood a small distance away with his hands clasped behind his back. “Assist her, Gerald.”

“I can manage myself, thank you,” Angelina said. She turned to the man. “Could you please see Mrs. Blackwell safely inside.”

“What will my son think if I allow his fiancée to catch a chill?” Mrs. Blackwell said over her shoulder while being escorted to the doors.

“I’m sure he will think nothing unkind of you, Mrs. Blackwell.”

The woman snorted at that and disappeared into the cabin.

Stellan struggled with conflicting desires as he watched Angelina lean against the railing. There were other people still on the deck. He had to be ready. Salila would act soon.

You should be helping us!

I think you do fine without me.

We are Mar, Stellan. Have your forgotten your own nature in all these centuries?

No! He frowned. But your way is. . .

That of the Ancients!

We don’t even know who they were! A master race from the sunken continent? Remnants of children sacrificed to the sea? We’ve lost our history, Salila.

But not our traditions! Her voice stung. We need human blood to rise from the tombs. We need it to walk on land.

We don’t need so much that they die! I’ve found. . .

A better way? So I’ve heard. What’s Teern think of your big idea?

Stellan didn’t have an answer for that. He’d yet to discuss it with their leader.

You might want to move away from the bow, brother. Salila’s warning shot into his mind. There’s going to be a little spill.

The Bay City ferry had two ballast tanks with a thirty-ton capacity each. If one malfunctioned, the nose of the vessel would momentarily dip, and any passengers on deck would slip right down into the sea. Salila was very good at making things malfunction.

Don’t do it!

Too late.

The ferry lurched, and Mar began to tear up the side of the vessel, splintering the hull in their race to the top. The prow smashed nose first into the swell, and the main deck, moments ago a stately, horizontal surface, upended. People lost their footing, all but Angelina. She gripped the railing with both hands and held fast. Salila made to jump at her, but Stellan caught the Mar woman by the ankle, a bone-crushing hold.

She spun and snarled. What’s wrong with you! With a disgusted look, she kicked free and dove, hitting the water, where people were splashing and waving.

Angelina screamed, her grip nearly gone. Stellan threw himself into motion, ripping apart the railing in his vertical ascent. As he launched toward her, the bow of the ferry bounced back up, tossing passengers into the sky, Angelina among them. Stellan’s collision course ended with a resounding thud, his chest slamming into the woman as his arms encircled her.

Thousands of sparkling water drops sprayed out from their impact. Streams arced from his long hair, reaching toward her face. The sounds of the paddle wheel and engine, the screams of drowning humans, and the clang of bells faded into the background. But suddenly there was only this young woman, this angel, in his arms. The scent of her filled his nostrils, her warmth turning his head light as air. Angelina’s heart pounded hard against his bare chest as she clung to him. Her eyes were shut tight, and she was still screaming as they began to fall.

“Angelina!” he shouted.

Her lids flew open, and she stared straight at him.

Stellan couldn’t breathe. Seeing her, holding her . . . it felt like sunshine, open fields, and a fullness of heart he’d never known. She pierced him with her beautiful, dark gaze, a weapon more potent than anything imaginable. They held each other tight, speechless, until, like a stone, they plunged into the sea.

A CACOPHONY OF sound rushed by, punctuated by the snap and flare of misshapen voices. Comprehension was futile. When she managed to grasp hold of anything, it disintegrated into blind, meaningless noise. Then darkness settled, calm until a whoosh of air inflated her chest. Heat rolled over her skin. Pain registered, then a heartbeat, pounding, earsplitting. She sucked in the air, hungry for more. Pins and needles shot down every nerve. Pressure built, and Angelina’s eyes flew open.

Who are you? The question echoed off luminous walls.

A figure hovered close by. His hair was long, and water dripped from the ends onto her exposed neck. For a moment, she could see the contours of his face. Then they blurred into memory, a strong jaw, full lips. A man planting his mouth over her own, breathing life back into her body. His shoulders, beautifully curved as he leaned in, were marble white . . . Then the shouting started.

“What in the dead bone’s deep did you bring her here for? Have you lost your mind?”

“She would have drowned otherwise!”

“Who cares?”

“I do!”

The words tumbled together, mixing with the incessant ring of high-pitched water drops and rolling waves that surged up and down the walls of her reasoning. A shadow streaked into view and was immediately banished. Angelina licked the salty tang of the sea from her lips. It tasted like blood.

“Fine. Protect her if you want. But Teern will never let her live, now that she’s seen you.”

“She won’t remember!”

“Are you sure about that?”

Angelina’s head throbbed. Water splashed over her face, and a deep, commanding energy slammed her.

“You have interfered with the hunt, again!”

“Teern, forget what Salila says. The girl can be useful.”

“How?”

“She knows about the bridge.”

Bridges, Angelina thought. She managed to lift herself up on her elbows.

A hand pressed ever so gently on her bosom. It replaced the swirling void with warmth. Peace. She closed her eyes and drifted away.

“I can take the human girl back. Learn more of their plans.”

A single word taunted her. Human? Angelina fought against the confusion as she was swept up in strong arms. The rush of cold air forced her eyes wide open. Into them stared two jewels, gray-green like the sea. She stared back. “Who are you?”

Chapter Two

04:12 P.M.

Monday, April 16, 1906

SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAD happened, Angelina was sure of it, but for the life of her she couldn’t recall what. Sun shone onto her face, and she could hear waves pounding the sand. Buoys clanged, or was that the sound of cable cars? Her fingers traced across the sand. “Where am I?”

“You’re safe, Miss.”

She opened her eyes to find a gentleman bending over her. He reminded her of someone, and she wondered at herself for imagining smooth marble skin beneath his white, high-collared shirt. He wore ferndale striped trousers, a gray-green vest that matched his eyes, black silk puff tie, black riding boots, and a tweed frock coat. His face was . . . beautiful, and his long, wavy hair was secured at the nape of his neck. She studied him until the sun’s glare made her look down. He must have been wading in the surf, for his trouser cuffs and boots were soaked. With his help, she sat up. Her clothes were wet and utterly disheveled. She touched the top of her head. “My hair’s come down,” she said, her mouth feeling like it was stuffed with cotton.

“What do you remember?”

Angelina frowned. “I was returning from Oakland with Mrs. Blackwell, taking photographs for my father.” She rubbed the back of her neck.

“On the Bay City ferry?”

“Yes!” Her hands went to her mouth “There was an accident! People went overboard!” She raised her voice. “My fiancé’s mother, Mrs. Blackwell! Gerald, our manservant! Did they survive?”

“The event was in the papers this morning, Miss. No mention of names, but seven people were still unaccounted for.”

“And I must be one of them.” She buried her face in her hands and exhaled long and slow. “This is terrible!” With another deep breath, she looked up. “But you saved me? Pulled me from the sea?”

“From the surf,” he said. His voice was warm and rich. “You washed up on a raft of driftwood. I spotted you from the wharf.” He pointed to the pilings near the water channel.

She took in the industrial waterfront, with its warehouses and longshoremen working the docks. Facing west was a sign reading PIER 42. “China Basin?”

“Indeed.”

She stared at him, her mouth open. Angelina didn’t remember hitting the water or swimming to the driftwood, or anything else past hanging on to the railing for dear life when her tripod went over. “My camera!” She looked about as if it might appear beside her.

“No sign of that, I’m afraid.” He helped her to stand. “Please let me introduce myself. I’m Stellan Fletcher.” He shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. “Is your home far away?”

“Pacific Heights.” Her mind was in a whirl. Stellan. She turned the name over with her tongue. Where was he from? She couldn’t detect an accent. “Mr. Fletcher,” she offered her hand. “I’m Angelina Ralston and deeply in your debt.”

“You mustn’t mention it.”

Their eyes met, and chills went down her spine. For a moment, she thought her knees would give way. “This is a most peculiar event, Mr. Fletcher, but I do think you’ve saved my life. That is worth more than a passing mention.”

He gave a small bow. “I’m at your service.”

Angelina smiled and brought her hand to her neck. It was wet even though her lace collar was beginning to dry in the breeze. Her fingers came away bloody. “I must get home.” She lowered her voice. “And avoid the press if at all possible.”

“I will find a cabdriver and escort you.” He pointed toward the docks. “It’s not far to King Street if you can manage.”

“I can.” Angelina allowed him to take her elbow and lead her up the sandy dune to the pier and on toward the bustle of the city. She sat on a bench while he hailed a taxi. It didn’t take long. Inside, she sat for a moment with her eyes closed.

“Directions?” he asked.

“Fillmore and Washington Street.”

Stellan repeated the location to the driver and climbed in the other side. With a chug and backfire, they were off, swerving through the traffic. The cab was a Model A Ford that had seen heavy use. It moved at a snail’s pace, which was fortunate considering the reckless driving on Market Street. Stages, hack carts, donkey traps, and cable cars vied for right of way along with what Angelina thought were far too many pedestrians. They bumped over the tracks, veering out of the way of oncoming cable cars just in time. The noise jarred her mind. Out the dusty window, the angle of the light was severe.

“What time is it?” She stuck her head out from under the canopy before Stellan could answer. Captivated by the light, she watched it cross the tall buildings, glinting off windows, forcing shadows to lengthen.

“Nearly sunset,” he said.

“It’s been twenty-four hours?”

“Since the accident? I believe so.”

Angelina pulled her head in, suddenly thinking of her hatless appearance and her wild hair blowing in the breeze. “I suppose it’s a miracle I survived.” The smell of city refuse, horse manure, engine oil, and bricks wafted in. It jolted her back to the present, reminding her there was a strange man, her rescuer, sitting quite close. Automatic manners took over. “Do you live in the city?” she asked.

Before he could answer, the driver slammed on the brakes and pounded the horn. A man on a wheel, one of those bicycles she’d been wanting to try, much to her family’s vexation, had nearly plowed into them.

Stellan stared after the contraption. “I’m a visitor.”

The way he looked at the world going by, she was sure he was glad of that. “Where then?”

He hesitated. “Europe.”

“That hardly pinpoints it, Mr. Fletcher,” she said, and pressed her forehead into her hand. It was getting more and more difficult to keep up the social niceties.

He noticed. “I’ll tell you my full life story if you like, but perhaps for now you’d rather rest.”