Mates in Another Time

Chapter 3

Hearing her name, she gazed to in front of her, towards the one who must have called it out. Just ahead of her stood someone who was familiar yet not. Well not until she stared into those honey golden eyes and without a doubt knew who stood before her.

It couldn’t be him, could it?

Lucian would have told her if any of Viktor’s cohorts were here. She knew that he wouldn’t keep this information from her. So how come Quinn was here? From the looks of it he was now a vampire no doubt about it. Though from the age he appeared he must have been changed recently.

He had grown up more. He was filled out more. More muscular with the way the peacoat accented his wide shoulders leaving no doubt about his build under that cashmere. He dressed like that of a businessman with black dress pants and pointed dress shoes to match the peacoat. He even stood at least a few inches over six feet tall now. That dirty blond hair was still the messy array of strands that the wind blew all over. He had always kept it long enough to run one’s fingers through. No one at the academy could ever get him to keep it freshly shaven as he was meant to, all due to the fact she had mentioned she preferred longer hair. That was all it took for him to grow it out the four or so inches. He proved that in training he wouldn’t let it be what stopped him from a fight, so every instructor let him keep it even though everyone else had kept theirs buzzed short.

Why of all times though was he here?

With hope she figured if she turned around and just walked away without a word maybe he would not believe it was her. Worth a shot.

Spinning on her heel, she started to stroll away. Maybe keeping a normal pace he might not bother her. Those hopes were dashed though when a hand seized her wrist hindering her from escaping. “You have the wrong person.” She tried to yank her wrist from the person’s hold, but it was a futile attempt. His strength far exceeded hers.

“I know it’s you Isabel. I could never forget those eyes of yours.” At those words she knew it was pointless. Turning slightly to face him she was met with those golden honey eyes again, but now they were even closer and easier to get lost in. She needed to stay focused which was proving difficult at the moment.

When she felt a hand cup her cheek gently it took everything in her to not yield to that touch and melt into it. Regardless of how much time has passed, she still had feelings for Quinn, just as she had thought earlier. “I can’t believe you’re here.” The look in his eyes told her that he hadn’t squashed the feelings he had for her either, but how could that be? “I need to inform Vivian.”

Those words were like a bucket of ice water over her allowing for get the strength to turn her head out of his touch and rip her wrist from his grasp. They couldn’t be together. She had to remember that. His hand fell away but she could feel his eyes still fixated on her. This only cemented why they couldn’t be together. “Please don’t Quinn. Let me live my peaceful life. I’m actually enjoying it for once.”

The look Quinn gave her showed the briefest second of pain before he righted it. “I can’t stay quiet about this Isabel.”

“Nor can I.” Those words made her realize that there was another man with Quinn. How had she missed that before? Oh, that’s because Quinn always took all her attention whenever he was around. She couldn’t expect them to listen to her, but she had to try. Otherwise, she knew this was the end of her human life for good and just when she was getting the handle of it.

“Please. Both of you keep quiet. I won’t cause any problems. I just want to live a quiet and peaceful life.” She knew it wasn’t going to help her, especially with this other man. She didn’t know who he was, or even if she had met him at the academy before. Whoever they were, they didn’t look that familiar. The look Quinn pierced her with was enough to let her know what he planned. But she knew Lucian enough to know they were not here with an invitation. Otherwise, he would have told her. She knew he would. “Are you even allowed to be in Lucian’s territory?”

A slight shine began to emanate from Quinn’s eyes now and gave her no doubt in the world he truly had changed to a vampire. Not only that, but it was like he just realized that he was caught. “Quinn, we best give Vivian a call about this.” Those words were enough for her to know that she was indeed right. They weren’t allowed to be in this territory. Boy would Lucian be furious they came in unwarranted.

No matter though because they knew she was here now and would tell Vivian. Life would be changing now.

Arms encircled her waist while lips touched close to her ear. “Hello darling. It seems I finally caught up to you.” There was no mistaking that voice. They had met on a couple of occasions since he was Cassandra’s friend, but him being here in the middle of the day only meant one thing. Darius must have had orders to find her. Somehow Lucian had found out, though a little late. Well, she was going to have to tell Lucian regardless. She owed him that much for everything he’s done for her. Thankfully she wouldn’t have too now.

Keeping up the rouse would be perfect for her to get out of this tough predicament with Quinn and his friend. She doubted they would want to cause more of a scene with Darius around. If they even knew who he was. From the looks of it they didn’t, only that he was a vampire. She allowed herself to relax in his arms and smiled brightly over her shoulder at him. “Who are these two men that you’re talking with darling?”

“We were just wrapping up a misunderstanding is all. Sorry to keep you waiting Darius.” It was odd to feel a faint brush of his lips to her cheek, but she had to keep up this charade. He was only trying to help her flee this situation. Glancing back over to Quinn she was met with blazing golden eyes and a clenched jaw. Anyone in a twenty-foot radius could feel the silent anger that seemed to boil from him. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I hope you find who you are in search of.”

Twisting in his arms she embraced Darius before letting him go to intertwin their hands together. “Well then we shall be off.” Darius’s words were lighthearted as he guided them out of such an uncomfortable confrontation. A quick glance over his shoulder she could see Quinn glaring at them as his friend held a hand on his shoulder speaking quietly to him.

They had no clue that Darius was his right-hand man. Just that he belonged to Lucian’s clan. Not many believed who he was without being told on most occasions anyway. Not with the way he always had such a strange air about him. The ebony disheveled locks of his with that bad boy ensemble he always wore threw most people off unless they knew him. He always wore his classic combat boots, black jeans with a black tee shirt and what helped tie the look together was your typical leather jacket.

Once they were a decent distance from them, she felt him lean over so only her ears alone would hear. “Don’t worry they won’t follow. Cassandra made sure to keep them rooted in place. I gave her a quick call when I noticed what was happening. They won’t even understand they are stuck. It was the best way to guarantee that they didn’t follow. Otherwise, I feel Quinn would ensure to capture you and never let you go. Just keep up the act a little longer and then we will make some turns to my vehicle.”

Questions rushed into her mind. She knew for certain that Lucian hadn’t invited them here. “I know they weren’t invited here so how did you know to find me?”

“I was actually here on business. A few people had sited some new vampires in the area. I was coming to check it out to be sure they wouldn’t cause a problem. Who would have thought two of Viktor’s guards would be in this city and without invitation? Lucian is livid of course.” He must have called him as well about the situation. “So, who is this Quinn guy? He had a possessiveness about him when it came to you.” The smugness on his face made her push away from him since she knew they were out of eyesight now.

“He’s nobody and let’s leave it at that shall we.” There was finality in her words as she strolled beside him. Though his smile didn’t disappear regardless of him dropping the conversation. They remained quiet until he escorted her to his black SUV. Opening the door for her he ensured she got in before shutting the door and getting into the driver’s side. In the safety of the vehicle, she had to ask the question plaguing her mind. “He’s going to change me now, isn’t he?” That was the deal they made. Quinn would tell Vivian and then the secret would be out. Lucian would either have to give her to them or do what he planned by changing her over.

The engine started and they were out on the road before he answered her question. “Unfortunately, that will have to be the case. Either they take you or you join our family. I doubt you want to be taken to Viktor. That leaves no choice but to change you over.” The glance over to her showed the apology in his eyes. “Lucian never expected them to come in town without knowledge of it.” That brought more questions to her mind and probably to Darius’s as well. Why exactly were they here? It wasn’t about her. The shock on Quinn’s face proved that. “I’ll take you to Lucian’s home. It won’t be long until they request an audience with him.”

The drive wasn’t long as they made it to the outskirts of city. The mansion came into view, and she realized she felt the same way she did the first time she visited here. Once Darius stopped the vehicle and turned it off, he gazed over to her. “I know you don’t want this, but it is the better choice. As you can see Lucian is a great Sire to have.”

“I know, I just had wanted a tad longer is all.” This was her fate. She couldn’t run from it forever and had this inkling that it would be bound to catch up to her. The thought of changing was still beyond terrifying to her. She knew Lucian would be someone that didn’t abuse those under him and that she had to focus on that. There were worse fates. Accepting such, she smiled at Darius and got out of the vehicle with him escorting her inside. Déjà vu assailed her as she took the same route she had before to meet with Lucian in his office.

Instead of being behind his desk, he sat over to the right side of the room in a blush chair sipping on what appeared to be whiskey. “Would you care for some?” With a shake of her head, she shifted to the couch on the other side of him so she could face him. Darius closed the door behind him and headed to the liquor cart seeming to need some. “It’s unacceptable that they are here. I’m beyond furious, but I can’t change what we have discussed.”

“I know.” She had to accept this fate for herself. It was what that impending feeling that was not coming to completion.