P.C. Cast - Mysteria Nights

“What do you mean he’s lost his mind?” Summer and Jenny spoke their questions together.

“I can’t tell—” Summer began.

“He’s freaked completely—” Jenny said.

Both women paused. “You start,” Jenny said. “Why don’t you know where you are?”

“’Cause I’ve never been here before. I’m at a gorgeous cabin and, weirdly enough, it’s not just decorated exactly how I would have decorated it, but a bunch of my stuff’s here. Now tell me what’s up with Colin.”

There was some unintelligible noise in the background and then Jenny said, “I’ll do better than that. I’ll let Colin tell you himself.”

Summer could hear her passing off the phone, and then Colin’s deep voice was in her ear. “Summer? Are you hurt? Where are you?”

“Colin! Are you okay? What happened?”

“I’m fine; don’t worry about me. Are you okay?” he said.

“Other than not understanding what happened, I’m fine. Especially now that I know you’re okay.”

“I am okay, sunshine.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Now that I’m not scared into my second death. Don’t ever disappear like that on me again.”

“Disappear? Is that what happened? All I remember is a bright light. Are you sure you’re okay? I know the whole light thing isn’t good for you.”

“I didn’t see a light. The kid finished the spell just as I grabbed you, and then an instant later my arms were empty, and you were nowhere.” His voice lowered. “I don’t like my arms being empty of you.”

His words made warm, fluttering things happen in the pit of her stomach. “Yeah, I know,” she said.

“Where are you? The sun’s setting. I’ll come to you.”

“I wish you could. I don’t have any idea where I am. I woke up in this beautiful iron bed in an amazing room that, weirdly, has a bunch of my stuff in it.” Summer walked to the bedroom door while she kept talking. “I peeked out the window, and I’m somewhere in the mountains—great view, by the by—in a big cabin. You should see this place. Your brother would definitely appreciate the quality of the watercolors on the walls, and they’re all of summer landscapes. I haven’t gone out into the rest of the house yet, though.”

“Does the bedroom have a large, wood burning fireplace in it?”

Summer nodded. “Yeah, it does.”

“Go out into the rest of the cabin, and tell me what you see.” His voice had a strangely excited tone to it.

“What’s going on, Colin?”

“I have a hunch. Just leave the bedroom, and I’ll know if I’m right.”

She took a deep breath and opened the door. “Okay, this is definitely my dream home,” Summer said.

“Describe it to me, Sunshine,” Colin said.

“I’m on a landing looking down at an incredible living room. The furniture is all leather, but it’s not too testosteroney because it’s mixed with antique end tables and thick, furry rugs. Oh, Goddess! I hope it’s fake fur.”

Colin’s deep laugh was in her ear. “I’ll bet it is now.”

“Now? What do you mean?”

“First, go down the stairs and into the living room and describe to me the painting over the fireplace.”

“Okay, it’s kinda freaking me out that you know this place.”

“Don’t be scared, Sunshine. Trust me. All will be well.”

She loved the tone of happy excitement that filled his voice and hurried down the stairs. Sure enough, there was a huge painting over the fireplace, and when Summer realized what it was, she laughed aloud. “It’s the Romeo and Juliet! Goddess, it looks like it’s the original.”

“It is, sweet Sunshine. Stay right where you are; I will come to you.”

“You know where I am?”

“I do, indeed. You’re home, Summer.”

“You’re home, Summer” was all that Colin would say before he hung up. What did that mean? But she didn’t have time to worry and wonder, because all of a sudden a dark mist began to spill into the room. Wordlessly, Summer watched it surround her and thicken and then change, elongate, and solidify until Colin was standing in front of her.

He looked around them, and his handsome face blazed with a triumphant smile. “I knew it! Makes me really glad I didn’t eviscerate those boys.”

“Colin, would you please explain to me what’s happened?”

“We’ve happened,” he said, still smiling. “This”—he swept his arm around them in a smooth motion—“is my home. Only it’s been changed. A woman’s touch has been added. You’ve been added to my home, Summer.”

Summer stared around her in amazement. “This is your home?”

“It is.”

“How did this happen?”

“The boy said that he was giving me a bright future. His spell, mixed with your magic, has gifted me with you.” Colin closed the space between them and took her in his arms, inhaling her scent and touch. “Let me show you how much we belong together.”

“Colin.” She spoke his name like a prayer and reached up to touch his face. The instant her hand met his cheek, the vampire gasped and jerked as if she’d zapped him with a jolt of electricity. Summer pulled back, afraid she’d hurt him, but what was reflected in his dark eyes wasn’t pain, but wonder.

“Touch me again, Summer.”

Before she could respond, Colin took her hand and pressed it back against his cheek, and this time Summer saw the glow of light that came from her hand and felt what was happening beneath her palm. The vampire’s cool flesh shivered and then flushed and warmed.

“What’s happened?” she whispered.

“You’re bringing light to me again, my darling. Only this time your magic is calling alive my flesh.” He turned his face so that his lips pressed against the palm of her hand. She felt a tingle of heat pass through her hand, and then his lips were on hers. They were warm and insistent and very much alive. Speaking only her name, Colin lifted her into his arms and strode from the living room up the stairs, kicking open the bedroom door and gently placing her on the bed.

When he bent to kiss her again, she pressed him gently away from her. “Wait, I have to see . . . I have to touch you and know . . .” she murmured.

Slowly, carefully, she unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it apart so his muscular chest was bared to her. Then she lifted her hands and, pressing her palms against his skin, began at his shoulders, sliding her hands down his chest in a slow, thorough caress that spread light down his body. Against her glowing skin his flesh warmed, and she watched in awe as his carved marble skin and muscles shivered and then, as long as she touched him, flushed with health and life. When her hand reached the place over his heart, Colin moaned—a sound part pain, part pleasure—and he pressed his hand over hers, stilling her caress.

“Ah, Goddess!” Colin said. “My heart beats again!”

“I can feel it. Oh, Colin! I can feel it beating.”

“Don’t stop touching me, Summer. Don’t ever stop touching me.”

Light-headed with the swirling emotions of passion and awe and desire, Summer looked into Colin’s dark eyes and saw love and life and her future there. And then she closed her eyes and bowed her head, breathing deeply while she tried to calm her turbulent emotions. I will not lose control and cause this to end! I will not!

“Summer, what is it?” Colin’s voice was filled with worry.

She opened her eyes and met his gaze. “I’ll never stop touching you, Colin. I promise, but you have to let me be with you on my own terms.”

His expression only became more confused, and mixed with that confusion Summer saw hurt and withdrawal. “I know that my being a vampire is hard for you. I understand you might not want to bind yourself to someone like me.”