Deanna Kinney: Raven's Rose

He found Charity in the kitchen aggravating Chef Barney—something he knew amused her.

“Charity, may I have a word with you?”

“Raven!” she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “How’d it go last night? Levi told me you and Rose practically talked all night.”

He smiled. “Yes. We had a nice time. She is very lovely.”

“She is very lovely—are you kidding me?” She threw her hands up and gave him an exasperated look. “Raven, she’s the spitting image of your lost Rose. It’s almost like you have her back again. Aren’t you thrilled?”

His face fell. “Yes, but—”

She slapped her forehead. “Oh don’t tell me you’re scared. Raven Vanderburg—scared? That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“It is just that I do not know what to say to her. This night could be the first or the last for me. Do you not see?”

“Hmm. I think I do. Come with me.” She took hold of his arm and led him out of the D Wing and into the L Wing and didn’t stop pulling him along until they entered the library where they could be alone. As soon as she shut the door behind them, she spun around to face him and grinned. “Excuse me if I don’t want anyone to hear this, but, Raven, you’re the most gorgeous man alive, besides my Levi of course. Oh and Eli too, since they’re twins and all. Anyway, I saw the way she was looking at you. She’s in love with you already, and if she isn’t then she almost is. You’re a great guy—for a vampire that is.”

He grimaced.

She shook her head in exasperation. “Wait. I’m not saying this right. I guess what I mean is, if I hadn’t fallen in love with Levi I could’ve fallen for you. ‘Cause underneath all that toughness is a really sweet, gentle, romantic, very old, very cryptic vampire.”

They both laughed.

“Thank you, Charity. I am still not quite sure you were helpful, but thank you anyway.”

“Any time. Now, don’t you worry about your date. Just be yourself and remember to be a gentleman. And if all else fails just stare at her like she’s the only girl on the planet. That’s how Levi got me to fall in love with him. Now, I better go. If Levi hears I’m in here alone with you, you won’t have eyeballs to look at her with.”

“Thanks, my queen. You never cease to amuse.”

“Yeah, well, that’s my job these days. See ya, Raven. Good luck tonight. And tomorrow I want all the details.”

“Yes, my queen.” He bowed dramatically.

She slapped his arm. “Get over yourself Rayvac.”

He rubbed his arm in mock pain, giving her the satisfaction she desired.

Rose was having a hard time sleeping, tossing and turning restlessly. She knew she needed her sleep after spending hours into the night talking to Raven, but she couldn’t seem to shut out the thoughts flooding her mind now.

She recalled his adorable expression when he’d first laid eyes on her. But soon she discovered it wasn’t because of her at all. It was due to the fact that she resembled her great-great grandmother Rose. Raven had been in love with her many years ago, and from the look of things he was still in love with her. Surprisingly, Rose found herself struggling with the emotion—jealousy. She never really cared for the emotion before, but it was invading her spirit with a vengeance.

Raven was so unlike the other guys she’d dated. He was more of a man than a boy; tall, strong, with pale skin and striking features. His black, silky hair just touched his shoulders, and his eyes alone had captivated her with their depth and darkness. She realized, during their conversations, more than once, she was staring into those black orbs wondering what pain they held and horrors they had seen. She had been surprised to realize she longed to comfort him from all his years of suffering over the loss of his Rose. But every time she thought of her great-great grandmother she felt angry. She didn’t understand why exactly, after all she just met this man. He was virtually a stranger and a vampire on top of that. In a normal world she would never have been associating with him at all. But this is not a normal world, at least not anymore.

Her hatred for vampires wasn’t embedded in her from birth as was the case with most werewolves raised in a pack. She and her brother, Eli were raised alone, separated from their home pack for fear that Eli’s secret would be discovered. Eli was the secret twin of the alpha, and to protect them both, they were separated at birth and sent away to live separate lives. Though it was rare, in the only recorded cases of twin alphas, with their competitive natures, one had killed the other. Eli and Levi’s parents couldn’t risk it and thus sent the younger, though only by minutes, away to live in secret with another couple. Eli was compelled to search out Levi, his brother and twin. And that’s what brought her here, to the home of her and Eli’s parent’s original pack and the home of one mysterious and cryptic vampire.

When she lived in Atlanta with her parents and brother, she lived a normal life, pretending to be a normal girl, dating normal, human guys. But all that changed when Eli left to find his twin, and understandably so. She held no ill feelings toward her brother for leaving. She’d have done the same thing. She adored her brother—respected him. He’d never do anything intentionally to harm her. She knew that now. Back in Atlanta, there was a moment when she felt differently. He’d attacked Kyle, her latest boyfriend. He suspected Kyle of mistreating her, and it was true, but something about him hurting Kyle had made her angry. She still didn’t quite know why, but it no longer mattered. Kyle was long gone, angry that she’d had to move away.

She recalled the night she told him.

They had just returned from dinner and were sitting in his car when she approached the subject.

Rose was very nervous as she began the conversation. “Kyle, I have something to tell you.” She swallowed hard and proceeded. “My family and I are moving. I don’t have a choice in the matter. We’re moving to North Carolina. You and I can’t see each other anymore.” She could feel the anger radiating from him and it scared her.

He gaped at her, his jaw tight. “I don’t think so. You’re staying here with me. I don’t care what your parents say. And if that crazy brother of yours thinks he can bully me again, I’ll kill him.”

She became angry at his words, forgetting her fear. “How dare you talk about my family like that! You’re a jerk! My brother tried to tell me, but I didn’t listen!”

He had suddenly reached across the car and grabbed her by her hair. “You’ll regret saying those things to me, you little b—”

Rose couldn’t believe what she had done next. She had swung and punched him in the nose. But it had worked. He released her instantly, and grabbed his face, yelling in anger as the blood trickled through his fingers.

Rose didn’t waste a second. She jumped out of the car and ran down the road, only getting a little way before a car screeched to a halt in front of her.

“Get in, baby girl!” called her dad, swinging the door open.

She felt such relief as she jumped in and slammed the door shut behind her.

Her dad seemed concerned as he studied her face for signs of injury and emotion. “Are you okay, Rosebud?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

She’d never been so relieved to see her dad in all her life. “Dad! How did you know where to find me?”

“I have to confess—I followed you. Eli shared with me his concerns about Kyle, and when you told me you were telling him tonight about our move, I had a feeling it might go bad. I’m sorry, but I had to.”