Gypsy Nights Read online

  The bell to the shop rang. Gitana jumped to her feet and ran to the shop, expecting to find Sebastian there. She held her smile, even though it didn’t quite reach her eyes when she saw one of her most loyal customers, Mrs. Mills.

  "Gitana, how are you dear?"

  "Fine, and you?"

  "Oh, I could be better. The doctor wants to put me on ‘happy pills.’ Have you ever heard of such a thing?"

  Gitana laughed quietly to herself. She had indeed heard of happy pills. She’d entertained asking her doctor for antidepressants during her divorce, but had managed to find some herbal remedies that had worked to lift her spirits.

  Walking over to the back shelf, she pulled a box of tea down for Mrs. Mills. "Here, have look at this and see if you’d like to give it a try. It might help."

  "Thank you, dear. You never did tell me why a girl with a degree in herbology and enough courses in holistic healing to qualify her as a doctor sticks around this tiny town. You could be making good money out in California, you know."

  "Yes," Gitana said, laughing softly. "I suppose so, but I like it here. This place called to me and I answered. What more can I say?" She turned to head back out toward the greenhouse.

  "Gitana, wait, I drink this and what will happen?"

  Gitana smiled and took the tiny box of tea bags from Mrs. Mills’ hands. Turning it over, she put her fingers on the ingredients. "See here, it contains Albizzia bark, it’ll help improve your mood, trust me."

  "Oh, I don’t think a tea is going to cut it. The doctor thinks the pills will help, but I’m not too sure."

  She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "You should do what your doctor recommends and what you’re comfortable with. I can’t make your decision for you. I do know that within fifteen minutes of having a cup of that your mood will improve. Talk to your doctor first to be sure that this won’t counteract with your medication and get his opinion on it. If he gives it a thumbs up then I say go for it."

  "I will, and thanks, Gitana. You’re a life saver."

  She placed the box of tea in a brown bag and bid Mrs. Mills good-bye. She generally enjoyed seeing her, but today her thoughts were on Sebastian. Last night had been both amazing and terrifying. She’d given herself over to a vampire and expected him to love her back. She was a fool--she realized that now.

  It was true, what they said about hindsight. Looking back, after they’d made love, Sebastian had seemed preoccupied, distant. He had followed her back to her room and held her in his arms. Once he thought she’d fallen asleep, he began pacing the room and watching the windows. She coaxed him back into bed with her, but knew it wasn’t where he wanted to be.

  It would serve me right if I never saw him again. What was I thinking, sleeping with a man I’d just met?

  "Gitana?" She cringed as she heard her grandmother call out to her from the greenhouse.

  Chapter 7

  "You should come in and eat. Your food is getting cold. Always playing with those plants…I tell you, in my day we did not spend all our time with our nose in a book or hand in a pot, now in my day we...."

  Gitana waved at her grandmother. She meant well and Gitana knew that, but it didn’t change how annoying she sometimes came across. She was tired of hearing about dead customs and ways of life, and most of all she was tired of hearing about being the chosen one. Lately, that was all her grandmother seemed to want to discuss. Gitana’s thirtieth birthday was fast approaching and with it came the superstitions of old.

  "You should call, Aaron. He should have dinner with us. He should come and celebrate with us."

  Gitana dug down deep and cut through the mint rhizomes she’d been trying to root. "Shit!"

  "Such a mouth on you. It’s no wonder you don’t have a husband."

  "I’m not feeling very hungry." Please don’t bring up having dinner with Aaron again, please.

  "Of course you’re not hungry. It’s not popular for you young women to eat now. No, now you all starve yourselves trying to look like fifteen-year-old."

  Turning, Gitana gave her grandmother a stern look. "I don’t starve myself, and I can’t help it if I’m petite. Besides, you’re shorter than me, in case you haven’t noticed."

  "Gitana, your mother would not be pleased to know you’re speaking to me this way."

  She turned, wiped the mint rhizomes onto the floor, and glared at her grandmother. "I wouldn’t know what my mother would think. I’ve never met her. I don’t have the luxury of being able to communicate with the dead, Grandma…Tell me what she thinks of me now? How does she feel about me divorcing my mullo? Huh? Does she care? Does she even know?"

  Her grandmother pulled back into the doorway slowly and clasped her hands together. "I shall ask the Goddess for forgiveness for you. You’re upset about the vampire."

  Gitana froze and stared at her grandmother. "What did you just say?"

  The old woman shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "He came to me while I was walking home the other day in a vision. I looked down into a puddle of water and saw you in the arms of a vampire. I don’t think it’s wise to fall in love with a man so soon, especially not a vampire. You should be careful with him."

  "Have no fear. He’s gone, and I don’t think that he’ll be coming back."

  "Hmm, that is a shame. I did want to meet him. Your mother wanted me to ask him something. It seemed important to her, but I wasn’t clear on what it was." She lifted her hands in the air and dismissed the whole thing. "Oh well, I’ll contact her later and find out."

  Rolling her eyes, she watched as her grandmother made her way back into the house. Grandmother had been communicating with spirits ever since Gitana could remember. It used to bother her when her grandmother would pull out a pocket watch to communicate with the dead and ask it questions, waiting for it to swing to and fro signifying the answer. Over time, Gitana grew accustomed to her grandmother’s theatrics and learned to ignore her. She’d even secretly practiced some of the old ways.

  Chapter 8

  Sebastian sat with his head against the abandoned warehouse wall, trying to make sense of what he’d done. The last thing he remembered was making love to Gitana. A sharp pain had seized his chest while he released his seed into her. Afterwards, he took her to bed and held her warm body in his arms. He laid there for hours as the pain in his chest continued. It wasn’t until he’d heard the pounding in his own ears, and felt his body warm ever so slightly, that he realized his heart was beating.

  It was normal for his heart to beat during a kill, while he fed from the victim and let their warm blood flow through his veins. Sebastian hadn’t fed all day. He’d had only a tiny drink from Gitana’s wound, and it wasn’t nearly enough to qualify as a feeding. His heart should not have started to beat again, yet it did. An overwhelming hunger had come over him. He’d spent centuries learning to control his demon, but looking at Gitana’s sleeping body had nearly sent him over the edge with carnality.

  He fled before she woke and did not even dare kiss her good-bye. He was blind with the raw need to hunt, to kill. He woke to find himself here, on the floor of the old warehouse with three bloody corpses at his feet. It wasn’t as easy for him to read people once they were dead, but it could still be done. Two of the men had been involved in the rape and murder of at least three girls, but the third he couldn’t read. That meant that he was either an innocent or a supernatural. Sebastian had no memory of tasting his blood, and that was the only way to tell if he was supernatural or not.

  The thought of having killed an innocent human was tearing him apart. He’d been "clean" for close to fifty years now. Others like him had a hard time understanding how he could go cold turkey like that, and so did he. There was no logical explanation for his behavior. He had simply lost the taste for anything other than the blood of evildoers.

  The afternoon sun was high and shining through the upper windows. Beams of it surrounded Sebastian as he staggered to his feet. This much direct sunlight should have knocked him out, leaving him injured. O
ther than feeling slightly sluggish, a bit under the weather, and hornier than hell, he was fine. Looking down at his bloodied hands, the vampire in him picked up on the pulsating vein in his wrist. His heart was still beating.

  Chapter 9

  Gitana pulled the remaining weeds from her flower garden and gathered them to the side. Later, she’d add them to her compost pile, using them to fertilize next year’s herbs.

  "Ah, Dicentra Formosa," a voice said from behind her.

  She looked up and had to shield her eyes from the afternoon sun. There was a tall man standing dangerously close to her. His attire screamed scholar. His tiny circular, wire-framed glasses gave his otherwise too handsome face a boyish charm. She glanced at his short brown hair and thought it complimented his green eyes well.

  Smiling, he pointed at the flowers before her. "Dicentra Formosa," he said again, his thick British accent becoming apparent.

  Gitana followed his gaze and then it clicked. "Oh, yes, I’m sorry. These are Bleeding Hearts, yes. I take it that you’re a fellow plant lover?"

  He flashed a smile that was so innocent it made her want to like him. "I’m William, and yes I do enjoy studying plants, among other things."

  Rising to her feet, she brushed her hands on her long black skirt. The Roma in her had conditioned her to wear dresses to do most everything. For the most part, she’d severed her ties with the old ways, but still felt more comfortable in skirts. She double-checked her hand for dirt before extending it out to William.

  "Hi, I’m Gitana, what can I help you with today?" She bent to pick up the pile of weeds. "I closed the shop up early today, but I’d be happy to take you in if you’d like."

  Suddenly, he was behind her with his hand on her shoulder. Dropping the weeds, she spun around fast, unsure how he’d managed to move so quickly. William’s green eyes began to glow, taking on a supernatural appearance. Terrified, she swung out at him and he caught her wrist with his hand. "I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to warn you. Sebastian is a friend of mine."

  Gitana stopped struggling and stared at William. "You’re not a vampire?" It was more of a question than a statement.

  He smiled down at her. "No, I’m not a vampire, but I’m not a completely normal human either. I posses the gifts of magic and immortality, I am also a member of the Council."

  The very mention of the Council made her take a step back. The Council was in place to oversee the supernatural community, and when they paid you a visit, it normally ended in death. They were the only checks-and-balance system in place, and they’d been around for thousands of years. The thought of the Council coming for Sebastian scared her more than the thought of Aaron showing up again.

  The fear must have shown on her face because William put his hands up to signify that he wasn’t a threat. "I’m not here to collect anyone. I’m here to warn you and Sebastian."

  "Sebastian’s not here." She almost added that she didn’t know where he was, but that didn’t seem wise. If this man proved to be a threat then it was best he think Sebastian could show up at any moment.

  "I know that Sebastian’s not here." A rather knowing grin spread across his face. "I’m the one who lured him away."

  "You what?"

  "I lured him away. It was simple. I used my power to override his system. I imagine that he felt a hunger like he’d never felt before."

  If William had indeed used magic to overload Sebastian’s system, then it was amazing she was still alive. "You say that you’re here to warn me about something, yet you make a powerful vampire’s blood thirst border on uncontrollable. Hmm, doesn’t sound like you’re much of an ally."

  He took a step toward her and she backed up. "You are right to assume that, but I am one of your only allies on the Council. I knew that Sebastian would never harm you. He hasn’t spent all these years looking for you to let a little thirst for blood ruin his chances."

  She’d only just met Sebastian. How could he have been searching for her? Opening her mouth to demand answers, she caught sight of a large green car pulling down the lane. She knew that car. It belonged to Aaron’s right-hand man, Travis. Frantic, she searched for an easy escape route for William. He’d be no match for a werewolf in the woods behind them, and he’d have to cross paths with Travis to get to back to his car--that was no good either.

  "Come on!" Grabbing hold of his hand, she pulled him and ran toward the greenhouse. William never protested. He simply ran behind her. They entered the greenhouse, leading him down the aisle and into the shop. She slammed the door closed behind them.

  "Care to tell me what that was about?" William asked, sounding winded.

  "Gitana, I know you’re in there! Come on out! Aaron wants to see you," Travis called from outside. She peeked out the window and watched as the young blond walked toward her shop door. "Aaron just wants to talk to you, I promise."

  The minute Travis’ hand touched the door handle it was propelled off. "What the hell?"

  William looked over at her and his eyebrow rose slightly. "Did you do the protection spell?"

  "Yes, its only purpose is to keep anything out those is intent on doing harm to me. Looks like Travis had a little more on his mind than just talking." She laughed softly.

  William made an odd noise, clearing his throat. Gitana glanced over at him, unsure what the problem was. He didn’t look much like the fighting type. Maybe he was scared. "You’re safe in here."

  He chuckled. "I’m not concerned about my safety. I’m concerned about yours. The Council has no idea that you’re a master of the craft. This will only serve to make them more intent on their mission."

  Why did it matter if she could perform magic? She’d never harmed an innocent person, and rarely used her gifts. The look in William’s eye told her that there was more to the council’s "mission" then he was letting on. "What do they want with me?"

  "That’s what I came to talk to you about."

  Travis tried touching the door one more time and yelped as his hand was knocked off again. "Gitana, you can’t hide in there forever, neither can your vampire friend!"

  The mention of Sebastian made her pulse race and her throat dry. Aaron obviously knew about him. Now, it was just a matter of time before he attacked. He’d kill Sebastian, and if she were lucky he’d kill her too. The idea of being at Aaron’s mercy scared her more than the thought of ceasing to exist.

  Travis climbed back into his old green car and left. He’d be back and he wouldn’t be alone.

  "Would you like some tea, William?" It was a ridiculous question, but it beat screaming like a mad woman out of fear, so she went with it.

  Chapter 10

  "What do you mean the Council wants us dead?" Gitana choked on her tea.

  William set his cup down gently and put his hand over hers. "Not both of you, they’d settle for just one. Sebastian’s made many friends on the Council over the last fifty years, so they will most likely be coming after you instead."

  Somehow, he wasn’t making her feel any better about their situation. "So, you’re telling me that they think that the prophecies about Sebastian and I are true? That’s ludicrous, I mean, he’s a vampire. He said it himself, he can’t have children."

  "Sebastian isn’t a normal vampire. He’s never been normal, not even when he was human. He was a clairvoyant and possessed an untapped level of magical power. The people in his village called him the boy with clear sight. His sire saw this in him and that’s why he brought him over against his will. The ‘change’ affected Sebastian’s powers and he wasn’t able to use them in the same way he once had. Fifty years ago they began to reemerge. They’re different now, as to be expected with his condition, but they are there." He took another sip of his tea and continued. "I started studying Sebastian over a hundred years ago. He wasn’t the monster that the other vampires seemed to be. No, he was kind, intelligent, and he became my friend in a relatively short period. He’s a good man and that’s why I am here. I think, no I know, that he’d turn into the g
reatest threat mankind has ever seen if anything happened to you."

  She sat there thinking about what William had told her. If the Council wanted someone dead, then they always got their wish. It was just a matter of time before there wish came true about her. Suddenly, her cheeks felt flushed and her stomach twisted into a knot. Pain gripped her and she let out a soft cry. Clutching her stomach, she looked at William, pleading silently for help. He jumped to his feet and came to her side. He touched her forehead and his eyes widened.

  "It’s as I thought." He didn’t wait for her to ask anymore about it, he just picked her up and took her in his arms. She let her head lay on his chest for no other reason than it felt incredibly heavy. "You need to rest."

  Nodding, she pointed him in the direction of her room. William walked her in and laid her on the bed gently. He sat next to her, taking his jacket off and tossing it aside. He rolled up his sleeve and thrust his wrist out in front of her mouth.

  "Drink, your body needs it."

  Stomach bile rose quickly at the suggestion of drinking someone’s blood. William put his wrist closer to her mouth. "Your body temperature is lower than it should be, and I noticed your sensitivity to the sun earlier. I’m not saying you’re a vampire, but I am saying that something is happening--changing you somehow. I suspected it might work this way. You and Sebastian were destined to be mates. In order for him to be able to offer you the gift of a child he needs to become more human, and in order for you to accept his seed, you need to become more like him."

  Covering her mouth to keep from being sick, Gitana shook her head violently. Drinking blood was wrong and reserved only for mullos.

  I’m not like that--I’m not a demon.

  There was no way she could become more like Sebastian. She was Roma, and they were the chosen protectors of the mullo. Each had sworn an oath to never allow themselves to be swayed by the darkness the mullos presented.