Night's Touch

Cara was quiet on the way home from the police station. She had told the sergeant in charge that she and Vince had been out for a walk when they heard a baby crying in the park and that they had found the infant wrapped in a blanket on a bench. The police had asked numerous questions, but no matter what the question, Cara had given them the same answer: "I don't know."

The sergeant had asked them to wait while he made a phone call, and ten minutes later, a man and a woman, both clad in pajamas, bathrobes, and slippers, ran into the station. They had taken one look at the baby and dissolved in tears of joy. They had showered Cara and Vince with hugs and fervent words of thanks. They had offered them a reward, which Cara refused.

Finally, after more questions, the police had decided Cara and Vince didn't have anything to do with the kidnapping and, after taking their names, addresses, and phone numbers, had let them go.

Though she knew it was foolish, Cara felt bereft, her arms empty as she left the police station. She had held the baby only a short time, but holding the infant had made her yearn for a child of her own, a little girl with Vince's black hair and deep brown eyes.

"You're awfully quiet," Vince remarked as he braked for a stoplight. "Are you worried about your father?"

"Not really. He's a vampire, after all," she said with a forced laugh. "I'm sure he'll be all right."

Vince glanced out the window. It had been a long night; it would be dawn soon. "What's bothering you then?"

"You'll think it's silly."

"Maybe, but tell me anyway."

"Holding that baby suddenly made me want one of my own." She looked up at him. "Do you like kids?"

"Sure. I always wanted a big family."

"Wanted?"

Thinking quickly, he said, "I'm not sure big families are practical these days."

"Maybe not."

Cara snuggled against Vince, her head resting on his shoulder. Frank hadn't been at his house, so they had taken one of her father's cars and driven to the police station without him. With a sigh, she closed her eyes. It had been a long, nerve-racking night. Replaying everything in her mind, she knew she was lucky to be alive.

"Where do you think Anton went?" she asked.

"I don't know."

"And that creature..." She sat up, her adrenaline flowing. "It's out there somewhere."

Vince put his arm around her and drew her against him once again. "Don't worry about it now. That thing has no reason to come after you."

"But..."

"Shh, darlin', you're safe here with me," he said, though he, too, had been wondering where the creature had gone and what it might do. Did it have any memory of its former life? Would it go through the city, wreaking havoc, like the zombies in horror movies? How long would the incantation last? A day? A week? Would the enchantment dissipate on its own, or would it have to be broken, and if so, how?

He was still pondering those things when he pulled up in front of DeLongpre's house. The place was dark save for a light in one of the windows downstairs.

Brenna opened the passenger-side door almost before the car came to a stop. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, although for a while I thought we were going to be spending the night in jail," Cara muttered.

"Honestly, do I look like a kidnapper to you?"

"Of course not," Brenna said, smothering a grin.

"How's Dad?" Cara asked, following her mother into the house.

"Resting. He'll be fine in a few days."

"Can I see him?"

"He's not here."

Cara's eyes widened. "Where is he?"

"He's resting where he won't be disturbed."

"But..."

"No more questions tonight, dear," Brenna said. "You need to get some rest. Frank's in the kitchen. He'll be staying in the house tonight."

"Where was he?" Cara asked. "We went by his place, but he wasn't there."

"He was out taking care of a few loose ends," Brenna said, her eyes twinkling. "Vince, you're welcome to stay, too, if you like."

"Thank you, but I'd best be getting home."

Cara squeezed his hand. "I wish you'd stay."

"I've got a few things to do, but I'll see you tomorrow. Promise me you won't go anywhere alone."

"Promise me you'll still be here tomorrow."

"I promise. Now you."

"Don't worry, I won't go anywhere."

"That's my girl," he said with a wink. He looked at Brenna. "If there's anything I can do..."

"Could I see you for a moment, alone?" Brenna asked.

"Sure." He followed Brenna outside and waited while she closed the door. "Is something wrong?"

"Have you told Cara the truth yet?"

"I've been meaning to, but..." Vince shrugged. "I'm afraid I'll lose her."

"The longer you put if off, the harder it will be," Brenna said. "Believe me, I know."

"I'm surprised you haven't told her."

"Her father already did," Brenna reminded him, "but she didn't believe it. Maybe she just doesn't want to believe it."

Unable to think of a suitable reply, he remained silent.

Brenna regarded him curiously for a moment. "You're different from the rest of us, aren't you? Roshan says it's because Mara brought you across. He said you aren't trapped by the Dark Sleep, and you don't seem overwhelmed by the need for blood, the way most new vampires are."

Vince shrugged. "Sometimes I don't feel like a vampire, either, but I'm vampire enough to know I can't live with my family and expect them not to notice the changes in me."

"I want you to promise me that you'll tell Cara the truth before things go any further between you,"

Brenna said, and then paused, her eyes narrowing. "Things have already gone too far, haven't they?"

"You'll have to ask Cara about that," Vince said.

Brenna shook her head. "You're going to break her heart; you know that, don't you?" She blew out a sigh. "At least you can't get her pregnant." Squaring her shoulders, she took a deep, calming breath. "I want to thank you for your help tonight, and..."

She turned as the door opened and Cara stepped out on the porch. "What's going on out here?" she asked, looking from Vince to her mother.

"Nothing, dear, I was just thanking Vince for his help."

"And you had to come out here for that?"

"Didn't anyone ever tell you what happened to the curious cat?" Vince asked, tweaking her nose.

"Anyway, it's late and I should go."

Drawing Cara into his arms, he kissed her; mindful that her mother was watching, he didn't make the kiss as long or as deep as he would have liked.

"Sweet dreams, darlin'." He gave her a quick hug and a wink before letting her go.

With a nod in Brenna's direction, Vince descended the porch stairs.

He paused a moment, and then he walked the perimeter of the grounds before settling down in the shadows to keep watch until the sun came up.

The creature wandered aimlessly through the night, its mind as dark as the sky overhead. Now and then it saw something that looked fleetingly familiar, but before he could make sense of it, the memory was gone.

Keeping to the shadows, the creature lumbered up one street and down another until it came to a large house located on a hill. A high wrought-iron fence surrounded the yard. No lights shone in the windows.

The creature stood there for a long time. There was something oddly familiar about the house, something that drew it up the hill, through the gate, and up the stairs to the front porch.