Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [44]
Robby’s eyes lit up. “I could finally kill Casimir.”
Marielle’s heart expanded in her chest. This was it—the noble mission she needed to accomplish so she could return to heaven. It was perfect! All those arguments with Zackriel where she’d insisted that the evil vampires be stopped—she could now use her powers to make it happen.
Connor looked at her, his eyes gleaming. “We need her. She’s our secret weapon.”
“I agree that Marielle was sent to us for a purpose,” Father Andrew said. He turned to her with a worried frown. “But we must be upfront with you, my dear. Battling Casimir is dangerous. Are you willing to help us?”
She nodded. “Yes. I am.” Her gaze drifted back to Connor, and her heart filled with joy. The Heavenly Father had not abandoned her. He’d sent Connor to rescue her and protect her. But more than that—Connor and his friends were presenting her with a wonderful opportunity to make the world a safer place and, by doing so, prove she was worthy to return to heaven.
She was eager to spend more time with Connor. And she was still curious about the darkness he hid in his heart. Perhaps at some point, she would get up the nerve to ask him about Darcy.
Chapter Ten
Marielle’s plan wasn’t working out.
Connor teleported to Romatech with Robby to discuss strategy with Angus and Emma MacKay. Before leaving, he explained that Angus had served as the general of the Vamp army, and now, he and his wife were head of MacKay Security and Investigation, the modern-day company that fought against Casimir and his Malcontents.
“I canna guard you when the sun is up,” Connor told her.
“You won’t be here?” she asked, bewildered by how disappointed she was. How quickly she’d learned to depend on him. But there was no depending on him when he would be dead in about two hours.
“What about the demon?” Father Andrew asked before Connor could respond to her question. “Would he come here during the day?”
“It’s possible,” she murmured. Somehow, the thought of Connor actually being dead during the day was more disturbing than the possibility of seeing Darafer again. No wonder Connor seemed enveloped in sadness. She couldn’t imagine never watching a sunrise or catching sight of a rainbow.
“I’ll find someone to guard you,” Connor said, then vanished.
She missed him immediately.
Father Andrew busied himself in the kitchen, making them each a cup of tea. It tasted all right, but not nearly as good as the chocolate Connor had given her. The priest had many questions, but Gregori soon declared she needed a break, and he knew exactly what would cheer her up.
It was called disco dancing. And it did make her laugh. Father Andrew watched them, smiling, but eventually, slumped over on the couch fast asleep.
“Poor guy.” Gregori turned the volume down on the CD player. “It’s gotta be way past his bedtime.”
Soon afterward, three forms wavered, then solidified.
“Hello, ladies.” Gregori greeted them with a charming smile. “May I present our resident angel, Marielle?”
They all stared at her as if stunned.
She smiled a welcome, even though she felt a stab of disappointment that Connor hadn’t returned. The three women looked interesting, though. One had purple spiky hair and was dressed in a clingy black outfit with high-heeled black boots and a black whip around her waist. She was holding on to another woman who wore blue jeans, a flannel shirt, and cowboy boots. Her thick, long hair was a beautiful mixture of brown, gold, and red. As soon as she materialized, she stepped away from the woman with purple hair.
The third woman looked very young, although her ability to teleport indicated she was a vampire and could be any age. She had brown hair, severely pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore blue jeans and a plain cream-colored sweater. Her arms were filled with tote bags.
“Vanda, good to see you.” Gregori grinned as he gave the purple-haired woman a hug. “I see married life hasn’t crimped your style. Hey, Marta, how ya doin’?”
The young vampire smiled shyly in his direction as she headed into the kitchen.