The Fool: New Beginnings (Tales from the Unmasqued World Book 1) Read online

  You and me both. “Before you walked in, I’d have said he’s at his father’s. Did you try calling him back?” Josh had just turned eighteen, had his own cell phone and a part-time job. That he didn’t work for her was a sore spot between them, but he’d explained he wanted to work in something related to archaeology, the field he wanted to go into. He’d gotten himself a job at the museum downtown. She understood how that helped him, but she’d looked forward to having her son work for her before he went off to university.

  “Yes, I tried calling him back.” Exasperation oozed from every word. His lips curved down, and she glimpsed eyebrow movement behind the glasses. His smooth, white forehead wrinkled to complete the frown.

  “What did his message say?”

  “That my daughter might be in trouble. Now, I know nothing about your son, and I know even less about you, so I called Annabelle.” Kelsey threw him a quizzical look, so he said, “Dakota’s mother.”

  “And?” she prompted when he fell silent.

  “She says everything’s fine.”

  Kelsey sighed in frustration. “Then why would Josh tell you it’s not?”

  “That’s why I’m here.” He leaned toward her. “When I asked to speak with Dakota, Annabelle said she wasn’t available.” He tilted his chin up. “I can’t get my daughter on her phone. Something your son said has me worried.”

  “What?”

  “He claims Dakota told him she had to get away from home before her mother sold her.”

  Chapter Three

  Kelsey pulled the cell phone from the holster at her hip and called Josh, all the while keeping a close eye on the vampire. As she waited for her son to pick up, she said, “What did Josh mean?” She didn’t even know how to phrase what she wanted to ask. What kind of mother would sell her child? Sell her to whom?

  “He didn’t go into detail.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Philip Belanger.”

  That explained the slight accent—he had French in his ancestry. Did he originate from Francia or from Kébec? If the former, he could be centuries old, perhaps even from before the magickals revealed themselves to the mundane world.

  A click in her ear signaled voicemail kicking in, and Kelsey had to leave a message for Josh to call her back. As she disconnected the call, she asked, “How’d my son know to call you?”

  “Dakota must’ve told him about me.” He tilted his head to one side and studied her through his dark glasses. “They must be close friends for her to reveal something so personal.”

  Kelsey frowned and barely kept the distaste off her face. Dakota seemed nice enough, and Kelsey had never minded Josh talking to the girl, but after today, he should keep his distance. Better make sure he was where he should be. She opened her contacts list and placed a call to Blair. In answer to Philip’s unasked question, she said, “I’ll try my ex.”

  “Kelsey. What can I do ya for?”

  She cringed. The split from Blair had been amicable—mostly—but she’d initiated it, and much of his habits and expressions now grated on her nerves. None of that was his fault, but it showed just how wide the chasm between them had grown by the time she’d called it quits.

  “Is Josh with you?”

  “No. I thought he was at the store with you.”

  She heaved a sigh. “Why would you think that? It’s your weekend to have him.” Hating to have this discussion in front of a stranger—a vampire, no less—she threw a miserable glance at Philip. His lips remained neutral, but for all she knew, his eyes were closed behind those shades.

  “He told me you needed him this weekend, so I thought he was with you.”

  “Needed him for what? He doesn’t work for me. You didn’t think to confirm it with me?”

  “No. Why would he lie?”

  Kelsey paced the room in frustration. “Clearly, he did.”

  When Blair replied, his voice betrayed more frustration than concern. “He’s probably kicking it up with his friends. I’ll call him.”

  She remained silent, letting the dead air hang.

  Finally, he said, “I’ll track him down.”

  This time, the instant he stopped talking, she responded. “Don’t bother. I’ll do it. As always.”

  She hated how snarky she sounded. Perhaps this mess with Josh was karma getting her back for judging Dakota’s mother. But the woman had slept with a vampire. Revulsion warred with contempt, and Kelsey flung another glance Philip’s way. As she did, he made another move to remove his glasses, and this time, they came off.

  She turned her back on him, then reconsidered as she realized she’d turned her back on a vampire. When she faced him again, she kept her gaze averted from his. Maybe he’d seduced Dakota’s mother with that vampire stare. She couldn’t imagine the woman had chosen to sleep with him. Rapists. That’s what these creatures were.

  Blair’s voice wrenched her back to their conversation. “You know, Kelse, you always act like I’m a shitty parent. You’re not exactly mother of the year yourself.”

  “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Know what your problem is?” He gave her no opportunity to respond. “You think you’re better than everyone. No one’s as smart or as capable as you. No one’s good enough for you. Or for your precious Josh. But you know who’s not perfect? That’s right—you.”

  “He’s your precious Josh too. Isn’t he?” She shook her head, though he’d never see the gesture. “You know what? I don’t care what you mean by that. If you hear from our son, call me. I’ll see what I can do at my end. He might have taken off with a … a girl.” She couldn’t tell her ex Josh might be with a vampire girl, even if she was only half vampire. Could dhampirs turn humans? Or was that only a power true vampires held?

  Kelsey ended the call, her heart pumping rapidly with the fear that Josh had run away with this girl. Her shallow breaths punctuated the silence that followed, and involuntarily, she tilted her face up to meet Philip’s gaze.

  “I can smell your fear.”

  “Yeah, you and every other creature in this place.” She scowled, but as she gazed into his eyes, she couldn’t pull away no matter how hard she strained to do it. Gradually, her expression smoothed. She lost the desire to break the connection, and floated in his energy and power. A yearning to have him bite her neck had her tilting her chin higher.

  He closed his eyes, shook his head, and massaged his temples. The connection between them snapped, leaving Kelsey panting with unwanted desire.

  “I take it you refer to the pup I saw sitting in the café?”

  She flushed, ashamed of her urges and embarrassed she’d insulted Laura. She’d meant only to insult him. Referring to magickals as creatures was politically incorrect, and, typically, she avoided it. But the more she associated with these non-humans, the more her inherent prejudices spilled out. They had no souls, and her interactions with both Laura and Philip today showed she judged them for it. It galled her to think that her ex could be right about her. He had to be wrong. From now on, she’d do better. Be better.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t get out much, do you?” He sounded amused now, and that grated.

  “I get out just fine.” She retrieved her purse from her locker. “I have to find Josh.”

  He took a step toward her. “I have to find Dakota. We can search together.”

  She flinched and sucked in a breath. “No. I doubt they’re together.” She lied about that. She was positive they were together, but no way in hell would she get into a car with a vampire.

  “I won’t harm you.” He smirked at her. “I have no desire to turn you or seduce you.”

  Something about the way he said that last sent a wave of regret through her. She frowned. “Terrific.”

  “Your scent is savory rather than sweet. I have a sweet tooth.” He mocked her; she was sure of it.

  She glared at him. Whether she liked it or not, she didn’t know where to start the search. She could
use Philip’s help if the places they needed to look were places Dakota would frequent.

  “Where did you want to go?”

  “First?” He licked his lips, a slow, lascivious gesture that had her quivering. “We’ll visit Dakota’s mother. She has some explaining to do.” He smiled, but it wasn’t meant for Kelsey, and when it broadened to a toothy grin, chills raced up her spine.

  Chapter Four

  Annabelle Lawson lived near the crossroads where Kelsey had her café, but not near enough to walk there in less than a half hour. After informing Chase that she had personal business to attend to and asking him to close up the store if she didn’t return in time, Kelsey retrieved her bicycle from the garage. She walked it around to the front where Philip waited.

  His shades covered his eyes once more, and the bandanna was back in place. He wore gloves, and the only skin that peeked out was his forehead and the bit between his eyebrows just above the bandanna hooked over his nose. The brim of the cowboy hat offered shade and further protection to his face. Although the May day was overcast, it remained bright enough to cause pain to any part of him not protected. Kelsey assumed he’d slathered his face with sunscreen as well.

  Must be awful to always avoid the sun. She couldn’t imagine it. Though she made sure not to overexpose herself to the sun’s rays, she loved the feel of sunshine on her skin when she stepped outside on gloriously bright days.

  As soon as Philip laid eyes on the bike, he laughed. “What’s that for?”

  “What do you think it’s for?”

  “Darling, no offense, but I can be to Annabelle’s and back before you’re halfway there on that contraption.”

  She glared at him. “I’m not getting in a vehicle with you, and I’m not your darling.”

  “Don’t take everything so personally. I call everyone I get the urge to snack on darling.” He held out his hand. “I left the car at home. I can carry you.”

  “The hell you can!” She stared at his hand until he dropped it to his side.

  “To save time, I suggest you take me up on this offer to transport you. Otherwise, you can wait here, and I’ll tell you what I learn from Annabelle when I return.”

  “No. I need to go.” Worry etched her features, and tears sprang to her eyes. What if something had happened to Josh? And Dakota, she reminded herself. She didn’t wish any harm to the dhampir girl. Unless the girl had harmed Josh.

  “Then for the love of God, put the bike away and come along.”

  “What do you know about God?”

  “Probably as much as you know—perhaps more,” he replied smoothly. His voice changed timbre, softening to the point where she sensed kindness. “You needn’t fear me. I’m not dangerous to you or any human. Even if no protection laws existed, I wouldn’t hunt you. I’ve lived off animal and donated blood for much longer than these laws have been in place.”

  “Easy enough for you to say. You hypnotized me.”

  “Not deliberately, darling.”

  “And you said you wanted to snack on me.”

  “I’m just being honest with you.” He held out his hand once more. “Come. We don’t have time to argue or to discuss theology.”

  “Discuss theology?”

  “God.”

  Oh. She capitulated, not because she’d lost her fear of him, but because what he said made sense. They needed to find the kids.

  “Wait here.” She turned her back on him, an itch of vulnerability creeping up her spine the entire time she was in his line of sight, and wheeled the bike down the laneway to the garage.

  When she returned, he held out his hand once more, and this time, she took it. He drew her to him and hoisted her into his arms. Inadvertently, she put her arms around his neck, and by the time she realized she was hugging him, he was already setting her on her feet again. Breathless from the rush across streets and sidewalks—had he flown?—she stumbled, and he steadied her with a firm hand on her upper arm.

  She caught her breath. “How?”

  “Not flying, if that’s what you’re wondering. It’s more like moving at the speed of thought.”

  “All right.” She made a mental note to research this when she had some time. If she ever had the time.

  They stood now in front of a row of townhouses with tiny yards and exteriors in need of fresh paint. Garages reached the road, so the homes didn’t even have driveways. Annabelle’s house had a row of flowers along a walkway leading to two concrete steps. Kelsey couldn’t see through the narrow window beside the front door, and the garage was shut tight.

  “You think she’s home?”

  “I know she is.”

  Kelsey didn’t want to ask how he knew. She hoped he’d called ahead, but maybe he could smell the woman through the walls. If that was the case, she’d rather not know.

  He moved ahead of her to the front door and rang the doorbell. She strained her ears for the sound of footsteps and heard nothing. They waited. Somewhere, wind chimes tinkled in the light breeze, and she caught a whiff of lilacs. She searched for the source and found it at the house on their left. The lilac bush made up almost the entire yard. It smelled nice, but grew disproportionate in scale to the tiny lot.

  Philip rang the doorbell once more, and both stared expectantly at the door.

  “You sure she’s here?” Kelsey asked, despite the risk of learning the reason behind his certainty.

  “I hear her. Or someone.”

  For some reason, that eased Kelsey’s mind. Acute hearing made him seem less animalistic than acute olfaction.

  “You didn’t phone her?”

  “That would’ve risked her taking off to avoid seeing me.”

  “Why would she want to do that?”

  “She wants nothing to do with me.” He said it matter-of-factly.

  “That doesn’t bother you?”

  “Why would it?” His tone and the way he angled his face at her made her think he was genuinely puzzled at her question and interested in the answer.

  “You had a child together.”

  He sighed. “We did. Wasn’t my doing.”

  This creature—vampire—is so weird. How would she ever think him less than human if his every utterance reminded her he was … not human? She had a sudden desire to ask him about how it all happened, but since it was none of her business, she left it alone.

  He lifted his hand to ring again when the door opened. A man stood in the entrance. As soon as he laid eyes on Philip, he tried to slam shut the door. The vampire stopped the man with a shove hard enough to snap the door from his grasp and bounce it off the wall. The man backed away and tried to run, but in a flash, Philip gripped the guy’s throat with one hand.

  “Where’s Annabelle?” The vampire let out a snarl, and his fangs sprang out.

  A wet stain spread across the front of the man’s jeans, and he thrashed and gagged. His lips, surrounded by thick, reddish-brown hair, tried to part, but only drool escaped his mouth.

  “Let him go.” Kelsey’s voice cracked. What if Philip killed the guy?

  Philip dropped the man, who landed on his ass on the tiled foyer floor. He scrambled to his feet and backed against the wall beside the coat closet. His long brown hair was mussed and tangled, and he clung to the wall as if it offered solace.

  A woman’s voice interrupted. “What the hell’s going on here?”

  Annabelle Lawson?

  Chapter Five

  Stumped for words, Kelsey allowed Philip to take the lead. He yanked the bandanna from his lips, letting it rest under his chin. He also removed his glasses, stared into the woman’s eyes, and answered the question of her identity.

  “Annabelle.” He tossed a glance back at Kelsey. “Shut the door and lock it, darling. You’re letting the flies in.”

  She did as she was told, unaware she’d done it until she found herself flipping the deadbolt to the locked position. Kelsey focused her gaze on Annabelle while sneaking the odd glance at the man leaning against the closet door. The fai
nt odor of urine wafted from his pants.

  “Who’s the guy?” Philip asked, his expression impassive.

  A tall, slim woman with cascades of black hair and deep olive skin, Annabelle wore a silk blouse and denim mini skirt. She waved slender ring-covered fingers in the unknown man’s direction. “No one you need worry about. Change your pants, Marshall. I can smell you from here.”

  Before the man could move, Philip, his gaze fixed on Annabelle, said, “Stay, Marshall. No one leaves my sight until you tell me where Dakota went and what this guy’s doing here.”

  Annabelle gave an exaggerated sigh. “Didn’t I say he’s not your concern?” She stared pointedly at Kelsey and said, “I didn’t ask about your chippy, did I? You back on humans?”

  “He’s my concern if he’s responsible for my daughter’s disappearance—or if he goes anywhere near my daughter when she’s here.”

  She laughed in his face. “What are you getting at?”

  The vampire ignored the mocking laugh and stuck to what concerned him most. “Where’s Dakota? If I have to ask you again—”

  “You’ll do nothing.” She arched her shapely brows and half-turned as if she intended to walk away.

  Philip snagged her arm, and she tottered on her four-inch heels, almost falling into him. She raised her hand, and for a moment, Kelsey thought the woman meant to slap his face. Instead, her eyes glazed over as her gaze met the vampire’s stare. She licked her lips and then parted them.

  “Philip.” Her voice came out low and sexy.

  Kelsey glared, but as soon as she realized what she was doing, she tamped down the surge of jealousy and relaxed her facial muscles. What difference did it make to her what these two did? She’d only met Philip today and didn’t even like him. His vampire abilities had her insides knotted and her brain muddled. That’s all it was.

  “Well?” No one wondered “well what?” They all understood what he wanted.

  “She’s not here,” Annabelle murmured.