Dawn's End

The gentle jarring of the mattress woke Cindy from a fitful sleep. Prying open one eye to look up at Robert sleepily, she grumbled, "Is that your phone?" Self-consciously smoothing her hair, she slid up against the pillows lining the headboard. He was probably eager to get away from her. She no doubt, looked better in the dull glow of Christmas lights than she did in the garish light of day streaming in through the thin gauzy lace curtains covering her bedroom window. It was hard enough to wake up without at least two or three steaming mugs of coffee to get her going. Forget about waking up looking sexy and refreshed straight out of the gate. That only happened in the movies.

Her makeup was caked into the crow's feet around her eyes and smeared into a ring of black smudge beneath her lower lashes like a raccoon. And the itch of sheet wrinkles, those terrible, deep indentations left from a night of drooling on her pillow, streaked across her cheek. Her breath...she couldn't fathom a good morning kiss before scrubbing with a tube of toothpaste.

Self-consciously, she scooted the covers up higher, tucking the blankets snugly under her arms. Gravity was a bitch and while push up bras might be false advertising and pretty window dressing without one, naked under the covers, in full daylight, she wasn't about to show the goods, such as they were. Ah, the awkwardness of the morning after. She should have sent him packing last night to avoid him seeing her at less than her best.

Robert fumbled around for something to throw on. Maybe his boxers had made it into the bedroom by some unforeseen miracle. No such luck. All of his clothes were in the living room in an abandoned bundle on the floor. Last night, leaving them there had seemed like a good idea. This morning, in the heat of awkwardness and shyness, he kicked himself for his lack of foresight. The bedroom was more than a bit chilly after the warmth of her body and the thick layer of blankets. He frowned at his groin and its shrunken response to the sudden cold draft.

He didn't even have a toothbrush to at least take care of one need before he kissed her good morning. Stubble lined his jaw, rough and scraping against his fingertips as he dragged his hand over his face. Maybe, he should have left last night afterwards and salvaged some small bit of dignity while he could. He simply hadn't wanted to. The bed was warm and comfortable and the body beside him, a small slice of heaven.

The ring tone sounded...again. He loved being a parent. He loved the new found relationship he had with his son. But, sometimes, he wanted to throttle that kid. "Yeah, it's Cole," he said, answering Cindy's question. Without any choice and no options except to let it all hang out for her view, he stormed out of the bedroom to answer the phone. He fumbled with his jeans, fishing the phone out of the hip pocket, glaring in annoyance at the display. Ten calls and five messages. Really? His cell phone had barely stopped ringing before it rang again. "WHAT?!?" he snapped into the phone.

Cindy took full advantage of the diversion. Rushing from under the covers and ignoring the bite of the cold wood of the floor at the soles of her feet, she escaped into the privacy of the bathroom. After doing her business, she scrubbed her teeth as if her life depended on it. It seemed rude to grab a shower before at least offering him coffee or a little breakfast. She had nothing fancy to toss on. Most of her clothes came from thrift stores or the sale racks at the Super Center. There was not a silk robe or reasonable facsimile among them. The thick, comfy, hot pink terry cloth romper she usually wore in the mornings was as sexy as her wardrobe got. Grumbling, she dragged a brush through her hair, and shuffled out in her equally alluring bunny slippers to put on a pot of coffee. The world always looked a little better after a steaming hot, extra strong, cup of coffee.

Cole held the phone away from his ear and glared into the display. "Damn, don't have an aneurysm," he snapped in reply to his father's bark. "Where are you?" Dawn came late in the winter, later, in fact, thanks to daylight savings time. It was only a little after eight when Maggie and he pulled into town. Her mother had been glad to see her. His dad...obviously, was not quite as glad to hear from him.

He'd gone straight to the compound after dropping Maggie off at home. Cole hadn't stressed the unanswered text he'd sent to his dad's phone late last night. Or the unanswered text he'd sent about four this morning when Maggie and he had left the city destined for home. But, after arriving at the compound and learning that no one had seen his father since sometime late yesterday evening, Cole began to get worried.

He'd been blowing up his dad's cell phone for over an hour without a reply. His dad always answered the phone, usually on the first ring. Panic was quickly replacing worry. He was about to organize the brothers into a search party when his dad finally picked up. "Why weren't you answering your phone? It could have been an emergency," Cole scolded.

Robert hopped on one foot, trying desperately to maneuver his boxers into place with one hand while cradling the phone between his ear and his shoulder. The lights on the barren Christmas tree shuddered as he stumbled into it, almost losing his balance. "I was...busy," he gritted. His son had an uncanny way of ferreting out the truth. Embarrassment began to burn his cheeks at the ribbing he'd get when Cole realized what he'd inadvertently interrupted.

Cole heard the rustle of clothes and a muttered curse on the other end of the line. The light tinkling of feminine giggled echoed in the background. He began to put two and two together and almost pissed himself when the realization hit him. "Busy huh?" he snorted in amusement. His dad had been busy all right...scoring one for the home team. "Well, hot damn!"

Cindy leaned on her hip against the worn countertop impatiently waiting for a trickle from the coffee maker. Robert bounced around on one leg, attempting to carry on a conversation as he dressed. When he lost his balance, almost toppling the Christmas tree they'd never gotten around to taking down, she couldn't help but giggle at his clumsiness. Her eyes widened and she covered the O her lips formed with her fingertips when she heard Robert's son's voice on the cell phone yell loud in an exclamation. Robert might not, and probably didn't want his son to know his private life. "Sorry," she whispered.

"Mind your own business, Cole," Robert growled, zipping his jeans. He wasn't embarrassed about Cindy, per se. Only that the roles had been reversed and his son had caught him red handed. He'd hoped to have the time to introduce them and ease Cole, Cindy, and himself into the idea first. There hadn't been a woman in his life since he'd divorced Cole's mother. He'd hoped to talk it over with her and at least come up with some loose definition of what they were to one another before he brought his son into the picture.

Cole's mind was already coming up with ways to embarrass the hell out of his dad. He had so many ideas and so little time to execute them. In truth, he was glad that his old man had finally found someone. Robert the Hermit, the dad he was used to dealing with was just this side of tedious. "Sure, sure," he said. "You did take proper precautions, didn't you," he asked. His voice mocked adult and authoritarian. The thought of having 'the talk' with his dad had him chuckling hysterically. The old man had been out of circulation for a long time and the world was a very different place these days.

"Enough Cole," Robert snapped. He did not need his kid giving him a lecture about safe sex. Although grateful for the condoms Cole had put in his wallet as a joke, he so did not need 'the talk' from a cocky snot nosed twenty year old. He glanced up and mumbled a soft thanks to Cindy as she slid a mug of black coffee into his fingers.

"Ok," Cole conceded. There'd be time to harass the old man later. Once he'd gotten his conversation with Maggie off his chest. His voice turned serious with thoughts of the real reason for his return home. "Dad, I really need to talk to you."

Robert took a sip of coffee. Its rich, bitter heat rolled over his tongue. Usually, once Cole found a soft spot to tease and poke, he didn't let it go so easily. The sudden change in his son's tone and the seriousness in his voice had Robert's brows furrowed in concern. Switched from embarrassed 'buddy' mode into parent mode, he answered, "Sure, I should be back soon."

"Great. I'll talk to you then," Cole said, disconnecting the call. Robert snapped his phone shut and shoved it into his pocket.

Cindy noticed the change in Robert's demeanor. His casual joking with his son had suddenly turned serious. Lines of concern etched their way across his brow. "Trouble?"

Robert shook his head and slid into his wrinkled flannel shirt, ignoring the buttons that had popped off in his haste to remove it last night. "I'm not sure." Cindy stood in the narrow doorway that separated the tiny galley style kitchen from the living room, watching him with a worried expression on her face. This was not how he wanted to leave her. Alone and unsure of where she stood with him. The lightness of last night was dampened by the heaviness of Cole's call. He drained the last sips of cooling coffee from the mug and moved past her to deposit it into the chipped porcelain kitchen sink. "I wish I could stay, but..."

Cindy smiled, trying to hide her disappointment that he had to go. She had to work at the bar till close tonight. The morning and most of the afternoon stretched out empty in front of her. It would have been nice to make Robert breakfast. Possibly sneak another romp with him and a nap before she went to work. But, life waited for no one. "Once a parent always a parent," she said lightly.

"Yeah, something like that," Robert agreed. Parenting didn't stop at any certain age. Children always needed guidance and support no matter how much they argued to the contrary. Cindy stood with her robe pulled tightly around her body. He would have liked to have the time to explore the curves hidden by the thick terry cloth in greater depth. And would have done just that if Cole hadn't called. He couldn't put his son off though. There was too much urgency in Cole's tone.

To promise to call her soon seemed so cliché. To request to see her again, seemed too desperate. The relationship was too new for vows of love. Unsure of what to say and how to end one of the most wonderful and exciting nights of his life, he settled for a quick kiss on her hesitant lips and headed for the compound.

Chapter 55

Drew rested his head in Tala's lap with an arm draped over her thighs and one wrapped tightly around her hips. He breathed in the scent of his mate. Her fingers were light, nails gently scraping his scalp in an attempt to calm him. His mind would not settle. Nestled in their private haven from his duties and the burdens of responsibility on his shoulders, he should be at ease. The cooing of their baby from her cradle in the adjoining room should have gave him all the reasons he needed to do what had to be done. Instead, the baby's gentle voice reminded him of O'Sullivan's words. Not through his own life would he be immortal, only through the life of his child, and the child after that, would one truly obtain immortality.

"You're tense," Tala said softly. The scent of his tension and the tingling sensation of her mate's stress hung heavily, almost stinging, in the air. She did her best, pulled out all of the tricks that she'd learned over the years to soothe the worry in his mind and bring him peace. As his queen and leader of their people, she should shoulder some of his burdens. She would carry the weight willingly, if he didn't insist on bearing it alone.

She eased her fingers through his hair, sleek and black as a raven's wing with strands of silver interwoven at the temple and crown. There was more silver than there used to be. Lines of strain creased the corners of his mouth and eyes. He buried his face in her lap, rubbing his cheek against her thigh. His fingers fisted the belt loops of her denim jeans, gripping them tightly. "I've never relished the taking of the life of another," he said. His voice weighted by gravity of his thoughts.

"Shh," she whispered. He turned onto his back. The soft brown leather sofa uttered a sigh as he stretched out his legs, his feet hanging off the end. He opened his eyes to look up at her. Thick, long, lashes, framed eyes darkened by his hours of contemplation. "I know," she soothed, running her fingers along the creases between his brows.

Tala felt his eyes studying her face, searching the contours for the answers and the conviction he so desperately needed. "For two hundred years, I've served the will of the goddess without a doubt. I was so certain of the law. Now, I'm not so sure anymore." His fingers stretched up to cup her cheek. Thumb gently rubbing over her bottom lip. "I've gone to the holy place and prayed for an answer. The goddess, she is silent. She ignores my pleas."

Drew searched Tala's eyes as if he could find the answers he so desperately needed in them. He saw regret, sympathy, and understanding in their depths, but no answers. He was a leader of men, executer of the law, and founder of a great race. His main purpose for living was to protect the lives of those entrusted into his care. One life wasn't such a high price for securing the future of all he held so closely to his heart. He knew his answer. Knew what he had to do. If only, he had the conviction of his mind in his heart and could force himself to act.

"Perhaps, she has answered and it is you who have refused to listen," Tala said. She intertwined her fingers with Drew's and gave them a gentle squeeze. "Maybe, you don't like what she has to say."

"Too many voices cry for justice. O'Sullivan has but one sentence to be carried out. I want peace. Letting him live won't bring about that end. There is only one answer." Drew slid his hand along the sleek length of Tala's onyx colored braid. His wife was so soft, like a down pillow in which he could rest his head and take respite from the chaos of the world. "At the dawn of the New Year, O'Sullivan dies at the edge of my blade. There is no other option. I won't risk a war with the Guardians for the life of one man. The law speaks for itself. I have no other choice but to carry it out."

Tala pulled Drew tightly against her body and wrapped herself around him. She would not say he was right or that he was wrong. The decision wasn't hers to make. As queen, she had her own share of decisions. Now, came the time for one of her most difficult choices, to stand behind her king. "Maybe, it's not the law that has changed, but you."

Chapter 56

Megan bit her lip and paused with her hand clenched in a fist, ready to knock on the front door. From inside, she could hear the sounds of feminine giggles and an endless stream of chatter over the clanking of spoons against the rims of coffee mugs. She felt like an invader. What was she going to say? Accuse Maggie of knowing about the vampires? Threaten her into a confession? Wring the confirmation out of her? She hadn't stopped to think about how crazy she'd sound, begging for information, admitting that she knew about vampires, and demanding that Maggie tell her...everything...when she'd climbed the stairs onto the porch.

Maggie didn't have to tell her shit. Megan wouldn't blame her if she didn't. Vampires...sounded nuts...didn't it. She was probably only one of a handful of people who actually knew about them. After all, she was sure the vampires didn't go around flashing their fangs to just anybody. Except for herself, the only other person...that she knew of who knew was sitting in the kitchen of this house having coffee and conversation.

Megan dropped her fist and unclenched her fingers. She couldn't knock on this door and demand anything without being hauled straight to the nearest psych unit. Maybe that's where she belonged. Maybe Mack had told the truth about her attack and a rabid animal was responsible for the stitches in her neck after all. Maybe her mind, in some sort of twisted way had dreamed up the whole vampire thing and she was wrong.

Nervously, she shuffled her feet. The soles of her boots scraped across hard beads of salt scattered over the porch. The situation was crazy, not her. She knew damned good and well what happened to her that morning and who was responsible for the scars she'd bear for the rest of her life. More determined than ever to root out the truth, her fingers balled into a fist and she knocked on the front door. Bells dangling from a plastic Christmas wreath jingled merrily as she knocked and waited for an answer.

Ginger looked at her daughter expectantly. Luckily, she'd sacrificed Christmas Day, working in the place of another nurse on the unit with a newborn at home. Today, the nurse was working in her place. With the day off and nothing much to do, she'd started the arduous task of de-Christmasing the house when Cole had dropped Maggie off on the front porch stoop. Not that she wasn't pleased to see her youngest. But, she had her suspicions about the reason behind the impromptu visit. Her eyes wandered to the ring on Maggie's left ring finger. Patiently waiting for her to spill the beans, she poured two mugs of coffee and had a seat.

Maggie sipped the coffee, grateful for the warmth and sugar coursing through her system. The jelly donut she'd snatched on the way out of the hotel hadn't done much for her fortitude and neither had her mother's knowing gaze. At least, instead of attacking her with an onslaught of questions, her mom, patiently and calmly waited for her to explain the reason for her visit. She was about to confirm her mom's greatest fear, except for age spots and gray hair, when a knock on the front door echoed through the house. Equally as grateful for the brief reprieve as the hot coffee, Maggie exhaled in relief.

She'd called Lori, her older sister, on the way home and asked for advice on how to break the news to their mother that she was marrying Cole. Her mother was not going to get the grandchildren she'd been hoping for. She couldn't have eloped with Cole and come home a vampire. Her mother would never have forgiven her.

Their mom had been planning her daughters' weddings since the day they were born. Lori had gotten by without the wedding or the lecture about all of the things she was giving up by choosing immortality instead of motherhood. Maggie was not going to get off the hook so lucky. Lori, after offering her congratulations and condolences for the hours of lecture yet to come, had gracefully bowed out of the coffee clutch, mumbling something about having to go on patrols with Keene this morning and being too busy to stop by until later. After the shock of the news Maggie was about to give their mother had worn off. She had no doubt big sister would conveniently drop by for a visit.

Ginger put down her coffee mug and glanced through the living room and the post-Christmas disaster scattered everywhere toward the insistent knocking on the front door. "Who could that be?" It was only a little after eight thirty in the morning, too early for a random visitor to pop by, especially on the day after Christmas. She pushed back her chair and shuffled in her stocking feet to answer the door.

As a nurse, and well known in the little town, she was used to people popping by. Most of them with an ache or a pain, a curious bump that had suddenly popped up, or some other minor ailment that a little reassurance and good old-fashioned home remedying could fix. Blinking, Ginger peeked through the screen door at the teenager huddled in a coat on her stoop. The girl wore a worried expression. Her left cheek was hollowed from where she'd been biting at the inside of it. "Hi Megan," Ginger said in her soothing nurse voice as she stepped aside to welcome the girl in.