In the Beginning... by Calle J. Brookes Page A

are? Couldn’t you have given me some
of your precious time, to make the decision myself?”
    “I...couldn’t.”
    “Why?”
    “Because if I didn’t there would be great
danger to you coming.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “I saw a danger to you if you remained as
a human for any longer. Danger you would not have survived. The
Goddess led me to know that for your safety I had to initiate the conversion. I
never would have taken that choice from you otherwise.” He shook
his head as he spoke. He believed it. Meant it. What did that mean
for her?
    “You shouldn’t have taken it from me to begin
with.”
    “Michaela, I...have waited for you for
hundreds of years. I could not face the knowledge or threat that I
would lose you so soon after finding you. I hope one day you will
forgive me.”
    “I’m tired. Where am I sleeping tonight?” She
would never forgive him.
    How could she?
    “In my bed, of course.”
    “No. I won’t sleep with you.” Ever.
    “I will sleep here on the
couch, then. I will neither force nor pressure you. When we are
together as Rajnis it will be because you wish
it.”
    “Another one of your vows? Why should I trust
anything you have to say? May I go to bed now, please? I need to be
alone.” Needed to escape him for a while, even if only by being in
another room.
    “Of course, but Michaela? You should know
that the entire security staff for this hotel has been alerted to
the situation. Your sister, cousins, you—all are safe here, but you
cannot leave. You are free to explore the hotel as you wish, but
you cannot leave the building. Except for the inner garden, which
you’ve already explored some.”
    “A gilded cage, I understand. At least until
my brother and uncle find us. And they will. My brother will not
stop until he finds us.”
    The man’s expression tightened, turned
contemplative. Odd for the longest moment. Then he smiled. “Your
brother will find more here among the Dardaptoans than he would
ever have expected.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I will introduce you to the woman your older
brother will marry. I think you will like her. You have much in
common.”
    “You really are crazy, aren’t you?”
    “Maybe just a bit. I am 643 years old, after
all.”
    “Uh-huh. Sure you are.”
    Mickey walked away, toward
the room where she could see a large, antique bed dominating the
space. It was a beautiful bed, hand carved with gold inlay. The
design on the headboard was the same as that on the cover of the
book she still held. Why was she so reluctant to let go of the
book? She didn’t know, but she was. This book was hers, now.
    A change of clothing was laid out on the bed
right where he had said it would be. Mickey placed the book on the
nightstand reluctantly and grabbed the clothes, before slipping
into the bathroom. Would he make good on his vow? Or would he wait
until she was asleep and slip into the bed with her? She shivered
at that thought. How would she stop him if he did?
    She knew she wouldn’t be getting much sleep.
She hurried through a shower, not really knowing what to do next.
What did most hostages do? Other than try to escape, that is?
    She slipped into the white pajamas and
brushed out her hair with the comb she’d found in the first drawer
by the bathroom mirror. The rubies were still around her neck. She
fingered the first stone. It was beautiful. Old. Warm against her
skin.
    It looked strange around her neck, clashed
with her hair a little. She leaned closer to the mirror. Slipped
the jewelry aside. Two small puncture wounds, not nearly as large
as those she’d seen on her sister or cousins earlier, were all that
remained of the night he’d made her a vampire. A Dardaptoan. The
marks were so small she could almost believe the whole thing hadn’t
even happened. Could believe that this was all a dream.
    But it wasn’t. She knew it wasn’t. This man
had taken her from her home with every intention of keeping her
prisoner here forever. What if Rand and