The Midnight Son: Despair

By Louise Warren

Part 2 of The Midnight Son “Without me, there is no love of your life. Be careful, you’d be surprised how a few minutes can change your feelings towards him. By this time tomorrow your resolve will be gone & Dan will no longer be who he is today. I own your destiny & I will make sure it ends when I decide.” This was no idle threat, Mary was not joking. Come tomorrow, her husband would be dead.

Love has blossomed quickly between Dan and Alanah, and her trust in him has been greatly rewarded. Alanah, having been freed from being the sacrifice that would have elevated Dan to the leadership of the Family of the Eternal Life, or conceivably to a horrific death, their love had blossomed quickly to become real, honest and undying. Their unknown shared destiny far off into the future, their lives happy and content. Blissfully married and settled in a small village in France they have all but forgotten what lies ahead for them. But destiny has caught up with them, and they are about to find out that vampires are as real as humans and that the rosy future they had been looking forward to, is further away from them than they had ever thought. Life and death will never be the same.

Part 1 – The Midnight Son - Trust

• Language: English
• Publisher: Louise Warren
• Release date: Feb 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465730923

Louise Warren

Louise is a mother of 2 boys, a wife and a PA!Her favourite mantra is 'Regret what you've done, not what you haven't done'Louise has loved reading about vampires for as long as she can remember, and has spent almost as long writing about them.It's not about the blood - it's about the mystery.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

There is something interesting and compelling about a key without a lock to open. What is it meant for? What secrets would it unlock if it were able to find its’ rightful lock?

This particular key that Alanah was mesmerized by, had been the means to escaping her silver collar, the one that had been placed around her neck, signifying she belonged to Daniel Newman – his sacrifice to aid his initiation into the Family of the Eternal Life.

Only it had been Dan who had freed her from the collar, the man who should have killed her, but could not help love her. The man who had forsaken everything he had ever known because he loved her. It had been his love and her trust in him that had saved them both and brought them to their current happy situation.

The key had become something of a talisman to Alanah. It represented freedom and she had taken to wearing it on a necklace. Dan had not been happy that a reminder of what they had been through now adorned her body as a piece of jewellery, but Alanah had managed to convince him that it represented the key to their future and not a reminder of the hell they had been through together and Dan had reluctantly accepted her reasoning.

There was something hypnotic about the silver key. Yes, it had opened the lock on the collar that had been placed around her neck, but she knew there was much more to this key than met the eye. She remembered how big it had been when she had taken it from the lock on the collar, how it seemed to have two sets of teeth, one that hadn’t been used to unlock the collar. Her heart told her it would unlock something else, something currently unknown to her.

The shaft of the key had caught her eye, having three Egyptian hieroglyphics, the Eye of Ra – the tattoo that sat proudly between her shoulder blades and the symbol that graced the sun on Dan’s arm, the Ankh – the key of life, and a lion’s head with a sun disk above it’s ears. She could not bear to part with something that still held secrets and was a link to whatever destiny she and Dan were supposed to fulfil.

Alanah did secretly worry that she was obsessing with the key – she did not want to be Gollum, but something told her it was important and she could not let it be lost at the bottom of her jewellery box. She was comforted when it was near.

CHAPTER 1

What have I done?! Alanah cried with mock exasperation. She placed the phone down in the cradle before sitting back on the sofa next to Dan. He placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to his chest, cradling her head over his heart. She could hear the thud thud below her ear.

You’ve inadvertently invited your parents, brothers, Jessie, my Dad and Christina and Callum to come to France to attend our wedding – all in 2 phone calls. I’m impressed! It’s not very often you can change the course of destiny so completely by talking to people thousands of miles away! Dan said laughing at the horrified face of his soon to be wife. It was all fun to him, and he was secretly pleased her family would be there as he knew, although she wouldn’t admit to it to him, he knew that she would regret it if they were not part of the day.

But it’s now what we dreamed of! It’s supposed to be just you, me, the priest and 2 witnesses, that’s what we said we’d do. Now Mum and Dad are flying all the way from America, and bringing Steve and Paul with them. Alanah sighed dramatically. And we don’t have enough room here in the cottage to put them all up and …. She was getting a little worried for nothing.

Sshhsh. Dan tried to calm her down. They can stay in the hotel just off the town square, I’ll phone them right now and organize the rooms – we have 5 days and before you ask, I’ll arrange a wedding breakfast for all of us, I’m quite sure I can adapt my current plans to include everyone else. You don’t have to worry about a thing. I promise you, having your family here will make the day better not worse. Dan smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

I know you’re right, it’s just a bit of a shock that things have changed so completely in such a short time. Alanah smiled, still trying to come to terms with the fact that in just a few days practically her whole family would be descending on the quiet village that they lived in. I know Mum and Dad have been saving all my life for my wedding. Dad would be so disappointed if he didn’t get the chance to walk me down the aisle, I am his only daughter after all. I just wasn’t expecting two phone calls to change everything like this, I thought it was too late for them to come and start asking questions about you. And she had to admit she was worried about that.

Well they’d have asked questions after the wedding anyhow, at least this gives them the chance to approve our marriage rather than have it thrust upon them without any warning that it was happening. I think that would be much worse than them meeting me before the wedding. Dan said, acting all reasonable and responsible.

You’re right of course, you always are. Alanah kissed his cheek. I just don’t know what on earth we are going to say to them, it’s such a shock to them as it is. We’ll have to come up with a convincing story, I did tell mum that I’d met you at Julie’s birthday party, so we can use that as a starter for 10, we just have to come up with a timeline for everything else and make sure we both know it. The last thing I want is for us to get in a muddle and them to realise we are lying to them, and I’d hate for that to happen. I feel bad enough having to lie to them without them finding out about it and then they never would trust you. But we could never tell them the truth. That is way worse than lying to them. I guess it’s a catch 22 situation. But otherwise, yes, you are right, them being here is what we both need. She kissed Dan’s lips. My parents are gonna love you, you’re just the type of man they want me to marry.

Except for the sacrificial affair, your wrist being slit, your hair being cut, your virginity being checked…. Dan went through the list, only to be stopped mid sentence by Alanah putting a finger over his lips.

"Everything happens for a reason, and there is nothing either of us could have done to prevent them happening. You did the best you could in the circumstances that were presented to you, and I love you all the more for what you did to save my life. Besides, we won’t be mentioning any of that to mum and dad when they arrive, that’s why we are making a plan of what to say to them so they don’t get freaked out by what has happened. Without you, I would be dead, yet here I am alive and about to marry you. I couldn’t be happier if I tried and nothing you say will stop that from being true.

Those things were out of your control and you know I don’t hold any grudges with you for them. Let us never mention them again. She kissed his lips again, hoping to seal all his guilt away for good, she never wanted him to feel accountable over what had happened, she knew it wasn’t his fault, even though he believed it was. Nothing in this world could stop me loving you. Nothing.

Dan smiled and kissed her again. Are you going to ask Jessie to be your bridesmaid? He asked casually, already sure of her answer.

Of course I am! We promised each other when we were 9 that we would be each others bridesmaids! I was feeling a bit guilty about not fulfilling that promise, I know she’d be devastated if she wasn’t, but I suppose I can forgive myself for that now. She sighed almost relieved. That was definitely a good outcome for having Jessie come and she was very happy about that.

Well she arrives the day after tomorrow, so you still have a couple of days to sort a dress out for her. I’m very fond of Jessie, and I want you to make sure she is pampered as much as you will be. She went through a lot when she was at the Family too, and she beat herself up about you all the time, convinced it was her fault you were to be taken. I want nothing more than for her to have a wonderful life so she can forget everything that was done to both of you whilst you were there. I’m so glad she is coming, Dad too, he sounded so strange on the phone, sad I suppose when I spoke to him, I guess he has lost the most from leaving the Family. I was there for 28 years, for him it was close to 55. He has lost more than I ever have by leaving with us. Dan signed.

You can talk to him when he arrives with Jessie, Callum and Christina. I think you probably have a lot left to say to each other. Alanah smiled and squeezed his hand.

It’s amazing how easy it is to travel the world at such short notice these days. You told your mum and dad less than an hour ago and they have already been able to confirm they have flights for tomorrow! And Jessie and the others are on the euro star the day after! Dan was in admiration of the power of the internet – it was after all how he made his living creating and maintaining websites.

Are you going to ask someone to be your best man? Alanah wondered if Dan would want someone to step up for him.

Yes, but Dad or Callum? Either would do an admirable job. He really didn’t know who to choose.

I think you should ask Callum, but ask your Dad to be a witness. I can ask my dad to be the second witness, that way they are both equal and feel they have played a part. Mum will just be happy to be mother of the bride! Alanah suggested.

That’s a great idea. See, you can always see the best in every situation, you were so made for me! Dan kissed Alanah passionately, and all talk of the wedding evaporated into a flurry of clothes being hastily removed by hungry hands.

Ever the gentleman and the sofa not being big enough, Dan lifted Alanah into his arms and carried her upstairs giggling. Their bedroom had become a safe haven for the two of them, a place to be completely alone with each other and they were so happy in their cocoon that nothing else outside of the room mattered to them when they lay entwined together.

It was impossible for either of them to put into words what being with each other really meant to them. Since the first time they had met almost a year ago in the night club they had become knotted together for eternity and neither of them could imagine being alone again.

Dan had never felt like this over any of the other women he had been with, this was what true love felt like, consistent and complete, never feeling alone in the world, always having someone to talk to, someone to love.

Their passion for each other had not waned in the 5 months that they had been free to be together. Each time they made love was as amazing as the first. It was as if they were being rewarded for the horrors they were put through during Alanah’s incarceration at the Family. Their honesty and trust of each other belied the despair that was to come, but unaware that destiny was about to raise its ugly head again, they continued to make love in their bubble of happiness.

CHAPTER 2

So, you’re the man my Alanah wants to marry. Alanah’s father said gruffly as he looked Dan up and down.

Dad! Alanah said, excruciatingly embarrassed by the first words that had passed his lips since he had arrived. They hadn’t even set foot in the cottage yet. His reputation of being blunt and to the point usually preceded him, but she had hoped he’d give Dan the benefit of the doubt before he showed those traits to him. Apparently not.

Alanah’s father was just over 6 foot tall with greying sandy blonde hair. His face was weathered and he had the beginnings of jowls at his jaw line. His eyes were the same hazel green as Alanah’s and they shared the same nose and lips, which admittedly looked better on Alanah. He stood waiting for Dan’s response.

Yes sir, I am. Dan smiled, slightly nervously. He held his hand out to Mr Moore, trying to not let it shake with nerves. Strangely dealing with Anthony and the Family had been easier than introducing himself to his future father in law, he guessed it must be because he had a purpose when he was working on their escape, and right now all he had to do was get Mr Moore to like him, or at the very least accept him as his soon to be son in law, and that was scary!

Well I would have appreciated a little more notice and a chance to actually get to know you before I allow you to marry my daughter. He didn’t mean to be grumpy, but Alanah getting married was a big thing to him, and he was just thankful that she had told him about the wedding so that he had the time to get there and give her away on her wedding day, he would have been completely devastated if he hadn’t been able to do that for his only little girl.

Michael! Alanah’s mother exclaimed, equally as embarrassed and horrified as Alanah had been. We’ve only just got here and already you are giving a bad impression to the man who is going to be your son in law. I haven’t even had a chance to hug Alanah yet! At which point she gently pushed past Michael and hugged Alanah as if her life depended on it.

Dan smiled as he saw mother and daughter in each others arms. Alanah’s mother looked strikingly like Alanah.

It was clear to see where Alanah had gotten her red hair – her mother still had an impressive mane herself, although he did think the colour had had a helping hand, but it did not distract from the fact it was obvious they were mother and daughter. Her mother – whose name was Louise was slightly fuller in figure than Alanah, but she had kept her looks and was certainly a role model for middle aged women across the world. Dan wondered if he was seeing a glimpse of the future for Alanah, and he was pleasantly surprised.

What have you done to your hair? Alanah’s mother asked almost gobsmacked. She walked around Alanah scrutinizing the situation with her hair.

Alanah’s long flowing locks had been abruptly removed by Mary, Dan’s mother when she had been a prisoner at the Family. It had started to grow back and almost reached her shoulders when she wore it straight, but as she had let it curl naturally today it was considerably shorter. She was wishing she had taken the time to straighten it now; it would have lessened the impact for her mother, but probably not that much.

Um… Alanah began. She could hardly tell her the truth.

Lani! Steve, Alanah’s elder brother said quickly walking to her and giving her a bear hug, deflecting the difficult question her mother had asked.

Hair was an issue, Alanah had always been told how beautiful hers had been and spent her teenage years being persuaded not to cut it off, even though she had really wanted to. Fate had stepped in and removed it for her, but now she could not wait for it to grow back again!

Thanks! Alanah whispered to Steve as she returned the hug.

Steve was almost 2 years older than her. He had tortured her something rotten when she was a child, but now that they were both adults (in age at least, Steve like most men was still a teenager at heart!), he was the brother he should be – supportive and protective.

Steve followed in the footsteps of his father in so many ways. Not only in his career choice – they were both architects, which was the reason they had been living in America, they were building a sky scraper. But it was the looks that as Steve had grown up had become fascinating. Steve, although taller than Michael at 6 foot 2 inches was the spitting image minus the jowl and greying hair. He shared the same hazel green eyes as his father and Alanah.

Steve removed his arms from around his sister and turned his attention to Dan, holding his hand out to him. Steven Moore, pleased to meet you. He smiled genially. There was a trustworthiness to him that Dan warmed to instantly. He was sure they would become firm friends.

Daniel Newman, likewise. Dan said accepting his hand. He smiled warmly at his soon to be brother in law. How was your flight?

Good, thanks … Steve started before being interrupted by the youngest of the Moore family.

Mum, the plug socket won’t fit my charger! whined Paul.

That’s because you are in France and you’re trying to jam a US plug into it. It won’t work. Alanah giggled as she looked at the little brother who wasn’t quite so little any more!

Paul had been something of an after thought. At 16 he was 5 years younger than Alanah and 7 years younger than Steve. He had been an unexpected, but very loved addition to the Family, so loved he was on the verge of becoming spoilt.

He shared Alanah’s curly red hair, which he was currently wearing in a short back and sides, which Alanah assumed was to hide the curls which erupted all over his head if he let them grow. He had embraced them when he was little, but the acceptance of them had waned when he had discovered girls and wanted to look more like a man than a little boy. He was as tall as Alanah, but it looked like he still had some growing to do.

I’m missing prom to be here. He said sullenly, not even looking at Dan once. He was the classic put upon teenager, and Alanah could not believe how much he had changed since she had last seen him. She looked closely at his face, seeing that he had begun to shave, but was still in the every now and then stage rather than the every day ritual it was for Dan.

I’m sorry. Alanah said kissing his cheek, he instantly wiped the kiss away, scowling.

Now Ellen’s gonna go with someone else.

I said I’m sorry squirt. Alanah shrugged, unsure how to placate him.

Don’t call me squirt any more, I’m not a baby. He sunk into the sofa and seemed reluctant to continue with a conversation.

Just ignore him sweetheart, he’s grumpy because he’s worried his girlfriend will go with someone else. Alanah’s mother smiled. It was evident she had been dealing with this side of him for some time.

Please tell me you have put the kettle on, we’re all gasping for a cup of tea! Michael said dramatically, but he couldn’t help smile lovingly at his daughter, knowing that that particular look always managed to get him his own way. Although he could already tell that Dan had replaced him in her heart, and she would never be daddy’s little girl anymore. That was going to take some getting used to.

Anyone would think they don’t have any tea bags in America the way you’re going on! Steve laughed. But he’s right Lani, a cuppa would be nice. He smiled angelically at his sister.

Sure, I’ll go sort it out. Alanah smiled back, feeling the metaphorical elbow in the ribs.

I’ll help sweetheart. Her mother said following her out into the kitchen. It didn’t surprise Alanah, she had that sneaky suspicion that her Dad wanted to grill Dan alone and she knew there was nothing she could do to stop him.

And she was right.

So, Daniel. How did you meet my Alanah? He asked, staring at him too intently.

We met at a friend’s birthday party, almost a year ago. Dan replied calmly. He and Alanah had discussed what to say, and kept to the facts, however loosely that might be.

Rushing into things a bit aren’t you? Alanah’s father was unruffled, and focused on his interrogation.

No sir, I don’t think so. I love Alanah completely and I don’t want to live my life without her. Dan said with complete sincerity. Alanah had told him her father would question him regarding their swift marriage.

Dad, you and mum were already married by now and expecting me. No double standards please. Steve said rolling his eyes.

You’re older than her? Michael asked, determined to continue. He scrutinised Dan’s face, hoping he would be able to ascertain his exact date of birth from the almost indistinguishable little crows feed that circled his eyes.

Yes, seven years older. Dan said. He couldn’t help remember the first time he had seen her – when she was less than an hour old. But he wasn’t going to tell him that.

Do you share things in common?

Yes plenty. Age is just a number and they do say ladies mature quicker than men, so in outlook we are very much matched. Dan said smiling, doing his best to appear amiable.

No kidding, I’d rather be surfing or playing on my computer rather than doing anything more serious in my down time. All girls exceed my current maturity. Maybe that’s why I’m currently single! Steve said patting Dan on the back. Welcome to the family mate, I know Alanah wouldn’t choose just anyone.

Thank you. Dan smiled at him. Mr Moore, I promise you, I will spend the rest of my life taking care of Alanah, she is everything to me. Meeting her was like taking my first breath. Nothing else can compare to her coming into my life. It feels like I only started living after I met her, everything before that was just existing. I will be a good husband, and hopefully, in time father. I give you my solemn promise. Dan placed his hand over his heart as he made his binding deal with his Alanah’s father.

Michael smiled for the first time at Dan. That’s all a father can ask for his daughter. They may be flowery words, but I can see that you mean them. Alanah is my only daughter, and call me old fashioned if you want to, but it is my duty to ensure she is not only happy, but that she has a husband who will love her and take care of her for the rest of her life. Marriage is for life, not just a few years, you have to go into it with your eyes wide open and understand that as well as the happy times, there will be difficult times to overcome, but if you do it together, you can achieve anything. I truly believe this, and Louise and I have proved this over the years, and we are stronger now because of the things we have overcome together. Besides, I have 4 days to quiz you some more about your intentions towards Alanah and I promise you I will grill you to the extent you are barbequed. But for now, I accept you as my daughters intended.

CHAPTER 3

It was a couple of hours later when there was an unexpected knock on the door. Dan went to open it and was immediately engulfed in Jessie’s hugs.