Page 2 of Crimson Everlasting (The Crimson Vampire Coven #18)

T rent and his men split up, each taking a section of the two hundred acres.

They were to map the property and log any issues or points of interest for analysis later.

Trent had gone several miles when he noticed a clearing that was man-made.

There was a rough trail through the woods that led to the clearing, and it looked as if it was being cleared in order to build. That was not good news.

He walked the area, which took in a good ten acres, and saw that indeed the land was being prepared for construction. Trent photographed the area and sent it to Tobias, and then headed down to the creek that ran along the west side of this piece of the property.

He called Anders and Shane to check if they'd witnessed any of the same land use, and they had.

Anders was quite a way west of him and let him know that the rough trail he saw at the building site was hooked to the main road.

He also told him that there was a variety of heavy equipment parked just off the road.

"It looks like they're preparing to do some sort of extensive land development.

" He offered, and Trent explained that he came upon a large clearing that looked like it was going to be a homestead.

“That’s unfortunate," Anders exclaimed, and Trent chuckled.

"Definitely, but nothing's built yet, so perhaps he's still open to negotiations.

" Trent hoped the heir to the property wasn’t dead set on moving in.

But if they had to wait another generation, they would.

Accessing the land was important to them, but it wasn't life or death.

He continued down the shallow ridge, and when he came upon the creek, he was met with a surprise.

Emrys traveled to Crimson alone and took a suite at the Riverside Hotel. Nolan would finish burying John Murphy and would join Emrys in Crimson in a day or so. Emrys had contracted with a company to clear a section of his two hundred acres and build his home there.

It was a beautiful piece of property, and the home would be impressive.

He had big plans. The builder was an artist when it came to architecture and making a home that joined as one with the property surrounding it.

This would be the first home Emry's helped design and build since striking off on his own, and he looked forward to building a life in Crimson Virginia.

He made a few calls, getting the specifics on the build, and planned to head out there as soon as his rental car was delivered.

He was finishing his coffee when his cell phone rang.

"Hello." He said, and was met with the business manager/agent that Nolan had hired for the transition of the property into Emry’s possession.

It had gone smoothly and with few questions, but now there seemed to be an issue regarding local interest in the land.

“I’ve received a second offer from the Crimson Corporation for the two hundred acres you have inherited.

The offer is well above its worth, and I wouldn't be surprised if they might be open to raising that offer again.

" He was eager, which was obvious by his breathlessness over the offer, but Emrys was not going to sell.

The manager continued with his pitch. “They want to add it to their existing holdings since your acreage borders their lands to the east. You have a unique opportunity to really clean up here.” The man was doing his job and Emrys' could not fault him for that, but he had no intention of releasing any part of this land or of entertaining any offers.

“I’m building my home, I’m moving in, I am not going to sell any part of the two hundred acres.” Emrys made his intentions very clear. “Please thank them for their interest and let them know I will not be entertaining any offers and that the land is not for sale.”

“They’re a very powerful entity here in this part of Virginia, and they are used to getting what they want.” That felt vaguely like a threat.

“Unfortunately, they will not be getting my property. Thank you for taking care of this business." With that, he closed the call, not particularly liking the man's tone or persistence.

Real estate agents were sometimes pushy, and he completely understood, but this guy gave him a bad feeling.

He was either angling for a larger payout from him or a significant payout from Crimson Corp.

, and he feared it was the latter. Emrys planned to call Nolan and have him engage a new business manager/agent.

His car arrived, and he headed off to look over the progress at the site and to gain inspiration. Thoughts of the distasteful business call soon disappeared, and visions of his future filled his mind. He parked where the large equipment was parked and decided to walk up to the clearing.

It was quite a hike, but the atmosphere made it easy and wonderful.

After so many years working and focusing on a career, he relished the opportunity to stop and look around.

This was the second time he'd reinvented himself, and this time he wanted to take it slower. He’d made enough money during his previous incarnation to live well for a long time, so this time he would take it slow and see what happened.

Building this dream house on this dream property was the first step in this slower and more purposeful existence.

Within sixty or seventy years, he would once again have to reimagine himself like he did in Montana and again in New York.

He feared that leaving this place would be the most difficult of all.

Perhaps life would work in his favor, and the end would not be the end.

He smiled at the strange twists and turns of his thoughts as he tried to plan a future that was anybody’s guess.

He walked to the creek and crouched down, letting the water course through his fingers, enjoying the cool freshness.

He was immortal, an everlasting, and most of all, he was alone. Bonds, friends, plans, all were temporary in his world. This new beginning was filled with possibilities, but like always, the time would come when he would have to leave.

He was drifting ever closer to sinking into a state of moroseness when he heard someone speaking and walking about the clearing.

That person then started walking toward the stream.

Emrys stood and watched, and soon a man appeared, tall and solid, dressed in a black suit, and moved like someone in control, someone of power and confidence.

The closer he got, the more interested Emrys found him, and although he was, at first, irritated by the intrusion, he was now engaged and eager to discover this man’s name and his purpose in touring private property.

The moment their eyes met, Emrys felt the touch of something meaningful.

It shocked him since usually men like this took one look at his youthful appearance and wrote him off.

They didn’t realize they were looking at a man who was two hundred and fifty-three years old.

“Excuse me.” He said. “Are you the owner of this property?”

“Yes, Emrys Tarquin.” Emrys didn’t see any reason to be coy.

“Trent Wells, I’m a security officer with the Crimson Corporation. I apologize for intruding. The agent gave my superior permission to enter this property.” Trent, that was a nice name, and he had good manners, which was a plus for Trent and Crimson.

"Yes, well, that agent no longer works for me." He said not with anger but with resolve, and he kept his expression even. There was no need for anger or challenges. Trent seemed like a decent guy and not there to start trouble.

The man’s stoic presence broke for a moment, and he smiled and then looked away.

“Understood.” He said. “I have two men with me; they're to the north of us. We’ll get out of your way as soon as possible.

It was nice meeting you, sir." He started to turn away, and Emry felt the sudden urge to have him stay.

“I’m sorry to disappoint your superiors.

I know that they had their eyes on this piece of land, but it’s been in my family a long time, and I've decided to build my home here.

" Emrys moved away from the side of the creek and approached Trent, where he stood several feet away.

Trent did not retreat or move, and the way that his eyes held Emrys and the feelings that overcame him at his obvious interest were intriguing.

“The acreage is located on our borders, so when it appeared that it was going up for sale, we made an offer.

But it's a loss, not a hardship for us." Trent did step back when Emrys continued to walk up the small embankment and into the clearing.

Trent walked by his side, and Emrys found his company very pleasing.

"The Crimson property is quite massive, from what I've been told," Emrys commented.

"Yes, Alexander Stone, the CEO, has worked over the years to expand the holdings of the Corporation just as his father did before him," Trent explained, but there was more there, and Emrys could feel it. The Crimson was much more than a simple Corporation.

Trent was good, but his words were too rehearsed.

He would have Nolan check into it for him.

He liked to know his neighbors even if he didn't actually know them.

Although if they were all like Trent, he would very much like to know them.

He was courteous without being forced it was natural and Emrys' loved good breeding and pleasant conversation.

He described his plans for the area and his timeline for completion and found that he very much enjoyed talking with this man.

Trent was a complete pleasure, and his handsomeness added much to the experience.

His jet black hair was styled but not fussy or too much.

His eyes were a sage green that played off beautifully against his creamy complexion and that shadow of a beard.