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“You were busy plotting escape.”

He shook his head. “I must have been terrified.” He emptied the bottle of Perrier Cassidy had put on the kitchen counter in front of him. “That must be why I remembered nothing. Next time I will be better prepared.”

“Next time?” Cassidy asked, incredulous.

“Bien sûr. This is only the beginning. There has to be a way for this to work. We simply have to try until we find it.”

“No way,” Jackson said. “I’m not spending another twenty-four hours like I just did.”

“Then don’t. Get me the shot and go.Non, get me several.”

“You’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m going to let you do this to yourself again.”

“Ah, Jackson,chèr,”Dominique crooned. “You do care.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Jackson raised his hands. “I’m done. We’re done. I need to leave. I owe Ollie a dinner out tonight.”

He hadn’t taken two steps toward the door when Dominique moved in a blur and planted himself right in front of Jackson, who bounced off him. He was done asking nicely. “By when can you get me more?”

“Goddamn you, Nick. I liked you less today than I even do right now. And I’m willing to bet the same is true for Cassidy.” He gave her a quick glance. “I think neither one of us wants to see that side of you again. Ever.”

Dominique’s building frustration erupted in a growl. He could still smell daylight on his own skin. He’d be damned if he didn’t fight to see it and remember it, too.

“Nice,” Jackson sneered.

“It’s okay,” Cassidy said, joining them. “We can try it again, but we have to make a plan. Today was chaotic.”

“By when?” Dominique pushed.

Jackson glowered. “I’ll get with the lab tomorrow and see what they can do. A few days, I’m guessing. I’ll be in touch.”

“Merci,” Dominique said, a smile bursting onto his face.

The door hadn’t quite shut behind Jackson yet when Dominique turned to Cassidy and folded her into his arms. She softened against him. Her exhausted relief seeped into his body like a calm tide.Can you ever forgive me for what I did to you today?

It wasn’t you. It was a version of you that didn’t know he…She swallowed the thought.

Didn’t know he had died, Dominique finished.I know. I will figure this out. We will figure this out.He revisited her memory of him walking in the morning sun, experienced her wonder and awe, and he knew she would move mountains to help him make real at least this one dream.

Following his thoughts, she said, “You can always sire some worthy soul if you’re feeling so parental.”

He held her closer, hands caressing her back. “There is only one worthy soul I wish to sire, Cassieamour. And when you are ready, I promise you there will be nothing parental about it.”

9

The Complicated Life

Fortherestofthe night, Dominique struggled to regain his full strength. He didn’t realize how much of a toll his daytime adventures had taken until he caught a jogger trotting through the exclusive neighborhood. Only after feeding to within an inch of the man’s life, did the fog clear out of Dominique’s brain. The suppressant’s lingering effects were unnerving, stealing memories and control, almost like being turned again, only on a much smaller scale.

Still, he couldn’t wait to try again, and thought of little else for the rest of the week. Jackson promised him another dose by Saturday morning, and by Friday night, Dominique had a firm plan. He laid it out for Serge before they left the vault.

Serge sat on his cot with his face in one hand and sighed. “Don’t you have better things to do than chase this ghost, my lord?”

“Think of the advantage, Serge. A blood-drinker who doesn’t have to hide from the sun? I could travel anywhere, anytime. How simple that would make it to control this kingdom.”

His friend tucked in his chin and gave him a look that said he knew an excuse when he heard it. But there was none of the frantic panic Serge fell into when he saw misfortune in their immediate future. That was good enough for Dominique.

He got up and unsealed the vault’s door. “Besides. This may lead to a cure for all of us.”