Page 9

As Cassidy and Jackson enjoyed the meal he prepared, Dominique sipped Perrier water, relishing the effervescence in his mouth, and let the liquid take the edge off his other appetites. He asked more questions. Jackson answered what he could. Nothing about his manner betrayed deception, but if there was one thing at which Jackson Striker excelled, it was deception.

Under the influence of the wine, Cassidy grew animated. Dominique faded into the background of the conversation. He watched her heart-shaped face flush until her freckles glowed. Her ocean blue eyes darkened, drowning him. Over old memories and new perspectives, she and Jackson became reacquainted. They shared much, these two, not all of it ugly. She had once cared for Jackson, and judging by his warm laughter and dilating pupils, he still cared for her.

As for Dominique and Jackson, they trusted each other, though only to a point. Jackson and his uncle were capable, ruthless hunters, and while it suited them to work on his behalf, Dominique was under no illusion that they wouldn’t come after him again the moment he gave them the slightest cause—or became vulnerable.

Vulnerable as he would be if he allowed himself to be injected with a mysterious substance during the day.

Yet, how could he refuse such a gift?

Beware the fire. Alarming as that warning was, Serge’s prognostications were never literal. Nor did he convulse in a fit of laughter if he perceived a genuine threat. Whatever this fire, it wasn’t sun fire.

“Well, it’s getting late,” Jackson said when the conversation lulled after almost three hours. “I should be going.”

Cassidy emptied the remnants of her wineglass.

Dominique said nothing.

“So, what do you think? Want to give this a try?”

Dominique leaned on his elbows and toyed with the empty water glass. “I have one more question.”

“Sure. Fire away.”

“Why are you giving me such a gift?”

“Why? Seriously? Isn’t this what you’ve wanted for as long as I’ve known you?”

“It is. And I always hoped that you would be true to your word and genuinely attempt to find a cure for me, for all of us, but—”

“But you never expected I’d deliver? Nice.”

“You have a way of surprising me, Jackson Striker.”

The human man glanced at the empty plates and bowls, all that remained of the feast a vampire had prepared. “I could say the same for you.”

Dominique smiled and sat back in his chair. “Then allow me another surprise. I will not accept your gift without one more concession from you.”

The hunter’s wariness was instantaneous. “Oh?”

“I need to know your mind. Your true mind.”

Every muscle in Jackson’s face hardened. Vampires had fed from him, but none had ever asked permission. It would be a simple thing for Dominique to do the same, leave no trace, and make Jackson forget it ever happened. But the hunter was skilled at recognizing and reversing compulsions placed on him. He would remember eventually, and whatever respect Dominique had earned with him would vanish.

Cassidy propped her face in one hand. “You didn’t expect Dominique to trust you with his life on your word alone, did you?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Jackson said, sitting back, tension bunching his shoulders. “I guess I thought we were past the trust issues.”

“Too many depend on my continued survival, which makes trust a luxury I cannot afford.” Dominique lowered his voice. “But what you offer is irresistible. That I ask you to open your mind to me instead of simply tearing it open along with your vein should say much about my regard for you.”

“I see. And…if I don’t agree?”

“Then you may take your gift…and go.” He had to scrape the last two words out of his throat. More than his dream of seeing the sun again was at stake here. If Jackson refused this request, the implied deception would forever alter their relationship—and not for the better.

Jackson considered while he rubbed at the stubs that remained of the ring and pinkie fingers of his right hand. “You’re willing to turn your back on a chance to see the sun again…because I refuse to give you something you could simply take?”

“I am.”

“You’re right. I’m surprised.”