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My pride rose and, indignantly, I pulled away. Haughtily, I raised my chin. “I was protecting one of our own. You did nothing to save her, may I remind you. ”

The vampire laughed. “You are a very arrogant young woman, are you not?” He was clearly amused by my outburst.

“You are a patronizing bastard,” I retorted.

“From weeping child to petulant child…interesting. ”

I frowned at him. “I am never a weeping child. Perhaps petulant. But I was trying to help her! I was just not quite certain how to accomplish my task. And you did nothing to help me, so therefore, do not condescend to me and say that I am a rash woman, for I can assure you, I am not. ” I stomped my foot for emphasis and his smile broadened.

“Very well, madam, I stand corrected,” he said with a small bow.

“And I am not a madam. I am a lady. And a master of my own fate. ”

“Are you? For I fear if you are the Master of your own fate, you shall not last long rushing headlong into the presence of hunters,” he observed.

I scoffed at him, turning my nose up at him. “They are merely mortal men. ”

“Who know how to wield weapons against us that render us helpless before them if we are not careful,” he answered me calmly.

I frowned, then slightly nodded, realizing the truth of his words. I felt my defenses slip for a moment. I was drawn to the vampire. As I stood near him, I could feel his presence wrapping around me and it made me feel foolish and weak. When I gazed upon him, all I could think of was my desire to once more feel the strength of his embrace.

“You were foolish,” he said firmly, but with his bemused smile. “You had best think before rushing into a situation like that again. ”

I turned sharply on my heel toward him and pointed a finger at him. “You, sir, do not know a thing about me. I am very strong and clever. I was about to escape their clutches when you interfered. ”

I am not truly certain I would have escaped had he not come to my rescue, but I was not about to admit to such a thing. I do have my pride, as misplaced as it can be at times, and I was loathe to admit weakness.

“I am sure you are correct, my lady. It was my error to think otherwise,” he said in such a way I was not sure if he was mocking me or not. “Now, who is your Master?”

“I am certainly not telling you. It is none of your business. Besides, maybe I have no Master. Maybe the vampire hunters killed him. ” I sniffed, adjusting my cloak. “Maybe I am my own Master. ”

He shook his head. “Very well, I shall not pursue this question further. ” He glanced skywards, then back toward me. “The sun shall rise in a few hours. I suggest you feed and return to your haven. ” He hesitated, then said with charming sarcasm. “You can, of course, return home without alerting every hunter in the city of your presence?”

I gave him a sharp look and stomped my foot. “I can assure you that I am quite capable in protecting myself and returning home safely. ”

He tucked his hands behind his back and regarded me somberly. “You do realize the seriousness of the hunters knowing of your existence. ”

“Of course, I do. I am, despite my feminine nature, a creature of some intelligence. ”

To my surprise, he reached out and lay one hand gently against my flushed cheek. His fine fingers slid over my flesh, tantalizing and cool. I felt mesmerized by his touch and raised my chin to gaze into his eyes.

“I am sure you are quite cunning and used to using your feminine wiles to fine effect, but you must b

e safe. I can see by your nature, that you are not a creature of caution. ”

Gazing up at him through my lashes, I smiled slightly. “No, perhaps not, but I can assure you, I shall never burn in the sun or meet an untimely death at the hands of a hunter. ” I was doing my best to be beguiling and defiant. I was very attracted to this vampire and being so near to him made me want touch him.

To my surprise, his gaze darkened at my words and he said quite softly, “One so young should never promise something so foolish. ” His hand caressed my cheek gently and the sadness that I had awakened in his eyes drew me in and made me shiver.

Drawing his hand from my cheek, I held it against my breast and looked upon him with a chastised and sorrowful expression. “Forgive me, sir. I did not mean to upset you. ”

And that is when he kissed me.

The world beyond us ceased to exist. In that intense passionate instant, I felt overcome with a power so great I could scarcely stand. It was as if the sun had exploded, engulfing us in liquid fire, and fusing us together.

He drew back and looked down at me with an expression I dare not attempt to describe. Turning his back on me, he said, “You will get home safely?”

“Well, yes,” I answered, feeling very confused. “Yes, of course. ”