Page 63 of Kiss of the Vampire

He tried not to react, to tense his muscles, but she looked up at him, and he assumed he’d failed to conceal his reaction.

“How come he doesn’t know Alicia? It’s not a form of hypnotism. It’s more like memory loss. You couldn’t make him lose his memories, could you?”

He hated to lie to her, but what other choice did he have? Tell her the truth? Vlad was right? They were blood sucking monsters after all? He decided to evade the question.

“Dylan’s probably mad that he got into trouble over Alicia. I’m sure he’s been told he’ll have to fly home at his parents’ expense if he causes any more trouble.”

She nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t think anyone could do that to anybody else.”

His own blood raced and his teeth extended. Leaning down, he kissed her neck, felt the blood pumping through her veins, enticing him further.

Moving her head aside, she exposed her neck.

Inwardly, he groaned, but he couldn’t control the bloodlust. He grazed his teeth along her skin, careful not to nick her.

“Wonderful dancer,” she murmured.

The music, the dancers, the low lights all faded as he concentrated on the angel in his grasp.

“Let’s play a game of cards,” Ruric said, breaking into Levka’s concentration, bumping him abruptly.

Levka bit back a hiss.

Ruric smiled. “You need a break.” He added silently, “Before you bite Caitlin in front of the hundred or so people in here.”

The dance ended, and Levka led Caitlin off the stage. “Do you want to play cards, Caitlin?”

“I’ll have a seat and watch.”

Levka gave Ruric a heated glare.

Ruric shrugged. “You were ready to go to the moon and back, without a safety net.”

“We are not going to dance anymore?” Stasio asked, sounding disappointed as he led an older woman back to her seat.

“Time to rescue lover boy,” Ruric explained.

Arman hurried to join them. “What did I miss this time?”

Chapter 15

Not long after Levka and Caitlin sat down on a sofa in the Seabrook Lounge where the seawater fish tank divided the room in half, he noticed Vlad taking a seat across the room.

Caitlin glanced his way, then turned her head away from him. “Do you know Vlad’s followed us here?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe I ever saw anything in him. And I can’t believe after all the time he left me alone, he’d be like this now.”

Levka didn’t say anything and motioned to Arman to play cards.

“Do you want me to get us some drinks? My treat this time?” Caitlin began to rise from the sofa, but Levka captured her wrist and shook his head.

Smiling to put her at ease, he said, “Ruric will be happy to.”

Ruric hopped up from his chair, swung his ghostly light saber around and said, “For the lady, I will do anything. Including…” He gave Levka and the others a look of contrition. “…paying for the lady’s drink, as it should be.” Then he sauntered off.

Caitlin took a deep breath and relaxed on the couch. “I’m so glad I met you guys. I would have had such a miserable time if it hadn’t been for you.”