Page 27 of Twilight Destiny

She turned to face him. “Which is it?”

“I was thinking about you, wondering what you were doing, when I sensed you were thinking about me. So … ” He shrugged. “Can I ask you something now?”

She nodded.

“Did I make a mistake, taking you hunting with me? Are you going to think of me as some kind of a monster now?”

“No. I admit, it was kind of gross to watch. And kind of fascinating. I’ve always wondered what it’s like for Micah and Sofie. And now I know.”

“So, we’re still good?”

She smiled at him as she went up on her tiptoes and kissed him lightly. “Better than good.”

His gaze searched hers and then he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her body tightly against his, letting her feel the evidence of his desire as his mouth covered hers in a long, searing kiss that stole the strength from her legs and left her insides weak and trembling.

“Rosa.” He groaned her name as he ravaged her mouth. “Let me.”

She froze. Let him what? Make love to her? She wasn’t ready for that, not yet.

When his tongue trailed fire along the length of her neck, she knew exactly what he wanted.

“Just a taste,” he whispered, his voice almost a growl.

If she refused, would he mesmerize her the way he had his prey and take what he wanted anyway?

Abruptly, he put her away from him. “I’m sorry,” he rasped. “Forgive me.”

Weak with relief, she murmured, “There’s nothing to forgive.”

Taking her hand in his, he kissed her palm. “Good night, lovely lady.”

It sounded like goodbye, but before she could say anything, he was striding away. A moment later, he disappeared into the darkness.

Chapter Eleven

Rhinehart paced the necromancer’s chamber. “I thought you were going to conjure a spell to protect me from Saintcrow. What’s taking so long?”

“You and I have underestimated the vampire’s power,” Luca snapped. “He is ancient. I have never known a vampire with such strength.”

“Are you saying any spell you concoct to protect me won’t work?”

“When we made our deal, I had no idea you were afraid to face him alone.” The necromancer stared at him, eyes narrowed to mere slits. “Have you, perhaps, lost your nerve?”

“No, but he has a young woman with him. I’m afraid he might force the Dark Gift on her.”

“Indeed? And what is that to me? We had a deal, hunter. Do not break it.”

“There’s another vampire with Saintcrow,” Rhinehart said, hoping to change the subject. “They spend a lot of time together.”

“Interesting. Is this other vampire of concern?”

“He’s almost as powerful as Saintcrow.”

“I know of only one other vampire who compares to him.” Luca remarked, and then frowned as he turned to stare at Rhinehart. “What is the name of this other vampire?”

“Kincaid. Do you know him?”

“Indeed. He killed someone important to me long ago,” Luca said, his pale eyes glittering with malice.