Page 42 of Twilight Destiny

“I think you showed up just in time, damn you.”

Rosa glanced from one man to the other. What the heck was going on? The air between the two vampires fairly bristled with tension.

Saintcrow stood. “Rosa, let’s go.”

“But … ” She looked at Jake, waiting for him to protest.

“Go with him, love,” he said, his voice tight.

Too proud to argue, she followed Saintcrow outside, fought back the urge to cry as he put his arm around her waist.

Moments later, they were in Morgan Creek.

Rosa turned on Saintcrow as soon as they entered the house. “What was that all about?” she demanded. “I’ve never been so embarrassed.”

“You were in danger.”

She stared at him. “I don’t believe you.”

“You let him drink from you today,” Saintcrow said as he uncorked a bottle, poured two glasses of wine, and handed her one. “Sometimes that eases a vampire’s desire for your blood. Sometimes it only increases it. Kincaid falls into the second category.”

“You mean … ?”

“I’m not sure he would have followed through on what he was thinking, but I wasn’t willing to take that chance.”

“I guess I owe you my thanks,” she murmured, sinking down on the sofa. “If I’d known letting him drink from me would make it worse, I never would have done it.”

“There was no way for either of you to know in advance how it would affect him.”

“Kadie said—”

“Kadie!” he exclaimed. “What does she have to do with this?”

“She told me I should let Jake drink from me, that I’d like it. And I did.”

Saintcrow grunted softly. “Most women do.”

Rosa sipped her wine, thinking there was more to being a vampire than she had ever imagined. “Thank you for bringing me home. I think I’ll go to bed.”

“Good night.”

Heavy-hearted, she set her glass aside and made her way upstairs. She undressed, pulled on a nightgown, brushed her hair, and climbed into bed. She wouldn’t cry. She couldn’t blame Jake. He was a vampire, wanting what vampires wanted. She could hardly fault him for that. She didn’t want to think of what might have happened if Saintcrow hadn’t arrived on the scene. She didn’t want to believe that Jake would have hurt her, but what did she know? He had obviously been thinking about doing something that alarmed Saintcrow enough to interfere. For all she knew, the master vampire might have saved her life tonight.

Turning onto her side, she closed her eyes.

And the tears came.

Chapter Sixteen

Rhinehart let out a groan as Luca once again unleashed his power. He hadn’t wanted to come here, but refusing to obey the witch’s summons was never a good idea. He had learned that the hard way. Still, it was impossible to imagine anything worse than this. He let out a muffled cry as Luca’s power danced over his skin, slicing into his flesh until he bled.

Gasping, he fell to the floor, folded into a fetal position in an effort to protect himself, but it was futile. And all the while, the necromancer screamed curses at him, calling him weak, a failure, an embarrassment to the community of hunters.

After what seemed like an eternity, Luca’s rage cooled. Giving Rhinehart a swift kick in the ribs, he growled, “Get on your feet.”

Panting, Rhinehart pushed himself up to his hands and knees, then gained his feet, one arm curled protectively around his broken ribs.

“Get out of my sight, you worthless sack of crap! You had better bring me Kincaid or his head the next time I see you, or I’ll haveyourhead. And those of your family, as well.”