Page 48 of Twilight Destiny

“It was back east.” Kincaid stared into his glass. He tried to feel regret for what he’d done, but he couldn’t forget what it had felt like to drink and drink, the sense of power that came with it. “He fought me and I … I just lost it.”

Saintcrow twitched one shoulder. “It happens.” He didn’t know of any vampire who hadn’t lost control at least once and taken a life. Like Kincaid, most regretted it.

“It could have been her.”

“I don’t think so. Until last night, you hadn’t killed anyone that I know of in a century or two. Maybe longer. We all make mistakes from time to time. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment.”

Kincaid slid a glance at Saintcrow, confused by the master vampire’s words. He had expected condemnation, not sympathy or understanding. “She deserves better than me.”

“I agree.”

“Fat lot of help you are,” Kincaid muttered. “Why don’t you just take my head and do the world a favor?”

“Is that why you came here? Hoping I’d destroy you?”

Kincaid looked away. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

“If you’re looking for someone to take your head, go find Rhinehart. Or Luca.” Saintcrow jerked his chin toward the door. “If you really want to end it, go kill someone in Morgan Creek.”

Kincaid glared at him, but said nothing.

“I told Rosa to forget about you for a while, to think about something else. Ordinarily, I’d advise you to do the same thing. But I think staying away from her is wrong where you’re concerned. I think she was good for you. I don’t know if the reverse is true, but I think Rosa is your Kadie. She grounds you, makes you want to be better than you are.”

“I think I’m in love with her,” Kincaid said quietly. “And I’d rather let Rhinehart take my head than cause her any pain. You know what I’m capable of, what I’ve done. She deserves a better man than I ever was. Or ever will be.”

“Like she’s so fond of saying, she’s a big girl. Maybe you should let her decide what she wants.”

“And if it’s not me?”

Saintcrow shrugged. “You’ll never know if you don’t ask.”

Kincaid nodded. Saintcrow was right. But at the moment, he just didn’t know if he had the nerve to face Rosa again. Or the right, after what he’d done.

“One more thing,” Saintcrow said. “I saw Rhinehart tonight. He wants to talk to you.” Saintcrow held up a hand when Kincaid started to interrupt. “Hear me out. All he wants to do is talk. He wants to know about that band you wear, where you got it, and how it keeps Luca from finding you. Apparently Luca is threatening to take the hunter’s head if he doesn’t bring him yours.”

“Let him. One less hunter sounds good to me.”

“The man has a wife and three kids. The witch is threatening them, too.”

Kincaid muttered an oath. “Am I supposed to care about that?” He felt a sharp twinge of guilt as soon as he uttered the words. Rosa would care.

“Rhinehart said he’ll meet you anywhere, any time. No weapons. He sounds pretty desperate.”

“What the hell. Tell him I’ll meet him here tomorrow night, around eleven. And he’d better come alone and unarmed if he wants to walk out in one piece.”

Kadie turned off the TV when Rylan materialized beside her on the sofa. “You’ve been with Kincaid.”

“Yeah.” He put his arm around her shoulders, thanking whatever Fate had sent her to Morgan Creek.

“How is he?”

“He killed a man last night.”

“Oh, no.” Her gaze searched his. “You didn’t … ?” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the question.

“No, but I have a hunch he was hoping I’d destroy him and put him out of his misery.”

“He really misses her, doesn’t he?”