Page 24 of Twilight Longings

As soon as Kincaid said goodbye, they transported themselves back to the witch’s house.

“My friends are here,” Izabela told Romar, and resumed the shape Kincaid and Saintcrow were familiar with before opening the door.

After the usual opening ritual and reply, she introduced them to her friend, Romar. She noticed that Romar did not offer to shake hands when introduced to the vampires, nor did they offer to shake his. She wasn’t sure why, but supposed it had to do with the inherent power the three of them possessed. She grinned inwardly, thinking it was apurely male reflex. They would instinctively try to prove who was stronger, more powerful, which might start off innocently enough but could end up destroying her house as the males fought for dominance.

Saintcrow glanced at Kincaid. He had thought Luca powerful but this wizard was his equal, or better. His power filled the room.

“Izabela has told me of your problem,” the wizard said. “I am not sure I will be able to help, but I am willing to try. Will you take me to see the one infected?”

“I laid my Kadie to rest,” Saintcrow said. “It seems to help a little.”

“Ah,” Romar said. “Yes. I have heard vampires do that. What is the phrase? Going to ground? Shall we go?”

Kincaid took hold of Izabela’s hand, Saintcrow grasped the wizard’s forearm, and they transported to the Morgan Creek cemetery.

“Interesting place,” Izabela said, glancing around. “There are many restless spirits here.”

Saintcrow grunted softly. “I’ll get Kadie.”

Izabela watched with fascination and horror as he burrowed into the ground and came up with his wife in his embrace. Odd, she thought, that no dirt or debris clung to either one of them.

Romar held out his arms. “May I?”

Reluctantly, Saintcrow let the blanket fall away, then laid Kadie in the other man’s arms.

Romar closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Kneeling, he held Kadie to his chest with one arm, he ran his other hand over her, traced her face with his fingertips. “I have never encountered anything like this,” he said, returning her to Saintcrow. “Nor can I tell if it is something conjured or some horrible sickness peculiar to vampires.”

“Is there nothing you can do?” Izabela asked.

“I have some ancient texts that might offer a clue. It will take me some time to study them.”

Saintcrow nodded. “I’d appreciate anything you can do.”

Romar nodded. “I will let Izabela know if I find anything.”

“Thanks.”

“Until next time,” Izabela said, and taking Romar’s hand, the two of them disappeared in a swirl of silver motes.

Still holding Kadie close, Saintcrow sat cross-legged on the ground.

“What do you think?” Kincaid asked.

“He didn’t give me much hope.”

“He seems pretty powerful, though. Maybe he’ll come up with something.”

Saintcrow shrugged one shoulder. “Maybe. You might as well go home. I’m gonna stay here with Kadie for a while.”

Kincaid nodded and left the cemetery.

Saintcrow stroked Kadie’s hair, then lightly kissed her cheek. Speaking to her mind, he said,Come back to me, sweetheart. My life is nothing without you.

He couldn’t take much more of this, he thought, fighting a rising tide of despair. They had to find a cure before he went out of his freaking mind. Before Kadie slipped away forever.

He glanced over his shoulder at a sudden change in the atmosphere, hissed an oath as Eleni materialized beside him.

“Have you given up on her?” she asked, a note of hope in her voice.