Page 68 of Twilight Longings

She laughed softly. “I was sure you were a monster, keeping me in your lair against my will.” Even though she had shared it with him for years, she still thought of it ashislair.

“And now?”

“I don’t care what you are, as long as you’re mine.”

Saintcrow laughed softly. “I was yours from the moment I laid eyes on you.” His gaze moved to the hollow of her throat. He had been determined to have her from the moment he caught the warm, rich scent of her life’s blood, but that didn’t sound very romantic. Still, just a single whiff and he’d known he had to have her.

Leaning down, he ran his tongue along the side of her neck. “Let me?”

Excitement rippled through Kadie. Once, she had thought being bitten would be repulsive, but she knew differently now. She turned her head to the side, her eyelids fluttering down as she felt the sweet sting of his fangs.

A moment later, a delicious rush of sensual pleasure unfolded deep inside her, like a flower opening to the sun.

Kadie woke abruptly, uncertain as to what had roused her. It took her a moment to realize she was alone in bed. “Rylan?”

“Go back to sleep, sweetheart.”

“What’s wrong?” Sitting up, she switched on the lamp beside the bed, frowned when she saw he was dressed to go out. “Where are you going?” It was both too late and too early to go hunting.

“Kincaid’s in trouble.”

She blinked at him as he pulled on a pair of boots. “How do you know?”

“I can feel it. I don’t know how Luca managed it, but he’s found Jake.”

An icy tingle of fear trickled down Kadie’s spine. Luca. The monster whose hideous spell had rendered her helpless, stolen months of her life and all of her memories.

“Better get dressed,” he said. “Rosa’s here.”

Rosa burst into the house when Saintcrow opened the door. “He’s got Jake! That monster has Jake!”

“I know.” Saintcrow closed and locked the door behind her.

“We have to go after him,” Rosa declared. “Now.“

“Calm down,” Saintcrow said. “We’ve got to think this through.”

“I don’t want to calm down! Jake’s in trouble. We’ve got to find him and bring him home before it’s too late!”

“And we will,” Saintcrow said, with a lot more confidence than he felt.

“How will we find him?”

It was a hell of a good question. He could feel Kincaid’s agony, but it was so strong, it was blocking every other sense. “Kadie, go call Ethan and Micah. Tell them to haul their butts over here right now.”

With a nod, she left the room.

A shudder ran through Rosa. “I’m so afraid for him. I can feel his pain. I don’t know how long he can survive it. And he’s afraid. Jake’s never been afraid of anything.”

Saintcrow grunted softly. He could feel Jake’s fear, too. Damn Luca. Why hadn’t he just stayed dead?

Five minutes later, Ethan, Sofia, Holly and Micah materialized in the living room.

“Where’s Jenny?” Kadie asked.

“I left her with a babysitter,” Holly said.

Kadie nodded.