Page 28

O nly half-awake, Kadie rolled over as the dream she’d been having faded into another one.

She wasn’t at the beach anymore but in a large room with a high-backed sofa.

A man who looked remarkably like Saintcrow cradled her in his arms. A wave of apprehension skittered down her spine when he drew her closer, closer.

“Time for a taste,” he said, and bent his head to her neck.

Panic surged through her as she tried to wriggle out of his hold, but his arm, as hard and unyielding as iron, held her fast.

She gasped when his eyes went red, let out a startled cry when she felt the prick of his fangs at her throat.

His mouth was incredibly hot against her skin.

He was drinking from her. She expected to feel revulsion, disgust, horror.

Instead, a delicious warmth spread through her whole body, pooling deep within her, culminating in a rush of unexpected sensual pleasure that stole the breath from her body.

Hardly aware of what she was doing, she grabbed a handful of his hair to hold him in place, afraid he would take his mouth away …

The sound of someone knocking at the door roused her. For a moment, she didn’t know if it was real or part of her dream. Her dream. She shuddered at the memory, then shook her head. She was being silly. There was no such thing as vampires.

“Kadie? Kadie, are you awake?”

At the sound of Saintcrow’s voice, she threw back the covers, grabbed her robe, and went to answer the door. “Morning,” she said, around a yawn.

“Did I wake you?”

She nodded as she took a step back. “Come in.”

“I thought I’d take you out to breakfast,” he said, closing the door behind him.

“Oh.” She yawned again. And then she stared at him. He looked exactly like the man in her nightmare.

“Everything all right?” Saintcrow asked.

“What? Oh, ah, of course. I’ll just go get dressed,” she said, and practically ran out of the room.

Saintcrow watched her go. Curious, he let his mind brush hers. And then he frowned. What the hell! She had been dreaming about a vampire. A vampire that looked remarkably like him. And then he grinned. Perhaps her memory was coming back.

Kadie ordered French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon for breakfast, and a tall glass of orange juice.

Saintcrow watched her eat, wondering what it was like.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had consumed mortal food, what it had been, or what it had tasted like.

So many of today’s popular foods hadn’t even been around before he became a vampire, and those that had been available—like bread and milk and eggs—were now sold and served in myriad ways.

“What would you like to do today?” he asked.

She hesitated a moment before answering. “I’d like to be alone, if you don’t mind.”

“Whatever you want.”

Had she hurt his feelings? He had been so kind, so helpful. She believed they had once been friends, but she didn’t remember anything about him, and she needed a little time alone, time to consider a future that was as unknown as her past. “You’ve been very kind, but …”

He held up his hand. “I understand. You have my number if you need anything.”

Reaching into his shirt pocket, he withdrew a credit card and handed it to her.

Kadie shook her head. “You don’t need to … I can’t …”

“Yes, you can. Go sit in the park. Go shopping, take in a movie, whatever.” He shrugged. “I can afford it.” He held her gaze for a long moment, his expression inscrutable, then said, “I’ll call you later, if it’s all right.”

“Of course it is.”

With a nod, he rose and walked away.

Kadie stared after him, hoping again that she hadn’t hurt his feelings.

After all, he was the only friend she had, even if she didn’t remember him.

There was something about him, she thought, something …

different. He was tall, dark, and handsome as sin and yet there was something just a little off about him, as if he was holding back. Holding back what, she had no idea.

Deciding to do as Saintcrow had suggested, Kadie went shopping for sneakers, a wallet and a handbag, a jacket, and toiletries.

And always, the man was on her mind. Who was he, really?

He didn’t seem to work yet he appeared to have money to burn.

Was he a reclusive millionaire? A wealthy playboy? A con man?

When shopping lost its appeal, she decided to go to the movies, thinking it was better than wandering around the city or going back to her lonely hotel room.

She charged her ticket, a small bag of popcorn, and a Coke on her new credit card and made her way into the theater. Being late afternoon in the middle of the week, most of the seats were empty.

Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Saintcrow sitting in an aisle seat about halfway down the carpeted walkway. Was he stalking her? But that was impossible. He had been there first.

Forcing a smile, she said, “Well, fancy meeting you here.”

“A nice surprise on my part,” he replied. “I know you wanted to be alone, so don’t feel obligated to sit with me if you’d rather not.”

“I never really liked going to the movies alone,” she said. “At least I don’t think I did.”

“Would you rather sit in the middle?” he asked, as he stood up.

At her nod, he moved to the middle of the row, waited for her to sit down before he did.

“Would you like some popcorn?” Kadie asked.

“No, thanks. I wouldn’t have figured you for someone who liked scary movies.”

Kadie shrugged. “I don’t think I do, but it was the only one starting at this time.”

She was glad when the lights went down and the trailers came on. It was decidedly uncomfortable, being with someone you were supposed to know but couldn’t remember.

It was indeed a scary movie, all about a vampire, a werewolf, and a young man all fighting over the same woman. During one particularly bloody scene, she let out a gasp, dropped her popcorn and covered her face with her hands.

Leaning toward her, Saintcrow whispered, “Do you want to leave?”

When she nodded, he stood and followed her out of the theater.

“I feel so silly,” Kadie said. “I know it’s just make-believe and that vampires and werewolves don’t really exist but …” She shrugged, obviously embarrassed by her reaction to something that was only special effects and make-up.

“Today’s technology makes it seem all too real,” Saintcrow said. “In the old days, you could laugh at the monsters because they were obviously fake. But not anymore.”

Kadie smiled at him, grateful for his understanding.

“Would you like to have a drink?” he asked. “There’s a nice bar in the hotel.”

“I think I’d like that.”

They strolled down the street, side-by-side. Kadie felt a little thrill of excitement when his hand brushed hers. Maybe they had been friends, she thought, as Saintcrow opened the door to the hotel lobby and followed her inside.

Considering how kind he’d been, how generous, she was beginning to think they might have been more than just friends.

Saintcrow proved to be good company. They danced several times. She had been nervous the first time he took her in his arms but they moved together as if they had done it for years. He told her about a town he owned in Wyoming. Morgan Creek.

“I never knew anyone who owned a whole town,” Kadie said, mightily impressed. Maybe he really was a millionaire.

“It used to be a ghost town,” he said. “We fixed it up, modernized the hotel and the shops, added a campground. It’s closed right now, but I hope to open it again soon.”

Her curiosity piqued, Kadie said, “I’d love to see it.”

“I’d love to take you there,” Saintcrow replied. And he fully intended to, when it was safe, in hopes that it might jar her memory.

Saintcrow bid Kadie good night in front of the elevator at ten-thirty.

“Thank you for this evening,” she said. “I had a wonderful time. I just hope I don’t have nightmares about vampires and werewolves tearing each other to shreds.”

“You won’t,” he assured her. “Sweet dreams, Kadie.”

“Good night.”

He waited until the elevator doors closed, looked around to be sure he was alone, then dissolved into mist and drifted up to Kadie’s room. Once he was sure she was safely inside, the door locked, he checked the wards around the suite before transporting to the bridge at Morgan Creek.

Ethan was due in ten minutes.

“Ethan, please don’t go!”

“Sofia.” He drew her into his arms and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I said I would. Micah and Rosa and the rest of the Ravenwood clan will look after you if anything goes wrong.”

“I’m going with you.”

“Oh, no, you’re not, love. We don’t know if the curse has been lifted from the town. I won’t risk what happened to Kadie happening to you.”

“But …”

“No. And that’s my final word. Promise me you’ll stay here.”

She glared at him defiantly.

“Please, Sofia. Don’t make this any harder than it is.”

With a sigh of resignation, she hugged him. “Come back to me.”

“You know I will. I love you. Never forget that.” He kissed her quickly and then he was gone.

Saintcrow was waiting for him when Ethan materialized at the end of the bridge.

“How do you feel?” Saintcrow asked.

“Okay, I think,” Ethan said. “Maybe a little …” His voice cut off abruptly as he dropped to the ground. A tremor ran through his body. A moment later, he lay still.

Muttering an oath, Saintcrow picked him up and willed the two of them to his lair.

Lowering Ethan to the sofa in the living room, he picked up his phone.

Izabela answered on the first ring. “I’ve been expecting your call,” she said.

“I need you here, now,” Saintcrow said. “We need to cure the town, unless you can do it from there.”

“That won’t work. Leaving home will cost you extra,” she said. “Are you prepared to pay the price?”

‘Whatever the hell you want,” he snapped. “Just get here.”

“That temper of yours is going to get you in trouble one of these days,” she said curtly, and ended the call.

Saintcrow swore softly as he contacted Kincaid. The curse is still in place. Izabela’s on her way with the Medallion.

Sofia burst into tears when Saintcrow appeared in their rented house, alone.

“He’ll be all right,” Saintcrow said, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “The witch is on her way. With luck, the Medallion will cure the town and Ethan at the same time.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“Let’s worry about that if it happens. I want you to go stay with Micah.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to have to worry about you, too.”

“Me?” She blinked at him. “I’m not in any danger here.”

“There’s still a vindictive necromancer on the loose,” Saintcrow said. “He’s likely the one who created this damn thing. If you fell into Luca’s hands, Ethan would never forgive me. And neither would the rest of the Ravenwood family.”

“All right. I’ll go. Look after Ethan for me.”

“You know I will. Now go find Micah.”

Sofia nodded, and then she was gone.

Saintcrow returned to the bridge. Where the devil was Izabela? Morgan Creek was a long way from New Orleans, but not for a witch. He was about to call her again when she appeared at the end of the bridge with Romar at her side.

“About damn time,” Saintcrow muttered irritably. He lowered the wards on the bridge and waved them across before reinstating the safeguards.

“Interesting town,” Izabela remarked when they reached Main Street. She paused a moment, her head turning this way and that. “Many people have died here,” she murmured. “Some violently.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” Saintcrow said.

“I sense a host of restless spirits,” she said. “Even more than I sensed the last time I was here.”

Izabela strolled along the street with Romar and Saintcrow trailing behind her.

She didn’t stop until she arrived at the center of the town.

Reaching into one of the pockets of the voluminous skirts she seemed to favor, she withdrew the Methuselah Stone and fastened the thick gold chain around her neck.

Dark green sparks danced over the Medallion.

“Romar, put your hand on my shoulder.”

With a nod, he did as she asked.

Closing her eyes, Izabela lifted her arms toward the heavens and began to chant.

Saintcrow felt the hair along his arms and the back of his neck stand at attention as her voice grew deeper, stronger. Dark clouds scudded across the sky. A ferocious wind rustled the leaves on the trees. There was a sharp crack as a fifty-foot oak tree split in half.

Izabela let out a gasp as the sparks on the Medallion turned red and then black as lightning sizzled across the skies.

She sank to the ground and bowed her head when thunder rocked the earth, followed by an eerie silence.

A long, shuddering sigh wracked her body.

Lifting her head, she murmured, “It is done.”

“What about Ethan?” Saintcrow asked.

Izabela shrugged.

A thought took Saintcrow to his lair.

Ethan sat on the sofa looking badly shaken. “Damn. I feel like I’ve been to hell and back.”

Saintcrow grinned at him. “That’s how you look, too. Since you recognize me, I guess your memory is okay.”

“Yeah,” Ethan said slowly. “I wonder why it didn’t affect me the way it did Kadie.”

“I don’t have a clue, but I’m guessing it’s because you were cured so quickly after you crossed the bridge.”

Ethan grunted softly. “That might explain it.”

“I sent Sofia to stay with her family,” Saintcrow said. “You’d better go let her know you’re okay.”

“Right. I’m going to grab my woman and take her on a long vacation. Catch you later.”

Saintcrow grinned as Ethan vanished from his sight.

He spent five minutes calling the two vampires he knew in Cody and Laramie, blew out a sigh of relief when they reported that the vampires who had been struck by the curse had recovered.

Like Kadie, they had been afflicted for months, had lost their memories, and were human again.

A thought took him back to town, where Izabela was undoubtedly waiting patiently to collect her fee.

He found the witch and Romar sitting at a table on the sidewalk in front of the hotel.

“The curse has been removed from Wyoming,” Izabela said, pulling a large vial from her skirt pocket. “But I’m only charging you for Morgan Creek and the boy. Oh, I almost forgot,” she said, pulling another vial from her pocket. “There’s also a charge for Romar, since he added his power to mine.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Saintcrow muttered, as he bit into his wrist. “Why not take some home for your cat, too?”