Page 51

T uesday started out like any other day.

Kadie slept late. When she woke, she kissed Saintcrow on the cheek, then slipped out of bed and went upstairs to make breakfast. Even though he could be awake when the sun was up, he preferred to rise later in the day.

She wasn’t sure why and when she’d asked him, he had simply reminded her that he was a vampire and resting during the day was natural, even though it was no longer necessary.

She didn’t really mind. It was kind of nice to have a few hours to herself. She missed working at the hotel, but Saintcrow had told her to stay close to home since Eleni was hanging around.

Kadie grimaced. Why didn’t Eleni just leave Saintcrow alone?

It was obvious he didn’t want her. Didn’t the woman have any pride?

Why would she want to seduce a man who obviously wasn’t interested?

Especially a woman as beautiful as Eleni.

She could have any other man she wanted, whether they were willing or not.

Maybe Rylan’s refusal wounded her pride.

Or maybe Eleni just wanted Saintcrow because he didn’t want her. Some women were like that.

After a leisurely breakfast, Kadie wandered through the house, thinking she would like to repaint the living room and maybe the kitchen.

And maybe whatever room they decided to use for a nursery, once they found out if the baby was a boy or a girl.

Just thinking about it made her smile as she imagined what it would be like to have a baby in the house.

And then she frowned, thinking she had a lot to learn.

She didn’t have much experience with children, other than Jenny.

But she could learn, she thought, as she skipped down the stairs. How hard could it be?

Kadie was trying to decide what to have for lunch when Saintcrow sauntered into the kitchen. “I know how you hate to cook,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “Get dressed and I’ll take you out for a late lunch.”

“It’ll be nice when you’re human again and we can eat together,” she said, a smile in her voice. “What do you think you’ll try first?”

“I don’t know. I never thought about it.”

“Well, think about it.”

He ran his tongue along the side of her neck. “Maybe a good steak. Blood rare.”

“I should know better than to try to get a straight answer out of you, Rylan Saintcrow.”

He turned her to face him. “Seriously, I don’t know. Probably something light, in case it doesn’t stay down.”

“I didn’t have any trouble.”

“You weren’t a vampire as long as I’ve been,” he reminded her. “I’ve got almost a thousand years on you.”

Sometimes she forgot just how old he was. She couldn’t help wondering if he ever got tired of living so long.

“Not since you came into my life,” he said, and kissed her. He might have carried her off to bed right then if her stomach hadn’t growled loudly. “Go get dressed,” he muttered, giving her fanny a loving swat.

Laughing, she hurried downstairs.

Kadie was in the mood for Kung Pao chicken and stir-fry noodles, so Saintcrow transported the two of them to Cheyenne where she could get a full course dinner instead of just takeout.

She ordered all her favorites, thinking again how nice it would be when she and Rylan could sit down and share a meal together.

Her order had just arrived when Eleni strolled up to their table. “Mind if I join you?” she asked.

“What do you think?” Saintcrow replied brusquely.

“I think you need to work on your manners.” She pulled out the chair next to Saintcrow’s and sat down. “It’s customary for a gentleman to hold a lady’s chair for her.”

“When I see a lady, I’ll hold it.”

“I’m tired of waiting,” Eleni said impatiently. “I’ve rented a house in Casper. You will fulfil our bargain tonight or your woman dies tomorrow.”

“Fine. I’ll meet you there at midnight. Now, get the hell out of here.”

“Don’t be late,” she warned. “Your whore will pay for it if you are.”

“Whore!” Kadie exclaimed. “You’re the one whoring after a man who isn’t yours and doesn’t want you!”

Green fire sparked in Eleni’s eyes as she glowered at Kadie, her lips pulled back just enough to reveal her fangs.

“Not here,” Saintcrow warned.

Eleni rose to her feet. “Midnight,” she hissed, and stalked out of the restaurant.

“Kadie, Kadie, why the hell did you have to provoke her?”

“I didn’t mean to. But she made me so mad! Oh. Oh! I’m so sorry. She’ll make you pay for it, won’t she?”

He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t worry? Don’t worry?” Kadie fisted her hands on her hips. “You’re going off to some rendezvous with another woman and you’re telling me not to worry?”

“Kadie, sweetheart, calm down.”

She bit back her retort when she realized people were staring at them. “I’m not hungry anymore,” she said, pushing away from the table. “Let’s go.”

Saintcrow suggested a movie, hoping it would give Kadie something else to think about. Since she’d left her lunch untouched, he bought her a bag of popcorn, a candy bar and a Coke. When the movie was over, Kadie was hungry again, so they stopped at a fast-food place for a burger, fries, and a malt.

It was after eight when they got home. When Kadie left the room, Saintcrow called Kincaid. “I need your blood tonight. Can you meet me at Izabela’s around eleven?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“Eleni gave me an ultimatum.”

“That can’t be good.”

“No shit. I’ll see you at Izabela’s. Don’t be late.”

Saintcrow looked up when Kadie padded into the room. She had changed into a pair of lavender leggings and a white tank top that showed off every delectable curve. He patted the cushion beside him.

“What do you want, I wonder?” she asked, with a teasing smile.

“Just you.”

“Uh-huh.” Sitting beside him, she tilted her head to the side and swept her hair out of the way.

“You know me all too well.” He slid his arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer. Her eyelids fluttered down as he bit her ever so gently. He didn’t take much, but he felt the warmth of it flow through him. He ran his tongue over the tiny wounds. “I love you.”

“I know.” She gazed into his eyes. “Are you going to make love to that woman?”

“It won’t be love.”

“I don’t care what you call it. I can’t stand the thought of you being with her.”

“I’m not crazy about the idea, either, believe me. I’ll do my best to talk her out of it, but if I can’t … Kadie, it’s your life at stake, not mine.”

“I don’t care!”

His gaze caressed her. “I care.”

“Isn’t there somewhere we can hide that she can’t find us?”

“I’m afraid not. Whether I’m vampire or human, she has the power to find me wherever I go.”

“It’s not right! It’s not fair! What if you give in to her once? What’s to stop her from demanding that you … you do it again? And again? I know you’re doing what you think is right, but what if it never stops?”

He held Kadie close while she cried. He longed to make love to her, but it didn’t seem right, not when there was a chance his sire would force him to do her bidding.

After he dried Kadie’s tears, he kissed her tenderly and then, using his preternatural power, he lulled her to sleep.

He met Kincaid on Izabela’s porch at eleven sharp.

Kincaid looked at the pillowcase in his hands. “The chains in there?”

“Yeah.” Saintcrow took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well, hell, let’s do this,” he said, and knocked on the witch’s door. The porch light came on and he saw Izabela’s face at the window. “Mind if we come in?”

She opened the door and peered out. “Do either of you mean me any harm?”

With a shake of his head, Saintcrow said, “You know I don’t.”

“Me, either,” Kincaid said.

Unlocking the screen door, she said, “Come in.” Izabela took a step back, allowing them entrance. “So, tonight’s the night.” She sat in her rocker and waved them toward the sofa. As soon as she was settled, the gray cat jumped into her lap. The crow stared at them through beady black eyes.

Kincaid glanced at Saintcrow, who seemed in no hurry to get down to business.

“It will be midnight soon,” the witch remarked. “Shall we get to it?”

Nodding, Saintcrow pulled a pair of heavy gloves from his jacket pocket and put them on, then reached into the pillowcase and withdrew the chains. “Luca used these on Jake. I want to use them on my sire and see if they’ll incapacitate her for a few minutes.”

“Are you going to take her head?”

“Not if I don’t have to.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Can you goose the power in them?”

She stared at him, one brow raised in amusement. “Goose?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Indeed.”

“Well?”

“I can boost their effectiveness, although I can’t guarantee how long it will work against her.”

Saintcrow hesitated a moment before saying, “I also need your blood.”

“So you said when you called. And I am willing to share it with you. Of course, if you survive the night, I will require some of yours in return.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.”

“Very well, let us proceed.” Rising, she spread Luca’s silver chains out on the floor.

The cat watched from the corner. Izabela stood in the circle she had made with the chains and began to chant.

As she did so, she sprinkled some foul-smelling black liquid over the links.

The liquid clung to the metal, then turned clear and seemed to disappear.

Taking a small knife from a drawer, she pricked her finger.

The blood hissed when it touched the metal.

Moving toward the sofa, she held out her arm. “Don’t take too much, vampire.”

“I won’t, believe me.” Taking a deep breath, Saintcrow took hold of her arm and bit into her wrist. The blood singed his tongue and throat like hell’s own fire, but he could feel its power burning through him.

Lifting his head, he sealed the wounds in her wrist, then turned toward Kincaid, who blew out a sigh, then held out his arm.

There was nothing like the blood of a powerful vampire. Nothing else on earth was as sweet or as intoxicating. He had no desire to stop until Kincaid’s voice brought him back to the present.