Whistling softly, his hands shoved into his pockets, Darrick left Blair House and strolled toward Main Street. Now that Saintcrow had returned, maybe he'd ask the head vampire for permission to leave, and to take the new woman with him. She was his now, to do with as he wished.
He was opening the door to the tavern when Kadie's image popped into his mind and with it a frightened plea for help.
Letting the door to the saloon slam shut, he lifted his head and sniffed the air. Though faint, her scent was borne to him on the breeze.
With preternatural speed, he left town, heading for the forest that grew along the foot of the western mountains.
He found her shivering under a blanket in the front seat of her car, which was parked in the middle of a stand of timber.
She shrieked when he rapped on the window.
"Kadie, it's me."
She stared at him, wide-eyed, then opened the door and practically fell into his arms.
"Easy, girl," he said. "You're safe now."
"I got lost," she said, hating the tremor in her voice. "And I ran out of gas."
"Come on, let's get you back to town before you freeze to death."
"My car . . ."
"I'll have someone come out and gas it up tomorrow."
"But . . ."
"We can argue about it later," he said, and wrapped her in his arms.
The next thing she knew, they were standing on the front porch of her house.
Being told that vampires could move at light speed was one thing, being part of it was another.
Seeing her startled expression, Darrick grinned and said, "Vampire mojo."
Before she could think of anything to say, her stomach growled loudly, reminding her that all she'd had to eat was a granola bar, and that had been hours ago.
She crossed the threshold, then paused to look over her shoulder.
Vaughan stood on the porch, his hands shoved into his pants pockets.
Kadie huffed a sigh; then, hoping she wouldn't regret it, she said, "You might as well come in."
With a nod, he entered the house.
A faint shimmer of energy played over her skin when he crossed the threshold.
Seeing her quizzical expression, he said, "Preternatural power. Not every mortal can sense it."
She pondered that while she made a sandwich.
Darrick watched her from the kitchen doorway, his arms folded over his chest.
"Do vampires ever eat . . . food?" she asked, pouring herself a glass of milk.
"No."
"Never?"
"Never."
She nibbled on her sandwich a moment before asking, "How did you find me?"
"I followed your scent."
Brow furrowed, she blinked at him. "But I was miles away."
He nodded.
"More vampire mojo?"
"Something like that," he replied with a wry smile.
"There was a house. A big house made of gray stone. With bars on the windows."
He nodded again. "It belongs to Saintcrow."
"Saintcrow?" She frowned. The name sounded familiar. And then she remembered where she had heard it. Pauline had remarked how lucky she was that Vaughan had found her first, and Shirley had said that none of the women taken by Saintcrow were ever seen again.
"He's the oldest one of our kind I've ever met," Darrick remarked. "Morgan Creek belongs to him."
"He's older than you?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah. Saintcrow rode with King Richard during the Crusades."
If she remembered her history correctly, the first crusade started in the year 1095 or 1096 and was fought to regain control of the Holy Lands. To the best of her recollection, there had been nine crusades. It was inconceivable that anyone living back then could still be alive.
She was about to say as much when there was a ripple in the air and a tall man with dusky skin appeared in the doorway beside Vaughan.
"Speak of the devil," Darrick remarked sourly, "and he appears."
"Kadie Andrews," the newcomer said. "I think it's time we met since you were prowling the grounds of my lair earlier today."
Kadie stared at Saintcrow. He was taller than Vaughan, broad-shouldered, and lean-hipped, with an air of confidence and authority that was almost tangible. He wore black jeans, black boots, and a black silk shirt open at the throat. His inky black hair brushed the collar of his jacket; his eyes were like deep pools of ebony. A thin white scar ran from the outer corner of his left eye, down his cheek, and disappeared under his shirt collar. Power radiated from him, making the short hairs rise along her arms. Even if no one had told her what he was, she would have known he wasn't human.
Saintcrow took Kadie's hands in his. "I regret that I was not able to welcome you when you arrived," he said.
Kadie nodded. His voice moved over her like a caress, deep and whiskey smooth.
Eyes narrowed, Saintcrow took hold of the black scarf hanging out of her back pocket and tossed it aside.
"I rather fancy her," he said. "You don't mind if I borrow her for a while, do you, Vaughan?" It wasn't really a request, not the way he said it.
Clenching her hands into fists, Kadie sent a pleading glance to Vaughan. He looked at her, his eyes filled with pity. "As you wish, my lord," he said, and vanished from sight.
Kadie stared at Saintcrow. She had been afraid of Vaughan, but that was nothing compared to the terror that gripped her when Saintcrow looked at her through those fathomless black eyes.
"Come along, Kadie Andrews." His gaze burned into hers, hotter than hellfire, yet strangely compelling. When he held out his hand, she dared not refuse.
With a predatory smile, his fingers-long and incredibly strong-closed over her own. A rush of preternatural power surrounded her. It was like being caught in the center of a tornado. The world spun out of focus. Darkness swallowed her.
When she came to her senses, she was in a large, square room, trapped in Rylan Saintcrow's embrace.
Kadie didn't move, could scarcely breathe. He was close. So close. His power engulfed her, a mysterious pulsing energy unlike anything she had experienced before. His unique scent, alien and yet somehow enticing, filled her with an emotion she couldn't define. When she risked a look into his eyes, she felt herself falling, tumbling from this world into times past where knights on horseback vied for supremacy in the lists. She saw brightly colored banners fluttering in the breeze, the spires of an ancient castle, swords flashing in sunlight, weary men gathered around campfires. It took her a moment to realize she was seeing scenes from his past. How was that possible?
When he released her from his gaze, she wriggled out of his arms. Retreating several steps, she glanced at her surroundings. A fireplace large enough to hold a horse dominated the room. The tables were made of heavy wood, the sofas covered in a dark green fabric. Oriental rugs covered the floor. A tapestry, its colors faded by time, hung from one of the walls. An ornate bookcase took up space on another. She ran her hand over the suit of armor in the corner, wondering if he had worn it in the Crusades. A pair of crossed swords hung over the fireplace. She jumped back, startled, when flames sprang to life in the hearth.
Wrapping her arms around herself in an age-old feminine gesture, she dared a glance at Saintcrow. "What are you going to do with me?"
She had intended to speak boldly; instead, her voice came out sounding as frightened as she felt. Belonging to Darrick Vaughan was suddenly very appealing.
"What does any man want with a woman?"
She didn't like the sound of that at all. Gathering her courage, she lifted her chin. "You're not a man."
"You think not?" He took a step toward her. "Shall I prove it to you here and now?"
"No!"
His deep black eyes lit up with amusement. "Would you rather be with Vaughan?"
"Yes."
He lifted one brow. "What is it about him, I wonder, that the women find so appealing?"
Kadie stared up at him, mute, her heart racing like that of an animal caught in a trap. He towered over her, as solid as a block wall. He might not be a man in the usual sense of the word, but he was undeniably, blatantly male. Something primal deep within her responded to him.
He took another step toward her. As though hypnotized, she watched him lift his hand. Her heartbeat increased tenfold when his knuckles caressed her cheek, slid down the side of her neck. She shivered when his fingertips traced her collarbone, then rested lightly on the pulse throbbing wildly in the hollow of her throat.
Every nerve and cell in her body came to sudden, vibrant life at his touch.
He smiled at her, an insufferably smug, knowing smile. "You're mine now." His voice was like the low rumble of distant thunder. "No other shall have you."
She nodded, unable to speak or object when he was looking at her like that. Unable to move as he lowered his head and claimed her lips with his in a long, searing kiss that threatened to turn her blood to fire and her bones to mush.
She felt bereft when he lifted his head.
He gazed down at her, noting her bruised lips, the two bright spots of color in her cheeks, the slightly dazed expression in her eyes. She was a remarkably pretty woman. Thick, dark brown hair fell in soft waves down her back, almost to her waist. Her eyes were a warm golden brown above a nose that tilted upward at the end. And her lips . . . ah, those lips. Pink and perfectly shaped; made for his kisses.
He could take her, here, now, but he didn't want to compel this woman as he had so many others. When he made love to Kadie Andrews, he wanted it to be her idea, and he wanted her to remember every glorious moment of it.
"How old are you, Kadie?"
"Twenty-four."
He nodded. She would serve him well for a good long time. "Why me?" Marti had told her that none of the others had ever even seen Saintcrow. Shirley had said that those who were taken by him were never seen again.
"Why not you?"
She crossed her arms over her chest again. "Are you going to kill me?"
His brows rushed together in a frown. "What kind of question is that?"
"I just want to know. I was told . . ." She bit down on her lower lip, her courage failing her. Maybe she didn't want to know the answer.
"The women. They told you it wasn't safe here, with me?"
She nodded. "They said you kill the women you bring here."
"And you believe them?"
"What kind of question is that?" she exclaimed. "Of course I believe them. You're a vampire. Isn't killing humans what vampires do?"
"It is, indeed."
His hands, large and strong, folded over her shoulders, pulling her closer, holding her immobile. Every instinct urged her to flee, but she couldn't escape his hold. Fear coiled around her insides, colder than ice. Shirley was right, she thought frantically. He was going to kill her.
"Relax, Kadie," he said soothingly. "You're in no danger." He stroked her cheek with the knuckles of one hand, then drew in a deep breath. "Have you any idea how delectable you smell? So fresh and clean." He brushed a kiss across the top of her head, his lips moving in her hair. "So soft," he said quietly. "No wonder Vaughan wanted you." He drew back abruptly, his gaze suddenly fierce. "Did he have you?"
"I . . . I don't know what you mean."
"Did he take you to his bed?"
"No!"
"I always knew the man was a fool. But in this case, it likely saved his life."
Kadie stared at him, horrified. It was bad enough that he wanted to drink from her. That, at least, she could endure. But to share his bed . . . Revulsion speared through her. She would rather die! Still, a little part of her mind couldn't help wondering what making love to him would be like. Did vampires make love like other men? If his lovemaking was as mind-blowing as his kiss, how would she survive?
He smiled at her in a way that made her glad he couldn't read her mind.
Taking her by the hand, he led her to the high-backed sofa in front of the fireplace and drew her down beside him, his arm sliding around her shoulders to hold her close.
"Time for a taste," he said, and bent his head to her neck.
"No!" Panic surged through her. She tried to wriggle out of his hold, but his arm, as hard and unyielding as iron, held her fast.
She gasped when she felt the faint sting 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.
She moaned softly, heard his soft chuckle as he ran his tongue along her neck, and then drank again. She was lost, she thought, lost in a world of sensation unlike anything she had ever imagined. It was almost beyond bearing.
If only he would stop.
If only he would never stop.
When he lifted his head, she stared up at him, suddenly ashamed of the way she had responded to him.
"That wasn't so bad, now, was it?" he asked, a gentle chiding evident in his tone.
"Of course it was." She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing how much she liked it.
"What a little liar you are." There was no censure in his voice, only mild amusement. "You will stay here from now on. You may have the run of the house, but you will not invite anyone else inside. You may come and go as you please, spend your days as you see fit, but your nights will be spent here, with me. Do you understand?"
She nodded.
"There are a number of bedrooms upstairs. Take whichever one pleases you. Redecorate if you wish. You'll find several catalogs in one of the drawers. In the kitchen, I think. Make a list of whatever you want and I'll see that you get it."
"Where do you sleep?"
"That's something you don't need to know."
"How did you get in my house? I was told none of the vampires could come in without an invitation."
"I don't need an invitation. The town-and everything in it-belongs to me."
And she was part of "everything."
"My car is out back. Go get your things. You won't be going back to Vaughan's house again."
"But . . ." She glanced out the window. It was dark as pitch outside.
"No one will bother you."
She lifted a hand to her neck. "My scarf . . ." Without it, she would be vulnerable.
"You no longer need it. My scent is on you now. No one will touch you on pain of death." He withdrew a key from his pocket and handed it to her. "You might want to stop at the store and purchase a few groceries and whatever else you need. Just tell the clerk you're with me now."
Too overwhelmed to speak, Kadie nodded, then hurried out of the house, anxious to be away from Rylan Saintcrow and the conflicting emotions he aroused in her.
Outside, she took a deep breath. She had a feeling that living with Saintcrow was going to be like living with the Prince of Darkness. She had his protection, but she was afraid it might come at the cost of her soul.
It didn't take long for Kadie to pack up her few belongings. Still, she was in no hurry to return to Saintcrow, so she lingered in the house, alternately sitting on the sofa staring into the fireplace, and pacing the floor.
After an hour and a half, she climbed behind the wheel of Saintcrow's silver ZR1 Corvette and drove to the store. She didn't know much about cars, but she recalled seeing an ad for a car like this one in a magazine. If she remembered correctly, it cost over $100,000.00. How would a vampire come to have so much money?
Of course, she thought, he probably took it from those who came here. The humans had little need for cash in this bizarre place. Or maybe, being a vampire, he just took what he wanted and killed anyone who objected. She shook her head. He was over nine hundred years old. Even a small savings account would acquire a lot of interest in that amount of time.
She was turning onto Main Street when she made a hard right and headed toward the bridge. She was driving the head bloodsucker's car. Maybe it could bypass whatever spell prevented her from leaving. It was certainly worth a try.
Hands gripping the wheel, she held her breath as she drove across the wooden expanse, but then uttered a very unladylike curse word when the car stopped a few feet short of her goal.
Expelling an aggravated sigh, she backed up and drove to the store, wondering what Mr. Rylan Saintcrow would do if she deliberately drove his luxury automobile into a brick wall.
Later, while pushing her cart up and down the aisles, she wondered why he even had a car, since vampires seemed to be able to whisk themselves wherever they wished to be.
She was standing in the bread aisle, trying to decide between white, whole wheat, or potato, when a sudden tension in the air warned her she was no longer alone. She didn't have to turn around to know that Saintcrow was standing behind her.
"Finding everything you need?" he asked.
"Not really."
"If there are things you want, all you need to do is make a list and I'll see that you get them."
"Is that so?" She turned to face him, and wished she hadn't. She had forgotten how tall and broad he was. How intimidating. But she refused to be cowed. "Who do you think you are-Santa Claus?"
He laughed-a deep, masculine chuckle that made her toes curl.
Annoyed by his amusement, she moved to the next aisle, all too aware that he was following her.
When they passed the liquor aisle, he added several bottles of red wine to the cart.
"I don't like wine," she said curtly.
"I do."
His nearness made her nervous. Deciding she would do her shopping during the day in the future, she headed for the checkout line.
Apparently Saintcrow made everyone nervous. The woman at the cash register refused to look at him or at Kadie. The bag boy kept dropping things. The checker handed her a receipt.
Saintcrow picked up the bags and followed her out to the car.
"You didn't pay for anything," Kadie said while he loaded her groceries into the trunk. "Why not?"
"No one here pays for anything."
"Then why bother with receipts, or checkers or bag boys and cash registers?"
"The computer keeps track of what's 'bought' so we know what to restock. As for the rest . . ." He shrugged. "It makes the humans feel more at home if we keep things the way they're used to." He shut the trunk and opened the passenger door for her.
After a moment's hesitation, Kadie got into the car. She was living in The Twilight Zone, she thought as Saintcrow slid behind the wheel. No doubt about it.
When they reached the stone house, he carried the grocery bags and her suitcase into the kitchen, then stood in the doorway while she put the groceries away. The appliances were all state of the art. There were dishes in the glass-fronted cupboard, a set of stainless-steel utensils in the drawer. Since he had no use for the stove or the refrigerator or anything else, she supposed he kept all of it for his human slaves.
"Slaves? That's a bit harsh, don't you think?" He'd never thought of it like that. True, most of the residents would rather not be here, but they had stopped asking for their freedom. After all, life here wasn't that bad. The people lived in nice houses. They had enough to eat, stores to shop in, a movie theater, a park, and a swimming pool. The ones who wanted to work had jobs. Hell, they were a lot better off than most of the people living in the outside world these days. They didn't have to worry about the high price of living or anything else.
Startled, Kadie whirled around. "How did you know what I was thinking?"
He crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't you know?"
Grimacing, she put away the last of her groceries. She would have no secrets from him, she thought irritably. No privacy at all.
Sweeping past Saintcrow, she ran up the stairs, entered the first bedroom at the top of the landing, and slammed the door.
The sound of Saintcrow's amused laughter followed her all the way.
