The Vampire’s Kiss(10)
Author: Cynthia Eden

Her temple began to pound. “By the time Mark realized what was happening, Sharon was gone. And then the creature turned on him…»

She couldn’t, wouldn’t, tell him of the horrors that Mark had endured. He’d been tortured, viciously tortured, before he had received the release of death. In the end, he’d begged his killer to end his torment. The man had laughed, seeming to enjoy Mark’s pain, his anguish.

William didn’t say a word. His eyes just watched her with unshakable intensity, as if he were looking into her very soul.

«When I woke up, I told myself that it was just a nightmare. That Mark was fine. Then the phone rang.” A sad smile twisted her lips. “It was a police officer. He told me that my brother was dead. Mark’s body had just been found at the cabin.»

«I’m sorry, Savannah.” His words were soft, sincere.

She barely heard him. Her gaze was turned inward, viewing a blood-filled scene that only she could see. “I went to the cabin. I drove there as fast as I could. There was blood everywhere. I saw Mark. And Sharon. It looked like they had been mauled by a wild animal.»

William touched her arm, and she blinked, her eyes focusing on his dark visage. “But it wasn’t an animal. It was a vampire.»

«And you plan to go after him? To go after the vampire that killed your brother?” Disbelief was heavy in his voice.

«I have to.” She couldn’t rest until her brother was avenged. And she couldn’t let that thing stay out there, killing innocent people.

A sad smile twisted William’s sensual lips. “You haven’t got a chance. There is no way that you can defeat a vampire. You don’t have the strength.»

A flush stained her cheeks at his dismissive words. “I don’t have the strength now, but I will—if you transform me.” Once she had the strength of an immortal, she could defeat the monster.

William stared down at her, his gaze hooded. “My poor, lost little fairy. You truly do not have any idea, do you? Even if I transformed you, that doesn’t mean you’ll have the strength to defeat another vampire. A vampire’s strength increases as he ages. You will be but a babe, while the creature that killed your brother—” He shrugged. “He could have the power of centuries.»

Savannah paled. Her mind raced frantically. “You have the power of centuries.” He’d been an immortal since the Battle of Hastings. He had to have immense power. “You can help me defeat him. You can teach me, show me what I need to know—»

«I could,” he agreed slowly, his face giving nothing away, “but why would I?»

She gasped at his cold tone.

«It’s time for you to leave.” He turned away dismissively. “I’m sorry for your loss, but there is nothing that I can do for you.” He walked back inside the house.

Savannah followed on his heels, leaving the balcony door open in her wake. “How can you turn me away?” she asked softly, confusion filling her. “I read Henry’s diary. I know the kind of man that you are—»

He froze. “Don’t you mean the kind of man that I was?” He glanced back over his shoulder and his eyes flashed red. “As you so astutely noted before, I’m not a man. I’m a vampire, a killer, just like the one who attacked your family.” His razor sharp teeth gleamed as he smiled at her.

She refused to give in to the sudden fear that swept through her. She rushed toward him, grabbing his arms. “No, you’re not. You’re nothing like him. I read the diaries. I know.” And she did know. She sensed it deep inside.

He pushed her back a step. “You know nothing.” His words were little more than a growl. His hand lifted, caressing her throat lightly. “I could kill you now, and there would be nothing you could do to stop me.»

«You won’t kill me,” she whispered. “You won’t hurt me.” Her gaze met his in an unblinking stare.

He stopped smiling. Hunger flashed across his face. Lust blazed in his eyes. “Won’t I?»

CHAPTER 4

There is a price for the gift. A terrible price.

-Entry from the diary of Henry de Montfort,

November 5, 1068

Savannah’s chin lifted and she met his gaze with a bold stare. “I’m not afraid of you.»

«You should be. You should be terrified.” The words were cold, flat.

«I’m not afraid of you,” she repeated calmly. “But I think you’re afraid of me.»

He jerked back from her as if he’d been struck. “I fear nothing. No one.»

«No, of course, the ‘Dark Knight’ would not admit to fear,” she said, using the title he’d earned at William the Conqueror’s side. “But not admitting it doesn’t mean that it’s not there. It doesn’t mean that you don’t feel the fear.»

His lips twisted. “And why would I be afraid of you, little one?»

She lifted one brow. “I don’t know, Dark Knight. Why are you?»

His eyes narrowed. Did a flush darken his cheeks? She couldn’t tell, not for certain. The moonlight wasn’t strong enough.

His arms lifted to wrap around her, to pull her against his chest. “I don’t fear you,” he muttered angrily. “But I do want you.»

Her heart pounded. God help her, she wanted him, too.

«I want to drink from you, to taste the sweet nectar of your blood. I want to bury myself in you, to lock you to me,” he growled. He bent, and licked the slender column of her throat. She shivered and molten heat pooled low in her belly.

«I want you, as I’ve never wanted another.” He sounded angry, almost enraged, as he made the admission.

Her hands lifted to stroke the strong width of his arms, his shoulders. They felt like steel beneath her touch. His chest brushed against her br**sts, bringing the peaks of her ni**les to taut, aching life.

She gasped, stunned by the feelings flooding through her. Nothing in her limited experience had prepared her for this, for him.

His teeth scraped against her throat. Her neck arched, opening her more to him, to his touch.

With a growl, he pushed her away. His chest rose and fell in a quick, rapid rhythm. He stared at her, hunger clear on his face.

Need blazed through her body. Savannah clenched her hands into fists, fighting the urge to go to him, to wrap her hands around him.

«You want my kiss.” A beast stared at her from behind the face of a man. “And you want my strength to aid in your quest.»

«Yes,” she whispered, wondering at the sudden change in him.

«How far will you go,” he queried softly, “in order to obtain your justice?»

«I told you, I’ll do anything.” And she would. She would go to any lengths to seek justice for her brother.