The Vampire’s Kiss(43)
Author: Cynthia Eden

Her eyes widened. It was at least fifty feet away.

«Fifty feet?” He nodded. “Yes, I’d say that looks about right.»

She flinched, still not used to him reading her thoughts.

He walked to the center of the roof. “This is your first lesson,” he said. “A vampire has incredible speed. Incredible strength.»

She nodded. She already knew that.

«But there are many dark gifts that come with the kiss. Many, many gifts.»

She took a tentative step toward him. “I don’t understand. Why did we come up here?” There was a ball of tension, of dread, knotting in her stomach.

«There is much you must learn. Much that you must see.»

What could he possibly want her to see on a deserted rooftop?

«They say that seeing is believing,” he murmured.

She frowned, as he smiled at her and began running toward the edge of the roof.

Her eyes widened in horror. “No, William! Don’t—” Her hand reached for him, but it was too late.

He hurtled over the edge of the roof.

«No!»

CHAPTER 13

Vampires and immortality. ‘Tis madness.

Only God can live forever.

-Entry from the diary of Henry de Montfort,

December 19, 1068

Before her eyes, he transformed, becoming a large hawk. He flew high into the air, circling above her. Then he landed, on top of the roof, over fifty feet away.

Impossible. Not even a vampire could…

He became fog. Pale fog that drifted back across the night sky, drifted back to her.

«William…” Her voice was a hoarse whisper. How could he—

«Power comes with age,” William said, rematerializing at her side. “Shapeshifting will become easy for you, in time.»

She was stunned. “You mean I’ll be able to do that, to transform?»

«In time,” he agreed. “You’ll learn that as you age, your powers change. There will be no limit to the things that you can do.»

She glanced back across the street. Fifty feet. A hawk. Fog. Her knees felt weak. “Can Geoffrey do this? The shapeshifting?” Was that hoarse croak really her voice?

«Yes.»

That made him even more dangerous.

«But he won’t do it often,” William continued softly, watching her carefully. “Shifting weakens a vampire’s power. It takes a lot of strength to maintain the shape.»

She stared at him intently, and then she straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Teach me.” She had to learn as much as she could, so that she would be ready for her next encounter with Geoffrey.

He took her hand and they walked to the center of the roof. “Hold onto me. Don’t let go, no matter what happens.»

She nodded.

«I want you to focus on the roof across the street. Think about reaching that roof, landing on its surface.»

Her eyes widened as she realized his intent. “You can’t mean that we’re going to—»

«Don’t look down.” A slight smile curved his lips. “Just pretend that you’re doing a long jump.»

But she’d never done a long jump. She’d never done track or any sort of running activity.

His fingers tightened around hers. “Ready?»

She took a deep breath. She could do this. She would do this. “Ready.»

«Then let’s go.»

They began running, as fast as they could. They were almost at the edge of the roof. Savannah concentrated on the building in front of her.

Their feet left the edge of the roof.

She wouldn’t look down. She wouldn’t!

She kept moving her legs, but she felt nothing but air beneath her. She tightened her fingers around William. She wouldn’t look down.

She stared at the building before her. It was close now. So close. She would make it. She would.

There! Her feet slammed down on the roof. She stumbled forward, but managed to catch herself before she fell.

«Oh, my God!” She turned back, staring at her apartment building in shock. “I did it! I actually did it!»

William smiled.

She ran to the edge of the roof. “Fifty feet.” She exhaled heavily. “We just flew fifty feet.»

«And how did it feel?»

«Wonderful.” She was dazed, overwhelmed with wonder. “Absolutely wonderful.” She laughed softly. “You know, I’ve always had a horrible fear of heights.»

He frowned, his brows lowering. “You never told me that.»

«Well, it’s not exactly something I like to brag about.” She stared below, amazed that she could actually look down and not feel the vertigo that she usually experienced.

«But you came to my home, to my mountain, and you showed no fear.»

She shrugged. “I had to see you. There wasn’t any choice.” But she had been terrified. As she’d driven up the mountain, she’d refused to look over the side of the road, refused to even glance at the breathtaking view. She hadn’t wanted to look down, fearing that terror would overwhelm her. So she’d driven, her eyes locked on the road in front of her. She’d forced herself to ignore the height, to ignore the increasing pressure in her ears. And she’d made it up that damn mountain.

And, now, staring down at the street below, she realized that her fear was gone.

«It’s your turn now,” William said softly, touching her back.

Her hands trembled. “M-my turn?»

«Go back to your apartment. Do it on your own.»

She glanced at him, her eyes wide. “But what if I fall?»

«You won’t.” He sounded extremely confident. Savannah wished she had his confidence.

She looked back across the wide expanse. Flying with William was one thing. Flying on her own—well, that was a whole different matter. “It’s eleven floors, William. If I fall—»

«You’ll wind up with some bad bruises,” he said with a small shrug.

«Bruises? I could wind up with a lot more than just bruises!” She’d probably break her neck.

«Stop thinking like a human,” he said, his voice suddenly harsh.

«But—»

«Thinking that way will get you killed. Don’t think of what you were. Think of what you are. You can do this, Savannah. You just did it with me, and you can do it by yourself.»

He was right. A fall wouldn’t kill a vampire. She’d survive, even if she fell eleven stories.

«You won’t fall,” he said again, easily reading her. “And even if you did, I’d catch you long before you reached the ground.»

He’d better not be lying, because if he didn’t catch her—well, he’d have hell to pay. “Okay.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’ll do it.” And she would. She took several steps back, wanting a running start. Her gaze stayed locked on her apartment building. She took a quick breath and ran.