The Vampire’s Kiss(44)
Author: Cynthia Eden

Her feet pounded across the roof. Faster. Faster. She could see the edge now. There!

She shot into the sky, her body flying straight toward the waiting rooftop. Wind whipped against her body. Her feet kicked the air.

She didn’t look down.

The edge of her roof was so close, so close—

She landed on the rooftop, slipping to her knees.

Savannah laughed, thrilled with pleasure. She moved to stand, but her legs wobbled, sending her sliding back down.

«Savannah?” William was beside her in an instant.

«It’s okay.” She pushed her hair back with a trembling hand. “My knees are just a little weak.»

He supported her with his arm as he helped her to her feet. She wanted to lean into him, into the shelter of his arms. Instead, she took a bracing breath and stepped away from him. They didn’t have much time, and she couldn’t afford to be weak. She squared her shoulders and asked, “What’s next?»

He stepped to the edge of the roof. “Next, we hunt…»

* * * *

They walked silently down the dark street. It was after two a.m., and the road was completely deserted.

«Where are we going?” Savannah asked. She’d lived in Seattle all of her life, but William had taken her down a myriad of twisting, turning streets. She actually had no idea where she was at that moment.

«Do you hear the music?” He asked her.

She frowned. Yes, she did hear music. A faint, pounding beat that drifted on the wind. She’d been vaguely aware of it for the last few blocks.

«We’re following it,” William told her. “It will lead us to your next lesson.»

She swallowed and glanced up at the night sky. A quarter moon hung heavily amidst the shining stars. “I thought you said there’d only be a need to feed when the moon was full.” And, besides, she’d already drank from him. The thought caused a remembered shiver to skate down her spine.

«You’re not going to drink.»

Then why were they following music that would undoubtedly lead them to a club filled with people? A place that was undoubtedly like Jake’s?

Because you must learn to lure your prey to you. His voice drifted through her mind. You must learn to use your psychic gifts to enthrall, to control.

She shook her head instinctively, then froze. As much as she rebelled against the idea of controlling another person, he was right. If she intended to survive, she would have to learn to use all of her powers.

She marshaled her thoughts and concentrated on William. I’ll learn, but I won’t hurt anyone. She wanted to be clear on that point.

She felt his start of surprise as he received her mental message. Then his mind seemed to reach for hers, surrounding her.

Good. Very good, Savannah.

Warmth swept through her. I’ve always been a fast learner.

She felt, rather than heard, his soft ripple of laughter.

Good. You’ll need to be.

They walked quietly for a time. The music became louder. She could hear voices now, laughter. She could smell the people inside the bar. Smell the alcohol and the cheap perfume. The cigarettes and the sex.

They walked around a corner, and she froze.

The bar was as she’d expected—small, dark, and full of people. A flashing neon sign indicated the place was “The Black Pit.” Judging by its rough exterior, Savannah thought the name was fitting.

There was an assortment of vehicles in the small parking lot. SUVs, pickup trucks, even motorcycles.

Several of the bar’s patrons had stumbled outside. One man had even passed out on the side of the building. Savannah studied him with deep consideration.

William looked at her, his gaze hooded. “Far too easy. You’ll have to pick someone who is still conscious.»

She wrinkled her nose and then stepped forward, marching into the bar with a confidence that she really didn’t feel. She was conscious of William following a few paces back.

A bouncer stood at the entrance, his beefy arms crossed over a barrel-like chest. His left eyebrow lifted at Savannah’s approach.

«Hello, little lady.” His gaze roamed over her body, lingering on her br**sts.

Anger swept through her. She stared at him, fixing her gaze upon him.

Concentrate, Savannah. Focus on him. William’s soft orders slipped into her mind.

The bouncer’s gaze lifted to meet her dark stare. He blinked, once, twice, and then his jaw seemed to go slack.

«Open the door for me,” Savannah said softly, clenching her hands to disguise their trembling.

He hurried to obey, nearly tripping in his haste.

She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. That had certainly been easy enough.

It won’t always be. The stronger the mind, the harder it is to control. William followed her silently.

I don’t like this! I don’t like controlling someone else’s thoughts!

You don’t have to like it. You just have to do it. William was implacable.

There was a small dance floor in the middle of the room. A band played a loud, pounding rhythm on a stage encased in a wire fence.

Savannah walked toward the bar. It was crowded but she saw two empty stools.

She eased down onto the first stool, silently surveying the bar. Who could she pick? Who would satisfy William?

«What can I get for you?»

She spun around. The bartender, a woman with streaked blond hair and a tattoo of a snake around her neck, looked inquiringly at her. Savannah really didn’t want anything, and she wasn’t sure that she would be able to keep it down if she actually had to drink, but she didn’t want to attract any unwanted attention. “Uh … I’ll take a…” Inspiration struck. “A Bloody Mary. Yes, that please.»

William laughed softly.

«And you?” The bartender leaned across the bar, pushing her br**sts forward suggestively. “What would you like?” Her voice indicated that not just alcohol was available.

Savannah glared at her. How dare that woman try to come on to William? Couldn’t she see that he was with her? She cleared her throat, loudly. The woman looked at her, annoyance flashing across her pinched face.

«What?»

Savannah’s eyes narrowed. “He’s with me.»

The woman blinked, once, twice. She shook her head and stepped back. “Right. Sorry.” She hurried to get Savannah’s drink.

Savannah watched her with unflinching eyes.

A few moments later, the bartender placed Savannah’s drink in front of her with careful hands. “I-is there anything else you need?»

«No.” Savannah turned her back on the woman and surveyed the crowd.

Was that really necessary?

Her shoulders tensed. She sipped her drink. What do you mean? She hadn’t done anything to the woman. She’d just told her to stay away from William.