The Vampire’s Kiss(45)
Author: Cynthia Eden

You used compulsion on her.

She gasped. I most certainly did not! And she hadn’t, had she? She’d just told the annoying woman to leave William alone.

It was in your voice. The tone, the pitch.

Savannah’s face whitened. She truly hadn’t meant—Her fingers locked around the cool glass.

Just be careful. William cautioned her softly. Control your power, don’t let it control you.

She nodded. She would make certain that she used more care.

Her gaze traveled slowly around the room. Her foot began to tap in rhythm with the music.

So what am I supposed to do, exactly? She knew that coming to the bar was some sort of test for her, but she just didn’t understand fully what William wanted her to do.

You see that woman, the one in the black leather jacket leaning against the end of the bar?

Savannah turned her head a bit and caught a glimpse of the woman. She nodded her head slightly.

Read her mind.

What?

Focus on her. See if you can hear her thoughts. You have to be able to read the minds of humans. If not, then you may find yourself in serious danger. Don’t forget, some humans know of the existence of vampires. Some humans hunt us. You must be able to scan the minds of those around you. You must know if they intend you harm.

She nibbled her lip. She didn’t like the idea of invading someone else’s mind. It was too personal, too intimate an act.

Do it, Savannah.

No. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t pry into someone else’s mind, steal thoughts and dreams. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, do it.

She stood abruptly and headed for the dance floor.

Savannah!

She ignored his call and continued walking. A man with short blond hair and a thin moustache hurried to greet her.

«Hey, there, pretty thing! You wanna dance?” She could smell the alcohol on his breath, see it in the glazed expression of his eyes. She thought about refusing, was in fact opening her mouth to do so, when she heard William’s imperious command.

Leave him alone. Come back to me!

She lifted her chin and smiled at her would-be partner. “I’d love to dance,” she purred softly.

His eyes widened and he immediately pulled her onto the dance floor.

The band began to play a softer, lighter tune, and her partner pulled her close, sliding his hands down her back.

Savannah pushed lightly against his chest, wanting to put more distance between them. “Ah, look, buddy—»

His gaze was locked on her lips. “Bill. Name’s Bill.” His hands slid down to her hips.

This wasn’t what she intended. She’d only wanted to get away from William for a moment, just a moment, so that she could think—

He’d sure love to lay her down, strip the clothes from her hot little body, and—

Savannah gasped and shoved against Bill, sending him stumbling back. She knew the thoughts were his. She could actually feel the waves of his lust pounding against her.

«What the hell?” Bill glared at her and took a step forward, his hands clenched into tight fists.

«Don’t come near me,” she ordered, her eyes flashing.

Bill froze.

She lowered her voice, trying for the pitch she’d used earlier with the bartender. “Leave this bar, take a cab, and go home. And don’t ever come near me again.»

He blinked and then stepped widely around her. He walked straight toward the bar’s entrance.

Savannah watched him like a hawk, anger still pouring through her veins.

«Problem?” William asked softly, appearing at her side.

«Can we leave?” She asked, her voice a whisper. It was too much for her. The people. The noise. The smells. She just wanted to get outside. To get away.

She had to get away.

She didn’t wait for William to answer. She ran for the door.

She shoved the door open and stumbled outside, breathing heavily. The bouncer looked at her, frowning.

Savannah ran. As fast as she could. She didn’t care where she was going. She just knew that she had to get away.

Her feet pounded against the pavement. Buildings and trees passed by her in a sickening blur. Faster. Faster.

The sounds chased her. The smells. The voices.

She wanted to scream. To just make it all stop.

She ran into a park, dashing down an old trail. She pushed bushes and trees out of her way and dodged fallen limbs, stumbling to a halt in front of a small pond. She stood there a moment, gasping for breath.

Then she fell to her knees, staring blankly into the dark water. What had she done? What had she become?

«You haven’t changed,” his voice seemed to whisper to her from the darkness. “You’re the same person that you always were.»

He’d found her. She’d known that he would. Her gaze stayed locked on the water. “No, I’m not.»

He sat down beside her, and she could feel the force of his gaze upon her. She knew he was waiting for her to tell him why she’d run.

The surface of the water looked so calm, so clear. But what secrets lay beneath its surface? She closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t think I can do this.” Her eyes opened, staring fixedly at the water.

She felt him stiffen beside her. “You can do this. I wouldn’t have transformed you if I’d thought you weren’t strong enough.»

But she wasn’t strong. She’d never been strong. Mark had been the strong one.

«Savannah.” His voice was soft, compelling. “Look at me.»

She turned her head slowly toward him.

«You are the strongest person that I’ve ever met. You’ve lived through disease, through tragedy and death, and you’ve kept going.»

She shook her head. He didn’t understand. She’d just done what she’d had to do.

«No.” He was emphatic. “You’re the one who doesn’t understand. You don’t see yourself as the woman you really are. You tracked me down. You found me, when I’d been hiding for centuries.” A small smile flashed briefly. “And you blackmailed me. Knowing that I was a vampire, with enormous power and strength, you actually blackmailed me.»

She flushed. Had she really threatened to go to the press with his story?

His smile faded. “And you faced Geoffrey. Alone, unarmed. You tried to defeat a vampire with a thousand years’ worth of power.” He shook his head. “And you say that you’re not strong?»

He didn’t understand. “I had to fight him. He was going to hurt Mary!” She hadn’t attacked Geoffrey because she was strong. She’d done it to protect her friend.

«You could have died protecting your friend! You were willing to trade your life for hers. Don’t you realize how much courage that took?»

She swallowed. She hadn’t felt courageous at the time. She’d felt terrified.