A Fire in the Blood

  With her back toward him, she asked, “Are you spending the night?”

  “I think not.”

  “Oh?” She pulled on her robe before she turned to face him.

  “I’ve been hungering for you all night,” he said. “And not just for your body. I don’t think staying is a good idea.”

  “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “Of course.” He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, then stood. “Sweet dreams, love.”

  Although she very much wanted him to stay, she didn’t try to change his mind. She could see the struggle in his eyes, knew he was keeping a tight rein on his hunger and his desire.

  Hands clenched at his sides, he kissed her cheek, and then he was gone.

  Theirs had better be a short engagement, she thought.

  For his sake. And hers.

  * * *

  Tessa called her parents first thing Sunday morning to tell them the good news.

  Her father was less than thrilled at the idea of his daughter being engaged to a man they had never met, one she had known such a short time, but he wished her well, then said gruffly, “Your mom wants to talk to you.”

  There was a muffled exchange and then her mother came on the line. “I’m sure he’s a wonderful man,” Alice Blackburn said, a smile in her voice. “What’s his name? How old is he? Where did you meet?”

  “I met Andrei outside my apartment.” Tessa didn’t mention that the first time she had seen him, he had saved her from a vampire attack, and deliberately ignored the question about his age. “He sells antiques. He’s got some pieces I know you’ll love,” she said, hoping to divert her mother from more questions about Andrei. “Wait until you see the gorgeous glass-fronted secretary he gave me.”

  In the background, Tessa heard her father mutter, “Well, at least he’s employed.”

  “Be quiet, Henry!”

  Tessa grinned as her mother cleared her throat. “Have you set a date?”

  “No. We haven’t gotten that far. And, of course, we’ll wait until you and Dad get home.”

  “Maybe you could send us a photo of the two of you?”

  Tessa frowned. Uh-oh. Could you photograph a vampire?

  “Tess?”

  “Um, sure. Oh, Mom, I almost forgot the other news. Jilly got married last night.”

  “That’s wonderful. Give her my best.”

  “I will. Listen, Mom, I’ve got to go or I’ll be late for church. I just wanted to give you the good news.”

  “If you’re happy, I’m happy,” her mother said. “We can’t wait to meet him.”

  Tessa ended the call, then fell back on the mattress, her arms outstretched. Thank goodness that was over!

  * * *

  Andrei was at the condo when Tessa and Bailey returned from church.

  “How long have you been here?” Tessa toed off her heels and removed her coat before going into Andrei’s arms.

  “Just a few minutes,” he said, giving her a hug. “How’s it going, Bailey?”

  “Fine. I hear you two are getting married.”

  “Yeah,” he said, gazing into Tessa’s eyes. “Unless she’s changed her mind.”

  “No way, Mr. Dinescu,” Tessa said. “You’re mine now.”

  “Well, congratulations to both of you,” Bailey said. “Tess, I’m going over to Tristan’s for lunch, if that’s okay.”

  “Hey, I’m not your mother,” Tessa said, grinning. “But behave yourself and don’t be too late.”

  “I wish you were my mom.” Bailey glanced down at her shoes, her voice barely audible. “Do you think you could adopt me?”

  “Are you serious?” Tessa asked. “Because if you are . . .” She looked at Andrei. “What do you think? Should we adopt a teenager?”

  “It’s up to you. But I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?” Tessa asked.

  “Never mind,” Bailey said quickly, and it was obvious, from her tone, that she was embarrassed for asking. And equally obvious that she thought Andrei didn’t want her.

  “Let me explain,” he said. “I think it would be great for Tessa to adopt you. But it’s not that easy. There’s a lot of paperwork involved. The agency would have to investigate Tessa’s background. I don’t think that would be a problem. She doesn’t have a police record. . . .”

  Tessa poked him on the arm. “How do you know?”

  He laughed softly. “How do you think?”

  “Reading my mind again?” she asked. “Or checking the Internet?”

  “As I was saying, you don’t have a police record, you’re an upstanding citizen, you’ve got a good-paying job.”

  “So, why isn’t it a good idea?” Tessa glanced at Bailey, who looked like she was on the verge of tears.

  “For one thing, they’d probably send Bailey back to the Fischers while the investigation was in progress.”

  Bailey shuddered. “No way! I’m never going back there. Not that they’d want me,” she added, and quickly told them about the house call she and Tristan had made on Mr. Fischer. “I don’t think he’ll be mistreating anybody ever again.”

  “Good for you!” Tessa exclaimed.

  “You know,” Andrei said, “by the time they check into Tessa’s background and do a credit check . . .” He shrugged. “The whole investigation might take a year or two. By then, Bailey will be married or an adult.”

  “I didn’t think of that,” Bailey exclaimed. “But you’re probably right.”

  “And in the meantime,” Tessa said, “you can stay here.”

  * * *

  Tessa snuggled against Andrei. A fire burned in the hearth, casting rainbow colors on the two empty goblets on the coffee table. “It would have been nice to adopt Bailey, but not at the risk of having her sent back to the Fischers, or to some other foster home.”

  “Enough about Bailey,” Andrei murmured. His fingers stroked her nape, sending little shivers of pleasure down her spine. “You haven’t changed your mind about us, have you? No second thoughts?”

  “No.” She smiled up at him. “No second thoughts.”

  “Good.” Reaching into his jacket pocket, he withdrew a small velvet box. “I thought we should make it official.”

  Tessa gasped when he lifted the lid. Inside, nestled against a bed of black velvet, lay the most exquisite diamond-and-platinum engagement ring she had ever seen. “Oh, Andrei,” she murmured. “It’s beautiful.”

  Lifting it from the box, he slid it on her finger.

  “It must have cost a fortune.” The center diamond was large and square, surrounded by a halo of fiery round diamonds.

  “Nothing from Tiffany’s comes cheap,” he said, smiling. The center diamond was close to four carats. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “How did you know my size?”

  “I measured your finger while you were sleeping, of course.”

  “I need to ask you a favor.”

  “Anything, love.”

  “My mom wants me to send her a photo of us. Is that possible?”

  “I don’t see why not, unless you’re camera shy.”

  “I didn’t know if vampires could be photographed.”

  “These days it’s not a problem, more’s the pity.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “In days past, you couldn’t capture our image on film. And if you did, it quickly disappeared. But these days, with digital technology . . .” He shrugged. “It was more advantageous when our likeness couldn’t be captured.”

  “I’ll just tell her no.”

  “No, it’s fine. Where’s your phone?” he asked with a grin. “This will be my first selfie. And be sure to get your ring in the photo. I want your folks to know you’re marrying a man who can afford to take good care of you.”

  * * *

  Eyes as wide as saucers, Jilly stared at Tessa’s ring. “Girl, that is the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen. I had no idea Andrei was so dang rich.”

  “Me either.” Tessa held up
her hand, turning it this way and that so that the diamonds reflected the cafeteria lights. Tessa had been surprised when Jilly called last night to say she would be at work in the morning. She and Luke had decided to postpone their honeymoon until spring so they could save enough money to go to Hawaii.

  Tessa added sweetener to her iced tea. “I sent my folks a photo of me and Andrei. My dad wasn’t too keen on my engagement to a ‘stranger’ until he saw the ring. Now he can’t wait to meet his future son-in-law.”

  “When will your folks be home?”

  “I don’t know. Hopefully by Christmas.”

  “Have you and Andrei set a date?”

  “No. I can’t do that until I know when my mom and dad will be back. So, how’s married life?”

  “Wonderful! I mean, wonderful.” Jilly leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Making love to Luke was awesome before but it’s different now. Better, somehow, because I know he’s mine, that he really loves me.”

  “He loved you before.”

  “I know, but, well, a lot of people say a marriage license is just a piece of paper, but it’s more than that. It’s like a symbol of our love.” Cheeks flushed, she said, “I don’t know how to explain it, but I think you’ll be glad you waited.”

  “I’m tired of waiting,” Tessa said. “There’ve been so many times when we’ve almost done it and every time, I’ve pulled back. I think, deep down, I’m a little afraid.”

  “Of sex?”

  Now it was Tessa’s turn to whisper. “No. Of sex with a . . . you know.”

  “Oh. Do they do it different?”

  Tessa stared at Jilly, then burst out laughing. And sobered again just as quickly. What if vampires did do it differently?

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Tessa pulled into her parking place and switched off the engine. She sat there a minute, listening to the rain pounding on the roof, and wished she had an umbrella.

  After her earlier conversation with Jilly, she decided she needed to have a serious talk with Andrei. Until today, she had just assumed that vampires made love like everyone else on the planet, but maybe they didn’t. How would she know? They hadn’t been sexually intimate but as far as she could tell, he had all the right equipment in all the right places. She couldn’t decide if discussing the subject with Andrei would be the silliest conversation she’d ever had, or the most embarrassing.

  Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her handbag, stepped out of the car, and dashed up the stairs.

  Tessa was fumbling with her key when an arm curled around her throat, cutting off her breath. She dropped her handbag, her fingernails digging into the arm around her neck, but to no avail. Her attacker had a grip like iron.

  Her chest burned as she fought to draw air into her lungs.

  Black spots danced before her eyes as her vision narrowed.

  Darkness closed in around her.

  And then swallowed her whole.

  * * *

  Bailey checked the clock on the stove. She had a meat loaf in the oven and she turned the heat down, covered the corn, and turned off the gas. She glanced at the clock again. Where was Tessa? She was usually home by now.

  Going into the living room, she peered out the window. Seeing Tessa’s car in the lot, she opened the door, expecting to see Tessa on the landing or coming up the stairs.

  But she wasn’t there.

  Frowning, Bailey was about to go back inside when she saw Tessa’s handbag near the railing. Fear sent an icy tingle down Bailey’s spine as she grabbed the purse, quickly ducked inside, and bolted the door.

  Tossing the bag on the sofa, she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and punched in Andrei’s number.

  He was at the door before she had time to say more than Tessa’s name.

  Bailey took a wary step backward when she saw his face. He stood on the landing, his face a mask of fury, but there was fear in his eyes as his gaze swept the area.

  Bailey wanted to ask if he could tell what had happened, but she was afraid to speak. Power rolled off him in waves, making the hair on her arms and the back of her neck stand at attention.

  “Have you talked to her?” he asked curtly.

  “No. Can you tell . . . do you know . . . ?”

  “A vampire’s taken her.”

  “Is she . . . ?”

  “I don’t know.” His hands curled over the banister, his fingers digging into the wood. He had no sense of her, which meant she was unconscious. Or . . . He slammed his fist on the rail, so hard it shattered. Bits of wood and dust drifted down to the parking lot. Dammit! He should have been there when she got off work, but he had gone hunting farther afield than usual and gotten tangled up with a hunter.

  “What now?” Bailey asked, careful to keep out of his reach.

  “I’m going after her.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No. Hold out your arm.”

  “What?”

  “I’m going to drink a little of your blood and then you’re going to drink a little of mine.”

  She stared at him, eyes wide. “Why?”

  “It will forge a link between us so we can communicate mentally.”

  “Oh.” Bailey held out her hand, palm up, pressed her lips together as he bit into her wrist. She was surprised when it didn’t hurt. A moment later, he licked the wound. She watched, fascinated, as the shallow cut healed itself.

  When he was done, he bit into his own wrist and held it out to her.

  Bailey stared at the dark red blood. She had never tasted vampire blood. What if she developed a taste for it? Heaving a sigh, she licked the crimson drops from his arm.

  “Stay here,” he said. “I don’t have to tell you to keep the door locked. Oh. You might want to call Luke and let him know there’s another vampire in town, maybe more than one.”

  Bailey nodded. After locking the door, she went to the window. Lightning split the skies. In the bright flash of light, she saw that he was already gone.

  * * *

  Andrei cursed as the vampire’s trail grew faint and then disappeared. He had expected as much, knowing that sooner or later, the vampire would will himself to his destination, leaving no trace behind.

  But he had the culprit’s scent. He would recognize it if he came upon it again.

  Hands clenched, eyes narrowed, he stood in the rain, his senses reaching out for any indication that Tessa was still alive.

  His mind sought hers but found no connection.

  And still he stood there, heedless of the wind and the rain, waiting.

  * * *

  “Slow down,” Luke said. “What did Dinescu tell you?”

  Bailey paced the floor, too agitated to sit still. “All he told me is that a vampire has taken Tessa.”

  “Taken her where? Is she all right?”

  “He doesn’t know. He can’t track her.”

  Luke muttered an oath.

  “He wanted me to warn you that there might be more than one.”

  “Okay, thanks, kid. I’m going out to scout around. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know.”

  * * *

  Loaded for bear, Luke drove to the outskirts of town. Huddled inside his jacket with the hood pulled low against the rain, he searched the most likely vampire hidey-holes—a burned-out building, a deserted warehouse, an abandoned motor home. All were empty, with no indication that anyone or anything had inhabited them recently.

  In his car again, he drove to a club that Andrei had once pointed out as a vampire hangout. Armed with a couple of stakes and a sawed-off shotgun, he entered the tavern.

  There were perhaps a dozen men and women in the place, most in goth attire. They all watched him as he made his way toward the bar and ordered a glass of beer.

  While waiting, he noticed a stack of papers on the end of the bar. Thinking it was advertising a concert in the area, he picked one up. Read it. And read it again. Holy hell! A million-dollar reward. For Tessa.

  Luke glanced
around and when he was certain no one was looking, he grabbed the flyers and shoved them inside his jacket.

  Anxious to get in touch with Andrei, he quickly scanned the patrons. He had tried to explain to Jilly how he recognized vampires, but he just couldn’t put it into words. It was just an indefinable feeling that had crawled down his spine the first time he had destroyed a vampire. It had taken him a while to realize what it was. What it meant.

  But he knew now. It meant he was born to be a hunter.

  * * *

  Tessa woke with a groan. Her throat was sore. It hurt to swallow. When she tried to touch her neck, she discovered her hands were bound behind her back.

  Fear threaded its way through her as she glanced around. She was on a bed in a shabby motel room. Rain pounded on the tin roof. Lightning flashed behind the worn curtains.

  Struggling to sit up, she realized her ankles were also bound.

  Andrei!

  Tessa! I’m coming.

  Relief washed through her, only to be swept away when the door opened and a burly man lumbered into the room. A wide smile played over his lips when he looked at her.

  “You’ll die if you bite me!” she warned, scooting as far away from him as she could.

  He snorted. “I don’t want to bite you. I’m going to . . .” His eyes widened as he realized someone was behind him.

  Tessa gagged as a stake suddenly burst through his chest.

  The cavalry had arrived.

  In moments, her hands and feet were free and she was in Andrei’s arms.

  He held her close a moment, his gaze scanning the room.

  “He didn’t want to bite me,” she said, her whole body trembling. “Why did he bring me here?”

  “I don’t know.” Andrei guided her to the bed and urged her to sit down. Kneeling beside the dead man, he searched the vampire’s pockets, sat back on his heels when he found a folded sheet of paper tucked inside his jacket. After unfolding it, he read it quickly.

  “What is it?” Tessa said, worried by the scowl on his face. “What does it say?”

  “It’s a wanted poster.”

  Tessa frowned. “You mean like, wanted dead or alive?”

  He nodded curtly.

  “Who’s it for?” she asked, although she had a terrible premonition that she already knew the answer.