Quinn's Lady

  At first, she was too stunned to resist. And then all thought of resistance fled.

  He kissed her until she clung to him, breathless, mindless, her whole body on fire for his touch.

  When she thought she might faint dead away, he lifted his head. “Still think you want a gentleman?”

  She stared up at him. Then, drawing his head down, she whispered, “Shut up and kiss me again.”

  He had no sooner claimed her lips than there was an urgent knock on the door.

  Murmuring, “Save my place,” she slipped out of his arms.

  Quinn swore softly. Talk about lousy timing. He heard the door open, Seleena’s gasp of surprise, the rumble of a deep male voice.

  Quinn frowned. He had met Nardik only once, but his was a voice not to be forgotten.

  Seleena and Nardik whispered together for a moment.

  With his preternatural senses, Quinn had little trouble overhearing their conversation as Seleena explained why he was staying at her home.

  “Quinn.” The wizard’s voice and expression were neutral as he stepped into the room.

  “Nardik.” The wizard looked as Quinn remembered, tall and thin but solid as oak. A narrow face framed by long gray hair. Flat cheeks, an aquiline nose, eyes the color of honey. Power radiated from him.

  The wizard didn’t offer to shake hands.

  Neither did Quinn.

  “Please, both of you,” Seleena said, “be seated.”

  Quinn sat at one end of the sofa, Nardik the other.

  Ever the good hostess, Seleena asked, “Can I get either of you anything?”

  “I’d like a glass of wine,” Quinn said. “Thanks.”

  Nardik smiled at her. “A cup of your green tea would be wonderful.”

  Obviously ill at ease at the idea of leaving the two of them alone, Seleena glanced from one man to the other before hurrying into the kitchen.

  “So,” Quinn said, “what brings you here?”

  “I am sure you know.”

  “The dead man.”

  “Yes. I fear Seleena is in danger.”

  “I can look after her.”

  “I am afraid she is in equal danger from you.”

  “She’s got nothing to fear from me,” Quinn said sharply.

  “No? How long do you think you can keep your lust for blood under control?”

  “As long as I need to.”

  Nardik lifted his head, nostrils flaring. “Serepta’s magic is all around you.”

  “I’m handling it,” Quinn snapped.

  Nardik looked doubtful but said nothing.

  When his temper was under control, Quinn said, “You know the man, Tinnly, was killed by your daughter, don’t you?”

  “I have my suspicions.”

  Stepping into the room, Seleena asked, “Suspicions about what?” She handed a china cup to Nardik, a crystal goblet to Quinn. Her skin tingled pleasantly when his fingers brushed her. Smiling inwardly, she resumed her seat in the rocker.

  “I visited the dead man’s house,” Nardik said. “Like Quinn, I suspect our daughter is behind the killing.”

  Seleena’s face paled.

  “Her scent is there,” Nardik said.

  Quinn nodded. “It’s the same, yet different than I remember.”

  “Yes,” Nardik said. “The signature of her magic is gone.”

  “You need to visit her grave and see who’s inside that coffin,” Quinn said. “It’s the only way to know for sure.”

  “I think you are right. We will leave in the morning. If Serepta is indeed alive, I do not wish to confront her after dark.” Nardik glanced at Quinn, his expression thoughtful. “How long do you intend to stay here?”

  “Nardik!” Seleena glared at him. “That’s hardly any business of yours.”

  “Considering our past, and what he is, I have every right to be concerned.”

  Quinn put his glass aside, then turned toward the wizard, his hands clenched into tight fists. “Just what am I?”

  “You are a young vampire with much to learn. My daughter’s evil magic resides somewhere within you. Dormant, at the moment. I have no idea what, if anything, will restore that magic. Or if it is even possible. There is no way to know for sure.”

  “Nardik,” Seleena said quietly, “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for years. It’s nice of you to be concerned, but you needn’t worry about me. Or about Quinn.”

  Nardik regarded her a moment, then glanced at Quinn. “You carry a mark of some kind. I would like to see it.”

  “Why?”

  “Please.” The word was more demand than request.

  Quinn hesitated a moment, then peeled off his shirt.

  Nardik put his cup aside. Leaning forward, his brow furrowed, he studied the tattoo. When he reached toward it, a small streak of white-hot flame shot from the dragon’s mouth. The wizard recoiled, an oath escaping his lips. Looking at Seleena, he asked, “Have you attempted to remove it?”

  Seleena nodded.

  “It’s not something I’m willing to try again,” Quinn remarked.

  “Nor I,” Seleena said.

  “Probably not a good idea, at any rate.” Putting his cup aside, Nardik stared at the tattoo. “Does it move?”

  “Yeah. So, what now?” he asked.

  “I sense the dragon is imbued not only with remnants of Serepta’s magic, but with a bit of her very essence. I am not sure what that means, especially for you. But she has obviously come here to retrieve whatever magic the dragon holds.”

  “She’s welcome to it if it will rid me of the damn thing.”

  “I am afraid you do not understand,” Nardik said. “She cannot recover it while you live.”

  Chapter 8

  Eyes narrowed, Quinn stared at Nardik. “Are you saying she has to kill me before she can use it?”

  “Yes.”

  “What happens if I kill her first?”

  “I cannot say for sure. In many instances, when a witch dies, whatever spells she has cast die with her. But the dragon is obviously not dead.” Rising, he added, “Until we know one way or the other if it is Serepta we are dealing with, I would caution both of you to be vigilant when you leave the house.”

  “Where are you going?” Seleena asked.

  “It grows late,” Nardik said. “I will find lodging nearby.”

  “You’re welcome to stay here,” she said.

  Nardik glanced pointedly at Quinn. “I think it will be best if I go elsewhere.”

  Nodding, Seleena walked him to the door. “You need to be careful, too.”

  “Do not worry about me.”

  “How are things at Brynn Castle?”

  “Very well. Though Marri has been Queen only a few weeks, she has already settled into the role. The people adore her. She is a remarkably astute woman for one so young.”

  “And Gryff? How is he doing?”

  “Surprisingly well for a man of his background.”

  “I had no doubt that he would. They complement each other perfectly.” She glanced away before asking, “Does Amerris make you happy?”

  “As much as anyone can.” Leaning down, he brushed a kiss across her cheek.

  “Take care, Seleena. Vampires cannot be trusted.”

  #

  Seleena watched Nardik until, with a wave of his hand, he vanished from her sight. And still she stood there, gazing into the darkness. Was it possible their daughter still lived? She had never stopped loving Serepta, but she had long ago known, as had Nardik, that their daughter was no longer the promising young woman she had once been. She had immersed herself so deeply in Dark Magic that the girl they had loved so dearly no longer existed in the woman she had become.

  Her thoughts turned to Quinn and the kisses they had shared.

  A pleasant tingling warned Seleena that he had come up behind her.

  “Are you all right?” he asked quietly.

  “I’m fine.” There was a faint tremor in her voice. Had he heard it? Did he k
now she was thinking about what they had been doing before Nardik arrived? She shivered as his hands slid over her shoulders.

  “Come inside,” he said. “It’s cold out here.”

  “Is it?” His breath fanned her cheek, warming her in a way no fire could.

  “You’re worrying about what you’ll find tomorrow.”

  She nodded.

  “Come inside,” he said again, taking her hand in his. “And I’ll make you forget all about it.”

  “Forget about what?” Seleena murmured as they moved into the living room.

  Quinn’s gaze searched hers as he sat on the sofa and drew her down beside him.

  He could feel her trembling, smell the heady musk of her skin. And beneath the musk, a faint scent of fear, no doubt planted by Nardik’s parting words. Vampires cannot be trusted.

  Quinn lowered his gaze to the pulse throbbing in the hollow of Seleena’s throat. Maybe the old wizard was right. He could smell the blood flowing through her veins, feel the brush of his fangs against his tongue as his hunger roared to life, knew his eyes had gone red with need.

  “Quinn…”

  Bolting to his feet, he turned his back, hands clenched at his sides. What was happening to him? He had never known a need like this before, never felt so helpless to resist it.

  Afraid to spend another minute in her presence, he fled the house.

  #

  Wrapping her arms around her waist, Seleena rocked back and forth, her mind in turmoil, her body aching for Quinn’s touch. And all the while, she heard Nardik’s unwanted warning -- vampires cannot be trusted.

  Perhaps he was right. The sudden red glow in Quinn’s eyes certainly made it seem so. Where had he gone? Was he coming back? Should she let him in if he did?

  Rising, she moved through the house, placing new wards on the chimney, the doors and the windows. When that was done, she contemplated withdrawing Quinn’s invitation to enter. Should she? Was it foolish of her to welcome a vampire into her home? If he intended to do her harm, wouldn’t he have done so by now? Better safe than sorry, she mused. But she couldn’t do it. As far as she knew, he had no friends, nowhere else to go. But it was knowing that Serepta had turned him against his will that determined Seleena’s final decision. She couldn’t deny Quinn the hospitality of her house, not after what her daughter had done to him.

  Returning to the living room, she collected the cup and wineglass, carried them down to the kitchen and placed them in the sink. As she brewed a fresh pot of tea, she wondered where Quinn had gone and if -- and when -- he would return.

  #

  Shrouded in a cloak of invisibility, the vampire prowled the darkness outside the house, her heart filled with thoughts of vengeance. Those who had plotted her demise were inside. They had failed before. They would again.

  Once she retrieved the power that resided within the dragon, she would be immortal. Indestructible.

  She smiled into the darkness as she returned to her lair. If there was one thing her mother had taught her, it was the value of patience.

  #

  Quinn left the village with no destination in mind except to get away from Seleena. He had told Nardik his hunger was under control and when he’d said it, he was certain it was true. But now…now he wasn’t so sure. Holding Seleena in his arms, he had wanted nothing more than to carry her to bed, to make love to her all night long. To taste the very sweet essence flowing through her veins even though she had warned him it would be painful. Perhaps fatal. At that moment, he hadn’t cared.

  He stalked the darkness in search of prey, finally ending up in front of a run-down spaceport on a lonely stretch of road. Several LandSkiffs were parked near the entrance.

  He paused inside the doorway. Two pilots were hunched over a table, a bottle between them. An old man sat at a corner table, snoring softly. A middle-aged woman with frowsy black hair regarded him speculatively as he stepped up to the bar and ordered a glass of red wine.

  Quinn slid a glance in her direction. She looked to be well-used and smelled bad. No doubt her blood was tainted with drugs and alcohol, but at the moment, all he cared about was easing his hunger. Summoning his preternatural power, he called her to him, took her by the hand, and led her outside into the shadows.

  As he had suspected, the woman’s blood tasted foul. A blessing, perhaps. Otherwise, he might have broken his promise to Seleena and drained her dry.

  After wiping the memory from the woman’s mind -- another handy vampire talent - he strolled through the darkness. Serepta had been able to turn into mist. Could he actually do that?

  Even as he considered it, it happened. One minute he was a solid physical mass. The next, he was little more than ethereal pale gray vapor hovering above the ground. He could see and hear and move, but had no sense of touch. No sense of himself. It was scary as Hel. What if he couldn’t return to his own form again? His first two tries failed. Fighting the urge to panic, he calmed his thoughts and tried again.

  Relief swept through him when he again felt the earth beneath his feet. He ran his hands along his arms, over his chest and face. He looked down at his legs, wiggled his toes. Everything seemed to be in the right place and in working order. Dissolving into mist might be a handy talent, but he wasn’t sure he ever wanted to do it again.

  Vampires were also able to change shape. Any shape, he wondered?

  He spent the next twenty minutes experimenting -- a bull, a horse, a wolf. Changing into a wolf came the easiest and satisfied some deep feral need he didn’t quite understand. Perhaps it was because both vampires and wolves were predators.

  It was near dawn when he returned to the house with the blue door.

  Seleena had left a light burning in the window for him. He stood in the yard for several minutes, just staring at the faint welcoming glow. As he strode up the walk, that beckoning light made him feel like he was coming home.

  An unexpected warmth flooded his heart as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. A small fire burned in the hearth.

  He stood in the center of the small living room, surrounded by Seleena’s scent. He had never had a home of his own. Never had anyone -- man or woman -- who gave a damn whether he lived or died.

  But Seleena cared. It was a sobering thought, and a little frightening. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.

  Nardik’s words echoed through the corridors of his mind. How long do you think you can keep your lust for blood under control?

  It was a question that haunted him throughout the night.

  #

  Nardik arrived at Seleena’s front door early the next morning. He glanced at Quinn, obviously displeased to see him again.

  “Are you ready to go, Seleena?” the wizard asked.

  “Yes.” She donned a long, dark blue cloak. “I’ve asked Quinn to go with us.”

  Displeasure flashed across the wizard’s face. “If you wish.” Closing his eyes, he murmured an incantation that carried the three of them out of Seleena’s house and into the great hall of Serepta’s castle.

  The room was eerily silent. Dust motes danced in a slim ray of sunshine. A rat scurried across the floor and disappeared behind a credenza.

  “Do you feel it?” Nardik asked.

  Seleena nodded.

  Quinn didn’t have to ask what he meant. Serepta’s scent fouled the air. She had been in the room not long ago.

  Quinn and Seleena followed the wizard through the kitchen and into the back yard. A narrow gravel pathway led to a tall wrought-iron gate. A small cemetery lay behind it.

  Seleena reached for Quinn’s hand as they followed Nardik through the gate toward a fresh grave located near the far wall.

  A wave of the wizard’s hand removed the earth, revealing a wooden coffin, the top intricately carved with runes and symbols.

  Seleena took a deep breath as Nardik’s magic lifted the lid.

  The body inside was male. Two puncture wounds, smeared with dried blood, told the tale of his death.

/>   With a cry of denial, Seleena buried her face against Quinn’s chest.

  Quinn didn’t miss the sharp look of censure in Nardik’s eyes. The wizard might be engaged to another woman, but it was obvious the man was jealous as Hel. Unable to resist the urge to poke the bear, Quinn smiled faintly as he slid his arm around Seleena’s waist.

  With a look of disgust, the wizard replaced the lid on the coffin. A wave of his hand filled in the grave.

  “Where do you think she’s holed up?” Quinn’s question wasn’t directed at anyone in particular.

  “I am sure her lair is nearby,” the wizard said, his voice cool. “Perhaps even in some hidden room within the castle itself.”

  “She’s helpless during the day,” Quinn remarked, thinking out loud. “This would be a good time to hunt her down…” He shut his mouth abruptly at the look of horror on Seleena’s face.

  “I fear he is right,” Nardik said. “Without her magical powers, she is helpless until the sun sets.”

  “Perhaps we can help her now,” Seleena said, stepping out of Quinn’s embrace. The wizard snorted. “Painful as the truth is, we must face it. With or without her magic, Serepta is beyond redemption.”

  “I refuse to believe that.” Seleena glared at Nardik. “I simply cannot.”

  “She must be stopped. She has taken two lives that we know of in the last few days, and who knows how many others? Do you want more innocent blood on your hands?”

  Seleena flinched at his words.

  “I am going to search for her,” he said. “You can join me, or not, as you wish.”

  Quinn laid his hand on Seleena’s arm. “You’re in danger as long as she’s alive,” he said quietly.

  “I am not afraid of her.”

  Quinn shook his head ruefully. “Maybe you should be.”

  “No one is safe as long as she is alive,” Nardik said. “I intend to destroy her. And this time, I intend to make sure nothing is left to chance.”

  Chapter 9

  “I’m going home,” Seleena declared. “Quinn, are you coming?”

  He hesitated. Daylight was when Serepta would be at her most vulnerable. If she was here, if they could find her and destroy her, Seleena would no longer be in danger. On the other hand, if he destroyed Serepta while she was helpless, Seleena might never forgive him. And that was a risk he wasn’t willing to take.