He smiled, and for just an instant, a flicker of fear licked through her. “I'll give you what you want, sweet Savannah. I'll see to it that you get the justice that you crave and the kiss that you need so badly.” He paused. “And in return…” His gaze roved hungrily over her body.
She swallowed and lifted her chin. “In return?»
«I want you.»
Her heart seemed to freeze at the low, harsh words. “I don't understand.»
«If I give you the kiss, then I want you. I want you to stay with me. To become my companion. My mate.»
Her eyes widened. Surely he couldn't mean it. She laughed, the sound high and nervous. “You can't be serious. You—»
«I've never been more serious.” His jaw was tightly clenched. “If you want your justice, you will have to pay a price.»
«You mean I would have to sell myself,” she snapped. She couldn't believe the proposition that he was offering. Why? Why would he do it? “I thought you said you hated blackmail.»
He lifted one dark brow. His lips curved mockingly. “Ah, but this isn't blackmail. It's a bargain.»
So this was what it felt like to sell your soul to the devil. Savannah stared into William's swirling eyes and knew that she had no choice. “For how long?»
He froze. “Excuse me?” The words seemed strangled from him.
«How long will I have to stay with you?” She asked, her cheeks flushing.
He took two steps toward her. His hand lifted and gently caressed her cheek. “Why, forever, of course.»
Forever. Her skin seemed to burn at his touch. “And what would I have to do as your … companion?” She couldn't bring herself to say the word mate.
He traced the delicate outline of her lips with one tapered finger. “You'd be my lover. You'd share my home, my bed.»
«I'd be your whore,” she said softly, feeling a wave of shame and anger wash through her.
«No!»
Her gaze flew to his face. She wondered at the rage she saw there.
He took a deep breath, apparently struggling for control. “You'd be my mate.»
She swallowed, startled by his intensity. “Why me? You could have anyone that you wanted.” And she knew it was true. William was compelling, mysterious. Surely he could have any woman without having to promise immortality.
«I want you,” he said simply. “I don't want anyone else.»
She frowned, surprised by his answer.
William swore and glanced toward the open balcony door. “Dawn comes. I must leave.” He stepped back, staring down at her confused expression. “Take the day to think about my offer. When darkness falls, I will come for you.»
She nodded and watched silently as he strode across the room. He stopped at the door and turned back to face her. “If you aren't here when I rise, I'll know what your choice was and I'll understand. But if you are here…” His gaze narrowed, and he continued roughly, “If you are still here, then you'll be mine. Forever.»
The door slammed behind him, and the sound echoed in Savannah's heart.
* * * *
He was a fool.
Why had he made that ridiculous offer to her?
William lay on his bed, secure in the tunnels under his home, and wondered at the madness that had swept through him. What had driven him to make that devil's bargain with Savannah?
He could still see the anger that had flared in her eyes, still read the rage that had swept across her expressive face.
He sighed and shifted on the bed, frustration sweeping though him. Was she still there? Was she in the house above him? Or had she already fled from him?
A low growl rumbled in his throat. He hated being trapped in the tunnels. But they were his only option. His gaze scanned the room quickly, and he wondered what Savannah would think of his resting place.
The main room was large, with granite flooring that he'd imported from Italy. Bookshelves lined the walls of the room, and two oversized chairs were arranged in the far corner. His bed was in the middle of the room. Like the one in Savannah's room, it was a huge four-poster made of rich cherry wood.
She probably thought that he slept in a coffin. And, in truth, he had when he'd first become a vampire. The coffin had protected him from the harsh rays of the sun.
But he'd moved on since then. He'd learned much in the centuries of his vampire existence. He'd mastered his strength. He'd learned to hunt. He'd learned to survive.
And he had learned to be alone.
Then Savannah had walked into his world. He wondered what it would be like to share the bed with her. To lay her down on the satin sheets and take her.
He closed his eyes, trying to block the vision from his mind. But in the darkness, the image continued to torment him. He could see her so clearly. Her silken mane of hair, spread on his pillow. The pale column of her thighs, spread for him.
And he knew why he'd made his offer to her. Because he wanted her, craved her, with a desire that was raging out of control.
His body began to grow slack. His time of sleep was upon him. He couldn't fight the dawn. None of his kind could.
Before the darkness claimed him, his last thought was of Savannah. Would she still be there when he awoke?
* * * *
She needed her pills.
Savannah paced her room like a caged lion. With each step that she took, the throbbing in her head seemed to increase.
It was always worse in the mornings. She didn't know why, but her head always ached more in the early hours of the day.
She gritted her teeth against the pain.
She wanted to scream, to rage against the agony that was tearing her mind apart.
But screaming wouldn't do any good. She'd learned that long ago. Neither would begging, or pleading.
She turned on her heel and headed toward the door. She had to get out. She couldn't stay here a moment longer.
She twisted the knob and pulled the wooden door open with a quick jerk. She glanced down the deserted hall, wondering where William was. She knew that he was sleeping. His kind had to sleep during the day.
She walked slowly down the long hall, gazing curiously around her. Paintings lined the walls. Some were of castles, crumbling castles from long ago. Others were of blood-soaked battlefields. Who had painted them? William?
She was at the top of the stairs now. Her hand locked tightly on the banister, and she began to walk down the steps. Halfway down, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her.
She held on to the banister with all of her strength, praying that the wave would pass soon, fearing that she'd fall, and tumble to her death.
Time seemed to stop as she held onto the wooden rail. Splinters bit into her palms. Black dots danced before her eyes.