The Vampire's Kiss

«But you didn't let your fear stop you. You faced Geoffrey anyway. And when you fight, even when you're consumed by fear, that, sweet Savannah, is strength.»

She stilled. She wanted to believe him, but—

«It's not about believing me. It's about believing in yourself.»

He was right. She turned back to the pond. She had to believe in herself. To believe in her own strength. She'd cheated death. She'd fought a vampire and survived. And she would have vengeance for her brother.

«How long…” She stopped, cleared her throat, and then asked, “How long did it take to you to adjust to being a vampire?»

He laughed. “Ah, Savannah. I'm still adjusting.»

She smiled. She picked up a stone and tossed it into the water. A small ripple appeared on the clear surface. “I didn't want to read anyone's thoughts. It seemed too personal. Too much of an invasion.” Her lips compressed. “But then I did it anyway, without meaning to.»

«To the man you were dancing with?” There was a slight edge to his voice.

«Yes. He was imaging t-taking off my clothes and—»

«Bastard.” She could hear the rage in his voice, feel it in the suddenly tense atmosphere.

«When I knew what he wanted, I—” She took a deep breath. “I was furious. And I was so afraid that I would lose control and hurt him.»

«An understandable response.” William said, flexing his fingers into a tight fist. “I think the fellow deserved a bit of pain.»

«I used a compulsion on him,” she whispered, staring at the faint ripples still evident in the water. “I told him to leave and to never come near me again.»

«Hmmm. Seems he got off lightly.»

She clenched her teeth. “I didn't want to know what he was thinking. I wish that I'd never heard his thoughts. I don't want to know what anyone is thinking. It's too much!” She couldn't stand the idea of being bombarded with images of other people's thoughts, their fantasies.

His hands touched her shoulders, caressing her lightly. “I can teach you to control it. You can learn to block them out.»

«I thought I knew how to block out the sounds, but when I was in the bar, I lost control. The sounds were too much. The smells too much. Everything was too damn much!” She'd been afraid that she'd shatter from the pressure on her sensitive mind.

He pulled her against his chest, stroking her hair with a gentle hand. “You've had a hell of an evening, haven't you?»

She nodded, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. “Will it get better?” She asked him softly.

He kissed her temple. “Yes. Every day it will get easier. You'll grow stronger.»

«I don't want to read people's minds.” She sounded like a petulant child, but she didn't care. She couldn't do it. She couldn't force her way into the minds of strangers.

«Then I'll teach you how to block their thoughts. I'll teach you how to shield your mind.»

She pushed herself back, staring into his eyes. “Thank you, William.»

He frowned. “For what?»

«For helping me.»

He stared into her eyes. His head lowered, and she lifted her face toward him, eager to feel his lips against hers.

Instead, she felt a shiver run the length of her spine. A cold wind seemed to blow straight through her.

Her eyes widened. “William?»

He pulled back, his face hard. “Let's go, Savannah. Now.” He stood, pulling her to her feet.

«But I don't understand—»

She heard the sound of a soft laugh. A man's laugh.

William began to run, pulling her behind him.

And then she heard the whisper, floating on the wind.

Savannah.

She could feel him then, feel the darkness of his presence reaching out to her, calling her.

Geoffrey.

But how? William had said that he'd gone to ground, that he was recovering from his injuries. Had he healed already?

He's close. Very close. William's voice, strong and clear in her mind.

How has he already recovered? His strength was amazing. And terrifying.

William led her down a dark street, pulling her at a frantic pace. He hasn't recovered, not fully.

Then how—

His resting place is near. He can sense us.

She jerked to a stop. “He's near?” If Geoffrey was close by, and he was weak … then they could defeat him. “Why are we running? We have to find him. Now's our chance! We can—»

William turned to face her, and his hard expression could have been cut from stone. Another shiver slid through her.

«We're not running from him.»

Then who were they running from?

«Don't you feel it?” He asked her. “Can't you feel what's coming?»

A shudder ran though her. She felt something, but—

She saw a faint tremor run through his body.

Her eyes widened. What was happening?

«The sun's coming. Dawn is almost upon us. We run from the light, not from Geoffrey.” He lifted his hand, and she saw that it shook. “Our bodies warn us of the approaching light. Listen to your body, and always heed its warning.” He pulled her hand. “Now, come on, we haven't much time.»

They ran, their hearts pounding and their limbs trembling.

How far away was the apartment? How long before the sun—

William grabbed her, hugging her tightly against his chest, and he took to the sky.

They soared, flying over buildings and rooftops, and in mere minutes, they were on the roof of her apartment.

They ran inside the building just as the sun began to rise.

They hurried into her apartment. With a wave of his hand, William sent the blinds sliding down and secured the curtains. Not a trace of sunlight crept inside her home.

They were safe.

William took her into his arms and pulled her onto the bed.

A strange lethargy was already sweeping over her. Her body felt heavy, almost as if it were weighted down. And her heartbeat was slowing, slowing…

«William?” She was afraid. She couldn't seem to take a deep breath. And her heart, her heart—

«Shhh.” His arms were tight around her. “Don't fight it. Just relax.»

«I-I'm scared,” she whispered and then her heart stopped beating.

CHAPTER 14

Today, father asked me if I was afraid to die.

I have heard him ask that question to hundreds of men, right before he killed them.

-Entry from the diary of Henry de Montfort,

December 21, 1068

His strength was returning.