Page 31 of Twilight Destiny

Wrapping his arm around the Marine’s neck from behind, Kincaid held him immobile. He knew the exact moment when his prey realized the tide had turned, and that the stranger he’d been grappling with had been playing with him the whole time.

The Marine froze when he felt the sharp prick of Kincaid’s fangs in the side of his throat. “What the hell are you doing?”

Leaning close to the man’s ear, he whispered, “I’m about to have dinner.”

The Marine had guts. Kincaid had to give him that. He didn’t beg or whine for mercy, just stood there, hands clenched, his whole body on edge as he waited for a chance to escape.

But there wasn’t one.

The Marine cursed a blue streak as Kincaid sank his fangs into his throat and drank long and deep.

The man’s courage in the face of imminent death gave Kincaid pause. A quick brush of the Marine’s mind told Kincaid that his prey had a wife and five kids at home. He had served several tours of duty in foreign lands, been wounded numerous times. Kincaid swore under his breath. Hell, the guy was a decorated war hero. He should be thanking him for his years of service instead of making a meal out of him.

Huffing a sigh, Kincaid loosened his hold on the man’s neck, ran his tongue over the punctures to heal the wounds. “I’m sorry,” he muttered as he took a step back. “I was having a bad night.”

The Marine laughed. “Not as bad as mine, vampire.”

“Turn around.”

The Marine hesitated before facing Kincaid. “Change your mind?”

“Looks like it. Come on, I’ll buy you a drink.”

Saintcrow paused in the act of feeding. Dammit, was he going to have to destroy Kincaid? The vampire was seconds away from taking a life. What the hell had gotten him into such a state of mind? A foolish question, he mused. Who else but a woman possessed the ability to screw up a man’s mind until he couldn’t think straight?

Wiping his memory from his prey’s mind, Saintcrow was halfway to Kincaid’s location when he felt the vampire back off.

Curious, he shielded his presence and continued on his way. He arrived in time to see Kincaid and a burly Marine striding down the street, as chummy as two old friends. What the hell?

With a shake of his head, Saintcrow willed himself back to Morgan Creek.

Knowing he was playing a dangerous game, Rhinehart checked into the hotel in Morgan Creek. As long as the girl was in town, there was a good chance Kincaid would show up. Of course, Saintcrow was there, too. He didn’t know who posed the bigger risk to his continued good health—Rylan Saintcrow, Kincaid, or Luca. All three had the power to kill him in long and infinitely painful and inventive ways.

How the hell had he gotten mixed up in this mess? All he’d wanted to do was take Saintcrow’s head, deliver it to Luca, and retire to Maui with his family.

How long could he make excuses for failing to destroy Saintcrow? And now the witch wanted Kincaid’s head, too. He couldn’t put Luca off forever. And there was no way to hide from him.

Or was there? Why couldn’t Luca find Kincaid? The man was a powerful necromancer with all kinds of supernatural powers and Dark Magic at his command. He had seen the man do things—terrible things that still haunted his dreams. Miraculous things. But if Luca couldn’t find Kincaid …

Rhinehart felt a slim ray of hope. Kincaid must have some kind of powerful, magic based talisman that hid his whereabouts from the necromancer. That was the only logical explanation. Maybe there was a chance a similar talisman or spell would work for him, as well.

But where to find the witch who had concocted it?

Was searching for a witch a chance worth taking?

And what would be the necromancer’s reaction if he found out what he was doing?

It was something to think about.

Chapter Fourteen

Kadie sighed as she followed Micah and Holly into the hotel elevator. Italy was a beautiful place and she had seen some amazing sights—Venice and Pompeii, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Palermo and Rome. Beautiful cities filled with amazing architecture and cathedrals, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Sistine Chapel. Sofia’s family was delightful as they made allowances for the vampires in the group. But she missed Saintcrow. True, he had come to visit her on several occasions, but it wasn’t the same. She even missed Morgan Creek.

Later that evening, when everyone had returned to the hotel after dinner, Kadie informed them she was going home. She had made her decision last night and packed her bags. Italy was beautiful, she loved the people. But it wasn’t home.

“But we’re leaving for Scotland tomorrow,” Lena Ravenwood said.

“I know, but I miss Rylan.” Kadie took Lena’s hands in hers. “I’ve had a wonderful time, but I’ve been away from my husband far too long.”

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