Page 80 of Twilight Destiny

“The basement. I think Saintcrow used it as a lair at one time, but I’m not sure.”

Rosa felt a chill as she closed the door and made her way back to the living room, where Jake had stacked her boxes and suitcases against one of the walls.

Noting her discomfort, Kincaid took her in his arms. “Are you gonna be all right here? If not, we can go somewhere else.”

“I’ll be okay. The house is beautiful.” And it was. The smaller bedrooms and bathrooms were all painted in pastel colors—pink, blue, lavender, or green. The master bedroom was pale blue, the carpet a darker shade. The kitchen was a sunny yellow. “It’s just a little disconcerting, knowing a bunch of vampires used to live here.”

“Well, there’s just one now,” he said, his gaze caressing her. “I’m thinking I should check you into the hotel for a couple of days.”

“Probably a good idea” she agreed. “Since the furniture—and the bed—won’t be here until Monday.” It took only a few minutes to throw a couple of changes of clothes and a few other necessities into a small bag.

Reaching into his pocket, Kincaid withdrew a rather ornate brass key. “This is to the front door.”

Smiling, she slipped it into the pocket of her jeans.

“I’m ready to go when you are,” he said. “I left my car out front last time I was here.” It was faster to transport from one place to the other, but that didn’t give him the same kick as driving the Mustang.

“Let’s go,” she said, when her stomach growled. “I could really use something to eat.”

They drove into town and checked into the hotel, then went into the restaurant where Rosa ordered a blueberry waffle and orange juice. She glanced at Jake. She had rarely seen him so early in the morning. “If you want to go and rest for a while, I’ll be all right.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded.

He looked doubtful a moment, then nodded. “I’ll be in the basement at Blair House if you need me.”

“Are you going to sleep on the concrete?”

“I could, but I’m not. There’s a good-sized bed down there.” Standing, he dropped a twenty-dollar bill and the key to the Mustang on the table, then bent down to kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you later this afternoon.”

“All right.” Rosa smiled as she watched him stride out of the restaurant. Coming here had been the right thing to do, she thought, and wondered when Sofia and Ethan and their daughter would come home. Sadly, Sofia couldn’t be awake very long during the day the way Micah and Ethan could. Kadie was also able to be awake when the sun was up, but only for short periods of time

Rosa sighed as she sipped the last of her orange juice. She had once promised Micah that she would let him turn her if she ever decided she wanted to be a vampire, but she wondered now if that was her best option. The older the vampire who made you, the stronger you would be. And Jake was a lot stronger and older than Micah. And Saintcrow was older than Jake …

She shook her head. What was she thinking? There was no way she would ever get used to the whole blood thing. Tasting Jake’s had been pleasant, but it was her understanding that vampires only rarely drank from each other. And she definitely didn’t want to give up all the food and drink she enjoyed to exist on a warm liquid diet stolen from strangers.

Kincaid took a detour to Saintcrow’s house after he left the restaurant. The master vampire was waiting for him when he arrived.

“Tell me I didn’t sense Rhinehart’s presence in the hotel,” Kincaid growled. “Tell me you’re not stupid enough to let that hunter stay here.”

“Nice to see you, too.”

“Dammit, what were you thinking?”

“I’m thinking I’d rather have him here, where I can keep an eye on him.”

“So you invited him?” Kincaid asked incredulously.

“Of course not. He came looking for sanctuary.”

Kincaid snorted.

Saintcrow crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve got good news and bad news.”

“Yeah?”

“He told me Luca no longer wants your head.”

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