Page 10 of Shadows of Eternity

The movie was soon over. Leia felt wobbly when she stood. She smiled uncertainly at Rohan when he reached for her hand to steady her.

“Did you enjoy the movie?” he asked as they left the theater and walked toward the parking lot.

“What? Oh, the movie. Yes, of course. Did you?” She hoped he didn’t want to talk about it, because she didn’t remember anything after the first few scenes.

He shrugged in reply. “Would you like to go for a drink?”

“I don’t think so. I feel … ” She didn’t know how she felt.

“A drink will do you good,” he said, as he opened the passenger door and handed her inside.

He took her to a bar she’d never seen before, guided her to a secluded booth, and ordered two glasses of red wine.

“I think I might be coming down with something,” Leia murmured. “I feel so light-headed.”

“I’m sure it will pass,” he said, his gaze searching hers.

When their drinks came, she practically inhaled hers. “I didn’t realize I was so thirsty,” she said, embarrassed.

“Here.” He thrust his glass into her hand, his gaze holding hers. “Have mine.”

She wanted to object. Instead, she drained it nearly as quickly as the first. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “It’s late. I should get you home. You’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.”

“Yes,” she murmured. “Sleep.”

She didn’t remember the ride home but the next thing she knew, they were in her living room, though she had no recollection of unlocking the door or inviting him inside.

“Sweet dreams, Leia,” he whispered. Taking her hand in his, he kissed her palm. And then he was gone.

It was too early to retire for the night. Feeling the need to move, Rohan left his car in front of her place and strolled down the street, his hands shoved into his pockets. He loved the night, the quiet, the darkness. He inhaled deeply, his nostrils filling with a plethora of scents from the fragrance of night-blooming flowers to the pungent odors rising from a nearby garbage can.

The streets were nearly deserted at this time of the night, the houses dark, the inhabitants sleeping soundly, unaware that death passed by.

He licked his lips, remembering the warm intoxication of the woman’s blood, the sweetness of her kisses, the feel of her slender body pressed intimately against his arousal the night they went dancing. He had never felt guilty for stealing a drink or two from the other women he’d preyed on. Perhaps it was because he didn’t think of Leia as prey. Perhaps that was why stealing her blood made him feel like a thief in the night.

“Leia,” he whispered her name to the midnight wind, relishing the thought of seeing her again.

Filled with anticipation, he returned to his car and drove to his lair.

Tomorrow night, he thought. He would see her tomorrow night, and if he had his way, for many nights to come.

Desire rose hot and swift within him at the thought of holding her again. Tasting her again. Feeling the warmth of her blood chase away the cold that was ever a part of him.

Tomorrow.

Chapter Five

Leia slept until almost eleven a.m. Saturday morning, something she never did. For a moment, she lay there staring up at the ceiling. She remembered going to the movies with Rohan but her memories of the rest of the night were hazy. She recalled feeling a little light-headed when they left the theater. He had suggested they go out for a drink and then he had taken her home, though she had no recollection of the drive …

She pressed a hand to her brow. Maybe she was coming down with the flu, but she didn’t feel sick. Just terribly thirsty.

Throwing back the covers, she shuffled into the kitchen for a glass of orange juice, followed by a cup of coffee. She scrambled some eggs for breakfast and by the time she finished eating, she felt like her old self. Maybe it had just been a twenty-four hour bug.

After breakfast, she busied herself with her usual Saturday tasks—changing the sheets on her bed, doing the laundry, dusting and mopping and all the other fun stuff she tried to do on a weekly basis.

She thought about Rohan while dusting the furniture. True, he was tall, dark and handsome, but there was something a little off about him, though she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. As much as she enjoyed being in the company of such a gorgeous guy, she wasn’t sure she wanted to see him again.

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