Page 49 of Shadows of Eternity

Trent debated whether to stop, then parked behind the Challenger and got out of the car.

Rohan grunted softly, wondering what the hunter wanted. The man wasn’t very bright, trailing a vampire down a dark street alone, late at night. Curious, he rolled down the window and watched the hunter’s approach.

“We need to talk,” Trent said, grateful that his voice didn’t quiver as a hint of the vampire’s power rolled over him.

“Yeah? Why?”

“Why not?” Trent countered.

“I’ve run across a lot of hunters,” Rohan replied. “I never saw the need to make conversation with any of them.”

“First time for everything,” Trent jerked his thumb at the passenger seat. “Mind if I sit down?”

“Be my guest,” he said, with a wry grin. “I haven’t eaten yet.”

Trent scowled at him, then went around the front of the car and opened the door. He settled into the passenger seat but left the door wide open.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” Rohan asked.

“Leia.”

Rohan lifted one brow. “What about her?”

“I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

“Who do you think you are? Her father?”

“No. But she’s a friend of ours. We’re worried about her.”

“She’s perfectly safe with me. Not that I give a damn what you think.”

“Why don’t you just move on and leave her alone?”

“Why don’t you mind your own business?”

Trent glared at him.

“Listen, hunter, I’m in love with Leia. I’m not going to hurt her, or turn her, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Love?” Trent scoffed. “What doyouknow about love?”

“As much as any other man,” Rohan retorted.

“But you’re not a man, are you?”

A muscle twitched in Rohan’s cheek. “You got any more to say?”

“If you hurt her, or anyone else in the city, I’ll destroy you.”

“Killed a lot of us, have you?” Rohan asked, a sneer in his voice.

Trent shrugged one shoulder. “A few.”

Tired of this conversation, Rohan unleashed more of his power, letting it fill the car. He knew a sense of satisfaction when Frumusanu flinched.

“Listen to me, hunter, and listen good. Stay out of my life. I’ve killed a few hunters in my time, and it won’t bother me in the least to kill one more. So get the hell out of my car, and mind your own damn business, or your wife might wake up one morning and find herself a widow. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal.” Not wanting the vampire to think he was afraid of him, Trent waited a minute before he stepped out of the Challenger. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed not to slam the door.

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