Page 26 of Twilight Longings

Since that night, life had been good. For all intents and purposes, Bingham was no longer in control of his body or his thoughts. It was, Luca thought, like being reborn. His newhost was strong and healthy and would be a suitable host for years to come, or until he tired of it.

Because he hadn’t been happy with Bingham’s small apartment, Luca had moved him to a larger one and hypnotized the manager into believing the rent had been paid a year in advance. Bingham drove a Lexus. It wasn’t new, but it was in great condition. He also had a girl. She was nothing like Katya, but she was young and pliable and willing to do anything he asked. Anything at all.

But the thing that pleased Luca the most was the return of his preternatural powers. His magic grew a little stronger every day but was occasionally unreliable. When his mystical powers were again unfailing and fully restored, he would locate Saintcrow and Kincaid and make them pay for killing his Katya, and locking him in that damn black box.

Chapter Eighteen

Saintcrow loosed a string of epithets when Eleni appeared in his living room at sundown the following night. There was no denying that she was a beautiful woman, her skin pale and flawless, her hair a rich auburn, her eyes the color of spring grass, her figure perfectly outlined in a long, red dress that left nothing to the imagination.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“Most people knock,” he said irritably. He didn’t have time to play games with his sire. Every moment spent with Eleni was a moment he might have spent holding Kadie or looking for Sasan.

“I’m not most people.”

“That’s for damn sure,” he muttered. “So, what do you want to do?”

“First, I’d like to go dancing.”

“And after that?”

“Let’s play it by ear, shall we?”

A muscle twitched in Saintcrow’s jaw as she laid a possessive hand on his arm. Moments later, they were standing inside a lavish nightclub in the heart of New York City. The interior lighting was subdued. The walls were off-white, the booths fine leather, the tables covered with dusky-blue cloths the same shade as the seat coverings. There was a large dance floor in the back where several couples dippedand swayed. Glancing around, Saintcrow’s first thought was to bring Kadie here when she was herself again.

Eleni glared at him as they were seated. “You are not to think ofherwhen you are with me.”

It pricked her pride, Saintcrow mused. She wasn’t used to being ignored and she didn’t like it. “Yes, master,” he said, his voice thick with sarcasm.

Eleni ordered a bottle of the most expensive wine the house had to offer. “Only the best for us tonight,” she murmured, letting her gaze move possessively over him. “I want to dance.”

Biting back a sharp retort, Saintcrow rose and reached for her hand. “I don’t know what you expect to get out of this,” he said, as he took her in his arms.

“Whatever I want,” she replied. “Don’t you love this song?”

“Not really.”

“You just won’t play the game, will you?”

“I’m more worried about keeping Kadie alive than making you happy.”

“Keeping me happy pays wonderful dividends,” she said, her voice tight. “For one thing, it’s keeping your woman alive.”

There was no mistaking her meaning, no doubt that she was fully capable of carrying out her threat.

They danced until the club closed for the night. Saintcrow had hoped that would be the end of the evening, but she insisted they go hunting. On the west coast.

“There’s no place like California,” she remarked as they strolled down Hollywood Boulevard. “Day or night, prey is everywhere. And such a variety. Anything you want. Chinese, African, Italian, French. Male or female or in-between, old or young. The choice goes on and on.”

Saintcrow huffed a sigh when she set her sights on a young couple walking toward them.

How about Japanese?” Eleni murmured as, with a wave of her hand, she mesmerized her chosen meal for the evening and led them into the shadows between a movie theater and a sushi bar.

Feeding took only a few minutes.

He was relieved when Eleni sent the couple on their way, still breathing.

Linking her arm with his, she said, “Let’s go home,” and willed the two of them to her place. She kicked off her heels, ran her fingers through her hair, and then draped her arms around his neck.

---