Page 10 of Twilight Longings

“Can you?”

“Sadly, no. Even my ancient blood has no effect. Odd that it’s only affecting those in Wyoming. I hear many of the very young vampires have died.”

“How young?” he asked anxiously.

“Less than two years since they were turned. Older ones remain in a coma-like state. Only those considered ancient have been spared. But perhaps it’s a good thing. Our numbers have been growing in the last decade or so. Some of the young ones are getting careless.”

Saintcrow stared at her in disbelief. “So, you’re saying this plague is agoodthing?”

“Not exactly.”

Saintcrow raked his fingers through his hair. If Eleni couldn’t help him, then everything depended on Izabela’s being able to locate Luca.Dammit!The necromancer no longer had a body of his own. He could be anywhere, inside man or beast, and they might never know it. Feeling Eleni watching him, he looked up. “What?”

“I had forgotten just how attractive you are,” she said, her voice suddenly husky. “The one thing I always regretted was that I never took you to my bed.”

“I’d as soon couple with a viper.” He regretted the remark instantly as her ancient power knifed through every fiber of his being, rendering him incapable of movement.

“I had no idea you were so rude,” she said, her voice cold. “Perhaps I’d better stay and teach you some manners.”

“Turn me loose, dammit.”

“Say please.”

“Go to hell.” Saintcrow cursed as the pain increased. He wasn’t used to taking orders from anyone. In Morgan Creek and elsewhere, he had always been the top dog, the oldest of his kind.

“We can just keep doing this,” Eleni remarked, smoothing a wrinkle from her skirt. “It’s up to you.”

Speaking through clenched teeth, Saintcrow hissed, “Do your worst.”

Muttering, “Stubborn idiot,” Eleni heightened the pain.

With a low groan, Saintcrow slipped from the bench onto his knees. Head still held high, he glowered at her, hating her in that moment as he had never hated anyone else.

With a shake of her head, Eleni released him. She had never known such a stubborn man. And yet, in spite of his tenacious pride, she had to admire him. “You would have let me kill you rather than beg, wouldn’t you?”

Nodding, Saintcrow gained his feet as the pain slowly receded. It rankled that he had no power over her. She had made him, damn her hide, and he was powerless against her. He swore under his breath when he felt her mind brush his.

“So, the woman you mentioned is your wife. And she’s the reason you’re searching for a cure.”

“One of them.”

“Most vampires never marry,” she mused. “I never have.”

He bit back the sharp retort that sprang to mind.

A knowing smile flitted across her face. “Careful, Saintcrow,” she warned. “I’ve only given you a taste of what I can do.”

And with that subtle warning, Eleni vanished from his sight.

She hadn’t been gone more than a moment when Kincaid strolled into view. “That was quite a show,” he remarked. “Are you all right?”

Saintcrow scowled at him. “You spying on me?”

“Of course not. I sure as hell wouldn’t cross her again if I was you.”

“If you weren’t spying on me, what were you doing?”

“I heard from Izabela.” Kincaid raised his hand. “Don’t get your hopes up. She called a few minutes ago to say she hasn’t had any luck so far.”

---