Page 3 of Twilight Longings

“It’s the only answer that makes any sense.”

“It might, if we hadn’t destroyed him,” Jake said. “He’s been as good as dead for years.”

“Just get here. I’ll explain later.”

It took only minutes to transport themselves to theNevado del Ruizvolcano located in Colombia. “All right,” Kincaid said, glancing around. “What are we doing here?”

“I know of only one person who would try to conjure a spell that would affect only vampires,” Saintcrow remarked.

Kincaid stared at him. “There’s no way in hell Luca could be behind this. His spirit is trapped in a box. He’s helpless, as good as dead..”

“Is he?” Saintcrow gestured at the foot of the volcano. The ground had been disturbed, but not by human hands. An earthquake, a minor eruption, something major had disturbed the earth around the base of the volcano. A small black box, neatly broken in half, peeked out from beneath a small pile of scorched earth and ash. The same black box that had once contained the spirit of the infamous necromancer, Luca Sasan.

“Well, hell. Where do you think he’s gone?” Kincaid asked, running his fingertips over the thick gold band he wore on his left wrist. He’d had the talisman made by a black witch years ago to prevent Luca’s magic from detecting his whereabouts.

Saintcrow shook his head. “The more important question is, whose body is he inhabiting now and how the devil do we find it?”

“Damn, damn, damn,” Kincaid muttered. “I thought we were done with this guy. How many times do we have to hunt him down?”

“At least once more.” Saintcrow stared at the black box, then picked up the pieces. He grimaced as a faint trace of dark magic skittered across his skin.

“I think we need to go see Izabela,” Kincaid remarked, sounding none too happy about it.

“One of us does, that’s for sure. Here, take this with you,” Saintcrow said, handing Jake the pieces of the soul-catcher. “After all, she’s your witch. If she has any ideas, let me know and I’ll be there.”

“She’s notmywitch,” Kincaid muttered, but Saintcrow was already gone.

Chapter Two

Eleni smiled as she relaxed in the spa outside of her lair. It pleased her to know that Saintcrow had been thinking about her. It had been centuries since she turned him, centuries since she had given him more than a passing thought. So, he had survived. As pleased as she was that he’d thought of her, it nevertheless annoyed her that it had taken him so long. But then, for their kind, time passed differently than for mere mortals. She had preyed on countless humans through the centuries, turned scores of them into vampires in the course of her long existence. Some had been destroyed by hunters. Some had been destroyed by her own hand. Some tired of being vampires and destroyed themselves. There were those she hadn’t thought of in centuries. And some she had likely forgotten.

But she had never forgotten Rylan Saintcrow. Even after all this time, she remembered him clearly—a tall man, broad-shouldered and lean-hipped, with an air of self-confidence and authority that had been almost tangible. Long black hair framed his face, his eyes were like deep pools of ebony. A thin white scar ran from the outer corner of his left eye, down his cheek to his neck, and disappeared under his shirt collar. It added an air of danger to a decidedly handsome face. He had oozed testosterone. The thought made her smile.

When she’d found him, he had been a knight, wounded in battle during one of the Crusades. He had been shaking hands with death when she had come across him on the battlefield. She had cradled his head in her lap, given him a drink of water. She recalled singing to him as his life ebbed and then, suddenly unwilling to let such a brave and handsome warrior die, she had asked him if he wanted to live. He had been too close to death to answer, so she had made the decision for him.

The lust for life burns strong and bright within you,she had murmured.It would be a shame to let that flame be snuffed out so soon.And so saying, she had drained him to the point of death and then given him some of her ancient blood.

She had intended to take him away with her, but hunger had driven her across the field to where another man lay dying. She had drained him dry but he had lost so much blood from his injuries, what little remained hadn’t eased her hunger. She had fed from several more of the dying before she was satisfied.

By the time she had taken her fill, it was near dawn and scavengers—men, women, and children who had been hiding in the forest—came out to loot the bodies of the dead and dying.

She’d had just enough time to drag Saintcrow off the battlefield and into the shelter of a shallow cave before returning to her lair.

When she returned the following night, he was gone. She had considered going after him, but she had been madly in love with a lusty young man at the time. A few days later, she had turned Renaldo and in the happiness of the ensuing days, she had forgotten all about Saintcrow.

She’d had many lovers since Renaldo, turned some of them, left others when she grew weary of their company, asshe had grown weary of Renaldo. She smiled inwardly as she licked the neck of her latest consort. Perhaps, one of these nights when she was bored, she would look in on Saintcrow and see how he was doing. Her only regret in all her long life was that she had never taken that lusty young stallion to her bed. Perhaps, when she tired of her latest lover, she would visit Saintcrow.

She laughed softly, thinking how surprised he would be when that day finally came.

Chapter Three

Kincaid paused outside the witch’s house. The place hadn’t changed much since he had been there last—a small, two-story house located in an older section of New Orleans. A six-foot wrought-iron fence surrounded the property, a thick padlock and chain secured the gate. A familiar Doberman prowled the grounds. Thor might have been a great watch dog against mortals, but he had no taste for vampires. The first time Kincaid had been here, he’d shown the dog his fangs and the Dobie had headed for the backyard. He did the same thing whenever Kincaid showed up.

Kincaid easily vaulted the fence and rang the bell.

Movement at the narrow window beside the door caught his eye and he saw Izabela staring at him through the glass. A moment later, she opened the door.

She greeted him with her usual question. “Do you mean me any harm?”

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