Page 72 of Twilight Longings

A plume of thick purple smoke rose from the fire, followed by the most unearthly cry Saintcrow had ever heard. It reverberated off the ancient walls, the echo slowly dying away. A moment later, the smoke dissipated and the room fell eerily silent.

“Is he dead this time?”

Saintcrow grinned at the sound of Kincaid’s voice. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Jake sitting up in the casket.

“Somebody get these damn chains off of me,” Jake said. “I don’t know what Luca put on the damn things, but they burn like hell.”

Izabela chanted a few words and the chains fell away. Smiling at Saintcrow and Kincaid, she said, “No charge.”

Chapter Forty-One

Sitting on the sofa in the living room at Saintcrow’s house later that night, Rosa clung to Jake’s arm as he related his ordeal with Luca to the family.

“How did he render an ancient vampire like you helpless?” Micah asked.

“How did he even find you when you were wearing Izabela’s talisman?” Sofia asked.

Jake shook his head. “I don’t know what enchantment he used, but he managed to find me and render Izabela’s talisman useless. Then he hit me with some other spell that knocked me out. I don’t really remember anything after that except the pain. I’ve lived a long time but I’ve never felt anything like that in my whole life. It was hell.” He glanced at his wrists, which were still raw and red from the silver. “All I can say is, I’m glad he’s really dead this time.”

“I think we all are,” Kadie remarked, squeezing Saintcrow’s hand.

“Maybe life can return to normal now,” Holly remarked.

There were murmurs of agreement all around as Ethan and the others took their leave and returned to their own homes.

When they were alone, Saintcrow leaned forward and brushed his lips across Kadie’s cheek. “I need to go out,” he said. “I won’t be long.”

Kadie nodded, her eyes widening when he vanished from the room. She should have been used to him disappearing like that, she thought. She had lived with it for years. Done it herself numerous times. She knew Rylan was waiting for her to decide whether she wanted to stay human for a few months or permanently. She had to admit, she was torn. Being a vampire hadn’t been bad, but only because Saintcrow had made it easy for her. She had grown used to drinking blood, living only at night when she was first turned. To her surprise, she hadn’t missed eating and drinking mortal food as much as she’d expected, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to give it up again. Bread and pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and soda, ice cream and cookies, the scent of fresh hot coffee on a cold winter morning, sitting out in the sun. She knew Rylan would love her no matter what she decided, but she couldn’t help feeling that he would be terribly disappointed, perhaps hurt, if she chose to remain human.

And then there was her desire for a child. He had said he would support her if that’s what she wanted. And she believed him, but she knew it wasn’t something he wanted. Would it be fair to Rylan to bring a baby into the house when he didn’t really want one? Would it be fair to the child? But what about her? Didn’t she have the right to have a baby if she wanted one?

Physically, she was still twenty-four—the age she had been when Saintcrow turned her. If she used a sperm donor, the baby would be half hers, she thought, with growing excitement. Being able to experience being pregnant would be amazing, much better than adopting. Maybe, if the baby was half hers, Saintcrow would find the child easier to love.

She felt a guilty flush heat her cheeks when Saintcrow materialized on the sofa beside her.

“Still thinking about babies?” he asked.

“Still reading my mind?”

He lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. “It’s a hard habit to break.”

“Tell me the truth,” Kadie said, her gaze meeting his. “Would you feel better about the baby if it was half mine? We could try artificial insemination instead of adoption.” She frowned as something that looked like fear passed behind Saintcrow’s eyes. “What’s wrong?” she asked, and then she knew. He had been married centuries ago. His wife had died in childbirth, and the baby with her. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I forgot about Eleanor.”

Saintcrow took both of her hands in his. “I never loved her as she deserved,” he said. “I’ve never loved anyone but you.”

“And you’re afraid I’ll die in childbirth because she did.”

He nodded.

“Things are different now. And I’m strong and healthy and …” Her words trailed off.

“I’m sorry,” he said, with a shrug. “I guess I’m being a little over-protective.” He knew the chances of Kadie dying in childbirth were slim, yet the very thought of her risking her life turned his blood to ice.

Kadie could no longer read his thoughts but the fear in his eyes spoke volumes. How could she put him through that? Nine months of worrying that something might go wrong.

Saintcrow blew out a deep breath. “Just remember, we need to wait until the Eleni issue is resolved.”

Kadie nodded. First Luca, now Eleni. She could be an old woman before he felt it was safe enough.

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