Page 95 of Twilight Longings

Dammit.He tugged against the cuff that bound him to the cot to no avail.

Eleni swaggered toward Kadie, a malicious gleam in her eyes. “Who shall we save?” she asked, her voice sugary sweet.“The vampire or the lady? Or neither? Such a hard decision.” She stared at Kadie, a look of disdain in her eyes. “I can’t believe he chose you over me. Perhaps, when you’re gone, he’ll see his folly.”

Saintcrow struggled against his bonds as Eleni drew on her power. He felt it build, cursed his helplessness as he felt Eleni gather the full measure of her ancient power. It crawled over his skin, evil, malevolent.

“No! Eleni! No!” He screamed the words, but it was too late.

Kadie sent a frantic glance in his direction, eyes wide with terror, her face deathly pale as Eleni unleashed her power.

Only it didn’t strike Kadie.

With a cry of disbelief, Eleni was driven to her knees as Izabela unleashed a spell of her own. It didn’t destroy Eleni but rendered her momentarily helpless.

Gathering his own power, the same power that allowed him to conjure fire, Saintcrow hurled it at Eleni. For a brief moment, her agonized scream echoed in the night.

And then, in a blaze of blue fire, she was gone.

Kadie sank down on the ground, her whole body trembling with shock and horror, as Izabela removed the shackles from Saintcrow’s wrist.

He quickly knelt beside Kadie and wrapped her in his embrace. “Are you all right? Kadie?”

She nodded, too shaken to speak.

Saintcrow looked up at the witch. “I’m in your debt.”

“Indeed.”

“Whatever you want, if it exists anywhere in the world, it’s yours.”

“I’ll have to give your offer some serious thought,” she said, with a faint grin. “Let me think on it for a while. In the meantime, why don’t you take your lady home?”

Still holding Kadie, he stood. His gaze met Izabela’s, thinking there were no words to tell her how grateful he was for what she’d done.

“No need, vampire,” the witch said.

With a nod, Saintcrow transported the two of them to his lair in Morgan Creek.

Kadie huddled against him on the sofa, unable to stop shaking. She had almost lost Saintcrow. Why she had ever thought she wanted him to be human was beyond her. She must have been temporarily out of her mind. She adored him as he was. Handsome. Strong. Indomitable. Thank goodness she had realized it in time.

She had almost died herself. Without Izabela’s interference and Rylan’s intervention, she could have been killed and even Rylan wouldn’t have been able to save her. It was a terrifying thought, almost as terrifying as the thought that Eleni could have destroyed Rylan, as well.

“I’ve got you,” Saintcrow murmured, his hand lightly massaging her back. “You’re safe now, sweetheart.”

“I was so … so afraid … Eleni … she might have … killed you.”

“It’s over. Don’t think about. She’ll never hurt anyone again.”

Kadie snuggled against him, her head resting on his shoulder. He was so big, so strong, his arms so comforting. She sighed when she felt his lips move in her hair.

Saintcrow relaxed when he felt her trembling cease. A moment later, she was asleep.

Kadie. She was the light to his darkness, the hope that chased away his moments of despair. He would have welcomed death if Eleni had taken her life.

He rested his head on the back of the sofa and closed his eyes, content to hold his woman while she slept. Doubting if anyone would hear him, he nevertheless sent a heartfelt prayer of gratitude to Heaven.

Kincaid came calling later that night, after Saintcrow had put Kadie to bed. He grinned when Saintcrow opened the door.

“I’ve been expecting you,” Saintcrow said, stepping out on the porch. “And yes, I’m still me. That’s what you’ve come to find out, isn’t it?”

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