Page 71 of Kiss of Light

“He’s looking for your boyfriend.”

Alarm flickered in Tala’s eyes.

“He’s tracking Lemar?”

“And bringing him here so I can take his head and fulfil the contract.” Blake smiled like the cat that got the cream. “I win, Blondie.”

“Blake, listen to me. Ravij is playing you. He wants to possess Lemar to make him tear my throat out. He doesn’t care any more about the contract.”

“What are you talking about?” His easy smile didn’t falter but his gaze sharpened.

“The contract was designed to turn the Vetali against my boss, Lord Shadeed. But Ravij has found a quicker way. If Lemar kills me, Shadeed will never form an alliance with them. I told you before, it’s all about politics.”

“And I toldyoubefore, I don’t care.”

Tala looked at him in disbelief.

“You don’t care if I get my head torn off? Because that’s what’s going to happen. It’s one of the few ways to kill a shaitun and you’ve just made it a whole lot easier by hobbling me. You’re okay with that?”

Blake’s jaw tightened but he didn’t answer. They both swung their heads towards the path as a shape emerged from the shadows.

“Lemar!” Relief washed over Tala. “Thank the gods you’re okay. Watch out for Blake, he’s got…” her voice trailed off.

Lemar’s eyes were black from lid to lid. He gave a slow predatory smile, and his fangs unsheathed.

He was lost. Adrift in the black. It was as if the past hundred years had never happened.

Ravij had entered his mind like a grotesque parasite, exposing his greatest desires, his deepest cravings.

The possession laid bare the thin veneer of control Lemar exerted against his violent urges. The illusion of civility he presented to the outside world.

The demon had stripped away the façade and revealed what he really was. A monster. A bloodsucker. A killer.

And when he was at his weakest, Ravij had shown him what he was going to do. What he was going wreak on Tala. And he couldn’t face it.

He was a coward, he knew it. But his mind was awash with the memory of that violent frenzy all those decades ago. The bloodlust that had taken hold of him. The way he had drank the English girl. The way he had ripped out her throat and sucked on her shredded flesh.

And the most shameful secret of all.The way he had enjoyed it.

He couldn’t witness that happening to Tala. Wouldn’t. So he didn’t stay to fight. He withdrew, retreating into darkness.

Ravij extended his control, revelling in the vampire’s body just as he had all those years ago.

It had taken considerable will to take control. He hadn’t expected to succeed a second time. But he’d found a chink. A window. The vampire was riddled with self-loathing for his past sins and that had provided a way in.

He let his essence spread through the host and smiled.

Twenty Nine

Ravij-Lemar nodded at the mercenary.

“Easy, Mister Blake. No need for your exceptional marksmanship skills just yet. I am in full control of the Vetali.” The tip of his tongue came out to test the sharp point of a canine. “I’d forgotten what a thrill it was to inhabit such a gloriously dark creature.”

“Lemar, can you hear me?” Tala’s heart was thumping in fear. He laughed.

“He is somewhere in here, no doubt. But his will is no match for mine. He barely put up a fight.”

“You forced him?”

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