Page 53 of Bite at First Sight

“I confess that the thought of making love to you is tempting beyond reason. However…”

“However what?” she said aloud. “What is wrong with me?”

* * *

Rafe ground his teeth in irritation as he walked through the freezing late-October rain. The rogues had been here. He could smell the unwelcome reek their presence had left behind. Unfortunately, they were long gone.

He lit a cigar, cupping his hands over the match flame for a semblance of warmth. The plume of smoke he exhaled looked the same as his breath. He didn’t want to be out here in the rain and frigid cold, chasing vampires who had no business in his territory. He wanted to be back in his bedchamber with a warm fire blazing…and Cassandra in his arms.

At least the search was nearly finished. Anthony, Carlisle, Elizabeth, and even Clayton had joined the hunt, their altercation temporarily forgotten. Hopefully one of them would turn up something, though Rafe doubted they’d have any luck this night.

Clayton materialized from the shadows of an adjacent alley. “I found them, but they escaped me, my lord. They fled like cowards into Rochester’s territory.”

“Hijo de mil putas.” Rafe tossed the remains of his cigar into an ice-rimmed puddle. “You were wise not to pursue them there. Rochester can be ruthless with uninvited vampires, and God knows we have enough troubles as it is.” He thrust his healing hand into his pocket and clenched the leather ball Cassandra had given him. The exercise helped him focus. “Perhaps it is fortunate that you chased them there. He may very well catch the wretches and deal with them for us.”

“Unless”—Clayton stroked his chin thoughtfully—“the rogues are his people.”

Rafe shook his head. “No. The Lord of Rochester keeps a tight rein on his subjects. He wouldn’t allow them to leave his jurisdiction to make mischief on mine.” But maybe he would be willing to help. “I will send him a message.”

“I’ll do it, my lord,” Clayton said quickly. “You have enough burdensome obligations on your hands, what with your prisoner and finding a new fourth-in-command. Besides, I remember your last encounter with Rochester. Perhaps he would be more receptive to communications from me.”

Rafe hid a frown at Clayton’s overly solicitous tone and resumed squeezing the ball in his pocket. What was the scheming bastardo up to now? However, he feigned agreement. “That may be. He and I are not exactly compadres. Go on with it then.”

Rafe fully intended to send a message of his own. He looked up and saw Anthony approaching and greeted him with a brisk wave.

Clayton glared at Rafe’s third-in-command before he bowed stiffly and stalked off.

Rafe ran a hand through his hair and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He didn’t trust his second-in-command’s overeager offer of help in the slightest. Yet for now it was enough to get rid of the perfidious wretch for the night. And soon, forever. A new fourth-in-command wasn’t the only position he’d be seeking to fill tomorrow night. Unfortunately, Clayton was unlikely to go quietly. He’d served as Ian’s second-in-command for nearly a century.

Rafe shrugged. Perhaps Rochester or another Lord would be willing to take him.

“I don’t like it, my lord,” Anthony muttered once Clayton was out of earshot. “Not a bit.”

“Do you mean Clayton?”

Anthony chuckled. “Well, yes. I’ve never liked the sanctimonious prig. This time I’m referring to the whole situation. The rogues, Lenore’s disappearance, and Clayton’s worse-than-usual nettlesome behavior. I tell you, that blasted cur may be behind it all. I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“I don’t argue that he is up to something, yet I cannot see a motive for him to abduct one of our people and allow rogues into the city.” Rafe shook his head as they walked back to Burnrath House. “Either way, I intend to have someone keep an eye on him.”

His third nodded. “That sounds like a capital plan, my lord. Who is up to such an odious task?”

He spread his hands in exasperation. “That’s the bitter rub. I don’t know. Clayton isn’t the only one who has been behaving oddly of late.”

“Lord knows that’s the truth,” Anthony replied emphatically. After a moment, he added quietly, “Yourself not excluded.”

Rafe paused and narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying I’ve become odd as well?”

“There’s no need to be wary.” Anthony smiled. “It’s only that I cannot help noticing that your charming physician has brought forth a side of you that I’ve never seen.”

“Quit speaking in riddles, Anthony,” Rafe growled impatiently. “What are you talking about? I hope you don’t mean to say that I’ve gone soft.”

“Of course not, my lord.” Anthony laughed again and held up his hands in mock surrender. “Well, you had been far less cantankerous, though perhaps I spoke too soon.” He sobered. “You really care for her, don’t you?”

Rafe nodded stiffly. “To my everlasting regret and vexation, I do. I don’t know what I am going to do with her.”

“You have less than a fortnight left to decide her fate.”

Rafe sighed in defeat. “Yes, and I wrote letters to every vampire over a century old that I can call friend, asking them to Change her. Thus far, I have not received a reply.”

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