“Well, maybe a little,” Tessa said. “But in a good way.”
“His family is really nice.”
“And they’re all shifters?”
Bailey nodded.
“I bought you a dress to wear today,” Tessa said. “I hope you don’t mind, but you’ve been gone so much lately and there was no time to take you with me.” She made a vague gesture with her hand. “I think you’ll like it.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I could have just worn the one I wore to Jilly’s wedding.”
“No way. New wedding. New dress. It’s hanging on the door in my bedroom if you want to try it on while I fix breakfast.”
“Thank you!” Eyes alight, Bailey gave Tessa a hug and hurried out of the room.
“I want to see it on you!” Tessa called after her, then forgot all about Bailey and breakfast when her phone rang. “Andrei!”
“Good morning, bride.”
“Good morning, groom.”
“How did you sleep?”
“Not very well, I’m afraid. I was too excited. You?”
“I slept like the dead,” he replied dryly.
“I don’t think that’s very funny.”
He laughed softly. “I dreamed of you.” His voice, low and intimate, caressed her. “I dreamed of us.”
His words sent a rush of heat spiraling through her, reminding her of the sensual images that had surfaced in her own dreams. Had he put them in her mind?
“Tonight will be better than any dream,” he promised.
And she had her answer. “How do you do that?” she asked. “How can you influence my dreams?”
“I’m a vampire,” he reminded her, a hint of laughter in his voice. “You’ll be surprised at what I can do.”
“Really? More surprising than learning vampires are real and that there are shape-shifters and werewolves and all manner of supernatural creatures lurking in the shadows?”
“I was thinking of things of a more intimate nature. Vampire males aren’t like other men, you know. We never tire, and we are very inventive in the bedroom.”
His words sent a thrill down her spine, and then she went suddenly still, remembering that she had never asked Andrei if vampires made love the way humans did.
Ask him now.
The words whispered through the back of her mind, but she couldn’t bring herself to say them aloud. Of course, it wasn’t necessary. He always knew what she was thinking. And his amused laughter proved it.
Walls, she thought, feeling herself blush. You have to remember to build those darn walls!
“Put your fears to rest, dragostea mea. I am as other men in all the ways that count.”
She didn’t know what to say, only knew she was glad he couldn’t see her burning cheeks through the phone.
* * *
They were to meet at four o’clock at City Hall. Andrei had suggested a daytime ceremony. Tessa hadn’t needed to ask why. Fledglings turned to dust in the sunlight. As for Katerina . . . Hopefully, she had left town. If not, well, there was nothing to be done about her. She was like an earthquake. You couldn’t predict it, never knew when it was coming, but when it did, it left chaos and destruction in its wake.
Tessa felt a surge of motherly love when she saw Bailey. The girl looked lovely in an ice-green tea-length dress and white heels. She wore her hair pulled back and tied with a matching ribbon. It was hard to believe that a black panther lurked under that innocent exterior.
Tessa wore a coat over her dress and carried a small overnight bag. She and Andrei were spending the night in a hotel in the next town; Bailey was going to stay with Tristan and his family.
At ten minutes to four, Luke and Jilly came to pick them up.
“This is it,” Jilly said as Tessa slid into the backseat. “No second thoughts?”
Tessa shook her head. “Not one. It just feels right.”
“Well, let’s get this show on the road,” Luke said, taking the suitcase from her hand. “The groom awaits.”
* * *
Tessa’s eyes widened in surprise when she stepped into the room where she was to be married. Ordinarily it was rather plain. White walls. A black-and-white tile floor. A table. Today, there were flowers everywhere. They lined the walls, adorned the table and the window ledge. A dark blue runner led from the door to the table where Andrei stood, waiting for her.
He came forward when he saw her, his hands taking hers as he kissed her cheek.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come,” he admitted.
“Silly.” She squeezed his hands. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re lovely.”
A side door opened and the justice of the peace stepped into the room. “Shall we begin?”
Andrei and Tessa took their places in front of the magistrate. Jilly stood beside Tessa, Luke beside Andrei. Bailey and Tristan stood to one side, holding hands.
“We are gathered here today to join Andrei Dinescu and Tessa Blackburn in the bonds of holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, not to be entered into lightly. If there is anyone, here present, who objects to this union, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace.”
“I object!”
Tessa didn’t have to turn around to know Katerina stood in the doorway. Andrei’s hand tightened on hers. Other than that, he didn’t move.
“On what grounds do you base your objection?” the magistrate asked.
“On the grounds that he already has a wife, and that she stands here before you.”
The justice of the peace looked at Andrei. “Is this true? Is this woman your wife?”
Andrei took a deep breath, his mind racing. If he refuted her, there was no telling what she might do. He heard Tristan shift from one foot to the other, heard a low growl rumble in Bailey’s throat. Do nothing, he warned her.
“Mr. Dinescu?”
“Yes,” he said. “She is my wife.”
“Then there will be no marriage today,” the magistrate declared.
Andrei nodded, his hand clenching around Tessa’s. He wanted nothing more than to confront Katerina, to rip her heart from her chest, but she would not die easily. And there was no telling what mayhem she might cause before he destroyed her, if, indeed, he could.
He turned, very slowly, to face her.
Katerina glared at him, her eyes glittering, her expression one of smug satisfaction. And then, in a lightning-fast move, she was across the room.
Certain the vampire was coming for her, Tessa stumbled backward, let out a horrified cry as Katerina’s claws tore into the magistrate’s chest and ripped out his still-beating heart, then threw it across the room. Drops of blood sprayed through the air like crimson rain, staining her dress, splashing across her cheek.
“He will never be yours!” Katerina screamed before vanishing from their sight. The echo of her maniacal laughter trailed behind her like smoke from a funeral pyre.
Jilly buried her face in Luke’s shoulder.
“Dammit!” Luke exclaimed, staring at the body. “How are we going to talk our way out of this?”
“We aren’t,” Andrei said curtly. Concentrating, he gathered his power, wrapped it around each one of them, and transported them all to his house on the hill.
* * *
As soon as they reached Andrei’s place, Tessa ran into the bathroom to wash the blood from her face. With hands that shook, she peeled off her dress and tossed it into the bathtub. She never wanted to see it again, wondered if she would ever forget the awful sight of the magistrate’s face as Katerina brutally ripped the man’s beating heart from his chest.
“Tessa?”
“I can’t do this anymore,” she said dully. “Enough is enough. Why did she kill that poor man? Why not me? He was no threat to her.”
“Tess.” He closed the door, then stood there, regarding her face in the mirror. She was pale, eyes red, shoulders slumped.
She shook her head. “I don’t want to be the cause of an
yone else’s death. I’m tired of feeling helpless. Tired of always looking over my shoulder, always being afraid. I want you to turn me.” She took a deep breath. “Now. Tonight.”
“Tessa.” Andrei stared at her, unable to believe what he was hearing.
“It’s what you wanted, isn’t it? Now it’s what I want, too.”
“Maybe you should think it over for a day or two,” he suggested.
Tessa shook her head. “I’ve made up my mind. Don’t try to talk me out of it.”
“I just want you to be sure.” He wanted to go to her, to take her in his arms and assure her everything would be all right. But something told him it would be a waste of time. She had, indeed, made up her mind. He only hoped she wouldn’t hate him when it was done. “I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
“I don’t know what else to do. Katerina’s never going to give up. She killed a complete stranger today. The next time it might be Jilly. Or my parents.” Her tormented gaze met his in the mirror. “I want her dead, Andrei. That’s the only way this will ever be over.”
He nodded. Hadn’t he had the very same thought not long ago?
Closing the distance between them, he took her in his arms. “Between us, we’ll settle this once and for all.”
* * *
Luke, Jileen, Bailey, and Tristan were huddled together in front of the fireplace when Andrei entered the room.
“Where’s Tessa?” Bailey asked anxiously. “Is she all right?”
“She’s made a decision,” he said quietly. “It wasn’t easy.”
Jilly’s eyes widened. And then she shook her head. “No. She didn’t! Tell me she didn’t?”
“Not yet,” Andrei said. “She’s waiting for me downstairs.” He had taken her to his lair before returning to the living room.
“I want to see her,” Jilly said. “Maybe I can . . .”
“You can’t talk her out of it. She’s made up her mind. You’re all welcome to stay the night here. It’s the one place I know you’ll be safe.”
“Was this really her idea?” Jilly asked.
Andrei nodded. “I suggested she wait and think it over for a day or two, but she’s determined.”
“Have you ever done this before?” Luke asked.
“No.”
“What if you make a mistake?” Jilly exclaimed. “She could die! Luke, stop him!”
Luke put his arm around Jileen. “I don’t like this any better than you do, honey. But it’s her decision.”
Jilly glared at Andrei, then buried her face in her husband’s shoulder, her body shaking from the force of her sobs.
Bailey sank down on the sofa, hands clasped in her lap. “As I understand it, you’re going to drink Tessa’s blood, right? And then she’ll drink from you?”
“That’s how it’s done.”
“Aren’t you taking a terrible risk?” Luke asked. “Her blood destroys fledglings. I know you’ve tasted her before with no ill effects, but how do you know that taking it all won’t destroy you?”
“I don’t.”
“So it’s dangerous for both of you,” Luke said. “And if her blood destroys you . . . what then? There won’t be anyone to bring her across.”
“If her blood proves fatal, it will destroy me before her life is at risk.”
“Are you certain of that?” Jilly asked. “We’re talking about Tessa’s life.”
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t attempt it.” His gaze swept over them. “The house is warded. No one can enter. If you decide to leave, I would advise you to all stick together.”
“Safety in numbers and all that,” Luke muttered.
Andrei nodded curtly. “I’ll let you know when it’s done.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Tessa paced the floor of Andrei’s lair. She tried to relax, to convince herself she was safe, but to no avail. She couldn’t forget the horror of what Katerina had done. Couldn’t forget how scared she herself had been, how helpless she had felt. She never wanted to feel that way again.
Leaving town wouldn’t solve anything. Either Katerina or other vampires would search her out wherever she went.
Andrei had been right. Becoming a vampire was the only answer. It was the only way to gain the strength to protect herself. And if her blood changed after merging with his, so much the better. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life being afraid, or depending on Andrei to protect her. And she didn’t want her blood to be responsible for killing anyone else.
As for Katerina . . . Tessa sighed. If Andrei couldn’t destroy her, what hope did she—as a mere mortal—have?
Tessa sank down on the edge of the bed. She would be helpless during the day, she thought. But once she was turned, she would stay here, with Andrei, in his lair. She would be safe here in the daylight hours. And Andrei had promised that together, they could destroy Katerina.
She jumped when he suddenly appeared in the room.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Nodding, she wrapped her arms around her waist. Tension hummed through her, making her tremble from head to foot.
“Tess?”
“Just do it.”
“You’re still sure?”
“Yes.”
He sat on the bed beside her, his arm slipping around her waist, drawing her close. “Do you trust me?”
“Y . . . yes.”
“Just relax. Clear your mind of your fears. Don’t think about what’s to come.” He stroked her back lightly, up and down. Up and down. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
She wanted to say she wasn’t afraid, but the words wouldn’t come.
“Relax. I’m just going to hold you, kiss you.”
His gaze captured hers as he lowered his head.
Tessa’s eyelids fluttered down when he kissed her, ever so gently at first, as if he was afraid she might break. His tongue swept over her lower lip, dipping inside to tease and tempt her until she forgot everything else. There was nothing to be afraid of when she was in his arms. Nothing at all.
Still holding her close, he spoke to her mind, telling her that he loved her, would always love her, promising that all would be well.
She offered no resistance when he lowered her onto the bed, then stretched out beside her. His tongue stroked the soft skin beneath her ear so that, when his bite came, there was no pain, only indescribable pleasure.
Andrei drank slowly, his senses turned inward, but he detected no ill effects from taking her blood, only an increase of strength and power.
Her heartbeat slowed. Her body grew limp in his arms. The color drained from her cheeks.
He knew instinctively when he had taken enough. Sitting up, he bit into his left wrist.
“Drink, love,” he whispered as his blood dripped onto her lips. “Drink and be mine forever.”
He held his breath as a few crimson drops slid into her mouth, blinked back tears of relief when she swallowed, then grasped his arm and pulled it closer.
With a sense of wonder, he watched his blood transform her, felt his preternatural power flow into her, reviving her.
Withdrawing his arm, he sealed the wound with a stroke of his tongue. Rising, he drew the covers over her, then leaned down to brush a kiss across her brow.
“Rest now,” he murmured. “You will have new worlds to conquer when you wake tomorrow night.”
Remembering that he had promised to let Luke and the others know when it was done, Andrei returned to the living room. He found Jileen and Luke on the sofa, staring into the fireplace. Bailey reclined on the love seat, her eyes closed, though she was still awake.
They all looked up when he entered the room, their faces betraying a range of emotion—fear and dread from Jilly, curiosity from Luke, an expression of acceptance from Bailey. He touched her mind with his and realized she already knew what had happened and that Tessa was all right.
“How is she?” Jileen asked anxiously. “Is she . . . ?”
“She’s r
esting. Everyone’s fine.”
“Fine! How can it be fine? You turned my best friend into a blood-sucking vampire!”
“There are worse things,” Andrei replied.
Jilly uttered a very unladylike snort.
“I’ll bring her to you when she wakes tomorrow night so you can see for yourself. Until then, I bid you good evening.”
Smiling inwardly, he decided to give them a little display of vampire magic. Dissolving into mist, he vanished from their sight.
Jilly’s gasp of surprise was reward enough.
Chapter Forty
She woke to darkness, but it was a darkness unlike any she had ever experienced. There was no light in the room, yet she saw everything clearly, each object crisply defined. She had fallen asleep in her clothes. They were familiar yet different. She felt each individual thread against her skin. A glance at the ceiling revealed every tiny fault, every tiny crack.
An ant crawled across the ceiling. Incredibly, she could hear its movement as it made its way toward the corner.
She licked her lips, suddenly overcome with a ravenous thirst. Never before had she felt such thirst, or such pain. Something was wrong. Throwing back the covers, she moved toward the door. Andrei. She needed him.
She was reaching for the latch when the door opened and he stood in the opening. Silhouetted in the light from behind him, he looked tall and dark and dangerous.
When he opened his arms, she went into them gladly. He was here. There was nothing to be afraid of.
His hand stroked her hair. “How do you feel?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never felt this way before. What’s wrong with me? I’m so thirsty!”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
She looked up at him and it was like seeing him for the first time. He looked the same and yet different. It was as if she had been looking at him through a veil before and it had suddenly dropped away, revealing the true beauty of the man.
She was trying to comprehend the change when she became aware of a sound she had never heard before—a slow, steady beat that sang in her ears like music.
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