While they settled onto the couch, Ronan took center stage and paced in front of the television. “We know the ancient one isn’t dead, but we’ve given him something to think about. He knows he isn’t dealing with easy pickings.”
“But no one is safe,” Gilda said, a glass of wine halfway to her lips. “If he’s still alive, he’ll be back.”
Ronan nodded and stopped pacing. He crossed his arms. “True. That’s why we need answers. When I was in Morocco I found out one thing…”
When he paused, a dismayed expression on his mouth, Lachlan finished the thought. “That you have to fall in love with a woman to defeat the vampire.”
“What?” Tom said, his face a study in incredulousness.
Gilda and Tom hadn’t heard this part of the story.
Ronan hesitated, his eyes saying he thought the whole concept idiotic. Instead he launched into an explanation and ended with, “Yusuf told me I had to find a woman willing to pretend to have a relationship with me. Since I haven’t a clue whether he told the truth, I’ll have to do more research. There’s a seer in Ireland I must visit. I’ll fly out tomorrow night and find out what I can. In the meantime, everyone be careful. ”
“What about our jobs? We can’t afford not to work,” Gilda said, her tone a little icy. “Are we just supposed to sit around and wait for you to come back with a solution?”
To his credit, Ronan didn’t seem effected by her animosity. “No. You can do whatever you want, but obviously if you go to work you’ll need protection.”
“Fred won’t understand this,” Erin said.
“Are you sure?” Tom picked up a chip as he spoke. “Most people in this town accept the supernatural to some degree.”
“To some degree is the operative term.” Erin snuggled into Lachlan, safe under his arm as he slipped it around her shoulders again. “Fred may put the breaks on the vampire idea. With Danny Fortesque still hovering around, it may look suspicious. And I know Danny doesn’t believe in vampires.”
“Maybe I can talk to Danny and Fred.” Lachlan stared down into Erin’s eyes, the grim, determined set of his jaw telling her he would make Fred understand. “They don’t want to put your life in danger. I’ll be at your side if you go to work, so we’d have to explain to them anyway.”
Erin nodded, unsure how it would turn out, but willing to try. “Tom, you wouldn’t have to go to the library with Lachlan there. You could still go to work.”
Tom didn’t speak for a moment as he chewed a pretzel. After a few seconds of pondering, he turned his troubled gaze on them all. “I don’t want to leave her alone. Not after what happened. I won’t be able to concentrate until this is all over. If I’m not with her…”
He let the thought linger, and Erin saw by the solemn expressions around the room that everyone understood.
“That’s it then,” Erin said. “We’ll have to hang tight until Ronan gets back. Hopefully with some answers.”
Late in the evening, after everyone left, Lachlan and Erin lay in the bed, content to hold each other tight in the darkness.
Erin sighed. “What would I have done if you hadn’t come along?”
“You’d have been fine.”
She heard the forced cheerfulness in his voice and propped on one elbow to look down on the most handsome man she’d ever seen. She trailed her index finger through the hair on his chest and considered his assertion.
“No, I think I’d dead. Or at the very least, the undead. Do you think we’ll understand this Dasoria business someday?”
Lachlan drew her head down so he could kiss her nose. “Maybe, if we catch the bastard, he’ll give us some answers. Ronan will find clues in Ireland.”
She tried to feel his confidence. “A couple of weeks ago I wouldn’t have dreamed this in a million years. I can’t believe how my life has changed.”
Lachlan stared at her for so long she wondered what he was thinking.
That I love you, lass. That’s what I’m thinking.
She smiled. I love you.
Erin shivered with sweet delight as his hands slipped down her back. We’ll get through this.
I know.
In the meantime…
Lachlan swung her about, rolling until he trapped her beneath him. His eyes held molten sexual promises that wouldn’t be denied.
She smiled in satisfaction. You aren’t going back to Scotland anytime soon, right?
Not without you. You’re mine forever.
Forever. That sounds wonderful.
He moved just enough to cup her stomach and circle around it in soothing motions. We survived. Do you regret not using a condom the other night?
“No, Lachlan. If you hadn’t survived—”
He caught her mouth in a kiss. “Let’s forget about what might have been, and concentrate on the here and now.”
She grinned. “And I suppose…” She slid her hand down his thigh then up to where his hard, more than ready cock resided. “…that this is the here and now.”
She clasped his cock and started a long, slow stroke.
He gasped. “Oh, yes, lass. Here and now.”
The End
Just when you thought it was safe, the ancient one comes back. Stay tuned for book two in the DEEP IS THE NIGHT series, NIGHT WATCH:
Inheriting a haunted house in notorious Pine Forest is the last thing Micky Gunn wanted, but escaping the Shadow People who haunted her world drove her toward the town and new terrors. When the Shadow People follow her, things go bump in the night, and weird accidents occur, Micky decides it’s time to stop running and to fight back. Mysterious, gorgeous cop, Jared Thornton came to Pine Forest to investigate his Aunt Eliza Pickle’s mysterious death. When he discovers that gutsy Micky is in danger, he vows to protect her against the shadows that haunt her, and a thousand year old vampire determined to silence them forever.
Also at Ellora's Cave
The Dare
By Denise A.Agnew
Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
www.ellorascave.com
Deep is the Night: Dark Fire Page 31