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She stumbled towards the door as if unable to reach it fast enough. Her concern over Eric didn't seem to matter now. Dori practically flung herself out the door when Savion opened it.
"You can't get away with killing me like you did Trey," Eric snapped when Savion locked the door. "The police know I'm here with you."
"Contrary to what you've been told, I'm not a killer. I only protect what is mine. You're the one who wanted to stay." Savion sauntered across the room to Summer, then stared at Eric. "Why? Why are you still here?" He moved behind her, resting gentle hands on her shoulders. Slowly he began undoing the mussed braid of her hair.
"I'm here to take my wife back. She does not belong to you."
"She doesn't want to be with you." Savion lightly kissed her neck, but kept his eyes on Eric. "See for yourself." He bit down just hard enough to pierce the skin, making her gasp slightly. She slid one hand into his hair, lightly holding his lips to her neck—head dropped back on his shoulder as his sensual mouth sucked her skin. Then she relaxed against him as indescribable pleasure coursed through her. 122
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Eric stared back at him in open shock. "You'll never get away with this."
Slowly, he raised his head, then licked his lips. "I already have." Savion grinned with delight, running his hands over Summer's arms. "Your small-town reputation carries no weight out here. As you can see, the police think you're an idiot."
"Summer, you know when I find that gun you'll be back in my bed," Eric said. "And why are you dressed like that?
Where are all the beautiful dresses I bought for you?" She stared at Eric through heavy eyes. Savion's delicious kisses and thrilling bite made her feel incredibly at ease.
"You can't buy anything from me ever again. Not my presence at one of your pretentious parties. Or my charade as your loyal wife. Nothing. I've never loved you. Never been loyal to you. Every night I spent in your bed I was dreaming about Savion. I loathe everything about you." Eric's eyes narrowed. His already thin lips drew thinner until they disappeared. "You'll be singing a different tune when I find the gun ... little bird."
"You don't get it, do you?" She held her loose tresses to one side, taunting him with the mark on her neck. "I have given myself to him ... in every way a woman gives herself to a man."
"Surely you didn't let this animal make love to you!"
"Oh yes, I did ... all night long. He's more of a man than you'll ever be. I belong to Savion now ... of my own free will."
"No! I'll never let you go. I have too much invested in your wretched life! You will come home with me, or else." 123
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Summer lunged at him, knocking Eric to the floor. "Or else what? There is no gun ... not anymore. You have nothing on me!"
"So you thought! Did you think I wouldn't have a backup plan?" He reached into his suit-coat, then pulled out a wrinkled piece of fabric. "Look familiar, little bird?"
"Bastard! You vile son of a bitch!" She recoiled, her eyes fixed on a very old garment. The shirt she'd been wearing on a tragic night thirty years ago—stained with her treacherous father's blood.
"Now," Eric said with a smug expression. "How soon can you be ready?"
Summer looked to Savion for help. He stood unmoving. Why isn't he helping me? Savion, please! Her eyes searched his. She saw the profound love in their depths, yet he was choosing to let her take Eric on by herself. How can I fight Eric on my own? That he had taken such extreme measures to keep her under his thumb infuriated her. When Savion destroyed the gun, a huge weight had been lifted. Now it was back. More manipulation. More blackmail!
"See? Even your vampire lover can't fight this!" Eric taunted.
She whipped around to face him. "No! No more! You've kept me bound in fear all of my adult life. It's your turn to be afraid."
A new feeling surged through her. Courage as she'd never known flooded her soul. She stalked him. The hunter became the prey in that very moment. No fear! Suddenly she knew what to do.
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Eric's thoughts came rushing into her mind. Summer ... no. I refuse to do this. She smelled his horror.
"Yes, Eric, you will. How sad. The billionaire takes his own life because his wife asked for a divorce." He clasped his hands over his ears in an attempt to shut her out. To halt the maddening torment of her silent force. But she had broken the mental barrier and began executing her newfound power to its fullest extent. As he staggered towards the door against his will, she reached out and ripped the bloody shirt from his hands.
No! Stop it, Summer! This isn't you. You're my wife. But his silent pleas fell into the dark well of her past that he'd made her suffer through.
"Go on, Eric. Open the door. Walk to the railing overlooking the courtyard below. You don't want to live like this anymore. An impotent man whose wife left you for a real man. Your glory days are over, so why not end it now? Go out in style, Eric. Give the world one final show. That is what your life has been ... one big performance." Summer didn't leave the room when Eric stepped into the circular corridor that connected all the upper suites. She simply closed the door.
"Do it, you evil bastard. End this sham!" she muttered with her back pressed against the hardness of the door. "Just do it!"
Horrific screams arose from the courtyard nineteen floors below. A few minutes later sirens sounded in the distance. Casually she walked from her suite to stand among the gathering crowd.
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A woman beside her gasped in dismay. "Oh dear. Another jumper. I tried to stop him, but he seemed overly distraught. Like he couldn't hear a word I said." Summer stared down at Eric's lifeless body sprawled on the ceramic floor far below. "Yes," she said, her tone matter of fact. "Just another jumper."
That's right, Summer. You had no choice but to protect your heart. Savion is the only man for you. We will not stop attacking until your true love is bound by your blood. Let no woman or man come between you and your heart. I understand, Nahtosha. Savion is my heart. Yes ... and you are his.
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Fifteen
My nightmare is finally over! She cast her eyes upon Savion, who stood just inside the door when she walked back into the suite.
"Was this a test?"
He swept her into his arms, burying his face in her hair.
"You know it was. I'm awed by your strength."
"You could've given me a heads up."
"I gave you what you needed."
Summer pulled back just far enough to look into his eyes.
"And what was that?"
"No fear."
A knowing smile tugged the corners of her mouth as she recalled the way he'd loosened her hair, then kissed and bitten her neck while Eric watched. She definitely felt relaxed for the better part of their altercation. And when she had faltered just a bit, the setback was brief.
"You helped me get into his head."
"Yes, my love. However, you took over from there. What a clever woman you are."
"I've had some practice." She held up the raggedy shirt. The last, bitter piece of her past. "What about this?" Savion took the shirt. "I can help you with that." He crumpled the flimsy fabric in one large fist, then closed his eyes. When he opened his hand nothing but dust remained.
"That's amazing! Will I ever have the same level of power?" She followed him to the powder room. 127
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"Perhaps one day." He washed the smudge from his hands.
"But for now you have plenty.
"I take it I passed your test?"
"With blazing colors."
She smiled up at him. "Am I
strong enough to take your blood?"
"Patience, love." Muscular arms wrapped her in a loving hug, lifting her feet off the floor before setting her back down again. "We will be going to Dunalino tonight. Once you've become acclimated to my world, then you will be ready to give me your bite. And I am very much looking forward to our consummation."
Well, at least she didn't have to ask about her hotel accommodations. Savion taking her back to his home tonight solved her earlier dilemma. Suddenly it dawned on her that today was Valentine's Day. How ironic! She'd turned herself inside out seeking a gift extravagant enough to dazzle Eric, thus keeping him in the dark about her secret. And Dori blew everything wide open anyway. Now Eric had leapt to his death on a day celebrated by lovers. If anything, his timing would only reinforce the reason he chose this day to die. Holidays tended to have a higher suicide rate than other days. And who could blame him for ending it all? His wife had just announced the end of their marriage on the most romantic day of the year. What a heartbreaking story for the media to gobble up. Odd how his chosen method of controlling her became the very manner in which he died. Manipulation. He'd exploited her for decades. She turned the tables on him for five minutes.
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"Today is Valentine's Day."
"So it is. I can't imagine a better day to take you home. Dunalino is a tropical paradise. I'm elated that you are returning with me as my mate. You will make my house a home. I've been lonely for too long." Summer beamed with excitement. "I can't wait to go home with you. I love you, Savion."
"I love you too, mon coeur."
" Mon coeur?"
He flashed a breathtaking smile. "My heart."
"That is so beautiful." Tears misted her eyes.
"Like you, my love ... like you."
* * * *
Naturally Summer had been called to the police station for questioning. And as she'd done earlier, she enchanted the officers, this time into believing she had nothing to do with Eric's death. Once they'd heard her account of how she'd told Eric the marriage was over, and that he went berserk, that nothing she said could calm him—they documented his death as a suicide. Officer Steve had even gone so far as to say he was glad Eric hadn't taken her with him. He'd sensed Eric had seemed unstable and expressed relief over Summer's safety. She requested they send his body back to his hometown and gave the police names and numbers of family who would take care of formalities. Steve seemed to understand her desire to detach herself, for which she was very relieved. With the police matters behind them, Summer then returned to her suite with Savion. In all the commotion she'd 129
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forgotten about his invitation to accompany him to Blaze's studio until now. Feeling calmer than expected considering everything that'd transpired on this tempestuous Monday morning, she happily went with him to meet the band.
"Summer ... meet Reece, and Miles, our other band members. You've already met Blaze," Savion said as they walked into Blaze's studio.
She looked around with interest, taking in her surroundings. The studio wasn't elaborate like she had imagined. A full drum kit, keyboards and several guitars sat around the room in no particular order. Blaze sat behind a laptop and several black boxes. Electrical cords snaked around the floor connecting the instruments to their appropriate output.
Reece and Miles greeted her cordially, but Blaze wielded his tongue like a sword, as if determined to test her character by putting her on the spot right away.
"Hey, Summer baby, what ya doing wearing Savion's old clothes?"
She wavered for a minute, then quickly regained her composure. "Savion ripped mine off my body with his teeth. So he lent me his."
"Hm." Blaze frowned but didn't let up. "I saw you getting it on with Savion the other night before I approached your table in the restaurant. Bet you'd never done anything like that in public," he deliberately taunted. "I imagine a sweet country girl like you can bring any man to his knees for a taste of your pure blood."
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For a moment she stood frozen in shock that he had secretly watched the intimate scene between her and Savion. His brash comments hit her like a cold shot. She felt everyone's eyes upon her ... waiting, to see how she'd react to Blaze's blatant display of arrogance. Her mouth opened to speak. For a fleeting second she feared he'd rendered her speechless and left her looking like a schoolgirl. But in the next breath her confidence returned and she leaned over the table to face Blaze, taunting him with a peak of cleavage from the V-neck of her lacy tank top.
"Yeah," she murmured dreamily, just loud enough for all to hear but directed at him. "I'm sure you can imagine quite a bit. But that was only the appetizer ... you missed the main course." She paused to teasingly lick her freshly glossed lips.
"The best I've ever had."
"You've never had me," Blaze muttered under his breath. His eyes burned while fixed on her curvy hips molded into the white jeans as she sauntered away. Savion leaning over from behind took him by surprise.
"And she never will," Savion said quietly before swaggering across the room to Summer. "Nice save, babe." He leaned over her to plant a soft kiss on her lips, out-andout pleased over her quick jibes to Blaze. My lady can definitely think fast on her feet.
Blaze studied them briefly. A potent craving to taste her blood inundated him. Summer obviously possessed a rare gift. He sensed a pureness in her even though she tried to mask it with her smart comeback. The blush on her cheeks exposed a gentle heart and her expression revealed true love 131
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for Savion, rare aspects among their pack of women. Most of his girlfriends enjoyed the benefits of bedding him but had no desire to return his bite and become bound forever to a blood-dragon.
Summer's energy towards Savion was unmistakable, emanating from her in unseen waves. This must have been how Savion found such a jewel behind my back. It appeared that Savion had swooped in and snatched Summer straight from the garden of Eden. Blaze pondered what means his bandmate had used to locate this untainted prize. Savion has found his chosen woman at last! Surely her blood must taste rich ... perhaps provocative enough to risk incurring punishment.
Since the day Savion found that rare treasure and placed it around his neck, he had secured the favor of Nahtosha making him more powerful than all the others even though they too, had suffered her bite.
Blaze's gaze drifted with his thoughts, over to the silverblack Dragon's Tooth dangling from Savion's neck. Once word had leaked out about the "changed" men, close-minded people had dubbed them, "Dunalino Dragons," "Blood Dragons," and at times "Dragon Vampires." While tuning his guitar, Savion felt eyes upon him. He looked up to find Blaze staring coldly at the pendent suspended by a thick silver chain just below his collarbone. Lifting it slightly, he glanced at the Dragon's Tooth, which had been cut from the rarest precious-stone yet to be discovered. A renowned geologist, who also studied jewels, had confirmed the old man's theory that Savion's find was a delicate blend of 132
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a rare onyx infused with diamond dust. The latter created the silvery hue. The combination had never been seen and was considered priceless.
Since it bore the shape of a large animal's tooth, he didn't dispute Savion's account of the legend and his encounter with the spiritual man. Hence, the gem became officially documented as a Dragon's Tooth—an extremely rare and valuable discovery. And to date the only one in existence. Savion had been advised to lock it in a safe. However, he had become attached to the gift Nahtosha uncovered for him and had no doubt that the superior abilities he possessed were connected to the pendent. Being that no person could touch it uninvited, the Dragon's Tooth was clearly Nahtosha's force of protection over him. And it
would serve to protect Summer once she took his blood.
He shot Blaze a look with one raised eyebrow. She's mine. A silent message with just a glimpse.
Blaze scowled slightly then smirked before turning his attention back to the equipment in front of him. Enjoy her now, mate. I know you had to infuse something with your power to find her, and I bloody well intend to find out what it is before your bond with her is consummated. Savion sensed Blaze guarding his thoughts. He couldn't read them at the moment but knew full well he was up to no good.
With everyone tuned and ready, the band began working on their new songs. Summer observed in silence the unspoken communication between Savion and Blaze. Though she didn't know much about their relationship, she definitely 133
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felt some intense vibes. She sat back to watch her man work his magic on the guitar and listen to his sweet, sexy voice singing with the others. Whatever the situation, whatever awaited her on Dunalino, she resigned herself to handle anything to please the man she had loved for so long.
"Check out this song I wrote," Savion told them. "Let me know what you think."
He traded his five-string bass for a six-string Hamer electric, then straddled a stool next to Summer. His eyes met hers as he began to sing.
"I've traveled the world for thirty years Moving in and out of love
With your face dancing in my dreams
Night after night I gazed out over an endless sea of people Wondering what life means
Baby, I found myself in you on that mystical night When you gave yourself to me ... nothing ever felt so right Speak softly to my heart ... as only you can do Cause, pretty baby ... I am so into you
Speak softly to my heart
When I lay you down so sweet
Tell me, bay-beh ... what I long to hear
Speak softly to my heart ... baby, baby
When I have you oh so near
Many have come and gone, I suppose that's true But sweet, sweet thing, my journey ends with you Since tasting the life flowing in your soul I'm addicted, I'm out of control