I didn’t budge. Ethan gave me a threatening look. “We’ll talk later Mia, go.”

Gaius raised his hand. “I’m not offended. Indeed, I’m intrigued. In answer to your question little one, the Northman is elder of your house. I’m surprised your lord hasn’t spoken of him. Brovik is an old friend of mine— a very old friend. His domain lies to the North, from Britain and above. He’ll no doubt want to make your acquaintance. Ethan, you know your duty. I won’t interfere, but neither will I lie.”

“Of course, he’ll be informed we’re here. I wouldn’t dare offend your hospitality.”

“Good, when shall we expect you on Capri?”

“Soon, give my regards to your ladies.”

Rising from the chair, Gaius crossed the room and inclined his head slightly. Ethan bowed, and they shook hands warily, two dogs cautiously sniffing around each other.

“Until then, Ethan.” Gaius bowed to me and raised my hand to his lips. “Cara mia, our world is much more dangerous with you in it.” He laughed and took the liberty of pinching my cheek.

Once Gaius was roaring back across the bay, Ethan checked the locks on the doors and windows and tested the electronic security system to see if it was functioning.

I threw myself in disgust into the chair Gaius had vacated. “What a jerk!”

Ethan sputtered with anger as he turned to face me. “Do you have any idea of what he is?”

I was definitely not in the mood to be scolded. “An arrogant old pervert!”

Ethan paced agitatedly about the room. “He’s two thousand years old, a former Roman general, not someone to trifle with. He’s called the Wolf, what makes you think you could take him on?”

I affected a casual pose examining my perfectly painted fingernails. “I’m not impressed.”

“You’d better be. He says if we stay or go. He’s the closest thing this place has had to an emperor in a thousand years, and just as corrupt. Don’t do anything else to encourage him. Meeting his eyes, taunting him, it’s a challenge Mia.”

“For heaven’s sake, it’s nineteen fifty one!”

He closed the heavy draperies. “I’ve told you how they are.”

“You’ve evaded my questions for a year now. Tell me about Brovik!”

“There’s nothing to tell. He made me, period!”

“No, I won’t accept that.”

“You’ll have to.” He strode to the door. “I’m going out. Lock the door behind me and stay inside.”

“You can’t keep me locked up forever!”

“Can’t I?” He laughed. “What would you do with this freedom you so desperately desire? That old monster on Capri would snatch you up in his jaws in a heartbeat, and you’d be one of three concubines. You wouldn’t like their games much.”

“Games?”

Ethan’s eyes turned to chips of blue ice. “My poor innocent lamb, you can’t imagine the things they get up to.”

And there I was stuck again, despite the new locale.

Two hours later, he still hadn’t returned. I was agitated and restless. I wanted to be outside. What would be the harm of strolling along the beach?

I took the steep steps down to the narrow strip of sand and rock. Slipping off my sandals, I headed off blithely down the beach, the sand cool and moist under my bare feet. Balmy Mediterranean breezes ruffled my hair and over my face. Tentatively, I dipped a toe into the dark water, inviting as a warm bathtub. Wading deeper, the water lapped at my dress and dampened the hem. I lifted the skirt above my knees and continued to wander.

Moonlight cut a swath of silver across the bay’s blackened surface. Far out on the horizon, tiny lights winked on the boats anchored there. The wind whipped my hair about my face.

Release! I stretched my arms out before me, not caring if my dress got wet, and closed my eyes, enjoying the sting of the salt spray against my face. Why had this vampire never communed with the night? I raised my eyes to the stars and moon, laughing out loud at my rebellion. I spun in circles, holding my arms stretched wide to embrace the darkness, faster and faster, a tiny cyclone. Delirious abandon! Blessed freedom, to fly alone in the night free of the falconer!

Fragrance hung heavy in the air. Male. I turned toward the scent. The hairs rose on the back of my neck as I got a better whiff. Danger. Something was wrong, it wasn’t Ethan’s scent and there was more than one.

I stood dead still, listening to the whisper of footsteps and heartbeats, the slightest shifting and crunching in the sand. One, two, no