made any difference this morning, if he'd been there?"
She felt him tense as he considered her question. And then he nodded. "He would have killed her without a qualm."
"And you couldn't, could you?"
"No. Even knowing it was the only way to put her soul to rest, I couldn't do it."
"I'm glad."
"Are you? Why?"
"I just am."
"Does it make me less a monster in your eyes?"
"You're not a monster."
"You thought so not so very long ago."
She had no answer for that.
He placed his forefinger under her chin, tilted her head up, and brushed his lips across hers.
"Till tonight, cara," he whispered tenderly, and then he was gone.
Chapter Fifteen
In the morning, before leaving for work, Marisa called Mr. Abbott and let him know she had accidentally broken a window. He told her not to worry about it and assured her that he would have it fixed as soon as possible. Next, she called and made an appointment to have her carpets cleaned, wondering, as she did so, what the chances were of getting the bloodstains out of the rug.
She thought about Grigori while she showered.
She thought about him while she dressed, donning a blue jersey sheath with long sleeves and a high neck. She drew on her nylons, stepped into a pair of beige heels, and left the bedroom.
She thought about Grigori while she ate breakfast. She looked at the bowl of cereal on the table and imagined a bowl of blood. He had said consuming blood was normal for him, but the mere idea disgusted her. She lifted a hand to her neck, trying to imagine what it would be like to feel his teeth there. Was it painful, nourishing a vampire? He had said blood was sweet when offered willingly. Had there been many women who had offered him their life's essence?
She had known him such a short time, yet he had taken over her life, her thoughts, her dreams.
Her life had never been in more danger, or been more exciting.
She was wondering if she'd have to go in and wake Edward up when he entered the kitchen looking bleary eyed.
"Morning," he muttered. "Got any coffee?"
"On the stove. Are you all right?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just catching a cold."
"You look awful."
"I feel awful." He poured himself a cup of coffee. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah. Just let me grab my purse."
He sniffled and sneezed all the way downtown.
"You'd better stop at the drugstore and get something for that."
"Yeah, I will." He pulled up to the curb in front of her office building. "I'll see you at five."
"Right. Go get some rest."
"Yeah, I think I will."
Shaking her head, Marisa watched him pull into the flow of traffic.
Ramsey stopped at the corner drugstore and picked up his favorite brand of cold medicine. He considered driving to La Habra to see if he could find some trace of Kristov, but by the time he pulled off the freeway, he was burning up. He'd take the cold tablets, lie down for an hour or two, and then search until it was time to pick up Marisa.
When he got to Marisa's apartment, he took a couple of aspirin for his headache, swallowed two cold tablets, and drank a glass of orange juice.
Going into the living room, he turned on the TV, and then stretched out on the sofa. He'd just rest for a few minutes....
Edward came awake with a low groan. How was it possible to feel worse after a nap?
Lurching to his feet, he staggered into the kitchen and took another couple of aspirin, washing them down with a glass of juice.
He looked at the clock on the stove, blinked, looked again, and swore under his breath.
Damn, he was supposed to be picking up Marisa, and he should have left fifteen minutes ago.
Going into the bathroom, he splashed some cold water on his face, then practically ran out of the house. If he hurried, if the traffic wasn't too heavy, he could still make it on time.
Grigori rose with the setting sun, his thoughts on Marisa as he showered. She would be on her way home from work by now. Stepping from the tub, he went into the bedroom. He grunted softly when he saw the shopping bag on the floor beside the bed. Curious to see what Ramsey had picked out for him, he dumped the contents of the sack on the bed, and knew immediately that it had been Marisa who selected the bulky dark blue vee-necked sweater and stretch jeans.
He dressed quickly in