"Annie!" His arms closed around her, holding her tight, pressing her against him so that their bodies touched from shoulder to thigh.
"We can work it out," she said. She lifted her face to his, her eyes awash with tears. "Make me what you are," she whispered. "I want to be with you, only you, forever."
"Annie, no."
"Yes! Please, Navarre, do it now!"
Eyes narrowed, he stared down at her, his mind probing hers, but he detected no sign that she had been initiated. And still he hesitated. He would be a fool to underestimate Shaylyn.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "Do you mean it?"
Her reply was quick and certain. "I'm sure."
Frowning, Navarre brushed her hair aside, his gaze skimming her throat. No puncture marks marred the perfection of her skin.
"Please, Navarre?"
It was hard to resist when she was looking at him like that, her eyes dewy with tears, her lips slightly parted, her expression filled with trust and desire.
He rested his brow on the top of her head. "Think about it for a while, Annie," he remarked softly. "There's no hurry."
"But I want to be like you. I want to sleep where you sleep, and wake up in your arms."
It was tempting, so tempting. In two thousand years, he had never made another vampire. Never loved a woman other than Katlaina.
He closed his eyes as he imagined what it would be like to have Adrianna forever at his side. Together, they could roam the world. He could show her all the wonders of the ancient world; together, they could explore the future. Ah, the lure of having her share his dark sleep, of waking each day with her in his arms. With Adrianna by his side, he would never again be alone.
Lowering his head, he let his tongue slide over the pulse beating in her throat, felt his fangs lengthen at the thought of piercing her tender flesh. One quick bite was all it would take. And then the ecstacy of drinking her sweetness, drinking until her essence filled him, flooded him. Listening to her heartbeat fluttering wildly, like a frightened bird, slowing, slowing, to the brink of death, and then the magic of bringing her back, changed to a creature who would be forever young, forever beautiful.
Forever cursed, as he was cursed.
He drew back, his gaze moving over her face, imagining her eyes glowing with the lust for blood, her full pink lips stained crimson.
"Navarre?"
"Not tonight, Annie." He placed his hands on her shoulders and held her away from him. "Let me think on it."
"Don't leave me."
"I won't."
She moved into his embrace again, her head resting on his chest. "Are we going to make love?"
Her voice was soft and low, with a husky, sensual quality that sent heat spiraling through him to pool in his groin like lava. His arms tightened around her, a low groan rumbling deep in his throat as her breasts were crushed to his chest. She thrust her hips forward in silent invitation, and he knew he was lost.
Sweeping her into his arms, he carried her down the hall to her bedroom. He made short work of removing her clothes and his. There was no patience in him now, no tenderness, little gentleness, only an urgent need that refused to be ignored, a hunger that went deeper than desire.
He cradled her to him, clinging to her as the world spun out of focus. She wanted him. He needed her. She had begged him to give her the Dark Gift. Did she know what she was asking?
He sheathed himself deep within her, wanting only to bury himself in her sweetness, to forget everything but the woman in his arms, but the questions would not be denied. Why had she asked him to bring her over? She had never mentioned it before, never hinted that she would welcome the Dark Gift. Indeed, she had asked if he would accept a cure, said it was the only way they could have a life together. What had changed her mind?
"Navarre!" She cried his name as she found fulfillment.
A moment later, he forgot everything as he found his own release. And then, for a long while, they lay wrapped in each other's arms.
Later, he made love to her again, more slowly this time, taking her to the peak again and again before he carried her over the edge.
He was almost asleep when he sensed the dawning of a new day. Gently, he extricated himself from