face. It was a strong face, a handsome face. She moved and his arm tightened around her. “Don’t go.”
“My foot’s asleep.”
Grunting softly, he lifted his leg from hers.
She loved being in his arms, feeling his body next to hers. He was so masculine, so tall and strong, with incredible powers at his command. What must he think of her when she was so weak, so human?
“I think you’re beautiful,” he said, his voice husky. And anything but weak. She had captured him, heart and soul. If she ever suspected the power she held over him, she could have anything she desired.
She tangled her fingers in his hair. “What’s it like, to live so long? You must have done everything there is to do, seen everything there is to see. How do you stand it, when there’s nothing new, nothing to look forward to? No surprises left.”
He opened his eyes. “You were a surprise. Totally new and unexpected.”
“Me?”
“I’ve never known anyone like you before.”
“I’ve never known anyone like you before either,” she retorted with an impish grin.
“Kadie, I’m being serious here.”
She shook her head. “I’m just ordinary, no different from thousands of other women my age.”
“Are you accusing me of lying when I’ve just promised to tell you the truth?”
“No, but . . . you must have known hundreds of women. What makes me so different?”
“There’s no one else like you.” He cupped her cheek in his hand, his thumb playing lightly over her lips. “I’m not sure how to explain it. You may think you’re like everyone else, and to other people, maybe you are. But I perceive you differently. The beat of your heart, the scent of your skin, the sound of your voice . . . You’re beautiful to me in ways others don’t see.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “Your skin is softer than the petals of a rose, your hair is like silk in my hands.”
She blushed at his praise.
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her he loved her, couldn’t live without her, but he swallowed the words, afraid to appear vulnerable, afraid she would take advantage of his love and ask for her freedom. He would willingly give her anything. Anything but that.
Later that night, after Kadie was asleep, Saintcrow drove to town. He didn’t often mingle with the other vampires, but lately, he had sensed some unrest among them, especially among Vaughan and Lilith. He wasn’t surprised to find the whole vampire community gathered in the tavern when he arrived. Nor was he surprised when Lilith bolted out of her chair.
“Where is he?” she demanded, jabbing her finger into his chest. “Where’s Carl?”
Saintcrow grabbed her hand and bent it back until she flinched. “If you point that finger at me again, you’ll lose it.” He bent her hand back a little more, until she dropped to her knees. “Remember who you’re talking to.”
She nodded, her lips compressed in pain.
“Carl and Kiel have both been dispatched,” he said, his gaze moving over the other vampires. “They accosted my woman, and they paid the price. The rest of you might remember that.” He released his hold on Lilith and she scrambled back to her seat. “So,” he said, “what’s going on?”
“We’re tired of living like this,” Vaughan said.
“Right,” Wes agreed. “We’re living like sheep instead of wolves.”
Saintcrow glanced at the other vampires, his gaze resting momentarily on each of them. “You all feel this way?”
Trent stood, his arms crossed over his chest. “We do.” “I take it this is something you’ve been talking about for quite a while.”
Vaughan nodded.
“You might want to rethink it,” Saintcrow suggested. “The hunters have united. They aren’t hunting individually now, but in packs. They’re well armed and well informed. And relentless.”
“You’re just saying that,” Felix said. “You like keeping us here.”
Saintcrow snorted. “Why the hell would you think that?”
“Well . . .” Felix shrugged.
“It makes you feel like you’re the king or something,” Gil said. “Giving orders, keeping us here like we’re serfs.”
Saintcrow shook his head. “You want out? Fine. Get the hell out of here, all of you.”
“You mean it?” Lilith asked. “We can go?”
“I said it, didn’t I?”
“What about the humans?”
“What about them?”
“Are they free to go, too?”
“No. When you’re ready to leave, let me know, and I’ll escort you across the bridge.”
Lilith looked at him, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “How do we know you’re not going to destroy us when we leave here?”