Mountain Rendezvous

MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS

Michelle Hasker

® www.loose-id.com

Warning This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id® e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

***** This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable.

Mountain Rendezvous Michelle Hasker This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924 Carson City NV 89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © August 2007 by Michelle Hasker All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-531-9 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Crystal Esau Cover Artist: April Martinez

www.loose-id.com

Chapter One

“Hello, beautiful.” A shiver raced up Meredith’s spine as someone breathed the soft words in her ear. She fought the uneasy feeling that crept into the pit of her belly and hovered there. The scent of aroused male tickled her nose, and she sniffed the air trying to figure out who stood behind her. Spice and pine hit her first, and then the more earthy scent of male. It intrigued her despite her unwillingness to feel anything again. Even without seeing him, desire flared in her belly. The emotion was not only unwanted, but a shock. She hadn’t felt this way since before she’d married Jake. As she struggled to tamp down the sensation, Meredith plastered a neutral smile on her face. No matter how her body reacted, she couldn’t allow those emotions and feelings to rule her. It’d been a long, hard road, but traveling down it had taught her she wasn’t a good judge of men. The reminder quenched the silly girlish fluttering in her stomach. She turned around and met a broad chest covered in black cotton. Then she looked up. Up. Up. Her admirer stood at least six and a half feet tall, if not more. Thick black waves of

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hair brushed against broad shoulders. Shoulders that looked as if they could carry the weight of the world on them. She needed someone to do that for her. Meredith lowered her gaze, trying to ignore the way his black T-shirt clung to his hard abs and the way his tight jeans revealed his predicament. Holy monkey. He was huge and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight. Her knees grew weak until she finally tore her gaze away. Who was this gorgeous male and why was he whispering in her ear? Meredith shifted her gaze to his face. Bright blue eyes darkened as they raked over her body. Oh, man. She hadn’t dared examine him that thoroughly. Okay, maybe she had, but who was he and why did he make her feel this way? Dear God, she wanted to bite him. Her body hummed as she licked suddenly dry lips. “Can I help you?” Did she really sound so breathless and sexy? Stupid, Meredith. Don’t encourage him. “I hope so,” he purred and leaned closer. “Is your boss around? I need to speak to her.” And I need to take you in the back room and have my wicked way with you, gorgeous. Meredith forced away those thoughts. He was an unknown, and therefore the enemy. It wouldn’t help that she was attracted to him. She looked him over again, but this time for weapons. She didn’t see anything obvious, but knew his type, and they never left home without one. The way he held a black leather jacket draped over one shoulder drew her gaze to his firm biceps. Even though she knew it was wrong, Meredith let herself imagine what it would feel like to be held by him. Those strong arms wrapped around her, his large hands pulling her close, that delicious mouth lowering to hers. His mouth quirked into an irresistible grin as if he knew what she was thinking. That was impossible. No one could get through her shields.

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Weapons, Meredith. You’re supposed to look for weapons, not lust after his gorgeous body. The irony of the situation didn’t make her smile. Not since Jake had she felt such strong emotions, and look where that had gotten her. Not only had her husband been a serial killer, but he’d also murdered her parents and tried to kill her sister. How could she ever trust herself, let alone another man, again? Meredith met the stranger’s blue eyes and wondered if he was smiling at her in amusement. She stared back boldly, holding his gaze. Maybe she should invite him back to her office. She could find out why he was here and have a little snack before the rush crowd hit. The night was still young, yet her body already craved nourishment. His blood smelled strong and pure, untainted by modern chemicals. She could use the pick-me-up. Maybe she’d even give him a thrill while she fed. Even though her senses warned her he was a cop it didn’t make her want him any less. That he was forbidden made him all the more desirable. He aroused images she needed to fight. Like him naked and sprawled on her bed while she drank from him. She had to get rid of these thoughts before she did something she’d regret. It was just more proof she was losing her mind. No more bad boys. She knew from experience how things could end up. This guy, even if he was the law, shouted bad boy from his stance to the long hair, scuffed boots, tight jeans, and black leather jacket. His eyes betrayed him. Eyes so blue they would make an angel weep. He probably doesn’t miss a trick. What a pity. Meredith sighed. “Like what you see?” he asked in a whisper as he leaned closer. “Maybe.” Meredith smiled and licked her lips. “But then again, maybe not.” He blinked, but recovered quickly, giving her a lazy grin that would make her cat jealous. “Perhaps when I’m done with my business…”

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Even though he left the rest unsaid, Meredith knew what he meant, and damn if she wouldn’t like to take him up on that unspoken offer. But she wouldn’t. Even though she’d allowed herself the pleasure of admiring the view, she’d have to pass on the rest. Instead of thinking about sex, she needed to find out what he was doing here, and more importantly, how he’d found the café. It was too dangerous to let him stay, and probably more dangerous to let him leave alone. The werewolves and other vampires would have his scent by now. “How did you find out about this café?” “An associate pointed me here.” He glanced behind her and waved. Meredith turned around and groaned when she spied the man waving back. Why the hell did Adam bring you here? “Adam Devlin brought you here?” “Sure. When I told him I needed to talk to Meredith Craine he was more than happy to help me find her.” “You don’t know what I am, do you?” “What do you mean?” He frowned, his eyebrows quirking. “You mean who you are?” With a sigh, Meredith reminded herself that Adam was smart enough to hide his true nature from most humans, even if he was dumb enough to bring one deep into the midst of vampires and shape shifters. She needed to be more careful and so did Adam. He’d lost all common sense if he thought bringing his associate here was okay. Her customers would turn on him and tear him to pieces in seconds. She had to get him out of here quickly and without attracting attention. Meredith was tempted to invade his thoughts and read why he was here and who’d sent him. Even with Adam leading him here, her safeguards should have made him want to turn around and leave. “What business do you have with Meredith?” she demanded.

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“I need to talk to her.” “Meredith doesn’t speak to reporters. She’s a very busy woman. Adam shouldn’t have brought you here.” When would people stop poking their noses where they didn’t belong? Meredith glanced around the room. There wasn’t going to be an easy way to get rid of him. Her old hypnotize-him-and-make-him-leave routine wouldn’t work in front of so many witnesses. They’d snatch him up before he made it through the front door. More than a few people watched him. As she counted heads, Meredith frowned. There was more than the usual number of shifters and they were less tolerant of humans than her kind was. The salty tang of anticipation from the shifters thickened the air. There was a slim chance of getting him out the front door. Could she risk it? Was there any other option? Meredith grabbed the human’s arm and led him toward the door hoping to get him outside before trouble started. “What are you doing? This is the entrance.” “It’d be best for you to leave now,” Meredith said. While she hoped he’d listen, she knew he wouldn’t. She spun around to walk away, but he reached out and grabbed her arm. “No, not without talking to her.” How dare he touch her without permission. Slowly Meredith turned her head and met his gaze. The anger in her eyes reflected all too clearly in his bright orbs. She put her free hand on his chest and pushed him against the wall. Her hand met rock hard muscles. Hoo, baby. If she hadn’t caught him by surprise she probably would have had to use her superhuman strength, something she didn’t want him to see. “Don’t touch me. Don’t ever put your hands on me.” Holding onto her anger because it was safer than acknowledging her desire, Meredith ordered, “Release me. Now.”

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“Oh.” He blinked and looked down at his hand as if surprised to find it on her. “I’m sorry.” Even now, angry as hell, she wanted to see if he tasted as good as he looked. Only she wasn’t going to do anything about the attraction. She’d already been down that road once. Meredith glanced down where his hand still held her. His palm burned her flesh with a heat she tried to ignore. “It’s really important.” He leaned closer. “I’m looking for Jake Craine.” “Well, you’re looking in the wrong place.” She stared at him and pushed a mental suggestion at him to leave. “Go home, cowboy. You’ve come a long way. Too bad it was for nothing.” “I would rather speak about this privately. Why is Meredith hiding behind all you guard dogs?” he asked as he released her. “What brings you all the way up here to speak to a suspected murderess?” “Suspected murderess?” She’d clearly caught him off guard as he licked his lips, probably formulating his next tactic. “Yes. Murderess.” “I spoke to the local police. They didn’t say anything about finding his body.” “Maybe there’s no body to find.” She wasn’t going to give him any leeway. Give a man an inch and he’ll take a foot. “I’m investigating the disappearance of Jake Craine and a series of murders that are almost identical to the ones The Slasher plagued your city with last month.” “That’s impossible.” Her hand fell to her side as all the blood drained from her face. Meredith shook her head in denial. It couldn’t be. “Excuse me?” “Follow me, Mr…”

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“Slade Jackson.” “Follow me, Mr. Jackson.” She turned and led him to her office, all the while with his gaze on her back. Hot and hungry, he forced her to see the images he probably didn’t realize he was sharing with her. Images of the two of them on a nearby table, in a very empty café, with no clothes on, and doing a horizontal dance. She couldn’t let him get to her, Meredith reminded herself firmly. She wasn’t going to take his blood, or anything else he was willing to offer. Not even if he begged. Slade closed the distance between them and his scent wrapped around her again, engulfing her in a sensual haze. Meredith wondered what it would feel like to have his lips against hers. Or even better, to close the café, order everyone out, and let him have his wicked way with her. Why did she feel this way about him? It hadn’t been that long since she’d lost her husband, yet here she was, hungry for a stranger’s hands on her body. Maybe she should just bite him, feed, and get it over with. Perhaps then the attraction would go away. “Aren’t you afraid to meet her?” He studied her for a long moment before asking, “Afraid?” Meredith bit her lip, wondering at the hesitation in his answer. This man probably didn’t fear much, but would he still follow her into this secluded room if he knew she was a vampire? “They say she killed her husband. What’s to keep her from killing a stranger?” “You don’t look like a killer, and it’s debatable that he’s dead.” Meredith studied him for a minute before nodding. He’d have to be dense not to have figured it out yet. “You sound as if you believe that.” “My instincts tell me you aren’t, and I always trust them. They’re never wrong.” “Jake needed to be stopped.” “Are you admitting you killed him?” Slade placed a hand on her shoulder.

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“No.” Meredith shrugged off his hand and opened the door. A casual glance around assured her he wouldn’t find anything suspicious. But if he really was good at his job he’d already know she hid more than her identity. Meredith let out a sigh before entering her office. She gestured for Slade to follow and pointed to the long black leather couch that sat between her filing cabinet and closet. After he entered, she shut the door behind him and squeezed between a small bookshelf and a large potted palm to keep from brushing past him on her way to get a drink. Meredith bent down to open the mini fridge. She reached in and pulled out a bottle of water. She turned and looked at him. “Would you care for a drink?” “I’m fine thank you.” “Suit yourself,” she said as she shut the door. She could really go for a nice bag of blood, or even better, some of the sweet warm stuff she could hear and smell pumping through Slade’s body. She joined him on the sofa, then realized it wasn’t a good idea. She needed something to distract her from thinking about taking his blood. Or making hot passionate love. Think about why he’s here, dummy. He wants to dig into things. He might uncover something better left buried. What should she tell him about Jake? She didn’t want to go to jail and he might not believe her self-defense story. “Did you really come here to find my husband?” Meredith asked. Slade drew in a deep breath, waited a few heartbeats, and then released it. Meredith grinned. Good. If she annoyed him perhaps he’d keep his mind off of sex and stop projecting those naughty images. He pulled out a small notebook and flipped through the pages. A strand of thick, black hair fell forward. Her fingers itched to touch it, to tuck it back behind his ear.

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Meredith pushed aside the annoying attraction. This was pathetic. She was a widow. Now was definitely not the time to start lusting after a man. “Mrs. Craine.” “Foxxe,” she corrected. “Meredith Foxxe.” “I’m sorry,” he apologized and made a scribble in the pad. Slade handed her the notebook. She glanced down at it with caution. This had to be against regulations. But then he didn’t strike her as someone who followed the rules anyway. With a small shrug, she read his notes. His handwriting was neat and precise. Slade wrote with such detail that she could picture the scenes as if she were actually standing there looking at the bodies of each woman. Her throat tightened, and Meredith flipped through the pages, reading faster, trying to get past the horror. When she finished, she lifted her hand to her mouth and struggled to breathe. It sounded as if Jake had come back from the grave. “This is a description of the bodies.” “Yes, ma’am.” “After he finished with them.” “I know. Now can you see that it’s The Slasher? It doesn’t take a genius to put one and one together and come up with two. Your husband is missing and a new series of murders turn up in another city. The fact that the killer wanted your sister dead, and he disappears same time as your husband doesn’t feel right.” Meredith gnawed on her lower lip. This was rather disturbing. Jake was dead. But he had been The Slasher. It was impossible for him to murder anyone from beyond the grave though. Who would copycat him? And why? “I never filed a missing person’s report so how can you say he’s missing?” Slade held her gaze as he leaned forward. “I don’t need a report to tell me that your husband vanished and the murders stopped. At least they stopped here.”

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Meredith shook her head. “Lots of people vanish every day, especially in a busy city such as Philadelphia. Have you investigated all the others?” “Every single one. Your husband remains our enigma. Even more so because you say he’s not missing.” “My husband is dead. Not missing.” “You need to stop playing games with me, Miss Foxxe. There are lives at stake here. I don’t know why you haven’t reported him missing. And you can’t just claim he’s dead and not give us proof. If he’s dead there would be a body or something to show that he didn’t just up and leave. Are you hiding your husband?” “What?” That caught her off guard. She snorted. “Why would I hide that miserable waste of life?” “You tell me.” Meredith sighed. Between his nearness, the husky timbre of his voice, and his intoxicating scent, she wasn’t going to make it much longer before she gave in to the inevitable and bit him. Besides, it would shut him up. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll kill you next? If I’m right, and he’s The Slasher, then he’s tried to kill your sister twice. These aren’t random women, but all dead ringers for you and Caitlyn.” “Trust me, my husband isn’t killing women. If he were, I’d hand him over to you in the blink of an eye.” Slade leaned in close until his hot breath brushed across her lips. “I trust no one. I also know you’re lying to me.” “No.” She gasped and shook her head. “I swear it. Jake can’t kill anybody. Not from where he is.” “And just where would that be?”

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Meredith refused to be cowed by him and killing him wasn’t an option. Whoever he worked for would just come looking for him. She didn’t need any more deaths on her conscious. She also didn’t want to go to jail. Self-defense or not, how would she prove it? “Meredith?” He moved so he was almost pressed against her as he whispered in her ear. “You can trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you. Or your sister.” She shivered in desire but refused to give in to her inner beast. Vampire or not, she was a lady, not a monster. Even as she decided not to snack on him, she wondered how far he would go in the line of duty. “Jake’s gone and he’s not coming back. I won’t deny how happy that makes me. Why should I file a missing person’s report when the last thing I want is to ever see him again?” “Meredith, I can make sure he never lays a hand on you or your sister again. With your help we can make sure he’ll never hurt anyone else.” “Oh, he’ll never ever hurt another living soul. Kind of hard to do when you’re dead.” Slade met her gaze and held it. “Back to that again. Did you kill him? Were you there when someone else killed him?” “I’m not saying anything that you can twist around on me.” Meredith sighed. This was getting them nowhere. He wasn’t going to believe a thing she said, and his shields were strong enough that she wasn’t sure she could hypnotize him. Slade sighed. “We have descriptions that match your husband. I need to know the truth, and trust me, right now you’re looking guilty as hell. I need to stop The Slasher. “Is your husband dead? Do you think he had a partner? Or are you positive he worked alone? Are you sure he’s dead?” Slade whipped out a pencil faster than she could blink. When he reached for the notepad she gratefully handed it back, and used the time to think about his questions.

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“Are you a reporter? You ask a lot of questions.” Meredith shivered, but not in desire. How had things come to this? Jake had been a murderer. She’d saved many lives by killing him, but put herself in an unbearable situation. “I’m not,” Slade said as he leaned forward and reached into the back pocket of jeans. Meredith watched the way the denim pulled tight across his thighs. Curious, she followed the taut material higher, before she realized what she was doing and closed her eyes quickly. Slade held out a thin brown wallet and flipped it open. “FBI. Special Agent Slade Jackson.” His steady gaze met hers. “Right now I’m working with the Bradford Police Department in North Carolina to catch this killer.” Meredith sighed and glanced at the ID. She’d been right. She’d smelled cop the minute he’d confronted her, still, he was the best smelling cop she’d ever met. Even knowing he wanted someone to put behind bars no matter if it was her or Jake didn’t stop the desire that tightened her stomach. “Are you sure you’re a Fed?” His blue eyes twinkled at her. “Why? Am I not convincing?” Meredith sighed again and reached for her water. “So why exactly are you here?” “You’re hedging and wasting my time. I’m sure you know how long it’s taken to track you down. I couldn’t find you at your house and your butler would put the guards in Britain to shame. “I’m not going to leave you alone until I get answers. I need to know everything you can tell me about your husband and the murders. His convenient disappearance and the new murders down south are just too coincidental for my liking. I know this is a touchy subject, but I will find out the truth about your husband and I will find out who’s killing all these women. Now, did he work alone or did someone help him?” “Well, you should talk to my sister. Caitlyn was a victim more than once. She could tell you if it was one person or more who attacked her.” Meredith twisted the cap of the bottle

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back and forth. What was she saying? She didn’t want to put Caitlyn through anymore of this crap. “In fact she’s already answered more than enough questions. Our police have asked her everything under the sun. Didn’t you read their reports? She named him as her attacker.” “I know how The Slasher worked and what he did to his victims. I have copies of Caitlyn’s statements. But I need more. Something that’ll prove beyond a shadow of doubt that he is The Slasher. I don’t want him back out on the streets because of police error. I need to know about Jake Craine. You’re his wife. Surely you can tell me all about your husband. What is his personality like? What makes him tick? Does he have an accomplice? Maybe someone who moved away recently?” “You ask too many questions. It’s as if you’re trying to trick me into saying something.” Slade leaned back on the sofa and watched her. Damn, he was unnerving. She retreated behind her desk. Now he wanted to know about an accomplice? She wondered if termuvins counted. But they’d been following his orders, not working with him. In fact, they’d had nothing to do with the women’s deaths. How would Slade react if he learned about the creatures that used to work for her husband? Even if he believed her it would make no difference. Termuvins wouldn’t take the time to mutilate a body. They drained their victims’ energy and left them for dead. Even when they’d been working for Jake they still weren’t under his complete control. And they definitely wouldn’t have gone down to North Carolina to continue Jake’s killing spree. Perhaps if she tried the truth. Well, most of the truth. “My husband is dead. I can’t show you a body because there isn’t one. Not anymore. He burned up. I didn’t go to the police because I knew they wouldn’t believe me. Jake Craine is dead. And,” she lowered her voice and leaned forward. “He was The Slasher. With him gone, Caitlyn and the others are safe. I don’t know who your copycat is, but he’s not my husband.” Slade stared at her, his eyes barely flickering as he studied her with those gorgeous blues. She could give him a mental push, but she didn’t want to. She didn’t like manipulating

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people. Even so, the temptation to push her innocence at him almost overwhelmed her as the silence grew. “So you expect me to believe Jake’s body burned? Where are his remains then? Something would remain behind, bones, teeth, something. He wouldn’t go completely up in flames without leaving even ashes behind.” “Well, there were ashes, but we took care of them to make sure he couldn’t come back.” “Now you sound like a witch or something.” Meredith laughed. Her café was called The Witch’s Brew. It wouldn’t take much for someone to assume she was a witch. That the business had been in her family since America was founded was part of the reason she’d refused to change the name as the years passed. “I think you should get a lawyer before you say anything else.” Meredith wondered how to get him to believe her. “My husband was a sick man, Mr. Jackson. He didn’t have an accomplice. When he found a good chance he took it. He took pleasure in mutilating his victims. He had some sick, twisted idea that Caitlyn needed to die. After she escaped the first time, he attacked every red-headed woman he found hoping it was her.” “Ma’am, I must insist you don’t say anything else until you have your lawyer present.” “You’re taking me to jail?” Meredith rose from behind the desk. “I just told you that Jake Craine was The Slasher and he worked alone. Please explain to me why you want to put me behind bars?” “Do you have any proof of what you say?” “You’re here, aren’t you?” Meredith growled deep in her throat. Even his show of surprise didn’t help quell her inner beast. “I don’t have any proof, but he is dead. I don’t know how this is happening again.”

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She drew in a deep breath and focused her energy. There was nothing left to do but force him. Hopefully his shields were weak enough for her to get through them. “Slade,” she said and waited for him to look into her eyes. Adding a touch of magic to her commands, she focused on Slade and making him believe her. “You’re satisfied that I am innocent of any wrongdoing. You believe Jake is dead. No one knows who the killer in North Carolina is, but you realize it can’t be Jake because he’s dead. You know Jake was The Slasher and are interested in checking his belongings for a clue to who could be continuing the murders. You need to return to North Carolina as soon as possible to check out these new leads.” His eyes flickered during the mesmerizing, but it appeared as if it worked. She might have overdone it with implanting the idea that Jake is dead, but she wanted be sure that took. Too many things were at stake. She couldn’t afford this noisy cop poking around. Slade looked at her in confusion, then glanced back down at his notes. “Since your husband is dead, it can’t be him. But he was the original Slasher, so it could be someone who knew him and how he worked. Has anyone moved away since your husband’s death? Have you noticed anything missing from your home?” Thank God the suggestions took. She couldn’t take much more questioning. Meredith took a sip of water as she listened to his deep sexy voice. Water wasn’t what she needed to quench her thirst, but she didn’t think Slade would offer his blood for her dinner. That thought brought a smile to her lips. “What’s so amusing?” Slade leaned forward, watching her intently. She met his gaze and grinned. “I’m just thinking about dinner.” “Would you like to go get something to eat? We can finish this discussion over a late meal.” Slade rose and pocketed his identification and notebook.

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“I don’t think you’ll find anything on a menu to appease my appetite.” Meredith chuckled. He grinned back at her. This man wasn’t just charming, he had shelves stocked full of charisma. And he had no clue she was talking about his blood, not going to bed with him. “I don’t know about that.” Almost as soon as he said the words he looked as if he regretted his flirtatious manner. “All the same, I’m gonna pass this time. I need to get back out on the floor. We’re short-handed tonight. Besides, I didn’t really know any of my husband’s friends, and he had no family.” She wouldn’t have wanted to know them anyway. Jake had been so possessive she’d learned quickly to avoid other men. It had been much easier to be lonely and friendless than to arouse Jake’s anger. “I understand. Perhaps tomorrow I can come back. Before you open, maybe? When you aren’t so busy? I need to get back as soon as I can. I have more leads to follow up in North Carolina.” She could almost hear his confusion. He was strong, but she was stronger. The suggestions should stay, unless he realized what she did and found a way to counter it. Then her goose would be cooked. Meredith tried to remember anything that would get him out of here and back to Bradford before something gave. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to let someone in the café have him for dinner. No. If anyone was going to have him, it would be her. “Meredith?” With a start, she remembered the book she’d found last week. There were a bunch of names she didn’t recognize, so she assumed they were from the West Coast. As far as she knew, Jake hadn’t kept in touch with anyone out there so she’d been surprised to find the book.

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After a few moments of silence Meredith spoke again. “Perhaps I can help you after all.” “Did you remember someone?” “No, but I did find my husband’s ‘little black book.’ Maybe you’ll find something useful in it.” “That would be great! Where do you have it?” Slade smiled, leaning toward her. His scent hit her all over again. What kind of soap did he use? She shifted uncomfortably in her seat as he tilted his head and turned his bedroom eyes on her. Oh, but he was handsome, and when he smiled he was devastating. Meredith took a deep breath and released it slowly. A dimple. He had a dimple. Get a grip, she scolded herself. Hormones, blame it on your hormones, woman. “Is it here or at your house? Should I wait and follow you to your house after you’re done working?” “No!” She didn’t need him following her home. She’d be likely to invite him in, and one thing would lead to another. No way was he coming back to the house. Especially since she was now living with Caitlyn and Aidan. “No?” She blushed as she realized she’d shouted at the poor man. “I mean no, that isn’t necessary. I have the book here.” Rising quickly, Meredith stepped over the stack of books and hurried over to a large painting of a full moon. The faster she gave him the book, the faster she could get him out of here. She tugged on the painting and pulled it open like a door to reveal a small wall safe. “You keep it in there?”

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“I know. Isn’t this the first place someone would look for a safe?” Meredith peeked at him from behind the painting. “But if someone could get inside my café it wouldn’t matter where my safe was. If they can get in here, they can get inside anything.” “I’d be more than happy to check the security of this building for you.” Meredith almost laughed, but then realized he couldn’t possibly know she used unnatural measures to keep it safe. “Thank you, but no. I use a good company and I have an overprotective brother and sister who both look out for me.” Meredith unlocked the safe and pulled out a shoebox. Inside were most of the items she’d found after her husband’s death. She wasn’t sure what they were, or if they were important, so she hadn’t wanted to get rid of them. It was better to hold on to them in case she needed them. After rifling through the box she found what she was looking for. She pulled out the thin book and handed it to Slade. “Thanks.” “Anything I can do to assist the police I will.” Slade opened his mouth as if to speak, but hesitated, something she was sure he rarely ever did. He ran a hand through his gorgeous hair and added, “If you think of anything that could help my case I’d appreciate it if you gave me a call.” “Sure,” Meredith said softly as she closed and locked the safe. When she turned around Slade pulled a business card out of another pocket and handed it to her. Meredith accepted the card, ignoring the tingle of electricity that raced up her arm at his touch. “Of course I still have more questions for you.” Slade smiled. He scooped his jacket off the couch. “But I know how busy you are so I won’t keep you. Perhaps we could meet up again to discuss the case more? I can come back up here.”

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“Is that necessary? Can’t you just take the book and go?” Slade frowned at her. Oops, had that come out a little harsh? She couldn’t help it. His scent, his touch, damn it, everything about him made her want to push him down on that sofa and bite him. Why wasn’t the suggestion making him want to leave now? “But I have other questions. You said you were busy now. I was offering you an alternative. You did say you would help me.” “Um, yeah.” Meredith ducked behind her desk, hoping the barrier would keep her from jumping all over him. “What about on the phone?” “It’s easier to do this kind of thing in person.” Meredith smiled and fought the urge to shout at him to leave before she leapt across the short distance and bit him. “If I promise to call you tomorrow, will you go now?” “Okay, that’ll have to do. I appreciate your cooperation. The number for my cell phone is on the back of the card. Call me if you need anything.” Meredith nodded. “Okay.” “Okay.” Slade smiled and held out his hand. “Thanks again for your cooperation. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Meredith reached for his hand and braced herself, anticipating the delicious tingle she’d experienced earlier. This time there was nothing. Breathing a sigh of relief, she shook his hand and released it quickly. “Don’t forget,” he added as he walked out of her office and pulled the door shut. “As if I could.” Meredith dropped back into her chair with a sigh of relief. Finally, he was gone. She hoped he made it through the café unscathed, but she couldn’t handle being with him a minute longer. Meredith didn’t know what it was, but there was something about him that appealed to her baser instincts. If she wasn’t careful, she might do something she would regret later on.

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A knock sounded on the door just before Caitlyn poked her head in. “Come in and close door, please,” Meredith said. “Well?” Caitlyn asked, leaning against the door after she closed it. “Sit down.” Meredith waved to Caitlyn until she walked over and perched on the edge of the desk. “He’s a federal agent investigating four deaths in Bradford, North Carolina. And Jake’s disappearance. He thinks it’s related as the deaths are similar to the ones up here.” “Does he know…?” Caitlyn’s voice trailed off as her hand rose to her throat. “What we are? No, he doesn’t. Do you think I’d give him information like that? I did have to mesmerize him though.” Meredith rose and picked up the bottle of water. She knew her family was wise not to trust her after Jake, but did Caitlyn really think she would be stupid enough to endanger all vampires? “Well, how’d he find this place? He shouldn’t have been able to.” “Adam.” “You don’t suppose he --” “I doubt Adam told him the truth,” Meredith interrupted. “Otherwise he wouldn’t be asking questions. He’d have known Jake was dead and why we left no body. Don’t let him worry you, Caitlyn. It has to be a copycat.” “Really?” Meredith leaned her hip against the desk and sighed. Was this detective going to cause trouble? Lost in thought, Meredith drummed her nails on the lacquered desk. Would he go digging into everything and expose Jake as a vampire? If he did, then slayers would surely come after them. The slayers were determined to get rid of all vampires.

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Meredith closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She didn’t want to have to leave here. She didn’t want to abandon her family and start over again. She opened her eyes and met her sister’s concerned gaze. Caitlyn sighed. “At least he’s gone.” “Not yet. I’m supposed to call him tomorrow.” “What?” Caitlyn rose and began to pace. “Why?” Meredith knew Caitlyn sensed her agitation, but she couldn’t tell her that she’d narrowly missed going to jail. “Would you stop pacing? You’re making me dizzy.” Caitlyn froze and blinked at her. “What crawled up your ass and died?” “I’m sorry. I guess I’m a little wound up.” Meredith took a deep breath and released it, trying to find her center. “He asked me questions about whether or not someone might have helped Jake.” “No one helped him. At least no one human.” Caitlyn began to pace again. She stopped when Meredith put her hand on her arm. “I’ve never seen you this nervous before. Do you know something I don’t?” Meredith watched her sister contemplate the question. Not even when the identity of The Slasher was unknown had Caitlyn been this nervous. Normally Caitlyn was the one who took control. Meredith usually went along with the majority’s decision. She hated confrontations. She was a healer. She protected others. Killing Jake had almost destroyed her. As it was, she’d lost the baby she’d been carrying. She shoved the thought away. She couldn’t dwell on it, it hurt too much. “I don’t want to see you hurt. And you’ll be hurt if he discovers our secret.” “What secret? Our heritage? Or that you tracked my husband with the intent to kill him? I guess killing him was self-defense, but it was you he wanted to kill, not me. I wasn’t defending myself.” “It was still in defense. You were defending me,” Caitlyn argued.

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Meredith shook her head. She knew this, her rational side agreed, but deep inside, her soul hated that she’d become a murderer. “Everyone already thinks of me as a heartless, murdering bitch. What does one more opinion matter to me?” “Because it does. Because you care. We fight so hard to be able to live among the humans in peace. The last thing we need is for this detective to get curious and expose your secret. Our secret.” “I’ll call him tomorrow and help him in any way I can. If someone is copycatting Jake’s crimes then they need to be stopped. I’ll do it myself if I have to.” Caitlyn reached out and placed her hand on top of Meredith’s. “You won’t have to. Aidan, Adam, Lucas, and I would willingly aid you in this.” “Thanks, sis.” “Anytime,” Caitlyn answered, squeezing her hand. A rapid series of knocks sounded on the door. “What?” Meredith sighed. “Hey, boss,” Frankie called out as he opened the door. “We’ve got a problem.” “A problem?” Meredith frowned. There wasn’t much he couldn’t handle. Last year Frankie had started a fight and busted up her café. Instead of pressing charges, they’d agreed he’d work for her until she felt his debt was repaid. She’d tried to release him of the obligation a few months ago, but Frankie refused to leave. He said he loved the atmosphere. Now she paid him a regular salary and knew she could count on him to keep the shifters in line. “You know that human you were talking to?” Frankie asked as he turned to look behind him.

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“Yes?” Meredith straightened and walked toward him. “What about him?” Frankie turned back to her, worry creasing his face. “Cyril thinks the guy is on tonight’s menu.” “Not in my café.” Meredith growled as her heart leapt in her throat. She’d suspected something would happen. Damn, she hated being right all the time. Meredith left her office at a run. “Oh shit,” Caitlyn cursed, right behind her.

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Chapter Two

Cyril stood in the center of a ring of vampires and shifters. He faced Slade, eyes black as midnight, daring Slade to fight him. Cyril’s hands fisted at his sides. The muscles in his legs threatened to split the tight black leather of his pants as he crouched and circled Slade. “Cyril.” Meredith stepped into the center and stopped in front of Slade. “Don’t do this.” “What are you doing?” Slade whispered. His lips brushed against the back of her head and sent shivers up her spine. His hands closed on her shoulders as he tried to tug her behind him. “Protecting you.” “Protecting me? I don’t need your protection.” “Shut up,” Meredith snapped. “You have no idea what you’re up against.” When Slade tried to pull her to the side again, Cyril stopped and growled, long and low. The sound raised the fine hairs on the back of her neck. Meredith fought not to take a step backwards. She would never allow anyone to intimidate her, especially not in her own place. “Go home, Cyril.” “Get out of the way, Meredith.” Cyril reached for her.

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Meredith slapped his hands away before he could grab her. “No. Stop it.” “Stop?” He threw back his head and laughed. “You want me to stop? He’s fair game and I saw him first. He wandered in here and I want him. If you can outlast me you can have him.” “Meredith!” Caitlyn called out, skidding to a standstill next to her. “Let me do this.” “Back off, Caitlyn. I can handle him.” “Excuse me.” Slade caught her off guard, and pushed her to the side. “But I said I can handle him.” “Just decide already.” Cyril turned and looked at the crowd. “Right?” The café erupted in chaos. Meredith lifted a hand, silencing the noise. Before she could give the order, Caitlyn signaled to the staff to do crowd control. Cyril resumed his crouch and began to circle them while Caitlyn, Frankie, and the others joined the circle to make sure no one interfered. “Get out of the way. I can handle this,” Slade hissed in her ear. “You’ve no idea what you’re saying.” “There’s no way I’m going to hide behind a woman. I can take him, man to man.” “He’s no man,” Meredith retorted, her eyes never leaving Cyril. “I’m tired of waiting. Who am I fighting?” Cyril asked as he stood up. He slammed his fists together and bared his sharp white teeth. “Me.” Slade tried to step forward, but Meredith moved in front of him. “You pick a fight in my café you deal with me.” “You’re just protecting him because he’s human.” “Human?” Slade echoed in confusion.

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“Maybe.” Meredith ignored him and narrowed her eyes at Cyril. “But it’s my café, and I choose to give him my protection. You need to calm down. Why don’t you go for a brisk walk to clear your mind?” “Don’t try that hypnotizing shit with me, Meredith. You might have been able to bend the human to your will, but you don’t stand a chance against someone like me.” Meredith ignored his dig and the biting grip of Slade’s fingers on her shoulders. “You don’t have to do this,” Slade whispered. “You want the human you go through me,” Meredith spat as she jerked her shoulders free and stepped forward. “As you wish.” Cyril grinned and lifted his face to the ceiling. An animalistic howl streaked from his throat as he tipped his head back even further. He fisted one hand on the leather of his jacket and the other on his pants, and ripped them off. Shreds of material fell to the floor as thick black fur erupted along his skin. Long, razor-sharp teeth, coated with saliva, dropped over his bottom lip. When his glowing eyes landed on Meredith, Slade gasped and tried to pull her back. “What the hell is he?” Cyril snarled as he completed the change, not into a wolf, but into a creature that was half man and half wolf. He tore off the tattered remains of his shirt, leapt across the small distance separating them and swung at her with a large paw. Meredith caught his arm and twisted it while she kicked his leg, forcing him to the ground. Cyril kneeled submissively, but growled curses at her. Meredith leaned down, magic coursing through her body as she struggled to keep him in place. She grinned and hissed in his face. “You better watch who you pick your fight with next time. Don’t ever threaten me and mine.” Meredith snarled as the creature within her sprang to life. She slapped him across the mouth and split his lip.

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Small whimpers slipped from Cyril’s mouth as her hold on him tightened. Meredith licked her lips as the scent of fresh blood awoke a hunger in her. As the urge to feed raced through her, she could see the satisfaction in Cyril’s eerie eyes. Slade dropped a hand onto her shoulder. “Meredith, stop. That’s enough.” “Back off,” she snapped and turned her head to glare at him. Slade stepped away from her, his face slack with surprise. She knew her secret was out, knew her fangs were down and a feral light shone in her eyes from the call of this stupid shifter’s blood. She should’ve had better control than this. “Slade, I --” She paused as his expression turned from surprise to horror. “What are you?” he breathed, eyes widening as he stepped back again. A triumphant laugh brought her attention back to Cyril. She spun back around to face the shifter and shouted at him. “Get out of my café. And don’t ever come back. You aren’t welcome here.” “Not at Pretenses either!” Caitlyn added. “You’ll be singing a different tune, soon.” Cyril’s eyes gleamed. His smile widened and he licked his lips. “I might do Jake’s bidding for now, but if I ever get a chance, I’ll make you pay for this.” “What do you mean Jake’s bidding?” Meredith leaned closer, everything forgotten but this shifter. When he didn’t respond, she hissed and made to bite him. “Jake wanted me to make sure nothing happened to you. The way you were acting, this was the easiest job in the world. Then you had to go and talk with that human.” Cyril snarled as he looked past her. “Jake is dead. Whatever deal you had with him is null and void.” “That’s what you think.” He stared at her for a minute before he jerked free from her limp fingers and loped out of the cafe. “What the hell just happened?”

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Damn. She’d forgotten he was there. Meredith turned and faced Slade. He’d recovered with impressive speed, and now stared at her with unreadable eyes. His arms were crossed, not one emotion visible on his handsome face. “Okay, people, show’s over. I won Slade fair and square. No one else can touch him.” Meredith waited until everyone acknowledged her claim with an assortment of nods and verbal agreement before turning to Caitlyn. “I better make sure my prize gets back to his hotel unharmed.” “I don’t need your protection,” Slade insisted. “Oh, so you know how to defeat a werewolf?” “A werewolf?” She noticed a flicker of something in his eyes before they returned to the impassive stare. “I guess I should have let Cyril mop my floor with you.” “I could have handled him, damn it.” “Mmm hmm.” Meredith ran her gaze up and down Slade’s delicious body. She knew exactly why Cyril wanted to kill him. It had nothing to do with Jake, and everything to do with the fact that he was mouth-wateringly handsome. And human. Cyril didn’t like strangers invading his territory, especially ones prettier than himself. Most of the shifters stayed on the other side of town. She’d have to ask Frankie what was going on when she returned. If they were up to something it would have to be dealt with quickly and quietly, before too many people got hurt. “What the hell are you anyway?” Slade stepped away from her and glanced around the room at all the deadly eyes focused on him. “All of you?” Meredith knew what he was thinking. The horror in his eyes was ingrained in her memory. It was always a shock to the humans when they learned that creatures such as vampires and werewolves existed. Once he recovered what would he do?

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She could easily give him blissful ignorance, but first she would need to get him back to his hotel and away from danger. Mesmerizing him again so soon after her fight with Cyril would drain her more than she could handle. Damn. Now he would really have questions. Meredith grabbed his arm and started to lead him to the door. It wasn’t a surprise when he tried to pull free, but it was an irritation she didn’t need right now. She tightened her grasp and ignored the little voice that told her she frightened him, that she was nothing but a disgusting monster. “I am vampire,” she answered him quietly. She gestured around the room. “Everyone you see in here is either vampire or a shape shifter of some sort.” “Vampire?” “Yes.” She nodded and dragged him to the door again. “But more importantly I need to get you out of here before Cyril regroups. I don’t want any more trouble in my café.” They reached the door as it opened from the outside. Three large men tried to fit through the entrance at the same time. One red head and two dark ones gave their identities away. Meredith snickered as she recognized her brother and brothers-in-law. Finally they managed to squeeze through the door, Aidan entering first, with Lucas and Adam a tight second and third. “What took you so long?” she asked, hoping they heard the frustration in her voice. Lucas ignored her question and greeted her with one of his own. “What happened?” Caitlyn pointed toward Slade. “Cyril wanted to play with him. Meredith took care of him, though.” “Cyril?” Adam frowned at Meredith. “I thought he learned his lesson after last time.” “Last time?” Lucas echoed while he checked Meredith for wounds. “What do you mean last time?” Not wanting to go into detail, Meredith ignored his question. “I’m fine. But I need to get Slade back to his hotel before someone decides to challenge me for him. Again.”

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“You mean you fought Cyril for Slade?” Adam asked with a big grin. “Are you going to claim him then?” “Yes,” she hissed, leaning close to him. “You left me no choice. It’s your fault for bringing him here and then leaving. You should have known better.” “I thought I’d get back before anything happened.” “Well, you thought wrong.” Meredith glanced back at Slade as he looked around the small group and then back at the few patrons who were still watching him with interest. He leaned close to Meredith and whispered, “How do I know you don’t plan to kill me now that I know your secret?” A smile flitted across her face. What she wanted to do with him involved death of a different kind. La petite mort. “I’m going to see that you get back to your hotel safely. Cyril shouldn’t be back tonight, but just in case…” She turned back to the men. “Can you guys stay here with Caitlyn and watch the place?” “No, I’ll take him to his hotel.” Lucas reached for Slade’s other arm. His hand wrapped around Slade’s forearm and he pulled on him. “Cyril might be out there waiting for you.” Meredith’s teeth dropped down as she snarled. “I can protect him just fine, thank you.” Lucas growled back at her, baring his fangs. “I’m trying to help. Let go of the human.” “No. He’s mine.” Meredith tugged on Slade again, her eyes narrowing. “I’m just going to take him to his hotel.” Lucas yanked Slade toward him. “No!” “Whoa!” Slade threw his arms in the air, breaking free of both of them as he backed away. “I don’t plan on letting either of you get me alone anywhere.” “You lost your choice when you stepped through this door, buddy.” She grabbed him again with her right hand and used her left to push Lucas aside. “Get out of my way.”

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Lucas raised his arms and dropped them theatrically. “I can’t believe you. You have a death wish, don’t you?” “Shut up,” she snarled and yanked Slade out the door with her. Slade put up a good struggle for a human. He planted his feet and refused to budge. If it weren’t for her supernatural strength, Meredith doubted she’d have been able to move him. She grinned as she dragged him along. “Damn it, woman.” Slade tried to free himself. “Let me go.” Meredith stopped, turned, and stuck her face in his. “Listen to me, Mr. Special Agent. You wandered into my café, got a young werewolf riled, and drew a whole lot of attention to yourself. I have enough problems without having to worry about shifters now. Since I defended you in there you are mine.” Slade blinked back at her. “What? I could have defended myself.” “And just how were you going to fight a werewolf? You’re only a human. You aren’t strong enough to take him on. His claws would have ripped you to pieces. He’d have devoured you right there in front of everyone.” “No,” Slade denied, shaking his head. Meredith watched as several emotions chased each other across his face. While disbelief warred with anger, she took a minute to glance around the street. “The street is clear.” Slade smirked when she looked back at him. “And I don’t need your help anymore, Miss Foxxe.” “Let’s go.” Meredith frowned and yanked on his arm. “I don’t have time for this.” “I should arrest you for assaulting me,” Slade barked, jerking free and crossing his arms in front of his chest. Meredith glared at him, her eyes narrowing. Slade stood there arrogantly mocking her. He raised his chin in defiance and she hadn’t even responded yet.

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She itched to wipe that stupid smirk off his face. Her hands fisted at her sides as she fought to control her anger. “Arrest me for assault? After I saved your life?” she asked, anger winning over her more rational side. “Yes.” Meredith leaned close. The crisp, clean scent of the pine soap he used, the aroma of his cologne, and a more earthy scent that was only his, intoxicated her. No matter where Slade went now, she would recognize him. The urge to claim him and mark him as hers drove all rational thought from her mind. Before he could react, she reached out, fisted her hands in his T-shirt, and tugged him against her. When she pressed her mouth against his, time seemed to stand still as all sounds and scents, save his, faded to the background. Slade met her kiss eagerly, and demanded more. Aroused by his acceptance, her vampire teeth elongated. When Slade’s tongue brushed against her sharp fangs, she tasted blood and fought the urge to sink her fangs in his neck. Instead, she licked the drop of blood and then repeated the motion more slowly. Oh, but he was divine. Sweet, rich and addicting. She moaned into his mouth when his hands cupped her breasts and kneaded them through the thin material of her blouse. He backed her against a wall and pressed his lower body into hers, rubbing his arousal against her. “So sweet,” he whispered as he pinched one of her nipples, then swallowed her gasp with his mouth. Meredith lifted a leg and wrapped it around him, pinning him in place as she moved against him, simulating the action she wanted to do, sans clothing. Fueled by desire, and his taste, Meredith licked and nibbled on his flesh. She heard the roaring of his blood, smelled the husky scent of his arousal, and surrendered to her hunger.

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She licked the skin covering his carotid, then dragged her fangs across it, making Slade shiver. “Stop!” He gasped as he wiped his hand on his neck. He looked at it and she almost laughed. He thought she’d bit him. She pulled back, panting hard as she met his dark gaze. Slade made a face, then wiped his finger across his lower lip and looked down at it in amazement. Meredith winced as another drop of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. “You bit me,” Slade accused. “I just nicked you. Don’t overreact. You’d know if I bit you.” Slade stood there staring at her until she sighed and grabbed his arm. “Never mind, let’s get to your hotel before Cyril comes back. The night’s still young and I have to feed.” “Feed?” he echoed, pulling free. “You didn’t get enough blood from me?” “That was only a scratch.” Meredith laughed. “I need more than a few drops of blood.” “You shouldn’t need blood at all. You shouldn’t exist. If I hadn’t witnessed that whole thing with my own eyes I’d say you weren’t real. You better start talking.” Slade grabbed her elbow and started to lead her down the street. “Wrong way,” she said and turned to lead him the opposite direction. “This is the way back to South Street.” “You owe me an explanation,” Slade said as they walked through the dark, quiet alley. “I want it now or when we reach my hotel, but I’m not letting go of you until you answer all of my questions.” “Promise?” Meredith tilted her head, looking up at him with her lips curled in a wicked grin. Slade snorted and picked up his pace.

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“Eager to get me back to your place?” Meredith whispered using her magic to push against him. The block she hit didn’t surprise her as much as it should have. He swung her around, and pinned her against the nearest wall faster than she could say his name. “Slade?” she asked as she met his angry gaze. He leaned close, his warm breath fanning her lips. His eyes grew darker as he stared at her, his breathing deepening with each passing second. Amused, Meredith watched his internal struggle as he fought to regain control of himself. She wondered if he was as stunned by his show of force as she was. “Slade?” she asked again, but softer this time. She licked her lips while she waited for a response. “Don’t tempt me.” He growled and released her so quickly that she stumbled before regaining her balance. “And don’t play with me.” Silent this time, Meredith watched Slade clench his hands at his sides. She’d only been giving back to him what he’d done to her in the café. He hadn’t minded flirting with her then. Was it different now that he knew she was a monster? Well, monster or not, she was sticking to his side until he was safely ensconced in his hotel room. Hell, she wouldn’t rest until he was back in North Carolina.

***** “Start talking and don’t stop until you’ve explained everything.” Slade leaned against the wall and gestured to the sofa. “Take a seat and make yourself comfortable, I have a feeling we’ll be here for a while.” Meredith frowned, but he ignored the pang of guilt. She was a vampire. She could handle anything he threw at her -- and more. After all, he’d seen her fight a werewolf. All the thoughts racing through his mind distracted him from his goal. He needed a clear level head to deal with this woman. He’d have to put his disbelief aside. Vampires, werewolves,

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and God knew what else were real. They existed. They were as real as his magic. But he was here to find Jake, The Slasher. Slade could hear the laughter in the station now. “Oh by the way, Chief Callaway, The Slasher is a vampire. If we get a stake we should be able to kill him.” No way. He couldn’t go home and tell everyone he’d found a vampire. They’d laugh him out of the station. Meredith sat on the sofa watching him with her sharp eyes. Eyes that could see his every move. Slade wondered if she could read his thoughts, too. “Start talking,” he reminded her. He didn’t want her to have any more time to think up a convincing story. He wanted the truth and he wanted it now. “What do you want from me?” Her deep husky voice sent a spark of desire racing along his veins. Slade tried to remember what he’d read and seen on television about vampires. They were supposed to possess a sensual magnetism that attracted others to them, but hers must be set on overdrive. Not only were his feelings for her stronger than any he’d felt before, but the thoughts he had of the two them made him harder than he’d ever been. While he’d seen and done plenty of strange things, these fantasies topped the cake. He wanted Meredith to bite him, lick him, do whatever she wanted for as long as she wanted, and in every way imaginable. He even wanted her to take control. Something he never gave up. The pleasure her eyes promised earlier in the alley only made him want to feel her mouth on his neck and hear her purr again, like the one that had vibrated through her body when she’d tasted his blood. “I want you to tell me everything,” Slade ground out between clenched teeth. “And I want you to stop doing that thing you do.” “That thing I do?” Her eyebrows rose as she repeated him. “What are you talking about?” “Making me want you. Stop it.”

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Her laughter sent chills up his spine. It was cold and harsh, like the woman she pretended to be. “I’m not using my vampire magic on you.” Her words were short and precise. He had to applaud her self-control, even if he did it silently. Meredith met his gaze and held it, issuing a silent challenge. “The desire you feel for me is real.” Slade was about to disagree when she lifted her hand, silencing him. Curious, he waited to see what her defense would be. The soft scent of lavender tickled his nose. He glanced around the room, looking for the source of the smell, when he realized it hadn’t been in his room before. He wondered if Meredith thought the scent would calm him down. What was she trying to prove? That she had power? He already knew it, and he wanted her to stop using it on him. Before he could say anything, the hairs on his arms and back of his neck rose, standing up as if he’d touched electricity. “What the hell?” He stared down at his arms in disbelief. What was she doing? “It’s warm in here, isn’t it?” Her voice was soft and husky. Hell yeah, it was warm in here, and getting warmer by the second. The temperature climbed with each breath he took. Slade reached up with one hand to tug the opening of his T-shirt away from his tight throat, and swallowed, trying to ease the sudden dryness. He wouldn’t look at her. Absolutely not. There was no way he was going to look into those hypnotic pools of green. Eyes he’d almost drowned in earlier. A slow, sensual voice whispered in his mind, telling him that he wanted her. That he should take her. She was his if only he’d ask. She hungered for his touch, his caresses, and his mouth all over her body.

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Soft, featherlike touches brushed against his body, arousing him even more as they ran across his chest and down his stomach. When they reached his waist, he drew in a deep breath, holding it in as the invisible hands crept closer and closer to the front of his jeans. Unable to resist, he looked at her. Meredith sat on the sofa inspecting her nails, as if she wasn’t doing anything to him. It looked as if she could use her magic with little or no thought. Damn, she was powerful. Warm fingers wrapped around him and stroked the hard length of his cock as if he wore no clothing at all. Slade hissed out the breath and bit back a groan as he grew even harder. Damn her. He could feel her, yet she was halfway across the room. Still, she continued to caress him, sliding her fingers up and down his length. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he struggled against those invisible hands. Slade fisted his hands and tried to move away from the caress, but it followed him. Tilting his head back, Slade let out a low growl. He shuddered and gasped as he felt her warm, wet tongue trace an X over his carotid. “Stop!” he shouted. Pushing away from the wall, he closed the distance between them. Everything ceased as Meredith crossed her arms and smirked at him. “That was only a fraction of what my magic can do to you.” “Nice try, sweetheart,” he bit out, his body still aching with unquenched desire. “But the subtlety worked better.” “Subtlety?” She sounded breathless, as if her actions had affected her also. Well, good. She should suffer, too. “You’re the most obtuse man I’ve ever met.” “Obtuse? Sweetheart, don’t try my patience anymore. Just admit you used your powers on me, give me the info I need on Jake, and I’ll walk right out of your life leaving you to your werewolves and bloodsucking.” She laughed at him. Focusing on what remained of his control, Slade pulled his notebook out and reached for the tape recorder he’d left on the coffee table.

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He sat down on the edge of the sofa and pushed record. The recorder switched off. Frowning, he pushed the button again. It shut off once more. More forcefully this time, he pressed on the button, holding his finger there until it started to record. Again, the machine shut off, but this time the tape popped out. “Damn it, Meredith,” he cursed fumbling for the tape as the ribbon started spilling out of the cassette. “What the hell?” “Did you think I would let you record me? Did you think I would give you the proof to sentence me to death?” Meredith leaned toward him, her eyes blazing with a raw fury he’d never witnessed before. “Sentence you to death? I expect you to help me stop a killer.” “By revealing my true nature to everyone? By sending the Van Helsings on a vampire hunt throughout Philadelphia? And do you think it would stop there? No, it would spread like wildfire, like the Salem witch hunts. Would you have all those deaths on your hands?” Slade was surprised by her vehemence, but he shouldn’t have been. He’d already noticed she was a passionate creature. More importantly, she was right. He didn’t want to send a bunch of innocent people to their deaths. Until he learned more about them, he would keep her secret. “Listen to me, Slade. I’m only going to tell you this once. No notes, no tape recorders, nada, zip, zilch. Got it?” He shook his head. “Meredith --” “For once you’re going to have to do it someone else’s way,” she interrupted. Did everything that came out of her mouth have to be so sexual? Or was he just so horny that everything made him think of sex? “If you agree to tell me everything I won’t take notes or record our conversation. It’ll stay between the two of us. And this time don’t waste your energy trying to hypnotize me. I didn’t buy the hypnotizing routine in your office and I won’t buy it this time, either.”

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Anger flashed across her face. “You’re an awfully skilled faker. It looks like I have no other choice but to tell you the truth. But if you break my trust you will face the consequences. Tell another soul what I’m going to tell you, I’ll not only deny it, but make sure you are laughed out of your profession.” “Thank you.” Finally, she was cooperating. “I don’t understand why Jake was the way he was. But he set his eyes on Caitlyn and nothing deterred him. They dated for a few months before she threw him over for Aidan. Jake wasn’t happy, but by the time Caitlyn and Aidan returned from their honeymoon he acted as if he was over her. I don’t need to get into my history with him so I’ll skip ahead. “Something must have triggered his insanity because without warning, he killed our parents and almost killed Caitlyn. Lucas and Molly took care of her, nursing her back to health while leaving the rest of us to think she was dead.” Meredith paused and rubbed her throat as a blood red tear slid down her cheek. Slade reached for a tissue and handed it to her. “I realize how hard this is for you,” he offered, wondering if her tears were genuine. “But if we can stop this madman before he kills again…” Meredith nodded and took a few deep breaths. “Jake had been a great comfort to me. When my parents died and my brother and sister vanished, he was there for me. Through all the long days and nights when we couldn’t find the killer he helped me grieve for my family. He had been my knight in shining armor. My hero. “When he suggested marriage I agreed quickly. Too quickly. Soon, his true nature started to emerge and I realized why Caitlyn had ended her relationship with him.” She hesitated, gathering her emotions and trying to keep them under control. “To make a long story short, Jake knew Caitlyn was still alive, but he couldn’t find her. None of us could. Systematically he began killing every woman who looked like her. He was sick. He probably thought each one was really her. Jake also used magic to take the form of another. And of

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course, I was stupid. I didn’t even know he was the killer until I caught him red-handed, trying to kill her.” “Magic other than the vampire kind?” She nodded and continued, “Jake had powers none of us knew he possessed. He was able to take on Aidan’s appearance and voice. It was how he was able to catch our parents off guard and murder them. It also enabled him to lure Caitlyn away from us and almost kill her again.” “I don’t understand. How could he almost kill her repeatedly? She’s a vampire, aren’t you immortal? The living dead? You’ve already died and can’t be killed again.” Meredith laughed at him. “What?” Slade struggled against his confusion. She switched her emotions faster than it took to dial 911. “Slade, I’m no more dead than you are. I’m just as alive. My heart beats. It also pumps blood throughout my body. I breathe, although I don’t need to breathe nearly as often as you. “Anyway, that’s all moot. Jake is dead. I drove a tree branch through his heart, and cut off his head. There is absolutely no way he is in North Carolina killing red-headed women.” “You killed him.” Slade blinked and rose slowly when he realized she’d finished her tale. He didn’t know what to think, what to say. Unless his instincts were wrong, which they never were, she was telling the truth. “Yes. But it really was in self-defense. You have to believe --” “I’m not questioning self-defense. I’m questioning if you really killed him. We have eyewitness reports of a man fitting Jake’s description. He’s been seen at some local hot spots and the one victim who survived described your husband in detail. At least they matched Caitlyn’s descriptions on the police reports.” “He’s dead. I don’t know how people think they’ve seen him. He’s dead.”

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“What I am now faced with is lack of evidence. The Bradford police chief is expecting me to come back with proof that either Jake is dead, or that he has moved his killing spree down south. Even the people at your café think he’s alive. Cyril claims to still be working for him.” “Cyril said that to make you doubt me.” “Honey, at this point I don’t have much choice. You have no proof. I can’t just believe you. If you’re lying to me I’ll throw you in jail for conspiracy to commit murder.” “Agent Jackson, you have nothing that will protect anyone from a vampire. That’s why we police ourselves. Jake is dead. I promise you.” “Then why does your voice quiver when you say it? Why do you look confused and afraid?” “Jake’s dead. He’s dead. He was The Slasher, but this has to be a copycat,” Meredith whispered. “Jake didn’t need help, and other than the termuvins, he always attacked Caitlyn alone.” “Termuvins?” “Demons that suck all the energy out of you and leave you a drained shell, easy prey for whatever comes along next to actually kill you.” “Life sucking demons.” “Don’t worry.” She grinned, revealing her fangs. “Us big, bad vampires keep the demons from doing too much damage to you humans.” “Don’t all vampires kill?” Slade watched her teeth as the light reflected off of them. The intensity of her gaze made him more nervous than he cared to admit. “No, not all vampires kill. We don’t need to, you know. We take what blood we need and hypnotize the donor into forgetting what happened. It’s as simple as that.” “Do all vampires feed on humans? How much blood do you need and how often do you need it?”

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Meredith laughed again, the sound chasing away the danger he’d sensed in her earlier. “Caitlyn and I prefer to drink donated blood. Once in a while we hunt. My brother and brothers-in-law feed while they do their nightly patrols.” “So when you leave here you’ll go home and get a bag of blood to drink?” Slade tried to picture her drinking blood out of a bag, but the thought was too amusing. “Actually I’m all out. Tonight I’ll hunt.” “Hunt?” He nearly choked on the word. “It’s rather easy.” She smirked at him, a twinkle in her eyes. “I just use a little bit of magic and I’ve got them lined up, eager to donate.” “That’s so barbaric,” he sputtered. “What would you have me do? Starve to death? I need to eat.” Meredith leaned toward him and whispered, “I’ve got a large appetite.” Slade took a step back. He couldn’t help it. He’d felt her power earlier, and if that was only a sample like she’d claimed he wouldn’t stand a chance against her. No one would. “It’s getting late, Slade.” She glanced at the clock over on the nightstand. “Do you have any more questions? Or can the rest wait for tomorrow?” “I still have more questions. Obviously it isn’t Jake committing these crimes. So who could it be?” “I’m sorry, but I have no idea who could be copycatting him.” “Meredith.” Slade decided to trust her with all the info. He had a feeling he would have to in order to gain her full cooperation. “If it’s a copycat, it’s either one of you, or a police officer.” “What do you mean?” “He’s just what we’re calling him. A copycat. He’s replicating Jake’s crimes exactly. The first woman we found was the wife of a nightclub owner. She survived, but the other women

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were killed and left in the parking lot behind the nightclub. Even with the police watching the site another body turned up. He’s mimicking Jake’s moves, if it’s not Jake himself.” “So the nightclub owner’s wife survived, but he probably plans to kill her later.” Slade nodded. “You can see why we’re so desperate to catch him.” “And that’s why you suspect it could be one of us -- Lucas, Adam, Aidan, Caitlyn, or me.” “Or a police officer. Someone with intimate knowledge of the case. But given what you’ve told me, it’s probably a vamp.” Meredith rose and walked across the room, past his bed to the window. She pulled back the thick drapes and peered out into the night. He would give almost anything to know what she was thinking. Would she turn against her own to help him? “Meredith?” She turned around with a gleam in her eyes he didn’t trust. His body prepared to flee, but instinctively, he didn’t think she would kill him, not after she’d saved him from Cyril. No, that look was one of hunger. But did she want blood or his body? “You owe me, Slade.” She smiled, revealing her vampire teeth as she glided toward him, her feet barely touching the floor. “Owe you?” He swallowed audibly as panic rose, clogging his throat. “What do you mean?” “Cyril challenged me for you. I fought him and won fair and square.” She stopped, the toes of her shoes mere millimeters from the tips of his cowboy boots. “But, I thought…that is…” He hesitated, confusion filling him. What was she insinuating? That he was her prize? Her dinner? The thought of her lips on his neck made him rock hard all over again.

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“Come on, Slade. I know you aren’t slow. If I don’t claim you, then someone else will. And how will that look for me? That I fought for you and then let you go. You know what I need.” She reached out, one red nail caressing his cheek before sliding down the side of his face, and coming to rest on his neck. Her finger tapped a slow beat against his flesh. “I don’t know what you need, Meredith.” “You are mine, Slade Jackson. Mine.” He looked into her eyes, now an endless, swirling green. He swallowed and started to protest, then realized he wasn’t afraid of her, just confused about what she wanted from him. He thought she wanted to have sex with him, and maybe drink his blood, but he couldn’t be sure she wasn’t teasing. “I acknowledge you defended me from the werewolf. But you don’t own me.” “Oh yes, I do.” She grinned, her nail sliding back and forth across his pulse point. Slade shuddered, his hands reaching out and grabbing her hips of their own volition. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you in the café, but I can’t. You’re a suspect in a murder investigation. Sleeping with you could cost me my job.” Unless he could make love to her and get her to reveal something in the afterglow. It went against everything ingrained in him, but he needed to catch this killer and would do anything. But could he sleep with a potential murderer? A woman who’d admitted she killed her husband? Meredith tilted her head back and laughed. “I thought you were going to say because I’m vampire.” “You’re beautiful and desirable,” he whispered, pulling her against him. It was futile to resist. His body desired her no matter what his mind argued. “I want you.” “How do you know it’s not my magic?” she argued. Now she wanted him to apologize? Damn, she was a hard nut to crack. “I don’t. It could be your magic, but I doubt it. What I felt when I first saw you, before you even spoke to me or saw me standing there, hasn’t changed.”

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“And the fact that I’m a vampire…?” “Changes nothing. I still want you.” “You aren’t going to claim I seduced you?” Of course he would. The killer came first, his job second. Slade frowned. “But you are seducing me, aren’t you?” “I’m trying, but you keep talking.”

***** Meredith looked deep into his eyes. She sensed only acceptance, no fear. That was good, because she really needed to feed and she didn’t want to leave him alone to hunt. Cyril might be outside watching, waiting for an opportunity to claim him. She needed to stake her claim on him first and in such a way that even Cyril couldn’t refute it. Having Slade’s cooperation would make it much easier. His arousal pressed against her, leaving no doubt about his desire. It was a shame it had to be this way, but he would either forgive her or she’d make him forget everything. He was a man of his word. She could sense it, but she couldn’t risk the others by letting him keep his memory. Feeding from him would enable her to manipulate his mind, something she hadn’t been very successful at yet. “Sweetheart?” His soft-spoken question snapped her out of her thoughts and reminded her of what she was supposed to be doing. Feeding. “Yes?” She leaned in to him and lifted her face up to meet his blue eyes, darkened with desire. “When you feed, is it like it was in the alley, when we kissed?” “Oh no.” She shook her head. “It’s a lot more intense. A lot more fulfilling, for both parties.” He cocked his head. “Do you do this often?”

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“Do what often?” It was hard to form a coherent thought when he was looking at her as if he was starving. She was the one who needed to feed, not him. “Fight werewolves for men, then take them back to their hotels and drink their blood?” “Nope, this is a first for me.” She sighed when he continued to look at her with a curious expression on his face. “This is the first time I’ve been challenged for a meal. By a werewolf, anyway. Like I said, I prefer to drink prepackaged blood. Are you nervous? Scared?” “Me scared?” Slade snorted and lowered his mouth. One of his hands cupped her chin, his thumb brushing against the side of her face. “I’m never scared.” She smiled. “Good. Then kiss me.” Meredith nipped at his lower lip with her normal teeth. She didn’t want to rush things. It had been so long since she’d had a fresh meal that she wanted to take her time and enjoy it. Especially since he was willing. He was leaving in the morning. She’d make sure of it. Why not give him a thrill to remember her by? And the added benefit of fresh warm blood was that she’d recuperate her strength faster. She pulled back and met his steady gaze. “I bet when you tried flirting with me in the café you didn’t think you’d actually be bringing me back to your hotel room.” “Meredith?” Slade sighed, brushing his lips over hers. “Yes?” Her breath caught at the gentle caress. “Shhh.” She frowned and started to tell him to shhh, when he covered her mouth with his, silencing her. Meredith felt his kiss all the way down to her toes. Heat rippled throughout her entire body and her stomach tightened in desire. She leaned up on her toes to give him better access. Slade kept one hand on her chin, and moved the other to her lower back. He rubbed his warm palm against her, while deepening his assault on her mouth.

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Slade’s tongue tangled with hers, coaxing small sounds from the back of her throat. The heady scent of his arousal only served to fuel her desire. Meredith grabbed onto his shoulders and held on as his lips left hers, kissing his way down her cheek and along the side of her neck. Tilting her head to give him better access, she arched, and slid her hands down his sides, tugging his hips closer. “Meredith,” Slade whispered before sucking the bottom of her earlobe into his mouth, and biting gently. She barely registered the change in the air around them as her magic slipped free, entangling them in a web of desire. “I need you,” Slade groaned, trailing kisses her neck. “Now.” He reached down and started to lift up her shirt, sending a rush of anticipation humming through her veins. With a whimper, Meredith released her hold on him so he could remove it. After tossing it aside, he cupped her breasts. She watched Slade’s expressive face as he released them from her bra and then captured them with his hands, hunger etched in his features. His touch sent flames of desire through her and she thought they might set the room on fire. Sheer liquid heat raced along her veins while her heart thundered in her chest. Meredith’s breath caught in her throat as he caressed her again. When Slade lowered his face and sucked her nipple into his mouth, Meredith cried out, grabbing onto him for support as her knees buckled, and pleasure rocked through her body. “Jeez, Slade,” she panted, nails digging into his flesh as his tongue swirled around her nipple. He looked up at her with a smirk. “Meredith, shhh.”

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Biting her lip, she looked down into his face. He met her gaze boldly, his tongue tracing a circle around her oversensitive skin. Meredith knew she wouldn’t be able to settle for just taking his blood. She wanted everything he had to offer, no matter the price.

***** Slade knew the instant her defenses dropped. Her desire-laden eyes deepened even more, and she sighed, the sound brushing against him like a caress. This was wrong, but it felt so right. In her arms, he felt a sense of peace and warmth he’d never experienced before. He planned on making sure she stayed the night because he had a feeling in the morning her self-preservation would kick in and she’d act like it never happened. Either way, he was going to enjoy tonight to the fullest and deal with the rest later. When he moved his mouth to her other breast, she let out a low, animalistic sound that sent his pulse pounding even faster. “Slade.” She moaned, her hands digging painfully into his shoulders. He winced and pulled away to stand up. “I want to make love to you, Meredith.” “Yes,” she agreed without hesitation. “I want you, too.” Slade undressed in record time, her hunger making him hurry. He paused when she cried out and looked up to see her eyes on his shoulders. Following her gaze, he noticed blood, warm and wet, glistening on his flesh. Meredith licked her lips, and looked away. “I owe you, remember?” he said, sliding his hand under her chin and turning her face back to him.

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Something dark flashed in her eyes. Before he could wonder what it was, or use his powers to test it, she pushed him toward the bed. The backs of his legs hit the mattress, forcing him to sit. She straddled him, lowered her mouth to his right shoulder, and kissed the spot she’d wounded. Slivers of pleasure coursed through him, sending his remaining blood rushing to his cock. He thought he’d been hard before, but the sensation of her mouth and tongue moving over his shoulder almost overwhelmed him. Growling, he rolled her over and fumbled with her pants. “Off, get them off now.” She chuckled, and he realized he’d voiced that last thought out loud. Her low husky laugh was like wonderful music. He knew he’d never tire of it. “Let me help you,” she said as she pushed against him. He stood up so she could finish undressing. What probably only took a few seconds, was still longer than he wanted to be apart from her, and the instant they were both naked, he pressed her down on the bed, kneeling over her. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, meeting her mouth with his. Meredith’s hands moved on his back, kneading into his shoulders. He barely registered that only one still hurt when her hands slid down his sides and reached down to wrap her slender fingers around him. Slade groaned helplessly as she slid her hands up and down his hard aching length. He didn’t want to wait anymore. Didn’t know if he could wait any longer. Leaving her mouth, he pressed kisses on her collarbone and both breasts, before turning his attention lower. He dipped his tongue into her navel, causing her to gasp and arch. With a smile, Slade murmured soft words, promising pleasure as he rubbed his mouth against her abdomen.

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Meredith arched even more as she grabbed on to the mattress. He looked up at her and knew she was fighting not to release the vampire in her. He wondered if she was doing it for his sake, or hers, then decided it didn’t matter because he intended to drive her beyond control. If this was his last night on earth, there was nowhere he’d rather be, nothing he’d rather be doing more than this. Lowering his face again, he pressed his mouth against her soft, wet folds. As he listened to her gasping breaths, he brushed his nose against her, inhaling her scent. “Slade.” Ignoring her pleading cry, Slade teased her, running his tongue across her clit. Meredith bucked under him. He grabbed onto her hips, pinning her to the mattress. Encouraged by her response, he dipped his tongue into her, tasting her, testing her limits. Meredith fisted her hands in his hair, silently urging him for more. Obeying the unspoken command, Slade stroked his tongue against her clit again. One second she was moaning, and the next she gripped his shoulders, pulling him up so that their faces were level. “You can’t,” she panted. “I can’t.” “Yes, we can.” He nodded slowly. “And we will.” “No,” she gasped, shaking her head and yanking him back up as he started to move down again. “You don’t understand.” “What don’t I understand?” Slade shook his head confused by her words and actions. “Make me understand.” “I…” She hesitated. “Meredith, please tell me what is wrong.” He laid his palm against the side of her cheek and waited. “You are human. If I lose control, I could kill you.”

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Slade bit back a laugh and met her eyes. Now that he understood, he could feel her panic as the vampire in her clawed for release. He remembered the blood on his shoulders from when she’d dug her nails into him while he’d caressed her breasts. “You won’t kill me,” he said, hoping he sounded confident. “I won’t be able to stop it, to stop myself from taking you in the vampire way.” “But I thought that was what we were doing.” Slade rubbed his hands on her arms. “No.” She shook her head. “I was only going to feed. I got carried away. I’m sorry.” Her cold, stilted words stung him. Slade started to pull away then realized that it was fear making her do this. She’d told him she needed to feed. He’d assumed she would take his blood. Was she waiting for permission to feed? “I give you my blood freely,” he whispered. Her mouth opened silently, as her face crumpled. He watched as she continued to fight with herself. “Meredith.” He kneeled over her, watching her expressive face. “Take me. Let me love you.” She nodded once, a silent tear drifting down her cheek. Slade brushed it away with his thumb. “Thank you,” he said, kissing her gently this time. Her arms wrapped around him as she met his mouth with hers, her teeth nipping at his lip. Slade slid his hands down her sides, grabbing onto her hips. She arched into him as he brushed against her. “Yes,” he pleaded. “Let me in, sweetheart.” Meredith didn’t say anything, but she lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist. As he tried to go slowly his body shook with need. He nudged her slick entrance with the tip of his shaft.

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She closed her eyes, and tilted her head back, fisting her hands in the comforter. Slade watched the flush on her face deepen as he slowly inched inside her. He hesitated when she moaned, opened her eyes and stared at him. Now. It sounded as if she was inside his head telling him to take her now. He pushed the rest of the way in at an agonizingly slow pace. Her muscles clenched around him, her body humming with an unseen force, as her vampire teeth dropped past her lips. Watching the pleasure on her face, and her surrender to her true nature almost made him come instantaneously. Meredith started to move under him, and before he could stop himself, Slade tensed and then spiraled headlong into one explosion after another. He bowed his head, shuddering as her hands slid up and down his back. Her warm breath fanned across his neck as she pulled him closer. Slade he felt a split second of pain, before a pleasure so intense it almost blinded him encompassed him. His body shook with the force of his orgasm as Meredith’s mouth moved on him. She purred, her body rumbling under him as she fed, licking and sucking on the exposed skin of his neck while he could do nothing but feel each and every nerve ending explode. He wasn’t sure if he wanted her to stop, or keep going until he burst into flames. But she did stop and pull back. His breath caught in his throat at the expression in her eyes. The sadness surprised him, and left him wondering what he’d done wrong. “Meredith?” he asked. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing,” she denied with a smile he could tell was forced. Slade sighed, and pulled her close. “Is it because we didn’t use protection? Because I’m safe. I assumed since you are a vampire that you are safe” “I’m safe.” She laughed at him. “And I know you are, too. I could tell by your blood.” “Then what’s wrong?”

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“Nothing,” she insisted, running her hands up and down his back. Slade closed his eyes and reached for her with his mind. “Slade?” She pulled back, staring at him, confusion clouding her eyes. “I may not be vampire, but I’m not without skills.” “Cute.” Meredith growled. “I guess I know now why I reached a block earlier.” “You still found a hole in it though,” Slade reminded her. He felt his body hardening again as he remembered the stunt she’d pulled earlier. “You knew you’d succumb to me sooner or later.” “Apparently it was sooner, rather than later.” Meredith nodded, but he could read her doubt easily. He wondered if he should push her. Before he could ask anything, though, she pulled away from him and climbed out of bed. “Where are you going?” Slade rolled on his side to watch her. “I have to get back to the café.” “Now?” Slade blinked. She was just going to leave? He hadn’t finished questioning her yet. “You can’t.” “Slade.” She sighed and reached for her pants. “I have a business to run. You understand how these things are.” “I do?” He lifted one eyebrow and waited for her to elaborate. She tilted her head at him and smiled. “It was great. We’ll have to do it again sometime.” Slade frowned and sat up, leaning toward her. “I thought you didn’t do this very often.” “Slade, if you want the truth, I don’t do this often. In fact, you’re the first man I’ve slept with since my husband died. Not like it’s been that long. But I can’t ignore my business for you. Cyril might come back, and if he does, he won’t be happy. Or alone.”

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“There it is again. Why are you so sure Jake is dead? Even a vampire should leave behind some sign that they passed.” Meredith shook her head. “I don’t need proof. I killed him.” Her eyes glowed as she said the words. “It was self-defense.” Oddly enough, he believed her. She wasn’t the type to do anything lightly, and living with that man must have been hell on earth. “I believe you.” “You do?” She looked at him, hope burning in her eyes. “I believe you think you killed him. And I believe it was in self-defense, but I think he survived. He is vampire after all. He’s shifted his attention to North Carolina. You need protection, Meredith. He will come after you.” Meredith shook her head. “He’s dead. He’d attacked Caitlyn and I couldn’t get him off of her. He was so strong, too strong. I grabbed the closest thing, a tree branch, and thrust it into his heart. I cut off his head and a ball of fire consumed him as he died.” “And you saw this happen? He didn’t escape from the flames?” “No. Adam was there, you can ask him to confirm everything I’ve told you. Or Caitlyn, Aidan, Lucas, and Molly. Jake is dead. I have no idea why someone is copycatting him.” “We need to put you in protective custody. What if Cyril tells everyone about me and they figure out you’ve confided in me? You know, Cyril doesn’t believe Jake is dead, either.” He needed her. Not for the sex, but because of the information she had and could provide. “No. You can’t protect me from a werewolf or a vampire. You couldn’t even protect yourself from me if you had to.” Was she afraid he’d want more sex? Granted, he did, but he could stick to business. “You regret it already, don’t you?” Meredith sighed and watched him. “He challenged you for me. You said repeatedly that I was yours. What happened here wasn’t just sex was it?”

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“Of course it wasn’t just sex,” she answered turning away to pull on her shirt. “It was fantastic sex. Something I’d like to do again. Frequently.” “It wasn’t sex for pleasure. You did something to me.” His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, spinning her around. Pointedly she glared at his hand. Stunned, Slade released her. It wasn’t like him to use force on a woman, and he’d done so repeatedly with her tonight. She’d done something to him that no else ever had. “Do werewolves often come into your café and fight over humans?” “No. But most humans can’t get through the blocks and find us.” “Guess that makes me special then.” “That’s right.” She winked at him. “You’re something else. And you’re staying here.” “I’m not going to let you go back there and possibly face Cyril alone. And neither of us is going anywhere until you answer my question.” “I don’t think so, Slade. As you’ve seen I can handle a werewolf and pretty much anything else. Besides, you need to look through Jake’s book and see if there is anyone you need to question before you go home tomorrow.” Slade sighed as he realized she was right. But it didn’t stop him from wanting to grab her by that long, thick red hair and drag her back to his bed. Why was he going home tomorrow? Oh yeah, he had new leads to check out. Slade shook his head to clear away the tired haze in his mind. He hadn’t realized how late it was. If he wanted to get some sleep before the long drive he’d have to let her go. He groaned and dropped down onto the sofa as he rubbed his temples to ease the dull ache that had started when she’d closed the door. I won’t forget to call you. Slade sat up and looked around as her voice sounded in his head. He heard her laugh, before she added, One of the perks of drinking your blood. Now I can talk to you wherever you are.

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He froze in sudden realization. When he’d given her permission to take his blood, he’d probably given her more than he’d meant to. He wouldn’t be surprised if she could do a lot more than just talk to him via telepathy. Would her hypnosis work on him now? What had he done? The book, Slade. Check the book. With a silent growl, Slade reached for the small black book and opened it. He hoped he found a lead in here. He was tired of dead ends, tired of women dying, and tired of the bad guys winning.

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Chapter Three

Meredith glanced around the café. Aidan, Adam, Lucas and Caitlyn stared back at her. Ignoring them, she focused on Caitlyn. “Slade doesn’t want you to go anywhere alone. There was another murder down there and I’m guessing it has to do with you.” “What exactly did he say?” Aidan asked as he wrapped his arm around Caitlyn’s shoulders in a protective gesture. “The killer left a note this time.” “What did it say?” Caitlyn looked at Aidan then back at Meredith. “Was it about me?” “Oddly enough it was vague. It basically warned Slade to stay away from her. It must mean you. He was up here and did speak with you, albeit briefly after we kicked Cyril out of here. I’m going to set up a meeting for him with Jessica Prince.” “You’re going to let him meet with her alone?” Adam asked, laughing out loud. “And after you went bananas on me for bringing him to the café?” “It was an idiotic thing to do,” Meredith argued. “Okay, children,” Caitlyn interrupted “We’ve got business to discuss. Save that stuff for later.”

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Meredith frowned, and sat down at an empty table, the rest following suit. “Caitlyn, we don’t want you going anywhere alone. We have no clue what this new killer is like. We don’t know what’s going through his head. Why is he copying Jake? The killer has taken on Jake’s image. You aren’t safe.” “Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize this child.” Caitlyn patted her still flat tummy. “Of course.” Meredith nodded. “Well, one of us should go down and help Slade. Besides, it would look better if we met with Jessica first, to smooth the way for him to meet them,” Lucas suggested. “I can’t go.” Aidan looked around the group. “And there’s no way Caitlyn is going. I need Adam to help me with the club and the Protectors. How about you, Lucas?” “Fine.” Meredith smiled. “Caitlyn, I need you to handle the café for me. I’m going with Lucas.” Caitlyn and Lucas immediately protested, but Aidan lifted a hand, silencing them. Caitlyn gave him a dirty look, and crossed her arms. “It’s a good idea. Lucas is a Foxxe and could still be in danger. By sticking together they’ll both have a better chance.” “I don’t like it,” Caitlyn argued. “I’m going and that’s final.” Meredith stood up and walked toward her office. “Meredith,” Lucas called out, hurrying after her. Ignoring him, she entered her office and pushed against the door. The satisfying sound of wood slamming into wood never reached her ears. “Darn it all, Lucas,” Meredith growled, turning around. “What do you want?” “It’s fine. As long as you agree to stick with me while we’re there. I’m sure Molly would like to come with us. Then between the two of us, you’ll always have someone with you.”

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“Except at night,” she smirked. Lucas snapped, “With Slade warming your bed, you should be safe enough.” Images of last night rose unbidden, sending a rush of desire through her body. With a mental curse, Meredith wondered if her sex life was going to be everyone’s business from now on. “I’m an adult, you know. Have been for the past four hundred years. Do you think maybe, just maybe, I’ve earned the right to have sex with whoever I want, whenever I want, as many times as I want?” Lucas coughed, his face coloring a deep shade of red. “Oh my God,” Meredith said as the truth dawned on her. “You don’t trust me. You think I’ll pick another male like Jake, don’t you?” “No. I…no,” Lucas stuttered, shaking his head. “What? Do you think I’m looking for a man in my life? Do you think I want to make another mistake like that again?” “But --” “No!” Meredith interrupted. “I fought Cyril for him and I had every right to claim him. I needed the blood.” “Claim him?” Lucas’s voice rose as he repeated, “You claimed him?” Oh, crap. She hadn’t meant to say that part. “Well…and what of it? I’m sure he’ll come in handy. Besides, now we have a way to keep track of his investigation.” “Does he know what you did?” Lucas asked, staring at her in shock, his eyebrows raised, and his mouth open. “Yes,” she hissed, slamming her hand on the desk. “Yes, he does. Okay? Can we move on to discussing your sex life now?”

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“Meredith!”

“Lucas!” She dropped into her chair, biting back a growl as he sat on her couch.

“I can understand the black,” he complained as he ran his hand over the sofa. “But why

the leather?” “Because Jake hated it.” “So you bought it for the nights he would crash back here while he waited for you to finish working?” Meredith nodded. “Now I can understand why he was so damn grouchy. It’s slippery.” Meredith giggled. Slade hadn’t complained when he’d sat on it yesterday. With a sigh, she closed her eyes and pictured him as he’d looked sitting there. Then she pictured him laying there wearing only a grin as he patted the leather and asked her to join him. “Meredith?” “What?” she growled, opening her eyes. The concern on his face wiped away her anger. “I know what I’m doing, Lucas. And I am not looking for a replacement for Jake. I’m also not going to pass up a perfectly good opportunity, either.” “I just don’t want you to get hurt again,” Lucas said, his voice barely audible. “I don’t want to get hurt again, either, but I need to keep close tabs on him and I need to have sex with him to reinforce my suggestions. His shields are weakest when he orgasms.” The fact that she enjoyed being with him, was irrelevant. It suited everyone’s needs this way. Lucas groaned. “It’s true. He was ready to arrest me before I started to give him suggestions.” Lucas shook his head, and stood up. “Let me know when you’re packed. We’ll drive down when you’re ready.”

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“You’re gonna drive?” She looked at him with some surprise. Lucas preferred to fly, and if he couldn’t fly he took his motorcycle. “No. One of the Protectors will. That way neither one of us will be alone, and it’ll make Caitlyn happy. You know how she worries about us. Our Protector can make daily reports to her.” “That makes sense. Okay, let me get my stuff together. How long will you and Molly take to get ready?” “Not long,” Lucas assured her. “Just call my cell and we’ll swing by to pick you up.” “Okay.” Meredith smiled as he left, but changed it to a frown as soon as he was gone. They didn’t trust her. Whatever. She didn’t deserve their trust. They were right. She’d picked the wrong man once, what was to stop her from picking one again? That was why Slade was perfect. She’d never mate with a human.

***** Slade moaned and rolled over. How was he supposed to sleep with images of Meredith in his head? Scenes from the night he met her flashed behind closed eyelids, arousing him. He was rock hard with no one around to relieve the building pressure. This time Slade groaned, and thought of her. He remembered how she’d read his mind, and wondered if she was able to do it from this distance.

Meredith. Holding his breath, Slade waited for her to answer. He ignored the voice of reason that said she was just playing with him, that she’d used him for food and pleasure and moved on to someone else now. “No,” he cursed under his breath. There was no way she could have made love to him like they had if it meant nothing to her.

Meredith.

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Yes, Federal Agent Jackson? Slade almost opened his eyes when warm hands settled on his chest. Damn, but there were nice perks for vampires. Like being able to touch without actually putting your hands on someone. He’d like her to move those hands lower…

Slade, you have such a dirty mind. He grinned. But you like it.

Mmm hmm. She purred, her hands sliding down his naked chest. Slade hissed out a breath at the feel of her lips on his neck.

I’d like to drizzle chocolate all over your gorgeous body, she whispered seductively, her breath tickling his ear. Slade gritted his teeth, to keep from looking. She wasn’t there and he didn’t want to lose the dream. He closed his eyes tighter when her hands hesitated at his abdomen. Fighting the urge to ask her to move her hands lower, Slade imagined what he would like to do to her. He would run his hands over her smooth shoulders, down her back and cup her ass, pulling her lower body against his.

Slade! Her gasp echoed in his mind. What? Then he’d rub his aching cock against her and cup her breasts in his hands before sucking one of those dark pebbled nipples into his mouth.

What kind of powers do you have, Slade? What are you talking about? Why are you talking? I can feel your touch, your caresses. She moaned as he lowered one hand and cupped her mons.

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I’m not without skills. He chuckled and slid one finger into her welcoming dampness. How he felt her muscles clench around his digit he didn’t know, but that she felt it, too, made him even harder. Slade kept his eyes closed as her hands ran down to his throbbing cock. She squeezed and caressed it, then licked his length. He bucked as her tongue traced across the top and she sucked on the drops of pre-cum her manipulations had stimulated. He groaned, hands fisting in her hair.

Sorry, Slade. I can’t wait any longer. I need to feel you in me. Meredith moved over him and straddled him. She grabbed his shaft in her hand and guided it inside her as she sank down on him. Slade groaned and lifted his hips, thrusting deeply into her. Hands on her hips, he guided her as she moved up and down, each time drawing him in deeper. Her silken sheath clenched around him and he knew he wouldn’t last long.

Mmmm. She moaned and leaned down as Slade lifted his hips, thrusting into her as she devoured his mouth with hers. He came in an earth shattering orgasm that ripped her name from his throat as his body convulsed, pleasure creating wave after wave of aftershocks.

Oh, Slade. She sighed and dragged her lips down his throat to his carotid. He stiffened as her tongue trailed a path back and forth. Oh hell, she couldn’t bite him in a dream could she? Was this real? Slade opened his eyes and drew in a tortured breath. Shit. She was gone and now he was wide awake. And sticky. Had he jacked himself off in his sleep? Great. Just another thing gone wrong today.

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With a growl, Slade stood up and headed for his bathroom. He didn’t want her magic, he wanted her. He wanted to bury himself in her and listen to the soft sounds she made when he pleasured her.

Slade? He answered her with another growl and slammed their link shut. Meredith brought out sheer animal instincts in him. If only he wasn’t just a meal to her. With an anger he didn’t stop to question, Slade reached inside the shower and turned the cold faucet on, full force. Grabbing onto his boxers, Slade tugged them off and stepped inside the shower, ignoring the sting of the freezing spray. If it cooled his out of control libido, then the frostbite would be worth it. Slade stood there until his desire lessened. His heart mourned the loss of her presence, but the tension in his aching body eased to a more bearable level. Grabbing a bar of soap, Slade scrubbed his body harshly, until he couldn’t feel her anymore. If only his memories were so easy to get rid of. Suddenly he shivered, and Slade realized he was covered in goose bumps. With a curse, he rubbed his palms over skin that was turning blue. Reaching behind him, he turned on the hot water and stood under the spray until steam formed in the stall. Magic or not, his attraction to Meredith needed to be dealt with so he could proceed with the investigation with a clear head. It was no good getting involved with her. Suspect or not, solving the case took precedence over him getting laid. Shutting off the water, Slade made a decision. No more lust-filled thoughts of Meredith. This case demanded his full attention. Anything less spelled death for more women. There was enough on his guilty conscience already.

*****

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“Hey, Slade.” Rocko sat in the seat next to Slade’s desk. “What’s on our agenda for today? Did you get a hold of the Devlins?” “Yes, I did.” Slade nodded. “I’m going to follow up on a lead. I thought you could talk to Mary Jo’s relatives and friends and see if you can find anything there. Since you already know them, they might feel more comfortable talking to you.” “Okay.” Rocko sighed. “But somehow I know you’re getting the better end of the deal.” Slade heard laughter and glanced toward Sally’s desk. His heart stopped when he saw a woman who looked exactly like Meredith. Long auburn hair and a curvy figure that his hands itched to hold. He wished she were here now. As she turned toward him, he realized it was her. His heart leapt to life, beating a rapid tattoo in his chest. Slade stood, waiting for her. Today she wore a long black dress that clung to her curves, making him want to take her right there on top of Sally’s desk. Slade’s mouth watered as he imagined peeling it off of her and exploring her body with his mouth and hands. So much for the resolve he’d worked on earlier. He barely registered the silence in the room as Meredith slowly walked toward him. “Slade.” She smiled as she stopped at the desk. He met her brilliant green gaze and held it. “Meredith.” “Meredith?” Rocko echoed. “You mean this is Meredith Craine?” Slade felt the loss all the way to his bones as Meredith turned and froze Rocko in place with her icy glare. “Why are you here?” Slade broke the awkward silence. “So I can to introduce you to Jessica Prince.” “You know Jessica Prince?” Rocko asked, staring at Meredith as if she were suddenly going to turn psycho and kill everyone. Meredith looked at him with a frown. “Who are you?”

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“Rocko is my friend, and partner on this case. He’s assisting me.” “You said nothing about a partner,” she said as she turned the frown on him. How

much have you told him? Your secret is still safe. “Rocko --” she said the name as if it disgusted her, “-- Cannot come.” “Why not?” Rocko protested. “Sorry, Rocko, maybe next time.” Slade chuckled. “You know how these celebrities are.” “I want to know what meeting with Jessica Prince has to do with the serial killer.” The grin slipped off Slade’s face. Thinking quickly, he replied, “I’m checking out everyone who is listed in Jake Craine’s address book.” “We already did that,” Rocko argued. “She wasn’t in it.” “She’s in this one.” Slade smiled and lifted a small black book off his desk. Rocko’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t argue any further. “Come on, let’s go.” Slade stepped around his desk and reached for Meredith’s arm. She leaned into him, and let him lead her halfway to the door before he realized that anyone paying close attention would realize there was more here than friendly courtesy. Shrugging it aside, he opened the door and led her outside. Enjoying the thrill of desire her touch ignited, Slade inhaled deeply, drawing in her sweet flowery scent. From now on whenever he smelled lavender he would think of her. “Did you catch up on your sleep?” she asked, glancing up at him with a smirk. Shaking his head, Slade tightened his grip. “Over here, detective!”

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Slade turned his head and saw Lucas. The vampire who’d almost fought Meredith to take him home. Even though she’d laid claim to him, Slade wondered if Lucas would put up much of a fuss if he insisted Meredith stay at his house. “It’s good to see you again,” Lucas said with a smile. He held out his hand. “Nice to see you again, too.” Slade reached for Lucas’s hand and shook it firmly. “I’m glad to see you didn’t let her make this trip by herself, although I’d have preferred you all stayed up North while we took care of this.” As he talked, Slade noticed a woman next to Lucas. She had short blonde hair and dark blue eyes that studied him carefully. Slade wondered who she was, but didn’t ask because a tall, wide man with black hair climbed out of the front of a long black limo. “Are you ready, Ms. Meredith?” he asked, opening a door. “Yes, I believe we’re ready, Miguel. Thanks.” Miguel assumed an impassive stare as Meredith led Slade over to the limo. The four of them climbed in quickly. Miguel shut the door and moved to the front of the vehicle. “Vampire?” Slade asked. “We all are.” Meredith grinned at him. “Miguel, Molly, Lucas. The people you’re going to meet are also vampire, but then you knew that.” Slade leaned back in the seat trying to relax, but it was difficult. “So…you went to school with Adam?” Lucas asked. Slade fought to keep a bland expression on his face as Miguel took a tight turn fast and Meredith slid into him, her thigh pressing against his. “Yes.” Slade cleared his throat. “I never knew he was a vampire.” “Good.” Lucas nodded. “We try not to broadcast what we are. It makes it easier all around.”

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Meredith leaned forward and turned toward Slade. “Jessica Prince is head of the Southeastern vampires. Her duties are pretty much the same as what Aidan does. Oversee the Protectors, make sure all the vampires are lined up neatly, and no one creates problems.” “Like this serial killer?” Lucas cleared his throat, attracting Slade’s attention. “It’s not her fault. Vampires go rogue sometimes.” “I wasn’t assigning blame.” Slade frowned. “Just trying to understand everything. Like your vampire rules.” “It’s not necessary for you to understand,” Meredith said and waved her hand. Narrowing his eyes, Slade turned his body and frowned. “What do you mean? You took my blood; I think that gives me some rights here.” “Rights?” Meredith groaned and shook her head. She closed her eyes, and leaned her head back on the seat. Slade looked over and found a wide grin on Lucas’s face. Molly looked out the window, a red blush staining her cheeks. “What?” Slade snapped in the uncomfortable silence. “Does this mean they know?” Meredith shrugged. “They know I claimed you. Now sit back and relax while I tell you more about Jessica Prince.” With a groan, Slade leaned back in the seat wondering if this meant Lucas was going to warn him to stay away from Meredith. “Why don’t you just wait and show him?” Lucas winked at his sister. “Look, is she going to cooperate with me?” “I hope so.” Meredith tilted her head out the window. “We try and work together with the police as best we can without letting them know what we are.” “We have spies everywhere,” Lucas added.

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Molly elbowed him, then went back to looking out the window. Spies everywhere? If Adam was a vampire, how many other people did he know who weren’t human?

***** Meredith wiggled on the seat trying to ignore her brother’s stare, but every time she moved, Slade slid closer to her. Her thigh burned where his leg rested against her. Awareness raced through her setting every nerve ending on fire. If Lucas and Molly weren’t in this car… Oh, boy. Slade leaned against her as he reached into his back pocket. Meredith had a suspicion he was tormenting her on purpose. Instead of letting him know it bothered her, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the seat while images of his hot, naked body moving over hers flashed in her mind. He moved again, his body rubbing against her. Meredith cursed him under her breath, and used just a little of her magic to brush against his thigh. He stiffened as the caress moved higher. “Are we there yet?” he asked, sitting forward quickly. Biting back a grin, Meredith looked out the tinted window. “Actually, yes.” “Good. I need to stretch my legs,” Slade said as he tugged on his jeans. He wasn’t fooling anyone. Sitting next to her had the same effect on him that it had on her. Even Molly and Lucas could feel the sexual tension building. The car stopped and they waited in silence for Miguel to open the door. When he did, Meredith stepped out in the twilight and smiled at the two men waiting on the steps. Lifting her head, she looked up at the large, gray stone castle. A few scattered windows gave the impression they were used as lookouts, rather than to admit sunlight inside. “Hello,” Lucas growled from behind her. Meredith started, and realized she hadn’t greeted their welcoming party yet.

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“Welcome to our home, Meredith.”

“Thank you, Edward and Drake. I remember the last time we met. You two were most

helpful.” “Thank you,” Edward answered. Meredith remembered him clearly because his eyes were the palest blue she’d ever seen. With his blond hair and tanned skin, he was the opposite of a stereotypical vampire. She turned to Drake. Meredith knew that if she needed help these two would put their lives on the line to help her. “I really appreciate your assistance,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “It’s no problem.” Drake smiled and turned. “We don’t want to keep Jessica waiting. Please follow us.” “Of course.” Meredith reached for Slade, and put her hand on his arm. It was always dangerous taking a human into vampire territory, let alone into the home of a seductress like Jessica. Her gaze skipped over the expensive furnishings as the two men led them through the elaborate hallway and into the second room on the left. They took up posts at the door while she looked around the room. A large red carpet covered the floor from wall to wall, except for the black tiled hearth in front of an enormous fireplace with a roaring blaze. Bookshelves filled the remaining three walls of the room. There was even one of those rolling ladders Meredith would love to try moving around the room on. Jessica Prince sat on a large black sofa near the fireplace with her feet propped on an ottoman. She wore her straight, black hair short now, but the last time Meredith had seen her it had been waist length. As usual, she wore a sundress, even though it had probably never seen the sunlight. Meredith didn’t understand why, but Jessica loved the simple style. “Meredith!” Jessica smiled as she stood and greeted them.

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Meredith released Slade, walked over to the other woman, and gave her a hug. “Jess, it’s so nice to see you again. I just wish it was under better circumstances.” “I understand how busy that café keeps you. Tell me, what do you think of my library?” she asked gesturing around the room. “It’s fabulous.” Meredith tried not to let her enthusiasm for books distract her from the reason for their visit as she glanced around the room again. “Come in, sit down.” Jessica’s eyes widened as they landed on Slade. “What have we here?” “Slade Jackson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” “The pleasure is all mine.” Jessica sighed, leaving no doubt she found him attractive. “Meredith did warn me. But I hoped she’d change her mind and leave you at home. Now that I’ve seen you, I’m glad she brought you with.” “Now, Jess,” Meredith pushed a bit of warning into her voice. “Don’t use those parlor tricks on me.” Jessica winked. “Come in and sit down. Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? I don’t have much time and apparently neither do you.” “How much did Meredith tell you?” “Everything. Otherwise I wouldn’t have let you past my doors, gorgeous or not.” Jessica grinned, baring her vampire teeth. Meredith grabbed Slade’s hand, led him over to the sofa, and pulled him down next to her. No way would she let Jessica taste him. Slade was her responsibility and no one would get their claws on him. “If Jake is really dead,” Slade hesitated as Lucas and Molly sat on a loveseat opposite them, then continued, “then we must assume someone with intimate knowledge of his crimes decided to copycat him. We think he might want to kill Caitlyn and succeed where Jake failed.”

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“And you believe the copycat is vampire?” “It’s possible he could be human, but I really don’t think so. Not after learning what I have. Who else would be able to copy a vampire but another one? If the killer was human, he’d need someone to help him.” “What do you want from me?” Jessica asked. “I want you to have your Protectors search for the killer,” Meredith said. “We need to know if you suspect it might be one of your Protectors, or maybe a rogue vampire. I don’t think Jake knew anyone down here very well, but I could be wrong.” “I’d like to meet with your Protectors and question them myself,” Slade added. “No!” Meredith and Jessica shouted at the same time. Meredith looked at her friend and met her gaze. She nodded for Jessica to speak. “You can’t do that. I’ve endangered enough of my people by allowing you in here. If it weren’t for Meredith I’d let my guards have your blood and send you back on your way without any memory of our kind.” “He’s mine.” Meredith put her hand on Slade’s thigh. “No one touches him but me. Slade, you cannot meet with the Protectors. Their job is done more effectively by their anonymity. Their identities are known only to each other, and Jessica. I don’t even know any of them.” Meredith hoped he didn’t catch her on that lie. She did in fact know that both Edward and Drake were Protectors. They were also Jessica’s guards and former lovers. And she owed them her life. Years ago she’d been down here and gotten in over her head with some local vampires. They’d saved her and brought her to Jessica. “I really need your cooperation.” Slade looked at the two men guarding the door first. “I won’t expose you or your kind, but we need to stop this man before he kills again.”

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“You sound as if you have a personal reason.” Jessica looked at Meredith with unspoken questions in her eyes before she turned back to Slade. “What is your relationship with Caitlyn Devlin?” “I don’t have one.” Slade sighed.

“But you sound as if you are personally motivated to catch the guy.”

“He killed my best friend’s ex-girlfriend while I was in Philadelphia.”

“No,” Jessica persisted in her line of questioning. “You sound more involved than that.”

Slade gave Meredith an odd look. “Apparently I’ve pissed off the killer. He left a note

with the last victim. She’s mine. Next time you die.” “What?” Meredith stared at him in disbelief. “You have the killer after you now? That just proves it’s not a true copycat. Jake always killed women.” “Not always,” Lucas began. “Shush.” Meredith cut him off. “What did you do to Caitlyn to get this guy after you?” “Nothing.” Slade held up his hands. “You came up to talk to me. We talked. I fought Cyril. I took you back to the hotel. And you went home.” “You forgot to add that you claimed him,” Lucas interjected. Meredith froze, and turned toward him hoping the ice in her eyes would freeze him. “Damn you.” She hissed at him, baring her fangs for good measure. Jessica laughed, loud and long. “This is a riot. I should have figured it out. You’re so possessive of him.” “Possessive? I am not,” Meredith denied with an anger that burned in her belly. Jessica smirked, and Lucas started whistling. Meredith turned on him again and caught Molly’s grin. She drew in a deep breath and closed her mouth tightly. All she accomplished by arguing was to make them believe it even more.

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Crossing her arms, Meredith leaned back on the sofa. “She’s mine. Next time you die. Why do you think that means you? Surely the killer would want to kill Aidan.” “But how would Aidan find out? When I went up to investigate I didn’t even talk to him. Why would the killer think Aidan would even see the note or find out about it?” “When you called and warned us to keep an eye on Caitlyn,” Meredith suggested. Slade frowned at her. “No. It just doesn’t make sense. Neither does it make sense that he is repeating Jake’s crimes. And in North Carolina. Why doesn’t he just go after Caitlyn?” “My thoughts exactly,” Lucas said. “Why all this copycatting of crimes? Why not just kill her? What possible reason does he even have for wanting her dead? The only one who would have anything to gain by Caitlyn’s death is Meredith. With Caitlyn gone she would rule our Protectors and area instead of Caitlyn and Aidan. But she’d never hurt Caitlyn in any way.” “I think we’re dealing with a crazy man. Maybe someone who fancies himself an avenger? Perhaps he was a close friend or follower of Jake’s?” Molly suggested. “Follower?” Meredith frowned and looked at Lucas. “But who would follow him and why?” “Remember.” Lucas walked over and sat across from them. “Jake was interested in creating a super race of vampires. I doubt he’s the only one who feels that way. I’m sure there are other vampires out there who think the same way and would love to pick up where he left off.” “But why go after Caitlyn? Again? It didn’t work last time. Aidan doesn’t let her out of his sight unless she’s with one of our Protectors.” Wouldn’t someone interested in revenge go after her? Why did they assume it was Caitlyn? If the message was meant for Slade like he believed, didn’t it make more sense that

she was the target, not Caitlyn? “Meredith, what’s wrong?” Lucas asked, interrupting her thoughts.

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“Nothing,” she answered, shaking her head. It would do no good to say anything. It was just a theory, and no one else seemed to even think the same thing. Yes, people were angry that she had killed Jake, but there was no reason to believe they were targeting her for death. No one had made an attempt to hurt her yet.

***** Slade glanced around the room. Meredith looked lost in thought. Lucas and Molly sat across from them, holding hands and watching the two vampires standing guard at the door. Jessica watched him with what he thought was a hungry expression, but hoped he was wrong. Why did the two men stand guard by the door? Slade wondered if the guys thought they were here to kill Jessica. He supposed a lot of people tried to kill her. She was outspoken, aggressive, and a vampire. She was also beautiful and could sing better than anyone he’d ever heard. It was easy to believe she had many enemies. The silence grew uncomfortable and Slade fought the urge to slide closer to Meredith. Jessica was still watching him, and now he could also feel two sets of eyes on his back. “Meredith?” he asked, unable to take the uneasy quiet any longer. When she didn’t answer, he called her again, a little louder. “What?” she asked, meeting his gaze. “Are you okay? You zoned out for a few minutes.” “I’m fine.” Meredith smiled at him, one that was obviously forced. Her lips were stiff, and the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Look. I need to find this killer and stop him before he hurts anyone else.” “This urgency has nothing to do with the fact you’ve decided you’re a target?” Meredith glared at him.

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“Of course not!” He bristled. “It’s my duty to protect the innocent. It doesn’t matter if he wants me dead or not. The lives of many innocent people are what are important here.” “Of course,” Jessica said, inclining her head. “I can tell you mean that.” “Of course you can. You can probably read my mind.” “I could if you weren’t blocking it so effectively. I’ve been dying to ask who your teacher is.” Jessica laughed at her own little joke. “Dying, Meredith.” Meredith forced a laugh. Slade began to wonder if they were actually friends, or just pretended they were. “Listen, Jess, we really appreciate your help. If you can let me know who you suspect, Lucas, Molly, and I can deal with it unless you want to do it yourself. If it’s not anyone in your area we need to know immediately. It will be harder to track an unknown.” Meredith’s words made sense and that worried him. He was becoming too comfortable with these vampires. “Certainly,” Jessica said as she stood. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a million things to do.” “Of course. Thank you for your time, Jess.” “Come back anytime, and bring your delicious friend with you. Perhaps after you’ve had him for a little while you’ll share him.” “I don’t think so.” Meredith bristled beside him. She stood abruptly, tugging him up to his feet. “We can find our own way out.” Before he could do more than draw in a breath, Meredith had him in the hallway, halfway to the front door. “Share my ass, you greedy bitch.” Slade tried to hide his amusement. When they made it outside, Meredith’s jealousy grew more obvious because she turned to him and pointed her finger at his chest.

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“She. Cannot. Have. You.” “Okay.” He chuckled, amused by her sudden change of attitude. He knew Meredith desired him, but since she’d arrived here she hadn’t given him any encouragement. “If you say so.” “I say so,” she growled, and yanked him against her. His laughter dissolved under the tender heat from her hot mouth. Making a mental note to get her jealous more often, Slade deepened the kiss, drawing a moan from her. Grabbing her waist with his hands, Slade pulled her closer, grinding his quickly hardening shaft against her belly. She gasped, breaking the kiss to look up into his eyes. “Mmm,” Slade murmured, one hand lifting to caress her cheek. “I want you. Here. Now.” His other hand tightened on her waist as Meredith whimpered. “I want you, too.” She nipped at his lips, biting him gently. “Christ, Meredith.” Lucas’s voice echoed around them. “Get a room.” Meredith tried to pull away, but Slade held her tightly. “Shut up, Lucas,” Molly snapped. “You know Jess was baiting her.” “Thank you,” Meredith said without turning around. Slade watched as she regained her composure and turned her ice maiden gaze on her brother. He didn’t know where they were staying, but Meredith was going home with him. “Let’s go.” Slade headed for the limo, but hesitated when no one followed. “Molly and I are staying here with Jess. She extended her invitation to Meredith as well, but unfortunately it doesn’t include you, Slade.” “I have a killer to stop. I couldn’t stay here, anyway.” Slade’s hold on Meredith tightened. He didn’t want her to stay here. He wanted her with him. He wanted to explore these feelings that he never even knew existed.

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“I need to make sure Slade gets home and that he has safeguards in place for protection just in case his theory is right and the killer is after him next. I’ll come back once I know his home is secure.” “No. I think you should stay with Slade. Spend the night. What better way to ensure he is safe and keep you out of trouble at the same time?” Lucas said with a smirk. “None of us should be alone, including him. Just in case he did anger the killer.” Meredith looked as if she wanted to argue. “See ya later, then.” Slade waved, grabbed Meredith’s arm, and almost dragged her over to the limo before she could say something. “Slade,” she protested, but it didn’t sound as if her heart was in it. “Meredith.” He grinned back at her. Slade pulled her inside the limo and waited for the car to pull away before he turned to face her. “What was that all about?” Meredith demanded, arms crossed over her chest. “Um,” Slade hedged, watching the rise and fall of her breasts as she drew in and released harried breaths. “Slade?” “Hmm?” Slade looked up and met her eyes. Desire darkened her green irises. She was only pretending to not know what was going on. “Slade.” She sighed and leaned back in her seat. Meredith turned and looked out the window. “You didn’t want to stay with me? You wanted to stay at the castle with Jessica?” He slid his hand onto her thigh and gave her a gentle caress. Meredith turned back toward him, eyes blazing with fury this time. “Don’t tease me about this.”

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“What’s wrong with me desiring you?” “Look, don’t make this more than it is.” “More than it is?” Slade leaned back trying to get his rioting emotions under control. “First of all, Jake’s dead, so you’re as free as I am for an affair.” “Look, it could never be more than an affair.” “Who said I wanted more than an affair!” Slade shouted. Meredith stared at him as if he had suddenly sprouted another head. “I killed my husband.” “You told me you killed him in self-defense. The cop in me says that’s a crock, that if you’d killed him you’d never have admitted it to me. The man in me says you did exactly what you said you did. You killed him to protect your sister and other women. You’re a beautiful, loving woman who gave everything you had to save others. I don’t think you’re capable of killing anyone in cold blood. I’m sure you were justified in what you did.” “You don’t understand.” She cleared her throat, and blinked a few times. “What don’t I understand?” Slade tried to follow her argument. “It was my husband who committed those terrible crimes.” “You’re not responsible for his crimes, Meredith. You’re only guilty of loving him, and I can’t blame you for that. I doubt you stood a chance against his magic.” “But I should have,” she argued. “He shouldn’t have been able to trick me. How could I have missed that whole evil side of him?” “Because he hid it, and hid it well. He had an agenda, Meredith. As much as you want to blame yourself, no one else blames you. Not Caitlyn, not Aidan, not the other victims, not even your parents.” “And how would you know?” “Because they told me.”

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Meredith blinked at him as she digested his statement. Finally, after a tense moment, she asked, “They told you?” “Yes.” Slade didn’t bother trying to explain. Either she believed him, or she didn’t. Either way, nothing changed. They were heading back to his house where Slade hoped he could convince her to let him make love to her again. And again, and again, and again. “My parents spoke to you?” “And some of the ladies. Everyone was happy when you killed him. Your parents are very proud of you.” “What are you talking about? My parents are dead.” “Yeah I know. You definitely inherited your mother’s temper.” “You can talk to the dead?” Slade nodded. “After you told me everything you did, I did some checking around. They all verified what you said. You killed him to save others.” “How do I know you are telling the truth? Why should I believe you?” “I don’t know.” Slade shrugged. “I don’t do cheap parlor tricks so you’ll have to either believe or not.” “Haven’t these new victims told you who the killer is?” “They described Jake, remember.” “That’s ridiculous. He’s dead. He hasn’t left behind any clues. If anything, he sounds more careful than Jake was. This guy doesn’t even seem to have a motive.” “Sure he does. He wants to kill Caitlyn.” “Are you so sure?” Slade hesitated at the note of tension in her voice. He looked at Meredith, pushing his lust and anger down deep inside. Why did she look as if she was hiding something? “Do you know something I don’t?”

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“I’ve been thinking about this. Why do you believe the killer is after Caitlyn?” “Isn’t it obvious?” Slade frowned. “What are you trying to say, Meredith? What do you know?” “Caitlyn is in Philadelphia, not here. Nor is she likely to come here. Neither she nor Aidan can leave as long as Lucas and I are down here because there would be no one left in charge of the Protectors.” “There is no one else to control the Protectors up North?” Slade knew he was staring at her in surprise, but he couldn’t help it. He knew she was a vampire, but what else was she? Was she vampire royalty? Meredith laughed and he realized she was reading his mind again. “I’m not royalty although my family has been in leadership as far back as I know. As the oldest female, Caitlyn has the power. After her I would assume control of the power. If something happened to both of us and we had no daughters then Lucas could take control. “Aidan rules temporarily because he is Caitlyn’s husband, but once the child is born Caitlyn will rule.” “Okay, but that’s all the more reason --” “No. Aidan doesn’t let her out of his sight. She is guarded not only by him, but by the Protectors.” “With good reason.” “Yes, but the killer has to know he has no way of getting to her. Besides, why would he threaten you? You slept with me, not her.” “Are you suggesting you’re his target?” Slade’s throat tightened, fear thickening it until he could barely breathe. “Why not? I killed Jake. Wouldn’t his followers or co-conspirators want to kill me? For revenge if nothing else?” “Are you sure about this?”

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“It makes sense, doesn’t it?” she asked him.

“So they threatened me because they know you went to my hotel room.”

“No, they threatened you because they know I claimed you.”

“How do they know that?”

“Anyone who was in the café that night might have an idea that I intended to finish

staking my claim on you. After all, I won you fair and square. If I wanted to keep you mine, I needed to take your blood.” “You did more than take my blood,” Slade said, his shaft stiffening from just the memory of that night. “And I’d like to do it again.” “Slade, I’m worried about you.” “Don’t be. I’ve been in danger before. Life doesn’t stop just because the bad guys are after you. Right now the only thing that bothers me is this need to have you again.” “That’s it? It doesn’t matter that I’m a vampire who killed her husband?” “No,” he said, and realized it was true.

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Chapter Four

Closing his eyes, he pictured her again, naked, and kneeling over him, licking his blood off her lips as she moved on him, taking him deep inside of her. With a groan he opened his eyes and searched for a button to lower the window. He needed something to cool him off. Obviously she wouldn’t be allowing him to touch her again. “Slade?” Meredith’s soft voice interrupted his search. “What?” he snapped, immediately regretting the slip. His voice softened as he added, “I’m sorry.” “It’s okay, I understand. You’re under a lot of stress to capture this guy. Finding out he’s a vampire and that he’s one of many hasn’t helped, I’m sure.” “It’s not that,” he growled. “Well, it doesn’t help.” “Woman, I can talk to the dead. Do you really think it was that much of a stretch for me to believe in vampires, too?” “When you put it that way --” Her voice trailed off.

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Slade wondered what Meredith was thinking. Was she thinking that she was foolish to “claim” him? To take his blood and make love to him. Or sex. Perhaps to her it was just sex? It had been fantastic, whatever it was. And he wanted to repeat it. Now. “I’d rather not put it any way. What I really want to do is this --” He didn’t finish the sentence, because the minute his lips touched Meredith’s, hers parted, allowing him entrance. Slade moved his mouth over hers while his hands explored the soft contours of her body. “I love the way you make me feel,” Slade murmured as her lips brushed against his cheek. “But I really want to make you lose control.” “I did that last time,” she admitted in a quiet voice but added much louder, “It’s your turn.” “My turn?” “Yes,” she said with a big grin. Slade noticed the glimmer in her eyes and knew she was up to no good. What was she planning? “It’s your turn to lose control.” Slade cleared his throat, debating confessing he’d done that last time, too, but then her hands were on his pants and the words slipped away unsaid. Quick and efficient, her fingers undid his zipper and slipped inside to caress him. A moan escaped from his lips before he stifled it. “It’s okay,” she whispered, stroking his erection with her warm fingers. “I’m blocking it all. Miguel cannot see or hear us right now. Not even if he wanted to.” “Shit,” Slade gasped as her nails dragged over his flesh lightly. Breathless, he added, “That’s a good thing.”

*****

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“Yes, it is,” Meredith agreed, pulling him free of his clothing as she kneeled before him. Ever since she found him at the police station it had been all she could do to keep her hands to herself. Thanks to Jessica, she’d blown it earlier, attacking Slade in the driveway. Luckily, he wanted her, too, because he hadn’t protested, even before she told him she was blocking the driver. “I know you’re blocking him, but…we can’t. The ride isn’t long enough for me to do everything I want to you.” “Shhh. I had something else in mind.” “What did you --” His words cut off as she drew him into her mouth. Careful of her vampire teeth, she slid him deeper into her mouth, then pulled back some, listening to his breathing grow labored. Slade’s hands fisted in her hair as she circled the head of his shaft with her tongue. Her fingers wrapped around the hard length, stroking in a rhythm that had him thrusting against her mouth. “Do you like this?” Meredith purred after slipping him out of her mouth so she could speak. Slade growled and shifted his hips. “Meredith, please,” he groaned. “Please what?” She tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. “Please keep going.” “This way?” she asked before tracing a circle on his smooth, soft flesh with her tongue. “More,” he gasped. “You mean this way?” This time Meredith took him deep in her mouth and caressed him with her hands and mouth until he begged her to stop, to let him love her the way he wanted to.

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Ignoring him, Meredith continued to pleasure him until he growled her name as his seed spilled into her mouth. She licked every last drop off of him, then gently slid his softening member back inside his pants, and closed them. “Woman, your mouth is incredible,” Slade said, as he pulled her up onto his lap. “Let me repay the favor.” “I’ve wanted to do that ever since I saw you.” “Anything else you’ve wanted to do?” Meredith grinned and leaned back in the seat. “Maybe.” Slade leaned forward and kissed her as the limo stopped. He pulled away and made sure his pants were closed properly while Meredith tried to hide her smile. She knew Miguel would wait for her signal before opening the door, but Slade didn’t. Finally, he looked up at her. “Ready?” “Yes.” Slade looked at her funny. “Good.” She knocked on the window to let the driver know they were ready to exit. “If I’d known he wouldn’t open the door until you knocked, I’d have made love to you right here, right now.” “I know.” Meredith grinned at him. “That’s why I didn’t tell you.” She climbed out of the limo before Slade could do more than growl. With him hot on her tail, she thanked Miguel and told him she wouldn’t need him for the rest of the night. He grinned and tipped his hat before putting her suitcase on the porch and driving off. “Now where were we?” Slade asked as he pulled her close and kissed the side of her neck. Delicious tingles started at the spot and moved lower as Slade placed soft, hungry kisses on her sensitive skin. “We were going inside,” she moaned, shuddering when he nipped on an ear.

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“I can think of somewhere better,” Slade whispered, scooping her into his arms before she could protest. “What are you doing? I’m too heavy, put me down.” “You’re light as a feather.” He swept her up and carried her to the porch. “Where are we going?” “Somewhere I’ve been dreaming of making love to you.” “Where?” she asked as he carried her around the wraparound porch. Slade kept going, down the back steps, across a large backyard. When he reached a large body of water he set her down on the ground and uncovered a small wooden rowboat. “My island,” Slade said, gesturing to the center of the pond. Meredith turned and looked out over the still water to the mound of green grass, bushes, and trees. Most of the vegetation was in full bloom, while the rest would probably blossom in a few weeks. Her night vision was excellent, but she wondered how Slade had developed such strong vision himself. He looked completely at ease in the darkness. Slade pushed the boat partially into the water and set in two paddles. He reached for her hand, then helped her climb inside and sit down before he pushed it further into the water and jumped in. Meredith shivered in the slight breeze, but knew Slade would warm her up in no time. She watched the muscles in his arms flex and relax as he used swift, sure strokes to paddle them across to his island. He steered the boat over to an area covered in sand. She was pretty sure it was his version of a dock. Sure enough, he ran them aground and jumped out of the boat. He pulled it up until most of it was out of the water. Then Slade reached for her. She placed her hand in his and climbed out, gazing around in wonder. This wasn’t just an island. It was paradise.

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The whole area was set up in a large circle, with stone pathways leading the way to the center of the space, which contained only green grass and a large oak tree she was sure offered plenty of shade when the sun was shining. Meredith knew that was where he wanted to make love to her. Slade led her to the center quickly, and settled her on the ground. He left for a moment, grabbed a handful of blooms, and returned, scattering them on and around her. Meredith trembled in need, lifting her arms, reaching for him. Slade kneeled over her and leaned down, kissing her gently. Her insides quivered in response as he deepened the kiss, his hands sliding down her sides to settle on her waist. Slade’s grip tightened when she arched her back, pressing her aching breasts against him. The barrier of clothing increased the swelling need rising in her. “Clothes off, now,” Meredith gasped, struggling to pull Slade’s shirt over his head. “Patience, Meredith. Patience.” Slade lowered his mouth to nip across her collarbone. Wordlessly, she arched against him again, drawing a chuckle from deep in his chest. “No.” “Yes.” Meredith growled, but fought her inner beast before it could surface. Otherwise she’d sink her fangs into his neck and drink deeply, ending the night before it even started. Slade leaned back on his heels, hands sliding down her legs to fist in the hem of her dress before slowly pushing the material up, exposing her heated flesh to the slight chill in the night air. His fingers glided over her skin, leaving behind a trail of molten heat. “Slade,” she said in between gasps of air. Struggling to maintain control, Meredith could do nothing but lay helpless under Slade’s sensual onslaught. His mouth followed the path, igniting a hunger she could no longer deny.

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As fast as she was able, Meredith wiggled out of her dress, and reached for Slade’s shirt. “Off, now,” she panted. Slade moaned as Meredith’s hands slid up under his shirt and caressed him. Her palms brushed over his nipples before traveling lower to tug on the waistband of his pants. “Take it easy, woman,” he said, pulling her hands away. “It’s my turn to pleasure you.” “Then pleasure me.” Meredith moaned, grabbing his hands and placing them on her breasts. “Certainly.” Slade leaned in and kissed her while his thumbs teased her nipples. When he pulled back, he dropped his head against her shoulder, breathing heavy. “This time I get to call the shots. Agreed?” “Mmm hmm.” Meredith nodded weakly. She’d agree to anything as long as he eased the ache between her thighs. Slade lowered his head and drew one stiff peak into his mouth while he teased the nipple on her other breast with his fingers. Meredith moaned in pleasure, her fingers digging into his shoulders as he pushed her down on the soft grass, the scent of flowers mingling with the scents of their desire. Slade buried his face between her breasts before moving lower, dragging his lips and tongue across her stomach, pausing only to glance up at her. “Don’t stop,” she pleaded, breathless. Her body tightened in anticipation, waiting until he smiled and lowered his face, brushing his mouth against her swollen folds. With a gasp, Meredith arched her body, aching for him to repeat the caress. Finally, one finger traced over her dampness. “Please, Slade.” Meredith wiggled under him, trying to get more of his hand to press against her.

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“Yes, Meredith,” he whispered, sliding his finger into her. Her cry of pleasure startled an animal nearby, and she laughed, Slade joining her. Before she could catch her breath, he moved his finger, sliding it out and then thrusting two in. Meredith lifted her hips, rocking against his hand as her body began to tremble. Delicious tremors spread throughout her belly and thighs. Her hands fisted as she fought not to lose control. Fear of hurting Slade held her back from the same prize she’d begged him to give her only seconds ago. “Mmm,” he murmured against her clit before sucking it into his mouth. “Slade!” Meredith shouted as her orgasm rocked through her at light speed, lifting her to the heavens where she exploded, engulfed in waves of sensation after tingling sensation, before finally drifting back down to earth. Slade smiled up at her from his spot between her thighs. Meredith blinked at him through blurry eyes as he slid his body up hers. His clothing brushed against her naked flesh, arousing her almost as much as the feel of the day’s growth of hair on his face as he kissed her stomach. “Stop.” “Why?” Slade kissed her again, then leaned over her, keeping his weight on his arms. “I plan to keep going all night long.”

***** Slade watched several emotions flash across her face. The scent of the crushed magnolia blossoms mixed with her scent. This memory would be emblazoned in his mind forever.

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“I love you, Meredith.” Slade spoke softly, waiting to see what her reaction would be. He hoped it would be one of happiness, and that she felt the same way he did. “You can’t,” she protested, trying to wiggle out from under him. “I can’t?” He blinked at her. “Why not?” “I’m a murderer. I’m a vampire. Pick one or both of them.” “You’re not a murderer. Jake was trying to kill your sister and you stopped him. I know you’re a vampire. And I don’t care.” It stunned him, but he realized it was true. He did love her. She was a vampire and a murderer, but he didn’t care. He just knew that if he never saw her again, never held her in his arms again, he’d die. “No,” she whispered, her face paling. “Yes,” he kissed her trembling lips. “What’s wrong?” “I…it must be my magic. I didn’t even realize, I thought I was blocking it. I didn’t think. I mean, I claimed you, but it shouldn’t have had this effect on you.” “It wasn’t the claiming. It’s being with you that made me fall in love with you.” “You don’t even know me.” “I know enough.” “You can’t love me. I killed someone and you’re an officer of the law.” “I’ve killed people. Does that mean I can’t be a good guy?” “But you killed bad people,” she insisted. Slade sighed. “Meredith, you killed a bad person.” “But he was my husband.” “It was him or your sister. I honestly think you made the right choice. Shall we call Aidan and ask him if he thinks you should have let Jake kill his wife?” “You don’t understand.”

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“No I don’t. I’ve talked to the women he killed, Meredith. Trust me; the world is a much better place without him.” She remained stubbornly silent. Slade didn’t want to let her go until she believed him, but a rash of goose bumps covered his skin and he didn’t want either of them to get sick. Although, hadn’t she said she couldn’t get sick? Slowly he helped her up and watched her get dressed. He knew she was thinking about his claim and thinking of ways to deny it, to deny him. He wasn’t going to rush a good thing. He’d have to take things slowly. If Meredith thought it was just lust, she would soon learn it was much more. Getting past her hang ups was going to be a challenge, but she was more than worth it. “Let’s go back to the house.” “How do you feel about becoming a vampire?” “Excuse me?” He froze and stared at her. “Well, you love me, right?” She waited for him to nod before continuing, “In order to be with me forever, you’d have to become vampire.” “Become vampire,” he echoed. She could practically see him mulling her words over and over in his head. He didn’t look all that eager to become a vampire, and she didn’t blame him. “Let’s go before you get a chill.” “Okay.” He frowned at her and walked away. Meredith followed him back to the small boat. The trip back was much quieter than the ride over and he missed the camaraderie they’d shared so willingly an hour ago. Slade thought back over the past few days. He’d driven up to Philadelphia and spent two days just looking for her. Then he’d seen her standing there in the middle of the café.

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He’d felt the first pang of lust hit him right below his waist and knew he had to have her. He hadn’t realized who she was until she spoke to him. When he’d seen Meredith’s fangs as she fought Cyril he’d been startled, but then when she’d bitten him and taken his blood it had been the most pleasurable thing he’d ever experienced. The words had slipped out of his mouth without warning, but once said, Slade realized it was true. Meredith was kind, and loving. She’d demonstrated her ability to put others before herself even when the outcome might not be pleasant. The thing that really convinced him it was love was that when he met Molly and Jessica he hadn’t felt even a flicker of desire for either one of them. Slade remembered accusing Meredith of using her magic to seduce him. But if she exerted magic like that, surely all the vampires did, yet he’d felt nothing for the others. Something about Meredith called to him, pulled him to her, ensnaring him, but could he give up his life for her? Could he become a vampire and spend the rest of his life feeding on blood? Slade looked up and realized they were at his back door. He must have docked and secured the boat in a daze. He fumbled in his pocket for his keys, and froze at the sight of a cardboard box. “What the hell…” He reached down and lifted up the package. An awful stench rose from it, making him gag. “You often get deliveries at night back here?” Meredith asked. “No.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to take it inside. Can you unlock the door and turn on the lights for me? I want to open it out here.” Meredith ignored his keys, and waved her hand. When his lights turned on he told himself he wasn’t surprised, but he wondered what else she could do. “Stay here while I open this,” he said as he moved away from her.

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“Maybe you should call a bomb squad,” Meredith suggested.

“With a smell like this, I doubt it’s a bomb.”

“Hmm,” Meredith murmured, leaning over him as he tried to open the box.

“Would you please back up? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Whatever’s in there is dead, Slade.”

“I know. But we don’t know what else is in here. Now back the hell up and let me open

this.” She sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically, but finally backed up and gave him some space to look at the box. The outside of the box was only blank cardboard and clear packing tape. He doubted there would be any fingerprints. That would be too obvious, and the person who left this wouldn’t make a stupid mistake. Even so, Slade reached in his back pocket and pulled out a small pocketknife. He flipped it open, and sliced along the tape carefully. He didn’t want to touch it more than necessary. His prints were already on it now, but if he was careful they might still be able to find something. When he was finished, Slade lifted the lid and pulled back the flaps slowly. Nothing moved, or made a noise, so he peered inside and found a small mutilated animal. Slade received the message loud and clear. Someone wanted him to stay away from Meredith. Had the person watched them make love on the island? Meredith gasped in his ear and Slade shoved the flaps closed. “Cat,” she whispered, and turned her head. Slade knew she was fighting tears. Hell, he was upset, too. He hoped it wasn’t one of the cats he often left food out for. “There’s got to be a note,” Slade said, putting the box down and searching the porch.

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“Here,” Meredith said, nudging something with her foot. Slade bent over and looked at the welcome mat. The corner of an envelope peeked out from underneath it. Taking a deep breath, he reached for the note and tore it open. Screw evidence. The killer never left a clue, why would now be any different? With quick movements, Slade opened the paper and read the short message.

I told you to stay away from her. Now you will pay the price. “He’s crazy!” Meredith shouted in his ear. “I believe I said something about that when I asked you to not let Caitlyn go anywhere alone,” he pointed out. “He’s not after Caitlyn, you moron!” Slade jerked away, rubbing his ear. “Well, it’s obvious he’s after me now. But still, he’s copycatting Jake’s crimes exactly.” Meredith took a deep breath and released it. “Slade, when did the threats start?” “After I visited with you, Caitlyn, and Aidan in Philadelphia.” “And you were threatened after I claimed you.” She crossed her arms and stared at him. “I know that,” Slade growled, still rubbing his stinging ear. “Do you think he was here when we…” Meredith grew quiet and looked around the property. “This box wasn’t here when we went to the pond. So it’s safe to say he left it while we were on the island.” “Oh, God.” She stumbled back, and sat on an old wicker chair he kept near the railing. Meredith buried her face in her hands. “I’ve put you in danger.” “No, you didn’t.” Slade dropped to his knees and reached for her hands. They were ice cold. “Honey, I would have been in danger anyway. I’m investigating the crimes. Sooner or later he would have focused on me as a target.”

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“Well, now it’s sooner, thanks to me.” She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “Oh, honey, don’t cry. I’m glad he’s after me.” “What?” She sniffled, looking at him as if he were crazy. “If he’s after me, he won’t kill any more women. Right?” Slade watched as she thought about it. “Maybe we can catch him before anyone else dies.” “Slade, he wants you dead. It’s not a good thing.” “Well, right now I need to make a phone call and get Rocko over here with some people. This is such a mess.” He glanced up at her. “We need to talk, too. If the killer is after you, he must have been in cahoots with Jake, if it’s not Jake himself.” “Yes,” she sighed. What was the sense in arguing that Jake was dead? More and more it seemed like he wasn’t. “I suppose so.” Meredith turned and looked out over the railing while he reached for his cell phone. He prayed the killer didn’t want to hurt Meredith. She’d already been through enough.

***** Meredith watched Rocko walk out the door and heaved a sigh of relief. Things were strained enough between her and Slade. With Rocko in the room, the tension had increased until it had been almost unbearable. Her gaze fell on Slade as he closed the front door. Even after this long and tiring day he still looked delicious enough to make her hands itch to touch him. They’d taken turns showering while waiting for Rocko to arrive. Slade had changed into a pair of blue jeans and a white T-shirt, and brown cowboy boots. She really admired the way the tight denim fitted itself to the muscular curve of his rear. Her mouth watered as she envisioned running her hands over his hard, smooth flesh. Biting back a moan, she fought to keep from reaching to him with her power. They needed

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to discuss the killer, not have another fun-filled romp. Although that would come next if she got lucky. “Slade?” “Yes?” he asked, turning around. “Why are you so determined to prove me wrong in everything?” “Excuse me?” Slade watched her, unblinking for a minute. “You argue with me about every little thing.” “I do not. You argue with me.” “See what I mean?” Slade sighed, and ran a hand through his thick black hair. He frowned at her with his delicious lips. Why did she keep going right back to thinking about sex? She was worse than the typical male. “I do believe he’s after you. It all makes sense now. I can’t believe I missed it.” “That’s probably because you’re lacking common sense right now,” she muttered under her breath. “Excuse me.” Slade strode toward her and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I do love you. You’re just going to have to get used to it.” “Love? It’s lust, Slade. Pure and simple. You desire me. Right now you think you’re in love, but soon you’ll realize you made a mistake. Or have you decided to ask me to turn you into a vampire?” “Meredith,” he growled. “Damn it, woman. You’re deliberately being obtuse.” Slade tugged her up against him and kissed her. She fisted her hands in his shirt and leaned into his kiss, meeting his fierceness with an answering hunger. She struggled not to bite him, but it had been a while since she’d last fed. Breathless, she broke the kiss and kissed

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her way down his chin and neck, hesitating over his carotid. Licking her lips, Meredith listened to the blood pumping through his veins. Thick and rich, and utterly delicious. With a moan, she buried her face against his shoulder. She’d taken his blood once already and he fancied himself in love. If she took it again, his desire would increase. Perhaps then it would match hers, she thought with a giggle. “Meredith?” “Sorry.” She tried to stifle her giggle, but it burst into a full-blown laugh. “I didn’t realize my technique was that bad.” Slade joined her laughter with his deep, husky chuckle. “It’s not your technique,” she admitted, collapsing against him helpless with laughter. “I just thought of something funny, and couldn’t help myself.” “I wasn’t doing it right if you’re thinking of funny things when I’m trying to get in your pants.” “I’m not wearing pants,” she said, laughing all over again. Slade growled and grabbed her dress, sliding it up so he could reach underneath to cup her heat. “I thought you said you weren’t wearing any pants.” “Pants, Slade, not panties.” She gave up trying to stop the laughter, and grabbed her sides as they started to cramp. Slade grabbed her underwear and ripped it off with his hand, then he kneeled and licked her. “Slade,” she shrieked, grabbing onto his shoulders in surprise. “Mmmm,” he purred against her folds. He slid one hand behind her, grabbed onto her bottom, and tugged her closer. With his other hand he rubbed a finger across her clit, drawing a low moan from her.

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“Slade.”

“Let me love you.”

“Yes,” she sighed.

Her knees threatened to buckle as he slid the finger in and rubbed his thumb against

her clit. Slowly, he withdrew it, and pressed his hot mouth against her. “God,” she gasped, fingers digging into his shoulders. Meredith stood there panting as Slade drove her to ecstasy with his skillful tongue and hands. Lowering her head, she gave in to the call of the vampire. Her fangs dropped down as she met Slade’s gaze. There was no fear in his eyes as he stared back at her, just a wicked grin that curved the corners of his mouth. It only served to fuel her desire. She dropped to her knees, and brushed her lips against his before sliding them across his cheek. Her tongue trailed a line down his neck, hesitating at his carotid. His pulse beat steadily. The scent of their arousal, combined with his low moan, gave her the nudge she needed. Slade groaned as her teeth sank into his neck and she licked and sucked at him like he was a long sought after candy she wanted to make last. As she drank, his hands roamed over her body, squeezing her nipples and tugging on them. His desire to pleasure her while she fed was more than she could understand. Not only didn’t he fear her, but he trusted her. Slade wasn’t afraid she’d lose control and drain him of his precious blood. Either that or he was ignorant of how dangerous she could be. Meredith soothed her tongue over the bite on his neck, and used some of her healing magic to erase the marks. She looked into his deep blue eyes and forgot what she was going to say. “I love you,” he said, cupping her face in his palms.

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Then he kissed her before she could protest. Meredith melted into his embrace, giving in to the warmth of emotions she could feel from him. Slade wrapped his arms around her, and maneuvered her until she was on her back on the rug. His eyes never left hers as he stood and removed his clothing at lightning speed. “Sweet, sweet, Meredith,” he whispered, joining her on the floor. Meredith reached for him and pulled him close. With one hand, she reached down and wrapped it around his hard shaft, slowly bringing her hand up and down. He nipped at her lips, before capturing her mouth with his and kissing her. Slade pulled back and looked down at her as he replaced her hand with his, and guided himself to her entrance. “Ready?” he asked. She nodded, moaning as he moved against her. He slid into her slowly. “Damn, you feel so good. So wet, and tight. And mine. So mine.” Slade kissed her again, a slow, leisurely kiss that made her insides go soft and mushy. Meredith knew she should stop him, but she’d never been loved this way. So completely and thoroughly. Then he started to move. In and out, so tenderly that she had to blink back a tear. This wasn’t just sex for him, no matter how much she wanted it to be. His hands drifted down her sides as he lowered his mouth to one of her breasts. Slade teased the stiff peak with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth. When she arched her back, pressing more fully against him, he held her still, maintaining the slow, loving pace. Meredith threw back her head, clenching her teeth together. Slade was slowly driving her insane with his steady thrusts. She wanted to use her magic and make him do it harder and faster, but she didn’t want to take advantage of him either. She’d done enough damage to him as it was.

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“Slade.” Meredith bit her lip. Had that sounded like a whine to him, too? “Can you go faster?” She punctuated her words with hip thrusts. He grinned. “No. I’m taking my time and loving you the right way. Get used to it. I plan on doing it a lot.” He stilled his movements, until she whimpered. Then he started again. “You’re going to kill me.” “A small death, right? La petite mort?” “Grrrr.” Slade chuckled, his body rumbling against hers. “Mmmm,” she murmured, wiggling against him. “Do that again.” Slade shook his head. “You’re incorrigible.” Meredith grinned. He started to pull out. Meredith hissed, and grabbed on to him, stilling him. “What are you doing?” “We’re on the floor. We’re not animals. Let me take you to bed.” “No. Love me here, now, Slade.” His breath hitched at her words, then he resumed his thrusting motions. Meredith listened to the sound of his breathing, and the way his heart picked up its frenzied pace as he made love to her. Everything about him was too perfect to be true. It was a mistake to let him think he loved her, she knew that, but she didn’t want to hurt him, either. If it made him happy, then he could keep his misconceived notions for a bit longer. She needed to stay close to him until the killer was caught. Then she could return home. Go back to being alone. As if he sensed her withdrawal, he hesitated and asked, “Meredith? Is something wrong?”

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She shook her head. Now wasn’t the right time. Running her hands up and down his sides made him shiver and thrust in deeper. With a smile, Meredith cupped the firm muscles of his rear and lifted her hips to meet him. Slade reached in between them, and rubbed his thumb against her clit. Meredith’s eyes flew to his, widening in surprise as she quickly reached her peak again. Slade rammed into her harder as she moaned. Thrust after deep thrust sent shudders up and down her spine. Just when she thought her body wouldn’t be able to take any more, Slade cried out her name as he came, buried deep inside her. He drew in several shuddering breaths, before he dropped his head on her chest. “Damn, I’m tired.” He kissed her breast. “And my knees hurt.” Meredith laughed, and wrapped her arms around him. He was the kind of man she could fall for. This was the last time she could allow herself to succumb to temptation. From now on, Federal Agent Slade Jackson was off limits.

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Chapter Five

Slade glanced down at the sleeping woman in his arms. He hoped he hadn’t hurt her too much, taking her here on the floor like an animal. It wasn’t his fault. He really did try to keep his hands off her. She was just so delectable. So utterly desirable he could think of nothing else but her taste, her scent, the feel of her in his arms, under him. Thoughts of her consumed him. He couldn’t imagine life without her. Trying not to wake her, Slade carried her into his bedroom and set her down on his bed. He would be more than content to lie beside her watching her sleep, but there were more pressing things he needed to attend to. Like keeping her safe and finding out who wanted him dead. With one last longing look at her, Slade left the room and headed downstairs to his office. Why would someone want to kill him? Why did someone want to hurt Meredith? Jake. Family. Slade sat at his desk and turned on his computer. He sat there tapping a pencil on the edge of the desk. Family. Why didn’t Jake have a family? Were vampires created or born? Or both?

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Grabbing the notepad he always kept handy, Slade jotted down a reminder to ask Meredith about Jake’s family. Somehow she’d either glossed over the subject, or he’d omitted asking her about them, the latter he highly doubted. Slade set the pen and notepad aside, and pulled his keyboard close. He punched in the keywords Slasher, Jake Craine, and hit the enter key. He wanted to review all the articles he’d read, and see if there were any new things up on the Internet. The search engine listed a lot of sites. Slade resigned himself to a long night, and clicked on the first one. He was going to read them all in case he missed something the last time.

Four hours later, Slade leaned back in his chair with a sigh. He’d been unable to find anything he’d overlooked before. In fact, he now knew more than all the articles. It was rather surprising that no one had latched on to the fact that The Slasher was in fact a vampire. Of course most people didn’t believe in them and the police refused to give the press details about the deaths. Still, Slade wondered why no rumors had surfaced. Unless they’d been silenced immediately. The sweet scent of lavender tickled his nose an instant before he heard Meredith enter the room. “What are you doing?” Slade grinned and spun around in his chair. “I’m researching Jake Craine and trying to find out who is after you.” He devoured her with his eyes. She must have found his bathrobe in the closet because she’d wrapped the thick blue terrycloth around her. “Actually, it sounds like he is after you. I’m not really sure where I come in. Other than he doesn’t want you near me.” “I know you told the police that he developed an obsession for you, and wanted to kill your entire family. I’m not happy that you lied to them and said he’d disappeared. It made

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you a suspect.” Slade cleared his throat. This was hard. Every time he said something, it was about Jake, the person he wanted Meredith to forget. “He did want to kill my entire family, but his obsession wasn’t about me. It was about creating a perfect race.” Slade frowned and tugged her onto his lap. He kissed her on the neck, enjoying the shiver that raced through her body. “Lucas said that, too. What do you mean?” he asked, trying to keep his mind on business, and not her delectable body. “Jake wanted Caitlyn. They’d even dated for a few months until she met Aidan. Caitlyn never told us why she broke up with Jake. We just thought she dumped him for Aidan. We never knew there was another reason.” “Go on,” Slade urged when she paused. “Caitlyn could sense the evil in him, but she never told us. I never knew Jake very well anyway. At least I didn’t until after my parents died and Lucas and Caitlyn vanished. I guess that’s why I fell hook, line and sinker for everything Jake told me.” “What did he tell you?” Meredith sighed again, then shrugged. “It wasn’t so much what he said at first. But he was very sympathetic, and was always there for me. I had no one else. I guess I was suckered in very easily.” “You aren’t a sucker.” “Slade, I fell in love with a murderer. Yes, I am a sucker. I will never, ever let that happen again.” Slade wanted to question her and find out what she meant, but the more pressing issue wasn’t pursuing a relationship with her, it was catching the killer. Once the killer was found there would be plenty of time to romance her.

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She nodded. “Yeah, he had a plan. Apparently he’d researched and plotted. He wanted to merge his blood with ours hoping, I guess, for a child with our tolerance to the sun and powers, with his magic and strength.” “And what of his family?” “I don’t know anything about his family. He never mentioned them, and when we were married we had a simple private ceremony without any family or friends.” “So you assumed they’re all dead? Do vampires die?” Slade asked, trying to make sense of this. “Yes, vampires die.” “But you don’t get sick or grow old and die, do you? You don’t die from natural causes?” “Um, no.” Meredith wrinkled her nose. “We still have small problems though, like getting weak during the day, needing blood, and our natural enemies. Termuvins.” “Termuvins?” Slade echoed, squeezing Meredith. “Those are the life sucking demons, right?” “Yeah,” she said, wiggling in his lap. “They are nasty things. Jake actually brought some back to our area last year. We think the Protectors got the last of them. And with Jake gone, some of them might have gone somewhere else.” “Jake controlled them?” Slade stared at her, knowing surprise was written all over his face. How powerful had Jake been? “No, he didn’t control them. He did, however, have a deal with them. They were going to help him take control of the East Coast, and he was going to give them free rein to do as they pleased. As long as they still obeyed him, of course. Jake was very, very obsessed with power and controlling things.” “I can tell.” Slade shook his head. “It’s a very good thing he’s not around anymore.”

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Meredith made a noise, and started to pull away. Slade held her tighter, trying to keep her from running. Every time Jake came up in a conversation she got weird and grew distant. “Listen, Meredith, it was a good thing you did.” “I know, Slade. I know. That isn’t what upsets me.” “Well, then, what is it?” he asked. But he knew the answer even as he asked it. She’d killed him. A man she loved until she found him trying to kill her sister. Maybe she still loved him. “I let myself down. I didn’t see his true colors at first. When I did, I planned to leave him, but discovered I was pregnant. Then I tried to make the best of things because it was too late.” Slade contemplated her words, but decided not to push her too far. He wondered if she had already stopped loving Jake before found out what he was really like. The nagging memory of hearing either her or someone else say she’d lost the baby because of the battle with Jake bothered him. He’d tried not to focus on it because it was obviously a painful subject. One he wanted to avoid. But maybe it was time to ask about it. Before he could ask her, the phone rang. Meredith climbed off his lap quickly, and hurried out of the room. With a sigh, he answered the phone. Maybe later he’d ask. “Slade, where are you, man? It’s after nine already.” Rocko sounded irritated. “Um, yeah. I’m not coming in today. After the development last night, I’ve come up with a new game plan.” “Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” Slade sighed. “Listen. I want you to research for any family or friends that Jake Craine might have had in California. Meredith remembers him talking about visiting there before he went to Philly. I’m also gonna fax you some pages out of the new black book we have for Jake. I want you to go on the assumption he’s dead and someone is trying to finish what he started.”

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“What city in Cali? Is Jake really dead? Have you come into more information? How’d the meeting with Jessica go? You know the chief will want you to come in and fill out a report on it.” “Yeah, yeah. It’s unofficial information, and I’m not coming in. After the little gift my

friend left last night, I came up with an idea. I’m going to try and draw him out into the open.” “Are you crazy, man? At least let me come with you for backup,” Rocko argued. “No. I need you to sort through this new information just in case he doesn’t come after me.” “Just in case? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” “No. I’m trying to stop him from killing again. I’m not sure he’ll come after me, but I know he’s watching us. I want to try and lead him out in the open.” “Who’s the bait, you or Meredith?” “Right now I think it’s me.” Slade frowned. When dealing with someone like this nothing was certain. “I don’t like any of this, but I know you well enough not to argue. You better keep in touch. I expect to hear from you once an hour. If not, I’m coming after you.” “Okay.” Slade grinned. He ended the call and decided to find Meredith. It was time to put this new plan to the test.

“Are you sure this is going to bring him out in the open?” Meredith asked for about the hundredth time as she adjusted her sunhat with gloved hands. The sun wouldn’t burn her, but it would weaken her, and she needed to be at full strength to battle. “No, but it’s worth a try.” Slade tugged her closer and led her to his barn. “I should have guessed you have horses,” Meredith said she as followed him.

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“Why’s that? Because I live down south?”

“The boots. They didn’t look like they were for show.”

Slade grinned. “Well, wait ’til you see my beauties.”

“I can’t wait.”

He led her into the interior of the barn and over to large black stallion. “This is Henry.

He was a gift from my brother.” “Henry?” Her voice held a mix of astonishment and disbelief. “You named a stallion Henry?” “Actually, no. My niece named him Henry. I didn’t have the heart to change it. And he seems to like it just fine, don’t you, old friend?” Slade asked, running his hand over the horse’s muzzle. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a sugar cube, and fed it to Henry before offering one to Meredith. She took the cube, placed it in her palm, and held out her hand. Once Henry was finished, Slade walked over to another horse, this one a dark brown beauty. “This is Charlotte,” he said, masking a grin. By now she should realize his nieces and nephews were responsible for naming all of his animals. “Of course. From the children’s book, right?” Meredith cooed, pulling off her glove and rubbing her hand on the horse. Slade fought down the sudden desire that simple caress sent through his body. He wished it was her hand on him, and not the horse. “Can I have another one?” “What?” he asked, frowning at her. “A sugar cube. Can I have another sugar cube?” “Oh.” He laughed. “Sure. He reached into his pocket and pulled one out. “Thanks.”

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“Anytime,” Slade answered, watching as she fed the horse. Meredith constantly surprised him. She put up such a tough exterior and rarely dropped it, even in front of her family. She was slowly dropping that mask in front of him. Perhaps her feelings for him were more than she was willing to admit. Meredith didn’t want to trust herself to love again. Either she was afraid of losing someone she loved, or she didn’t trust her own judgment. “Slade?” Slade blinked and realized she was staring at him, concern widening her eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I was just thinking about something.” “I wanted to know if I could see the rest of your horses before we leave.” “Of course.” He smiled and led her down a few stalls. “This is Courage.” Meredith blinked at him, and Slade didn’t bother to hide his laugh. “Yes, I know. What can I say? And she’s a girl, too.” He patted her flank. “And this is Dorothy.” Before she could say anything he added, “Yes, as in the Wizard of Oz. Anyway, I got her from a farmer who wanted to put her down. She wasn’t much use for him in the fields, but she’ll do just fine for what we have in mind.” “While I think it is honorable for you to want to draw the killer’s attention to you, and away from any more women, I don’t think you’re capable of handling him.” “Meredith --” “No, Slade. We’re talking about a vampire, not some common criminal you’d pick up for speeding, or breaking and entering. He’s not even like a normal killer, he’s got superhuman powers. How do you plan to defeat him? A cross? Holy water? A necklace of garlic cloves?” “Are you telling me none of those will kill him?”

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Meredith hesitated. “I don’t know how much to tell you. I don’t want to broadcast our weaknesses to the whole human race.” “You really don’t trust me, do you?” Slade knew she had legitimate reasons for her mistrust, but it still cut him to the quick. “I can’t trust anyone, Slade. Not even myself.” “Maybe I’ll just stake him with a tree branch, cut off his head, and watch him burn.” Meredith gasped, and immediately he was filled with remorse. He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but she pushed him to the limits and then some. “I’d like to see you try.” Slade sighed. He knew when he was beat. He just hoped it didn’t come down to a matter of him needing her trust, and her refusing to give it to him. Somehow he had to make her see that it wasn’t her fault, and that she could trust him. He readied Dorothy for Meredith almost by habit, as he wondered what it would take to earn her trust. “I want you to feed her this carrot and talk to her soothingly. Get to know Dorothy while I get Henry saddled up.” “Okay, sounds good.” Meredith smiled. In no time Slade had Henry saddled and ready to go. He led him out of the stall and gestured for Meredith to follow him with Dorothy. Slade hesitated and looked at her. “No. No second thoughts.” Meredith frowned at him. “Let’s get the show on the road.” Slade took a deep breath and released it. He eyed her warily, but finally nodded. “Okay, let me help you mount.” Slade reached for the reins, but Meredith hopped into the saddle before he could grab them. He gave Meredith control of the horse, and he mounted quickly. “Are you ready then?” “Do we get to go fast?”

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“I don’t think so. And if you set that horse off I’ll tan your hide, woman.” Meredith didn’t bother to hide her annoyance. Instead she smirked at him and said, “I’d like to tan your hide.” “Maybe if you’re a good girl I’ll let you spank me later.” It was with great satisfaction that he watched her shiver and her eyes darken with desire. “You’d be willing to be spanked?” she asked, breathless. “Only for you, babe.” He leaned close and waggled his eyebrows at her. She held onto her control with a death grip. Only once had he seen her get riled enough to lose that control, and it had been jealousy over him that set her off. He’d like to be able to get under her radar and make her lose control. Hell, he’d like to have her under him, writhing in ecstasy, begging for mercy as he pleasured her over and over again. “Slade?” Slade blinked and looked at Meredith in surprise. “What?” “You were staring at me.” “I was?” “You were projecting your thoughts at me. Again.” “I was? Again?” Damn, he sounded like an echo. “Did you like it?” “Yes, I did,” she whispered, licking her lips. “And I plan to make sure you deliver.” “Oh, I’ll deliver, all right. Just wait and see,” he promised. Fortunately, the slow pace they kept on the way enabled him to gain some control back over his unruly libido. When they reached his favorite picnic spot, he tied the horses to a post he’d built a few years ago, and poured some water from a nearby stream into the nearly empty water trough. Slade grabbed a blanket and led Meredith under a large magnolia tree. He shook open the fleece and spread it over the grass, then reached for her. “How do you feel? Are you very sore?”

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“Not really.” She smiled at him. “We rode so slowly I didn’t get jostled much at all.” “You’ll probably feel sore later on tonight though.” “Well, you’ll just have to fix that.” “Oh, I will, trust me,” Slade said as he dragged her to the blanket with him. He pulled her close and kissed her tenderly, trying to show her without words how he felt. Every time he said the word love, she freaked, so this time he wouldn’t say it. “Slade?” She pulled away from him. “Why are you trying to lure the killer into the open? Why do you think he’ll come after you out here?” “Because he wants you. And I make him jealous. I don’t think he intends to hurt you, but I do believe he wants me dead.” “All the more reason not to take this risk,” Meredith argued. “We have to know what we are dealing with.” “What if he kills you?” Slade’s eyes narrowed. Was that a tremor he heard in her voice? “I don’t like this.” “I know it’s a risk, but this way no one else gets hurt.” “But I don’t want you to get hurt, either.” “Shhh,” Slade whispered, pulling her close. He dropped his head to her neck and inhaled the delicious lavender scent that enhanced her own natural scent. One that was sweet and made him hard almost instantly. He adjusted the growing bulge in his jeans. Slade wanted to make love to her here and now, with no one around, but he couldn’t be sure they really were alone. “Slade,” she groaned, her lips brushing against his cheek. “When I’m around you all I can think about is sex.” “That makes two of us then.” He grinned and kissed her on the neck.

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Meredith shivered, and he fought the urge to repeat the caress. He needed to be on guard. Hopefully the killer was watching and ready to attack.

“Slade,” Meredith hissed. She could sense someone was near. Very near. Growing closer with each passing second. “Mmm?” Slade whispered, his mouth brushing against her carotid. “He’s here.” Slade froze and looked up at her. She nodded her head and tilted it to the right. “Well, well. What have we here?” The voice came from close behind them. Too close. Meredith turned, leaning protectively in front of Slade. “Sleeping with the enemy, dear Meredith?” “Who are you?” she demanded, teeth dropping down past her bottom lip. “You don’t know who I am?” A hooded figure shrouded in black laughed and walked closer. Meredith froze when she felt the edges of his magic flick against her shields. He was a strong one. Killing him wouldn’t be easy, but it was a task that must be done. “I’m here for you. Or more specifically, you and my baby.” He removed his hood. Meredith gasped and stared into the face of her dead husband. “Impossible!” she shouted, her hand tightening on Slade. “I killed you. I watched you die.” “Tsk tsk.” He shook his head and smiled down at her. “You don’t really know for sure, though. Do you?” “You are dead!” she screamed as she jumped up. “You can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

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“Dead?” Jake smiled. He held up his hand, lengthened his nails, and sliced his other wrist. A trail of red blood ran in rivulets down his forearm. “I seem to bleed like I’m alive.” Meredith flinched as she stared in horror at the growing stream of blood. The scent of it filled the air, stirring her vampire senses, making her hungry. Then she realized he didn’t smell like Jake. “You aren’t Jake. You might look like him, but you don’t fool me.” “What a shame. We could have done this the easy way.” He frowned at Slade. “But you had to bring your pet with you.” “You aren’t Jake. Who are you?” “Jake never told you about his family, did he?” “Told me what? He said he had no family.” “Of course. He was also only supposed to mate with either you or Caitlyn. He wasn’t supposed to go on a killing spree.” “What are you talking about?” “Twins?” Slade asked. Meredith ignored him. She couldn’t afford to lose focus. “Jake told me he didn’t have any family.” “I know. That much is obvious. I’m here for you. I’ve come to take you home.” “I’m not going anywhere with you!” she shouted. “Nonsense. If you loved my brother you can love me.” “Loved, past tense,” Meredith snarled. “I stopped loving him months before I drove the stake into his heart.” He hissed, rage almost overriding his attempts to seduce Meredith with his soft words. “Aw, baby. You aren’t even going to give me a chance?” “No.”

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“Back off, buddy,” Slade growled. Jake’s twin ignored him. “Then I’ll have to make you.” “How do you plan to do that?” Meredith demanded holding on tightly to Slade as he tried to reach for a weapon. “I thought I’d try asking nicely first. Meredith, will you please come with me and meet the rest of your family?” Meredith blinked at him in disbelief. “You’re kidding right? You want me to go with you? You’re a murderer!” “My name is Jeremy St. James and I am your brother-in-law. Make that fiancé. Oh, and don’t fight me,” he added with a smile. “You have my little niece or nephew in there. We wouldn’t want any harm to come to the child.” Her hand flew over her belly as she ignored the shocked questioning look from Slade. “Why are you killing women?” she asked. “I’m not the murderer. I hired someone to do the dirty work for me. What I wanted was to get your attention.” “Why didn’t you make an appointment like a normal person?” “I’m not a normal person.” Jeremy grinned at her. “Besides, trying to get around your guards was hell. Oh, and there is also the fact that you killed my brother, and might try to kill me thinking I was him back from the dead.” “So you killed all those innocent women?” “Actually, I’m not the one killing those women in Bradford.” He winked at her. She gasped. “You’re just as sick and twisted as Jake was. I’m not going to marry you.” She could feel the tension and anger radiating off of Slade. He wanted a piece of this man and he wanted it now. Slade growled. “You lie. I know you have something to do with the murders.”

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“I may but I’m not the one guilty of killing them.” Jeremy smirked. “Yes, you are. Even if you just give the orders. You killed them to lure me down here?” Meredith moved closer to Slade. “Yes, I wanted you down here no matter the cost. I needed you away from your protective family.” “But why here? Why not in the Poconos or in Lancaster?” Jeremy pinned his evil gaze on her. “Jake bragged you were smart. Now I see he was right.” “Guess that means you don’t want to tell me.” She glared back at him. “You are really stupid! Killing women to get me to come here to meet you.” “It worked, didn’t it?” Meredith sputtered, trying to think of something to say. “The murders stop now,” Slade said into the uneasy silence. “Oh yes?” Jeremy tilted his head. “But I still have unfinished business.” “No, you don’t.” Slade stepped forward. “Not without going through me first.” Jeremy laughed, the sound startling the horses. “You think I intend to kill Meredith?” “I won’t let you.” Jeremy bared his fangs. “I plan to make her my queen after I kill you.” “I don’t think so.” Meredith shook her head and placed a hand on Slade’s shoulder. “He’s mine. No one touches him without paying the price.” “Yes, I heard you claimed him. Did you really have to do that? Couldn’t you have just slept with him and been done with it?” “You know, I’m rather sick and tired of discussing my sex life with others. It’s none of your business anyway.”

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“It is my business as you now belong to me. After I kill Slade I’m taking you home to meet the rest of our family.” “I won’t let you kill him.” “You won’t let me? You and what army? Your sister is too far away. Your brother is absorbed in his useless female at Jessica’s estate. There’s no one to save you. Of course, you could just come with me willingly. Then no one else will get hurt.” “No. No more murders. Meredith is mine, and you can’t have her.” Slade growled again, pulling Meredith behind him. She glared at the back of his head. Slade shook his head and she felt like growling. Let

me deal with him. No way. He’s mine. Before Meredith could argue, both men leapt toward each other, colliding in midair. Slade’s hands tightened around Jeremy’s throat. Jeremy didn’t even flinch. Instead he rammed his fist into Slade’s stomach. He must have used magic to give his fist extra force, because Slade flew backwards and crumpled about ten feet away. Instincts took over at the sight of her lover on the ground. Meredith released her inner beast as she leapt forward, claws slashing at Jeremy, tearing at his clothing, ripping gashes into his flesh. Jeremy fought back, studiously avoiding her mid-section. Meredith realized he didn’t want to hurt the baby he thought she carried, and tried to use it to her advantage. She’d killed Jake; Jeremy couldn’t be any harder. She swung her claws, slashing him down the center of his chest. Jeremy roared and shoved her so hard she flew backwards, smashing into the tree. Meredith blinked, trying to focus. He’d used strong magic. Very strong magic. With no time to cushion her impact, she’d hit the tree hard. Her eyes had trouble focusing, but she struggled to keep them on him. She couldn’t let him kill Slade.

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Even as she struggled upright, she knew it was a losing battle. Slade placed himself between her and Jeremy even though he had to know he didn’t stand a chance.

The sunlight will weaken him. Meredith hoped Slade would listen to her and find a way to draw Jeremy out from the shade of the large magnolia tree and remove his hooded cloak. When Slade attacked Jeremy again, and landed a few feet from her with fresh blood staining the ground, Meredith knew he wouldn’t be able to win. Chanting a melody as old as time, she closed her eyes and gave herself over to the gentle magic that flowed in her veins. The soft healing touch would have to be enough. She didn’t have time to rejuvenate completely, and the sun tapped her energy. Meredith rose to her feet swiftly and shifted into a large owl, shedding the heavy clothes that would protect her from the harsh sunlight. She let out a shriek and attacked Jeremy’s cloak, tearing the material, and his flesh, into pieces. Slade took advantage of the distraction, and rained several punches into Jeremy’s stomach and face. Jeremy shot a burst of energy and both Meredith and Slade flew backwards. Seconds later, a gunshot rang out, followed by several shouts. “Slade!” a voice she recognized as Rocko shouted. Jeremy shifted his shape into a large owl and flew off into the trees. Meredith dropped to the ground at Slade’s feet. He grinned at her in between deep, panting breaths. She shifted back to her human form, and lay there on the ground while he draped her long coat around her shoulders. “Are you okay, honey?” “Of course I am. It’s you I’m worried about,” Meredith mumbled, struggling to stay awake. “I can take care of myself.”

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“No you can’t, Slade. Jeremy would have killed you. He almost killed both of us as it is. His strength is something I hadn’t expected.” “What the hell was that?” Rocko shouted as he stumbled to a stop next to them. Meredith narrowed her eyes and studied him. “What did you see?” “I don’t know what I saw.” Rocko shook his head. He looked Slade over, and then Meredith. “You two all right? That was one gigantic owl. I thought owls were nocturnal. Where did that guy go?” “That guy turned into the owl and flew away,” Meredith said slowly trying to put as much sarcasm as she could into the statement. “Yeah. Right. Must have been a vampire.” “What?” Meredith stared, mouth gaping open. “So was that the killer? Did you at least get a confession?” Slade growled as he rose to his feet. He tugged Meredith upright and pulled her close. “He says he’s not our killer. But I have a feeling he knows who our killer is.” “What are you talking about?” Meredith leaned against the tree while she built up her energy. “That was Jake’s brother. He’s decided Slade is his competition. He probably believes that if he kills Slade then I’ll fall into his arms.” “What a shame he doesn’t know that you don’t love me.” Slade winced at her glare and ran a hand through his hair. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said that.” Meredith shrugged. “It doesn’t matter if I love you or not. He wants you dead. And he’s going to be hard to defeat. We don’t know how many vam…people he has working for him. He has strong magic as well.” “Magic?” Rocko echoed.

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“What are you doing here, Rocko? I thought you were researching,” Slade said pointedly. “Yeah, well I told you that if you didn’t check in I was going to check on you. I didn’t like the idea of using you as bait.” “I agree. It’s a bad idea,” Meredith said. “Tough. He’s after me and there’s nothing we can do about it.” “If I go away, he’ll leave you alone.” Meredith’s chest tightened as she made the suggestion. She didn’t want to go to Jeremy. She hadn’t survived Jake just to lose herself to an equally evil entity. What would he do when he learned there was no child? “Let’s get back to the house and clean up. Then we can decide our next course of action,” Slade suggested, cupping Meredith’s elbow with his hand. “Good idea.” Rocko seconded his idea. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you’re both covered in blood. Meredith had noticed, and she didn’t appreciate Rocko pointing it out. She was trying very hard not to change and feast on Slade’s sweet, delicious blood.

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Chapter Six

“What was that all about?” Slade demanded once Meredith had showered, dressed, and met him back in his bedroom. “What was what all about?” Slade ignored the fire that lit in her eyes. Vampire or not, he wasn’t afraid of her. She hid behind her cold exterior but he planned on forcing her to give it up once the killer was behind bars. “Why does he think you’re pregnant? And what’s with the attitude toward Rocko?”

“I have no attitude toward Rocko.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I. Do. Not.”

Slade growled and tugged her close. “Yes. You. Do.”

“Do. Not.” Meredith growled back at him, and nipped at his bottom lip.

Desire shot straight to his cock. Slade tightened his hold on her as his hardening shaft

pressed against his jeans. He rubbed his lower body against hers, a thrill of pleasure rushing through him as she moaned softly.

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Meredith was a very sensual creature. The knowledge that he had such a strong effect on her strengthened his resolve to make her his. Could he get her to give up the ghost of Jake? Without another word, Meredith walked into the living room and dropped onto the sofa. “So what did you find out?” Slade asked Rocko when he saw him on the recliner. “Not much. I’d say you two found out more than me. He had the normal IDs. A driver’s license, a birth certificate, etcetera. He listed a high school in Cali and a college in Philly. I’m guessing that’s where he met Caitlyn.” Slade watched Meredith shrug as Rocko glanced at her. She was slowly driving him insane. “I’ll leave you two to get caught up on business,” Meredith said as she stepped toward the door. “What? Where are you going?” Slade reached out and grabbed her arm. “It’s not safe out there.” “It’s safe enough for the moment. Jeremy won’t come after either one of us just yet. He’ll have to recover from the fight first. Besides, he doesn’t want to harm me. I’ll be fine.” Meredith leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I need to eat.” “You don’t have to go out. I have plenty of things here.” “Yes,” she hissed quietly as her eyes moved to Rocko and then back to Slade. “You don’t have anything I want.” Oh shit. She needed blood. Well, she would take it from him or go hungry. No way would he let her feed from someone else. Not when he knew just how pleasurable the experience was. He wouldn’t share her. “Excuse us, Rocko.” Slade grabbed her and led her away from the door. He dragged her into the kitchen. “I know you won’t accept my claim of love, but I will not let you feed off of another man.”

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“A woman would work just as well.” Fire burned under his skin. The image of her sinking her teeth into anyone other than him filled him with rage. “As long as I’m around, you will not look anywhere else for what you need.” “If you don’t want Slade’s blood you’re welcome to mine.” Rocko’s voice came from behind them. “What the hell are you talking about?” Slade asked, turning around so fast he lost his hold on Meredith. “I know what she is, dude. I mean she turned into a fucking owl. So did the other guy. I’m not stupid.” “You shouldn’t even know vampires exist.” “Well, I do. It was shortly after Mary Jo dumped me. I was out really late at night and met this strange woman at the bar. I took her home and…well, let’s just say that I didn’t want to become vampire, but we have a mutually satisfying relationship. I freely give her my blood and she gives me sexual pleasure I couldn’t even imagine finding in another woman.” “I’m happy for you, but Meredith isn’t taking your blood.” Rocko grinned and shrugged. “I was just offering.” “Get out!” Slade growled and took a step toward his friend. Rocko lifted his hands up, palms out. “Look, I didn’t realize it was so serious. I’ll just go wait in the living room while you two…do whatever comes unnaturally.” Meredith laughed softly in Slade’s ear. “Now I know why he was so suspicious of me when we met. He sensed what I was, but wasn’t sure. Nor did he know if you knew, and how you would feel about it.” Slade ignored her laughter and her smile as he turned to her. His hands closed on her shoulders. “This is not amusing.”

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“Yes, it is.” Her eyes twinkled with mirth as she smiled at him. She leaned up and nipped at his bottom lip. Slade captured her lips with his and devoured her mouth. He wanted to make her lose control right now, right here. A low, husky moan reached his ears, but he couldn’t tell if it was hers or his. Slade lowered his mouth and trailed kisses down her neck. He slid his hands up under her shirt and lifted it up, exposing her breasts. Her nipples rose in hard little peaks, begging for him to taste. When he lowered his mouth and sucked a hard nub into his mouth, teasing it with his teeth, Meredith gasped and arched her back. “Let’s go upstairs,” he whispered, his tongue sliding across her flesh to tease the other nipple. “I can shield us so that Rocko will have no idea what is going on, not even if he walked in here.” Slade started to pull away, but stopped when her hands reached for his zipper and slid it down. He hissed out a breath as her deft fingers released him from confinement, and then slid up and down his throbbing shaft. Meredith dropped to her knees and took him inside her mouth. Her lips, tongue, and teeth teased him mercilessly, even when he panted and begged her for release. She would wait until he was on the verge of coming, then hesitate and find a new way to pleasure him until he was about to come, and then -Slade growled and thrust his hips forward, forcing her to take him all the way in. His fingers burrowed in her hair, holding her in place as she worked him with her skillful mouth. If she didn’t let him come he’d take her right here in the kitchen. Now.

That’s the idea. Meredith’s sexy laugh echoed inside his head as she showed him an image. One of her riding him to completion on the tiled floor.

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Oh no, he could do one better. Slade grabbed Meredith and lifted her up onto the top of the counter. He pulled her long black skirt up, revealing her satiny soft skin. She wore a scrap of black lace that did nothing to conceal her desire for him. With one finger, he traced along the edge of the panties, testing her readiness. She was so wet he knew she was close to coming already. He slid his fingers under the damp material and gently pinched her clit. Meredith grabbed his shoulders and arched toward him, shuddering. “Geeezzzzzzzz, Slade.” It sounded more like a moan of pleasure than complaint, so he repeated the action with a little more force. He stared at her face, watching as she closed her eyes and turned her face up, ecstasy evident in every feature. Her mouth was slack and open as she took deep, panting breaths that caused her full breasts to move seductively. Slade brought up his other hand and inserted one finger into her tight sheath, enjoying the way her muscles clenched around his digit. He pulled it out and then inserted two fingers, pumping her with them as he toyed with her clit, all the time watching her beautiful, expressive face. He heard the television click on in the other room and wondered if her shields were still in place and if they were working. Would she lose control if he drove her over the edge? Did he care if Rocko heard her scream his name as she came all over his fingers? Beyond caring, only wanting Meredith to find the release she strained for, he lowered his head and ran his tongue along her swollen lips. He circled her clit before sucking it into his mouth. Meredith cried out and bucked against him. He continued to move his fingers in her tight, quivering canal and thrust them in and out while he sucked on the sensitive nub. Meredith sagged against him as he lowered his mouth and licked at her sweet juices.

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Her grip on him slackened, and he looked up. Her face was pale. Too pale. She looked as if she were about to collapse. Oh hell. He groaned and removed his fingers. Slade fixed her skirt and pulled her off the counter into his arms. He knew she needed to feed, yet he’d driven her to expend much of her energy just so he could satisfy his ego by pleasuring her. Meredith wrapped her hands around his neck and leaned into him as he guided her to the floor.

Chair. I want to sit on your lap and feed. I’m sorry, Meredith. I didn’t realize. It’s all right. She looked up at him and smiled. You didn’t know. I only feed from humans when I have to. I prefer not to, but after fighting Jeremy and being exposed to the sun for that length of time… Shhhh. He kissed her as he sat on a chair and pulled her onto his lap. Meredith wiggled around, and he realized he’d never closed his pants. His hard shaft rubbed against her wet thighs. He deserved to suffer for not thinking of her first. He turned his head, exposing his neck to her.

Feed. I give you my blood freely. Take all of it if you need. I would give my life for yours. Feed, Meredith. Take my blood. Please. He leaned closer, hoping she’d drink until she didn’t need any more. Meredith lifted herself and reached under her skirt. He assumed she was going to move his cock out of the way, but instead she ran her hand over it and rubbed it against her wet slit. Slade groaned and stiffened as she manipulated him with her hand. She reached her other hand under her skirt, and before he knew it she’d impaled herself on his long, hard length.

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“Oh, Meredith,” he gasped, gripping her hips. Meredith grinned, lowered her mouth, and bit his carotid. A rush of pain and pleasure shot through him. He thrust his hips up as he held her down, driving in even deeper. He shook as an orgasm even more intense than the last time she’d fed from him hit. He shouted her name, thrusting into her over and over until he couldn’t move anymore. She finished feeding and looked at him with a grin. “I’ll never look at this kitchen the same way again,” he said when he finally caught his breath. Slade groaned as she climbed off his lap. “Well, now you need to eat. Or at least drink some fluids to replenish the blood I took.” She frowned. “Okay.” Slade slipped his softening shaft into his pants and made sure there was no evidence of what had just transpired. He walked over to the fridge and rummaged around in it. “I wonder who Rocko’s vampire lover is.” Meredith walked toward the living room. “It doesn’t matter, does it? He’s a grown man. He can pick his own lovers,” Slade said as he poked his head out and looked at her as he bit into a piece of fruit. “That is exactly what I keep trying to tell everyone about me. But no one listens.” With a snort, Meredith pushed the door open and walked into the living room. Rocko glanced up from his cell phone. He lifted a finger in the air and then closed his phone and put it away. “Did you find something?” Slade asked hurrying over to the sofa, and taking a seat. Meredith followed more slowly, and sat down, watching Rocko carefully. “I found a local number in Jake’s book. I hope you don’t mind, but I called in a little help on this one.”

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“I don’t want others involved.” Meredith glared at Rocko. Slade shivered at the chill that swept through the room. “I consulted with another vampire. Since you’re from Pennsylvania I wasn’t sure you would be much help down here. Besides, I know I can trust her.” “Your lover.” Slade leaned forward. “Who is your lover, Rocko?” Meredith copied Slade’s movement. “I can’t divulge her identity, but I trust her with my life.” “I hope so, since you just entrusted her with Meredith’s as well.” Slade rose and walked over to the window. “Slade, we needed help with this one. The number led me straight to Jessica Prince’s residence.” “Jess!” Meredith gasped. “She’s not a killer, nor would she hide one in her house.” “I know that!” Rocko shouted as he rose. Meredith leaned in his face. “I don’t care who your lover is, I’ll tear her to pieces and feed them to the termuvins if she so much as sneezes the wrong way. You endanger my whole family by sharing our information with a stranger.” “She’s not a stranger!” Rocko shouted again. “Damn it, she’s not a stranger. Oh hell, I can’t tell you who she is. It’s my head if I ever do that.” “It’s all our heads if she double crosses us.” “What did you find out?” Slade interrupted. Their arguing was getting them nowhere. Whoever Rocko’s lover was, they’d have to hope she was on their side because it was too late for threats and doubts. “Andrew Martin. He’s only about two hundred years old. She’s going to investigate him and if things turn out the way I suspect, we have our killer.” “What makes you say that?”

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“Andrew not only has family in Cali, but he went to school with Jake. If we find anything linking him to just one of the victims I think we’ll have this case solved.” “Not quite. Even if we catch the killer, Jeremy still wants me dead. There’s no way in hell I’ll let him get his hands on Meredith.” “My friend has offered us assistance.” Rocko glanced nervously around the room. “Jessica.” Slade turned around as Meredith said the vampire’s name. “What about her? Do you think we should ask her for help? Personally I think that would be a good idea.” “No. Jessica is his lover. She’s the one whose name he cannot say.” “What?” Slade turned to Rocko. The trapped look on the man’s face was enough to convince Slade that Meredith had uncovered his secret. “If you’d just said that in the first place we wouldn’t have had to have this discussion.” “Argument,” Slade said. “Discussion.” Meredith glared at him. “So what’s the plan?” “Right now she’s having his place searched. She’s going to call me as soon as she has confirmation of our suspicions. It’s possible that he’s innocent, but I highly doubt it. It would have to be someone close to Jake in order to pull off murders so similar.” Rocko glanced down at his phone as it rang. “Just a minute.”

I don’t like this. Meredith frowned again. What? Slade walked over and wrapped his arm around her. What was bothering her? It seemed too easy? Or was it that she was even more upset now that they’d learned about Jeremy. He’d make the vampire pay for his threats and for trying to kill him. Yes, he certainly would enjoy making the bastard pay.

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I didn’t even know Jake knew anyone down here. How could he hide so much from me? Meredith placed her head on his shoulder and sighed. I heard you tell Jeremy that for the last few months you didn’t even love Jake anymore. Perhaps because of that you didn’t see things you would have if you’d been closer… Who am I kidding? The man killed my parents and almost killed my sister twice. He was capable of hiding a lot more than a family and murdering friends. But why? Why kill these women? Jeremy said it was to lure you down here, Slade reminded her. He pulled her close and rubbed her back.

There’s something going on here. Something more than me. Do you think they want to take out Jessica? What for? Jake’s goal was to create a superior race of vampires. Perhaps since they failed with us on our territory they want to try down here? Meredith leaned back and looked up at Slade. I don’t know. Why is Jeremy so focused on you? He thinks I’m pregnant. So you aren’t? He held his breath with anticipation. He’d wanted to ask, but had been afraid of the answer. Rocko cleared his throat and Meredith pulled away. “Well, Jessica says she found proof that Andrew is the killer. The only problem is that obviously they can’t just turn him over to the police. We’d never be able to keep him in custody. She thinks he got a tip off or else figured out we were on to him because he’s gone.” “Damn it!” Slade walked over to the wall and slammed his fist against it. “Slade.” Meredith slid her hand over his chest, stopping over his heart. “Take some deep breaths and center yourself. This is my fault.”

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“It’s not your fault.” Slade sighed. “I need to find Andrew and stop him,” Meredith said. “I? You?” Slade turned and looked at her. “Please, Slade. Don’t even try and start this now. I am more than capable of taking care of myself. In fact I’ve been taking care of you, too.” Rocko glared at both of them. “Listen, you two, we need to work together as a team. Let’s get over to Jessica’s and search Andrew’s room and then you two can get this argumentative streak out of your system.” Meredith eyed Rocko. Just because she now knew why he’d been so suspicious of her didn’t mean she would blindly trust him. That Slade did worried her, but she’d just have to be the flexible one here. “The limo’s here,” Rocko said as he opened the door. “Now see if you two can behave yourselves on the ride.” Meredith snorted and lifted her chin in the air. “Of course I can behave myself. I might be vampire, but I’m not a heathen.”

The ride to Jessica’s was swift and silent as Slade consulted his notepad. Rocko stared out the window. It was surprising that Jess had taken a human lover and not turned him. Most of the men she took as lovers were already vampire. She’d said many times that humans weren’t worth the time or the trust. They were a necessity, nothing more. What a surprise. What other things didn’t she know about Jess? Hopefully she wouldn’t protect Andrew. Although if she intended to do that she wouldn’t have told them about him. Edward and Drake greeted them once more, but this time Jess joined them. “I’m sorry we have to return under these circumstances.”

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“I’m sorry, too. Apparently I’ve been harboring a rather nasty creature.” Jessica frowned. “He’s gone and so are most of his things. I think it’s rather incriminating that he fled. Edward and Drake, await my word to summon the Protectors together.” Lucas and Molly rushed out the door and down the steps. “Meredith!” He hugged her and then took a step back. “I’m so glad you got here. Jess is going to keep you in her house while we track down Andrew and Jeremy. There is no way we’re going to risk letting a madman get a hold of you.” “Knock it off, Lucas. I can more than take care of myself.” “I know you can.” He sighed and ran a hand through his tousled hair. “Listen, Molly and you should stay here while I go with the Protectors --” “We’re going, too. This is our problem,” Slade said as he gestured to him and Rocko. “Yeah, but we’re talking about vampires. Do you really think you can take on two plus however many they have waiting with them?” Lucas bared his fangs. “It is my job to protect and defend the innocent. Too many lives have been lost already. I want a piece of this guy.” Slade paused and glanced at Meredith as his features hardened. He looked back at Lucas. “Besides, I want to kill Jeremy myself.” Rocko glanced around at the vampires. “Let us come with you. We want to help in any way that we can, and we want to make sure they’re stopped.” “I’m not going to stay here while you guys go out and have all the fun.” “Meredith, you must stay here with Molly, and that’s final. Jeremy is after you. He might not want to kill you now, but what do you think he’ll do when he finds out there is no baby?” “This is about the baby you lost?” Lucas asked. “He doesn’t know I lost it, and I don’t want to talk about it, thank you very much.” “You’re being stupid.” Jessica grabbed Molly’s arm. “I know I don’t know you that well, but you can’t tell me you’re willing to stay behind while they all go out and fight.”

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Molly just smiled and nodded her head. We’ll let them get a head start, then we’ll take

off. I still don’t like it. But we’re getting nowhere standing here arguing. “Meredith.” Jessica shook her head. Meredith turned back to the men. “Fine. Okay, all you guys go. But when you get your butts kicked I’ll say ‘I told you so.’” Jessica turned to Meredith with a frown as the men walked toward the limo. Once they were out of earshot she spoke again. “Do they even know where they are going?” “Do your Protectors have an idea where they can find Andrew?” Meredith asked as she waved at Slade when he turned one more time to look at her. “Why? Do you know something I don’t?” Jessica asked. “I’d like to go back to Slade’s. We fought Jeremy there once before. He may come back.” Meredith looked at Jessica, then Molly before adding, “It’s worth a try. Jeremy doesn’t want to hurt the baby. He can’t kill me because they will lose the baby then.” “It sounds very risky, but in this case I think you’re right. I’ll drive,” Jessica said as she turned and walked to the garage. Meredith grabbed Molly’s arm and dragged her with them.

“This is nice,” Jessica said as she looked around Slade’s property. “You don’t know the half of it.” Meredith smiled as she remembered making love to Slade on his island, and in his kitchen -Molly interrupted her thoughts. “Where are we going to wait for them? I thought you were attacked in a meadow.” “We were. Do you ladies wanna fly or take horses? It’s getting late so perhaps we should just fly.” Meredith glanced up at the sky.

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“Fly,” Jessica said as she shifted into a bat.

“Trust you to shift into something so stereotypical.” Meredith laughed as she turned

into her owl form.

Trust you to turn into the biggest owl I’ve ever seen. The Eurasian Eagle Owl is special. Not only is it the largest species of owl, but they aren’t afraid to take on things bigger than themselves. Besides, aren’t my feathers beautiful? Meredith looked down at the soft feathers in various shades of browns and whites. Jessica groaned and circled high above while they waited for Molly to shift into a raven.

Okay, ladies. Let’s fly. Meredith led them along the path she’d taken with Slade. When they reached the large magnolia tree, she landed.

Jess, I want you and Molly to stay as bat and bird and rest in the tree. If he is here I’ll lure him out into the open and then you two can help me kill them. Before the women could retreat into the tree, two large shadows flew across the sky, headed for them. Jessica and Molly shifted back. Two owls landed a few feet from them. Jeremy smiled and bowed. “Evening, ladies. I am Jeremy St. James, and this is Andrew Martin. I knew you’d come to your senses, Meredith. And I see you’ve brought friends.” Andrew had sandy blond hair, blue eyes, and the body of a surfer. It was no wonder he’d been able to lure the women to their deaths. He’d never have trouble finding a willing woman.

Divide and conquer, Jess whispered in Meredith’s mind. “I’m not going with you. I’m going to kill you like I killed your brother.” Meredith grinned. This was going to be fun. Letting her inner beast out always was. The hairs on her arms rose as her body started the shift. Fangs erupted, dipping past her bottom lip as her

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fingernails extended from her fingertips until they were like daggers. While she finished the shift Meredith watched as Jeremy and Andrew made theirs. This would be a challenging battle since both males were in their prime, but they didn’t know what she did. Even as they prepared for the fight Slade and the others were headed this way. Jessica and Molly must have contacted Rocko and Lucas. “This isn’t going to be a fair fight,” Jessica purred. “There are three of us and only two of you.” “Five of you wouldn’t make a difference.” Andrew laughed. Slade was near. Meredith glanced toward his house and gasped. The men hadn’t even bothered to shift their shapes. They were flying toward them at full speed, Edward and Drake carrying Rocko and Slade. “Well, there goes all the fun,” Jeremy snarled. He leapt forward and grabbed Meredith at the same time Andrew grabbed Molly. Before she could defend herself Jeremy did something that made everything go black.

***** “How could you do something like this, Jessica?” Lucas growled. Slade listened with one ear as he paced back and forth under the tree. How could this have happened? They’d been only a few feet away. How could they vanish into thin air? “How was I to know he had magic that strong?” Slade stopped his movement and gave them his full attention. “What do you mean? She told you he had strong magic.” “But I’ve never seen anyone do what he can do.” “Slade, I know you can do some weird shit,” Rocko said. “Is there any way you can trace his magic?”

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“I’ve never tried anything like that.” It was probably impossible. He wouldn’t even know how to go about doing it. “What about your connection. Do you think you could find Meredith?” Slade shook his head. “I think she’s unconscious. Either that or she’s blocking me. I didn’t really take the time to figure out how it worked. What about you and Molly?” he asked, turning to Lucas. Lucas sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Nothing. I’m going to kill them if they make it out of this alive.” “We have to do something. Can’t you guys do anything?” Slade resumed his pacing. “I mean you’re vampires.” “Obviously we can’t do anything more than you can,” Lucas said. There was something he could do. Something he’d vowed never to do. He’d have to summon some spirits and ask for assistance. He’d take every precaution he could just in case this went wrong. Messing with the dead was dangerous.

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Chapter Seven

Meredith awoke slowly. She couldn’t move her arms or her legs, and her head throbbed to the tempo of the drums. Drums? Peeking out from under her eyelashes, Meredith tried to look around and see where she was and what had happened.

Oh, gods, no! Molly was spread out and tied to what looked like an altar, with several figures in black robes gathered around her. Chanting filled the air along with the scent of various spices and incense. Fighting the urge to throw up, Meredith wondered what kind of magic Jeremy had used on them to knock them unconscious too quickly for her to see it coming. Molly moaned as one of the figures withdrew a knife and held it up in the air. The chanting grew louder as Meredith realized what they were about to do. They’re going to

sacrifice Molly! What kind of cult do they belong to? Only one that I know of that uses live women. They must worship the Dark Lord. Meredith bit her lip as they lowered the blade to Molly’s right wrist. She had to do something.

Slade! she screamed in his mind. Lucas! Jessica! Somebody answer me!

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Meredith. Where are you? Are you okay? Talk to me. Slade’s calm voice did nothing to ease her panic.

You have to help. You have to tell the others. They are going to sacrifice Molly. They’re preparing her. Please help! Slade’s gasp echoed in her mind. Where are you? Help me out here. Meredith squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them all the way and glanced around.

Cave, we’re in a cave somewhere. And they are going to sacrifice Molly to the Dark One! The Dark One? Satan? Yes. She hissed as blood flowed freely from Molly’s arm into a large golden cup. She broke the connection with Slade and forced herself to focus on Molly. If she didn’t do something it didn’t matter if they did find them. There’d be nothing left to rescue. Meredith centered herself and gathered a ball of white light. She tried to cover Molly in it, but the darkness surrounding her was too great. Another glance around the cavern showed a small gathering of people. Perhaps their chanting was keeping the darkness strong. Meredith tossed several balls of white light into the group. She was successful in distracting them, but only for a moment, then the darkness grew even thicker.

Think, think, think. What could she do to buy time for the others to find them? She watched as Molly’s blood filled the cup and was taken away. As her blood dripped steadily onto the floor, the robed figure sliced her left wrist. They produced another cup, which she assumed they used the same way as the other. Molly stared blankly at the ceiling, unmoving. How long had they tortured her? Did

they realize I’m not pregnant? Am I next?

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Panic raced through her, causing her heart to thump so fast it hurt. Meredith roared as she shifted into her vampire form. She ripped free of the chains holding her to the table and rushed at the figures as fast as she could. Her head spun as her body tried to fight the effects of whatever they’d done to her. Somehow she made it to the table and knocked the cup away from Molly. She pressed her hands over Molly’s cuts to seal the wounds, then extended her claws and slashed at the robed forms in front of her. “The baby. Be careful of the baby!” Meredith snarled as she recognized Jeremy’s voice. She pounced on him, tearing at his cloak until his face was exposed. But she didn’t stop. Pain at what had happened to Molly and fear of what could still happen fueled her anger as she slashed at him. Jeremy threw up his arms to shield his neck, the deadly knife in his hand glittering in the candlelight. “No!” Meredith thrust her hand into his chest, reached under his sternum, and pulled out his heart. She tossed it away and grabbed the knife from his now lifeless fingers. She growled as she dragged the knife across his throat. Andrew laughed, and she turned around quickly. Andrew held up Jeremy’s heart. He shoved it in his mouth and devoured it as the darkness increased. “Thank you, Meredith. With Jeremy’s death our Lord has been appeased. And he is very pleased by your slaughter.” Meredith glanced down at the blood covering herself, the floor, the walls. Only tattered remains were left of Jeremy. Suddenly he began to burn. With a shriek, she jumped off him and backed away. In her haste to save Molly she must have completed their ritual. It didn’t matter who died as long as someone did. She backed away from Jeremy’s burning body and glanced up at the figures staring at her.

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“Ladies and gentlemen,” Andrew shouted into the silence. “I give you our new queen!” A loud roar echoed in the cavern as cheers sounded. Heart thumping in her chest, Meredith shook her head back and forth. What had she done? “You completed our ritual and have initiated yourself into our ranks.” Andrew smiled at her, blood from Jeremy’s heart dribbling down his chin. “And since our Sire’s blood now runs in my veins, I claim you as my bride. My queen.” “No!” Meredith shook her head and backed away. “I have to thank you, Meredith. I had hoped if I left the chains loose enough you’d be able to get free. And exactly as I planned you killed Jeremy, leaving me to rule.” “No!” He sighed loudly. “Stop fighting it, Meredith. Even as we speak, evil is working its way through your veins. By completing the ritual and pleasing our Lord you have become one of us. Make the transformation complete by drinking the warm blood from our sacrifice.” Meredith shuddered. She didn’t feel any different. Was he telling the truth or not? And if they forced her to drink Molly’s blood would she become evil? “No! I’d rather die.” “Merry, Merry, Merry.” He clucked his tongue as he shook his head. “You really disappoint me. I’d hoped you would embrace this as you did disposing of Jeremy. It’s not a surprise, but I’d hoped… Oh, well.” He clapped his hands and several robed figures gathered around her.

“Willing or not you’ll become our queen, and your son, our prince.”

Meredith, we’re here, Slade said in her mind.

No! Stay away! You’re too late! Meredith slammed her shields shut and concentrated

on the scene in front of her.

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She had no clue if Molly was still alive but if there was a chance, she needed to get her out of here and get her some untainted blood to consume. Perhaps if she pretended to go along with it they wouldn’t restrain her and she’d be able to get Molly and get out. As it was she was grossly outnumbered.

***** Slade watched in horror as Meredith reached for the cup in Andrew’s hand. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Lucas glance back and forth between the women. “You get Molly, I’ll get Meredith.” Slade didn’t wait for him to answer. Racing toward them as fast as he could, Slade jumped the last few feet and knocked the cup out of Meredith’s hand. He fell to the floor with the cup, rolled and got back up to his feet. He saw yet another vampire grab for Meredith, so he reached for her, but Andrew punched him in the gut and he flew back a few feet. Stunned and amazed, Slade looked at Meredith as he tried to catch his breath.

I told you I’d handle it myself now. Doesn’t look like you are doing such a good job, babe. Slade groaned as he got back to his feet. His stomach hurt from the blow but it was nothing compared to what he was going to do to Andrew in a minute. “You’re too late. Meredith is mine,” Andrew shouted as he grabbed her and tugged her to his side. “What are you talking about? Where’s Jeremy?” Slade asked. Something wasn’t right. “He’s dead, and I’m in charge now. Meredith is mine by default.” “Wrong!” Slade snapped. “She’s mine and you can’t have her.” All around him he could hear the sounds of battle, but he focused all his concentration on Andrew and Meredith. If he lost control for even a second it could be too late.

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“Meredith, by now you should feel the power running through your veins. The power of our Dark Lord.” Slade growled. “What the hell are you talking about?” Andrew laughed again. “When Meredith killed Jeremy she finished the ritual and absorbed the power.” “I’ll never be your queen and I’ll never be one of you.” Meredith jerked herself free and pushed Andrew away forcefully, sending him stumbling. Slade hoped Meredith was right, and they wouldn’t harm her because of the baby they thought she carried. If anything happened to her, no vampire would be safe from his wrath. Super strength would be handy right now, but even without it there was no way in hell he was going to let Andrew get away with hurting the woman he loved. Before Andrew could regain his balance, Slade took advantage of his distraction and tackled him, bringing him to the ground. Whipping a silver stake out of his jacket, he muttered a quick prayer as he raised it and brought it down into the center of Andrew’s heart. Andrew’s mouth gaped open. He gasped for breath as a look of disbelief flashed across his face. His eyes rolled back into his head as his body began to smoke. Meredith pulled Slade off as Andrew burst into flames. “That was easier than I thought,” Slade said with a grin. But when he looked at Meredith he saw her frown and turn around. A group of the robed people had gathered around them. At least against Andrew he’d had a chance. This was six vampires against him and Meredith. “Do you have this so called power that Andrew was talking about?” he asked. “Because if you do, now would be a good time to use it.”

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“Sorry,” Meredith whispered. “I have no clue what he was talking about. If their ritual was completed successfully, then it appears their Dark Lord abandoned them. And that is just fine with me.” “Join us and we will spare you and your mate,” a sensual female voice promised. “Join us.” The figures all spoke as one. “Join us and live.” “Never!” Meredith spat on the ground. “Not today,” Jessica said as she and five other vampires joined them. “Not now. Not ever.” Before they could attack, the robed people vanished, not a trace of them left behind. “I really don’t like this,” Meredith whispered. “I know they are gone, but now we don’t know where or when they’ll be back.” “Don’t worry, Mere. This is my jurisdiction. I will hunt down each and every last Black Heart and deal with them.” “Black Heart? You mean you knew about them?” “Yeah, but I didn’t know they were dangerous. I had no idea they were doing sacrifices or anything like this. But when Slade suggested Devil’s Hills, I put two and two together. We can discuss this later. Let’s get you and Molly back to my place first. I don’t like it here.” Meredith nodded and turned to face Slade. She buried her face in his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply, trying to show how much he loved her. When his cock sprang to attention he had to fight the urge to throw her down on the floor and take her. He’d almost lost her and he wasn’t willing to take any more chances. She was going to settle down and let him take care of her. “Molly?” Meredith asked, her voice cracking. “I don’t know. Lucas is with her now. It doesn’t look good,” Jessica said. “Let’s get out of here, then we can get the healers to work on Molly.”

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Lucas scooped Molly into his arms and left with Edward and Rocko. As Meredith sagged against him, Slade realized she wouldn’t be able to get them out. He’d have to get one of the others to carry her. “Drake, can you carry Meredith back to the house, please?” Jessica asked. Drake nodded and looked at Slade as if for confirmation. Slade handed her over and watched as the vampire flew off with her. When he turned around he noticed that Jessica was the only one left in the cavern. “Guess it’s just you and me, big boy.” Slade raised his eyebrows. “Meredith might not like this, but come here.” He had no other choice. “I can handle you, Slade.” The tone in her voice left no doubt that she meant more than carrying him. Slade bit his tongue. It wouldn’t do to antagonize this woman. Not after she helped save Meredith’s life. If she and her vampires hadn’t been here… Slade shuddered and looked at her. “I can’t thank you enough for saving Meredith.” “You were doing just fine on your own, Slade. I saw the way you took out Andrew. If they hadn’t ganged up on you, you wouldn’t have needed anyone’s help. Yes, I think you can handle your own with a vamp. I’m glad Meredith found you. I just hope you are man enough to accept her, faults and all.” Slade growled as Jessica wrapped her arms around him and leapt into the air. “I do love her.”

Thankfully the flight was quick. They were at the Prince Estate before the sun could rise. Slade followed Jessica and the others inside.

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“Meredith needs to feed.”

“She can have as much of my blood as she needs. All of it, I don’t care.” Slade glared at

her daring her to challenge him again. She was obviously very protective of Meredith. “It won’t be a problem. There are many here willing to give their blood to her.” “She will have mine, and only mine.” He wanted to stamp his foot and bang on his chest and shout that Meredith was his. “Well, she might not be able to take enough from you.” “She has in the past.” “She can have some of my blood,” Rocko said. Slade turned and glared at his best friend. “We’ve been down this road once before. She’ll take blood from no other man.” Jessica laughed. “I can see why Meredith wants to keep you. After Jake you’re such a refreshing change. Although, he was overly protective as well, and you know what that got him.” “What did it get him?” Slade gave up. Obviously, she wanted to punish him for something he’d done wrong. But she’d been so nice after he’d killed Andrew. “A stake through the heart.” “I knew that! He deserved that and worse.” “Yeah, well, Meredith refuses to feed from you, Slade.” Jessica frowned. “I don’t know why, or what you did --” “Refuses to feed from me? Bullshit. How do you know? Where is she?” “The healer told me via mental telepathy. You don’t know, do you, Slade? She’s blocking you. I think it might be best for everyone if Rocko took you home. You two can do your police reports --”

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“I’m not going anywhere!” Slade snapped as he stepped closer and put his face in hers. “Where the hell is she?” Jessica studied him for a minute while he pictured throttling her. Or shoving a big fat stake deep in her black heart. “I’ll take you to her, but only because I think you are the one who can help her heal.” His heart leapt in his throat. “Heal? How bad is she injured? She looked okay. I thought that blood was Jeremy’s. Was she hurt?” “Slade.” Jessica sighed. “I’m talking about the damage Jake did to her while they were married.” What was she trying to do? Give him a heart attack? Slade shook his head. “Just take me to her, please. I need to see that she’s okay.” Jessica nodded and hooked her arm in his as she led him through the wide hallways, past museum quality artwork. Some of the pieces looked as if they were worth more than a year’s salary. She turned down another hall and descended a stone staircase. “Where are we going? The dungeon?” “No, Slade. We are going below ground. We don’t need to sleep in the dirt to survive, but being down here helps speed the healing process.” Jessica led him down another hallway, stopping in front of a large wooden door. She knocked on the door twice, then called out, “It’s me, Jess. I’ve brought dinner.” When they didn’t hear a response, Jessica knocked again. A short old woman with grey hair and wise eyes opened the door and frowned. “She’s weak. There is no damage so I think she’s weak from hunger. Judging by the extent of her exhaustion, I’d say not only does she need nutrients, but the battle took an emotional toll on her. Every spell she uses, every time she shifts her shape, anything she does requires energy.” Slade nodded when he realized the healer was speaking to him.

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The old woman looked at Jessica before she continued, “She is a strong willed one. She has refused to feed until we tell her if Molly will survive.” Jessica nodded. “She will survive. Lucas, Edward, and Drake have all been in to feed her. I trust her healer Michaela.” “Michaela. Yes, she can work wonders.” The woman smiled at Slade. “This one has strong blood, and a strong heart. Hopefully, he will be enough to bring her back to us.” Slade nodded and tried to look past her at Meredith. Was she dying? From lack of blood? Why hadn’t she taken more from him earlier? The healer stepped aside and Slade squeezed into the room. He ignored all the furnishings, his eyes focusing on Meredith. Swiftly, he crossed the small space, knelt on the floor, and pulled Meredith’s hand into his. As the door shut Meredith turned toward him. She opened her eyes and smiled, her face warming as love for him showed in that green gaze. But then she froze, shuttering her expression and pasting a frown on her face. “What are you doing here? How’s Molly? Where’s my dinner?”

The sound of a lock clicking into place echoed loudly in his ears.

“What are they doing?”

“Jessica is giving me a chance to find out what happened to you.”

Meredith turned away and picked at the blue bedspread. “There’s no longer a threat. I

don’t know what you will tell your boss, but there is no need for us to continue seeing each other. And as long as you stay away from Philadelphia, you’re probably safe from Cyril.” “Meredith?” She sighed but didn’t look at him. Slade cupped her cheek and turned her face toward him. “Go away, Slade.”

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“You saved Molly’s life. At least that’s what everyone is saying. Andrew and Jeremy are both gone. You are free now, Meredith.” “Slade, I don’t want you here.” “Why not?” He had a suspicion she was worried about his safety. She’d been through a terrible ordeal and wanted to push him away to keep him safe. “Slade, just go.” “Damn it, Meredith! I love you. I’m not going anywhere.” Slade captured her mouth with his before she could protest. He knew her too well. Knew she loved him. That was why she was pushing him away. She’d been trying to push him away all along, and now that she knew everyone would be okay she wanted him as far from her as possible. If she thought he’d be safer without her she had another think coming. He was tired of her half-truths. Slade deepened the kiss as Meredith grabbed onto his shoulders. She surrendered to him with a moan. The sound sent shivers up his spine. Now he needed to get her aroused enough that she’d forget her vow not to feed from him. No way was she feeding from anyone else if he was around. Meredith pulled away and looked into his eyes. He could see her indecision and used it to his advantage. Tugging the covers away, he smiled at the peach nightie. “Jessica doesn’t wear normal nightgowns.” “Shhh. You don’t usually wear anything to bed, anyway.” “How do you know?” Slade grinned and pulled the covers down to the foot of the bed. He undressed and climbed back on the bed, his cock throbbing as desire pulsed through him. He loved her more than he ever thought possible and he’d come so close to losing her that he never wanted her out of his sight again. Ignoring her, Slade slid his hands up under the thin peach lace.

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Meredith gasped, then released her breath in a whoosh when he fisted his hands in the material and tore it open. “You are so beautiful,” he said as he moved his hands over her silky flesh. “I love you, Meredith.” “Slade, you don’t know --” She broke off when his lips closed over her nipple. He grabbed her hips and shifted her so he could kneel in between her thighs. He felt her surrender as her body softened under his. Dragging his face across her stomach brought a purr from deep in Meredith’s throat. “You can push me away, but I’m not going anywhere.” “Slade, really --” She moaned when he dipped his tongue into her navel. “Sweet hell.”

***** Shivers raced up her spine and her fingers clenched on his shoulders. Drawing in gasping breaths, Meredith tried to find the strength to tell him to stop, to make him leave. Just being with her was signing his death warrant. There was already too much blood on her hands. No more. “Slade. Stop.” She arched under his touch. “We can’t. I want you to go.” He hesitated and looked up at her, his eyebrows quirked in an irresistible manner. Oh, god. He couldn’t make this easy, could he? Hunger beat at her like the wings of an angry wasp. If she didn’t get some blood soon there was no telling what would happen to her. She didn’t want to drink from anyone else. She wanted him and him alone. Her stomach tightened as more hunger pains shook her resolve. Meredith sighed and rose up on her elbows. “I get to be on top.” “Okay.” He rolled off of her and leaned on his elbow. She made a tsk sound and shook her head. As she rose to her knees, she pushed him onto his back. “I need a lot of blood. Too much to make this fun for you.”

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“Meredith, I’d be content to hold you in my arms. Just feed from me. I don’t need to make love to you.” Slade’s heart was in his eyes as he reached for her. Too weak to argue anymore, Meredith gave in. If she was going to feed from him, she’d make it as pleasurable as she could. For both of them. He had risked his life for her time and time again; she could at least give him something to remember. She straddled him and grabbed his erection. As she guided it to her entrance she made the mistake of meeting his gaze again. This time she lost herself in the blue depths as he slid into her with ease. Arching her back and groaning, Meredith tilted her head back and moaned. He felt so good, filled her so completely, it was like heaven on earth. As her muscles clenched around him she leaned forward and licked the salty spot over his carotid. Slade grabbed her hips as he thrust up into her even deeper. “Thought you said this wouldn’t be fun.” He groaned as she shifted on him. His taunt made her smile. Why had she fallen in love with him? It would only end in heartbreak. He was a man, and she was a terrible judge of them. She couldn’t take the chance. Maybe if it was just her, but could she risk her family as well? “Meredith?” His husky voice brought her attention back to what she was supposed to be doing. She moved on him, riding him until he moaned again. The sound and feel of him sent tingles rushing through her body and made her fangs elongate. He hit just the right spot to make her scream as she shattered into a million fragments. As soon as the crest of her orgasm passed Meredith bit into his carotid and drank deeply. Slade moaned and shuddered underneath her as he rammed his cock into her harder and harder, his hands in a bruising grip on her hips. She continued to feed as he moaned and trembled underneath her. Not too much. I

can’t take too much.

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“Meredith!” he shouted, lifting one hand to cradle her head as his hot seed filled her. Ravenous. She was so hungry and he tasted so good. She lapped and sucked on his neck, letting her hunger take the reins. He was sweet and decadent like chocolate. A sinful treat, and oh so delicious. “Meredith.” His voice was weak as his hold on her head loosened. Panic slammed into her. Had she taken too much? She looked down at him warily and studied him, listening to his heart beat as it pumped that delicious liquid through his veins. No, he was fine. But if he hadn’t said something she might have kept going. With a groan, she rolled off of him and covered her face with her arm. “Meredith?” He grabbed her arm and tugged it away. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you get enough blood?” “To be honest with you, no. I’m still hungry.” “Then why did you stop?” “I’ll kill you if I take any more.” Meredith shook her head and looked into his eyes. She felt mesmerized by the intensity in his stare even though he wasn’t capable of that trick. “Then take more. Take as much as you need. I would give my life for you.” “Slade.” Meredith swallowed and turned away. “There are others I can feed from to recuperate what I’ve lost. There is no reason for you to sacrifice yourself unnecessarily.” “I don’t want you pleasuring anybody else.” “I don’t have sex with everyone I feed from,” Meredith snapped, turning to look at him again. “I don’t want you having sex with anyone else, ever.” He growled and tugged her close. She pushed him away. “Slade. I told you it’s over. This was goodbye.” He laughed. “That wasn’t goodbye.”

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“Yes, it was. My life is too dangerous for you. I don’t want to be responsible for another death.” His eyes softened and he pulled her close again. “Oh, sweetheart. You aren’t to blame for those deaths just as Caitlyn wasn’t to blame for the others. You just happened to attract the attention of some really evil people. It wasn’t your fault. It’s over now. Jessica will take care of the rest of the Black Hearts. Rocko and I can help her.” “Slade, there is no future for us. I don’t know why you can’t get that through your thick skull.” She pushed away from him and stood up, quickly. Too quickly. She swayed and would have fallen if he hadn’t wrapped his arms around her and tugged her back onto the bed. “I understand why you keep fighting this. You don’t trust yourself enough to love me. You think you’ll kill me, or that some one else will.” He swallowed audibly. “Or that I’ll kill you.” Meredith looked away. His words twisted her heart painfully. She knew he was right, but darn it all, she didn’t want him to die. “I’m going to die eventually anyway,” Slade whispered. “But you could make me like you. Then we would be together forever.” Confusion and indecision warred within her. What should she do? She did love him. But could she trust those feelings? Could she trust herself? What if what she was feeling was wrong? “After all you’ve been through with Jake I can understand why you don’t trust me. But what does your heart say?” Her heart was screaming for her to make him a vampire and marry him before someone else could get their hands on him.

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“I’ll give you time. As much time as you need. But I’m only human. I know you fear for my safety but this is what I do for a living. I track down killers all the time. You know I have some abilities that are above the norm. I know I can handle myself in your world.” Meredith gnawed on her lower lip as she listened to him. Closing her eyes she reached into his head and scanned his thoughts and feelings, searching for anything that would prove he was lying. But, as her heart told her, she found nothing there but love, trust, and desire. “Okay. But you can’t rush me. I need time. I need to heal. I need to think about all of this. And then…then if we both still feel the same way…” Slade hugged her tight and kissed her until her head spun and her toes tingled.

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Epilogue

“How is everyone?” Meredith asked as she glanced at her newly converted husband.

“I think you’d better take a seat, honey.”

She paled at the serious expression on his face. “What? What is it?”

“Jessica and Rocko think they know where the Black Hearts relocated. They couldn’t

get to them before one of them sent Molly a little package, and they are gone again.” “Oh no. When will this end?” Meredith buried her face in her hands. “Don’t tell me they are targeting her now? Is Lucas to pay for some imagined slight as well?” “Sweetheart…” Oh, this wasn’t good. Her gut clenched as his hands covered hers and squeezed. “Molly walked into the sunrise.” “What?” Meredith blinked. “But the sun won’t kill us, it only weakens us.” Slade shook his head. “She made sure she would die. She refused to eat until she was so weak she could barely walk. Lucas was about to force blood into her when she slipped outside, naked into the sun. He didn’t find her until that evening, and it was too late. All that remained were ashes, and the necklace he’d given her.”

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“Oh, my God, no!” Meredith buried her face in Slade’s arms and shook as she thought of her brother. To have your love take their own life… “We must go back. We can have our honeymoon later.” “There is no reason to go back. Lucas has fled. Disappeared just like he did after Caitlyn’s attack. No one will find him now. Not unless he wants them to. I’m sorry, maybe I should have let Aidan tell you all this.” Meredith choked back sobs as she reached mentally for her brother. Finding nothing broke her heart even more. It was as if he were dead. “I can’t stand this, Slade. I can’t lose any more of my family to these people.” “When we get home I’ll help Jessica and Rocko find and deal with every last one of those Black Hearts.” “I’ll help.” She stopped crying and rubbed her eyes. “I will take out as many of them as I can.” “No,” Slade shushed her, wrapping his arms around her. “The baby, sweetheart. You mustn’t let anything happen to our child.” Meredith put her hand over her belly and knew he was right. “You better kill those Black Hearts quickly, Slade. Or else I’ll go back to North Carolina and hunt them down myself.” He laughed and squeezed her tight. “Don’t worry about me, darling. I can handle the Black Hearts.”

Michelle Hasker Michelle Hasker has been writing for three years. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA. She loves vampires and things that go bump in the night, so it’s no wonder her creations are truly paranormal. While most people only dream of finding love, Michelle's characters find it, but in the most unexpected places. Michelle lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, children, assorted animals, and overactive imagination. Visit Michelle on the Web at www.michellehasker.com.