Unending Desire

His hunger for one woman will make him a traitor to his world…

Outlawed Realm, Book 1 From a portal in his lab on E2, one of the five dimensions of Earth, quantum physicist Nikoli Zorr gazes on everything forbidden to him. Passion. Desire. The exquisite pleasure of running his hands over the lush curves of a young woman he should have stopped watching weeks ago. His duty is to close the portals that keep the monsters out of E2—and never interfere with the inevitable fate of those on the other side. Yet he can’t bring himself to abandon the woman who has captured his soul. Psychologist Regina Page is trying to keep her mind on her client, and off the mysterious, unbearable sexual cravings that consume her when she’s alone in her bedroom. The next moment she’s attacked by vampires, then swept into another realm by a stranger whose touch awakens that same raw desire. Whose eyes are already filled with farewell. Yet beneath their undeniable carnal lust, something else stirs. The beginnings of illicit love. The unexpected need to protect him. Even if it means risking body, blood and soul to defeat the merciless horde…for a future that was never meant to be.

Warning: Contains a repressed scientist who likes to look, and the woman who delights in unleashing his inner caveman. And sex hot enough to burn a hole in all three dimensions…and maybe create a whole new one.

eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B Cincinnati OH 45249 Unending Desire Copyright © 2011 by Tina Donahue ISBN: 978-1-60928-540-1 Edited by Linda Ingmanson Cover by Scott Carpenter All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: October 2011 www.samhainpublishing.com

Unending Desire Tina Donahue

Dedication

To one-of-a-kind guys who are out of this world.

Chapter One

Undetected, Nikoli Zorr watched the woman sleep. His heartbeat continued to quicken, sending waves of warmth through his body. He whispered her name. “Regina Page.” A surge of pleasure weakened Nikoli’s limbs, awakening desire controlled for too long, giving him a taste of what it was like to be nothing more than a man. A creature of touch, taste, sight, sound, passion. Heat built in his groin. Desire flooded his thoughts. Behind him and to each side, monitors hummed, their lights blinking in response, reminders of his duty. Too easily, Nikoli ignored his responsibility and dared to whisper her first name again, testing the feel of it on his lips, embracing the sound, his attention riveted to the scene the portal between their dimensions revealed. Pearly morning light seeped past her bedroom’s filmy curtains. A steady rain greeted another Seattle morning, the water flowing in uneven ridges down the window’s glass. Regina’s dark lashes rested on her smooth cheeks. Her plush lips, tinted a soft rose, were parted slightly, her lovely features untroubled. Nikoli sensed she wasn’t dreaming. He knew she had no idea of the danger she faced tonight. His chest tightened at the horror of what today would bring to her if he didn’t intervene. Events Sazaar had put into motion weeks before when she’d crossed over to Regina’s side—a realm forbidden to all on E2. Searching for passion…for love…Sazaar had found Andris and a lingering death instead. Before fear and anger got the better of him at what Sazaar had done, Nikoli suppressed his emotions just as he’d been trained to do throughout his life. Only yearning for Regina remained. He couldn’t help himself. He didn’t want to. He regarded her lush mouth, the inviting temptation of her lips, the delicate sweep of her cheek, slender brows, her auburn hair brushed away from her cheek, the ends spilling over her snowy pillow and the side of the mattress. His lids slid down to narrow slits. He craved her as he had nothing else in his life. No, it hadn’t been a life but an existence. And now he realized what he’d missed, wanting her more than food, water, safety or honor. Wanting her to be with him.

Unending Desire

Images unwound in Nikoli’s mind of Regina straddling his body, draping her torso over his, the firm tips of her nipples brushing his chest, her reddish locks sweeping past his shoulders. In his thoughts, he saw her face above his, her smile welcoming, seductive, her passion free and reckless as she edged closer, teasing the seam of his lips with her tongue, spearing the hot, wet tip into his mouth, filling it, exploring. A sound he’d never made before escaped Nikoli’s throat. He focused on the picture his thoughts created, building upon the scene. He could almost feel the intense heat of her body, the slick depths of her cunt hugging his cock, offering it a home, a place of delight and refuge where he could— A sudden, steady wail cut through the space between their dimensions, chasing the scenes from his mind. Her alarm clock continued to shriek, the noise subdued on this side by the portal’s barrier. Eyes still closed, Regina flung her arm to the clock, her fingers fumbling blindly to shut off the noise. Nikoli smiled at her muffled oath. He watched as she threw back the covers and left the bed. On tiptoes, arms lifted above her, she stretched, her movements supple and sinuous. Nikoli swallowed. He stared at her dark green nightgown, the hem fluttering above her satiny thighs. Raindrops zigzagged down the window, creating faint shadows on her pale skin. He pulled his attention from them, watching the ends of Regina’s hair dangling past her shoulders. Without thinking, Nikoli reached out, his hand seeking the glossy strands, his fingers touching nothing but sterile air. Air hissed through his teeth. Arms lowered, Regina slipped the nightgown’s narrow straps past her shoulders. The silky fabric slid over the gentle swell of her breasts, catching briefly on her nipples before drifting to her waist. Partially bared, she turned her face to the window, the dreary day. Focused on her ripe flesh, Nikoli told himself he should turn away, knowing he would not. He feasted on her beauty, the succulent contours of her breasts, full and weighty, large enough to fill a man’s hands. His. He regarded the curve of her belly, the lavish flare of her hips. Regina wiggled them, encouraging her nightgown to fall past her thighs and pool at her feet. Stepping out of the garment, she grabbed her hair in both hands, twisting then lifting the locks from her shoulders. Nikoli’s mouth went dry. He forced down a swallow as he regarded the delicate curls between her legs, slightly darker than her other hair. Her belly rippled each time she inhaled. After a brief yawn, she turned and padded toward the bath. Unwilling to bear even more separation between them, Nikoli stepped closer to the gateway. With his movement, Regina stopped, releasing her hair. The strands swished left and right, exposing then hiding her shoulders. Turned to the side, she glanced at the window. The ashy light caressed her features, revealing her confusion. She’d felt him. She still did. Nikoli waited for Regina’s next move. A second ticked by. Then another. And another.

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She lowered her face, glancing at the hardwood floor. Again, he stepped closer. She went completely still, then turned facing the portal that Nikoli knew was invisible from her side. There, Regina would see nothing more than the wall of her bedroom, the pictures she’d hung. Here, the gateway resembled a wall of glass, allowing him to watch her without restriction. To see what he should not, to want what he wasn’t allowed to have. Didn’t matter. No rule could stop the longing coursing through him, followed by insatiable lust. Color rose to her cheeks. Desire transformed her features. “I feel it too,” he murmured. Regina’s lids fluttered as though she’d heard him, a matter Nikoli knew was impossible. She stepped closer and stared. Not seeing anything untoward, she studied either side of him. “I’m here,” he whispered. His words drew her nearer. In her green eyes—the color of a stormy sea—he saw loneliness as great as his. Behind it was the hope for something more, something thrilling and comforting. The touch of a hand, the promise in a glance, the solace of a caress. Her emotions didn’t last. She frowned in confusion. “You’ll know me tonight,” he said, a pledge he would keep no matter the consequences. Once more, Regina’s expression changed, frustrated need replacing her bewilderment. Again, she moved toward the bath, pausing twice to glance over her shoulder. She parted her lips on a brief sigh. He treasured the gentle sound, imagining the warmth of her breath skipping across his cheek, the fragrant musk of her body as he held her to him. Tonight. The word reverberated in his mind. Into the bath she went. The portal adjusted immediately, like the lens of a camera, moving closer, zooming in on the new room. She flicked on the wall switch. Antique light fixtures above the sink bathed the snug space in a gauzy golden glow. The illumination transformed her ivory skin into a shade resembling ripe wheat. Her cheeks continued to pink up. Bypassing the claw-footed tub, she entered the more modern glass-enclosed shower, turning her front then her back to the water’s flow. The pulsating spray had hardened her nipples. Water beaded on her chest and ran in unruly streams down her torso and belly. Again Nikoli reached out as though to touch, to experience, a riot of pleasurable sensations jolting him. He watched the silvery beads journeying to her navel. Water circled the small depression, then moved lower, trapped in the dark auburn curls between her legs. His mind imagined their springiness on his tongue, the taste of her hidden lips beneath.

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She stepped to the right, facing him. It was nearly more than he could bear. On a sigh, Regina sagged into the shower’s wall, her left shoulder obscuring the enameled tiles decorated with blue-and-yellow flowers. Face turned away from the spray, she ran one hand across her breasts, her fingers squeezing their rounded contours, her palms massaging the nipples while her other hand dipped to her curls, searching for the small rise of flesh above her labia. Her clit, Nikoli thought, a word he’d heard in her dimension, one unknown in E2, the same as impetuous desire and unrestrained passion. Helpless to stop himself, he observed Regina stroking her sensitive nub. Faster than he would have believed possible and certainly quicker than Sazaar had ever responded to his touch, Regina blew out a sigh, her expression strained with arousal, her brows drawing together in a frown of concentration. Steam billowed around her. Water licked her flesh. She seemed unaware, concentrating on her pleasure. Her thighs tensed first. In his peripheral vision, Nikoli saw her toes splay, then curl. She dug her shoulder into the tiled wall, using it for support. Briskly, repeatedly, she moved her fingers over her clit, her mouth hanging open on a silent cry of delight. Pleasure he wanted to give to her. Finished and sated for the moment, Regina draped her arms over her head and gulped the misty air. Nikoli forced down a swallow. To his left, he heard footfalls hurrying down the hall, approaching the door to his lab. No doubt one of his colleagues come to discuss a matter of importance. Nikoli’s belly cramped with worry. And yet, his mind resisted closing the portal, losing sight of Regina for even a moment. The individual coughed. Caution won out. With the pulse points in his temple and throat pounding hard, Nikoli swept his hand in front of the monitor nearest him. A series of characters flashed on its screen. The footfalls stopped outside his door. The gateway’s transparency turned opaque. Where there had once been a window into Regina’s realm, there now stood a blank wall. Tonight, his thoughts whispered to her. He’d cross over as Sazaar had done, only not through a spontaneous portal as she had, but one he’d create, using a device he’d built. An instrument outlawed on E2. The reality of his actions should have troubled Nikoli, but it did not. Already he’d lied to his people, explaining Sazaar’s absence as a retreat she’d planned to take so she could clear her mind for the work that lay ahead. No one but Nikoli knew what she’d become after Andris had turned her. How she threatened Regina and E2’s existence.

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Turning from the wall and its now hidden portal, Nikoli responded to the light rapping on his door, placing his hand on the barrier to open it. In the hall stood his father, a scientist, the same as Nikoli. Elegant in appearance, his hair a silvery gray, the older man wore an expression of complete trust. Never had Nikoli been as ashamed at the lies he would soon tell the man. How he would continue to betray everything he was supposed to believe in so he could save Regina. A woman forbidden to him. One for whom he was prepared to risk a charge of treason. One for whom he was planning to die.

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Chapter Two

Seated in her leather wing chair, Regina observed her patient, a young man with generalized anxiety and panic disorder, her specialty. At thirty-one, she’d been a licensed psychologist for seven years, witnessing fear and anguish on a daily basis. She liked to think of herself as involved, caring, determined to bring her patients relief. Today, she found it difficult to think. Impatience ate at her. Anticipation hummed in her blood. For what? She had no idea. Her thoughts returned to this morning, the sense of someone watching her in her bedroom. Not an unpleasant or frightening sensation as it should have been. Rather, she’d been unexpectedly excited, a welcome thrill racing through her, causing her skin to tingle and her body to want. Oh God, had it wanted. Never before had she masturbated in her shower. Somehow, it had seemed needed, necessary. Her twenty-something patient cleared his throat. Brought back to the moment, Regina focused on him, suppressing a frown of annoyance. She wanted him to leave so she could be alone and think this through. No, she corrected herself; she didn’t want to think, she wanted to feel, to relive the pleasure from this morning. “I still can’t go out,” her patient admitted, fear rasping his words. “It’s too overwhelming.” With his mournful admission, Regina concentrated on him. Painstakingly groomed, he wore an expensive camel-hair jacket, tawny cashmere sweater and designer jeans. When Regina had been a child living in poverty, the cost of his clothing would have represented several months’ salary for her mother. For him, the garments and his job as a successful software engineer gave him no sense of power or freedom from his doubts. He gnawed the edge of his thumb, sneaking a peek at her, then glancing away in embarrassment. Last week, empathy had welled in her for him, as it did for all of her patients. Tonight, Regina forced herself to maintain composure, to bury her annoyance as she explained the obvious. “You said you can’t go out, yet you came here. You were able to leave your condo, drive several miles, come through the crowded building and arrive at my office. That’s a remarkable feat.” A glimmer of hope raced across his youthful features, replaced quickly by doom. Wrapping his arms around his well-fed frame, he rocked and muttered, “Why is this so fucking hard for me? Why can’t I be

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like everyone else and work in an office with other people rather than hiding in my room all day? If it wasn’t for my boss letting me program from home, I wouldn’t even have a job.” “We all have our fears. Together, we’ll work through yours.” He remained unconvinced. For the rest of his hour, he spoke of each defeat he’d endured during the last seven days. Repeatedly, Regina reminded him of the small victories, then fell silent as he did, her thoughts continuing to drift, her body hungering for what she’d encountered this morning. The feeling that somehow she wasn’t alone any longer. A sense of being wanted and loved that she’d never experienced with any man. There had been too few in her life, none memorable, none touching her soul. “Dr. Page?” Regina started at the sound of her name. Her patient stood near his chair, shifting his weight from foot to foot, anxiety not allowing him a moment’s rest. Did he want to run from here now? Had she spoken her thoughts aloud, unknowingly causing more distress? A moment passed. When she said nothing, he asked, “My hour’s up…isn’t it?” His hesitation touched her, making Regina feel bad for her previous irritation and inattention. She offered a gentle smile. “Yes, it is.” Walking him to the door leading into the reception area, she said, “Work on those exercises we talked about. Record each victory, no matter how small you believe it to be. Remember, every panic attack has a beginning, a middle and an end. It will be over.” His meaty shoulders slumped. “Not soon enough. It’s never soon enough.” With a heavy sigh, he moved toward the exit, offering a nod of farewell to Carly, Regina’s receptionist. The young woman watched the outer door swing shut, then tapped her finger against her computer screen. “Your next appointment cancelled a few minutes ago. Claimed to have a flat tire. I told her she’d be charged for the hour. Didn’t faze her at all.” With a shrug, Carly brought down her hand. Regina glanced at the heels of Carly’s boots rapping the hardwood floor. A sure sign she wanted to get out of here as badly as Regina did, though for different reasons. Having recently given birth, Carly couldn’t wait to get home to her new baby and husband. What many would have considered an ordinary life, perhaps even dull. Compared to Regina’s, it was Las Vegas on steroids. Tonight, as all her other nights, she’d return to an empty house, eat a solitary meal, then read patient files before exhaustion drove her to sleep. Maybe she should start prowling singles’ chat rooms, then take the ultimate leap to an Internet dating service. Or get a cat. Maybe a dog. Possibly both. “Looks like you have an hour to kill before your last appointment of the day,” Carly said. Leaning against her doorjamb, Regina had an overwhelming urge to cancel her final patient, telling her something had come up, that the doctor wouldn’t be able to see her tonight.

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“Hey, you okay?” Carly asked, leaning forward in her chair, her blue eyes narrowed in scrutiny. Uncertain how to answer, Regina lied. “Sure.” Carly regarded her for a long moment, then sucked her bottom lip. “How about you?” Regina asked. “Everything all right?” Guilt flashed across her face. With her short black hair and pretty features, she resembled a young Demi Moore in that old movie Ghost. She even spoke with a trace of Demi’s huskiness. “Can I take off a little early? The sitter called. She said Emma’s been fussy all day. I think she’s getting a cold. Poor little thing. The sitter took her temperature three times. It’s a bit elevated, and I—” “Go,” Regina interrupted. “Take care of your daughter.” Dimples on both sides of Carly’s mouth deepened with her grin. Nodding gratefully, she opened her bottom desk drawer and pulled out her purse. Regina turned to go back into her office, then stopped abruptly at the sensation of warmth enveloping her. A thrilling jolt of heat as though a lover had wrapped her in his powerful embrace. Someone’s watching. The thought happened before she could stop it. She glanced at the front door to her office suite, half expecting someone…a man…to be standing there, an expression of wonder and longing on his face, his body as needy as hers. No one had opened the door. No one had come inside. A wave of disappointment swept through Regina, followed by confusion. What is the matter with you? Carly’s chair made a brief, squeaking sound. The girl had slung the purse’s strap over her shoulder but hadn’t left her desk. Instead, she stared at Regina. “What’s wrong?” Carly asked. Regina managed to speak far more calmly than her bewilderment should have allowed. “Nothing.” “You sure? You seemed kind of happy for a second, almost excited, then…” She paused, as though struggling for the correct words. “Did you feel it?” Regina asked. Carly’s slender brows shot up to the edge of her dark bangs. “Feel what?” The surge of heat. The sense of someone watching. “Nothing,” Regina answered, then added quickly to the girl’s troubled expression, “I’m fine. Really.” Carly didn’t appear convinced. “Look, I can stay if you want. Maybe I should. Your last patient’s really strange. The vibes I get whenever she’s here. Ugh.” Her narrow frame shuddered. “You probably shouldn’t be here alone with her. She’s obviously not using her real name.” Regina arched one brow. “Some people are named Smith.”

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“Not her,” Carly argued. “She doesn’t look like a Smith. And what’s the deal with not telling us her first name?” Regina stated the obvious. “Could be she’s embarrassed to be here.” “Uh-uh. I think she’s hiding something. She pays in cash. Who does that? And she talks funny—when she does talk. Haven’t you noticed her odd accent?” Regina crossed her arms over her chest. “How many of my patients speak English as a second language? How many of your neighbors are from other countries? And as far as Smith is concerned, maybe it’s her husband or ex-husband’s name.” Carly’s brow wrinkled with her worried frown. “Even if it is, there’s something deeply weird about her. Something I can’t put my finger on.” “She’s anxious,” Regina explained. “No, it’s way more than that. Do you notice how she never looks at you directly?” Few of Regina’s patients did. Humiliation over their problems made them timid and withdrawn. “That’s not unusual, Carly.” “Maybe not. But more than a few times I saw her staring at me when she didn’t think I’d catch her. Before she glanced away, she had this really bizarre look on her face.” “Could be she envies you. Could be she’s noticed the pictures of Hank and Emma on your desk and would like that for herself, rather than being alone all the time, living half a life.” That took the steam out of Carly’s argument. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice Regina had been talking about herself. Sucking her lower lip, Carly turned pensive, as though she was recalling her encounters with Ms. Smith. At last, she shrugged. “Yeah, well, maybe.” Pushing out of her chair, she backed to the front door, grabbing her black leather jacket from the coat tree. “You’re certain you’ll be all right?” She pushed her right arm through her coat sleeve. “Want me to go downstairs and grab a snack for you before I leave? Maybe a danish or—” “I’ll go down and get it, okay?” Carly pushed her other arm through its sleeve, shrugging her shoulders into the garment. “Sure. I’ll come in early tomorrow to make up for the time.” “See you then.” The door clicked closed on Regina’s words. Minutes after Carly’s hasty departure, Regina remained in her outer office, expecting, hoping for the previous warmth to return. It did not. Frustrated, she went into her office and paced, too restless to sit, her anxiety beginning to match that of her patients. Dammit. Get a grip. Unable to take her own advice, Regina pulled her purse out of her desk drawer. With a ten-dollar bill and her office keys in hand, she dropped her purse back into the drawer,

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locked the outer door to her office and hurried down the hall to the elevator, not wanting to spend the next hour alone. Not wanting to wait for something that made no sense…that probably hadn’t happened at all.

Although it was only mid-November, the building’s coffee shop—Cup-a-Joe—was already festooned with Christmas decorations. Large red bows embellished the decorative gas lamps at the two entrances. Dainty lights in bright red, green, yellow and blue blinked around the establishment’s service area and its numerous arched windows facing the street. Throughout the day, the weather had continued to deteriorate. Currently, a steady rain fell, the sodden clouds making the hour darker and drearier than it should have been. The pungent scent of freshly brewed coffee, coupled with the sweet fragrance of baked goods, drew Regina into the cozy, packed space. Couples occupied all of the seats near the windows. Solitary diners had taken most of the tall pedestal tables where one had to stand while enjoying the fare. A relaxed, dreamy quality permeated the room. Muted conversations lulled rather than disturbed. An occasional chuckle enhanced the festive décor, heightening Regina’s loneliness. A month ago, she’d refused to notice, suppressing her aching solitude beneath countless cases, patients who had their own problems. Tonight, though… She couldn’t help but notice the couples, many young, others approaching middle age. The psychologist in her studied their comfort level with each other, their quick, easy smiles, carefree conversations, contented silences. She could see these people belonged together, whether through romantic love, friendship or family ties. Yearning she couldn’t seem to shake continued to hound her. Six months before, she’d lost her mother—her best friend—after a grinding bout with breast cancer. The road to death hadn’t been easy, nor had the woman’s life. From the time Regina was small, she’d watched her mom worrying about them having enough food, a place to sleep, and had vowed to make things better for them. She’d worked tirelessly to earn her PhD and build her practice, doing all that she could to avoid making any mistakes, especially when it came to men. Her mother had fallen hard for Regina’s father, an older boy in her neighborhood, with that leading to no end of grief. He’d abandoned them when Regina was two, unwilling to accept any responsibility, wanting to hang with his friends and work just long enough to be eligible for disability. Without a high school education or family support, Regina’s mother had taken whatever menial jobs she could get, supplementing her meager earnings with state aid, leaving her daughter too afraid to take a risk on any guy. A young man near one of the wood-paneled walls slung his arm around his girl. She leaned into him, saying something that made him throw back his head and laugh. Regina couldn’t stop staring, envying them.

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“Ah, ma’am?” She turned. The ponytailed barista arched her brows, waiting for Regina’s order. Neither thirsty nor hungry, she couldn’t bring herself to leave for her empty office, so she selected a white hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and a blackberry scone. Patrons from behind discussed what movie to see tonight—the new Brad Pitt flick, which critics had likened to Se7en, or the more in-your-face action-adventure starring Matt Damon. Just as the group decided where to go, the barista delivered Regina’s order. Glancing around, she took her items to the last empty pedestal table and forced herself to go through the motions of setting up her fare, something she would have advised her patients to do. Stay with it. Don’t run. The bad will end. She wanted to believe it but couldn’t. Rarely had she felt more alone. She licked at the whipped cream on her decadent hot chocolate, then took a sip. The sensuous taste sparked momentary pleasure many women would have claimed, or joked, rivaled an orgasm. For Regina, it was a poor substitute, unable to replace the thrill of a lover’s kiss or his impassioned caress. Mechanically, she took a bite of her pastry. Flakes from the buttery dough fell to her napkin, while the aroma of sweetened blackberries brought to mind a homey kitchen filled with extended family. A Norman Rockwell portrait of a time long gone. What family ate together anymore? What family had ever been perfect? Arching a brow at her sentimentality, determined to push it aside as she’d done all of her life, Regina swallowed, then took another bite. Mid-chew, a sudden flush of warmth washed over her, permeating her limbs, oiling and loosening them. Within seconds, she sensed it again…someone watching. Anticipation made her look up; life experience made her wary. Peering right and left, Regina noted that no one glanced in her direction. Conversations continued. Patrons consumed their food and drinks. Disconcerted, she glanced behind herself, seeing nothing different. No one acknowledged or even noticed her. Heat continued to travel to her pussy, lingering there. It climbed to her throat and cheeks. A picture scrolled across her mind of large hands on either side of her face, gentle and caressing, lips brushing her skin, the rush of warm breath tickling her cheek, her lids closing on a lusty moan, her body sagging against hard male flesh scented with musk. Where are you? Regina’s mind asked before she knew it would. At the establishment’s street entrance a knot of people stood in the open doorway, shaking water from their umbrellas, brushing beads of moisture from their coats. The edge of her napkin fluttered in the dank breeze. The patron closest to her, a young guy in a beautifully tailored suit, called out, “Hey, close the door. You’re letting in the cold.”

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Regina experienced only building warmth. She rested her fingertips on the top of her table, noting how cool the polished wood was to her touch. Her attention swung from the baristas behind the serving area to the individual facing it. A man who must have arrived shortly before those who’d left the door open. Tall, with a powerful build, muscled yet lean, he wore a black crewneck sweater, jacket and a dark blue topcoat. The ends fluttered above his similarly colored pants. Combed away from his forehead, his thick raven hair was wavy and worn longish in the back. Strong masculine features, ruggedly handsome, complemented his olive complexion. Regina knew she was staring openly but couldn’t help herself. She guessed him to be in his midthirties and of foreign descent, possibly Greek or Middle Eastern ancestry. Did he work in this building? Where? What floor? Who was he? Why hadn’t she ever noticed him? He certainly wasn’t a man a woman could ignore. The barista who’d waited on Regina delivered his order with a suggestive smile, clearly interested in him. He seemed not to notice her flirting as he handed over a twenty. Regarding him closely, Regina saw that the shoulders of his coat weren’t damp from the rain. Neither was his hair. Had he bought the coffee to take on his drive home? Did a wife and children await him in one of Seattle’s countless suburbs? Chewing her lower lip, Regina checked out his large hands and long fingers. Naked. No ring. She was unbelievably pleased, an obviously crazy reaction. It was possible his culture didn’t believe in the men wearing wedding bands. Even if he was single, she didn’t know him. Other than being in this coffeehouse at the same time, their paths would probably never cross again. They would never speak or touch. To Regina’s surprise, brutal reality didn’t stop her. Fevered and wanting, she considered going up to him and starting a conversation. About what? With lightning speed, her mind considered and rejected numerous topics—the delicious pastry in the display case, the depressing weather, what films currently played. Through it all, persistent warmth engulfed Regina, a curious sensation of desire and well-being that continued to grow and draw her to him. With his order in hand, he turned, looking directly at her. No one else. Regina’s body softened with a rush of delight…an invisible connection between them. The psychologist in her knew it was ridiculous to consider such a thing. The woman in her didn’t care. She held his gaze, as dark as his hair, his irises sparkling in the tame lighting. A whimper of pleasure bubbled in Regina’s throat. Behind him, a middle-aged woman knocked his arm as she moved past to place her order. His focus remained on Regina, his manner composed yet commanding, his expression unguarded, filled with what appeared to be wonder.

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Around them, people laughed and spoke, lights blinked, rain tapped the windows, the sounds resembling drumming fingernails. An instrumental piece flowed from the sound system, a tenor sax wailing sensuously. Locking her knees, Regina leaned against her table for support. He didn’t break their unspoken attachment. With an easy stride, he approached her table. A current of expectation tore through Regina, tightening her nipples. She lifted her face, helpless in his presence. He smiled. At its comfort and beauty, her heart turned over. He gestured toward her table. “Do you mind if I join you?” Regarding the area past her, he added, “It’s very crowded tonight.” In his smooth, deep baritone, Regina caught the trace of an accent. Not Greek or Middle Eastern as she’d suspected but from some unknown locale. Managing a swallow, she cleared her throat and murmured, “Not at all. Please do.” Really, please. Again, he focused on her. Only her. As if no one else existed. Something inside Regina shifted, magnifying her sense of sight and sound, her pressing need to be close. She ached to touch him, wondering if he suspected as much and had noticed how her words caught. She had no doubt he saw her desire. “Thanks.” He rested his cup on the table. Unwilling to stop herself, Regina offered her hand, their fingertips nearly touching. “Hi. I’m Regina Page.” Tell me who you are.

Nikoli glanced at Regina’s hand, chiding himself for having followed her here, for wanting to be near her before Sazaar arrived. A foolhardy act that wouldn’t change anything. It wasn’t as though he could tell Regina what to expect. A horror she wouldn’t believe until it unfolded before her. Fearful of behaving inappropriately, of running her off and losing his only chance to be this close, Nikoli lifted his hand. After weeks of fantasizing about touching her, he cautioned himself to temper his reaction. The warning did little good. Longing he’d never experienced stole his breath as he clasped her exquisitely soft fingers, his thumb stroking hers. Lids sliding down, Regina parted her lips on a quiet sigh. Color rose to her cheeks, the same as it had this morning in her bath when he’d watched her, hungering to touch and taste every inch of her flesh. To smell it. A pleasure unknown in his dimension.

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On E2, sterile air replaced all fragrances, a matter deemed necessary to keep the populace diseasefree. Here, the scent of food, drink and muggy rain bombarded Nikoli. Even so, it wasn’t enough to keep him from catching Regina’s fragrance. Light and faintly sweet, it reminded him of what her people called vanilla and peaches. Blood rushed to his groin, pooling in his cock. Another word from her realm. A language Nikoli had learned over the years as he’d monitored the spontaneously occurring portals, never realizing he’d someday cross through one he had created into a dimension more electrifying than he could have ever imagined. Time passed more swiftly here than it did on his plane. As people moved about, their bodies seemed to blur. The vibrant colors dazzled when compared to his realm’s somber hues, making Nikoli slightly dizzy, the same as touching her. “Regina,” he repeated, enjoying the sound of her name. He glanced at her fiery red hair, gold earrings—the color of stars on his side—soft gray sweater and black pants. Gently, she squeezed his hand, her expression soft with arousal. “And you are?” There was no need to lie. Tonight would be their only time together. Tomorrow, Regina would be safe, and he would surely be dead. Even if he escaped harm from Sazaar, Andris and the others, death awaited him on his return to E2. Fear or sorrow should have overwhelmed Nikoli. Instead, gratitude for this small slice of time, this moment of unrestricted joy, quickened his answer. “Nikoli Zorr.” Regina moved her lips as though testing his name. Her resultant smile said she liked it. “Nikoli.” Her iris’s green tint was darker now, lushly verdant in the room’s scant light. She studied his features. “It sounds Russian. Were you born there?” Prepared for her questions, he continued to lie. “My parents emigrated from a small isolated village in Romania. They brought me over when I was twelve. I’m afraid our accent is quite unique.” “It fits you,” she said. “Do you work here?” She glimpsed at his shoulders. “Are you on your way home?” “Sir?” Nikoli glanced over at the young woman who had waited on him. She regarded Regina’s hand in his, then flashed him a hungry smile. Unmoved by her seduction, growing cautious, he said, “Yes?” “You forgot your change.” She rested a series of bills and circular coins near his cup, then regarded him, her expression expectant. Nikoli wasn’t certain how to respond. Of the currency he’d stolen, he hadn’t known how much to offer for the drink. Overwhelmed at seeing Regina, at being close enough to hear her speak, he’d watched her hand over a bill for her order but hadn’t noticed if she’d received anything back. “Thank you,” he said. Brows drawn together, the girl glanced at the bills.

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Nikoli sensed she wanted them back. Why, he didn’t know. Taking a chance, he slid the one on top toward her to see what would happen. “Thank you,” she said, pocketing it. Ponytail swinging, she hurried back to her station. “Wow. You’re a good tipper,” Regina said, arching one brow. Nikoli wasn’t certain what she meant. His only answer was the truth. “I wanted her to leave.” He smiled. “It was the only way I knew to get rid of her.” Regina laughed. The carefree, tinkling sound stroked Nikoli’s soul. With great care, he squeezed her fingers. Regina’s expression grew distracted, her smile fading as she glanced at their hands, her fingers hugging his. Not caring if he acted recklessly, Nikoli held on to her for a few seconds more. After he released her, Regina wrapped her fingers around her cup. She asked again, “Do you work in this building?” “On the third floor,” he offered, lying easily, giving her the name of one of the companies he’d passed on the way down here. Nodding, Regina captured a bit of the drink’s whipped cream on her fingertip, then brought it to her mouth, licking it off. The back of his neck tingled. “Do you own the company?” she asked. His attention remained on her mouth, the promise of its wet heat beyond her plump bottom lip. He imagined his tongue stroking her lips, parting them, seeking entrance. Once claimed, he pictured Regina offering even more of herself. On her knees, she’d take his cock into her velvety palms, lifting it to her mouth, drawing it inside, providing shelter, elation, completion. Sounding distracted, he said, “Yes.” “What business are you in, Nikoli?” The shameless images in his mind evaporated with her question. Stalling for an answer, his knowledge of this realm, he peeled off the white circular cover on the top of his cup and placed it to the side. A word popped in his mind, one he’d seen quite a few times on this plane. “Consulting.” “On what?” His pulse pounded. He thought back to things he’d seen here. “Computer software designs.” Regina’s quick nod told Nikoli he hadn’t said anything strange. She smiled. “My system could certainly use some expert help. Carly’s always complaining about how we need to move my accounting and other files into the twenty-first century. Sad to say, I’ve let her whine without really doing anything to fix the problem. I figured she could just live with it since she’s my only employee, kind of a combination bookkeeper-receptionist-secretary. But hey, if you know software, maybe you can give me a couple of tips on what I need to do.”

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Sweat trickled down Nikoli’s back. He had no idea what to suggest. The systems on this side were centuries behind the advancements on his. “Of course, but I generally work with large firms with hundreds of employees.” To take the focus off himself, he asked, “What business are you in, Regina?” “I’m a psychologist.” She ran her fingertip over the food she’d been eating. Small, delicate flakes fell from it onto the countertop. “I deal with anxiety disorders.” He offered a nod of encouragement. “I admire anyone who helps others with their problems. Your work must be very rewarding.” Appreciation for his comment radiated from her. “I certainly try to help all that I can. Unfortunately, I’m not always successful.” He thought of Sazaar and was careful to keep himself from sounding worried. “It’s understandable that some can’t be helped.” Regina offered a rueful smile. “I’ll have to remember that when I’m feeling badly about a failure. Now that I know you work here, perhaps I can ask you for a pep talk from time to time.” He spoke without thinking. “A pep talk?” “A word of support,” she amended. “Of course.” With his full attention on her, he spoke from the heart, offering a future they didn’t have. “Always.” A soft heat emanated from her, the kind a woman on this side showed when she wanted a man. “Are you on your way home, Nikoli?” Surprised at her question, not knowing why she asked, he shook his head. She glanced at his coat, confusion sparking in her expression as though she’d expected him to leave. “There’s a matter I have to attend to,” he said, being deliberately vague, “but I still have work to do and planned to return shortly.” Naked pleasure shone on her face. It pleased him as nothing else ever had. “Are you going home?” he asked. “I have one last patient in a few minutes.” She nibbled on the edge of her food, then returned it to the white square it had rested on—what her people called a napkin. Brushing crumbs from the side of her mouth, she said, “The appointment will be over in an hour. If you don’t have to work past seven fifteen or so, would you care to have dinner with me?” She lowered her hand to the table, waiting for his answer. His mouth had already gone dry. Her words rang in his mind. I have one last patient. Sazaar. For weeks, he’d watched his mate arrive at Regina’s office, then struggle to disclose her abominable secrets. Thus far, Sazaar hadn’t revealed anything about Andris and the others. Tonight, she would. Nikoli sensed it. Feared it.

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Once Regina learned what no human was meant to know, Sazaar would destroy her. She’d have no other choice. And then Regina would die, or she’d become— “It’s okay,” she said, cutting into his thoughts, sounding both embarrassed and disappointed. “If you’re busy, I understand. I’m sure you’ve already made other plans. I realize we’re strangers. I just thought…” At last, her words faded away. A mixture of sorrow and desire buffeted Nikoli. He spoke without pause. “I’d enjoy having dinner with you, Regina. I can’t imagine anything more pleasurable or a better way to stop being strangers.” Her brows lifted in obvious surprise, and then the corners of her eyes crinkled slightly with her wide smile. “Wonderful. Then it’s a date.” One they’d never experience. Denying sadness, caught up in the wonder of her joy, he also smiled. “Yes. A date.” She reached past him for the metal container containing the napkins. “Allow me,” he said. Pulling several free, Nikoli handed them over, his fingers touching, lingering on hers. Regina’s color heightened. Heat poured through him. “Would you like me to meet you at your office, or do you want to come to mine?” she asked. The warmth receded. His mind raced, struggling for an appropriate answer. “My office is behind a secured entrance.” He continued to describe his laboratory on E2. “You couldn’t get past the hall without proper access. I wouldn’t want to ask you to wait outside the door for me. Nor would I want to embarrass your patient by showing up if the individual hadn’t yet left. Perhaps meeting down here would be best, at the inside entrance near the elevators.” She balled up the napkins and placed them on the table. “Seven fifteen, then, here.” “I’m looking forward to it.” Her smile grew luminous, unlike any Nikoli had seen during the weeks he’d observed her. A smile meant for him. One he’d never see again. Regina had no idea what faced her in the coming hour and through the rest of this night.

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Chapter Three

Alone in the elevator, Regina surrendered to a happiness she’d rarely experienced, smiling so hard her cheeks hurt. Tonight she’d have a momentary end to her gnawing loneliness. Within the next few hours, she’d learn everything she could about Nikoli. A man unlike any she’d ever met. So compelling, he’d defeated Regina’s usual caution around males. Already he seemed more than a new acquaintance, closer to a friend, providing a level of contentment and safety no amount of money or career recognition could match. In him, she’d seen intelligence and kindness. Nikoli, her thoughts whispered, savoring the sound of his name, appealingly foreign, slightly mysterious, the same as his appearance and accent. So unlike her father, Josh Page, the all-American male whose boyish good looks and crooked grin had seduced her mother into putting down her guard and believing his lies about loving her. Whose casual abandonment had changed the woman’s life and that of his daughter’s forever. Regina sensed Nikoli wasn’t a player like her father. She’d seen his genuine interest in her and what appeared to be his craving for intimacy, an emotion most men fled. Nikoli seemed to require it. The elevator dinged. Regina glanced at her watch. Only ten minutes remained before her last patient arrived. She’d been so caught up in her final moments with Nikoli, she’d been reluctant to leave the coffee shop. At her suite, Regina unlocked the door and hurried past the reception area into her office, her heels tapping sharply against the hardwood floor. Rounding her desk, she reached down to open the bottom drawer and stopped short at what she saw—what wasn’t possible. Her fingers tightened around the change she’d planned to return to her purse. She’d left the black leather bag in the bottom desk drawer. It now rested on her chair’s seat. What in the hell was it doing there? Pulse jumping, Regina took in the area to the right of her, the left and behind, expecting to see an intruder. No one else was in here. On unsteady legs, she hurried into Carly’s area and grabbed her umbrella from the stand, ready to use it as a weapon. She searched beneath the desk, then went to the suite’s front door to see if someone had broken the lock. How could they? She’d just used her key to come inside.

Tina Donahue

Dropping her umbrella back in the stand, she returned to her office and stared at her purse. Never had she left it on her chair. So how had it gotten there? Unsettled, she recalled her earlier sensation of someone watching her, the warmth it produced rather than unease. Again, she glanced about hurriedly, the ends of her hair slapping her neck, her mind trying to reason this out. As far as she could determine, nothing else had changed in here since she’d left. Prints of soothing pastoral scenes graced the room’s beige walls. A richly detailed Persian rug lay undisturbed beneath her wing chair and the one she reserved for patients. Crossing the room, Regina went to her mahogany bookcase and pressed the hidden button. A drawer slid out containing patient files. She searched the contents, relieved none was missing. Returning to her purse, she opened it and found all of her credit cards still there, along with personal items—lipstick, a comb, tissues, keys to her house and car. She counted the cash in her wallet and frowned. Three twenties and four one-dollar bills. There should have been four twenties and eight one-dollar bills. Rubbing the crisp currency between her thumb and forefinger, she tried to separate them, to locate the missing ones. They weren’t there. Had she miscounted her cash this morning? Had it been yesterday when she’d had the extra bills? She couldn’t recall. Regarding her desk, Regina tried to remember if she’d put her purse in there after she’d taken out the ten for the coffee shop. Had she even lifted the bag from the drawer? The memory refused to return. She thought back to how agitated she’d been after Carly had left, wanting to escape the office, to avoid being alone and having to think about the heat that had suffused her, the feeling of someone watching. With startling clarity, the sensation returned. This time, apprehension, not heat, snaked down Regina’s spine. What in the hell was happening to her? Sensing movement, fearing it, she turned. In her outer office stood her last patient of the day—Ms. Smith. When had she come inside? Why hadn’t she made any sound? Forcing down a swallow, Regina stared at the young woman. “She doesn’t look like a Smith,” Carly had said. In her late twenties or early thirties, she wore solid black, her expensive wool pants and merino sweater draped beautifully on her lithe figure. Long wheat-colored hair flowed in lustrous waves over her narrow shoulders. Coupled with flawless ivory skin and delicate features, she had the exquisite looks of a top model or a film star. The anguish in her dark, almond-shaped eyes ruined the perfection. She pressed her full lips into a grim line as though to keep from revealing her secrets. Regina could see they were tearing her apart.

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Seconds ticked by. Her patient didn’t move, didn’t speak. She didn’t even seem to breathe. “There’s something deeply weird about her,” Carly had said. “Something I can’t put my finger on.” On the side of her slender throat, just above her sweater, the young woman’s skin was so translucent, blue veins were clearly visible beneath the surface. She appeared unbelievably fragile. Not quite real or human. Regina’s heart continued to thump. Despite it, she forced herself to remain calm, speaking as professionally as she could. “Ms. Smith.” Swiftly, almost guiltily, the young woman averted her attention from Regina as though she just realized she’d been staring. “More than a few times, I saw her staring at me when she didn’t think I’d catch her.” “Do you notice how she never looks at you directly?” Regina did now. Sudden dread raced through her. Just as quickly, she suppressed it, telling herself that her patient was timid, not dangerous, anxious, not psychotic. Nor could she be a thief, breaking in here and taking the twenty, not with her obvious cowardice. The bill hadn’t been there to begin with. Regina figured she must have spent it yesterday and simply didn’t recall. “Please come inside,” she said, trying to sound encouraging. The young woman moved with caution into the inner office. Regina closed her door to provide more privacy and assurance that no one would overhear whatever they discussed during the coming hour. “Have a seat,” Regina offered, gesturing toward it. Ms. Smith perched on the edge of the supple leather. Hands clasped, fingers clenched, she was a study in panic. Faint beads of perspiration dotted her temples and forehead. All the blood had drained from her face, leaving her complexion a ghastly color, accentuating the veins on the edge of her jaw. At the young woman’s obvious suffering, compassion welled in Regina. A response she hadn’t exhibited for her earlier patient, having allowed her personal feelings to compromise treatment. Meeting Nikoli tonight had changed that, giving her a measure of hope and peace, bringing her back to her purpose. “I admire anyone who helps others with their problems.” Regina’s unease faded at his remembered words, the sensual allure of his glance and touch. Although she was eager to see him again, she genuinely wanted to be here, doing her best to relieve some of her patient’s symptoms. Sitting across from her, Regina asked, “How was your week?” The girl bowed her head. Blonde tresses swung forward, hiding her lovely face. After several moments of silence, Regina murmured, “Can you tell me what you did? How it went?” Rocking her body, she moaned faintly. “Not good. Not good.” Silence followed her words, the quiet emphasizing the distress Regina had heard in her comment and odd accent.

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Tina Donahue

“She talks funny,” Carly had said. Without warning, an image of Nikoli filled Regina’s mind. She had no idea why, until she recalled how he’d spoken. What he had told her. “My parents emigrated from a small isolated village in Romania.” With new curiosity, Regina regarded her patient. She didn’t have the foreign features and coloring that Nikoli did, but it was clear from her speech that she hadn’t been born in this country. Was it possible she hailed from the same region as Nikoli? Had a church group sponsored numerous families from the area because of religious or political turmoil and relocated them in Seattle? Regina waited to hear her patient speak again, to determine whether her accent and Nikoli’s were similar. The girl’s halting breaths filled the silence. At last, Regina said, “You’ve had a difficult week. What happened?” Unclasping her hands, she covered her face with her fingers. “You don’t want to know. I can’t tell you.” Her obvious agony disquieted Regina, pushing aside her musings about accents. “Why not?” “They’ll know.” Stark terror reverberated in her words. Regina regarded her. To whom was she referring? Family members, friends? Was she worried they’d find out what she was going through and would berate her for seeing a therapist? What they would consider a weakness? Speaking quietly, Regina said, “Whatever you tell me here is in confidence. I would never divulge anything to—” “You don’t understand,” she interrupted, her shout hard with rage, naked, unexpected. “They’ll know. They always know. They’re always watching and listening.” A thread of fear snaked through Regina. What was she talking about? “There’s something deeply weird about her.” Unnerved, Regina wondered if she’d misinterpreted the results of the woman’s psychological tests and her anxiety, missing signs that she was spiraling into paranoid schizophrenia and was now hearing voices. Were the demons in her mind telling her they knew her every move and thought? Were they telling her to harm others? Regina’s skin crawled. As much as she could, she kept her mounting concern from being obvious. “Who are they, Ms. Smith?” She released a strangled sob. The chair creaked with her agitated rocking. “I thought they wanted me, that they cherished me like those on my side never could. When Andris first found me, he said he loved me. But when I became one of them, everything changed.”

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One of them? Was her patient also having visual hallucinations, creating friends and lovers that didn’t exist? Increasingly concerned, Regina chose her next words carefully. “Are you afraid to tell me what’s going on because they’re here?” “Here?” she parroted, then drew her shoulders into herself. “No.” She cocked her head as though listening. Sagging into the arm of her chair, she cried, “I was able to get away tonight as I have in the past, but eventually they’ll see the truth on my face. They’ll know.” Her explanation, though vague and distressed, convinced Regina the young woman wasn’t delusional. Whoever these people might be, they didn’t exist in her thoughts. Most likely they were from outside her ethnic circle, thus the odd phrasing about those on her side and her becoming one of them. Realizing she’d been holding her breath, Regina spoke on a relieved sigh. “Who’s Andris?” The girl stopped rocking. Her fingers curled away from her face, forming tight fists. “I can’t tell you.” “Why not?” “If I do, I won’t be able to stop myself.” “From doing what?” “What I have to do!” she cried. “Every night it’s the same. You have no idea. You can’t stop it, no one can. I was a fool for coming here. You can’t help me.” Lowering her hands, she studied Regina openly as she’d never done before. It took all of Regina’s will not to press back into her chair or glance away. In the young woman’s face, she saw wrenching misery, panic and something else…something disturbing…a predatory stare. Bloodlust. Forcing herself to remain calm, to control the situation, Regina asked, “What are you feeling now?” The young woman frowned. “You already know. I see it on your face. I can taste your fear.” “I’m concerned for you,” Regina said as casually as she could, not yet betraying her apprehension. “I want you to tell me what’s troubling you.” “You want to know who Andris is. You won’t be satisfied until you hear the truth, even though I warned you.” “About what, Ms. Smith?” “What I am. What he is.” Regina swallowed. “And what is that?” She turned her face away. “I didn’t want to do this. I had hoped…” Her words faded away. Seconds passed. Regina didn’t dare make a sound. She observed the woman’s inner turmoil, her shoulders slumping as though she’d made a decision or had lost a battle. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “About what?” Regina asked.

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Tina Donahue

“You’ll understand soon enough,” she said, then continued quickly, the words rushing past her pale lips. “Andris is unlike any man I’ve ever known. He found me hours after I came here. It was wonderful.” The corners of her mouth tilted upward in a sad smile. Rapture and tears filled her eyes. Her manner, so strained a minute before, grew wistful. “He wanted me. Never has anyone hungered for me as he did. For a few days, I knew what few have experienced—his exquisite touch, the pleasure of his mouth on my throat.” Her hand went to it. What seemed to be shame and then indignation flickered across her face. “He promised everything, and I gave him my life, my soul. All I wanted was his love. But he lied. He intends to use me to return. My people won’t let him. I told him we could stay here. I could endure anything, even what he requires me to do, if only he loves me. I don’t care what he is. I don’t care that he’s a—” Her words halted. She turned at the sound of hurried footfalls coming from the reception area. Startled, Regina glanced over. The door crashed inward. Flinching, she stared at Nikoli. He glared at her patient, anger tightening his expression. Beneath it, Regina saw his fear. The young woman left her chair, rounding it to go to him. Arms stretched out, she cried, “Nikoli.” He backed away from her. “Stay where you are, Sazaar.” Sazaar? Regina studied them both as her mind tried to make sense of this. Was her patient’s first name Sazaar? Was she Nikoli’s wife? His lover? Was that why he’d spoken to Regina in the coffee shop, to find out when Sazaar would arrive? Had he suspected she had feelings for Andris? Was that why Nikoli was here, to confront her on it? Moving in a wide arc around Sazaar, never turning his back on her, Nikoli edged toward Regina, at last looking at her. The fathomless sorrow in his expression, his obvious remorse, confused Regina even more. “Nikoli,” Sazaar cried again. “Please, you must forgive me. I never meant to harm you.” Her fingers clawed air, reaching for him. Regina stared. Although she knew it was impossible, Sazaar’s nails seemed to be longer than a few minutes ago, curved and deadly like an animal’s. Hands clutching the arms of her chair, Regina pressed into it. Nikoli reached her side. Sazaar cried out, speaking a language Regina had never heard before, her words impassioned, seeming to beg, then seduce. Regina saw the change on the young woman’s face, the carnal heat building within her, the feral hunger, her metamorphosis from human to something vile and unknown. This can’t be happening.

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A wave of nausea rolled through Regina. Struggling against it, she left her chair. Instantly, Sazaar positioned herself between Regina and the door, the only exit. At the same moment, Nikoli grasped Regina’s wrist, his grip tight, not injurious. “Get behind me,” he warned her in English. “Remain there.” She couldn’t move. “Now,” he ordered, pulling her behind himself, his strength keeping her there. With his attention on Sazaar, he used the same language she had. Her inflection seesawed between pleading and arguing, the words incomprehensible to Regina. “No,” Nikoli said at last, reverting to English. “I won’t allow you to return to our side.” Our side? Regina recalled Sazaar’s earlier words when she’d said those on her side had never cherished her. How everything had changed when she became one of them. One of what? Regina glanced around Nikoli’s arm to Sazaar. “Please,” the young woman said, her request filled with sadness, while her expression attempted to entice. “I can’t endure another night of this. You know what I have to do, what Andris makes me do. I’ll be good to you, Nikoli. We’ll have the life we once had.” Grief rang in his words. “It’s too late, Sazaar. You know that.” Her tears glittered in the office’s harsh light. Before one could fall, intense outrage replaced her misery. Throwing back her head, she opened her mouth and wailed, a thin keening sound, its pitch growing so high Regina no longer heard it…or considered it. Transfixed, she watched the impossible—Sazaar’s canine teeth lengthening, turning into fangs. Saliva dripped from them. The corners of her mouth lifted in a savage smile. Regina whimpered, powerless to do anything else. Nikoli’s hand fell from her wrist. Sazaar moved so swiftly across the space separating them, she was little more than a blur. Nikoli’s shoulders hit the wall with the force of the woman’s body slamming into his. Regina’s mouth opened on a silent scream. Nikoli gasped, “Regina, run!” With his shout, his fear for her, Regina couldn’t move. Everything seemed to slow down. She gauged the distance between where she was and the door, knowing instinctively she’d never make it. Nor would Nikoli. His hands went to Sazaar’s throat. He struggled to keep her from sinking her fangs into his neck. “Leave!” he shouted. Sazaar clawed his hair, his face, her nails inches long now and deadly. She screamed for him to let her return.

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Terrified, Regina searched for something to use as a weapon, some way to stop this insanity. Her umbrella? She nearly laughed at the thought. It was in the outer office. Too far away. Too useless against what Sazaar was. “Go now!” Nikoli yelled. Shaking uncontrollably, Regina backed away, her hip hitting the edge of her desk. The shade of her lamp rattled. Adrenaline made her move more than any plan. Lifting the lamp, yanking its cord from the outlet, Regina turned back to them. If she struck Sazaar’s temple with the heavy brass base, would that stop her? Would it at least stun her? What if she swung it at her mouth, breaking her teeth, or rather her— Regina’s thoughts stalled as Sazaar stopped her assault on Nikoli, turning to her instead, fangs bared. She froze mid-step. “You’re too late,” Sazaar said. She lifted her chin to the ceiling. “They’re coming.” Regina heard what the other woman did. Whapping sounds seemed to come from everywhere. “Invite them in,” Sazaar said. Regina stared at the woman, then Nikoli. Face reddened, he fought to push Sazaar off himself. With inhuman strength, she clung tight. “Invite them in,” she snapped at Regina, “or you’ll force me to feed on him. I won’t be able to stop. I’ll drain him until he dies. You’ll watch. You’ll—” “Don’t listen to her,” Nikoli panted. “Save yourself. I don’t matter.” Regina shook her head. As horrified as she was, she couldn’t just leave him to this thing. “No.” “You have no choice,” he growled. Regina spoke to Sazaar. “Don’t harm him, and I’ll do whatever you want.” “No!” Nikoli shouted. A hissing sound escaped Sazaar’s lips. She spoke to Regina. “Invite them in now, or I’ll—” “Screw that!” Regina shouted. “You let go of him first. If you hurt him, it’s over.” Sazaar’s beautiful face turned ugly, then hopeless. Whatever kindness or mercy remained within her struggled to get out. “I didn’t want it to come to this,” she cried. “I wanted only to be free of the pain.” “Get away from him,” Regina ordered. “And I’ll do whatever you want.” “She’ll kill us both!” Nikoli shouted. Regina refused to consider it. There had to be a way out of this. Between her and Nikoli, they might be able to fend off Sazaar. At the very least, this would buy them some time. “Now,” Regina said to the young woman. Once more, the good still within Sazaar seemed to fight against what she’d become. Cautiously, she lowered her legs and arms, pulling herself from Nikoli’s grip, backing away. Regina went to him, gasping at the scratch marks on his face and throat. He pleaded, “Run.”

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Again, Sazaar hissed. Regina flinched. Face lifted to the ceiling, Sazaar appeared to be listening. Regina heard the sounds too. To her, they resembled the flapping of dozens of wings. Something rattled. She stared as one of the metal ceiling vents vibrated. Suddenly, Sazaar was behind her, having moved so swiftly she’d made no noise. The young woman’s lips brushed Regina’s ear. She spoke seductively, enticingly, “Invite them in.” Nikoli shouted something Regina didn’t hear. Her brain went fuzzy with Sazaar’s proximity, the sexual lure of her words. Without thinking, without being able to stop herself, she mouthed, “Come in.” The vent clattered wildly. Regina stared as a bolt turned, slowly at first, then faster. Freed of its threads, the screw fell to the hardwood floor, making small pinging noises as it bounced across it. The second bolt followed, then the third, the fourth. The vent’s covering fell, clattering loudly on the hardwood. With slavish wonder, Sazaar moved toward the open vent, her lips parted, her arms lifted, welcoming. Grabbing Regina’s wrist, Nikoli pulled her toward the wall behind her desk rather than to the door. She turned from it to him. He stared at something on the ceiling. Regina’s scream died in her throat as dozens of bats poured through the opened vent, forming a vile black cloud above Sazaar. “Andris,” she said with obvious love, lust. The largest of the bats fluttered near her face, its eyes red, it leathery skin the color of night, its contours softening, elongating, transforming. In no more time than it took a heart to complete its beat, a tall man stood in front of Sazaar, his build lean, his blond hair flowing to his broad shoulders. Dressed in solid black, he had a beautiful, almost feminine face and irises so pale the tint seemed more silver than blue. Wearing a cruel expression, he lifted his finger and ran his nail, as long as Sazaar’s, across her cheek. She whimpered in what sounded like pleasure and moved closer. With the grace of a cat, he edged away. Humiliation and agony registered on her face. She begged, “Let me touch you.” Andris ignored her. He watched the other bats with obvious satisfaction. One by one, they transformed as he had until dozens of men and women filled Regina’s office, all of them clad in dark clothing, all young, their beauty unworldly, ethereal. “Andris,” Sazaar pleaded. “Quiet.” She shrank away from him, shoulders to her ears, her slender body shaking like a beaten dog.

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Again, Nikoli pulled Regina nearer the back wall, where they’d surely be trapped. What was he doing? The air behind them turned icy, stinging her fingers. Goose pimples rose on her arms. “You told the human about us,” Andris accused Sazaar, his attention settling on Regina. “You betrayed us.” “No, never,” she cried. “I adore you.” She reached out to touch him. His frigid expression stopped her. Bringing back her hands, Sazaar murmured, “You don’t understand. I was going to feed on her tonight. Whatever I said wouldn’t have mattered. She’d become one of us.” Bile rose to Regina’s throat. She cringed as Andris turned back to her, his focus on her neck. “You won’t feed tonight,” he said. “I will.” Behind him, the young men and women tilted their faces to the ceiling. Their mouths hung open, showing their fangs. Chests pumping, they appeared to be wailing, though Regina heard no sound. We’re going to die, she thought, instinct urging her to fight. How? With what? Hysterical laughter bubbled up in her chest, then died. She had the sensation of being out of her body, watching this scene as though it were happening to someone else, her mind refusing to let her understand what she’d endure…what Nikoli would face in the coming moments. These monsters attacking, feeding, draining— Andris pounced. Regina’s thoughts stalled. She stared as he crossed the room even more swiftly than Sazaar had. He seemed to hang suspended above her and Nikoli, his face ruthless, inhuman. Her mouth opened on a shout that didn’t come. With one hard shove, Nikoli pushed Regina against the seam of the wall. Her arms flailed. She gasped at the intense cold. The wall’s plaster and plywood offered a moment’s resistance, then liquefied, allowing her and Nikoli to pass through it, out of her office. Away from the vampires.

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Chapter Four

Nikoli removed his topcoat, wrapping the garment around Regina, protecting her from the cold in the void between their dimensions. Teeth chattering, she turned in all directions, her brows arched at the silvery light, the absence of sound. Silently, strong air currents pulled at their hair and clothing but didn’t push them back with its force. Although no floor lay beneath their feet, they stood as if on solid ground. Regina gaped, her expression saying she was trying to understand the phenomenon and what had just happened in her office. She glanced past him at the gateway into the room. Seconds before, he’d used the portable device he’d built to open a window so they could escape. Taking the instrument from his jacket now, he draped his other arm around her shoulder. She flinched at his touch, then lifted her face to his. Nikoli saw her terror. “We must go,” he said. Although he’d made no sound, he knew by her expression that she’d heard him in her mind. She glanced at the portal—Sazaar, Andris and the others still in her office. From their side, Nikoli knew they saw nothing more than a wall, the same as Regina had this morning in her bedroom when she’d felt him watching her. She gasped. Several of Andris’s followers tried to claw their way through the barrier. Although Nikoli had closed it to them, the wall remained stubbornly pliant. The vampires’ hands moved through the once-solid material, stretching it like heated glass, blindly reaching for them. With his body protecting Regina, Nikoli stepped back. One of the vampires broke through, his fingers exposed, his lengthy nails clawing the void’s air. Within seconds, the thing’s pale hand turned red, then burst into flames, the silvery light as deadly to it as the sun would be in Regina’s world. From behind him, she screamed, the sound heard only in his mind. He cursed himself for her fear. He’d wanted to save her from this, to destroy Sazaar without Regina having known what his former mate had become. What he was. The hand of a second vampire broke through, then a third, a fourth. Their mouths widened with their unholy shrieks as fire consumed their limbs. Sazaar cowered in a corner near Regina’s bookcase, her expression terrified as she watched Andris.

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“Fools,” he screamed at those who’d dared break through the barrier. “You can’t breach the portal without Nikoli’s help. You,” he growled, turning to Sazaar. Her lips moved with her silent pleas. She draped her arms over her head in a futile attempt to protect herself as Andris approached, seeming to glide across the space that separated them, again moving so quickly he was no more than a blur. Nikoli couldn’t watch what punishment Andris meted out. Gradually, the portal closed with the fissure growing opaque, then solid. “Come,” Nikoli said as gently as he could. Regina stared as he turned them to face the other side. “Where?” she cried, trying to step back. Nikoli kept her from retreat. There was nowhere for her to go except with him. Sickened at how events had turned out, he ran his thumb over the portable instrument. Regina glanced at the figures scrolling across its screen. “My dimension,” he answered. She stared at him as if he were insane, then ahead to the portal that opened into his laboratory. The room was deserted as Nikoli knew it would be. As he had planned before he’d crossed over tonight, fearful that he’d be forced to bring Regina to his side. Her body shuddered. She kept trying to hold back. “I don’t understand.” “I know.” With the way clear, at least for the moment, he pulled her inside E2.

Instantly, Regina noted a change in the atmosphere. Gone was the icy cold in the area they’d just passed through. The air here was far warmer, comfortable but oddly sterile, absent of any odors. She found it difficult to breathe, and not only because of her panic. The air here had a denser quality than what she was accustomed to on— Her thoughts paused on the word earth. “My dimension,” Nikoli had said. Not Romania, as he’d told her earlier in the coffee shop. Not a small isolated village. A dimension. Dizziness overwhelmed her. Her legs shook so badly, her knees gave out. She sank to the floor. In an instant, Nikoli’s arm was around her waist, bringing Regina back to her feet, his strength solid, supportive, unreal. My dimension. Who was he? What was he? Regina’s heart pounded out of control. She heard each beat clearly, wondering if he did. Was that a power he possessed? He pulled a chair to her. Its three legs, made of a material that could have been metal, made a buzzing not a scraping sound across the floor. Constructed of a silvery, highly polished substance, it resembled stainless steel.

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Breathing as hard as she did, Nikoli said, “Sit.” Regina wanted to run but had no idea where she could possibly go. She sank to the chair. Immediately, the thing conformed to her body, holding her. Trapping her? God, no. Alarmed, she straightened and started to rise. The chair released her. Nikoli’s topcoat fell from her shoulders. “Sit,” he repeated, then paused to swallow and panted out his next words. “The chair won’t harm you.” Gently, he replaced his coat on her shoulders and stepped back. Again, Regina sat, her legs trembling, the sharp points of her heels tapping the floor. Pressing her hands on her knees, she tried to still them and keep quiet. She noticed the lone door in here was made of the same metallic material as the floor. It bore no handle, no lock. What was this room? “Will anyone come in here?” Regina asked, unable to speak above a whisper. She was too damned afraid. She had too many questions. Were there more monsters outside the door? Was that why it was metal, to keep them out? Were his people beyond it? Were they even people? Nikoli didn’t answer. With all of her being, Regina did not want to turn toward him, fearful of what she might see, what he may have become. My dimension. What did he look like now? Was he watching her? Was he still in the room? Was she alone? Had he abandoned her here? Overwhelmed by dread, she finally risked a peek and wished she had not. Nikoli was sagged against one of the metal-like tables, his elbows and forearms bracing him from falling. A thin sheen of perspiration dampened his face. His broad chest rose and fell as he fought to pull in air, a struggle he seemed to be losing. Streaks of dried blood revealed where Sazaar had clawed his face and throat. Was he going to pass out? Oh my God, was he going to die? Forgetting any concerns she had for herself, Regina pushed from the chair. Its legs buzzed briefly as it slid across the floor, coming to a perfect stop against the wall. Shivering, she went to Nikoli, reaching for him but not touching. She didn’t know what to do, how to help. She whispered, “Are you all right? What’s wrong?” With great effort, he focused on her, though not for long. His lids slid down. Panting, he said, “I need a moment to readjust.” She had no idea what he was talking about. Cautiously, Regina rested her hand on his coat sleeve, her attention moving to the small instrument he continued to hold. “Readjust to what?” “The atmosphere on my side.”

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She recalled how it had affected her upon entering this room. How thick the air seemed to be, though only for a few seconds. Why would he react so differently to it when it was his world, what he’d called his dimension? “You can barely breathe,” she said, squeezing his arm gently, trying to control her alarm for them both. If anything happened to him, who would she call for help? If he didn’t survive, there was no way she would either. Not in this place, nor in her office if those things were still there. “Did Sazaar break one of your ribs? Are you experiencing pain?” He spoke as quietly as she had. “It burns here.” He pointed the device at his chest. “What your people call lungs.” It was burning? Why? Had one of his ribs pierced it? Is that why he was having such difficulty pulling in air? Once more, she asked, “Did Sazaar injure you?” His hand fell back to the table. “Not tonight. Not in the way you fear.” He paused to swallow, then continued, his speech still halting. “Millennia before, my people altered the atmosphere on this side so that the vampires couldn’t return…and if they found a means to do so, they wouldn’t be able to breathe long enough to survive.” His explanation, the ease with which he’d used the word vampires, sent a chill through Regina. It made what had happened in her office seem all too real, not something she’d hallucinated. “This can’t be happening,” she argued. Nikoli’s silence told her it was. Again, she wanted to run, but couldn’t move. Millennia, he’d said. Did that mean what she thought it did? Those things had existed all this time, moving unnoticed among her and others like virulent bacteria poised to kill? Images flooded Regina’s mind of fingers piercing the once-solid wall, trying to get at her and Nikoli—skin turning red, flesh exploding into flames. She trembled. “Your altered atmosphere, is that why they—those things—caught fire in that silvery area?” “The void between your dimension and mine,” Nikoli said, his words strained, his lids opening to mere slits. “They can survive there, but only if one of my people invites them inside.” Regina recalled Sazaar’s enticing demand, Invite them in. “The same as my office?” “Your atmosphere is conducive to their needs,” Nikoli said, huffing his words, “except when a human is in the room. Then they must ask permission to enter, or seduce someone into giving it.” Regina recalled how tempting Sazaar had sounded. How easily she’d succumbed to it. Fighting alarm, she asked, “What about here? If they’re not invited in, will they burn as they did in the void?” “No.” He paused to pull in more air, his breaths deeper now, starting to slow, though not enough to be considered normal. “It’s impossible for anyone from here to invite the vampires in, a precaution my people took when they banished the monsters to your side, long before your civilization formed. Those in power at

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the time never thought that your plane would evolve as it had. Otherwise they wouldn’t have unleashed such a scourge. Since then, Andris and his kind have been trying to find a way back. They sensed Sazaar’s presence when she crossed over. They intend to use her as a means of reentry.” Regina frowned. “Use her how?” Nikoli swallowed with difficulty and continued. “Only someone newly turned like Sazaar can tolerate this side for brief periods, giving her a small window to recalculate and modify the atmosphere, bringing it to what it had once been, allowing the vampires to return. Once here, they’ll destroy the government for having banished them. They’ll grow and harvest our citizens for their blood…as their food.” Regina stepped back, not wanting to face the horror of what Nikoli was revealing—what she was now thinking. Pictures flashed in her mind of Sazaar’s attack, the force of her body knocking Nikoli’s into the wall. His reddened face, his hands around Sazaar’s throat as he attempted to keep her from biting him. She couldn’t have. Regina would have seen— Her thoughts halted as she recalled how she’d wanted to find a weapon, settling on her desk lamp. While she’d pulled its cord from the wall, she’d had her back to Sazaar and Nikoli. Only a few seconds had transpired before she’d turned to face them again. Moments in which anything might have occurred. Regina noted Nikoli’s pasty complexion, the scratches on his cheeks and throat. Were the wounds from a vampire’s claws any different than those they made with their fangs? Could both injuries result in the same outcome? “If Sazaar hadn’t become one of them, would she have been able to move freely from my side to yours?” He nodded. Her chest tightened. “She would have only been affected briefly by the air in here as I was? Within seconds, she would have adjusted to the atmosphere?” “Yes.” Regina blurted, “Then why are you still struggling to breathe, Nikoli? Why are you perspiring? Did Sazaar bite you? Are you going to—” Her words trailed off to a faint moan. He regarded her for a long moment, then spoke quietly, “I’m not becoming one of them, Regina. You have no need to fear me. Can you believe that?” “Save yourself,” he’d said in her office. “I don’t matter.” He’d been willing to die for her then. Regina sensed he still was. Out of a male’s sense of duty or something more? Not knowing what to think about his motives, she knew he was telling her the truth about this. “Yes.” He lifted his hand, hesitating for a moment as though he expected her to retreat. When she did not, he rested his palm on the side of her face. “Never would I harm you.”

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Despite what they’d just been through, what they surely faced, intense warmth suffused Regina, along with longing so fierce her entire body ached, just as it had earlier today when she’d awakened…alone as always, yet not alone. Had Nikoli been there? Regina’s words raced out before she could stop them. “This morning, when I was in my bedroom, it felt as though someone was there. Was it you, Nikoli? Were you watching me?” A moment passed in silence. When he spoke, embarrassment colored his response. “Yes.” Then why hadn’t she been afraid when she should have been? In the coffee shop, she’d been drawn to Nikoli immediately, unlike any man she’d known. Was that a power he had, to make a woman want him, no different than his ability to open a portal? Or was it something more? Something deeper? One heart touching another? Regina recalled the first moment they’d seen each other in the coffee shop, wonder flooding his features, as though they’d always known each other and their forced separation had finally come to an end. She hadn’t imagined his response. And he certainly hadn’t faked it. He wanted her. He seemed as lonely as she had always been. Covering his hand with hers, she said, “You’ve been watching me for some time. You knew about Sazaar coming to me for help. You saw her through the opening between our worlds.” “She shouldn’t have exposed you.” He frowned. “She had no right.” “Is she your wife?” He brought back his hand. With a soft grunt, he pushed away from the table and straightened. So, he was married. It shouldn’t have surprised Regina or disappointed her, but it did. She stated the obvious. “I saw how desperate she is to return to you and this side. I saw how much she loves you.” “No,” he countered immediately. “It was the sickness inside her talking, encouraging her to help Andris, not to return to me. Until she crossed over and fell into his hands, she was my mate. We lived and worked together. What you call love didn’t exist. We had mutual respect, nothing more.” That didn’t make sense. “Then why were you together?” “Respect, not love, is prized in this realm, Regina.” “Why?” “It’s easier to maintain control.” His explanation was so direct, so devastating, all Regina could do was stare. He spoke on a sigh. “You can’t desire what you don’t know exists. I saw it with Sazaar. She was like everyone else on this plane, until she allowed herself a glimpse of your side, even though it’s forbidden. We’re to close the portals immediately. We’re not to observe your people. She did, and they fascinated her. She craved their passion, what my government trains its citizens to resist. Here, we worship order, not the chaos that feelings create. I warned Sazaar not to let them tempt her, not to cross over, but her curiosity was

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too great. Within a day of her arrival on your side, Andris had found and seduced her. Until then, she wanted only to experience what those in your dimension did—the intense emotions, the joy. She didn’t understand that sorrow would accompany it.” Followed by horror. Regina remembered the barely contained panic on Sazaar’s face during each of her appointments, her guilt and sadness at betraying her world, her devastation at Andris’s indifference. “All I wanted was his love.” And some measure of peace, perhaps redemption, by coming for therapy. It all made sense now. “She hoped I would understand what she’d done and that I’d somehow help her to endure it.” “She would have forced you to endure,” Nikoli warned. “Her sickness compels her to use her victims, to destroy them. Eventually, Andris and the others would have discovered what she’d told you about them. They would have fed on you as they do any other human, turning you into what Sazaar is now.” An image of her elongated canines played in Regina’s mind. A wave of dizziness followed, making the room lurch as she thought of Sazaar attacking Nikoli, her strength unbelievable, inhuman. Forcing the memories away, Regina met Nikoli’s beautifully dark eyes. Seemingly fathomless. Filled with a man’s lust and the capacity to love that he’d been denied. In a whisper, she asked, “How long have you been watching me?” He glanced away, clearly shamed at his actions. “For weeks. I sensed tonight Sazaar would finally tell you the truth. I feared she’d feed on you, then—” He stopped. Regina slid her hand over his, squeezing his fingers. “I felt you earlier in my office. You were the one who took my purse out of the drawer and the bills from my wallet. You heard me telling Carly I was going to the coffee shop. You followed me there, pretending to be a customer because you wanted to warn me.” “No. You wouldn’t have believed me if I had.” “Then why?” she pressed. Yearning swept over his ruggedly masculine features. Just as quickly, he pushed it aside, his expression becoming distant. “What does it matter?” “I want to know.” “It changes nothing.” “Dammit, tell me.” “I wanted to be near you,” he admitted. “To feel the warmth of your hand.” He glanced down at her fingers embracing his. “To hear you without the barrier of the portal. To experience your scent.” “We lived and worked together,” he’d said about Sazaar. “What you call love didn’t exist.” Regina tightened her fingers around his. With what appeared to be resignation, Nikoli pulled his hand from hers and stepped back.

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Frustrated by his reaction, defiant, she asked, “Why are you pulling away from me when it’s obvious you don’t want to?” At her candor, surprise registered on his face. Not allowing it to change his mind, he concentrated on the portable instrument he held. Regina noticed how his hand trembled. “We have to leave,” he said. “We can’t stay in here much longer.” Her caution returned. “Why? What is this room?” “It’s where Sazaar and I worked together.” “On what?” He shoved his fingers through his hair, dragging it off his forehead. “Detecting the portals, protecting our people from what’s on the other side. I’m what those in your dimension would call a quantum physicist. Sazaar’s a theoretical physicist. This is our lab.” Regina glanced around the spacious area, noticing it fully for the first time. On one wall hung a large circular item—what appeared to be a clock. The twelve circles on its face represented what she suspected were the hours. A faint silver light shone from behind the seventh and third orbs. Seven fifteen. She glanced at her watch. It read seven thirty—fifteen minutes difference. Glancing up, she saw a flash of light moving in a very slow circle around the clock’s face. Regina suspected it was the second hand. She watched it for a long moment, then started counting. It remained in the same position for fifteen seconds before it moved again, telling her what seemed to be impossible. Time moved more slowly here than it did on what Nikoli had called her dimension. Torn between needing to know the truth and wanting to flee it, she asked, “Are we still on earth?” “Yes.” He kept his attention on his handheld device, observing or reading the symbols that scrolled by. “How is that possible?” Regina asked. “Your plane is above mine and closest to what you call the sun. There are five dimensions on this planet.” Unable to imagine such a thing, she blurted, “Do people—beings—live on the others?” “Each is populated, though time between them is distorted, not allowing the inhabitants to know of the others’ existence. Millennia before, my people discovered a means to open the portals between your realm and mine. They learned too late that what they’d done caused gateways to open spontaneously from one dimension to the other. Since then, my government has trained physicists to monitor the fissures, to close them as they occur so those like Andris and Sazaar will never compromise security or find a means to invade E2’s borders.” E2? The second dimension on earth?

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Not asking, Regina saw what appeared to be a hologram of the globe. Five lines circled it. Beneath each were symbols she couldn’t read. On the continents, white lights flickered, while brown ones burned steadily. Indicating what? Portals opening? Closing? Breaches in this dimension’s security? In the subdued light, she noticed the drab green monitors of what appeared to be computers, though the screens were circular, not square, and there were no keyboards or wires connecting them to a power source. She glanced at the walls, the floors, the furniture. Everything had the same drab, washed out appearance, the colors not vivid as they were on her side. “She wanted only to experience what those in your dimension did,” Nikoli had said about Sazaar, “the intense emotions, the joy.” The vibrancy of an imperfect world. Regina glanced at Nikoli. He pressed his fingers to his forehead, his swarthy complexion still too sallow. Because of her. He’d risked everything to leave his dimension, not only to save her, not only for honor, but because he craved the comfort of her touch, words exchanged in pleasure, not duty, a man and a woman experiencing the delight of their first conversation because they were attracted to each other. What had always been denied him. What she’d never experienced. Acting impulsively, Regina took his hand, bringing it to her lips. She wanted to offer some measure of intimacy neither of them had known, to ask if he was still all right. The words didn’t come. She stared at what she hadn’t noticed before. There were no lines on his palm. Unlike hers, his fingerprints were no more than a single round circle at the tip of each digit. Nikoli pulled back his hand. Not allowing it, Regina held on to him, wanting to show him how a woman behaved in her world. With great care, she stroked his fingers, palm and wrist. There, she halted, disturbed at what she’d felt. Folding back his sweater’s cuff, she inhaled sharply at the puncture wounds on his wrist—mean, black circles ringed by reddened flesh. “Sazaar bit you.” Twisting free of her grasp, Nikoli lowered his cuff. “Not tonight.” Horrified, Regina whispered, “When?” “Weeks before, when I tried to stop her.” “Stop her from what?” “From what happened tonight,” he said, frowning. “I crossed over to eliminate her so she wouldn’t be a threat to anyone here or to you. At the last moment, I hesitated, unable to bring myself to do it, and she tried to feed on me. Since then, she’s been vigilant, keeping herself just out of my reach. That’s why I had

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to wait until she showed up at your office, where she wouldn’t suspect my presence. If I could have had one more chance to destroy her before tonight, before she put you at risk, I would have.” “I don’t care about that,” Regina said. “She bit you. That’s why you had trouble breathing in here when you crossed back over, isn’t it?” He glanced at the lab’s door. “Within her is Andris’s poison. It’s not enough to turn me into what they are, but it has affected me here.” “For how long? Will it eventually recede? Will your immune system, or whatever you call it, fight the poison she’d infected you with?” Nikoli’s attention remained on the door. “Thus far, my body’s been able to counteract the effects, though each day they magnify. Now, I have only a few hours before I need relief in order to survive.” What did that mean? Was he saying he could die if he stayed here? Frightened, Regina could barely get her words out. “Relief? How? Do we have to go back to my side?” “Yes. We need to do so now before the atmosphere here overtakes me again and you’re left alone on E2.” He took her hand. Regina glanced down at his surprisingly strong grip. “Come,” he said. Regina held back. “What about Andris and the others?” Nikoli showed no emotion. “We have to return. We have no choice.”

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Chapter Five

Nikoli breathed cautiously, aware that the intense burning in his chest could reoccur at any moment. Along with it, he feared a return of the atmosphere’s oppressive weight on his body, what Regina had felt for no more than a few minutes before her physiology had adjusted to it. What a vampire would experience as an increasing and crushing pressure on its chest, with the feeling radiating to its limbs. Frozen in place, it wouldn’t be able to harm his people. Nor would it be able to protect itself from them or the scorching air consuming its lungs. If Sazaar had fed on him for a few minutes more, Nikoli knew he would have become what she had. As it was, he now belonged nowhere…neither in his dimension, where he found it increasingly difficult to survive, nor in Regina’s, where he was an anomaly. A bead of perspiration ran down his face. Foreboding flooded him, an emotion discouraged in his structured, placid world. The same as intense desire or love. Impetuously, gently, he squeezed Regina’s hand, captivated at its softness and warmth, stirred in a way he’d never believed existed. As she curled her fingers more tightly around his, demonstrating her trust, Nikoli battled an urge to pull her into his arms, to have her close for a moment longer when what he needed was force of will to save her life, knowing what he had weeks before—that his no longer mattered. He glanced at the figures on his handheld device. Even those in E2’s government didn’t have the power he now had—to open portals at will. Not once had Nikoli hesitated in constructing the instrument, making certain it wouldn’t trip his realm’s complicated security. When he’d understood what Sazaar intended to confess to Regina, he knew he had no choice but to help Regina escape Andris and the others. He led her to his lab’s door. Holding back, she spoke in a whisper. “What are you doing? We came through the other side.” She turned to the back wall. “Are Sazaar and the others gone?” “We’re not returning through that portal. I’m going to open another to your realm. Come.” At the door, he stopped and released her hand. Taking his coat from her shoulders, he pulled it on, then placed his palm on the barrier’s metal, waiting for it to read the circles on his fingertips. Nothing happened. Nikoli’s skin went cold then hot. Sweat ran into his eyes, stinging them. Had one of his colleagues discovered he’d crossed over and helped a human? Did that individual intend to trap him and

Tina Donahue

Regina in this room, forcing them to choose between dying here and returning to her office, where the vampires surely waited to destroy them both? “What’s wrong?” she whispered, huddling against him. “What’s that buzzing sound?” The lock opening, affording escape. Nikoli had an uncontrollable urge to laugh in triumph and to curse Sazaar for having caused this. He allowed neither emotion, speaking as quietly as Regina had. “A mechanism that opens the door. Some of my people may be on the other side of it. Say nothing, ask nothing, even if you’re afraid.” Giving her no chance to respond, Nikoli took Regina’s arm and pulled her back several steps to allow enough space for the door to open a crack. Face to the narrow slit, he glanced into the hall beyond the door, then to the right, the left. The area was deserted. His legs went rubbery with relief. For the moment, they were safe. With no hesitation, he led Regina into the dimly lit, deserted space. As far as one could see, closed doors flanked each side, the gray metal bearing the names and ranks of the scientists that worked in those rooms. Regina’s heels clacked faintly against the floor’s material, a silver alloy that resisted corrosion or wear for thousands of years. She matched Nikoli’s pace for several yards, then stopped abruptly, staring at something past him…above him, the blood draining from her face. He saw what she did—the crystal globe floating in place near the ceiling, part of the lab’s surveillance system. Before crossing over tonight, he’d altered it. For a few more minutes, it wouldn’t detect or record his and Regina’s movements; then its backup system would reset and search for whatever had caused the breach in security. With little time to waste, he pulled Regina past countless doors. She struggled to keep pace with his long strides, hurried even when measured against the movements of those in her realm. Nikoli didn’t slow down. Her life depended upon their haste. Just short of the door he sought, she stopped again, her hand gripping his, her nails biting into his skin. Only then did he hear voices coming from the left, belonging to men and women he’d known since childhood, scientists who’d trained at the same institutes of learning that he had. Nikoli’s lungs began to burn, reminding him to take a breath. As he did, the air felt too heavy, thick— not from the lingering aftermath of Sazaar’s bite, but from terror that was bone deep. Listening closely, his mind racing as to what he should do, he caught snatches of the conversation Regina couldn’t possibly understand. “Then you’ve seen it too?” his male colleague asked. What? The female scientist responded, “Earlier today. I must say, nothing was left to chance this time.” Pressing against him, Regina whispered, “Who is that? Do they know we’re here?”

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Not yet. They continued to discuss the new housing E2’s government had provided, extolling its excellence as fine citizens always did, never finding any drawbacks in their orderly, planned existence. Weeks before, Nikoli had been no different. And then, he’d seen and heard Regina, lusting after her just as Sazaar had done with Andris. Lightheaded, he pulled Regina even closer, unwilling to let the vampires or his people harm her. She shivered. On tiptoes, she whispered in his ear, “What if they see us?” They wouldn’t. He knew who they were. This hall wasn’t their destination. Within seconds, their footfalls faded away, telling Nikoli they had turned a corner prior to reaching this area. Regina must have heard their departure. She sank to her heels and lifted her face to his. Nikoli’s throat constricted with emotion he couldn’t deny, need he fought to resist. Everything about Regina—from her coppery hair to her green eyes, guileless smile and willing heart—was so different, so much more alive than the females in his dimension. They had never known true passion…nor had they experienced dread or hopelessness. “What if they see us?” she’d asked. Her worry tore at him. But he couldn’t lie to her. She needed strength to survive this night and the others. “I’ll be executed for treason.” She fisted her free hand into his sweater, so unlike the garments on this side. Clothing Nikoli had stolen so he would resemble the inhabitants on her plane, moving freely amongst them to eliminate Sazaar. His failure to do so at the last moment had brought them to this. Hating himself for that weakness, he led Regina to a door near an intersection. Halls continued in all directions. The sound of a new conversation came from the right, the words so muted Nikoli couldn’t yet determine what his colleagues said. Releasing Regina, he placed his fingertips on the metal door as he had on the one in his lab. This being a common room for many scientists to use, the lock opened immediately, recognizing his markings as authorized. Hurriedly, he pulled Regina inside. At this hour, it would be rare to find anyone working in here. Tonight was no exception. Faintly lit as the other labs, equipment—not scientists—crowded its space. Regina turned to a hologram of the three other dimensions on earth, then back to him as Nikoli eased her against the door. Facing her, he listened to the footfalls outside. They didn’t continue down the intersection as he’d predicted. Instead, the faint tapping sounds turned in this direction. Nikoli tensed, knowing what discovery would mean. He placed his finger on Regina’s lips and listened closely. “Then you’ve approached her about being your mate?” one of the men asked.

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“Not yet,” the other answered. “I noticed you had an interest in her and wanted to discuss the matter with you. Were you planning to seek her as your partner?” “It had crossed my mind. She’s quite intelligent.” “I understand she’s scored the highest percentile on her tests. I haven’t yet reviewed her file. Have you?” Nikoli’s shoulders relaxed as his colleagues debated the practicalities of which man would be better suited for the female in question. He expected to feel shame for having betrayed them with his actions tonight, but did not. All that mattered to Nikoli was Regina. Clearly frightened, her hands on his chest, she searched his face. Tenderness swept through Nikoli, along with unbearable desire. He stroked her cheek to let her know she had nothing to fear. His colleagues continued their debate not far from the door, their comments mild, absent of passion. It raged through Nikoli as Regina held his gaze in the gloom, showing him her uncertainty. Desperate to comfort her, he pressed his mouth to her ear, all too aware of her delicate fragrance, nearly undone by the silkiness of her hair. “They don’t know we’re in here,” he whispered. “They won’t find out. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Regina’s body softened against his, her warmth and scent consuming his thoughts. Blood heated Nikoli’s chest and groin, thickening his cock, tightening his balls. Another word from her side. Descriptive, dynamic, making him hunger even more…making him act. He pressed his lips to her velvety cheek. Regina inhaled sharply, a barely audible sound that touched his heart and captured his soul. Sliding her hands from his chest to his back, she wound her arms around his torso, clinging to him. Out of fear or carnal hunger? It didn’t matter. They had no future. Even so, harsh reality couldn’t stop him from easing back to learn what had driven her response. His limbs went weak. In her, he saw lust to match his own, along with wonder he needed more than the promise of safety. Dropping the portable device into his coat pocket, he leaned down, brushing his mouth over hers. She whimpered. Torrents of pleasure washed over him. His cock stirred, growing even harder, craving the sanctuary of her cunt. Regina’s arms tightened around him, her sweet breath warming, tickling his lips. He wanted more. For the first time in his existence, Nikoli craved everything a kiss should be, teasing the seam of her mouth with his tongue. Willingly, she yielded, parting her lips, inviting him inside. He filled her then, his tongue plunging into her mouth.

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She yielded immediately, arching her back, proving how eager she was to have her body close to his, her breasts crushed against his chest, her mound to his thick ridge of male flesh. At his cock’s stiffness, what she imagined to be its length, Regina moaned faintly, unable to help herself. Nikoli quieted her with his tongue, angling his mouth for greater penetration. In the hall, two men continued their quiet conversation, as though they discussed nothing more pressing than the weather. In here, Nikoli’s passion didn’t abate. He pulled her away from the door and into his large body. Slinging his arm around her waist, he drew her even closer to his length, his strength barely contained, his kiss impassioned, greedy, commanding. She surrendered, opening her mouth even farther, welcoming him inside, suckling his tongue. He tasted of toothpaste, a mild peppermint flavor, and another Regina couldn’t identify. Something clean and comforting. Inhaling deeply, she caught aromas within the sterile air…the wool scent of his coat and his musk, a faint yet heady fragrance that stirred her beyond restraint. On a subdued moan that no one outside could hear, she ran her hands up his back and slanted her mouth over his, giving him greater access. Whatever control he’d still managed to maintain weakened instantly, allowing the male animal within him to respond. Nikoli’s kiss grew even hungrier, a shade below wild, a faint grunt escaping his throat, his beginning beard rasping her skin. A pulse beat in Regina’s cunt. Her nipples constricted into stiff peaks, her body imploring him to fill her. It was crazy to feel as she did, but she no longer cared. She might have died tonight without ever having experienced this, without ever having known him. He’d saved her. He’d continued to protect her. He wanted her. Lifting his free hand, he drove his long fingers through her hair, anchoring her to him, leaving no means of escape. Regina wanted none. He wasn’t anything he’d told her in the coffee shop. He was more than she could have ever imagined. Strong. Brave. Kind. Passionate. Loving. Nikoli’s kiss grew tender, his tongue sweeping the insides of her cheeks, over her teeth, exploring their contours even as his hand went to her breast. His touch electrified, tempting her in a way she’d rarely known. A surge of desire tore through Regina, leaving her dizzy and limp. With a hunger to match hers, Nikoli cupped her breast in his palm, his thumb flicking the tightened nub, his fingers squeezing the rounded counters with a mixture of passion and care. She moaned once more, the sound again muffled by his tongue.

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It seemed to galvanize him, defeating restraint. Once more, his kiss spoke of a male who required a female, a man who cared for nothing but this moment. Pressing the pads of her fingers into his muscular back, Regina held tight, unwilling to let the moment end. They enjoyed each other’s taste, scent, warmth for minutes, hardly a lifetime, but to her it seemed as though they’d never been apart. At last, Nikoli pulled his mouth from hers. Regina heard his quiet gasps, his battle to pull in enough air, the same as her. Or was it? Her stomach clenched. She recalled how he’d struggled to breathe when they first went through the portal. Was the same thing happening now? Lifting her hand to his cheek, she avoided the wounds Sazaar had given him, running her fingertips lightly over his beginning beard. “Are you all right?” she whispered. “Is the atmosphere affecting you again?” Nikoli sighed deeply. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “No. You are.” A smile tugged at her lips. His answer was what all women wanted to hear from a man, no matter his dimension. Easing back, Regina went weak at his masculine allure. Several dark locks had fallen over his brow, making him appear curiously boyish, endearing him to her even more. With relief, she noted his breathing was still close to normal, as was his rich coloring, the pastiness from before gone. He leaned down to her, his lips touching her ear. In delight, she trembled. Nikoli murmured, “I’m sorry for what Sazaar and I have brought into your life.” His apology, the resignation behind it, sounded like good-bye. “It’s not your fault,” she whispered. “I don’t blame you. I’d never blame you.” He didn’t respond. Just past the door, the men’s comments grew serene, as though they’d made a decision about something. Snatches of quiet filled the spaces between their words. Was their conversation finished? Would they now move on, giving Nikoli a chance to do whatever he’d planned? For the first time, Regina wondered what his plan was. Did he intend to bring her to the other side, making certain she was safe, then leave her forever? One of the men spoke again. The other made a sound of acknowledgement, not adding any comment. Again, they fell silent. “What are they talking about?” she asked Nikoli. “Not us.” “Why aren’t they continuing down the hall?” Nikoli didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. One of the men had just spoken. Instantly, Nikoli’s muscles stiffened beneath Regina’s fingers, telling her that at any moment he feared one of the pair would come inside.

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“Where can we go for good?” she whispered. Deliberately, she included them both, unable to bear the thought of him returning to this dimension, facing execution or sure death from the atmosphere because he’d risked his life to save her. “Where will we be safe?” He pulled back from her, listening as the men resumed speaking. A bit of relief flickered across his face. Had they decided to move on? “Nowhere here,” Nikoli whispered, answering her question. “On your side…” He paused, then reached inside his coat pocket, taking out his portable instrument. “On my side what?” she asked. “You’ll be in a place where Andris and the others won’t know to find you. One Sazaar won’t be able to detect for them.” “What about—” Regina’s words stalled before she could say you. Footfalls sounded from behind. Glancing over, Regina listened carefully, hearing only one man departing, not two. What had happened to the other? She noticed the renewed worry on Nikoli’s face. What had changed? What had the men— A soft buzzing sound halted the rest of her thoughts. Regina stared at the door—still closed. In obvious haste, Nikoli ran his thumb over the controls on his device. Symbols jumped and flickered on the small screen. Taking her hand, he led her to the back wall, equally shadowed as the rest of the space, though offering no real place to hide. She noticed a timid whoosh. The door opening? Yes. Regina gaped at the man who entered, his coloring dark like Nikoli’s, his complexion nearly as rich, his features eerily similar, his clothing shapeless—a top and pants, resembling a health-worker’s scrubs, constructed of a dull gray material. He read a document in his hand, stopping abruptly as though he sensed an intruder’s presence. Had he heard them or smelled her perfume? All the energy drained from Regina’s body, leaving her clammy and weak. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Nikoli drew her into him, wordlessly demanding that she be still and not make a sound. Blood pounded in Regina’s ears. The man glanced to the left of them toward the hologram. His attention then inched to the right, where she and Nikoli stood just barely shielded by a large piece of equipment. A cry of horror stalled in Regina’s throat. She couldn’t pull in enough air. The man looked farther right.

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From behind her, intense cold swept in, just as it had in her office. Tightening his embrace, Nikoli directed her to step back. Regina’s legs refused to work. Frozen in place, mouth open in alarm, she stared as the man’s gaze inched toward her. Closer, closer, clos— Time stopped. Her senses became sharper. A clicking noise seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. She saw a small scar near the man’s chin, a wrinkle in his top, the fabric moving as he turned. Nikoli tugged her as he backed them through the seam in the wall where they slipped into a new gateway.

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Chapter Six

This time, unlike the last, Nikoli didn’t pause as he pulled her backward through the void between their dimensions. Whatever lay behind them, whatever part of her plane they had entered wasn’t Regina’s greatest concern. Nikoli had indicated it wouldn’t be her office. The quiet surrounding them, the murky light told her they weren’t in a public place. For the moment, he and she were alone, safe from both her people and the vampires. Although her mind accepted that truth, her body refused to relax. Shoulders bunched, knees tightened, she breathed shallowly, not only from the thinner air in her dimension, but also from her lingering fear of those on his side. Through the portal’s window, Regina saw the room she and Nikoli had just fled. To the left, something moved. She stared at the man who’d sensed their presence. Again, she noticed how similar his coloring and features were to Nikoli’s. Was he a sibling or maybe a cousin? Dark brows drawn together, the man seemed to see her. She shivered. Nikoli tightened his arm around her shoulders. Turning into him, Regina froze, immediate concern prickling her skin. “What’s wrong?” Nikoli’s lids remained closed, his face registering pain or discomfort. “Nikoli.” He shook his head. “Dammit, talk to me. Are your lungs burning?” “No.” He spoke with great effort, his words sluggish. “Atmosphere here is less dense than E2’s. Colors brighter. Time swifter. I need to adjust.” He paused to clear his throat. “Surely you noticed the change too.” She had but not to the degree he seemed to be experiencing. Placing her hand on his chest, Regina frowned at how his heart raced. “Were you wrong about what you said before? Is Sazaar’s bite affecting you here too?” “No.” He pulled in more air. The tightness of his jaw, the strain on his features, began to soften. “In a few minutes, I’ll adjust.” Regina curled her fingers into his sweater. Faint tapping sounds came from the direction of the gateway.

Tina Donahue

Nikoli’s colleague had moved closer to the portal, his shoes—gray like his clothing—having made the noise. Arm extended, he pressed his hand to the solid wall on his side. Instinctively, Regina leaned away from him and into Nikoli, the swell of her breast pressing against his ribs. “Will he feel the cold?” she asked, hearing the hollow ring of her words. “Will his hand go through as the vampires’ did?” “No.” Pulling in more air, he spoke with less strain, his adjustment nearly complete. “I recalibrated the settings. The portal on Thom—” His explanation stalled, though only for a second. Continuing, he said, “The portal on his side closed more quickly than it had in your office.” Regina heard Nikoli’s relief and something more—shame at what he’d done, what he continued to do in order to save her life. She ached for him, the blow to his integrity, what he’d been taught to believe in, to respect. He’d forsaken his heritage and safety for a woman he barely knew, who wasn’t even of his plane. Biting her lip, she wouldn’t allow herself to consider or be shaken by the odds he faced to save himself. Unless he didn’t intend to try. Oh God, not that. She snuggled closer to him, needing his solid weight, the heat emanating from his big body. Whatever it took, she’d do all that she could to save him as he’d done for her. Vigilant, Regina focused on their most current threat—the man on Nikoli’s side. “Who is he?” she asked, adding quickly, “He looks like you.” Her next question sounded hesitant. “Is he your brother or a cousin?” “No, I have none.” He breathed easily now, his words tinged by remorse, despair or a wealth of other feelings, not physical pain. “As a means to control the population, only one child is allowed to those who are allowed to breed. Not many are given that honor.” It took Regina a moment to digest that. “Then how can he resemble you so closely?” “All the males do. Between us, there are only slight differences. The same is true of the females.” “Why?” “Long ago, my people manipulated what you know as genetic material so they could produce the strongest specimens. The uniformity of my race eliminates risk.” And variety, anything novel or fresh. Regina tried to picture living in such a world and suddenly realized she already had. Prior to meeting Nikoli, she’d valued stability, the known, averse to anything new, any manner of risk, especially when it came to her involvement with a man. Her father’s legacy, the turmoil he’d created in Regina’s and her mother’s lives had imprisoned her spirit and trust. She’d made herself safe, though not fully alive. With Nikoli, there was more danger than hope. What she would have warned a patient against, explaining that the uncertainty no doubt added to the allure. As a woman, Regina knew that Nikoli made her feel protected and cherished. Her attraction to him might have been immediate, but it felt as natural as

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awakening each day. For the first time in her life, she accepted the unbearable need of a heart starved for affection. What had driven her mother into her father’s arms…and Sazaar into Andris’s grip. Denied the wonder of love, constricted by rules, Sazaar had longed for the spontaneity, the messiness of life on this side. The door behind Nikoli’s colleague opened. As though someone on E2 had heard Regina’s thoughts, a double for Sazaar came inside. She had the same lovely features, long blonde hair, and wore garments as shapeless as the man’s, the only difference being hers were a slightly darker shade of gray. The man said something to her in their language. Joining him at the wall, the young woman placed her hand on it. Regina regarded their palms, absent of lines, then the circles that represented their fingerprints. They were identical to Nikoli’s. Was there a slight and infinite variation in them as there were for human prints in her dimension? Something undetected by the human eye but readable by the door’s locking mechanism? Drawing back his hand, the scientist strode to one of the circular monitors that Regina had identified as a computer. For a long moment, he regarded the symbols flashing across it, then leaned down and spoke, his face close to the screen. Nikoli’s arm tightened around her shoulders, telling Regina something was wrong. “What’s he doing?” she asked. “Alerting security about a breach.” “Oh my God, he saw us?” “No.” Regina didn’t understand. “Then why would he think there’s been a breach? How could he know what we did if he didn’t see us?” “He senses something. We’ve been trained for that.” “Will he suspect it’s you?” “Not immediately. From childhood, I’ve had his trust.” Again, Regina heard self-reproach in Nikoli’s comment, the blame he carried for his continuing deception. Releasing her and stepping away, he lifted his portable device. Surely, he couldn’t be thinking about going back. “What are you doing?” “Closing the portal from our side.” So the man couldn’t see them or for some other reason? “Does he have one of those instruments you’re holding? Will he use it to come over here and harm you?” “No.” “Are you certain?”

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Nikoli’s expression grew more troubled. “Thomo, the man you see, would never think of constructing one of these devices or doing anything to harm me. He has too much honor.” “Then he’s no different than you,” Regina said, determined to refute what she sensed Nikoli was thinking. “You haven’t hurt him. You haven’t hurt anyone. You’ve risked your life to protect your people and me from the vampires.” Offering no comment, Nikoli ran his thumb over the instrument, closing the portal that allowed them to view his realm. In its place stood a wood-paneled wall. Despite the gloom, Regina could still see its color—a deep cherry, highly polished. She glanced at the timbered ceiling, a rustic design that reminded her of five-star lodges where she’d gone for work-related conferences, then advanced to the series of windows that made up one wall. Beyond the immaculate panes, a light rain fell. Moisture dripped from the towering trees and fat bushes that surrounded the building. Farther out, the clouds had parted temporarily, revealing the night sky crowded by dozens of stars. Within them hung a heavy moon. Its ashy beams sparkled off water that flowed across a wide channel to a series of hills. Past the meek ridges, Regina recognized the Olympics and Mt. Olympus, the largest of the mountains in Washington State. Snow glittered on its massive peak that rose regally above everything else. At the icy scene, she finally noticed the room’s damp chill. It seemed to seep into her core, producing a slight shiver. Turning a slow circle, Regina took in the massive stone fireplace that made up one wall, the plank floors, the comfortable furniture, constructed of what she suspected was expensive burgundy leather. Pine perfumed the air, along with the lingering scent of a fire. The sweet, smoky odor reminded her of fall and winter nights as a child, anticipating the magic of Thanksgiving and Christmas that never measured up to the enchanting scenes in TV movies. On most holidays, her mom had worked, leaving Regina to spend the time alone in a shabby apartment. When she’d earned enough money to buy a home in the Queen Anne section of Seattle, she’d decorated like a madwoman and baked for days to give her mother and herself what they’d never had. Given the view here, Regina suspected this mansion or estate was not too far from her home, possibly on Bainbridge Island. But where exactly? “What is this place?” Nikoli didn’t answer. Why? She was surprised to see him standing near the expansive sectional sofa, regarding her. Heat rose to her cheeks at the naked longing she saw on his face and his male beauty. In the faint light, he was a study in black, gray and ivory, the strong planes of his face arresting and masculine, the scratches from Sazaar less noticeable. Stubble shadowed his firm jaw, cheeks and upper lip.

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Several locks of dark hair dangled over his forehead, giving him a tousled, bed-mussed look. His eyes, so sooty and expressive, glistened in the faint light. Regina recalled his inner fire seconds before he’d kissed her. She recognized the same desire and yearning now. As though he sensed her thoughts or read her expression, Nikoli glanced away, concentrating instead on the instrument in his hand. “This estate is secluded,” he said, not quite answering her question. “It’s surrounded by a wide expanse of land, three acres in your realm. It provides privacy and safety.” “You’ll be in a place where Andris and the others won’t know to find you,” he’d said earlier. “One Sazaar won’t be able to detect for them.” “How did you locate it?” Regina asked. “Whose is it?” Nikoli kept fiddling with his device, showing no emotion. “A man Andris targeted, then fed on and killed.” Regina’s hand went to her throat. She suppressed a shiver. “What do you mean? You said they wouldn’t find us here. If Andris fed—” Regina couldn’t finish. She spoke in a whisper. “I don’t understand.” “I know. With the man destroyed, Andris has no use for this place, nor do the others. They’ve gotten his money. It’s what they really wanted. They have no idea I’ve been watching Andris in my efforts to locate Sazaar, and that I know of his victim’s existence.” “They wanted his money? Why?” “To see to their basic needs—paying for their clothing and housing, the same as anyone else in your dimension. The man who once lived here was an inventor. He worked in an upstairs room, rarely leaving this house. He had no wife or children, no one to be immediately concerned should he go missing. He was the perfect victim.” She regarded the beautifully appointed room. “They got money by stealing things from here to sell?” “There was no need for them to do that. Andris seduced the man into turning over a large portion of his money for an investment that didn’t exist. Once the transaction was complete, Andris destroyed him.” “Here?” “No. At a place where Andris felt safe and could dispose of the body.” Regina put up her hand, not wanting to hear details. “Did you see him do it?” Nikoli nodded. “I wanted to save him, but it wasn’t possible. Can you understand that?” Was he asking if she blamed him for the man’s death? “Of course.” “But I should have saved him.” “You shouldn’t have to save anyone.” Didn’t he understand that? “There was no choice,” he said, quietly. “Not after what Sazaar had done. When I crossed over tonight, I came here first to prepare.”

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“For what?” “To move among your people without being noticed.” Regina wasn’t certain what he was trying to say and then she did. She recalled the shapeless garments she’d seen on the man from his side, so different from the topcoat, jacket, sweater and pants Nikoli wore. Until now, she hadn’t considered where he might have gotten his clothing. The pants and topcoat fit him well, though not perfectly. The man who once owned the clothes and this estate wasn’t quite as tall as Nikoli. She cleared her throat. “Even before you crossed over tonight, did you know that Sazaar would call for Andris and the others while she was in my office? Did you know if we escaped that you’d be bringing us here?” “I planned for all eventualities.” “So you could protect me.” He hesitated a moment, then nodded. It took all of Regina’s will not to go to him and wreath her arms around his shoulders, thanking him for his protection, then asking him to stay with her so he could also protect himself. She sensed what was on his mind and feared if she approached him too quickly, he’d open another gateway and flee, not wanting to bring more terror into her life, taking the blame for all that had happened. How wrong he was. The horror belonged to Sazaar and Andris. Nikoli had given Regina a reason to fight, to live. She couldn’t let him go now and risk never seeing him again. They hadn’t even had their promised date. Despite her ludicrous thoughts, Regina allowed herself foolish hope. “You don’t have to leave.” Nikoli’s acceptance of their parting was obvious on his face. “You can breathe more easily here,” she said, trying to reason with him. “You can survive in this atmosphere. You can—” He interrupted, “When dawn breaks, the vampires will retreat to their lair. Until then, you should be safe here.” “What about you?” “By tomorrow evening, the threat to you should be gone.” “How? Why?” “If need be, I want you to use this tomorrow night.” He lifted the instrument. Indecipherable symbols filled its small screen. “If anything happens—” “Happens? Like what? Are there things out there that are worse than the vampires? Is that even possible? Will I have to go to another of the dimensions? What are they like? Do I have a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving on those planes, realms or whatever you call them? Talk to me!”

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“You’re being emotional, Regina.” “Fucking A. I want to know what your plans are, Nikoli.” Crossing the room to her, he took her hand, placing the device into it. She flinched at the current of energy pulsing from the thing, similar to a shock of static electricity. “Hold it,” he ordered. “No. I don’t want you to leave.” She sure as hell wasn’t going to let him. Her hand remained limp. Nikoli covered her fingers with his, folding them over to grasp the instrument. “Your life depends upon what I’m about to tell you,” he warned. “If anything happens, if Andris, Sazaar or the others should find you here, use this to open a portal into my world and escape into it.” She argued, “You said they wouldn’t find me here.” “If all goes well.” “With what? Tell me.” His jaw tightened. “The less you know the better.” “For whom?” She tried to release the instrument and pull her hand from his. He wouldn’t allow it. “How can I use something I don’t understand?” she snapped. “I can’t read the symbols on the screen.” “I’ll tell you what to look for.” “Why is it necessary?” she shot back. “How could the vampires find me here? You said they have no use for it. You said this place was secluded.” “From your people who reside nearby.” His frown deepened. “Not from the vampires. Sazaar was in your presence many times. She knows your scent as Andris and his minions do not. From thousands of others, she can pick it out. Your only defense tonight is the rain. It dilutes your essence, not giving her enough time before dawn to locate you. Should she survive through the day and rise again tomorrow evening, should the rain pass, she’ll find you easily. She’ll come here, seducing you to invite her in.” He tightened his fingers over hers, forcing Regina to hold the device. “When you want a portal to open, you run your thumb over the screen counter-clockwise. When you need the portal to close, you run your thumb clockwise. The symbols will blink when a portal’s created. They roll across the screen as the gateway comes to an end.” Pausing to swallow, he continued, his words rushed. “I’ve adjusted the device so that a new portal will take you to where I lived with Sazaar. Do not leave the structure. Stay there, hidden from my people, until the threat from her and the others is gone over here. Then use this to return to your realm. It will take you back to the bedroom in your home.” He released her hand. In spite of the room’s chilly temperature, sweat clung to the back of Regina’s neck. A dribble of moisture rolled down her spine. “No.” She tossed the device on the sofa and took his hand. His fingers were as cold as hers. His expression pained. “Don’t leave me,” Regina said.

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“I have no choice.” Of course, he did, there was always a choice and he didn’t have to make the most honorable one. Damn him. Damn his stupid emotionless race. “You’re going to wherever Andris and the others stay,” she said, then cried, “You won’t have a chance against them, Nikoli. They’ll kill you before you can do anything to them.” “No. That won’t happen. I’ll attack their lair when they’re at their most vulnerable. What I should have done from the beginning, rather than just targeting Sazaar.” “Are you talking about going to their lair at dawn when they hide from the sun? Or is that just a myth?” He spoke wearily. “It’s the truth, Regina. Daybreak will weaken Sazaar and the others. They’ll pose no threat to me then.” “How can you be so sure? What about the humans who’re supposed to protect them as they sleep— rest—whatever?” She recalled movies she’d seen, novels she’d read as a teenager, a character called Renfield. Hours ago, such thoughts would have seemed incomprehensible to her, the ravings of an unbalanced mind. Now, she mentioned them with one purpose—to convince Nikoli to stay, not to risk his life. “Aren’t there people who assist the vampires, assuring their safety?” “They pose no real threat.” Before Regina could challenge him, he continued, “This time I’ll do all that I can to succeed. I won’t allow anything, especially compassion for Sazaar, to stand in my way.” “You know where to find their lair?” He sighed. “From E2, I watched.” “How far is it from here?” “No,” Nikoli said immediately. “I won’t allow you to come with me.” He pulled back his hand. Again, Regina took it, bringing his palm to her lips, pressing her mouth against his smooth flesh, heating it with her breath. He inhaled deeply, his chilled fingertips touching her cheek. Regina blew warmed air on them, then lifted her face. “I won’t let you do this alone.” “You have no choice. We were never meant to be.” Even if that were true, she wasn’t about to accept his death. Nor did she intend to back down. Somehow they would find a way for both of them to survive. “We have a few hours until dawn. Until then, you said we’d be safe here. Would you deny us these few moments together, Nikoli?” He stared at her. “You don’t know what you ask.” “I know what I want.” Moving into him, Regina slipped her arms around his broad shoulders, the length of her body touching his. She snuggled her face against his neck, the cruel scratches from Sazaar’s claws. His Adam’s apple bobbed with his hard swallow.

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She kissed his throat. On a pained sigh, Nikoli turned until his cheek touched hers. “Regina, don’t.” She did, pressing open-mouthed kisses on the line of his jaw, his chin, seeking his mouth. He made another noise, this one of naked desire. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he drew Regina so close his stiffened cock pushed against her mound. Every part of her body screamed for him and the end to her awful loneliness, the promise of companionship and love she’d been denied too long. She brushed her mouth over his, spearing her tongue inside, trembling at his taste, his heat. His groan was lewd and demanding, his embrace as desperate as his kiss, his strength barely contained. He held her so tightly his ribs pressed into hers. Regina wanted more. Driving her fingers through his thick hair, she refused to allow him to withdraw from her. Nikoli didn’t try. Whatever reserve he’d once owned was no more than a distant memory. He suckled her tongue, pulling it more deeply into his mouth. Lifting his free hand, he allowed it to roam over the swell of her breast, his thumb stroking her nipple, tightening it through her sweater and bra. Her mouth opened on a gasp of delight. It gave Nikoli a chance to push her tongue from his mouth and to fill her with his own. On a wanton sigh, Regina surrendered to his male power. Pleasure rippled through her, draining her fear of whatever lay ahead, securing her to the moment, the miracle of being within his arms. He deepened his kiss, his lust building, the same as hers. It was more than Regina ever dreamed possible and surely not enough. Through his thin pants, his cock lengthened and hardened even more, demanding her attention. She wanted him inside her, his rod sheltered within her mouth and then her cunt, their bodies so close nothing would ever separate them. Not the reality of this world, the threat on his, or the terror that still waited from Andris and the others. No. She wasn’t going to think about that. For the moment, they were safe, they were together, and she was going to enjoy it. Tearing her mouth free, she pressed her cheek to his. Delight coursed through her at the rasp of his beginning beard, the solidness of his body. Gently, she pressed her lips to one of the scratches, then snuggled her mouth against his ear and whispered, “I want you inside of me, all over me. I want us naked.” He panted as she did, clearly weakened by desire even as he tried to reason. “It’s too cold in here. The tips of your fingers are icy.” “So are yours.” She nestled her face against his neck, her lips skimming his skin. “We’ll have to warm each other up.” “No.” Regina cried, “Nikoli, stop.”

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He would not. Hands on her forearms, he pulled them from his shoulders. “I want you,” she murmured. “And you want me.” A series of emotions danced across his face. Male need, tenderness, caution. “I won’t let you leave me tonight,” Regina whispered, cupping his face in her hands, her thumbs stroking the skin between his wounds. Seconds passed as he regarded her. She could see him battling his emotions. She touched his long, dark lashes and whispered again, her words deliberately tempting. “We have until dawn.” He sighed deeply. “Until then, there’s nothing you can—” “Shhh,” he interrupted, pulling her back into him, his cheek against hers. Hugging him close, she smiled then whispered an invitation few men could refuse, “Let’s get naked.” He shook his head, then spoke before she could. “I’m not denying you.” “You didn’t say yes. You haven’t ripped off my clothes. You’re not even close to being inside of me.” “I know,” he whispered, then added, “First, it needs to be warm.”

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Chapter Seven

She wanted only that he love her. To require her—no one else—as much as she needed him and their nightly feast of blood. Confined by Andris’s weight, the length of his long, hard body, Sazaar yielded fully to his seduction. His earlier threats to destroy her because she’d allowed Nikoli and Regina to slip away hadn’t moved Sazaar to do what Andris demanded. She didn’t fear annihilation. It was loneliness and indifference, the kind she’d known on E2, that she couldn’t withstand. At last, Andris had understood what Sazaar needed most. The promise that he would cherish her. At the very least, she needed the illusion. Rubbing against him, Sazaar stroked his chest with her naked nipples. Her cunt ached for him to fill its emptiness. She licked her fangs at his mouth on her throat. Sated from his earlier meal, Andris suckled her leisurely, his flesh warmed from the blood he’d taken, its life force heating his lips. She moaned in delight. To their side, the bodies of the humans they’d fed upon lay sprawled in death, eyes open, staring into eternity. One was a young man who’d been out for a run. The other, an older male who’d been walking his dog. They never saw their own demise coming. Near the corpses, the vampires gathered to watch the carnal display between Andris and Sazaar. Among them were two humans who’d been newly turned this night—young women, friends. They’d been on their way home from their jobs at the coffee shop in Regina’s building. Prior to them reaching immortality, Sazaar had seen shock and innocence on the girls’ youthful faces. It was only a memory now. They regarded her and Andris as the others did, their desire to join in the carnal play barely constrained. One of the girls lost what little control she had. On all fours, ponytail and naked breasts swinging, she crawled toward Andris, lust in her smile. Fangs bared, Andris hissed. The depraved sound filled the large, renovated loft in what had previously been a beer-manufacturing plant. Where offices had once stood were now walls draped in wine-colored velvet, floors in gleaming black marble, skylights opened to the night, silk cushions and pillows strewn about for bodies to lie upon. The girl pushed several of the cushions away as she continued to advance.

Tina Donahue

Andris hissed again, a warning that she stay back. Tonight, only Sazaar would know his touch, his bite. Shivering with need she couldn’t resist, Sazaar still cautioned herself that Andris hadn’t given this moment freely. He needed her compliance to gain what he really wanted…entry back into E2. Stopped at last, the young barista licked her fangs, a bold invitation for Andris to enjoy her. A growl of anger rose in his throat, threatening to become a shriek. Cautious at the vile sound, tamed for the moment, the girl retreated the same distance she’d advanced. Wrapping her arm around the leg of the male vampire who’d turned her, she ran her other hand up his naked thigh to his hairy groin, cupping his plump balls, running her thumb over his hard, ruddy shaft. Her friend watched, a feral smile cutting across her pretty face. Edging closer, she bent down, licking her friend’s nipple, pulling it into her mouth, moaning as she suckled. Andris regarded the scene, then turned back to Sazaar. His long blond hair swept over her naked shoulders as he fastened his lips on her throat. Tongue sweeping her flesh, he raked her neck gently with his fangs. Her toes curled, rapture filling her as it had their first time, hours after she’d crossed over into this realm. At a nightclub that evening, Andris had ignored the countless other women, many of them quite beautiful, and approached her, his smile lazy, his expression hungry. She’d mistaken it for love. Willingly, eagerly, she’d given him her future and soul. He valued neither. Once she led him and the others back into E2, she knew he’d discard her. The pleasant sensations receded. Her body stiffened in pain and anger. Andris’s suckling slowed. He lifted his head. She didn’t want to look at him, but couldn’t help herself. At his stunning beauty, every emotion except lust drained from Sazaar, dispelling reality, making her believe she could do something to bring him fully to her side. She parted her lips to reason with him as she had with the inhabitants of her realm. To declare her love in the foolish hope that it would somehow make him see no other woman except her. That he would never again crave anyone else, female or male. The words caught in her throat. At her silence, he finally spoke, his tone deceptively soft, charming. “You smell the woman?” Inwardly, Sazaar bristled at his question. Outwardly, she maintained her calm, well-practiced in doing so from the time of her birth. “Do you?” Andris asked, eagerness betraying his true motives. A hint of Regina’s peaches-and-vanilla fragrance, along with her female musk, was barely detectable on the cool air, overwhelmed by the more powerful scents of damp earth, the coppery odor of blood.

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Sazaar wanted to lie, telling Andris she smelled nothing at all, then decided against it. He’d see through her deception as he always did. In a whisper, she said, “Yes. But it’s very faint because of the rain.” Swooping down, Andris brushed his lips over her throat. She gasped in satisfaction. A whimper followed as he bit her neck gently, not breaking skin. “How faint?” he asked, his mouth brushing her throat with his words. His proximity and touch, denied her so long, was too much for Sazaar. Coarse pleasure tore through her. Unable to quell her desire, she tried to embrace him. Andris tightened his fingers around her wrists, keeping her pinned to the cold floor. “Answer me.” Desperate for his affection, she spoke without thinking. “Do you only want to find her because of Nikoli? Or do you want to feed on her and turn her as you did with me?” Surprise at her boldness registered in his icy blue eyes, replaced quickly by feigned indifference. “What use do I have for such an unattractive female? Her coloring revolts me. Her blood, however, might prove less offensive, especially if I thirst.” He offered a sly smile. “Upon locating her, would you give her to me to destroy?” Without hesitation, if it would secure her place in his world. Shame at what she’d become battled with Sazaar’s fatal attraction to him. Her desire to please won out. “I would—but I won’t be able to find her tonight. No vampire could, because of the rain, as you well know.” Instantly, his grip tightened. It should have been painful, but the only ache Sazaar felt was in her heart. She said nothing, surrendering fully to whatever he intended to do, knowing it couldn’t be worse than not having his love. Minutes passed. The ponytailed barista and her vampire made obscene sounds as they mated with the ferocity of wildcats, unaware of the others watching and waiting to see Andris’s next move. His long, thin fingers loosened on Sazaar’s wrists, his thumbs stroking her palms. Grateful for his small kindness, she parted her lips, groaning softly when Andris filled her mouth with his tongue. Those surrounding them murmured their approval as he mounted her, his hard, thick cock plunging into her channel, forcing it to accommodate his size. She moaned shamelessly. Releasing one wrist, he brought his hand down to her clit, stroking it. It was too much. Sounds of ecstasy gurgled in the base of her throat, turning into a helpless whimper. Andris responded by filling her even more, silencing her with his tongue. He continued to stroke her nub to give her the greatest pleasure. An unselfish act he hadn’t indulged in since the night he first claimed her.

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Passion for what he was, hope for what he could never be, competed within Sazaar. Her mind advised her to be cautious. She refused to heed the warning. She touched his golden hair, sinking her fingers into its satiny length. With endurance no human owned, he pounded into her, his finger on her clit keeping pace. Excited murmurs surrounded them, followed by the vampires’ crude comments, their desire to participate. “Take me next!” one of the men shouted. “Fuck us both,” the man’s male lover begged. Andris didn’t acknowledge them. His full attention remained on Sazaar, bringing her to climax. She cried out, the sound joyous and so high-pitched no human could hear. Andris hissed, the sibilant noise unearthly, shameless. Remaining inside her, barely panting from his exertion, he lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, “Did you enjoy that?” Unable to speak, Sazaar managed a nod. “You want more?” In answer, she tightened her strong inner muscles around his cock. A gruff sound rumbled in his throat, one she’d heard when he fed on his victims. Not only was it a grunt of pleasure but one of amusement at how effortlessly he could entice what he called his willing fools. Is that what he considered her? The thought hit Sazaar like a slap to her face. She’d given him her life. She delivered her soul. And he was laughing at her during such an intimate moment? How could he? How dare he. Anger like none she’d ever experienced surged through her. She wanted to sink her fangs and claws into him. To hurt him as he so effortlessly humiliated her. After which, he’d destroy her. Leaving nothing, not even the hope that someday she might matter to him. The same stark need she’d lived with too long—unending and unquenchable—curbed Sazaar’s anger, keeping her beaten, submissive. “I want everything you have to give.” He murmured, “And I’ll give it, as soon as we’re back in our true home.” He continued quickly, before Sazaar could speak. “You witnessed how the richness of your blood invigorated me. I didn’t have to hunt or feed again for a week. On this side, the nightly searches take me from you, forcing me to seek other women.” He cupped her breast, his fingers trailing over the soft swell, his thumb flicking the nipple. Without pause, Sazaar arched her back, offering her body to him.

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Gently, he fondled her, his words soothing. “On E2, we can breed individuals for their blood, eliminating our need to hunt or feed so frequently. With an endless supply of their fluid, you and I will never have to part. We can be together like this for all time.” Yes, for all time. Within her cunt, his cock flexed, its root stretching her opening. Intense pleasure snaked through Sazaar, causing the room to spin. She moaned loudly. Andris whispered, “All you have to do is find the woman and tell me where she is. She’ll lead us to Nikoli.” With Andris’s coaxing words, an image of Nikoli crowded Sazaar’s thoughts. She recalled their years together, his polite acceptance of her and their life, empty of emotion, filled with duty instead. Only when she crossed over had she witnessed Nikoli’s inner fire, the capacity of his heart. Though not for her. The truth pained Sazaar. The memories assaulted her. She’d seen his hunger for Regina, not for her. He’d crossed over to kill her, failing at the last moment—driven not by love but his inability to harm anyone. Tonight, he’d arrived prepared to risk his life in order to save Regina. Sazaar’s throat tightened at the surge of emotions she’d witnessed between them. What she’d sought all of her life and failed to obtain. “Just tell me,” Andris encouraged. Passion sang in his words; excitement rippled through his body. She wanted to believe it was for her. That she’d finally found a mate who wanted and adored her above all others. Clinging to that fantasy, she whispered, “Tomorrow evening, when the rain ends, I’ll find her for you.” As her lids slipped down, she added, “I’ll have enough time before dawn to deliver her and Nikoli.” She’d gamble everything in the hopes of obtaining Andris’s unending desire.

Outside, the lingering night threatened. Damp air barreled past, spattering rain on the vegetation, rattling branches. Several brushed the windows’ panes, the sounds reminding Nikoli of bat wings striking air. He remained at the hearth, lighting the fire he’d laid, watching Regina to see if she’d noticed the noise. If she feared. She gave him an inviting smile. He returned it easily even as his mind questioned. How much of her desire was given for the man he was? How much was offered because she didn’t want him to leave?

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He’d witnessed her loneliness during the times he watched her. He recognized her hunger for someone to care. Tonight, she’d seen things no human should. She dreaded tomorrow. All he could give them was the next few hours. It wasn’t nearly enough, but he couldn’t find the will to deny either of them. Not any longer. Already congested with blood, his cock thickened even more, straining his skin to the point of pain, the same as his tightened balls. Gladly, he endured the discomfort, knowing it would soon end. For a few hours, he would know Regina’s comfort, and she would know his. After that… Nikoli refused to conclude the thought, needing to savor this moment and the few others to come. “Finished?” Regina murmured. Too aroused to speak, Nikoli nodded and pushed to his feet, replacing the metal poker in its stand. Hungry flames licked at the logs in the massive fireplace, their light bathing the room in a golden glow, the energy they created sending out currents of hot air. More heat rushed through the vents of the structure’s heating system. Joining him at the hearth, Regina rested her hand on his cheek, her fingertips avoiding the scratches. The care she took with his injuries, her worry about him, her courage in standing up to Sazaar on his behalf were more than remarkable to Nikoli. It was what made Regina human…what brought him so easily to her side, keeping him there, at least until dawn. Unwilling to consider what might happen then, he allowed himself to experience the wonder of simply being here. Her touch was a balm, her skin now shamefully warm, just as he’d imagined it to be when he watched her this morning in her bedroom, then later, as she’d masturbated in the shower. The memory brought a smile. Without warning, a flicker of doubt crossed her face. “What is it?” he asked, his smile dying. Had she noticed the branches striking the glass as he had? Had she heard something else? She glanced around the room. “The security system. I hadn’t thought about it until now. Surely this place has one.” She frowned. “What if there’s a motion detector down here for intruders? What if it’s sensed us and a silent alarm’s gone out to—” “When I was here earlier, getting the clothing, I took care of it, altering the device.” “How? To do what?” “If anyone breaches the periphery of the estate, an alarm will go off in here. The locks won’t open from the outside.” She stared. He assured her, “We’re safe from your people.”

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“Yeah, I know.” Her mouth widened in a pleased grin. “Is there nothing you can’t do?” He couldn’t save them both or stay with her past dawn. Keeping the truth and sorrow from her, Nikoli said, “It was an easy matter. Your civilization isn’t advanced.” Arching one slender brow at his unvarnished comment, Regina moved into him, delivering a wave of her fragrance. His ears buzzed. She brushed her lips against his with her murmur. “I know. We’re all about emotion.” Nikoli spoke on a needy sigh. “Yes.” Easing her hands beneath his topcoat and jacket, Regina pushed both off his shoulders. “You like that?” He liked what she was doing. With a nod, he shrugged out of his garments. They tumbled in a heap on the hardwood floor. Arms freed, he reached for her. Deftly, she escaped his grasp. “I’m not through with you yet. I haven’t even begun.” Sinking to her knees, she pulled his sweater up, her hands going to the circular leather item her people called a belt. With impatience, she worked at the buckle. Nikoli’s belly quivered at her knuckles brushing his skin. For weeks, he’d fantasized about her touch. Now that it was reality, he could barely endure the pleasure. Drawing her fingertips over the short dark hairs that arrowed beneath his pants’ waistband to his groin, she purred. “Nice.” It was far more than that, a word that didn’t exist in her dimension or his. Each stroke of her fingers sent a storm of sensation racing through Nikoli. His scalp tingled, and his legs went watery. Gulping air, he locked his knees to remain standing, then bit back a groan as Regina pressed her face against his flat belly. “How about this?” she asked. “Is it what you imagined all the times you watched? Having me at your feet, yielding to whatever you wanted? Taking me anyway you desired, anywhere you chose? For as long as you pleased?” Not waiting for his answer, she explored his flesh with her tongue, sweeping it across his navel only to pause on the small depression. As though she hadn’t expected him to have one. Drugged by her touch, desperate to keep her at the task, he wanted her to know she had nothing to fear. “Only my palms are different,” he promised, sighing out his words. “There’s no reason to be afraid. We’re all conceived and born the same.” A small, indistinct sound escaped her. She rested her forehead against his belly. “I was stupid to think otherwise, Nikoli.” He stroked her hair. “You didn’t know.” She rubbed her cheek against him. “I want you to understand something—I don’t care how different you are. I’m not afraid.”

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As if to prove it, she eased back and took his hand, folding the cuff of his sweater, exposing his wrist. “Regina, no.” Willfully, she pressed her mouth to the puncture wounds left from Sazaar’s fangs, her tongue exploring them, her concern only for him, not herself. Never had a woman honored him like this, driven by emotion not duty. It was too much for Nikoli to comprehend. He knew he should have pulled his hand back, should have simply taken Regina, relieving both of their needs, but he could not. During the time that remained for him, he craved what she’d willingly give. “Will they ever heal?” she murmured. Only if he were to live another few months on this side, giving his system a chance to fight all of the poison. Wanting to give her hope they didn’t have, he lied. “Yes.” She gave his wounds one last, lingering kiss, then finished unbuckling his belt and unzipped his pants. With her fingers beneath the stretchy undergarments known as boxers, she pushed both items to his knees. Freeing his cock and balls. He huffed in delight. Regina whimpered, pressing her face to his shaft, licking the dark hair on his groin. Nikoli’s legs wavered. Fearful of staggering back and putting distance between them, he rested his hand on the top of Regina’s head to steady himself. Attuned to his needs, she cupped his ass in her palms, her fingers squeezing his cheeks, giving him the support he needed. On a sigh, she said, “My God, you taste good. You smell even better.” Her words, no more than a husky whisper, touched Nikoli’s soul. For the first time in his existence, he knew what it meant to be truly alive. Not perfect but flawed, with emotions outstripping intellect. A man hungered for and prized by a woman. Tightening his hand on her scalp, he inhaled sharply, then spoke, his words more a plea than a command. “Lick my cock. Take me in your mouth.” Not out of duty as Sazaar had done, but because Regina wanted to engage in the act as much as he did, unable to help herself. The throaty sounds she made convinced Nikoli of her unruly desire. They told him her control was at an end. Slipping her fingers between the seam of his buttocks, she touched his anus, a word unrecognized on his side, her caress unmatched by anything he’d known. He pushed to his toes, his legs trembling. Offering no comment on his reaction, continuing to probe the tight ring, Regina took his rigid cock in her other hand, lifting it to expose his testicles. With one slow, continuous lick, she ran her tongue up the length of his balls.

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Bursts of heat radiated from Nikoli’s groin to his chest. He raised his chin to the ceiling. A guttural groan poured from his lips. In response, Regina squeezed his ass. Her tongue continued its journey over his sac, her lips suckling, her mouth taking one of his balls, then the other inside. How could any man withstand such a thrill? He gritted his teeth and bunched his shoulders. A new noise rumbled from his throat, joyous, incoherent. She continued her carnal journey, exploring his testicles with a curious mixture of gentleness and passion, making certain not to harm him while also providing stunning pleasure. He panted at the intense heat and wetness of her mouth. It didn’t last. With a swiftness that disconcerted him, Regina released his balls, allowing the room’s air, not her lips and tongue, to embrace them. Why? Had he not reacted as she’d expected? Were the sounds he made too crude or not passionate enough? Was the difference between him and the men on this plane becoming too obvious no matter what he’d said? Nikoli’s heart sank, even as his need for Regina flared. An objection rose to his lips as her mouth abandoned him. What she was doing, thinking? Without words she told him, cradling his cock in her palm, guiding it into her mouth, taking him in so deeply the tip of her nose touched his dark curls. She was so hot, so wet, sounds of surprise and pleasure stalled in Nikoli’s throat. Fisting her hair in his hand, he confined her, demanding she deliver all that she could. She accepted his imprisonment, suckling him hard, then soft, inching away, though not to release him. Oh no. She swept her tongue over the back of his crown, the area that delivered the most sensation. His jaw tightened and his body shuddered. Scarcely able to withstand the sensations rocking through him, Nikoli fought for air, the intensity of Regina’s desire and his approaching orgasm undoing him. He whispered in a mixture of her language and his, revealing the depth of his feelings, what he’d experienced for no other woman, what nothing on his dimension could match—not duty, honor, professional recognition, or the promise of a long life, free of disease and the mildest inconvenience. All of what Nikoli had once accepted as norm seemed worthless now, so clearly foolish when there was a chance to fill his barren soul. His traitorous thoughts should have shamed him. They did not. During the last hours he was alive, he’d know only Regina. Flicking her tongue, she teased his flesh, encouraging it to respond. With all of his will, Nikoli resisted, needing to draw out the moment. She suckled faster, working his cock in her mouth as he would in her cunt. A bead of sweat ran down his temple. His lungs burned from holding his breath. He’d tightened his knees to the point of making them ache. But he wouldn’t allow himself to come. Not yet.

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Regina seemed to discern his intent. Her tongue stalled on his crown. Rather than pull away as Nikoli feared, she cupped his sac in her hand, squeezed gently while sucking and licking his rod, her movements synchronized, maddening. The room spun. Nerve endings fired throughout his body, prickling his skin. On a labored cry, Nikoli climaxed. His life fluid—what the men in this dimension called come—spurted into Regina’s mouth. She accepted it as a gift, not pulling away as Sazaar had always done. She drank him dry as though she’d never tasted anything better. How had he existed so long without this? Regina’s acceptance of him released something else inside Nikoli, emotions held so tight they all arrived at once. He felt young, alive, hopeful in a way he never believed possible. As though there was nothing he couldn’t do…nothing that would defeat him. He bellowed his satisfaction, allowing himself to truly feel. Still holding on to his balls and ass, Regina released his cock from her mouth. The sounds of her gasping mingled with his. “You okay?” she asked. There weren’t words in the entire universe for what continued to sweep through Nikoli. He wanted to tell her that, but the reality of their situation precluded it. At last, he patted the top of her head to reassure her all was well. Regina nodded as if she understood. “Then it was…” She didn’t finish. Nikoli cleared his throat and swallowed. “Was what?” “My God,” she said. At her obvious shock, Nikoli’s passion evaporated like smoke. He glanced at the tops of the windows unprotected by the vegetation. There, despite the protective rain, he fully expected to see Andris or Sazaar watching. Their mouths open and thirsting, fangs exposed. Drizzle fell on the deserted grounds. No monsters or humans were anywhere within sight. Not understanding, struggling to slow his sprinting pulse, Nikoli looked at Regina. Her hands fell from his ass and sac. She stared at his penis. He regarded it in the fire’s muted light. The moisture from her mouth sparkled on its length and meaty crown. A pearl of his come filled the small slit. “What is it?” he asked. Her eyes jumped to his, their color breathtaking. In the flickering light, her hair was a deeper, richer red. She spoke on a whisper. “You’re still hard…unless you’re hard again.” He was uncertain how to respond. “Already,” she added. Nikoli said the only thing he could. “I’m aroused.” Her brows arched. “Yeah, I can see that.”

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“Isn’t that good?” he asked. She laughed. “It’s great. Hell, on this side, men go limp after they come, which happens a minute or two out of the gate. Some stay that way for up to an hour.” Nikoli wasn’t entirely certain what she meant by “out of the gate”, nor had he known that men in this realm were so fragile. “How awful for the women,” he said, then boasted, “On my side, men get hard and stay that way for hours.” “Get out.” Nikoli stared at her. Had he said something offensive? Weren’t the men on this side allowed to boast? “What?” “Oh no.” Clearly catching his dismay, she rubbed her nose over his flat belly. “I didn’t mean—that is…” She fought a smile. Her shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. “I wasn’t telling you to leave. It’s an expression. I’m just surprised—no, actually, I’m pleased that you don’t have any downtime like other men do.” Staring at his cock, she licked her lips. Nikoli grinned at the hunger he saw on her face. “And what do the men on your side do during their downtime?” “Snore, mostly.” “What’s that?” “They make a noise in their throats that’s similar to gasping or choking.” He frowned. “Sounds unpleasant.” “It is. Boring too, for the woman. Take these off.” With her hands beneath his pants and boxers, she shoved them to his calves. “Let me help you with your shoes and socks. Put your hand on my shoulder.” “I’d rather undress you.” “In a sec.” She lifted her face. Her smile weakened any objection Nikoli might have had. Her willingness to touch him, her eagerness to have him inside of her was nearly beyond Nikoli’s comprehension. She was more than he ever dreamed possible, and everything he couldn’t have. Unwilling to think about that or the morning, he allowed her to undress him. Twice, she paused to kiss his cock. Twice, he forgot to breathe. She tossed his shoes aside. They hit the floor with two hard whacks, then tumbled across the wood, coming to a stop at the base of the sofa. After stripping him of his socks, she flung them in the same direction. “Step out of your pants and boxers,” she said. “I have you.” She placed her hand on his. With her fingers warming him, he did as she asked. Regina shoved his clothing aside and grinned at his naked legs and feet. “You have really long toes,” she said.

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Nikoli smiled, then laughed as she stroked his feet, tickling them. Eagerly, she asked, “Are you getting even harder?” He was. “Joy like this makes me hard.” With a radiant smile, Regina asked, “You’re happy?” It was more than that. With her, he was home. A sense of belonging, of being whole in a way he’d never imagined filled Nikoli, along with intense frustration because it couldn’t last. It was a myth, no different from the orderly world his people had built on E2. So perfect, it had left him wanting for nothing, until he’d seen Regina. Then he’d realized just how deprived he’d been, hoping for a woman out of his reach, for the one person who would make life worth living. The one love he could never have. “Nikoli?” “I’m happier than you could possibly know,” he finally said, speaking as he never had to another woman. “I regret nothing about crossing over to be with you. I wanted it from the start, the first moment I knew you existed.” Delight transformed Regina’s features, followed by a challenging smile. Lifting her chin, she said, “Then show me. I want you naked.” And he didn’t want the same of her? Sensing she was playing a carnal game, perhaps a mating ritual on this dimension, Nikoli crossed his arms over his chest and cocked one brow. “I believe those on your side would say fuck that, or—you first.” At his response, Regina’s delicate nostrils flared, betraying her mounting passion. Even in the muted light, her skin flushed with desire. “Very well,” she said, a blend of meekness and wantonness in her response. How Nikoli treasured that. A woman so filled with emotion she couldn’t contain them all or decide on simply one. Easing down to her right hip, she brought her legs around, pulling off her high heels and the sheer knee-length stockings that covered her narrow feet and calves. Her toenails were polished the same shade of red as her hair. He really liked that. She unbuttoned and unzipped her pants. Nikoli enjoyed that even more. Wiggling out of them, Regina dropped the garments on his topcoat and jacket. He stared at her legs, even more beautiful now than when he’d seen them this morning as she showered. “You like?” she asked. The way she asked the question told Nikoli she already knew his answer. Even so, he nodded, his attention captured by her black panties. Made of a delicate material, they were sheer enough for him to see the reddish curls between her legs.

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Already beating too hard, his heart slammed into his throat. Keeping her legs parted—a deliciously arousing pose—Regina pulled her sweater over her torso, past her head and flung it behind her. In his peripheral vision, Nikoli saw it land on the arm of a chair. The rest of his attention remained on her breasts, the creamy globes confined by her black bra, her stiff nipples pushing against the lustrous fabric. With a deliberateness that told him Regina knew exactly what she was doing, she ran her hands beneath her hair, lifting it off her shoulders. The movement caused her breasts to wiggle within their satiny prison. Was she trying to kill him? Didn’t she know his control was at an end? That he needed this game to finish? They had too little time left for them to be separated for even a moment more. Uncrossing his arms, Nikoli yanked off his sweater, pitching it in the same direction as hers. Regina’s pale pink lips parted as she glanced from his cock to his offered hand. She took it, her fingers curling around his. Not bothering to temper his strength or demanding need, Nikoli pulled Regina to her feet and into him. Her body softened immediately. Enjoying the feel of her weight, comforted by it, he leaned down. Mouth pressed to her ear, he murmured, “How does this come off?” He ran his finger beneath the edge of her bra cup, touching skin. Regina trembled, then sighed at his tongue licking her lobe. She whispered, “There’s a clasp in the back. I can get it.” “No.” He brushed her hands away. “I’ll do it.” Her head lolled to the side as he found the fastener and released it, resting his hands where it had once been. At the feel of her smooth, hot skin, Nikoli could barely control himself. Regina’s breathing picked up. When he eased back, she moaned. “What are you doing? Don’t make me move.” Nikoli stopped himself before he laughed, sensing she wouldn’t like it. “I have to in order to get this off you.” On a groan, she inched away, moaning brazenly when he pushed the straps over her shoulders and down her arms. They caught briefly on her hands, and then the item fell to the hardwood floor. Partially naked, she regarded him through hooded lids, her expression both excited and questioning, as though she wasn’t certain Nikoli would prize what he saw. “You like?” she asked. How could she pose such a question? “Of course,” he said, then paused to clear the catch in his throat. “How could I not? You’ve already given me so much.” “I have?”

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“Yes.” He cradled her face in his hands. “Your passion, your willingness to be with me tonight, your concern. It’s worth more to me than anything I’ve ever known.” His thumbs stroked her cheeks. “You’re unlike any woman I’ve ever met. And it’s not only your coloring or temperament.” “No kidding?” Her hand covered his. She smiled. “Then what is it?” “You don’t want to listen to reason. You argue against anything logical.” Her brows drew together. “And you like that?” “It exasperating and magnificent.” Exactly what he craved. “If you say so.” “I do. Now, let me look at you.” He stepped back. Regina’s dusky nipples, puckered with arousal, enhanced and complemented her fair skin. The lush globes of her breasts wiggled with her uneven breathing, begging for his hands to hold and possess them, as did her womanly hips. Sinking to his knees, Nikoli pushed his thumbs beneath the edge of her panties to strip her bare so that nothing separated their flesh. Regina’s belly quivered. “Take them off,” she said. “Now.” “And if I don’t?” he teased. “You don’t get this.” She ran her finger up the length of her cleft. “Want to risk it?” “Do you?” She gave him one of those looks men in her dimension knew not to challenge. Unfazed, Nikoli took his time undressing her, noting her impatient sigh. At last, he tossed her panties aside and stared at her reddish curls. Unused to scents, he caught her musk instantly, his mouth watering at the delicate yet thrilling fragrance. A more powerful urge than one for safety, food or drink consumed Nikoli, urging him to bury his face between her legs as she had done with him. To burrow his cock into her sheath and remain there for the time they had left. Realizing it would never be enough, resolved to prolong their pleasure for as long as he could, Nikoli wrapped his arms around her hips, resting his cheek against her torso. He heard the wild beating of her heart, the rasp of air in her lungs, so like his own. He smelled her need. It called to the male within, to everything he had never been allowed to be but yearned for now. So foolishly. So hopelessly. A growl of dismay and anticipation escaped Nikoli’s throat, roughening his words. “Tell me what you want.” “You,” she said without hesitation, her hands on either side of his head, keeping him close. “Anyway you want me. Anyway you know how.” She paused to swallow and spoke on a ragged sigh. “Make love to me, Nikoli…take me…fuck me.”

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Chapter Eight

“I ask that you please touch it,” Thomo said, gesturing to the wall behind him. He exchanged a glance with the young woman at his side. “We need your superior wisdom to determine if our findings are correct, Strii Zorr.” Domm Zorr regarded the younger man who had been a trusted friend to Domm’s son, Nikoli, since childhood. Although Thomo spoke impassively, there was deference in the slight tilt of his head, the manner in which he held himself in the presence of a Strii. A title given to the most respected scientists on E2. There was also a hint of emotion in Thomo’s expression, perhaps fear or excitement that he may have discovered a breach in the system. Impossible, Domm knew. In his decades of service to the dimension, he had never experienced such a thing, nor was it in the annals of E2’s history. Despite Thomo’s fine intellect, the younger man had always been prone to speculation when science demanded a dispassionate appraisal. The kind Nikoli provided. Pride for his son’s accomplishments welled in Domm. Someday in the near future, he knew the government would choose Nikoli from among his peers, bestowing him with the same title as his father, allowing him and Sazaar to breed. To have a son of their own, fulfilling Domm’s hopes and dreams. For now, though, he had to deal with Thomo’s foolishness. “Did the alarms sound? Did the security force find anything when you called them inside?” The younger man blinked, the only indication that betrayed his surprise at the questions. Clearing his throat, he spoke with a degree of hesitation. “They did not…nor would the alarms sound if there’s a sophisticated breach in our system.” “Or if you’re mistaken.” Thomo’s complexion paled at the mild chastisement. However, to Domm’s surprise, the younger man held his ground. “I touched the wall, as did Murr.” He inclined his head to the young woman. Domm kept his attention on Thomo. “And you claim there was a current of energy and intense cold that shouldn’t be there, is that correct?” With caution, Thomo nodded. Once more, he gestured to the wall. “Please put your hand there and experience it for yourself.”

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He would not. “You said you caught movement that brought you to the wall. Can you be more specific? Was whatever moved large, small, tall, short?” Thomo’s expression grew pensive. His dark brows drew together in a frown. “Tall,” he said at last. “At least my size or yours.” A shadow, surely, caused by the flickering screens and Thomo’s overactive imagination. “And of an unusual color,” he added. “At least a portion of it, at the top.” Domm’s mouth closed on the explanation he’d intended to offer—that one’s mind might be able to fabricate motion, shapes and perhaps even a change in the temperature. Color, however, didn’t seem likely. He glanced about the room, no different from the countless others in this building. The only pigments here were varying hues of silver and gray, broken solely by the monitors’ faint green tint. With a mixture of curiosity and beginning dread, he asked, “What shade did you see at the top?” Again, Thomo’s complexion paled. “Red…the color of blood.” Domm stared, not believing what he’d heard, unwilling to be alarmed. This was a mistake. A misunderstanding. It had to be. He glanced at Thomo’s hands, suspecting the young man had cut himself. That was the red he’d seen. That was what had set him to worrying about a breach in the— Domm’s thoughts stalled at the lack of injury on Thomo’s hands. No blood. As calmly as he could, he asked, “Have you discussed this with Nikoli? Have you sought his opinion?” Domm knew his son would have a reasonable explanation that would put an end to conjecture and worry. “I sent Murr to get him.” “He wasn’t in his laboratory,” she offered, then glanced at Thomo before adding, “When Nikoli didn’t answer my calls, I asked the security force to determine if he was inside his lab. I thought perhaps Nikoli was so engrossed in his work, he hadn’t heard me. But they said he wasn’t in there, nor anywhere else in the building.” Domm glanced at the timepiece on the wall, noting the late hour. Perhaps Nikoli had finally retired for the evening, no doubt exhausted. Since Sazaar had begun her retreat, his son had spent all of his time in the lab, working nonstop. “I thought he might have left for the day,” Murr added, “but I didn’t see him on any of the monitors at the stations. Nor could I reach him at his home.” “We concluded he must have gone out to eat,” Thomo said. “We didn’t want to wait to find him, so we called you.” His expression begged Domm to touch the wall. “Red…the color of blood,” he’d said. A tint outlawed on E2 since its people had banished the vampires. Irritation at Thomo’s request warred with Domm’s continuing unease. As he approached the wall, Thomo and Murr stepped aside.

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Hand lifted, Domm hesitated, then placed his fingertips on the wall’s smooth surface and felt nothing unusual. His pulse slowed instantly. On a quiet sigh, Domm released the breath he’d been holding. “There’s no energy or cold here.” His pronouncement put an end to the matter. “Please continue with your work.” Leaving the room, he went down the hall to his own laboratory. Halfway to it, his steps slowed. He glanced at the door to Nikoli’s lab. As a Strii, he didn’t need permission to enter any of the scientists’ workrooms. The additional markings on his hands, put there by the government, allowed him access to all spaces, even those forbidden to the security force. All he had to do was touch the door. Domm paused at the thought of intruding upon his son’s workspace. More than father and son, he and Nikoli were now respected colleagues. To enter without invitation, even as a Strii, was a serious violation of etiquette and trust. A transgression Murr hadn’t dared to consider. “I asked the security force to determine if he was inside his lab. I thought perhaps he was so engrossed in his work, he hadn’t heard me.” In the past, Domm had witnessed his son’s intense concentration. Even as a young boy, Nikoli would focus on an assignment to such a degree it precluded him from noticing anything else, including his own need for food and rest until his body forced him to do so. “We concluded he must have gone out to eat,” Thomo had said. If he had returned from his meal and was back in the room now, he might be oblivious to a rap on the door. It could be days before he emerged again. By then, Thomo’s all too vivid imagination might have compromised his own work. A matter Domm wanted to discuss with his son. Together, they could reach a solution. Comfortable with his decision, knowing Nikoli would readily understand the purpose of this intrusion, Domm rested his fingertips against his son’s door, then watched as it opened.

On his feet, Nikoli drew Regina against his full length, passion evident in his rough breathing, a desire for more than just sex clear in his tender caress. It moved her as few things had. He was a man who’d been starved for simple emotion, the right to be uncertain as well as brave, to experience comfort, not only crushing responsibility. How many years had he longed for a moment of true warmth, of an embrace given in love, not out of duty? How many times had he denied himself the most basic of needs, remaining resolute, deprived, alone and wanting, even more so than her? She ached to give him everything he’d missed. They had so little time. When dawn came, he’d insist on leaving.

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Unable to face the thought, she released her weight into him, requiring his strength, the shelter of his body. He made a low rumbling sound in his throat, signifying his approval. A smile touched Regina’s lips at his rigid cock pressing against her inner thigh, the root snug against her mound, their curls touching. Demanding even more intimacy, she drew as close as she could, welcoming his chest crushing her breasts, his mouth seeking her throat. The brush of his lips delivered a shock of pleasure. Her heart skipped several beats, then hammered fiercely. Releasing a husky moan, she slipped her arms around his torso, her fingers exploring his broad back, tracing his impressive contours, reveling in them. He had an athlete’s build, lean yet muscled, his pecs and abs well defined, his body hair deliciously masculine, from the dark tufts in his pits to the silky hairs circling his navel to the thick bush on his groin and his lightly furred balls. The memory of them in her mouth, her tongue licking the wrinkled skin, sent another shiver through Regina. Nikoli held her even closer, his embrace confining and soothing. Lips to her ear, he whispered, “Are you cold?” “Not at all.” She pressed her fingers into his firm flesh and inhaled deeply, enjoying his wondrous scent…so damned male, so uniquely Nikoli. Eager to let him know his effect on her, that she’d deliver her body willingly…eagerly…she murmured, “Turned on.” His hand stopped stroking her back, resting instead on her naked ass, his long fingers dangling over her cheeks. “Do you mean aroused?” Regina’s smile widened at his innocent question, the fact that he didn’t understand the nuances of her language. It endeared him to her even more. She wanted to teach him about her dimension, to watch the wonder on his face as he experienced feelings so deep they’d capture his soul or would make him mad as hell. Either way, they’d allow him to live. “Yes…very.” He ran his fingers down the furrow of her buttocks. Tingles dashed up her spine. Legs wobbling, she pushed to her toes. With mischief in his voice, he asked, “Am I arousing you now?” “What do you think?” Her words sounded thick, throaty. “I’m not certain,” he murmured. “I don’t want to do anything wrong.” As if a man who was able to stay rock hard for hours could come close to disappointing her. Grounding her mound against his cock, Regina sighed deeply at the crown rubbing her thigh, its tip wet with pre-come, its remembered taste causing her to speak as she had before…in a way she’d never done with other men. “Fuck me, please.” Nikoli kissed her cheek, then rested his against it, his stubble scraping her skin. “As I would on E2 or as the men do on your plane?”

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There was a difference? Did it matter? “Either. Both.” Regina paused to swallow and catch her breath. Still starved for air, she continued on a strained sigh. “Whatever you want.” Nikoli made an indistinct sound as though he was considering the matter. Not certain what he intended to do, Regina sank to her heels, then shot right back up to her toes at his fingers stroking her anus. A moan gurgled in her throat. With a smile, he asked, “Then you have no preference?” She tightened her arms around him, clinging to his hot, hard body for support, panting out her words. “As to what?” “How I take you—fuck you.” “Now would be nice.” She forced down another swallow. “Right this very second. All right?” “That would be too quick. In my dimension, we move far more slowly.” Regina heard the teasing behind his words and was about to argue with him when she had another thought. What if he wasn’t sated until well past dawn? Would she be able to tempt him into remaining with her, finding another way to defeat Andris and his followers, giving them both a chance to survive? She eased back to measure his expression. Naked need flared in his eyes. She was about to smile when Nikoli slid his hand down her arm, removing it from his back, the act contradicting the passion she still saw on his face. “What are you doing?” “This.” Turning her hand, he exposed the inside of her wrist and suckled it. At the intense heat of his tongue, Regina moaned, then blew out a sigh as he trailed kisses up her inner arm while his other hand continued to explore the furrow between her cheeks. On a hoarse groan, she slumped back into him, struggling to speak. “You enjoy foreplay?” He stopped kissing her biceps. His lips remained on her as he murmured, “Is that the word you use for what I’m doing?” She cleared her throat and grunted, “Uh-huh.” “Then, yes, I do…I could taste you longer than you could ever imagine.” Well beyond dawn? Giving them more time? “And will you—” Regina’s words halted, followed by a gasp of pleasure at Nikoli slipping his arm behind her knees, sweeping her off the floor. Cradling her to his broad chest, he brushed his lips over hers. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. Her arm snaked around his shoulders. She pulled herself even closer, her free hand cradling his jaw, her fingertips cautious of the scratches on his cheek. “Will I what?” he whispered. Pulling her attention from the cruel cuts, Regina saw flecks of hazel in his chocolate eyes and a need so deep it humbled and thrilled her. “I’m sorry, what?”

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“Will I what?” he repeated. The quiet rumble of his voice captivated Regina, turning her brain to mush. Shaking her head, she confessed, “I don’t know what you’re asking.” “You started to question me about something, then stopped when I picked you up.” Had she? Regina couldn’t recall. The moment was lost forever. “I forgot what I intended to say.” “Tell me when you remember.” Easily, as though he found her weight inconsequential, he carried Regina to the far end of the sofa, lowering her to the chaise already in a fully reclined position. An ivory afghan covered its cushions. Given the fabric’s downy quality, she judged it to be cashmere. Although exquisitely soft, it was no match for Nikoli’s fingers trailing over the backs of her thighs as he slid his hand from beneath her legs, releasing them. While her mind registered the separation as temporary, her heart didn’t care. Not yet willing to let him go, Regina tightened her arm around his shoulders, holding him to her, nuzzling her face against his neck, recording his warmth and clean scent so that she’d never forget them. Beneath her fingertips, Nikoli’s muscles tightened. “What is it?” he murmured. Panic and dread returned at the thought of him dying to keep her safe from the vampires. She couldn’t allow it. No matter what it took, no matter how crazy the world had turned out to be, she wouldn’t let him fight Andris and the others alone. “Regina.” Composing herself, she lied. “Nothing. I’m just curious. How many orgasms can you have before you get tired and pass out?” “Pass out?” “Fall asleep.” He chuckled. “Too many to count. You’ll fall asleep well before I. Lie back.” Regina tightened her hold, her mind racing for a way to keep him here. “Don’t rush.” “Before the night’s at an end, you’ll be begging for me to stop.” At what lay ahead tomorrow, the impossible odds they faced, her throat tightened. “I doubt that.” “We’ll see.” He removed her arm from around his shoulders and guided her back to the chaise. On his knees beside her, he lifted Regina’s arms above her head, holding her wrists in one hand. Surprised at his firm embrace, the manner in which he displayed her nudity, she gave him a questioning glance. The corners of Nikoli’s eyes crinkled with his grin, both playful and wolfish. Something within her shifted, pushing worry aside. A pulse beat in her cunt, delivering a rush of moisture, lubrication for his cock. She turned her wrists, testing his hold.

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His fingers tightened a bit more, telling her she hadn’t a hope of defeating his strength and getting loose. A thrill, sudden and uncivilized, prowled through Regina. With Nikoli, she could be as uninhibited as she’d fantasized, knowing he’d never harm her. If her behavior really shocked him, she’d tell the truth, saying that was just the way it was on this side. Get used to it. Eager to begin their carnal game, she arched one brow and murmured, “You’ve trapped me, Nikoli.” “I have, Regina.” With a pleased expression, he continued, “You’ve given me no choice. I want to look at you.” Not understanding, she asked, “Look at me?” “Yes.” He regarded her mouth, nose, eyes, hair. There, he lingered, his expression growing distracted. “Never have I seen coloring like yours. It’s beyond compare.” He studied her face. “Your features are exquisite.” Heat stung Regina’s cheeks. She’d never had a man comment about her looks. And certainly not in the way Nikoli just had. Surely he wasn’t all that clear on the description he’d used. “Exquisite?” His smile faded, replaced by a measure of doubt. “Did I use the wrong word?” “Not if you’re just trying to be nice.” He appeared even more confused. “I don’t understand.” More blood rushed to her face. “It’s okay, Nikoli. I know I’m not even close to being beautiful, all right?” Shock crossed his features, and then he scowled. “By whose measure?” Anyone who could see. Although Regina considered herself somewhat pretty, certainly enough to attract a bit of male attention, she knew she didn’t have Sazaar’s breathtaking features or perfect body. Nikoli didn’t seem to notice. In him, she saw acceptance and gratitude for all that she was. Answering his question, she said, “You know what? It doesn’t matter.” His smile returned. “Lift your leg.” He ran his free hand up her inner thigh, stopping just short of her curls. She shivered at his casual yet expert touch. Bringing back his hand, he added, “Bend your knee.” Regina did as he instructed. Light from the fire glanced off her naked flesh, washing her pale skin in a honeyed tint. At the thought of his mouth, hands and cock using her, her nipples constricted, and a dull, needy ache settled deep within her cunt. She widened her legs a bit more. Her movement wasn’t lost on Nikoli. He wore an expression that said he approved as he took in her full length, his attention lingering on her reddish bush, her erect nipples. Finally, he looked at her and winked.

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Surprised at the gesture, she smiled. “Where’d you learn to do that?” Surely, he hadn’t seen it on his side. Nikoli’s manner was innocent. “What? This?” Swooping down, he settled his mouth on her nipple, latching on to the tight bud, drawing it between his lips. Regina’s toes curled, then splayed, accompanying her choked cry. A moan followed at his fingers clasping her wrists, affirming his dominance, while he returned his other hand to the inside of her thigh. Digging her heels into the leather cushion, she edged forward, pushing her mound toward him. He suckled her nipple faster and harder, precisely as she liked. His fingers explored her cunt, damp with arousal, plump with need. Drawing his finger up her moist cleft, he reached her clit and stopped. Regina bit her lower lip, waiting for more. When his finger remained poised on her nub, she blurted, “Why are you stopping? Rub it.” Nikoli skimmed her nipple with his tongue, then released the hard tip, exposing it to the air. Though heated, it was no match for his mouth. She frowned. He pulled back and murmured, “I’ll rub it in time.” “Now,” she argued. She’d spent a lifetime hoping for a man like Nikoli—honorable, kind, sexy as hell, and by God she didn’t want to wait a moment more to have him on top of her, inside her, loving her as Regina had never been loved before. “In time,” he repeated, as one would to a wayward child or a woman who couldn’t control her emotions. Screw that. Regina wasn’t about to hold back. A growl of frustration escaped her throat. “Patience,” Nikoli advised in that same maddening tone. Set to counter it, Regina opened her mouth, then gasped at his fingers entering her. “You like that?” he asked, not bothering to wait for her answer as he worked two fingers deeper into her cunt, tunneling through her tight sheath, filling and stretching her for his cock. Oh my God, what he was doing was nice. Freaking nice. Whatever irritation she’d experienced moments ago, it was forgotten beneath this. Her mouth watered at her memory of his impressive rod. Long, hard, thick with arousal. Shuddering in delight, she relaxed her leg, allowing it to fall to the side, exposing herself even more to Nikoli’s touch and male lust. With his fingers burrowed fully within her, he stroked her clit with his thumb, his pace measured and slow, just as he’d promised. The man knew how to please. Shocks of pleasure pumped through Regina, quickening her pulse, destroying whatever restraint remained. Pushing into the chaise’s cushion, she lifted her chin to the timbered ceiling and cried, “Faster. I want to come.”

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“In time.” What? Damn him. She growled, “Fuck that, Nikoli. Now.” “Very well.” He withdrew his thumb from her. What the— Lowering her face, she frowned at him. “What are you doing? Don’t—” He killed the rest of her complaint by positioning himself between her legs, snaking out his tongue and flicking it on her sensitive nub. Her mouth sagged open. The back of her head hit the cushion with a faint tap. She squeezed her lids at the exquisite sensations rolling through her, tightening her inner thighs and throat, precluding speech but not sound. The noises Regina made were new to her—wonderfully wild, the music of a woman falling in love. A conclusion she would have questioned as late as this morning, knowing that love couldn’t happen this quickly, especially with someone she barely knew. Then along came Nikoli, risking his life to protect her, wanting her as no man had before, changing her perception of how her heart worked. How foolish she’d been to believe she could master it. No longer willing to try, Regina submitted to feelings that were wonderfully primitive. She relished how Nikoli eased his fingers from her cunt only to drive them back inside as he would his cock, his tongue flicking over her clit in concert with the movement. Pressing her nails into her palms, Regina ground her teeth at the mounting tension between her legs, at once delightful and torturous. Her breath hitched. At last, she cried out, but didn’t come, fighting it now, fearing its end. The same as morning, the thought of losing him. No. She wouldn’t let that happen. Regina squeezed her fingers so tight her wrists jumped against his palm. Still suckling her clit, Nikoli released his hold on her. He ran his free hand between the cheeks of her ass. The blunt tips of his fingers circled her anus, then probed it. Gasping at his shameless touch, Regina scooted back on the cushion, withdrawing her body, unable to stand the added sensation. Not allowing her retreat, Nikoli sought Regina’s tight pink ring, understanding what she required. In the coffee shop, her mind had recognized him as a man she wanted, her body yearning for his touch, her soul for his caress. He teased her anus, licked her clit and sank his fingers back into her sheath. It was far more than she could endure. Regina let out an unrestrained cry, surrendering to her climax, shuddering with its force and beauty. Currents of warmth sped through her. A strong pulse beat in her pussy, sucking at Nikoli’s fingers still burrowed deeply within.

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She emitted a jumble of sounds—harsh sighs, a whimper that blossomed into a moan, disconnected words, each praising him. Nikoli lifted his head, the ends of his hair tickling her thigh. Regina expected him to say something, but he didn’t, seemingly content to listen and watch. Weakened and content, Regina made no attempt to temper her frank response or modify her suggestive pose. With Nikoli, she felt treasured and had no qualms about being imperfect and human. She swallowed. “Thank you.” Her words trembled with emotion. “Then I’ve pleased you, Regina?” She couldn’t help but smile. “Are you serious? Pleased can’t begin to describe what you’ve done. You were freaking amazing. No, you were beyond that. You were—” She stopped, struggling to find the right term. He kissed the inside of her thigh. “The way you look tells me more than any words could.” Her lids slid down. “And how do I look?” “I believe the correct word is sated.” “Not completely.” “Very well, then, spent. You are tired, correct?” With his question, the last of the heat seeped from Regina’s body, replaced by a new concern. Did Nikoli want her to drift off to sleep so he could continue with his plan to leave and go to Andris’s lair? Driven to keep him at her side, Regina reached out blindly, tunneling her fingers into his thick, silky locks. Filling her lungs, she emptied them in a sigh, “Not at all. And enough of foreplay. I want you on top of me. Inside me.” He licked her clit. She let out a crude cry, jerking at the waves of pleasure rolling through her. “You’re certain?” Nikoli asked, his breath skimming her damp cleft, warming it even more. Snatching some much-needed air, she released it on a sigh. “Uh-huh.” “But I haven’t finished tasting you,” he teased. He kissed her stomach, then circled her navel with his tongue. Regina’s belly quivered. She forced out her words. “You can do that later.” Tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the next. Crazy, she knew, but hope was all she had. “Please.” Opening her eyes, she ran her hand from Nikoli’s hair to his throat, making certain not to touch those scratches. “Don’t deny me. I swear, I’ll get violent.” He regarded her with an amused smile, then pushed to his feet and bent down, his impressive size looming over her. Lifting her hands, Regina cupped his face in her palms and pinned him with her gaze.

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Moments passed with the quiet broken by rain striking the windows, the noise no different than water spraying from a hose. Wind whipped past. A log crumbled in the fireplace, the wood hissing within the flames. Their elevated breathing joined the other night music. At the longing Regina saw on Nikoli’s face, she gave him a shameless smile. A flicker of doubt or concern crowded out his pleasure, this disquiet different from when he talked of the vampires. Unnerved, she spoke quickly. “What is it, Nikoli?” Her thumbs stroked the bristly skin on his jaw. “Are you feeling all right? Did the atmosphere change somehow? Is it affecting you?” Would they have to return to E2 or go somewhere else? “No. I’ve adjusted, just as I told you I would.” Then what was bothering him when he was so close to mounting her, exactly as they both wanted? “Are you worried about making love?” she asked. “Is it done differently on E2 than here?” His brows lifted in surprise. “No.” Regina considered what else could be troubling him. “Is it your size?” Speaking before he could, she said, “There’s no reason for concern.” Lowering her hand from his face, she cradled his hard, thick cock in her palm. Its weight and heat made her shiver with desire. “You’re exactly who I want.” He watched as she eased her thumb over the slit in the crown, using his pre-come to lubricate the cap. His shoulders bunched at the sensations Regina knew were rushing through him. He spoke on a prolonged sigh, his words halting. “I won’t hurt you. I’d never hurt you. It’s just that…” Regina worried at his obvious uncertainty. Her first thought was to ignore it and simply give him all the pleasure she could. The look on his face, his aching doubt wouldn’t allow it. “What?” “I need to tell you something.” He glanced away as though it pained or embarrassed him to continue. “Before I begin, I want you to know it doesn’t affect my performance in the least.” “What are you talking about? What doesn’t?” He kept his profile to her and spoke impersonally as if they were strangers. “On E2, I’m not allowed to breed, so there’s no reason for you to fear that I’ll—” “Nikoli, stop.” Pushing up, Regina wound her arms around his shoulders, cradling him in her embrace, her heart aching at the thought of him never having a child to love and cherish. She whispered, “What did they do to you?” He shook his head, his nose rubbing her shoulder, his words muffled by her body. “It’s not what you think, nor is it permanent. The government can reverse it when the individual earns the right to breed.” Earns the right? Regina’s skin crawled with outrage and disgust. She couldn’t imagine him existing in such a place…or returning to it, living out his days without love, emotion, pleasure. Warning herself not to say anything harsh about E2 or beg him to stay on this side, she murmured, “I’m not worried about a child, Nikoli, or anything we do. I want you inside me.”

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To prove it, she stroked his cock in one hand, using the other to guide his mouth to hers, drawing her tongue over his bottom lip. He trembled and moaned, the sound a thirsty man makes when offered lifegiving water. Gratified, wanting to give him everything he’d never known, she angled her mouth to deepen their kiss. With a swiftness that surprised her, Nikoli took command, filling her with his tongue. She moaned lustily. He stole the sound with his passion that lasted only a few moments before he tore his mouth free. Gulping air, he placed his hand on her shoulder, guiding her to lie down on the chaise. With great reluctance, she released his stiffened shaft, smiling at how its rigidity made it bob. “Have I told you how amazing you are?” Giving her a self-conscious smile, Nikoli ran the tip of his forefinger over her bottom lip, sending tingles from it to the back of her throat. Wanting more, Regina opened her mouth and sucked his finger inside. His lids slid to half-mast, while his body continued to bunch, indicating their play wasn’t enough. Regina wanted more too, everything Nikoli had to give, for as long as she could keep him with her. There was no way she was going to allow him to leave at dawn. She had no idea how to stop him, but would figure it out when the time came. Pulling his finger from her, he crawled onto the chaise, settling between her legs, guiding her to lift and draw them back. Once Regina had, Nikoli rested his hands on her knees, the pads of his fingers pressing into her flesh, keeping her opened to him. How she loved that, welcoming his dominance and the picture he created. Firelight danced on his smooth, broad shoulders. It lightened the ends of his hair and cast shadows on his rugged features, sharpening them, making him seem every bit a vision from another world. A dangerous angel. Hers. A pulse beat steadily on Regina’s temple and at the base of her throat. Releasing one of her legs, Nikoli lifted his cock in his palm, running his fingers over the small duct in the crown. His pre-come glistened in the quivering light. Regina stared at it, her heart missing a beat, then racing at such beauty. Every inch of her body yearned for his and the end of loneliness endured for too long. Each minute apart from him stretched endlessly. It took all of Regina’s will not to make another demand that he mount her. As though Nikoli sensed her turmoil, he glanced up. With their gazes locked, he ran his free hand up her moist slit to her erect nub. Her body flinched at the delicious sensations, her legs parting even more. Leaning forward, he drew the tip of his cock up her cleft. Regina shivered. Nikoli’s smile told her how much her reaction pleased him. Watching himself, he brought his crown to her cunt.

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Taking his time as he’d pledged, Nikoli eased his organ into her opening, stretching her, using her, pausing only when he’d buried the crown inside with a confidence that said she belonged to him. Regina’s breasts jiggled with her heightened breathing. The pressure between her legs intensified her passion, magnifying her arousal. “More,” she whispered. Pleasure at her response transformed Nikoli’s features, turning them boyish and eager. “Quickly or slow?” he asked. “As fast as you—” She didn’t finish. There was no need. With one masterful thrust, Nikoli had tunneled through her channel, burying his cock to its base, his balls smacking her ass. Oh, wow. Regina’s delighted moan turned into a gasp at his fingers stroking her nub. “No,” she cried, wiggling her hips. “My clit’s too sensitive.” “You want me to stop?” Of course, she did…and didn’t. Sucking her lower lip, she shook her head. Nikoli drew his thumb over her erect bud, his gesture deliberately prolonged, teasing. An oath of frustration and joy bubbled in Regina’s throat. Before it broke free, Nikoli eased out of her until only his crown remained inside, and then he thrust back in. The room spun, and the world went quiet except for the sounds they made—the tapping of his sac as it spanked her cheeks, his lusty groans, her pants and whimpers. The noise of a man and a woman who wanted nothing except each other, who’d had little of substance before they met. Nikoli represented a life without loneliness and intolerable longing. She wasn’t going to give him up without a fight. She wasn’t going to lose him. Gripping his upper arm, digging her fingers into his biceps, Regina focused solely on him. Sweat bathed Nikoli’s neck and chest. Still, he continued to pump and stroke, fighting climax as much as her, both of them defiant. Minutes passed. Jaw clenched, he lifted his face to the ceiling, his throat and shoulders corded. Wanting to give him some much-needed peace, Regina tightened her inner muscles, squeezing his cock, impelling him to orgasm. His body shuddered. He rubbed her clit faster, harder, intent on delivering his own brand of relief. Within seconds, they came together, Regina shouting, then panting, only to shout once more. Above her, Nikoli continued to pump, opening her with his flesh, savoring her, pleasuring himself. He roared in satisfaction. The sound rang through the room as a shiver tore through him. On his elbows, his body trembling, Nikoli draped his torso over hers. Wrapping him in her embrace, Regina smoothed back his damp hair and wound her legs around his slim hips. She kissed his shoulder and neck, tasting the faint saltiness of his sweat.

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His cock flexed in her cunt, still hard…or rather harder…just as he’d said. Already prepared for more.

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Chapter Nine

Domm stared at the message on Nikoli’s monitor. One addressed to him, one Nikoli had intended Domm to find, though not tonight—tomorrow evening. Forgive me, the communication began. The room seemed to close in on Domm. With mounting horror, he read the missive that told of Nikoli crossing over to follow Sazaar, keeping her from harming a woman named Regina, Nikoli building a device that marked him as a traitor, planning an assault on the vampires to prevent them from destroying Regina or from entering E2. Domm fought dizziness. The room continued to pitch. Gripping the edge of the table, he struggled to slow the rapid pounding of his heart. It missed several beats as Domm recalled Thomo’s words as to what he’d seen in the other room. “…an unusual color. At least a portion of it, at the top.” “Red…the color of blood.” The woman’s hair? Most likely. And Thomo had seen it. Domm’s pulse raced at the thought, and another far more terrifying. Had Thomo also caught a glimpse of Nikoli? “Tall,” the younger man had said when describing the shadow he’d seen. “At least my size or yours.” Domm’s shoulders and arms trembled uncontrollably. He tightened his hold on the table, tensing his muscles even as his mind raced over what had most likely occurred. Nikoli had been with the woman, having brought her to E2 as a temporary tactic to protect her from the vampires. Although Thomo had seen his childhood friend, he hadn’t expected the form or recognized it to be Nikoli. Would Thomo keep revisiting the memory of what had happened? Would his mind continue to work each detail until he realized the truth? That Nikoli had altered their security system to keep Regina from harm on this side, preventing those on E2 from knowing about her. That he had compromised everything his people had worked on for millennia. And all for a woman from the next dimension. “I couldn’t allow Sazaar or the other vampires to harm her. She’s an innocent, Father.” Shoulders bunched, Domm pressed his fingers against the table’s hard surface. His thoughts raged. She wasn’t one of them! She was outside their realm! “Honor demanded I do this.”

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And what of honor for his own people? “The vampires won’t enter E2. My plan is to destroy them.” And what if his plan didn’t work? How could it with one man against so many monsters? Outrage at his son’s foolish actions cleared Domm’s mind and quieted his breathing. He had to tell his superiors about this and warn them of the breach. His duty was to them and E2, not his son. Pushing away from the table, he strode across the room, stopping at the door, an image of Nikoli filling his mind. Not as the man he now was, but as a child of five years, his dark eyes wide, his expression confused at the incomprehensibility of his mother’s passing. “She didn’t suffer,” Domm had explained at the time, using reason, a force more powerful than any emotion, even love. “The other individual wasn’t at fault. His vehicle and your mother’s tried to avoid each other, but the path was too narrow, there were too many others on it. To save them, your mother sacrificed herself. You should be proud of her. You mustn’t cry.” The anguish on his son’s face had remained, but Nikoli hadn’t wept. He’d taken Domm’s hand, his little fingers holding tight. “Don’t leave me,” he begged, panic causing his words to jump. “I’ll be good. I’ll do whatever you tell me, Father.” And he had, growing into the man Domm had wanted him to be, what their people expected, living a good life filled with safety and comfort. “I wanted to be all that you asked, Father,” his message had stated, “but I’ve failed. I love her.” Fists clenched, Domm spoke quietly, his words laced with rage and sorrow. “How could you think such a thing, Nikoli? How could you do this to us or yourself and throw everything away?” “I couldn’t allow anyone to harm her. She’s an innocent. Honor demanded…” No! He owed her nothing. His life was here…or had been. The Strii in Domm urged him to tell his superiors everything he knew, to show them Nikoli’s note, to be the catalyst in bringing his son back to E2 for execution as a traitor. To use him as an example to others who might consider doing the same thing. “The vampires won’t enter E2. My plan is to destroy them.” His plan was to save Regina. She, not his people, not his dimension, mattered most. “I wanted to be all that you asked.” “Don’t leave me. I’ll be good.” Domm’s fingers stalled inches from the door. “I’ll do whatever you tell me.” The words of a child, Domm warned himself, not of a man who’d deluded himself into believing in the futility of love. Even if it were possible for Domm to repair the damage Nikoli had caused, how could he convince his son to return to this side, not as a traitor, but as an honorable member of their society? “I love her.”

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Scorn pushed Domm’s hand forward. His memory of Nikoli’s features, the good he’d accomplished for E2 prior to seeing the woman, kept Domm’s fingers from touching the metal. Sweat bathed his face. Go on, his thoughts ordered. Do what you must. Rather than moving forward, his hand trembled in place, betraying a father’s weakness when faced with the ruin of his only child. Arm falling at his side, he glanced at the wall. Is that where Nikoli and Regina had crossed into E2 to escape the vampires? If Domm constructed a device similar to what his son had built, a simple matter really, would he see them on the other side when he opened a portal? Would he be able to convince Nikoli to forsake the woman and return to— His thoughts stalled at the sound of conversation in the hall. Remaining perfectly still, Domm listened. “I understand Murr’s with Thomo,” a male said, his tone subdued by the barrier of the door. “They’re still working,” a female responded. “We shouldn’t disturb them.” “It will only be for a moment. If they won’t join us for a meal, we can offer to bring them something back.” “Very well.” A ragged sigh escaped Domm at the thought of them speaking with Thomo and Murr. Would Thomo tell them about what he’d seen? In the time that had already passed, what else had he recalled? Hurrying back to the monitor, Domm hesitated only a moment before he destroyed Nikoli’s message, an act of treason on his part. His stomach got queasy, nausea threatening him. Ignoring it and honor, he left his son’s laboratory, his mind racing as he returned to the room where he’d last seen Thomo and Murr.

Nikoli mounted Regina numerous times, taking her on the chaise and in front of the fire, their bodies cushioned from the hardwood floor by a large sheepskin rug, the afghan and his topcoat. Repeatedly, he sank his cock into her heated sheath, burying his face in her wondrous hair, marveling at her peaches-andvanilla fragrance, her body’s musk, the scent of sex. Only when they smelled of it more than anything else did Nikoli finally relax, his limbs weakened, his shaft limp. Arms above his head, legs sprawled, he watched Regina’s fascination at his depleted strength. Hampered by her own fatigue, she struggled to a sitting position and cradled his flaccid cock in her palm. Her touch stirred feelings of tenderness rather than arousal. The caution with which she held him told Nikoli of her fear…that she’d somehow injured his organ during the last hours. He held back a smile at the thought of it coming to harm in a cunt that fit him perfectly, one that was nothing but wet, smooth heat. She asked, “Are you all right?”

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Never again would he be since experiencing this night with her. Once they parted, his purpose for living would end. At the moment of his death, he would have already been reduced to nothingness, not unlike the existence he’d known before meeting her. To hide his sadness, he forced a smile and nodded. “You?” Regina sank to his side, snuggling the length of her body against his. Her willingness to be near him, her softness and warmth, the comfort she provided was beyond anything he’d imagined in his days on E2, working tirelessly, taking as little time as he could to eat, sleep or indulge his sexual needs. He warned himself to be grateful for these few hours, not to want anything more. With her arm hugging his chest and one leg draped over his, she murmured, “Tired. How about you?” Fatigue pressed close, pulling at his lids, insisting they close. A yawn edged near. Fighting it, knowing he couldn’t sleep, that he had to leave and destroy the vampires, Nikoli told a partial truth. “I am.” Her fingertips circled his nipple, then tugged at the small tip. Nikoli smiled so quickly and so hard, his cheeks hurt, unused to the action. Regina whispered, “Sleep.” She kissed his shoulder. “It’s still night. It’ll be dark for hours more, Nikoli.” He glanced at the windows, the continuing rain that protected them. Past the trees, the sky showed no signs of the coming dawn. “It’ll be dark for hours.” He had to leave. As if she knew, Regina huddled closer, her hand moving to his arm, her fingers buried in the dark hair in his pit, her foot sliding past his calf, anchoring it with her heel. “Sleep.” He couldn’t. He shouldn’t. He had to protect her and his people. His life meant nothing when compared to theirs and hers. Regina adjusted her head. The scent of her shampoo drifted up, a floral fragrance unknown on E2, the same as color, intense light, reckless joy. Her hair flowed over his arm. Nikoli stared at her tresses, so fiery, like silken flames. He lifted his hand to touch them. Exhaustion pulled his arm back down. Regina didn’t stir. Her breath poured over his skin, heating it more than the fire he’d stoked a short time ago. “Sleep. It’ll be dark for hours.” He needed only a moment’s rest, enough time for Regina to fall asleep so she wouldn’t notice him slipping away from the confinement of her arm and leg. So she wouldn’t beg him to stay.

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Nikoli’s belly twisted at the thought of looking back on her one last time, then moving forward into the day and his death. His vision blurred with fatigue. At last, he closed his eyes, counting the seconds as they passed on his plane, not hers. He’d wait for ten minutes to slip by and then he’d free his body from Regina’s. He’d— The thought died in his mind, refusing to return as exhaustion overcame him.

Colors dominated Nikoli’s dream. Bright reds, yellows, purples and blues flashed boldly from the other side of the portal, capturing his attention, along with Sazaar’s. She put out her hand, her long, slender fingers stroking the sterile air on their side. Excited, she murmured, “This time, I must touch them.” “No.” Nikoli’s hand shot out to stop her. She slipped from his grasp, crossing over, disappearing into the outlawed realm. “Sazaar!” he shouted. She didn’t answer. The gateway began to close. Without stopping to think or to reason, Nikoli followed her to the other side—a large room crammed with hundreds of young men and women. A film of bluish smoke hovered inches above them, its acrid stench stinging Nikoli’s nose. White lights swept the space, the illumination gliding over the crowd, reflecting off the females’ glittery garments. With their arms lifted, the women locked their attention on the men as they swayed their lush bodies in time to the throbbing music. Nikoli felt its beat in his belly. He sensed Sazaar’s presence. Peering through the crowd, he saw a series of dark sofas against one of the plum-colored walls. On each, males and females indulged their carnal hunger, their mouths and fingers travelling over each other’s bodies. One young man with curly brown hair slipped his hand beneath a woman’s sparkling red top, releasing her ample breast. Her nipple was dusky and large. He took it into his mouth. Her lips, painted black, widened in a grin. Next to them, another young woman had pushed to her feet, tottering slightly on her gold high heels. Facing the sofa, her back to the man with her, she lifted her short gold gown to her waist, exposing her naked ass. One of the white lights swept over her plump cheeks, revealing them to the crowd. The young woman glanced over her shoulder, her smile feral. Leaning down to the arm of the sofa, she spread her legs, displaying her vulnerable cunt, inviting the man to fill her. Throwing back his head, he drove his hard cock into her channel. The white light bathed him in its glow, revealing his depraved expression and the act. For all to see, he plunged into the young woman,

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bringing her to climax, forestalling his own. With his cock slick from her juicy cunt, he penetrated her anus. Her mouth opened on what seemed to be an ecstatic moan, drowned out by the music, conversation, laughter. Blood pounded in Nikoli’s ears. Dizzy, he blinked rapidly, trying to maintain control. Someone from behind bumped into him. Looking over, he saw a young woman with blue eyes and black hair cut short like the men’s. Brows arched, she shouted, “Sorry.” Smiling, she asked, “Wanna dance?” Her teeth were straight and white, the incisors normal, not yet fangs. Nikoli glanced past her at the flash of blonde hair in his peripheral vision. Focused on it, he couldn’t move or think. In what seemed like slow motion, Sazaar turned away from the man she’d been speaking with, her attention slipping past dozens of writhing bodies, at last reaching him. After a shock of recognition, she smiled. She wore the expression of a predator. Nikoli locked his knees, forcing himself not to retreat. He met her stare, knowing he couldn’t show fear. Advancing through the crowd at startling speed, she reached his side within seconds, touching his hand. His pulse jumped at her clammy flesh, his body wanting to recoil from it. Standing his ground, knowing what he had to do, he remained. Her smile faltered even as her brows drew together in caution. Although she shouted above the noise, her pitch was barely loud enough for him to hear. “Why have you come, Nikoli?” He kept his hand at his side, his fingertips touching the stake hidden in his clothing. “I wanted to see you again.” Sazaar’s expression didn’t change. She stared as though trying to read his thoughts. “Why?” “To see if you were all right.” She searched his face. White lights swept past. The music grew frenzied. Around them, men and women had stopped dancing. Mouths touched. Hands explored. Geometric designs in vivid colors pulsed from the screens on the walls. Sazaar continued to regard him. At last, her features relaxed, revealing a bit of the woman she’d once been, gentle and kind. “You were worried about me, Nikoli?” Longing rang in her words. “You cared?” “You’re my mate, Sazaar.” She studied him, disappointment, then anger crossing her face. “Honor brought you here?” Realizing his mistake, he lied, “You did.” He jerked away at another woman bumping into him. Turning back to Sazaar, he asked, “Is there a place where we can speak?” Her gaze slid from the woman to him. “In the alley.”

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Damp air whisked through the narrow space cluttered with debris, a mound of trash shoved against one wall. Above it, stained papers clung to the brick façade. A lone cat, the color of midnight, clawed at the garbage, scratching in time with the muted music pumping from inside. Despite the chill and her gauzy crimson dress, Sazaar didn’t seem to notice the cold. “Have you come to join us, Nikoli?” She spoke without guile, the predator contained for the moment. “Or have you arrived to destroy me?” Hand in his pocket, his fingers gripped the stake. He told himself to lie to her, to buy time until he could bring himself to drive the weapon through her heart. Sudden sorrow swept across her face. “Tell me you care,” she pleaded. “Say you love me. That’s all I ask, Nikoli. That’s all I want…someone to love me. It’s why I crossed over.” His shoulders and chest ached. He held the stake so tightly, his knuckles hurt. “Does Andris love you, Sazaar?” He sounded as haunted as she did. “Has he given you what you sought?” Her mouth trembled. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Never had Nikoli seen his mate appear so lost and vulnerable. It was the moment he’d sought to take her down. He couldn’t move. “Do it,” she snapped, her expression turning hard. “Destroy me. I have nothing left.” He couldn’t pull the stake from his pocket. Sazaar’s lips curled up in disdain. “How honorable you are, Nikoli. How cautious. How careful. But not careful enough.” Mouth opened, incisors elongating, she lunged at him. Nikoli’s arm shot up, blocking her. Giving him a deadly smile, Sazaar sank her fangs into his wrist. Instantaneous pain ripped through his body, burning his flesh, then freezing it. On an agonized bellow, he slammed her against the brick wall, freeing himself. Staggering back, Nikoli stared at his blood on her lower lip, a drop falling on the swell of her breast. She caught it with her finger, bringing the tip to her mouth, licking it clean. Facing him, Sazaar spoke to Nikoli with her mind. “Join us,” she said, her words whispery like the breeze, tempting, intoxicating. “Be with me forever.” No. Pulse racing, Nikoli forced himself to step back. Effortlessly, Sazaar followed, her feet not touching the ground. “You want Regina,” her mind accused. Yes. “Would you leave her, then? She’s one of us, you know.” Sazaar gestured to the side.

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Nikoli stared at what he’d thought was a mound of trash. His mouth opened on a scream as it moved, showing him a flash of red—Regina’s hair. Puncture wounds scarred her pale throat. A fathomless horror filled her face. “She’s mine now,” Sazaar’s thoughts whispered. “She’s lost to you forever.”

No! Jerking awake, Nikoli pushed to a sitting position, his body bathed in sweat, his chest pumping with his ragged gasps. He fought to breathe, his heart catching at what he just noticed. Regina’s arm and leg no longer touched him. Nikoli stared at the space to his side, occupied only by his topcoat, the afghan and rug. Where is she? He turned to the windows. On the horizon, a sliver of light bled through the heavy clouds, announcing dawn. In here, the fire had died. His clothes and the device were missing. What had Regina done? How could he have allowed himself to sleep so long? Cursing himself, Nikoli pushed to his feet, ready to scream her name when he noticed the scent of food cooking. He padded in its direction and glanced down the hall, seeing a pool of yellow light spilling past a doorway. Nikoli stopped short of entering the room that Regina’s people called a kitchen. Furnished with dark wood cabinets and skylights over the food preparation area, the expansive space smelled of whatever sizzled in a pan and baked in the oven. She stood at the counter made of a dark, highly polished stone. Wearing only his sweater, her legs and feet bare, she watched what he knew to be a TV on the counter. A map of the Seattle area filled the screen, along with numbers. The sound was so low, Nikoli couldn’t hear what the weather announcer said, but he read the words. Today the rain would end. Tonight, the sky would be clear. Ideal conditions for Sazaar and the others. Misery tightened Regina’s features. Her hand went to her throat. Snatches of Nikoli’s dream returned. The damp wind. A dark alley. Papers clinging to a wall. A mound of trash. Puncture wounds on her neck. Her face sick with terror. A sound of animal pain welled in him. Only a rough sigh escaped. Hearing it, Regina turned. They moved as one, meeting halfway across the room, their caress fierce and desperate. She lavished him with kisses on his temple, chin, the side of his neck, his shoulder, reminding him of the wonder of last night and their inevitable farewell this morning. Nikoli tightened his arms around Regina, not yet willing to let her go. With his hand on the back of her head, he drove his fingers through her tangled hair, tilted her face and directed her lips to his. Regina

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moaned, her body sagging against his. The sound, her softness and heat brought back Sazaar’s words in his dream. “Say you love me. That’s all I ask.” His mate had given her soul—she’d damned herself to a brutal eternity so that she might know feelings denied them on E2. What Nikoli experienced now—indescribable warmth, excitement, contentment. Emotions that didn’t matter, not with Regina’s life at risk. Cursing himself for his continuing weakness, Nikoli tore his mouth free of hers, gulped air and eased back. She followed, wrapping her arms around him, her cheek pressed to his biceps. “I won’t let you go.” “You have to. We have no—” “There’s always a choice,” she argued. “I’m not going to let you die for me or anyone else.” Nikoli ran his hand down her back, touching the soft fabric of his sweater, missing the feel of her skin. Pushing his longing aside, he repeated, “We have no choice. Tell me where you put my clothes.” “No.” “There are more upstairs, Regina. All I have to do is take them.” With a moan of frustration, she tightened her hold on him and spoke quickly. “You have to listen to me. We can trick them, Nikoli. There’s no need for you to go to their lair alone. I’ve been thinking about this for hours. It will work. We can lure them to my house, and once they arrive, we can —” “No! I won’t allow it.” “You can’t keep me from doing this,” she countered, shouting as he had. “Sazaar’s not only looking for you; she’s looking for me.” “She won’t be looking for anyone once I destroy her.” “And what if you can’t? What if you fail? What happens if their protectors kill you first and you leave me here alone to face what the night will surely bring? Can you guarantee you’ll succeed? Can you promise that?” Each question, every word, shattered his conviction, delivering doubt, then fear. If he failed, Sazaar would hunt Regina. If not her, then Andris so he could feed on her, draining her to the point where he’d enslave her forever. Nikoli tightened his fingers into fists, a wave of exasperation and anguish grinding through him. Even so, he tried to pull away from Regina, to continue with his plan, the only one he had. She held tight. Her manner, so unnerved a moment ago, was stronger now, resolute. “We can go to my house.” “No.” “Once we’re there, we’ll wait for Sazaar and the others. Without the rain, she’ll smell us, she’ll find us.”

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“And then what? No,” he shouted. “Whatever you’re thinking, it won’t work. I won’t allow it.” “If I have to, I’ll die fighting with and for you, Nikoli. But I will not allow you to face these monsters alone.” Unwilling to argue, determined to do what he must, Nikoli reached behind himself, wrapping his fingers around her wrists to pull her away from him. Regina resisted, her strength a surprise, fueled by what he suspected was her guilt, him offering his life to save hers. Shoulders sagging, he slid his hands to her back, so narrow and seemingly frail, yet so strong. “Regina, don’t do this.” She swallowed audibly, then continued. “Just listen to me. I was thinking about how we escaped them when they came into my office. With your device, you opened the portal. What if we used it to our advantage, not to escape them but as a means to—” Her words stalled. She dug her fingers into his ribs. Instantly, his body tensed. “What is it?” She didn’t answer. Nikoli pulled back. Regina’s attention was on something past him. “Oh my God,” she whispered.

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Chapter Ten

She released Nikoli and hurried to the counter, grabbing the TV remote. “What is it?” he asked again. Holding up her free hand for silence, she increased the set’s volume, praying she’d been mistaken about what she’d just seen. The female newscaster spoke gravely. “The two young women are co-workers at Cup-a-Joe’s, a popular Seattle coffee shop.” Again, the girls’ pictures flashed on the screen, along with a shot of the establishment where they’d worked—the building where Regina had her office suite. Her body went weak. She leaned against the granite counter. The announcer continued. “Both went missing last night after their shifts. A local business owner found their purses and identification in the alley behind his office supply store, approximately two blocks from the coffee shop, on a route the young women were known to take to their respective apartments.” The camera shifted back to the newscaster. Her frosted hair shone beneath the bright studio lights. “Upon finding traces of blood on the purses, the business owner contacted the police. They found no signs of a struggle in the alley. Relatives are holding out hope that the young women are still alive. If anyone saw or heard anything last night, the authorities ask—” Regina muted the sound. She tried to stop trembling but couldn’t. Her lids sank at Nikoli’s approach. He turned her to face him, folding her into his embrace, his big, warm body pressed close. She splayed her fingers on his broad back and spoke without emotion, unable to stomach any more horror. “The girls are gone, aren’t they? Either killed or turned by Sazaar and the others.” With no hesitation, he nodded. Regina swallowed, thinking of the young women, kids really, barely into their twenties with their whole lives ahead of them, until now. She pulled in a shaky breath. Nikoli stroked her back. “I know what you’re thinking, and it’s not your fault. You couldn’t have predicted or prevented it.” “But those things came for me,” she whispered. “If I hadn’t agreed to take Sazaar as my patient, then those girls and you wouldn’t have been in any danger. You’d all be—” “Regina stop.” He held her close. With his cheek against hers, he murmured, “There was no way for you to stop any of them. Not even if you had guessed what Sazaar was.”

Tina Donahue

It made perfect sense, as reason always did, but it didn’t ease the ache in Regina’s soul. “Their parents are never going to see them again, Nikoli. They’ll never have the comfort of knowing where their children are, putting their bodies to rest. Their mothers…” She stopped, unable to continue, thinking of her own mother if she’d had to go through anything like this. Nikoli murmured something indistinct, his tone deep and soothing. Wind brushed past the house. Sizzling sounds came from the skillet, followed by a sharp pop. Flinching at the sound, Regina looked over. She’d forgotten about the bacon she’d been frying and the cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. Food bought by the man who’d once lived here. A breakfast he’d never had a chance to enjoy because Andris had murdered him so casually and callously. Prick. Fucking prick. Sudden and frightening rage boiled within Regina, heating her limbs, chest and face. Never a violent person, she wanted to tear Andris apart, to annihilate him as he’d destroyed so many of his victims. Who would he have his sights on tonight? Someone else in her building? A poor soul who would be there past dusk when it was safe for Andris and the others to leave the protection of their lair, to sneak through the night like roaches or— Regina’s thoughts stalled, then raced. What if he returned for her and found someone she knew? Carly. Regina fought against Nikoli’s embrace. He tightened his hold. “What’s the matter?” “I have to call Carly, my receptionist. I don’t want her in that building.” Breaking free of him, Regina glanced around the room, searching for a phone, not seeing any. Panicked, she opened drawers, slamming them when she didn’t find what she wanted. The bacon popped again. Hurrying to the stove, she turned off the burner and oven. Nikoli went to her, his naked feet slapping the hardwood floor. “What are you looking for?” “A cell phone.” She shut another drawer and yanked open the next. In it was an iPhone with a security hurdle to overcome before she could even use the damn thing. She was about to toss it back into the drawer when she saw a Post-it note with a series of figures. Passwords? Her hands shook so badly, her thumb trembled above the device’s sleep/wake button. Holding it down, she whispered, “Please work.” Within seconds, the Apple icon appeared on the screen. Remembering to pull in air, Regina grasped Nikoli’s wrist so he couldn’t leave her side. “Don’t go,” she begged. “Regina.”

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“Please.” With the password prompt, she tried the first set of figures on the Post-it note. They worked. Bouncing in place, she tapped in Carly’s number. The call connected. Regina sucked her bottom lip through the first and subsequent rings. “Come on,” she muttered during the fifth, “answer.” After the ninth ring, the jangle cut off, replaced by silence. Regina prayed an answering machine wasn’t about to come on. If Carly had ignored the rings because she didn’t recognize the number on her caller ID or if she didn’t listen to the message, she’d eventually head to the office. “Carly?” Regina blurted at the lengthening quiet. A sleepy voice answered. “Who is this?” “It’s me—Regina. Is that you, Carly?” “Uh…yeah.” She sounded confused. The noise of her sloppy yawn came over the phone line, followed by her sharp intake of air. “Oh my God, did I oversleep again?” “No. It’s not even seven.” Regina continued quickly, “I’m sorry for waking you, but I’m not coming into the office today. I have a terrible migraine.” “Oh. Okay.” Carly cleared her throat, then spoke through her next yawn. “As soon as I get there, I’ll call your patients and tell them—” “No. Do it from your house.” She fell back to silence. “Carly?” “You want me to call them from here?” she asked, her confusion returning. “Their numbers are in my computer at the office.” The back of Regina’s neck prickled with sweat. “I have them in my email account, along with the schedule of appointments. I’ll give you the login information. Do you have a pen and paper nearby?” “Ah, I guess. Let me turn on the light.” Carly grunted. Something crashed to the floor. “Shit,” she growled. “Hey,” a male voice complained, the volume muted by his distance from the phone. “What are you doing?” “Nothing. Go back to sleep.” After what sounded like a drawer shutting and a rustling noise, Carly said, “Okay, shoot.” Regina gave her the email account, username and password, then added, “Call tomorrow’s patients too.” “You’re serious?” “I really don’t feel well.” In the background, Regina heard Emma’s piercing cries, the baby no doubt awakened by the noise of whatever had crashed to the floor. “Spend the next two days with your daughter.”

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“Wait a sec,” Carly said, sounding concerned. She spoke softly, as though she didn’t want her husband to hear. “As much as I’d like to stay at home, I have work to catch up on. Regina, are you pissed at me because I left a little early last night? Are you firing me?” “What? No. Not at all.” “You’re sure?” “Yes. Absolutely. You have my word.” Carly blew out a sigh. “Okay. Thanks. I was a little worried.” After another deep breath, she said, “Since there won’t be any patients there for the next two days, I’ll just bring Emma with me to the office and—” “No. Don’t go in. I want you to stay home. You’ll still be paid.” Expecting another argument, she lied. “While we’re gone, I’m going to have building maintenance check on that heating problem. You don’t want to expose Emma to all the noise the workers will make and the possibility of toxic materials, do you?” “No, of course not.” Carly sounded torn between renewed bewilderment and relief. “Thanks for paying me for the two days. Hank and I could really use the dough.” “Enjoy the time off with your baby and husband, but please make certain to call the patients.” “At nine, I’m on it. Before you hang up,” she added quickly, “do you want me to reschedule them for later in the week?” Afraid to look that far into the future, Regina said, “Just tell them their appointments are cancelled for this week.” “You got it.” Turning off the phone, Regina faced Nikoli. Determination hardened his jaw line. Sazaar’s scratches seemed all too prominent on his throat and cheeks. “It’s dawn,” he said. Above them, ashy beams pierced the thinning clouds to pour through the skylights, stealing the kitchen’s cozy warmth. Fighting a shiver, Regina argued, “You’re not leaving without me, Nikoli.” His brows drew together. “Regina, we don’t have time to debate this.” “I’m not.” She spoke far more calmly than he did. “I’m using reason, the same as you do in your dimension.” He stepped back. She followed. “Trying to destroy Andris and the others at their lair is too great a risk. There’s a better way to defeat them.” Nikoli continued to retreat. “There is no other way.” “What about the void between the dimensions?” Regina advanced, reducing the space separating them. “Using it to our advantage?”

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He backed into the counter. Looking at it, he asked, “The void? What are you talking about?” “What I was going to tell you before I saw the newscast. When we were in my office, you used your device to open a portal. What if we do the same thing tonight, only this time at my house and lure them into it?” “No.” He went around the counter, his frown deepening as she followed. “Only a few would be reckless enough to enter. Once they burned, the others would stop.” “Not if we invite them inside.” Before he could dispute what she’d said, Regina continued, “We can make them believe we’re willing to do anything to ensure our survival, even going as far as opening a portal into E2. But we won’t. We’ll wait until they’re all in the void, and then we’ll slip out of it and close the gateway to this dimension. They’d be trapped between the two realms, Nikoli, unable to enter your side because of the toxic atmosphere. Unable to return to this side because we’d closed it off to them. They’d never again be a risk to your world or mine.”

Even as Nikoli considered Regina’s plan—brilliant by the standards of his own plane—he kept shaking his head, not wanting to put her at risk, needing to handle the vampires on his own. “What if you fail?” she’d asked, her earlier words returning to torment him. “What happens if their protectors kill you first and you leave me here alone to face what the night will surely bring?” Nikoli’s stomach twisted. As though she saw that pain on his face, Regina went to him, resting her fingertips on his chest, speaking quietly. “It will work.” He couldn’t bring himself to comment. It didn’t matter. Conviction burned in her, along with her concern for him and her guilt. “Are you worried about Sazaar altering the atmosphere on your side?” she asked. “That she’ll try to force or tempt us to open a portal into E2?” “It wouldn’t matter if she did.” Surprise crossed Regina’s features. “But before you said—” “I know. However, E2 will be on full alert by this evening. No one will be able to open a portal.” “Why? Because of that man you called Thomo?” “No.” “Then how could you know that?” Because he was a traitor. Shamed, he told her the truth. “I left my father a message about crossing over to this dimension and my plans to destroy the vampires. I timed it so that he wouldn’t know what I’d done until you were safe, should you need to open a portal. This evening, he will have read my communication and taken action.”

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Regina lowered her hand, the color draining from her face. “Will he alert the people in your realm? Will they come over here looking for you?” “Their only concern will be to protect E2. They’ll make certain no one will be able to enter.” Her expression grew pensive at what he’d said. “If they see what we’ve done, they’ll ensure that Andris and the others remain trapped?” He nodded, then spoke before she could. “I can do this alone, Regina. I must. There’s no reason for you to be involved. The vampires need me to cross over.” “I need you to be safe,” she said. “There’s no reason for you to worry about me or feel guilty about what’s happened. None of this is your—” “Guilty?” she interrupted, then frowned. “Guilt has nothing to do with it. I need you in my life.” He stared, not certain what she was saying, lacking the courage to ask. Clearing her throat, she continued, “I’m doing this with you, Nikoli. If you leave, I’ll follow. I’ll look for you on this side or yours. I won’t stop until I’ve found you or those things have found me.” She was back to that? He spoke through his teeth. “Don’t say that. I won’t allow them to harm you.” “Nor will I allow them to do anything to you. We’ll protect each other.” Not giving him a chance to comment, she took his hand and headed for the table. Nikoli held back. Regina looked over, her expression pleading. Nikoli’s reason warred with his emotions, with neither of them winning. If he left to safeguard her, as he should, she’d foolishly put herself at risk to find and save him, driven by whatever was going through her mind. Without his protection, she had an even lesser chance of survival. Defeated for the moment, he followed her, noticing a black garment draped over the top of one of the chairs. Regina offered the item to him. “Put the robe on. It’ll keep you warm while I finish making breakfast.” He didn’t take it. Not letting that stop her, she shook out the robe and eased it up his arms, then pushed to her toes, touching her lips to his ear. “We can talk while we eat. Please. If you care for me, Nikoli, don’t deny me this.” He forced down a swallow. “Is there nothing I can say that will change your mind?” “No.” She smoothed the robe over his shoulders and pulled the edges of it across his chest. Chewing her lower lip, she regarded him. “What?” he asked. “Do you care for me?” He grabbed her arms, pulling her close. “You know I do and more. So much more.”

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Her smile was quick. “I feel the same about you.” Nikoli stared at her, unable to comprehend that she would truly want him given what had happened, what he and Sazaar had brought into her life. He tried to reason. “What you feel is guilt, Regina. Perhaps gratitude. Maybe—” She interrupted. “For a smart guy, you don’t know anything.” He frowned. “I know I should be doing this alone.” “No, and that’s final.” Nikoli wanted to scream at her for fighting him on this. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, desperate to touch her as much as he could. Regina sagged against him, denying nothing. He tightened his hold, eased it, then crushed her to him again, unable to make up his mind. Through it all, she sighed contentedly, then lifted her hand, stroking his bristly jaw and throat. “You never have to be alone again, Nikoli. I’ll be there for you.” That’s what worried him—her refusal to let him get on with the business of destruction and dying. On a frustrated sigh, he released her. She didn’t seem happy, but she wasn’t defeated either. Waiting until he sat, she backed away toward the oven. Short of reaching it, she glanced over at the skillet, then returned her attention to him. “I’m making bacon, eggs and cinnamon rolls. Do you know what that is?” “Food?” She laughed. “Yeah. What I meant is, do you have anything like this on your side? Is this what you eat?” She frowned. “What do you eat?” He toyed with the thought of telling her they dined on rocks and dirt. Knowing Regina, she’d start preparing it. Maybe she did really care for him. Thinking about that, knowing she shouldn’t, he said, “What you do on this side, only we refer to it by different names.” Nodding, she turned the oven back on and set the burner to a low flame beneath the skillet. “Then you don’t have any food allergies, something that would make you ill if you ate it over here?” “Our food hasn’t caused illness in centuries. We have no disease.” Regina’s hand stalled near the skillet’s handle. She stared at him. In spite of his best intentions, the picture she created sent Nikoli’s pulse racing. Her fiery hair slid over her shoulders, with several strands snagging on the soft fabric of his sweater. Her erect nipples pressed against it. He regarded her naked thighs and calves. The sight of her bare flesh banished reason, encouraging emotion, cherishing the few hours they had left before dark and the coming battle. “You have no disease at all?” she asked.

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“What? No.” He cleared his throat and continued. “Long ago, our scientists sterilized the air, eliminating what you refer to as viruses and harmful bacteria. Most on my plane live well past a hundred years, with some having to wait until their sixties or seventies before they’re allowed to breed.” Her brows inched up. He answered what he sensed she wouldn’t ask. “My father was one of them. He’s already reached his hundredth year having sired me when he was in his mid-sixties. He had hoped that I wouldn’t have to wait as long, that Sazaar and I would…” Nikoli stopped, unwilling to finish. Worry crossed Regina’s face. Again, he assured her, “Those on E2 won’t be looking for me.” “I know.” She frowned slightly. “You said the air on your side is free of all harmful organisms?” He nodded. “It isn’t here.” She took several steps toward him and stopped. “Will our germs harm you?” “No.” Regina’s expression remained unconvinced. “Why not?” He wanted to lie. He sensed she’d know if he had. “Sazaar’s bite, the poison within her, gave me immunity.” She glanced at his wrist, the puncture marks hidden by the robe. Nikoli pushed to his feet, sending the chair scooting backward, its legs scraping the floor. “Regina, I’ve already told you, I won’t become what they are. Nor is your air toxic to me.” She pressed her hand to her throat. “Why won’t you believe me?” he asked. “I do. It’s just that I don’t want anything happening to you. I couldn’t go through losing someone again. My mother…” Stopping, she shook her head. Nikoli padded across the room to her. “What happened?” Regina spoke on a pained sigh. “She had breast cancer. I got her the best doctors and treatment. No matter what they did, no matter how much I paid them, they couldn’t save her. She suffered so much. It was so fucking unf