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“What are you doing here?” the vampire asked. His voice was mild, though his eyes blazed red.
“I know these two,” Erik said, gesturing at Daisy’s father and brother. “They’re not to be harmed.”
The other vampire lifted one brow. “Indeed?”
Erik nodded.
“They violated my lair. They tried to destroy me. I am within my rights to do with them as it pleases me. And it pleases me to kill them.”
“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to do that.”
“No? Who are you?”
“Erik Delacourt.”
“Ah.”
“You know me?” Erik asked.
“I have heard of you. It is said you are a close friend of Costain’s.”
Erik nodded, wondering if that was good or bad. “Who the hell are you?”
“Tomás Villagrande.”
Erik swore under his breath. Villagrande was the Master of the East Coast Vampires, and was even older than Rhys. It was rumored among the ranks of the Undead that Villagrande had been one of the first of their kind, that it was Villagrande who had bequeathed the Dark Gift to Dracula himself. Erik didn’t know if that was true, but Villagrande’s preternatural power was unmistakable.
Villagrande folded his arms over his chest. “Why do you care if these two live or die?”
“They’re related to someone I hold dear.”
“That does change things, does it not?” Villagrande mused aloud. “And yet the fact remains that they are mine.”
Tension thrummed through Erik as he summoned his power. If the other vampire wanted a fight, so be it, although pitting his strength against that of a much older vampire seemed like suicide.
“This someone you hold dear, is it a woman?”
“Yes.”
“Ah. And is she young and beautiful beyond compare?”
Erik nodded even as he wondered what game Villagrande was playing.
“You are in love with her?”
“Yes.”
“An overrated emotion to be sure,” Villagrande remarked, his voice melancholy. “Yet I confess that I, too, have been caught in that snare from time to time. Tell me, are you willing to challenge me in combat to save these two?”
Erik swore inwardly. He had hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but he couldn’t go back to Daisy and tell her he had failed. Better not to return at all. “If I have to.”
Villagrande stroked his chin as he contemplated Erik’s decision. “She means that much to you, this woman?”
“And more.”
Villagrande laughed softly. “I do not wish to kill you. You have trouble enough. Take them and go.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.” Villagrande smiled, showing a hint of fang. “Never let it be said that Tomás Villagrande stood in the way of true love. As for your inept friends here, I am surprised they have survived as long as they have. They should wake in half an hour or so. You might tell them to be more careful in the future,” he said, and with a wave of his hand, he vanished.
“So, what did Rhys have to say?” Daisy asked.
“It seems Villagrande is planning a takeover of the West Coast,” Erik replied, and quickly relayed what Rhys had told him over the phone.
“What was that about a woman?”
“I think our Mr. Costain has fallen in love,” Erik said with a grin.
“No way!”
Erik nodded. “I think he’s in love big-time.”
“So, we’re going to California?” Daisy remarked.
“Looks that way.”
“I can’t wait. I’m anxious to meet the woman who finally captured his heart. And maybe,” she said, her eyes twinkling, “we’ll even find time for a midnight stroll on the beach.”
Chapter 34
“Rhys!” Megan pressed a hand to her heart. She hadn’t anticipated finding him waiting for her in the garage. “What are you doing here? I didn’t expect to see you until later.”
“I thought I’d drive you to work tonight.”
“Oh?”
“We’ll have to take your car. I left mine at home.”
She looked at him curiously. He wore a black long-sleeved shirt over a white T-shirt, black jeans, and boots. His hair gleamed like dark gold in the glow of the overhead light. Dark and dangerous, she thought, no doubt about it. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Villagrande’s on the rampage again. He killed one of my vampires earlier tonight. It isn’t safe for you to be alone outside of your house.” He paused a moment, then decided she needed to know it all. “And maybe not inside.”
Megan felt a cold chill at the mention of Villagrande’s name. She had told Rhys she wasn’t afraid of the other vampire, but it had been nothing but bravado.
Rhys opened the passenger door for her, and she got into the car. She had once thought her life completely boring. And then she met Rhys.
He slid behind the wheel, switched on the engine and the lights, hit the garage door opener, and backed out of the driveway. “Have you heard from Shirl?”
“No. Do you think she knows what Villagrande is planning?”
“Probably.” He pulled onto the street.
“Maybe I should just stay home tonight,” Megan suggested, and hated how cowardly that sounded. And yet, she didn’t have the physical strength to fight off a vampire, even if she knew how. She didn’t have any super powers. And she was pretty sure a can of pepper spray wouldn’t be much of a deterrent.
Rhys slowed the car. “Do you want to go back home?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know.”
“It’s up to you.”
Megan tapped her foot on the floorboard, then blew out a sigh. “Mr. Parker’s expecting me.”
“That’s my brave girl,” Rhys murmured, and hoped neither of them would regret it.
Things were quiet at the store that night. Megan was ever aware that Rhys was just outside, watching her every move. She assured herself she was perfectly safe, that Rhys wouldn’t let any harm come to her, and yet she felt herself tensing every time a man she didn’t recognize entered the shop.
She was relieved when quitting time came.
“So,” she asked when they were in the car on the way home, “what are you going to do about Villagrande?”
“I’ve called in some outside help.”
“Really? Who?”
“Erik Delacourt and his wife, Daisy.”
