Page 35

Anna laughed. “I don’t think so. This is our territory, and we’ve claimed every human within it.”

I considered it. I knew Anna deferred to Richard, and I was betting she was leaning on his authority here. Perhaps I could redirect the conflict and avoid bloodshed.

“Please tell Richard that I’ve made my own claim. I would appreciate it if he would grant me this one as I leave his territory. Of course, if he refuses, he can challenge me himself. But I don’t expect he will be troubled over one human. Do you?”

“I don’t think so, Vincent. You can’t just wander in and take whatever you want,” Anna said. “I’m going to protect what’s mine.”

“Anna, please don’t do this,” I said. “Think about Nathaniel.”

“I am,” she said coldly, then broke into a run.

A gunshot cracked behind me. If she was hit, she showed no signs of it and kept barreling forward. I crouched, waiting for her attack to reach me. She was skilled and not as young as most vampires, but I was unconcerned.

As she neared, time slowed, and I sidestepped her attack with ease. As she passed where I’d been, I reached out with one hand and lazily dragged my sharp nails across her throat. She skidded to a halt, both hands clamped around her neck. She spun to face me, her features twisted with shock and anger. She’d only known me in my proper city life, and she had underestimated my skill and experience with violence.

Blood poured from the wound in her throat and splattered on the fresh snow at her feet. As gruesome as it looked, I’d been precise. The damage wasn’t fatal. I couldn’t do that to Nathaniel. I wouldn’t be responsible for taking away his mate. She’d bleed enough to weaken her. She was out of the fight for now.

I turned to face Anna’s partner, the more cautious of the two. “What about you?” I asked. “Do you feel as if I’m taking what belongs to you? Do you think Richard would be overly concerned about the fate of a single human?”

The other vampire licked his lips, his eyes darting between me and Anna, who stood in a pool of her own blood.

“I don’t think he’d miss just one, no,” the vampire said.

“Me neither.”

I turned back to Anna, still gripping her throat. She worked her mouth as if trying to speak, but only sputters and gurgling could be heard over the rustling leaves.

“I’m sorry it ended like this, Anna. I truly am.” I sighed. “Take care of Nathaniel.”

Anna’s eyes narrowed, but I could still make out the rage reflected in them. The other vampire went to her and wrapped a supportive arm around her. Together, they left the clearing without looking back.

I’d almost forgotten the human who’d witnessed the whole affair. He stood, his face blank, the barrel of his rifle resting on the worn porch boards. I wasn’t sure, but I thought he might be in shock. I walked up the steps and gently touched his shoulder. He reacted as if I’d slapped him, jerking his head up to meet my gaze. His liquid brown eyes were wide open.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “They won’t be back tonight. You’re safe. I won’t let them take you.”

He blinked at me and shook his head. “I’m okay,” he said. “I just… What the hell is going on? I don’t understand what just happened. I think I’m freaking out.” He spoke in a detached way that worried me.

“How about we go inside and get you warmed up? I’ll do my best to explain this mess.”

The man nodded as if in a daze, letting himself be pulled inside the cabin. I bolted the door and eased the rifle from his hand, propping it against the door frame. Thanks to a propane heater and several lanterns scattered throughout the small space, the cabin was snug and warm.

The man dropped into a wood-and-leather chair, and I chose its opposite so we could face each other as we spoke.

“First, what’s your name?” I asked gently.

“I’m Julian,” the man said, appearing to regain a bit of himself with the statement.

I leaned forward and extended my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Julian. I’m Vincent.”

19

VINCENT

Julian sat, recovering from the shock of what had happened in the yard. The far-off look in his eyes had faded, and the color was returning to his face as he warmed through. He stared at me in a way that made me feel self-conscious. My feelings were understandable given what I’d come there to do. I tucked my hair behind my ears and met Julian’s gaze. I didn’t want to frighten the man, but I needed Julian to see me for what I truly was. He flinched, but his brown eyes held my stare. This was a good start.

“As I told you before, you’re in danger,” I said. “You saw for yourself; there is a real threat out there.” I paused, deciding it might be best to let the human take the lead. “I guess you have some questions. Maybe that’s a good place to start.”

I’d extended the same offer to Karl, the first of such offers I’d ever made, and once again I found myself willing to reveal things I never thought I would. It was a gamble, but I was desperate for this to work. I had to change, I reminded myself.