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The startling thought seemed to bring her back to herself a little more. The numb feeling she’d had began to fade, though Melli wished it wouldn’t. Being numb was so much more comfortable—so much less scary.
She became aware that a girl was screaming someplace close by. At first she thought it was her, but then she realized it couldn’t be, because she still couldn’t seem to speak. Looking to her left, she saw Amanda Brannigan on the phone—screaming and shouting that this was an emergency, that a man had been attacked for no reason, that the big bastard was killing him and there was blood everywhere!
Blood everywhere, Melli thought. Even on me.
Looking down at herself, she saw that the blood had indeed sprayed on her. It had made a pattern of dark droplets on the skin of her upper thighs which were exposed because her shorts were halfway pulled down.
Melli pulled them back up reflexively. She had a vague memory of Jason Sykes fumbling with them while she floated above her body looking down, but she didn’t think anything had come of it. Mainly she thought that, because he still had his jeans on—they weren’t even unzipped. She could see that from where she was, though Liosh’s big body was obscuring him from the waist up as he leaned over to rip and tear with his fangs which had grown monstrously long and sharp…
His fangs…oh my God, his fangs! For some reason the sight seemed to trip something inside her brain. Melli blinked, feeling more awake—more there somehow.
His fangs, she thought again. He’s using them to rip out Jason’s Sykes’ throat!
Suddenly everything began to make sense and she remembered…
Remembered even though she wanted so desperately to forget.
Thirty-Seven
The chiming of Jodi’s phone broke the extremely awkward silence between herself and James and Vorn.
James had come home on time and Jodi had been quick to let him in when she heard him at the door. She had already decided she would tell her fiancé everything—it was the only right thing to do.
But before she could get even the first sentence out of her mouth, Vorn had come from the spare room and stood there, glaring down at James like a thundercloud about to break.
“Oh, er…hello.” James had looked at the big Kindred uncertainly. “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.”
“The name’s Vorn,” Vorn said, still glaring. “Nice to meet you. I’m the one who’s been protecting and caring for your female while you ran off without even seeing to her needs first.”
“What?” James stared at Vorn blankly. Then he looked at Jodi. “Darling, he’s still here? I rather thought he’d be gone by now.”
“Don’t worry—I’m leaving today,” Vorn said, again before Jodi could speak. “The security net around the Earth is fixed now. So there’s no need for me to stay where I’m not wanted.”
He glared pointedly at Jodi who frowned fiercely back—she did not need for the big Kindred to make a scene, damn it! Not when she was trying to find the courage to admit what she’d done with him to James.
“It’s good to have you back, honey,” she said to her fiancé, giving him a peck on the cheek. “How was your trip?”
“Oh, most illuminating.” James laughed his fruity laugh. “I wish you could have been there, Darling. My research was quite well received. And we went to the most marvelous Thai place—flavors you simply can’t imagine. I do believe it was the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”
“Well, we all know what you won’t put in your mouth,” Vorn growled, still glaring at him.
“Excuse me?” James looked at him in obvious bewilderment. “What are you talking about? You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough to know you don’t deserve Jodi.” Vorn’s anger was obvious. “You’re not even willing to meet her needs.”
“What needs?” James demanded. He looked at Jodi in bewilderment. “What is this big idiot talking about?”
“You better watch who you’re calling an idiot.” Vorn loomed over him, his big hands balled into fists at his sides.
“Vorn, please!” Jodi put a hand on his broad chest and felt the anger thrumming through him like an electrical current. “Now is not the time!”
“When is the time, then, baby?” Vorn growled, looking at her. “There is no more time—I’m about to leave. Are you really not going to come with me?”
“What? Why ever would Jodi go with you?” James frowned. “You’re nothing but a bodyguard—and one who has overstayed his welcome. I think you’d better go now.”
“I’ll leave,” Vorn growled. “But not until Jodi gives me an answer.” He looked at her pointedly. “Come with me now or we’ll never see each other again. Well, Jodi?”
“Jodi?” James echoed, and also stared at her.
At that moment Jodi wished the earth would open up and swallow her. She had meant to tell James what she and Vorn had done but not like this! And how dare the big Kindred give her an ultimatum? Also, the idea of Vorn leaving and the two of them never seeing each other again tugged at her heart, making her feel almost sick with indecision.
