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“Christ,” Markus said, “what are you two doing here?”
“You don’t want to hurt the lass, Markus,” Rex said. “The wolf will hunt you down if you touch her.”
“Da’s taking care of him.”
“Not for long,” the woman said. “Sam! Samael del Morte, you show yourself this instant!”
Damian appeared in the leaden chains, Samael beside him.
“Vivi?” Samael said tentatively.
“It’s me, Sam. You don’t want to hurt that lad.”
“Ah, but I do. I’ve a score to settle for my son.”
“No.” The woman approached Samael and touched his face. His red eyes turned to a woodsy green. “Let him go.”
“I… I…” His features softened, and his forest gaze raked over the woman who touched him. “Only for you, sweet Vivi.”
The chains around Damian disintegrated, and Suzanne ran into his arms.
Samael traced the lines of the woman’s face with his long, elegant fingers. He trailed over her eyebrows, the tips of her eyelashes, her nose, and at last, her red mouth. “It’s been over a century since your lips last touched mine, Vivi, and not a moment has gone by since then that I haven’t dreamed of this moment.”
Suzanne’s breath hitched in her throat as Samael’s lips joined with the woman’s. Passion cut through the air, so thick it was palpable. A pink aura, intertwined with threads of black, surrounded the couple.
“What is that?” Suzanne asked.
Damian shook his head.
“It’s passion,” Rex said. “Visible passion. Only a demon can produce it. Can’t you feel it?”
Damian hugged Suzanne’s body closer to his, and his arousal pressed against her belly. Her nipples tightened. Her anger diffused, and happier emotion sliced through her.
“My Vivi,” Samael said when the woman finally broke the kiss.
“Leave them alone, Sam,” she said. “For me.”
“Aye. For you.”
“And Markus, Sam.”
“He needs his da.”
“He needs me more, Sam. Leave him to me.”
“I could never deny you anything, Vivi. I’ll stay away. But not forever.”
The woman nodded. “That will do for now.”
“Good-bye, my love.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “Until you dream again.”
He vanished.
Rex turned to Damian and sniffed. “You’re Voldlak, all right. I never would have believed it.”
“What are you talking about?” Suzanne demanded.
“It’s an old legend, lass.” He arched his eyebrows at Damian. “You mean you haven’t told her?”
“I’ve told her all I know, Donnelly.”
“Which is?”
“Which is nothing. I change at the full moon. My da’s not my natural da. He found me as a wee bairn. What the bloody hell is a Voldlak?”
“The Voldlak, lad, are an ancient race of werewolves. Blood wolves, they call themselves. And their bite is so lethal that it can kill a vampire or a human without even breaking the skin.”
Suzanne shuddered and eased away from Damian. She had slept next to his wolf last night. His saliva had dripped on her.
“Suzanne—” Damian began.
“I’m sorry, it’s just—”
“Christ. Now you don’t trust me again.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it? Don’t you think I know what you’re doing? You’re looking for evidence of my bite.”
“No.”
“’Tis an old legend, lad,” the woman said. “Most of it is probably myth and nothing more.” She inhaled. “But you are Voldlak. Any vampire would know your scent. It’s bred into us.”
“I’ve nothing against any of you, except him.” He gestured to Markus.
“He won’t bother you or your lassie again,” Rex said. “You have my word on that.”
“You’ll understand if your word doesn’t mean jack to me, won’t you, friend?”
“We’re not friends, lad,” Rex said. “We never will be. Our blood prevents it. But I care about your lassie here, because I care about her cousin. I’ll not see her harmed. And harming you would harm her.”
“Damian,” Suzanne said, “I think you can trust him. He just saved your life.”
“No, she saved my life.” He nodded to the woman. “And you are?”
“Rex’s sister, Viveca. Markus is my son.”
“Och,” Damian said. “This gets better and better, doesn’t it?”
“Let’s just get home, Damian,” Suzanne said. “The walk’ll do us both some good.”
“Are you kidding me? This is just fine with everyone?” Damian pointed at Markus. “He’s just going to get away with kidnapping Suzanne and nearly killing me? And what about the demon?”
“Evil is its own punishment,” Viveca said.
“Not while I’m standing. Where do I find him?”
“Damian.” Suzanne trailed her fingers gently up his arm. “You can’t defeat him. He’s a demon. You’ve been under his power. I’m amazed he let us get away the first time.”
“I’m not that amazed,” Viveca said. “He saw your love. He felt it in his heart. Yes, he does have a heart. And it ignited a tiny memory of his love for me and mine for him.”
Damian rolled his eyes. They swirled with rage. “How touching. Then I’ll settle for him.” He turned to Markus.
Markus growled, his fangs elongating.
“Damn it all!” Viveca marched toward her son. “Stop it, for God’s sake.”
“Mum—”
“He’ll kick your arse, and your da won’t be here to save it this time.” She grabbed Markus’s arm. “You’re damned lucky you’re still standing.”
