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Someone knocked on the door, and she rushed to get it.
“Caitlin?” Arman asked.
She yanked the door open, expecting to see Arman. Vlad gave her a wicked grin, shoved her into the room, and slammed the door. “Going somewhere?”
“The captain said go to our lifeboat stations. I’ve got to find Alicia. Why don’t you have your lifejacket on?”
The menacing look in Vlad’s fathomless ebony eyes exuded pure evil. He walked toward her. She backed away from him, until she bumped into the balcony door.
“Open it.”
She glared at him. “We have to go! The ship’s on fire. Didn’t you hear?”
He grabbed the doorknob behind her, twisted, and pushed her onto the patio.
“Déjà vu.”
“Listen, Vlad, for a year I didn’t hear from you. I’ve got other friends now who are a heck of a lot more loyal than you ever were. The only reason I think you’re even interested in me is because Levka is. So give it up, will you?”
Vlad jerked the lifejackets from her hands and dropped them onto the patio floor.
“Vlad, listen to me. We have to leave!”
Tilting his head to the side, Vlad listened. “They’re turning the ship around. Probably to return to port. But you will be mine before then.” He grabbed her shoulders and pressed her against the railing.
“Quit it, Vlad!”
He gave her a small smile. “I told you we’re vampires. Levka wants you, but he can’t have you. My league has already approved my having you. Levka’s league hasn’t. You know the old saying, ‘the early bird gets the worm.’” Then his smile broadened, and he showed her a pair of wickedly white canines.
“They’re…they’re fake,” she said, hoping to God Arman would hurry and get to her. Vlad was certifiable.
“Of course they are, love, if it makes you feel more comfortable.” And then he sank the fake teeth into her neck.
She screamed out when the sharp fangs penetrated her skin and sank into her vein. His hands pressed against her shoulders, attempting to hold her still.
“Don’t struggle, Caitlin. It will only hurt if you fight me.”
She tried to kick him and to hit him with her fists, but her strength was dwindling as she felt him sucking the blood from her neck, draining her of energy.
“That’s right. Nice and quiet, Caitlin. I’m nearly finished.”
She didn’t want to obey him, but she couldn’t thrash about anymore, her muscles were so unresponsive. Then out of the corner of her eye, she saw Arman and vaguely wondered how he got into her stateroom without a key. He didn’t rescue her, didn’t shove Vlad aside, but instead grabbed up the lifejackets.
He wouldn’t lift a hand to save a mortal, she thought as her mind drifted into a dark haze.
***
Levka couldn’t believe it when he saw Arman flying above the ocean with Caitlin in his arms, limp and unresponsive. He was supposed to get her to a lifeboat, not put her life in further peril!
“What is going on, Arman?” Levka asked, still clinging to Amie, held afloat by her lifejacket.
“I had no choice, Levka. Vlad got to her.”
Levka’s heart nearly stilled. “What’s happened?”
“He’s taken too much of her blood. I had to save her from him. It was either bring her to you, or let him have her.”
Arman dropped into the water beside Levka with Caitlin still secure in his arms and shoved one of the lifejackets to him.
