A Fire in the Blood(21)
A wordless cry of fear and denial rose in Jileen’s throat.
“It’s your choice,” Andrei said.
“Are you the one who’s been killing the people in town?” Luke asked.
“No.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“Why should I lie?”
Luke grunted. “Good point.”
Andrei bared his fangs. “Two good points, actually. Both rather sharp.”
Luke refused to be cowed. “So, if you’re not killing our citizens, then who is?”
“I’m not the only vampire in town.”
“Why . . . why are they coming here?” Jileen asked.
Andrei glanced at the car. “They’re after Tessa.”
“Tessa! Why?”
“There’s something unique about her blood. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s attracting vampires, the young ones, anyway. I’ve already destroyed a few of them.”
“Does Tessa know they’re after her?” Luke asked.
“Not yet.”
“Might be a good idea to let her know, don’t you think?” Luke muttered dryly.
“I’ll tell her later. Back to you two. Can I trust you to keep quiet about me?”
Luke reached for Jileen’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll keep your secret.”
Jileen took a deep breath. “I want your promise that you won’t hurt Tessa.”
Andrei nodded. “You’ve got it.”
“Can we go now?” Jileen asked, darting a glance at Andrei.
He grunted softly, then nodded. There was little doubt that she was anxious to get away from him as quickly as possible.
But then, considering how the evening had gone, he could hardly blame her.
Chapter Eight
Jileen practically jumped out of the backseat of the car when Andrei pulled up in front of her apartment. She murmured a quick good-bye to Tessa and ran up the stairs.
Luke followed her, conscious of Andrei’s narrow-eyed gaze on his back the whole way. The man was a freakin’ vampire!
Stepping into Jileen’s apartment, Luke found her huddled on the sofa, a bright pink throw pillow clutched to her chest. Face pale, she was visibly shaking.
“Lock the door, Luke!”
He turned the dead bolt; then, sitting beside her, he took her in his arms. “Take it easy. He’s gone.”
“I knew there were vampires,” she said, a quiver in her voice. “I knew you were a hunter. But . . .” She shook her head. “I guess knowing and seeing are two different things. You’ve got to kill him, Luke! It’s the only way to protect Tessa.”
Luke snorted. “I don’t blame you for being worried about her safety. I mean, damn, that man has power! I could feel it crawling over my skin. Did you feel it?”
“All I felt was fear for our lives!”
“I don’t think he means Tessa any harm. Hell, I think he’s in love with her.”
Jileen stared at him. “Love? What would a vampire know about love?”
“I don’t know. Maybe nothing. But it’s obvious he cares for her.”
“What if he turns her into what he is?” She clutched his arm. “Luke, you’ve got to do something!”
“We promised to keep his secret, Jilly, remember?”
“I don’t think a promise to a monster counts.” She shook her head ruefully as she reached for her cell phone.
“What are you going to do?” Luke asked.
“What do you think? I’m calling Tess. I need to know she made it safely home.”
* * *
Tessa huddled against the passenger door. Andrei is a vampire. The words echoed and re-echoed inside her mind as he drove her home.
Sliding a glance in his direction, she wondered how she hadn’t seen it before. Now that she knew, it seemed obvious. No mortal male was that flawlessly handsome, that charming.
She tensed when he pulled up in front of her condo.
“Tessa.”
“I’ve got to go.”
“You need to listen to me. You’re the reason so many vampires are coming here. There’s a rumor that your blood is drawing them.”
She shook her head in denial. “That’s ridiculous.”
“I wish it was. I got the story out of one of the fledglings before I killed him. Some gypsy woman who calls herself Madame Murga is spreading the rumor that your blood can enhance a new vampire’s strength. And I believe it.”
“Madame Murga?” Tessa frowned. It had been ten years since she and her cousin Lisa had gone to see the gypsy. “Why would she be saying such a thing? And why on earth would you or anyone else believe it?”
Eyes wide with disbelief, Tessa lifted a hand to her neck. “You . . . you didn’t! Did you . . . ?”