A Fire in the Blood(50)
“I think she’s got a crush on you,” Tessa remarked.
Andrei snorted. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Just the way she looks at you, all doe-eyed,” she said dryly. “Have you seen Jilly and Luke?”
“Not since last night.”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “Did you . . . ?”
“Yeah.”
“Katerina’s never going to give up, is she?”
“Probably not, but something’s changed.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure. Here.” He pulled a burger out of the sack and handed it to her. “There’s a malt and fries in there too,” he said, when her stomach growled. “After all that’s happened, you need to keep your strength up.”
* * *
Bailey and Andrei stayed with Tessa until visiting hours were over; then Andrei transported Bailey back to the condo with strict orders to stay inside and keep the doors and windows locked.
Once he had her promise, he returned to the hospital. Every time he sensed a doctor or nurse approaching Tessa’s room, he dissolved into mist until they were gone.
Tessa found it all rather amusing.
“Laugh if you want,” he said, resuming his place in the chair beside her bed, “but I’m not leaving you here alone. Hospital thresholds have no power.”
“Obviously, or you couldn’t be here.”
“Exactly. Why don’t you get some rest?”
“I’m not tired. I feel great. Tell me about your past.”
“What do you want to know?”
“What did you do after you got away from Katerina?”
“I left the country.”
“What happened to your lands and your estate?”
“I don’t know. I never went back. I wandered the earth, a vagabond with no home and no family, afraid to make friends for fear they might discover what I was. People were very superstitious back then. Vampires were blamed for everything—sickness, death, sour milk, a bad harvest. A lot of innocent people were accused of being vampires—or witches—and killed.”
“In all those years, you never loved anyone? Never let anyone get close?”
He shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t live like a monk. I may be a vampire, but I’m still a man, with a man’s needs, but those were easily met without entanglements, if you know what I mean.”
“Yes,” she said dryly, “I do.” She could only imagine how many women there had been in his long life. Even at one a year, the number was staggering.
“One a year?” he asked, one brow arched in wry amusement.
Tessa stuck her tongue out at him, mildly annoyed because he was reading her mind again, but it wasn’t worth mentioning. “Doesn’t it seem odd that Katerina would come looking for you after all this time?”
“It’s you she came looking for,” he reminded her. “I was an afterthought.” Rising, he moved casually to the window and drew the curtains.
“Why did you do that?” Tessa asked. “I like looking at the lights across the way.”
Resuming his seat, he said, “Because she’s here.”
“Here? Where? We’re three flights up.” Tessa sat up, her gaze darting around the room. “What is she doing? Hovering outside the window like a bat?”
“More like the angel of death.”
Tessa sank back on the pillows. “Thank goodness Luke and Jileen were able to go home this morning. Did I tell you Luke’s decided to stay at Jilly’s house until we’ve resolved the Katerina problem? They’ll be safe, won’t they?”
“As long as they stay inside.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Jilly said they’re both taking a couple of sick days.”
Andrei nodded. Rising, he pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, then brushed a kiss across her lips. “It’s late. Get some sleep.”
“Is she still out there?”
“No.” Lowering the head of the bed, he removed one of the pillows and tossed it on the chair. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave you.”
“I love you,” she murmured, her eyelids fluttering down. “You’re so good to . . .”
He stroked her cheek as sleep claimed her, vowing that no one—vampire or mortal—would ever hurt her again.
* * *
In the morning, Luke and Jilly drove Tessa home. They stopped on the way to pick up doughnuts, pastries, and half a gallon of milk.
In the kitchen, Tessa placed the doughnuts on a plate and filled three glasses. “Make yourselves at home,” she said. “I’m going to go see if Bailey’s awake.”
Tessa knocked softly on the girl’s door. When there was no answer, she peeked inside. Bailey lay curled up on her side, one hand resting beneath her cheek, one foot peeking out of the covers. She looked incredibly young and innocent. No one, looking at her, would ever guess that when provoked, she morphed into a black panther.