“We’ll do our best,” she replied, and disconnected.
“Fifteen minutes,” she said to Tarian.
“Damn,” he said, no doubt echoing her concerns.
The car hit the lowest level of the structure and stopped.
“Remember to act scared,” Tarian whispered as he reached for her.
“Not going to be hard.”
He caught her chin and tilted her face up for a brief moment. “I’ll never let anything hurt you.”
“Back at you,” she replied, closing the distance between them.
Their lips met and clung as if neither of them wanted to face the reality waiting beyond their doors.
Mine, she thought as she parted her mouth and flicked her tongue along his. They had to survive this night, because she was never letting Tarian go. Not to his grandfather and not to his position as elder. He was hers, whatever that meant. And she protected what was hers.
His fingers tightened on her jaw as he deepened the kiss. Fire flashed through her with the skilled glide of his lips. Closing her eyes, she gave herself up to the moment. Every inch of her wanted to pull him closer and forget about their mission. It’d be so easy to give up responsibility and go home to bed. She could have him naked under her, his head thrown back, his mouth gasping for fulfillment as she drove her fangs into his throat and drank.
With a groan she pushed him back against the tinted black windows. Her fingers curled into the soft material of his jacket as she kissed him with renewed desperation.
Not the last time, she tried to console herself. In fifteen minutes they’d be free. But the logic did not have the calming effect she’d hoped for.
She wanted to taste every inch of him, imprint his touch in her memory. She could live five centuries and never feel for another what Tarian made her feel with just a few well-placed caresses.
I love you. The words pressed against her lips but she bit them back. No, she scolded herself. This isn’t the time or place.
“Let’s go,” she said instead, pulling back.
His dark eyes studied her but he made no comment. “Stay behind me,” he said. “And leave the talking to me.”
He opened the door, one hand moving to grip her arm.
It’s acting, she reminded herself as he jerked her from the car. It was all a show for the man awaiting them in the center of the parking deck.
They left the car and started walking toward Dominic. Melissa gazed at the rows of parked cars and noted dark shapes keeping abreast of them. Looked like all Dominic’s followers had decided to come tonight.
Despite the strong electric lights fighting back the gloom, the garage had a distinct menace to it. She reasoned it must have something to do with the looming threat of being kidnapped. Again.
“Grandfather.” Tarian greeted him when they stopped a good ten feet away. “Where’s Eilin?”
“Safe,” Dominic replied, his eyes on her. “I see you managed to hold up your end of the bargain.”
Melissa tugged at her arm for good measure and Tarian yanked her forward a few steps. “It was surprisingly easy.”
“I would have thought those pesky morals of yours would get in the way.”
“There is very little I won’t do when it comes to my sister,” Tarian replied, his voice cold enough to make her shiver. “Where is she?”
“You’ll see her after our exchange.”
“No,” Tarian said. “I’ll see her now or you will never get Melissa.”
Silence stretched as the two necromancers tried to stare each other down. Melissa risked a glance at her lover and flinched at the icy look on his usually expressive face.
“Fine,” Dominic spat. “You can have a look.” He waved a hand and shadows from the edges of the lot moved.
Two necromancers dragged a struggling blonde into the light, and Melissa got her first look at the woman Tarian was determined to save.
Even knowing the girl was only a few decades younger than her, she still looked young. The regret in her eyes tore at Melissa’s heart. She could only imagine being betrayed by blood.
“There,” Dominic said. “All healthy and whole, just as promised.”
“It was a mistake to take her,” Tarian growled.
“We’ve been over this, dear boy. In a few years, I’m sure she will forgive the indiscretion.”
“And me, Dominic? Do you think I’ll forgive you?”
The older man sighed. “There is too much of your mother in you.”
“My mother was the strongest woman I knew,” Tarian snapped. “She kept me, and then Eilin, alive and out of your clutches.”
“And think of how different your life would have been had she not. You fought for our cause once, Tarian, you could do it again.”