Once Forbidden(6)

Devlin’s eyes followed Carina’s movement. “No, she doesn’t. But she doesn’t want to become one of us, either.”

Carina put her hands on her hips impatiently. “What is it you want of me, Devlin? If you can’t convince her, your only two options are to forget her or to transform her.”

Devlin turned to Carina again. “She’d never forgive me,” he said quietly.

“No, she likely would not,” she agreed.

Devlin didn’t miss the flash of pain in her eyes. “I forgave you long ago, Carina,” he said softly.

“No matter,” she said firmly, brushing away the concerned tone. “So, what are you going to do?”

He sighed. “Give her more time, I suppose.”

Carina softened. “Make her love you, Devlin. It is all you can do. If she loves you enough, then perhaps she’ll agree.”

Dare he risk it? Carina was an Elder. If she condoned his changing her, perhaps there would be no repercussion from that arena.

Yet, when a vampire loved, it was for all eternity. Did he dare let himself love this woman?

He sighed. It was very likely that he already did. “You’re right. Thanks.”

Carina smiled sadly. “Call if you need anything,” she whispered and then disappeared, leaving him to his thoughts.

Devlin sat on the edge of the bed and watched her sleep. There would be time for him to convince her.





Chapter Three





When Sarah awakened, she was alone. She touched her face again and almost cried to feel the scars still there, not that she’d really expected anything different. She climbed from the bed, angrily swiping at the tears on her face. She wasn’t going to cry. It had just been a dream. She walked into her bathroom, and avoided the mirror.

As she stripped for her shower, she felt the hot tears that refused to be contained. She turned the water on and stepped inside the large cubicle. It didn’t matter, she told herself. It wasn’t going to matter.

Her life was different now, but it was far from hopeless. She had a good career as a web designer and graphic artist, so it wasn’t like she had to go out and face the public each and every day. She’d never really cared for sex, so she told herself it didn’t matter that she’d be alone forever. Of course, no man had ever done the things to her that Devlin did in her dreams.

“I don’t care!” she shouted, the sound muffled by the blast of the hot water shooting from the showerhead.

With a whimper, she slid down the wall to the floor. It did matter, she admitted finally. It was the damn dreams, she thought angrily. If not for the dreams, she’d have been content. Even as she had the thought, she knew she was lying to herself. She did want a life. She wanted love—wanted to love…or…at least she wanted sex. But who in their right mind would take a woman to bed that looked like something out of a horror movie?

She could hear the headlines now for Maury. “Women too scarred to find love”





Devlin could feel her turmoil and was torn. He could go to her now. She was in the shower so there was no danger of sunlight. He closed his eyes. If he went to her, he didn’t think he’d be able to not change her; even if she hated him as a result. Was he willing to give her up to see her happy once again?

Hell, would she even be happy as a vampire? She’d never see daylight again. That myth was true, though many of the myths were not. It would be cruel to give her the illusion again. He knew that it had been the cause of this emotional crisis. He didn’t want to cause her pain.

He stiffened then.

No, he was tired of being alone, and she was the one he wanted. He’d do whatever it took to make her his. Damn it, he’d become a part of her life and make sure she wanted to be with him.

His mind made up, he closed his eyes and thought of her bathroom. Instantly, he was there.

Devlin could hear her sobbing in the small shower stall. “Sarah?” he whispered. To hell with it. He couldn’t stand her pain and angrily pulled open the glass door. “Enough!”

Sarah looked up at him, her blue eyes dark and frightened. “I know I’m not dreaming. Why are you doing this to me?” she asked brokenly. “Why are you tormenting me?”

The broken look on her ruined face tore at him, but he shoved the thoughts aside. “I am not tormenting you, Sarah. I’m here to give you a choice.”

She stiffened. “What choice?” she demanded bitterly.

He kept his eyes on her face; not letting them linger on her wet naked body. “I can take away the pain, Sarah. I can make you whole again,” he said quietly, silently willing her to at least consider the idea.

She shook her head. “I can’t,” she cried. “I don’t want to be—what you are.”