Kiss of the Vampire(97)

Little smart-ass.

But her light-hearted response took away any remaining fear he’d had. If she were going to be a raving lunatic—which had always been the fear because of her being a hybrid—the madness would already be evident. Bloodlust only heightened the insanity.

MacMillan came closer. “Maybe it’s because she’s not human anymore.”

Tobias looked at him, aware that Nix had done the same. “What do you mean?”

The detective gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Maybe her humanity at odds with the demon part of her was what would have driven her mad. Now that that’s been changed…” He shrugged again. “I’m just thinkin’ out loud.”

“No, that makes sense.” Nix sat upright.

Tobias was sorry to realize she didn’t need his physical support anymore. Would she remember what she’d said when she had been about to die? Had she even meant it?

“It was the demon fighting against my humanity that caused the problem.” Her expression was concerned. “But…”

Tobias waited, but MacMillan wasn’t as patient. “But what?” the detective asked as he came closer.

Nix looked up at him. “That would explain why I don’t burn inside anymore.”

“So, no more tai chi, is that what you’re saying?” One corner of MacMillan’s mouth tilted up.

Her smile came full and bright. “Well, maybe, but just because I want to, not because I have to.”

Tobias caught MacMillan’s eye. The detective seemed about to say something but then stopped himself. “What?” Tobias asked.

“Nothing. Well, not nothing.” He shook his head. “Sorry about your guy getting away.”

Nix jumped to her feet. “You let Natchook get away?”

Tobias stood. “It was either that or let you die.” He tried but couldn’t joke about it. “I couldn’t let you go.” His voice rasped from a throat tight with the emotion of what might have been. “I’ll find him again.”

“But he took the rift device, too.” MacMillan hooked his thumbs over his belt. “He can just go into hiding and keep right on doing what he’s been doing.”

Nix reached into her back pocket and pulled out a black box the size of a cell phone. “You mean this rift device?” She waggled it back and forth. Her grin widened as the two men stared at her in disbelief. “I managed to slide this out of his jacket when he first bit me.” She scowled and rubbed the side of her neck, the wounds already nearly healed. “Bastard.”

Tobias gave a shout and hauled her into his arms. He planted a hard kiss on her lips and hugged her tight, lifting her off her feet. She laughed and hugged him back, her newfound vampire strength evident in the fierceness of her embrace.

“So,” MacMillan said, “we have the schematics and the device?”

Tobias reluctantly let go of Nix. “What?” He looked from one to the other. “You have the schematics?”

“Oh, yeah, we haven’t had a chance to tell you yet.” MacMillan cocked a thumb toward Nix. “She had the brainy idea of looking on the bottom of the desk. We found an envelope with schematics and a flash drive.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small plastic drive.

Nix did the same with the schematics, holding the folded papers up for Tobias to see. “It sounded like he doesn’t have a copy of these. If that’s the case, it’ll take him a while to get another one built.” She appeared highly pleased with herself as she tucked the papers back into her pocket. The look was ruined by a face-splitting yawn.

“I need to get you home.” Tobias put an arm around her shoulder and drew her close. “You need to rest.”

“Go.” MacMillan leaned against the rock outcropping. “I’ll stick around to wait for the cleanup crew.”

“We can’t leave him alone,” Nix said, though her droopy eyes spoke of her need to get horizontal. Tobias felt his flesh quicken at the thought of sliding her beneath him, and inwardly cursed his unwieldy libido. She needed to sleep, not go through a round of bedroom gymnastics with him.

“I’ll be fine.” MacMillan lifted his chin toward the vampire he’d killed. “I took care of him, didn’t I? He wasn’t so tough.”

“He was injured.” Tobias lifted a brow.

“So?” MacMillan folded his arms. “I’m the one who hurt him. Besides, someone has to fight the wounded.” His grin was as cocky as they came. “That could be my niche.”

Tobias rolled his eyes. MacMillan could be ridiculous, but it was hard not to like the guy. He gave him a nod. “You called dispatch about half an hour ago, so they should be here soon.”