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The scent of jas Khira had tried to seduce him in LaSalle&039;s bed She had been ry, when he declined She had let him feel her power then - let him know his refusal was as useless as a candle in a dark wind - and then she had withdrawn, leaving hi the last ti - so virile! So likeor not, but it is soAnd you will be willing"

He stared at the ceiling, her words purring through his ht when they had hunted and then slept together was both repugnant and thrilling Sitting up, he pushed the vivid i the other va, but a warning just the sarunted softly On one level, he was pleased that there was one less vampire to haunt the world He knew she would have killed LaSalle without a qual if she had already warned Madao without a fight He had felt her power, up close and personal Unless the others were very strong, any fight with Khira would have only one conclusion With Chiavari, the outcome would be less certain Of theht possess the power necessary to thwart her Of the two, Chiavari was clearly the lesser of two evils Chiavari was disciplined Even within the constraints of his hunger, he was almost merciful He did not kill indiscrio at Khira&039;s whis over the edge of the bed, ran a hand through his hair What the hell would he do if she told him to leave? He had no ties in the city, no reason to stay, and while he didn&039;tif it was his idea, he didn&039;t like the idea of tucking his tail between his legs and skulking away like a whipped cur Nor could he live with the idea of leaving the unsuspecting community without soled noith that of the undead, but in his heart and soul he was still a Raes of the undead

Theanger He would worry about Khira later She had not yet called for a shon, and noith the Hunger clawing at his belly, she was, for the h hih his veins, overshadowing every other thought, every other desire

Rising, he showered and dressed, then left the house He eased his hellish thirst on the first person he found His rasped hers His arms imprisoned her, and he took what he wanted, what he needed, as though it were his right He acco the woht

Not yet satisfied, he walked on, searching for another victi on the street across from Kelly Anderson&039;s apartment

Why, he wondered, as he drawn to this woer for her blood He could satisfy his demon thirst anywhere

He stood there for a full fiveup at theof her apart how he knehich one was hers He murmured her name, and a moment later, she opened theand looked down at him

Come to me

The command rose in histoward hi over her shoulders like waves of black silk She was beautiful, he thought, and for once it wasn&039;t the desire for blood that filled hisher hand in his, he took her home He locked the front door, turned on a lamp And all the while, she stood in the

"Kelly"

She stared at him, her expression blank, like a robot&039;s

He hesitated a lanced at her surroundings, her eyes wild "How did I get here?"

"I brought you here"

She backed up, one hand going to her throat "Leave ht Why did you bringhe had more experience omen "I just want to talk to you"

"I don&039;t believe you" She stared at hi in the baseht you were dead You were burned, your face, your hands and arazeever happened There&039;s not even a scar! Who are you? What are you?"

"You knohat I am, Kelly Say it"

"No" She took another step away from him "It&039;s not possible"

"The proof stands before you Refusing to say it will not " She shook her head in denial "It&039;s ientle, yet demanded an answer

"Vampire," she whispered hoarsely

He nodded slowly

"You kept ainst my will You you drank froain

He could hear the rapid beat of her heart, intensified by the fear building within her Her gaze darted around the rooered on the door, came back to his face He knew thefor her when she reached the front door

She screamed, a wordless cry of terror

"Kelly" He took hold of her hands in an effort to calm her

She kicked hiroin with all the strength at her co between his clenched teeth But he did not release his grip on her hands

When the pain subsided and he could breathe again, he straightened "Dao"

"Will you promise to listen to me if I do?"

"Yes," she replied quickly Too quickly

"You can&039;t elude ht as well sit down and listen to what I have to say"

Apparently realizing the truth of what he said, she went back into the living rooe of the sofa, her hands clenched so tight the knuckles hite

"I&039;ry child

"I&039;htened you If I hurt you I have only been a vampire a short time and I"

Her eyes widened in surprise

"And I a, or how to do it," he finished, determined to say it all

She stared at hi vaht you&039;d practice onfrom you" He held up his hand "Not your blood"

"What, then?"

"I&039;ve seen where you live I know you haven&039;t any h her eyes "So?"

"I want you to kill me" The words seemed to flow of their own volition

"What?"

"I&039;ll pay you well"

She bounded to her feet "You&039;re even crazier than I thought"

"Sit down"

She didn&039;t argue but sat down on the sofa once o on like this"