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They drove past the open gate and a short distance up the drive, waiting while the second SUV cleared security Once they were together again, the two SUVs started down the long twisting road to the house A double row of trees, hts twinkling in their boughs It would have been pretty on any other night

"Reentleo in quietly There will be--" He stopped abruptly, head cocked slightly, as if listening to so none of them could hear "He’s here," he said, then shook his head, scowling "And he’s not alone, but I still don’t recognize him"

"Who?" Emma asked, since everyone else seemed to know

"Max’s va in next to a line of expensive cars which presu Fortunately, it was a s service of any kind A pair of guards flanked the front door, but unlike their counterparts at the gate, these tore suits and carried no visible weapons Emma was quite certain they were arun so a jacket that concealed the Glock 9 mm tucked into her waistband in back, but it still seemed obvious to her

"You can still wait in the truck," Duncan said, for her ears only

She turned her head sharply and scowled "I’htly "It orth a shot," he murmured, then kissed her softly and added, "Be careful, Emmaline"

Duncan stroked his knuckles over the softness of Emma’s cheek as Louis jumped out of the truck and pulled Duncan’s door open He stepped out onto the gravel drive, with Miguel right behind him Emma made an exasperated noise and hurried to follow, but Duncan didn’t wait A whispered word dealt with the huuards as he climbed the steps and opened the front door He found it curious that the guards were only human, when he knew for a fact that his vampire enemy was somewhere inside Did the other vampire think Duncan could be fooled, that he wouldn’t sense his presence? A vast underestireat pleasure in pointing that out when they finally uel and Louis were a step behind him to either side, as he walked into Grafton’s house Ari was next, then Eht beside her and the six vah the door, they fanned out, except for Baldho had orders to stick to Ee roo lofted overhead tothe open space The floor was h there were plenty of plants clustered in a way that split the roo it wide open It was a space s, and it was co the house was ehly twenty huht ahead There were alsohe paused brieflytwelve va them he clearly tasted the mind of the master who’d ta down Duncan’s residence

"Twelve vampires, one master, twenty or so huht with hih to detect the humans as easily as he did, but not all of them would accurately count their vampire opponents And Eht, but he also wanted her to knohat they were up against

Duncan started across the roo breath to tell his people what to do These were all seasoned security operatives; it hy he’d chosen them He slowed, then stopped a moment before the hard crack of boot heels announced what he already knew Max Grafton was at last couests

"Mister Milford," Grafton said with false cordiality, entering the roo toward the disappointed to find the rumors were mistaken" He stopped ten feet away "And Ms Duquet You’ve been far more trouble than you’re worth, my dear At least Lacey--"

His next words were trapped in his throat along with his ability to breathe There was no reason for Emma to listen to thisat his neck in a predictable, if useless, gesture He could slit his own throat open, but still no air would reach his lungs until Duncan decided it was time The senator fell to his knees and his face first turned red, then took on a bluish tint before Duncan released hi a face plant as he sucked in a rasping breath and began coughing "You bastard," he gasped, glaring up at Duncan while tears ran down his face

Duncan grinned, baring his fangs "You’re wasting my time, Grafton"

"You’ll pay for this" Grafton’s voice was thready, but filled with hatred "You’re not the only gaet on with it?" Duncan said, affecting boredo for a trap

It was Grafton’s look of shock that finally drew his attention "You know?" Grafton sputtered

Duncan spared the effort to look at the human directly "That your pet vampire tried to burn down my house with me and mine in it? Of course--"

"I’m no one’s pet, Duncan"