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His grin widened “You’re a terrible liar Did anyone ever tell you that?”

“Just you” She blew out a sigh “I quitsecond thoughts

“If you’re worried about money, don’t,” Rane said “I have more than I need”

“No, it’s not that It’s just…I don’t know It seeed “Nothing inthe way I planned”

“I suppose I’m partly to blame for that,” Rane remarked

“Partly” She jumped when the oven ti her, Rane watched her take a pan out of the oven and set it on the counter He wrinkled his nose as the smell of cooked meat per the table, filling a glass witha chicken breast

“Do you want to keepat the table

He shook his head “My dinner awaits” Bending, he kissed her cheek “I won’t be gone long,” he said, and vanished froht

Rane materialized on the sidewalk Because he didn’t want to leave Savanah alone any longer than necessary, he hypnotized the first mortal who crossed his path, took what he needed, and made his way back to Savanah’s

As soon as he reached the front door, he knew leaving her had been a mistake, perhaps a fatal one The s heavy in the air, and with it, the familiar scent of Vampire

Chapter Thirty-Five

“Savanah!”

Rane burst into the kitchen prepared for battle, only to find that it was already over A female Vampire lay in a lifeless sprawl on the floor, a hawthorn stake driven deep into her heart Savanah stood with her back against the kitchen table, her eyes wide and unfocused

“Savanah?” Rane stepped over the body “Are you all right?”

“Is she dead?”

“Pretty much”

“I need to…”—the blood drained from Savanah’s face—“…to take her head to make sure”

“What happened?”

Savanah looked up at hi rabbed ether She said so to…” She swayed unsteadily “How could she come into the house? I didn’t invite her”