Chasing The Shadows

Thralls are generally created as little more than servants, are they not?

He gave a mental nod. Servants, or, as in Elizabeth's case, obedient lovers.

So what if turning someone with psychic talents created a thrall who was not a servant but an equal? One who could not be ordered around?

He raised his eyebrow. Nikki would certainly be pleased to hear that snippet of information. I can see where it would create problems for those vampires who did not care for their thralls.

Indeed. And what if turning someone you loved into a thrall took it one step further?

He took another sip of wine and watched the silent car as the implications of her statement swirled through his mind. You think there's been some sort of psychic sharing between us?

No. What I think is happening is more a merging. And if that's the case, you're both going to have to be very careful until you discover the full extent of the merger.

People can't share psychic talents, Seline.

You're right. People can't. But you and Nikki are no longer just people.Amusement threaded her mind voice. The possibilities of this union are damn exciting, let me tell you.

The only union I'm interested in with Nikki is one of the heart. I don't want her joining the Circle. I don't want her accompanying me on missions.

And what of her wants?

Nikki had voiced her wants loudly enough, but he had no intention of giving in. It was just too dangerous— for them both. Her pain this evening had been a knife stabbing deep inside, momentarily freezing him. Had he been fighting older vamps rather than fledglings, he could have been in real trouble.

You can't keep her wrapped in cotton for the rest of eternity, Michael.

Nikki had said much the same thing. He wondered if the old witch had been talking to her behind his back. It's only been four months. Cotton is allowed, I think.

Her chuckle surrounded him. Three hundred and sixty years old and still so much to learn.

Better than being one hundred and eighty and thinking I know it all,he said, amused.

I don't claim to know it all, but I do claim to be a very wily old witch. The wise listen to me.

He smiled. And how often has that gotten me into trouble in the past?

Only three or four times.Her mind voice was prim.

You forgot to add the dozen in that amount.No one had gotten out of the car yet. Curious, he switched to the infrared of his vampire vision. Listen, when you're doing the crosscheck for classmates, could you also check how many of them might currently be in San Francisco? It could give us a lead to the next victim.

In other words, mind my own damn business and stay out of your love life.Her cackle spun around him. You know that's impossible. And the check is being done as we speak. I should have the results in the morning.

Then I'll talk to you in the morning.He broke the connection between them and studied the car with a frown. The couple inside were not getting passionate, as he'd half expected, but simply sitting there. He mentally reached to touch their minds. Only it wasn't their minds he found, but that of another vampire.

Chapter Seven

Brightness flashed in the foggy darkness. Michael ducked to his left, and a heartbeat later a hole was torn through the window. The bullet blasted past, so close it stirred his hair and sent heat rippling across his skin before it thudded into the opposite wall.

If that heat was any indication, they were using silver bullets, not ordinary ones—which meant even a wound would have been dangerous to him. Anger rose in a wave, almost engulfing him. If it had been Nikki standing there, they would have killed her. That bullet had been aimed at his head, not his heart.

Bullets can't hurt you, can they?Fear and confusion mingled in Nikki's still sleepy mind voice.

He looked around. She was standing just inside the bedroom door pulling on a sweater. His sweater, not hers. Bullets aimed at my head can destroy me as easily as they can you. And these were silver.

Stay there.

She nodded, arms crossed, hands lost in the sleeves. Be careful .

Always.He wrapped the shadows around him and opened the window. Fingers of fog brushed dampness across his skin as he leapt from the balcony. He hit the ground with enough force to jar every bone in his body—any higher, and he might have broken bones.

He rolled swiftly to his feet and ran toward the car. The gun was still pointed out the car window. The other vamp could obviously control the couple, but not to the extent that he saw what they saw. Which was odd, because he'd obviously had enough mind-power to put the compulsion on the young vampire who'd attacked Nikki, forcing him to leap out the window rather than revealing anything.

He grabbed the rifle, wrenching it from the man's grasp and tossing it aside. Then he smashed his fist through the half-open window and grabbed the driver's face, plunging deep into his mind, chasing the essence of the vampire and surrounding him with energy. It was a psychic cage, but one he wouldn't be able to hold very long.

Who are you?

No enemy of yours.The voice that came out of the depths of the stranger's mind was older than he'd expected and, oddly, full of respect.

Then why are you trying to kill me?

I wasn't even aware of your presence. We were waiting for the witch. I thought it was she seeking to touch my mind again.

A chill ran through him. That bullet had been meant for Nikki. Why waste silver on a witch?

Because this witch is not human. She shifts, becomes something else.

He thought her a shapeshifter? Why? So what harm will a shifter cause a vampire?

She has the power to destroy my dreams. I have seen it.

Sweat was beginning to trickle down his face. He wished he could invade the other vampire's thoughts and discover where he was, but his mind-strength was just a little too strong to attempt both capture and invasion. If he let the net slip to attempt it, the fiend would slither away—or try an invasion of his own.

And while he very much doubted the other vamp had the strength to succeed, it was a risk he wasn't willing to take. Not when Nikki's safety was at stake.

I have the power to destroy your dreams if I ever feel your presence like that again.

I apologize. I didn't realize there was another brother in the city, let alone this hotel.He hesitated .

Perhaps we should get together tomorrow evening. I have not spoken to someone close to my age in years.

He raised his eyebrows at the soft yearning so evident in the other vampire's voice. Obviously, despite his clairvoyant abilities, this vampire had no idea who he was. Why should I trust you?

Ah. A man who has been around longer than me, obviously. We shall meet somewhere public, if you wish.

He knew it was a risk, but one worth taking simply because it might lead to the chance of killing this fiend and ending all their problems. Where?

The Hard Rock Cafe on Van Ness Avenue. You know it?