Dancing With The Dead

But fire ran through her brain, and her head felt ready to explode. She couldn't hold on… couldn't…

The psychic energy slipped away. She gasped and hugged her body. Tears fell onto her arm as she rocked back and forth, desperate to shake the pain locking her mind. Desperate to ignore the laughter surrounding her, tightening the dark chains once more.

'Drop the knife.'

She clenched the knife tighter, eyes closed, huddled in upon herself. Warmth spread through her hands and chest, a lone fire in the darkness surrounding her.

He took a step forward. 'Release it.'

The black wings of energy beat against her. Her fingers twitched in reply, and his elation grew. Still she made no move.

He took several more steps. Energy lashed at her. She quivered under the blows, but refused to move, refused to answer the growing need to obey.

Another step. The heat of his body washed over her, burning the bare skin along her arms. Her muscles twitched in agony, but she ignored it, concentrating on Jasper.

Just a few more steps, she pleaded silently, just a few steps closer .

As if drawn by her plea, he moved. Nikki unfolded, thrusting up in a fluid movement, ramming the silver knife into his stomach.

Jasper screamed and lashed out, smashing his fist across her face. She slid across the floor and landed in a heap near the kitchen door. Gasping for breath, she shook her head, trying to clear it of the pain falling in a red haze around her eyes. Or was it blood?

Jasper hissed. She glanced up quickly. The force of his gaze made her cringe back. Jasper was through playing games. The time for death had come.

She scrambled to her feet. He took the knife in two hands and drew it slowly from his abdomen. Small tendrils of silver fire licked against his fingers, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air. He showed no sign of pain, his eyes blazing murder.

'You will die for this,' he hissed, holding the knife up in his fist. 'Come to me, now!'

Sharp probes of energy lashed at her, knocking her back to the floor, filling her body with fire. It burned through every fiber, every muscle, quick, deadly and powerful . God I should crawl to him, beg his forgiveness…

'No!' she screamed, raising her hands in front of her face, breaking the lock of his gaze and the force of his will.

The chains of power yanked tight, and she gasped, struggling to breathe. She threw a lance of energy at him, trying to thrust him backwards, but he barely rocked back on his heels. His laughter whipped around her, cold and mocking. Nikki blinked back bitter tears, and reached for another lance. But the black wings lashed at her, and fire consumed her mind, making it difficult to think, to breathe. If this is what Hell feels like, I definitely do not want to die…

But maybe the choice had never been hers.

Chapter Nineteen

Energy spun through the room, and the inferno died abruptly. Nikki waited, half expecting another of Jasper's games. She refused to look up, refused to give him the satisfaction of her fear.

'Nikki, get up.'

Michael's soft order seemed more a shout in the heavy silence. She glanced up quickly, elation, relief and fear tumbling through her.

He leaned against a wall near the doorway, his arms crossed, face impassive. Yet fury and death filled his eyes, and it chilled her soul. It wasn't only Jasper's death she saw in his eyes.

'Go,' he said softly, still not looking at her. 'Get out and do not come back.'

She clung to the door frame and pulled her aching body upwards. The room spun, and she gasped softly, biting back the urge to be sick. She took a deep breath and forced herself to move, slowly edging towards Michael and safety.

Jasper's gaze burned through her soul, but he didn't move. Power whispered around her, a touch so different to the dark flames that had beaten at her only minutes before. Michael was holding Jasper still so she could escape.

She reached him and hesitated. His dark gaze met hers. For an instant the link flared to life, and their souls met in a dance that warmed her heart. Then regret flickered, and the link died, lost in a blaze of pain that made her eyes water.

She stared at him. Death rode his shoulders, and she didn't know what to say, what to do, to fight it. He reached out, gently touching her swollen cheek. She closed her eyes, leaning briefly into his touch. Lord, I love him. I don't want to lose him.

'How very touching,' Jasper commented dryly into the silence. 'Be sure that I will take good care of her when you die, Kelly.'

She ignored the mocking laughter that danced through her mind. 'Michael—' He put a finger to her lips. 'Leave us, Nikki. Don't come back, no matter what happens. Promise me.'

Her eyes widened in alarm. 'No.'

'Promise me. If you stay anywhere near, Jasper will attempt to kill you.'

And if I go, he will kill you. And she knew he would welcome that death. Because of her, because of her stupid fear…

'Michael. Don't—' 'Hush,' he said softly. 'Promise me, Nikki.'

Dread pounded erratically through her heart. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. 'I promise.

As long as you make me one.'

Wariness flickered in his eyes. 'What?'

'Don't die.'

He smiled grimly. 'I promise. Now go.'

Another lie. Tears filled her eyes. She stared at him a moment longer, then turned and walked out the door.

* * *

The door slammed shut behind her, a harsh sound in the silence. Michael listened to her fading footsteps and knew his heart went with her. But it didn't matter. Nothing did, except keeping her safe from Jasper's taint.

'I shall savor your defeat, as I shall savor your woman in your memory,' Jasper hissed.

Michael pushed away from the wall and lightly shook his arms, loosening tight muscles. 'You must win first, worm.'

'Oh, I shall.'

Michael quirked an eyebrow. 'As your brother won?'

Jasper snarled in fury. Power seared the room, washing around Michael. He watched Jasper's body twitch. He wouldn't be able to hold him much longer. Jasper was close to his equal now that he'd shared some of his strength with Nikki. And maybe that was for the best.

With a snap that stung his mind, the chains shattered. Jasper howled and launched himself across the room. Michael dodged and swung his fist, smashing Jasper's jaw, knocking him sideways. It was totally unnecessary, but the sound of flesh smacking against flesh appeased some need in his soul.

Jasper shook his head, laughing as he turned. Energy gathered in the room like an approaching storm.

He shifted his stance, watching Jasper warily. Madness lit the younger vampire's eyes. He'd have to be careful. Jasper was as cunning as a cobra, and, in this mood, probably ten times more dangerous. No matter what else happened here today, he had to make sure Jasper died—so Nikki could live her life in peace, without fear, without darkness.

Energy hit him, flaring around him in a red wave of heat. He flung a bolt of his own and followed right after