He blew out a deep breath, then pressed a finger to her lips. “It’s okay, Sara. I understand.” Indeed, he understood all too well. The time might never be right.
“You’re not mad?”
“No. Just horny as hell.”
She laughed softly, partly in relief, partly in amusement. “I want you, too.”
He nodded, though that was little comfort at the moment.
She smoothed her hand over her hair, straightened her sweater. “Maybe now would be a good time to have a glass of wine.”
“Why not?” He watched her leave the room, admiring the gentle sway of her hips. And knew that, come hell or high water, he would never leave her again unless she sent him away.
After Sara went to bed, Travis called Overstreet. When there was no answer, he warded the house against intruders the way Ronan had taught him, and then went in search of Overstreet. To his surprise, the writer’s scent led him to the home of a vampire. The vampire wasn’t inside and hadn’t been for some time.
Travis stood in the shadows for a few minutes, listening to the low hum of conversation inside the house. Overstreet and a woman were making humorous comments about the movie they were watching. After a few minutes, it was evident they were watching the old black-and-white version of “Dracula.”
An interesting choice, he mused, considering the town’s former occupants.
He waited another couple of minutes, then knocked on the door.
A woman’s voice called, “Who’s there?”
“Travis Black. I’m a friend of Overstreet’s.”
He heard her ask Carl if that was true, followed by the sound of a deadbolt being drawn back.
A woman with dark red hair and deep brown eyes opened the door, her expression wary. She looked him over from head to foot before inviting him in.
“Travis, what are you doing here?” Carl asked, rising from the sofa.
“I came to ask a favor.”
“Yeah?”
Travis glanced at the woman, then back at Overstreet. “Let’s go outside.”
Carl took the woman’s hand in his. “If you’re worried about talking in front of Winona, don’t be. She’s got no love for vampires.”
“Are you sure about that? She used to live with one.”
“I know, but it wasn’t her choice.”
Travis studied the woman. “Is that right?”
She nodded. “You’re a vampire, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“But not one of Jason’s.”
“That’s right.” Travis let his mind brush hers and then Overstreet’s. Neither was hiding anything. One thing was certain, Carl and the woman were already intimately acquainted. Her scent was all over him. And his on her.
“So, what’s this favor?” Overstreet asked.
“I want you to start looking after Sara during the day again.”
Winona looked up at Carl. “She’s the one who runs the shop that sells those fancy chocolates and stuff, isn’t she?”
“Yeah.” Carl smiled at her. “You’ve got nothing to be jealous of, Winnie,” he said, then looked at Travis. “If Sara needs protecting, why did you leave her home alone?”
“I warded the house. She should be safe enough while she’s asleep.
“Why does Sara need protecting?” Winona asked.
“Because Ronan told me Bowman is planning a comeback.”
Overstreet swore under his breath. “What? When?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to talk to Sara about getting out of town, but until then, I don’t want her left alone.”
“Getting out of town sounds like a good idea to me,” Overstreet agreed. “What do you think, Winnie?”
“The house and the café are mine. I worked hard for them and I’ve got nowhere else to go.”
“You can come and live with me in New York City,” Carl said. “I’ve got a place there. I’ll look after you.”
“I’ll leave you two to hash out your future,” Travis said. “Tomorrow night, I’ll see if I can convince Sara to leave town before it’s … damn! It’s already too late! They’re here!”
Chapter 26
In fear for Sara’s life, Travis willed himself to her house, only to find it in flames.
Sara! Opening his senses, he got as close as he dared. Relief washed through him when he realized she wasn’t inside—only to be swept away when he caught the scent of vampire, a scent that was quickly obliterated by the scent of smoke and a sudden gust of wind.
She’d been taken.
The thought no sooner crossed his mind than one of the houses down the street burst into flame. And then another. And another.
He was trying to make sense of what was happening when his sire materialized beside him.
“We waited too long,” Ronan said, his voice thick with anger. “Bowman’s coven went through the town and took everyone who wasn’t tied to one of the vampires. And they’ve burned most of the houses and all the businesses.”
“How did the vampires gain entry to Sara’s house?” Travis asked, frowning. “She certainly wouldn’t have invited them in?”
“She didn’t have to. From what I can piece together, the vampires mesmerized three of the town’s newcomers and commanded them to go from house to house and incapacitate anyone who wasn’t involved with the coven, then they dragged them outside and handed them over to the vampires, who transported them out of town.”
“Sara.” Her name was a groan on his lips. Dammit! He never should have left her alone.
“We’ll find her.”
“How?” Travis stared at the fires that were now burning out of control. It looked like a scene from Hell. He noted that Winona’s house was still standing. Was Overstreet with her? Or had they taken him, too? “How?” he asked again.
“You’ve taken her blood. Open the link between you.”
Travis muttered an oath. Of course! Why hadn’t he thought of that? But when he tried to connect with her, nothing happened. He shook his head. “I can’t find her.”
“She’s probably been drugged. The link won’t work until she’s conscious again.”
Impotent rage burned hot and bright within Travis. What if she was dead? What if she was alive and he couldn’t find her? Could never find her? Bowman and his coven sold humans to other vampires for a number of reasons, none
