Midnight Mocha

`|wÇ|z{à `Év{t Copyright © June 2008, Crymsyn R. Hart Cover art by Anastasia Rabiyah © June 2008 This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. ISBN: 978-1-934475-78-2 Amira Press, LLC Baltimore, MD 21216 www.amirapress.com

Chapter One Sophia I sat at the bar staring at the foam slowly destabilizing in my mocha cappuccino. Its dark, frothy consistency was everything I liked about the intoxicating drink. It tasted like chocolate and lingered on my tongue. Drew, my fiancé, kept telling me I had to cut back on my caffeine intake, but every morning, the spicy aroma enticed my nose. I couldn’t say no. The owner of Midnight Mocha was my friend and onetime savior. Every morning when I walked in, whether it was before sunrise or just a little after, he was there to greet me and hand me my coffee. He had a preternatural sense about when I’d come in and was never gruff with me. You would think he’d be cranky since he opened the little café at midnight and had to deal with his faithful customers. I had always admired the hours he kept but never had a chance to sit down and say more than a few words to him. I considered Alexander, Alex, one of my good friends because I know he would do anything for me if I had asked. “No work today?” Alex asked with a voice as smooth as the coffee drinks he concocted. I looked up into chocolate brown eyes. Pale, untanned skin made me wonder if he ever got any sun. Wavy hair, a shade darker than his eyes, fell down around his shoulders. He was broad-shouldered with a slight cleft in his chin. It was more like a dimple when he smiled. My cheeks grew hot as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the counter. His smile was infectious and had me grinning from ear to ear in a second. “No. No work today. I’m being lazy. What about you? Don’t you ever take a break?” Alex chuckled. “Someone has to run things around here. I only have Anne, and she fills in for me and helps out. I couldn’t do it without her. Besides, it’s almost closing time. The morning rush has passed.” I nodded. This was what was odd about the café. The hours were from midnight to eight in the morning. They were strange hours, but Alex brewed better coffee than the chain stores, which was why he had been open forever it seemed. “You have to get some beauty sleep sometime to maintain your fabulous complexion,” I teased. Another reason I liked coming here was because Alex gave me big mugs, deep enough for soup, to drink out of. In the end, there was something about his coffee that had me intoxicated. His smile lit up his eyes as well as his face. “I do, but only when it’s needed. I don’t think it’s been necessary for at least seventy-five years now. Besides, my beauty goes beyond sleep. It’s my special customers, like you, who keep me spry. So does Drew know you’re skipping out today?” My cheeks burned at what he said and not about Drew. He thought I was special. I looked down at the counter, letting my hand leech the warmth from the porcelain cup. All of a sudden, it had gotten very cold in the small café. I slid my gaze everywhere else except to Alex. There was no one else in the coffee shop save me. Outside the sky was starting to cloud over. The weather girl had predicted rain. The décor in Midnight Mocha was dark, purple-painted walls with pictures by local artists, a few black and whites of landscapes, and some canvases that I didn’t understand. It was all very

classy, not like the kitschy little mom-and-pop cafés where every little thing about coffee hung on the walls. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and a place for that, but not in the city. You needed a small town in the mountains for that. God, I can’t believe I’m acting like a foolish schoolgirl. I ran my fingers through my hair and nervously played with my coffee cup handle before I took a sip. I just couldn’t bring myself to look into the coffee shop owner’s eyes. Alex knew me too well. We’d really only talked outside the café a few times. One time was when he had saved my life. I hadn’t been able to sleep. Luckily enough, Midnight Mocha is only a block away from my apartment, so I decided to go out and get some coffee. As I was about to get to the door, I was suddenly snatched away and dragged into the alley. My heart was pumping, and I felt the thin blade at my throat. The attacker demanded my wallet, which I didn’t have. I just had my phone and my debit card. Somehow, Alex heard the scuffle. He told me later that he had been bringing out the trash. Before I knew it, my assailant was up against the brick wall with Alex holding him by the throat. I stood, stunned, when he threw the would-be thief against the dumpster, knocking the guy’s head against the sharp corner. Alex had ushered me into his office and had given me my favorite coffee, trying to calm me down. I don’t know what happened to the bad guy after that, but I was forever grateful to Alex for saving my life. I tried to invite him over for dinner, but he always politely declined. Finally, I was able to meet his eyes. “Drew doesn’t know. I called in sick after he left. I needed a day by myself. He means well, but sometimes he can be so suffocating.” I thought about my fiancé for a moment. We used to have a lot in common, but lately with him and I working so much and him getting obsessed with his cases, we were drifting apart. “Then why—” The bell jingling above the door cut him off. I glanced at my watch and realized closing time was upon us. Alex watched as a customer came in. His face transformed from happy coffee shop owner to something a little alien. Everything about Alex’s demeanor hardened. Everything I knew about him melted away. I turned slightly, glancing between Alex and the newcomer to observe what was unfolding as I blew steam off my mocha. It didn’t seem like the patron desired coffee. “I told you never to come in here again,” Alex growled to the newcomer. His hands were clenched on the counter. He was trying to keep his cool. I didn’t know what the hell had happened between the two of them, but it was intense. The air quickly thickened as they looked like two lions circling one another, and I was right in the middle of them. The customer didn’t look like he could cause any harm. His black suit was a little rumpled, but that could have been from riding the subway or the bus. He wasn’t out of breath, so he wasn’t running off to work. Maybe he worked the night shift. The guy was handsome, athletic. I could see him running in Central Park every day to keep up his physique. Blond crew cut, pale skin, and sharp blue eyes made him of Northern descent. A staring contest ensued between the two men, almost like two predators claiming territory. Oddly enough, for a busy day outside, I was the only one in the coffee shop besides the owner. The blond looked over at me, giving me a smug smile like he knew something I didn’t. I made it a point to stare at the wall, pretending to study the décor. I did particularly like one print of a lonely tree reflected in a lake with nothing else around.

“What are you going to do, Alex?” I let my eyes dart to the blond. I was liking him less and less by the second. “Would you kill me right in front of this petty human?” Petty human? Am I hearing this guy right? Does he think he’s something besides a human being? Hello, this is not a fantasy movie. Alex is not some pointy-eared Martian. I shook my head and tried to keep a straight face as I sipped my coffee. As I did, I noticed Alex had his dark gaze on me. His jaw hardened. “Roland, I really don’t want to do this now. Not in front of her!” A look of surprise lightened Roland’s face, and then a wicked smile flashed across his lips. Alex motioned for me to head out back. Slowly, I began to slide out of my chair and head towards Alex’s office, but I never made it more than a few feet. Suddenly, impossibly, Roland had moved across the café at an incredible speed. I was seeing things. That was it. There was no way this was happening. His hand was wrapped around my throat, choking me. I dropped my coffee the moment he grabbed me. The cup shattered on the ground. The coffee, mixed with the shards of white porcelain, created a dark brown puddle at my feet. Something sharp pressed against my flesh. I hadn’t pegged Roland for carrying a knife. I tried to breathe, but panic had set in as I fought against my attacker. Roland held me tight and was stronger than his frame let on. “Let her go, Roland,” Alex demanded. My gaze was fixed on Alexander as I let myself give up the fight. He had saved me before. He would do so again. As I watched him, his face slowly changed. His eyes lightened changing from dark brown to pale blue, almost as if he were blind. Two sharp teeth elongated from his canines. Wellkept nails grew long and deadly. I closed my eyes. I was not seeing this. I was not in the middle of a bad horror movie. “Do you care for her? Is that it, Alex? Did I hit a nerve?” my captor purred. I was getting lightheaded from his grip. “She’s a customer, an innocent bystander. I said. Let—her—go. This is between you and me! I’ve already told you. This is my territory. I’ve had claim to it longer than you.” I tried to breathe, but Roland’s grip tightened, squeezing the life out of me. Blackness was descending over my vision. I struggled to stay conscious, but the darkness smothered me more and more. Sending one final thought toward Alex to save me, I gave up struggling and let my consciousness fall into the shadows. **** My body reacted. I drew in a long, life-giving breath. Oxygen filled my lungs. I opened my eyes slowly. Instantly I was hit with a headache the size of Texas. The agony of it throbbed on my mind, and I had to close my eyes again. I’d had migraines before, but this topped all of them. Before I did, I caught a glimpse of Alex looking at me with a worried expression and the same dark eyes he had

before the stranger came in. Relief washed over me. I was seeing things. His transformation had been a figment of my imagination, induced by my suffocation. There’s a rational explanation as to why Roland, or whatever the crazy guy’s name was in the café, dashed across the room. And Alex. The lack of air must have messed with my head. Eyes don’t just suddenly change color like that. “Glad to see you back in the land of living! How you feeling?” I spoke, but my voice came out as a shredded whisper. “Like hell!” My throat hurt like someone had wrung it like a wet rag. Oh wait. They had. “I was afraid I had lost you there for a minute.” Something warm was pressed into my hand. I opened my eyes again. This time, the pounding in my head subsided a little bit. I was surprised to find I was sitting up on a couch in a very well-decorated apartment, much better than I assumed a coffee shop owner could afford. Alex did pretty well for himself. The place wasn’t huge, but I did notice the windows on one wall were covered by some kind of shade that shrouded the room in thick shadows. The only illumination was from a soft light nestled in the corner. The living room was decorated in hues of warm browns and had a natural, almost Native American theme to it with handwoven rugs on the walls and pottery nestled in nooks and crannies around the living room. There were small, strategically placed spotlights on a few choice pieces. My eye was drawn to a cobalt vase, which sparkled in the light. The way the light hit the swirls in the glass was almost hypnotizing. A small, wood-burning fireplace was situated in the opposite corner. The rest of the apartment was cloaked in darkness. I could only see the outline of stairs on the other side of the kitchen and the reflection of stainless steel coming from the kitchen counters. “Where am I?” “You should try and save your voice until it gets better. You’re in my apartment. It’s upstairs from the café. I own the whole building.” My eyes widened. I opened my mouth, but Alex gave me a look, and I knew to be quiet. As I looked around, I sipped on the concoction in the mug in my hand. It smelled like peppermint. I drank it down. It did make my throat feel somewhat better, even though it was not what I truly wanted. I craved my mocha. I don’t know what was in the coffee brew, but I was officially addicted. I don’t think it would have mattered if Alex mixed in eye of newt or hair of dog. I would still drink it. My headache was almost gone, but when I put my hand to my head, Alex seemed to get the picture and came back with a couple of pills. I smiled and took them with the tea. “Thank you.” I wheezed. He looked at me and laughed. “For what? Getting you aspirin or causing you to almost be killed by the psycho who came into the café? I don’t know how to apologize to you, Sophia. He’s been in before and caused a scene. I’m sorry he hurt you. I hope you don’t mind, but I looked through your purse while you were unconscious. I called Drew. He’ll be here any minute.” I shook my head. I didn’t mind. Why would I mind? He had looked through my purse, seen my battered tampons, my duct-taped datebook, and the multitude of pens I amassed. Oh no, I didn’t

mind he saw what a slob I could be. I smiled and took another sip of tea. Shifting my gaze to Alex, I studied him. He had changed his shirt to a black one as opposed to the dark red one he had on in the coffee shop. His jeans seemed a little snugger, and his hair was getting unruly as he ran his hand through the strands to try to tame it. My heart thundered then as I felt a rush of heat slice me in half while I stared at him. I should have been grateful he called Drew, but something in me didn’t want to go back to my apartment with my boyfriend. Fiancé, I corrected. I rolled my eyes as I thought about the proposal. Drew had gotten a small amount of time off, and I had forced myself to go on vacation with him. But then again, everything had seemed forced with him lately since we both worked, and I had been mulling over what to do with our relationship. I still loved him, but not as fiercely as I had in the beginning. Drew had proposed last weekend. He had spirited me away to a small cottage out in the country. He had everything set up when we got inside. There was a fire blazing, roses on the bed, champagne complete with two flutes, and then he had gotten down on his knee, took my hand, looked me straight in the eye, and asked me to marry him. I had been so overwhelmed and flustered by what he had done, I blurted out a yes. Later that night, I wondered if I had made the right choice. I still loved Drew, sure, but was our relationship going to work out? Was it meant to be? Something hadn’t sat well with me as I deliberated the life-altering decision I had just made. Now, being with Alex, I really considered if I had made the right choice last weekend. I still wasn’t used to the weight of the ring, so I hadn’t worn it out in public. Each time I looked at the rock, I heard a death toll in the back of my mind. I hadn’t even told my parents or my best friend yet. I wasn’t lying to anyone. I was just withholding the truth. Drew had already blabbed the news of our engagement to everyone in his office and his brothers since they were all he had left of his family. I shook my head and cleared my thoughts about Drew. I had to deal with our relationship. I knew that. I just didn’t want to think about it right now. “Alex—” I thought about saying something about how I saw him change, but then changed my mind. It wasn’t the right time, and I could barely talk. Besides, Alex would think I was crazy. He turned and looked at me innocently, but with a hint of mischief in his dark eyes. “I’d better be getting free coffee for an eternity for this.” He laughed and was about to say something when the doorbell rang. It was Drew. My heart sank. I liked hanging out with Alex. He was a good guy. I took another sip of my tea and rubbed my throat, figuring I would have a whopper of a bruise for a few days. I was not going to work looking like an eggplant if I did. “Sophia, thank God you’re okay.” Drew pushed past Alex and scooped me up in his arms. I smiled a little at his exuberance and concern, but my eyes traveled to Alex who was looking at the two of us. I thought I saw a glimmer of sadness or embarrassment cross his features, as if he had stepped into an intimate moment. When I did catch his eye, he gave me a half-crooked smile. I returned it, feeling a zing rush through me. This guy had saved my life. Of course, I would be grateful to him, but what I was experiencing at the moment was nothing like gratitude. Drew nearly choked me again, squeezing me so hard I had to pull away. As I did, I gave him a peck on the cheek, even though in my mind I was letting myself be in Alex’s arms. I shook my head. I could not have a crush on this guy. Even if I did, I was involved with Drew. At least for now anyway.

“Drew, I’m fine.” I wheezed. “You are not fine. The bruise on your neck is nearly black. I’m going to take you to the doctor’s to have you checked out. Then we’re going to the police to get the bastard who did this to you.” “No need on going to the police,” Alex piped in. Drew and I looked at him. “I’m sure you did your best to subdue the assailant, but I want to be sure this guy ends up in jail,” Drew answered. “Really. He’ll never bother Sophia or me again. The police are not necessary.” Alex smiled again. I loved how the corners of his mouth turned up and only one dimple appeared. Drew started to protest. I held up my hand. “Home.” I believed Alex. If he said he had taken care of Roland, then I trusted he had. Besides, my throat was getting raw again, and I wanted to relax under the hot tendrils of a shower. I finished my peppermint tea and set the cup on Alex’s coffee table. Drew insisted on helping me as I stood up. Irritation crawled across my skin like a tickling feather. I wanted to scream or even give him a disgruntled growl, but I couldn’t do either. Alex, who leaned against the wall near his kitchen, cleared his throat. My fiancé glanced behind him and realized Alex wanted to remind us he was still there. I had a feeling that Alex didn’t like Drew. He never said anything bad about him, but now that the two of them were in the same room, Alex had gotten stiff. Drew left me alone for a blessed minute and stretched out his hand to my savior. Alex took it while Drew shook it vigorously. My knight in shining armor was trying too hard to be nice to him as he took Drew’s hand. Alex shot a glance over to me. There was nothing I could do except watch the display. “Thank you for saving her. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Sensing that Alexander had his fill of my fiancé, I walked over to the two men. “Thank you, Alex.” “You’re both welcome. I’m just sorry it happened.” I nodded. It was a bitch wanting to talk and not really being able to. Tugging Drew out of there, I glanced behind me and saw Alex looking at me. His face was blank, but there was something in his eyes. I wondered what it was. What was he hiding? What was he thinking? Drew tried to get my attention, bringing me out of my thoughts. Finally, I obeyed his commands, trying to be the dutiful girlfriend, fiancée, but my heart wasn’t into it at the moment. **** Three days later, I breathed a sigh of relief when Drew finally went off to work and left me alone. Drew had gotten the days off and had doted on me. But with him being around me constantly and

our schedules not normally meshing so much, he had gotten on my nerves. I know it was his way of showing that he cared for me. However, it only made me realize that I had jumped way too quickly into saying yes to getting married. My throat was still a little raw, but I was able to talk. I’d been able to circumvent going to the doctor’s, which I dreaded. Drew had listened to Alex, and he didn’t get the police involved. The bruise was starting to fade to a nice egg-yolk yellow, and I stopped wearing makeup to hide it. My boss didn’t believe Drew at first when he told him I’d been in a near-robbery and almost killed. I went in the next day and showed the damage to Frank. The pain-in-the-ass boss he is told me to take as much time as I needed as long as I was back to work by next Friday since we had a deadline with an up-and-coming designer. We were hoping to be in control of his ad campaign, and I was the head of the design team. We had never met in person, just talked on the phone or via teleconference. From our various meetings, the client was a little eccentric, but if we landed the job, he was going to take his clothing line global and we were promised the contract. No pressure, as Frank had told me. I sighed. I still had a week, but for the past day, I’d been getting e-mails, phone calls, and packages from the office. There seemed to be a crisis with the ads. Since I was unavailable at the office, everyone was tracking me down here. Frank failed to mention to my team why I was out. Already, I had been to the door twice this morning. I didn’t mind working from home, but how was I supposed to concentrate with all the interruptions? Now it was ten, and I had a headache from the lack of caffeine. I wasn’t normally home and got my coffee at Midnight Mocha or had my assistant go for coffee runs during the day. Drew had banned me from having a coffee pot at home because he knew I was so addicted to the blissful substance. I was not about to get stares from the people on the street as they looked at my neck. I just wanted to rest. There was another knock on my door. If that’s one more delivery guy, I’m going to tell him to take the ads and shove them up Frank’s ass. Just because the models wore the wrong clothes doesn’t mean it’s our problem. Blame the screwup on the set coordinator or something. My ass should not be on the line for this. Since I’m injured, I shouldn’t be bugged at home either. Besides, I have three weeks of unused vacation time I haven’t used in two years. I need a break. Hell, what I need to do is quit! The knocker was insistent. “What!” I pulled the door open. To my surprise, Alex was on the other side holding a cup of coffee. It smelled like mocha. My mouth watered. He held my liquid heaven. “I can come back if this is a bad time,” he said with a gleam in his eye. His dark hair was pulled back into a short ponytail, but some of the tendrils escaped like errant snakes. He wore a dark red buttondown shirt and black jeans. Both accentuated his pale skin. It also made him look even more scrumptious. I shook myself from my daze. I clutched the door handle so the pain of the grip kept me from thinking even worse thoughts about Alex. I had to remember that I was with Drew, at least in theory. My mood lightened instantly when I gazed into Alex’s chocolate brown eyes. He had saved

me from hours of being on the phone and setting up another photo shoot and telling our client that somehow, somewhere along the line, we, which meant I, had fucked up. Immediately, I felt bad for snapping. “Oh God! I’m so sorry. Come in, please. I thought you were another delivery guy. I’ve been getting stuff from work all day.” “Well, maybe this will help.” He held out the coffee. I took the cup from him and tried not to blush. He didn’t know how much of a lifesaver he was. As Alex came in, he scanned the living room. The apartment was a mess. Neither I, nor Drew, were big on housework. The door clicked shut behind me while I took a small sip of the coffee, which was thankfully still hot. Feeling Alex’s presence fill the room, I tried to hide my face when I ventured into the living room. I glanced back. Sunlight streamed through the glass. My guest winced at the torrent of light. Without saying a word, I pulled the drapes across the windows. He must have been sensitive to the light, which was why his place was so dark and there were floor-to-ceiling blinds on the windows of Midnight Mocha. “Thanks.” “No problem. Are you allergic to the sun or just sensitive to the light?” He sat in the chair opposite me. Suddenly, I flashed back to the scene in the coffee shop. His eyes bleached out again, and he was growling. I shook my head. This was not happening again. I had hallucinated it all before. Good God, get a hold of yourself, Sophia. He’s not a vampire. There are no such things as vampires. Your life has not turned into a movie. The only thing that is scary is having to deal with Frank and the thought of what to tell Drew about our impending nuptials. “A little bit of both. It’s an inherited trait.” “That must suck.” “You get used to it. I hope you don’t mind me stopping by. I wanted to be sure you were okay. I thought the coffee might be a peace offering since I don’t want to lose your business. You’re a valued customer.” A smile tugged at my lips as I took another sip of heaven. My eyes fluttered shut as I savored the flavor sliding down my throat and warming my insides. As I did, I let myself think it was Alex touching my lips. Oh shit. Opening my eyes, I blushed again. It was getting painful to keep doing it. “Who said you would lose my business? If I remember, you were going to give me free coffee for life.” Alex smiled. As he did, the sides of his eyes turned up. “I don’t recall saying I’d actually agree to that, but I think I can make an exception.” He got up to leave. “You have to go already?” His visit had brightened my day and made me wonder when I would see him again. I liked seeing him outside the café. “Yeah, you know, long night. I really got to get some sleep.” He stood up. Right. He works all night. Duh!

“Of course. You’ve worked all night. I forget that sometimes. Thanks for the coffee. You don’t know the hell I’ve been through without it. Maybe when you’re free, you can come over for dinner sometime. You gotta eat, right?” I set my coffee down and enfolded him in my arms. It was natural. He stiffened in my embrace as if he wasn’t expecting the gesture or hadn’t been close to anyone in a long time. After a moment, his arms wrapped around my back, and I fell into his warmth. I felt so much better against his body than against Drew’s. It seemed I fit with him so much better. Am I being horrible to think that? I love Drew, but I should never have said yes. I’m not wearing the ring. I don’t want to be tied down. I’ve got to learn not to blurt out my answers. What does this mean? Am I just head over heels for Alex because he saved my life, or is there something there? Oh God, what is Drew going to say when I sit down to have the talk with him? I stayed in Alex’s arms, inhaling his scent. His clothes were stained with the aroma of coffee and cinnamon, but underneath, I smelled his manly, musky scent that was unique to him. His lips brushed the top of my head. My heart melted. His grip loosened, signaling he wanted to go. I didn’t want to lose his warmth, but I reluctantly unwound from him and stared into his deep eyes. There was some power behind them I couldn’t explain. We were only inches apart. I heard and felt him take in a breath. His eyes searched mine as I inched a little closer, leaning up to taste his lips. My heart pounded inside my chest like a walled prisoner begging to be let out. My nerves were shot as I desired more than just his lips. My hands ached to feel his bare skin. Instead of flesh, I settled on placing my hand lightly on his chest. All I needed was a few more seconds. We were centimeters apart. The heat between us was going to consume me if I couldn’t cool it. I felt the muscles under his shirt bunch almost like he was ready to bolt, but the deep desire in his eyes made me realize he was holding back. Alex wanted me just as much as I craved him. Before I could claim his lips with mine and see if they tasted like the coffee he brewed, there was another knock on the door. The moment was broken. He blinked and pulled away from me. “Son of a bitch!” I muttered, feeling the warmth that had built between us fade. Alex backed away and walked to the door as I followed. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob. I wanted him to turn back around. I wanted him to tell me he was madly in love with me. That would be a good excuse for me to tell Drew that I didn’t want to get married. The tendons bunched in his hand, and Alex paused for a second. For a moment, I thought he would turn back around. However, Alex opened the door, nearly to collide with another guy. The deliveryman dropped his package. “I’ll see you later, Sophia.” I heard the pent-up desire in his voice, and it made my heart inflate. “Bye,” I whispered as he disappeared down the hall.

Chapter Two Alex Her heart thumped against my dead chest as I held her. Its rapid beat echoed against my flesh as I inhaled her scent. Roses mixed with the chemicals of her shampoo, and something else underneath the aroma made her even more intoxicating. I couldn’t place it. She nestled against me, and I couldn’t help wrapping my arms around her, feeling the curves of her body press against me. I should have pushed her away then, but she was the apple in my own little Garden of Eden. The temptation was too great. I had tried to stay away, but the urge to see if Sophia had recovered from Roland’s attack nagged at the back of my mind like a rabid bat until I acted on the desperate need. When Roland appeared that fateful morning, I knew the outcome would be bad. He had come in a couple of times wanting to stake claim to my café as his territory. However, it was a vampire rule. My kind didn’t put stakes on territory. There was enough to go around. He was just one of the ones who didn’t listen. There seemed to be a lot of those lately. I had never imagined Sophia would be in the café with me when he came in again. I leaned my head against the wallpapered hallway, waiting for the elevator to begin its slow climb up. Is it wrong to want to be with her even though she’s engaged? Even though she’s human? The first time I rescued her in the alley, I swore I’d keep my distance. She would be nothing more than a regular customer. But she kept coming in with a smile that lit up my world. She kept ordering the Midnight Mocha special I had created months ago and had since taken off the menu. But I couldn’t say no to her and had made up more, just for her. Sophia’s voice was like music to my soul. When the door opened, and I heard her footfall from the back office, I knew it was her. Infatuation? Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to sink my teeth into her. Sophia was human and I was, well, I was what I am. A vampire. A monster in her world and she’d seen me transform only inches from her eyes when Roland had her in his grasp. I was almost thankful when she passed out from his death grip because she didn’t see me snatch the stake I had behind the counter. Yes, I really did have a stake hidden away. In my universe, you never know if you might need one. I grabbed the weapon and vaulted over the counter. As I did, he dropped Sophia and tried to get out of the way, but I pinned him to the floor with the wood. From there, I went into the kitchen and grabbed a large knife I kept on hand for opening sacks of coffee beans. With the sharp blade, I took his head. Being staked won’t kill my kind completely. It only paralyzes us. The wood somehow fixes our souls inside our bodies. Once I took his head, I opened the shades and let the sun burn away the blood and the body. I winced at the glare. Sunlight is lethal to vampires, but only over an extended period, like being caught in the desert. We can move about in daylight. It hurts like hell, but the more you’ve fed, the less the pain. As Roland’s body disintegrated into ash, I took Sophia back upstairs to my apartment on the third floor. Her heart beat steady, and her breathing became a little raspy. She would be okay. It was a sixth sense vampires had. While she lay there, I took in her beauty. Sophia was like a sleeping princess awaiting her monster to awaken her. She had seen me change, but I wasn’t going to mention it. Let her mind play the scene off as something her imagination had created in the time of trauma.

Just now, as I held her in my arms, everything inside of me wanted to taste her sweet lips and drink deep of her life. But I swore to myself I’d never breach her perfect flesh. She was too precious, even if I could never admit my feelings to her. The few valuable seconds I held Sophia was too much. The temptation of the sweetness rolling just underneath her skin made my mouth water. I hadn’t let myself get this close to a mortal in a long time. The last time . . . I shoved the memory from my mind and punched the button for the elevator again. I could hear the gears shifting and creaking in the elevator shaft. The damned contraption was moving too slow. I needed to get out of here before I went back to her door, demanded entrance, and sunk my fangs into the curve of her throat. My arms protested from unweaving myself from the warmth of Sophia’s arms. Her lips were only inches from mine. My teeth had pressed against my gums as I searched her wanting eyes. I had to fight the transformation as my body hungered for her blood. Any blood. I hadn’t fed in a couple of days, and being so close to her was maddening. I should have thought my visit through better, I know, but being used to seeing her every day for months and then having her not coming in for a few days, my whole world had fallen apart. I had told Silva about Sophia, and he thought my infatuation was cute. Cute, humph! What does he know? Silva is a five-hundred-year-old vampire and also my best friend. The only reason I liked him so much was because he had gotten me out of a jam a few decades back. Now I was the only one who hung around with him who didn’t appreciate him for his money. Silva was a prick, but oh well. In a world of vampires, you take what allies you can get. Making enemies can be a bitch. Sophia’s lips had inched closer to me. She has a boyfriend, a fiancé, I reminded myself. That should make her off-limits. But it didn’t. Sophia being off the market made her even more desirable. I smelled the mocha on her breath. Did she know I made the concoction for her especially just to have an excuse to see her? Did she know how much I loathed being without her? Did she feel the same way about me? The craving in her eyes for me made me wonder how much she wanted me. Was hers just an infatuation because I had saved her life? The bruise Roland had given her was almost gone from her swanlike neck. I would be happy to have her with me forever. There had been a knock on the door. The eternal spell between us was broken, and I’d never tasted her lips. The beast inside of me growled. It wanted her life. I wanted her soul. Shaking myself from my reverie, I realized it was time for me to go before I claimed her as my own when she belonged to another man. It’s only the magnetism, the attraction of my species that had brought Sophia into my arms and had charmed her, I thought as I walked out the door. There’s no way she feels the same way about me. It’s better to keep things the way they are. She’s my customer, nothing more. She needs to live a happy mortal life, get married, and have children. The elevator door yawned open. I resisted the urge to turn around and see if she was staring after me. There really was no point since, if I did turn back, the gesture would only cause me more irritation. I sighed and the elevator closed me in its metal coffin. The gears grinded again, and the box I was in shook on the ride down until it halted and released me. I settled sunglasses over my eyes to protect them from the burning sun right before I stepped outside. I strolled the few blocks, ducking the light and sticking to the shadows where I could. The rays felt like nails pressing onto my exposed skin on a constant basis. The light sapped my energy, but I endured. I had to make a living. All of my kind dealt with daylight because we had to. It was a chore to blend into the human world when we were so very much apart from mortality. I used to be mortal, about a century ago. I was

thirty when turned and now had existed seventy-one years as a vampire. I wasn’t brought into the night by choice. Oh no. I was what vampires called a hit-and-run or a bite-and-run. There I was walking along, minding my own business, when something had grabbed me. I don’t remember much of my turning except the pain as the bastard nearly tore my throat out. Somehow, I struggled enough and got some of his blood into my system as he drained me. I remember biting him back. When I woke up, I was in the morgue. The poor attendant didn’t know what hit him. The only thing I had seen in him was blood. His veins were like red branches on a living tree, and I tore into the first one I found. Even then, the liquid in his veins wasn’t enough. I ran from the room and attacked two nurses, killing one and nearly draining another. After that, the haze of rage and hunger started clearing. It was then I realized what I had become. A monster. A creature of the night. I learned quickly in those days to try to fit in as best as I could. Now I was a natural. Arriving back at my apartment, I checked my messages. There was nothing. The burning jaws of my hunger snapped in my belly as I opened the door to my refrigerator. Inside were bottles and bags of blood. I didn’t kill my victims, unless the need was dire, but got my blood from a blood bank. This way was safer than leaving bodies around. Vampires didn’t have to kill to feed. Slaying only made for a messy cleanup, but we had professionals who took care of remains. I hadn’t needed their services, but I knew others who did. It was bad form to get too carried away all the time. I drank from humans if I had to or was in the mood. Getting blood from the blood bank was much easier. Silva always had willing victims around him all the time, but I wasn’t the type to keep paramours. I relished my privacy. Grabbing a bottle, I lifted it to the light. The blood was thick enough so nothing penetrated the cranberry liquid. I broke the seal on the bottle and poured it into a glass to let the nectar warm to room temperature. Cold blood froze my insides, even though it quieted the hunger. I could wait for it to be warmer. It was a secret fight within me as I forced myself to wait. For now, I locked the doors and punched the alarm code. As I did, I double-checked the video panel to see if anyone was in the hall. I couldn’t be too careful. Beads of hot water broke across my skin as I stepped into the shower. It was one of the things I had made sure to spend money on. I had four water jets coming at me from all sides. The barrage eased the tension from my muscles and washed away any lingering scent of Sophia. I rested my arm against the black-tiled walls of the shower and my head against my arm as the water ran over me. I had to get her out of my system. I was as addicted to her as she was to the Midnight Mochas I made her. She wouldn’t stop coming into the café, even if I did stop making her favorite and charged her double. I knew that in my bones. Her temperament and personality told me she would. Besides, something had happened between us today. There was a definite spark, even if I didn’t want to admit we could click well together. I shook my head as I remembered being so close to her. Her ghost was already again in my arms. I had actually touched her, embraced her after all these months of waiting and imagining what I would do to her if I ever got her in my arms. And yet, I did nothing. I acted as human as possible when I had dreamed of ripping into her neck and drinking the life from her. I suppressed a shudder that seized me. The hunger was worse. It began to cramp my insides. I shut the water off, wrapped a towel around my waist, and padded down to the kitchen. There I downed the blood in one gulp. Even as the liquid hit my system, I knew it wasn’t enough. My hunger was

aroused the more I thought of Sophia. The beast roared inside me, so I grabbed the rest of the bottle and swallowed it all at once. I have to do something to keep her away from me or me away from her. The café could use some part-timers. I can hire a couple of people to work the morning shift and put Anne in charge. I’ll give her a small raise so she won’t complain, not that she won’t anyway. The remnants of the blood stuck to my lips and I licked it away. I really didn’t want to hire anyone because adding more humans only complicated things, but it was necessary. It wasn’t like I couldn’t afford it. Being around for a hundred years, I had learned a few things about stockpiling and investing. For now, I’ll run the late shifts and have Anne do the mornings. I’ll tell her something. She never asks questions and has free reign to wear and do pretty much whatever she wants. My assistant was always on time and never complained about the hours. Anne was my little goth girl with pink hair, platform boots, corsets, and enough piercings on her face to make her look like a pincushion. She envisioned herself a vampire. I had even seen her fangs she was so proud of, but she would never know what real fangs would feel like. Sighing, I stared at the empty bottle of blood. A few drops of ruby liquid clung to the glass like burrs. This was what separated me from Sophia. My hunger. My lust. This was what made me a monster in her eyes. This was what would keep me away from her. **** Silva stared at the city below him from his high-rise penthouse. “Look at them all. Just like little ants scurrying around to do the queen’s bidding. They never know what truly lurks among them. Us.” This was a favorite thought pattern of Silva’s. My friend liked to remind any vampire he knew, if they were like me and didn’t drink directly from the fount all the time, that we were the top of the food chain. He thought my feeding habits were barbaric since I drank from bottles and blood bags. I always had to remind him barbarity was leaving bodies around for cops to find. He never responded to the retort. “They may be ants, but there are more of them than us. So we have to blend in.” I swirled the blood in my glass and watched it trail down the sides. My drink was still warm and very fresh. I didn’t ask where he got it. My body craved the liquid settling in the bottom of the tumbler. I had been feeding lightly the past few days since I’d been avoiding the sun. I told Anne I was a little under the weather and helped her out the best I could during the rushes. She called up to my place when she was busy. It worked out so I didn’t run into Sophia. I left instructions for Anne not to charge Sophia for anything. My goth girl looked at me funny, but didn’t comment. “So how’s that sweet brunette you were salivating over?” Silva’s words drew me from my thoughts, and I downed the rest of the blood. “What brunette?” Silva chuckled. He brushed imaginary lint from his charcoal suit. I swept my eyes over his place. His apartment was more high-tech and had a sterile feeling. Matching his personality, the place was a mass of blacks, grays, whites, and stainless steel. His one obsession was chess, and he thought life was based on the game. Over the centuries, he had amassed quite a collection of chess sets and

displayed only the ones he loved best. With perfectly placed blond hair and sparkling blue eyes, he got all the women without even having to look good. Silva was quiet and cunning by nature, only doing things if he thought they fit into his game plan. He liked to brood, even if he didn’t admit it. I knew my friend. He always said my moods were more morose than his, but I knew the truth. “Don’t get all closed-lipped on me, Alexander. You know perfectly well which brunette I’m speaking of. The one who was your damsel in distress. The one you almost put the bite on. Your mocha queen, as I think you’ve mentioned her, since she’s so addicted to your secret recipe.” “I did not call Sophia a mocha queen.” “Ahh, so he speaks her name. Will you speak anything else of her, kind sir?” “You’re a prick, you know that!” Silva bowed. “I am what I am. Now how is the lovely lass?” I sighed, evading his ice blue gaze. “I don’t know.” Silva made a surprised face and covered his mouth with his hand, always the grand actor. “You have been avoiding her. Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Silva turned from the window and leaned on the edge of a chair, staring at me with his arms crossed over his chest. “She’s engaged, Silva.” “And?” He motioned for me to go on. I felt like an actor who had forgotten his lines and my director was trying to feed them to me. “And what?” “It hasn’t stopped you in the past. Why is this one so different?” Silva suddenly plucked the empty glass from my hand, quickly refilling it with something he pulled from his private stock and handed it back to me. He even poured himself some. I watched as he inhaled the bouquet of the crimson liquid. His eyes closed as he processed the aroma. When his eyes opened again, they were paler than before as his hunger took over. “Such a good vintage. Young Asian. Just barely eighteen and a virgin. Very rare. You’re lucky I like you so much, Alexander. Now why don’t you sink your pearly whites into sweet Sophia’s neck? You’ve never stopped before. Or is this one different?” I didn’t respond as I breathed in the scent of the blood as well. It smelled sweet, like cotton candy. Silva meant well, but he was right. I was ducking Sophia. Every ounce of my willpower went into avoiding her. Everything in me wanted to go back to her apartment. The intoxicating liquor slid down my throat as I took a small sip. Damn. He was right. This was good. “Before what?” I asked him. “Oh, you know exactly what.”

My friend stared at me, but I glanced out the wall of windows and watched the setting sun. As the orb slowly sank beneath the horizon, I felt myself getting stronger with the oncoming night. My thoughts flashed back to the one time I had allowed myself to love. Humans might have thought we vampires didn’t have hearts, and true, ours were dead inside our chests, but we still had the capacity to feel. I had opened my soul to one woman once before, forty years ago. Things between us had ended badly. Her name was Angie. I fell in love with her the first moment I saw her. She reminded me of a sunflower, bright and cheery. Her hair was vivid blonde and not from a bottle, and her face always seemed to follow the sun. Angie’s eyes were dark, almost black, and the lashes surrounding them were only a shade darker than her hair. Angie’s skin was like cream and her lips like tulips. I remembered she tasted like vanilla. Angie was one of a kind. I courted her for months. I hid my nature until she found out late one night. Angie had come over to my apartment. Stupidly, I had left the door open. She had knocked, but I never heard her. Angie walked in to find me feeding on a prostitute. The prostitute was one of my regular feeds. She knew who I was and didn’t mind being paid for doing so little. We had a convenient setup. Angie had surprised me. She didn’t understand why I was bent over another woman with blood on my face. She called me a bastard, ran out, and never looked back. I tried to stop her, but as Angie was crossing the street, a car slammed into her. She hit the road hard. A broken rib punctured her lung, which was her most fatal wound. I knelt beside her and offered her immortality, but with her dying whisper, she refused. As she died, so did my heart. Soon, my soul became shrouded in the same darkness I survived in. Around that time, I started drinking from the bottle like an alcoholic. I vowed no more humans if I could help it since they were too frail. I closed myself off to love. I had remained that way now for years. “Alexander, that was over forty years ago.” Silva said, bringing me back to the present. “You don’t know if Sophia will react the same way with you. Putting your heart in a box and stabbing it with needles until it dies is not any way to live. Don’t you think in all my years of existence I have not gone through the same thing as you? I have loved and lost, my friend. When you opened your little café, I thought you were on the road to recovery. Now you have a beautiful woman who cares for you. I get the feeling she wants to jump your bones. Why not try and steal her away from her human boyfriend? If she truly loves him, then she shouldn’t feel anything for you. Methinks the attraction is waning between your damsel and her beau.” Sipping on the rest of the blood, I studied the now-twilight horizon. It stretched out before the city like a carpet, hugging the contours of the high-rises. My heart had been dead a long time. Maybe Silva was right. Maybe Sophia really was losing interest in her fiancé. Maybe now was the time for me to see if there was still life inside of me.

Chapter Three Sophia My fingers drummed against the counter as I watched Anne. She was here in place of Alex. She had been every day for the past two weeks. Irritation had begun to settle inside me as I wanted to see Alex. No matter what time I came in and asked for a Midnight Mocha, she made it for me and refused my money. I had chuckled at that because Alex really had given me free drinks for life. I was going to be way too spoiled if that were the case. When I asked her where Alex was, she never answered me. Again more irritation. Anne just ignored the question and went on making more coffee. I even went upstairs and knocked on his door. My heart had hoped he would be there, but he never answered. Without Alex, I’d found myself thinking—no obsessing—about the little things about him. The way his body had been against mine. How his muscles felt under his shirt and the sheen of his eyes as they stared deeply into mine. God, even thinking about him got me hot and bothered. I had to seriously stop daydreaming about Alex. I stopped the rhythm of my fingers as the sparkle of the diamond on my left hand got my attention. Drew had finally gotten me to wear the blasted trinket. The ring felt like dead weight on my finger. I took it off every night and wished I would forget to put it on, but Drew gave me looks if I did. I hadn’t gotten up the courage to confess to him that I thought our relationship was not working out. I figured he knew something was up. Things between us were not as heated as they had been. Work had pulled us away from one another. Even though I still loved Drew, it wasn’t the enflaming passion that ignited my fire any longer. That place had slowly been taken by Alex. I knew that Alex was only the catalyst, though. Subconsciously I must have known that we were never going to work out. I realized this only now that Drew was talking about looking at halls and churches. Granted, him not knowing that I didn’t want to be married was probably my fault since I hadn’t told Drew my decision yet. But what could I tell him? I was infatuated with the café owner who had saved my life a couple of times? That I loved Alex and everything in me wanted to jump his bones? I sighed and stared at the clock. I had to be at work twenty minutes ago. Frank, my boss, had threatened to fire me if I kept coming in late. I laughed in his face. He would no more get rid of me as he would his toupee. I was the head of the design team and the best in the company. Still, I had been arriving later and later, hoping to catch a glimpse of Alex. “Let him fire me,” I muttered. I need to find something different anyway. I’m sick of answering to a lame-ass boss who thinks he knows it all when he knows shit. Everyone knows I could do his job and mine with my hands tied behind my back. I have enough saved to last me a couple of months, and if I budget, a little more. Maybe I should branch out on my own. I’m always getting consulting offers. Why not? I need a change. I smiled. I needed a big change. Making a decision, I slipped my ring off and into my jeans pocket. As the trinket settled, I felt the door closing on my relationship. Yeah, hurt would be involved, but it was unquestionably over between Drew and me. Tonight, we were going to dinner. Oh, he was so not going to like my announcement. “Is there anything else I can get you, Sophia?” I looked up, nearly blinded by Anne’s pink hair. She gave me a half-smile. I tried to smile back, but I wasn’t in the mood. As she gazed at me, I had a sudden image of Alex’s face when I thought he had

become a vampire. I shook my head. There were no such things as vampires I kept reminding myself. It had only been brought on by my lack of oxygen. Why do I think of the strangest things when it comes to dangerous situations? I gave Anne a small smile. I really wanted Alex, but I wasn’t going to get to see him. One of these days, I’d track him down. I had to talk to him about what happened between us, or what nearly happened between us. I didn’t imagine the spark I felt and the same wanting in his gaze. I licked my lips. I’d made my mind up, and I suddenly felt elated about what I was going to say to Frank. He could take my job and shove it for all I cared. Everything had finally clicked into place. From the outside, my world was about to explode, but hell, I needed a good disaster. I dropped a two-dollar tip on the counter, got up, and shouldered my bag. “Anne, there’s nothing else you can get for me unless you know if Alex is going to be around. I really have to talk to him.” She shrugged. “Sorry. He doesn’t tell me more than what he wants me to fucking know. Hell, he pays me well enough. I don’t give a shit if he ran around with a turkey on his dick and started shouting that everyone in the world was a cockteaser. I could make shit pay, but Alex pays me overtime and medical insurance to run the place when he’s not here. I don’t know any other boss who fucking cares that much.” I was a little shocked to hear the string of words coming from her mouth. She had lips that would shame a sailor. I assumed she used her mouth well enough, too. Anne didn’t appear to be the virginal type. “Wow. Sounds like I need a job like that.” Anne laughed as she closed the cash register drawer with her hip. “Well, if you’re hard up enough, I know Alex is hiring.” My smile fell, and my mood dampened. Alex was hiring more people! Knowing he was busy enough to hire more people should have been good news. Maybe he’s expanding? My heart froze. Or maybe he’s trying to avoid me. I shoved that thought away. There was nothing between us, so why would he avoid me? If there’s nothing between us, then why am I saying there’s something between us? Why am I obsessing about him? Dreaming about him? God, this is fucked up. No. I have to be happy for him. If he’s expanding, maybe that’s why he hasn’t been here. “Gee, don’t look so happy for us. You know how hard he works. He’s always here. You know that since you’re here every morning. The man needs a fucking break sometime.” “Yeah. I guess you’re right.” Her chipper mood should have brightened mine, but something was off. I was going to find out what it was even if it killed me. Or my mind got the better of me. **** Drew and I sat in Juliano’s. The candlelight flickered, and the strolling violinist floated around the restaurant. It was all really annoying. He played all the sappy love songs, and the tunes were getting on my nerves. Drew had taken me here on our first date. It had kind of settled into being “our” place. The white linen tablecloths were covered by other, shorter black ones. The plates were real

china, the wine glasses genuine crystal, and the wines were only sold by the bottle. A reservationonly restaurant, Juliano’s was packed. I wore a dark, wine-colored dress, which could have been black or dark purple considering the light. It accentuated my skin tone and brought out the red in my hair. I had on the ring, earrings, and necklace Drew had given me over the course of our relationship. All night I listened to him talk about work while I pecked at my food. It was good, but my stomach was churning over everything that had happened during the course of the day. I had told Frank off and quit. He didn’t take my leaving very well. I had blindsided him, considering we had a huge deadline for an ad and I was the main person working on it. I took all my stuff, packed it in a box, and took a cab back to my place. My departure felt quite liberating while I was actually doing it. Now, monkeys were hula dancing in my stomach. Now, I just had to tell Drew. I had to tell Drew a lot of things. “Sophia, is there anything wrong with your cod?” I jerked my head up as I realized I had been trying to piece my fish back together and only ended up with what look like chopped tuna. The food was wonderful here and I enjoyed it, but tonight, my mind was obviously somewhere else. “Hmm? Sorry, Drew.” “Did something happen at work today you want to talk about?” The concern in his voice made me hone in on his face. There seemed to be a bit of disappointment in his eyes. My imagination was getting the better of me. Drew was an assistant district attorney. He was always theorizing, but he knew nothing about what went on in the advertising world. It was like mixing peanut butter and ketchup together. We existed in totally different worlds, and I was finally seeing that now. It would just never work. We would just never work out. I took a deep breath and picked up my wine, imbibing a long, hearty sip of the merlot. There was still half a bottle left to go, and before the end of the night, it would be gone. “What do you mean about work?” I asked. I tried to take a bite of the fish, but I had lost my appetite. “Nothing, you just seem . . . tense. I just assumed that you had a bad day.” A feeling of warmth tried to get my heart going, but it was still iced over when it should have been jumping for joy. I had a wonderful man who loved me. Once upon a time, I did love him with all my heart. Our friends had even said we were inseparable, but that was a long time ago. “The day was . . . interesting. I went in and told Frank off, packed my stuff, and quit my job.” Drew nearly spit out his wine. At two hundred dollars a bottle, it was a shame to waste. At least Drew was paying for dinner. Does his reaction really matter? I really don’t care anymore. My mind is made up. I know what I want. “What do you mean you quit your job?” His voice had increased in volume. His knuckles were white as he clenched the wine glass.

The violinist had stopped serenading the two lovebirds a few tables over and was moving to another when all the tines on china ceased and the diners looked over at us. Sweat had broken out on Drew’s forehead. You would have thought he never liked being the center of attention, but since he stood up in court every day, you would think he was used to all eyes being on him. However, when our relationship was the subject, he liked to keep things private and safe. I stared at him. Drew looked around at all the faces in the restaurant. The other patrons went back to eating as their false sense of security was eased again. “Yes, I quit my job. Frank was getting to be an ass, and I want to do something different with my life. Is that so bad?” “Sophia, it’s just very unlike you. These past few weeks, ever since . . .” His voice dropped, and he leaned in a little closer over the table. “Ever since you were assaulted, you’ve been different. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but you’ve been distracted.” I twirled the ring on my finger and then pulled it off discreetly in my lap. “Drew, nothing has changed because I was attacked. There’s just been a lot on my mind lately. And there are things that I’ve wanted to change about my life. I don’t know, maybe my brush with death made me put things in perspective. Like how much we’ve been drifting apart lately. We both work crazy hours, and things between us aren’t sparking like they used to. Drew, I love you, I do, but us just isn’t there anymore. Don’t you feel that too?” Drew took his napkin and wiped his brow. My fingers were shaking as they encircled the rim of the ring. The points of the diamond were sharp enough that I almost cut myself. The stones were actually set into a star shape with seven diamonds. It was set in white gold because he knew I hated yellow gold, and he thought silver was tacky. I watched as he mashed his food around, mulling over what I had said. When his eyes met mine, they were as hard as my diamonds. “What other things have you put into perspective?” The venom in his voice was enough to kill me ten times over. He was a smart man. How else had he passed the bar and was first in his class at Harvard? Drew was offered so many higher-paying jobs than that of a lowly ADA, but his passion to help others had turned him to the district attorney’s office. I placed the ring on the table in the middle of our place settings. It sat there like a bad omen or a lump of coal. There was nothing else to be said. I wanted out of the relationship. Part of what I had told Drew was true. Facing death had given me a new viewpoint on life, and I wanted to do something different. As I stared at the pulverized, fifty-dollar cod with soggy vegetables, I wanted Alex. God, I really am infatuated with Alex even though I have no idea if he feels the same way. Hell, I don’t even know if he’s still alive. “I’m sorry, Drew.” There was nothing else to say to him. He took the ring and nearly crushed it in his palm. Defeat washed over me. I had broken his heart and never meant to. What else could I say to him? “Is this your way of saying you’re fucking that café owner of yours?” I was about to get up to leave when I looked at him. I couldn’t even fathom what he had said! Was he accusing me of sleeping with Alex when I had never even kissed him? Of course, in my fantasies

I knew ever contour of Alex’s body, but what was that compared to real life? I didn’t even know his last name. “Excuse me?” Drew grabbed my hand to stop my leaving and squeezed. He had never been violent with me. “I asked if you were fucking the man who saved your life. I saw the way you looked at him the other day when I went to his apartment. At first, I wrote it off as you were scared and he had just rescued you from being killed. I know you go there every day to see him. Isn’t that right?” Seething, I leaned in a little closer. I tried to pull my hand back, but he only gripped it tighter. He had the ring slipped over his finger so not to lose it. The points of the diamond were digging into my palm as he held me. I wasn’t going to give Drew the satisfaction of letting him know I was hurting. “For your information, I’m addicted to his coffee and nothing else. Alex has been nothing but noble, which is more than I can say for you at the moment. For the past two weeks, I haven’t seen him. So if I was fucking him, please let me know how it was because I have no idea. Now let me go!” Drew didn’t believe me. I saw the disbelief in his eyes. His was the gaze of a man scorned and there was nothing that was going to change his mind I hadn’t slept with Alex. “I think you’re a whore!” I grabbed for anything I could find, which was my wine glass. Wrapping my fingers around the stem of my glass, I grabbed a hold of it and threw the contents at Drew. His white shirt now matched the color of my dress as if the fabric had suddenly developed a wound. At that unexpected turn, he let me go. “Oh, and you’re an asshole.” I got up, snatching my jacket and purse. Thank God I didn’t live far away. Drew had picked me up, but I could walk it. I ran out of the restaurant with everyone staring at me for the scene we had caused. I had anticipated our breakup going better, but real life never goes the way your imagination says it will. I wanted our separation to go smoothly, but it didn’t. Tears swelled in my eyes as my feet carried me across the dirty, cigarette-butt-strewn sidewalks. Each time I wiped my eyes, my makeup ran even more so I assumed I looked like a raccoon. I should have hailed a cab, but what was the point? I wanted to drown in my own stupidity as I realized that in a matter of twelve hours I had thrown away a great job and a good man. All because I had a fascination with a man I hardly knew. What was I thinking? It wasn’t Alex I was addicted to. It was only his coffee. God, I was so blind. I had imagined the moment between Alex and I the other day when he had come to the house. He was only coming to check to see if I had recovered from the incident that had happened in his café. I’m such a fool. I wavered about what to do. I should have turned right back around and tried to catch Drew, but my feet wouldn’t obey me, and I only wanted the safety of my cozy pj’s and the downy softness of my comforter with some cheesecake ice cream to soothe the burn inside my heart. Yet, as I walked, with heels killing my feet, I was on autopilot and not paying attention to the pedestrians around me.

I pushed through crowds. The city was still bustling, so I felt secure I wasn’t going to get mugged. This had happened to me the first time I had met Alex, but tonight I had a feeling I was free and clear from any danger. I just didn’t realize what decision fate was going to make for me. As I strolled, still bleary-eyed and looking like a raccoon on stilts from the heels, I bumped into someone who was rushing along and turned me sideways he’d hit me so hard. “Sorry,” I mumbled. I stopped staring at the sidewalk and looked up at who I’d smashed into. I recognized the profile. “Alex?” The man stopped, seemed to hesitate, and then turned back around. It was him. He appeared distracted. He was in a hurry to get somewhere. Probably a date. At least he’s back around. “Sophia? How are you?” he asked. The irritation was clear in his voice. I’m so sorry I‘m messing up his night. “Great, Alex, really fucking great.” I sniffled and wiped my hazy eyes, coming away with a smear of mascara. “Did something happen? Are you hurt?” His eyes traveled my body. My dress hugged most of my curves. It was low cut, showing the swells of my breasts, the material flaring at the knees like a calla lily. “Yeah, I’m having a wonderful night. Can’t you tell? I broke up with Drew.” His face softened, and he stepped closer. “I’m sorry.” “There’s nothing you can do unless you can make Drew less of a prick!” Alex’s eyes flashed in the dim light. “He hurt you.” I shook my head. “You’re bleeding.” He reached out and took my hand gently, just the opposite manner of my ex. The same one Drew had gripped. Alex turned it over and sure enough, the diamond ring had left a nasty, star-shaped wound in the middle of my palm. I’d been so preoccupied I hadn’t felt the pain of it. “Guess I am.” Alex seemed fascinated by the wound. It was a little creepy. Finally, I pulled my hand away. His eyes were locked to mine. Silence consumed us among the activity on the street corner. “Alex, I really need to—” I gestured with my chin toward going down the street. I really wanted to get to bed. “Sure. I was headed out anyway.” His smile was fake and his eyes told me something different. He was fighting with himself.

I bit my lip. I swallowed as he let go of my hand. The flesh tingled where he had held it. I suddenly felt empty. He turned to leave. “Unless, maybe . . .” I chewed on my lips for a moment. Should I dare? “You want to get a cup of coffee? I know this great place only a few blocks from here. I mean—” Alex turned back around and the smile on his face widened. “Only if you don’t mind the company.” My cheeks burned as I grinned back. At least something good was going to come out of the night. I nodded and looked down at my shoes until I got the courage to look at him without blushing. Alex and I walked the few blocks back to his café, and instead of going in as I thought we would, he led me around to the side door so we headed up to his apartment. We said nothing as we rode the elevator up to the third floor. He let me in, and as I entered, he shut the door behind me. The lights flickered on, and this was the first time I had a chance to really look around. Scoping out the layout, I saw there was another floor above us, which must have been where his bedroom was. I wondered what it was like. Was his room warm like his living room or as sterile as the kitchen? “Alex, can I use your bathroom?” He didn’t look up as he poured water into a shiny teakettle. “It’s upstairs to the right.” I didn’t say anything but went toward the open staircase. As I climbed the freestanding stairway, Alex looked over my way, but I lost his gaze when I went upstairs. The hall was lined with blackand-white photographs. All of them were landscapes. I looked at the doors and realized there were two of them. He didn’t say which one it was. Good sense told me it was the first door on the right, but my hand closed on the handle for the second one. I turned the knob and opened the door. “I don’t think I told you that was the bathroom.” Whipping around, I saw Alex leaning against the wall. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he seemed relaxed. I had never heard him come up the stairs. I smiled, leaving the door slightly open. “You didn’t tell me which one it was, actually. You just said the door on the right.” He chuckled, and as he did, some of his hair fell into his eyes. I bit my lip, deeply aware I probably looked like a clown. I crossed the space between us and moved the hair back behind his ear. As I did, my fingertips brushed his cheek. It was soft like velvet. Alex drew in a breath between his teeth. We were so close. Just like we had been a couple of weeks ago. I yearned to taste his lips. What would they feel like? Was he thinking the same thing? Was that the reason he had captured me and brought me back to his apartment? I inched a little closer as his hair was finally settled into place. I curled my fingers and ran them down his cheekbone, feeling the start of stumble. His eyes closed as if he enjoyed the sensation. I hoped he did because I know I did. I quivered with anticipation like I’d had too much coffee. I rested my palm against his cheek and drew him to my waiting lips. Just before we could meet, the teakettle sounded like a train whistle. Alex’s gaze slid toward downstairs. “Don’t,” I whispered against his lips. He put his fingers on my shoulders and pushed me away gently. “I have to.”

A sound of disappointment fell from my lips. The kettle’s piercing scream demanded to be heard like the incessant cry of a colicky infant. It hurt my ears and Alex was correct. He had to get the water in case it boiled over. Sighing, I went into the bathroom to see what a mess I had made of myself and to gather my wits. What am I doing? I shook my head as I saw the black zigzag line on my cheeks. I looked like an insane circus freak. My hair was erratic, reminding me of Medusa with her writhing snakes. No wonder he wants nothing to do with me, I thought. I took a tissue and tried to repair the damage that had been done. In all, it had been one hell of a night. Starting tomorrow, I would have to rebuild my life. I figured I could do that. No. I know I can do it, I told myself. Dabbing at my ruined makeup, I felt like dunking my head underwater and washing everything away, but that wouldn’t make my problems go away. Staring at myself after a moment of scrubbing, I found my flesh a little pink, but I looked normal. This woman had decided to change her life. I had made another move just a moment ago. I had not imagined the spark between Alex and me two weeks ago. It was there, damn it, and I was going to exploit it.

Chapter Four Alex The door latch clicked upstairs as Sophia went into the bathroom. I grasped the teakettle without thinking and moved if off the burner. Pain shot through my hand. I gritted my teeth against the agony as my body automatically mended the wound. The healing made my hunger even worse. For the past two weeks, my plan of avoiding Sophia had worked. Silva was right. I kept telling myself I didn’t want to influence her. She was going to be married and didn’t need a free radical bouncing around in her personal life. Besides, she and I would never mix. We were two different creatures that would crash violently together in the night, like the sea meeting the rocks, breaking over the crags in violent thrusts. A growl escaped my throat. What I didn’t want to happen had. Fate was laughing at my existence, but in a hundred years, I had learned there was nothing to change destiny. Anne had told me on several occasions that Sophia had asked about me. Even this morning, when I’d gone down to the café to clean and set up for the night, I smelled that Sophia had been there. Her scent now mingled with the coffee beans, becoming a permanent fixture. She had leaned on the counter. I had seen in my mind how she looked. Sad, and yet concerned about me, as well as a little upset since she desired to see me. I imagined her searching for me, scouring the faces of the patrons and peering around the corner to my office in hopes of catching a glimpse of me. I’d heard her incessant knocking on my door, had felt her very human presence like a looming storm. At times, I’d been half-asleep in my shroud of bedsheets. Other times, I had rested my head against the heavy steel door, listening to her breathing as she unknowingly mirrored my gesture. I couldn’t sense her thoughts, but I wanted to. I yearned to know if she wanted to be with me. I desired to be the one touching her cheek instead of the metal of my door. Each time, I did not open it to welcome her in. I just stayed, listening to the steady rhythm of her heart calling out to me until she left unfulfilled. Just like me. On these days, with Sophia on my mind, I didn’t sleep very well. Now, as I stared at my hand, I craved human blood warm from the fount. The need was overwhelming. Blood tasted different coming directly from a vein. The need was overwhelming. Bottled or bagged blood wasn’t going to quench my thirst. I needed a neck. That was where I’d been headed tonight. I knew a woman, Cecelia, who catered only to vampires. I used her services every once in a while. Sure, I could’ve grabbed someone off the streets. I could’ve even gone to Silva’s and used one of his paramours, but it was safer to utilize the contacts I already had. Besides, with her I had to use caution and control. Every time Cecelia was bitten, there was a chance one of her clients could drain her dry, leaving her for fertilizer, but death was a liability in her line of work. Gazing at the clock, I realized my appointment time had passed. No-shows still had to pay. Cecelia would pull the money out of my account. My teeth sharpened some. I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped the counter as the agonizing sound of Sophia’s blood pumping through her veins overwhelmed my senses. I had to hold on. Her scent clung to my clothes like a leech, eating away at my resolve. The rushing rivers of blood made my teeth ache I desired her so badly. What was worse was that I craved to feel her flesh pressed against mine. I wanted her sweet lips smothering mine until she tried to get away from me. My cock shifted at the image of her underneath me with wild eyes and breathless pants escaping her lips.

This is not good. Humans and vampire don’t mix, I reminded myself. I thought I’d pushed that urge out of my system, the one to utterly consume Sophia, body and soul. When I saw her tonight on the sidewalk, my fantasies had all come rushing back. She was beautiful in her sorrow. The black tears that lined her cheeks only made her more attractive. The hue of her dress emphasized the pallor of her flesh. Her hair was off her neck, accentuating the line of her throat and the hollow where her pulse fluttered like a free butterfly. Then the perfume of her blood broke my reverie. The aroma was the thing that had alerted me to her presence before I realized I had crashed into her. The blood had made me freeze, and then I had noticed her tears. Sophia had experienced something dreadful. I should have kept on going into the night, but I stopped. And we were back at my apartment. My nature screamed to slip upstairs silently and taste her. Before I knew it, I was upstairs and she was about to enter my decoy bedroom. I doubted she’d have liked what she would have seen. The room had a bed, a dresser, everything someone needed to live out of, but they were empty and the quilt had a fine sheen of dust on it. Nothing I would ever use. Had Sophia found the door to my true sleeping place, she would have seen a king-sized bed, a closet full of dark clothes, and drapes the color of her dress and thick enough to shut the sun out. The temperature would be quite unpleasant to her delicate human condition. It was the only room in the house where the temperature was kept at forty degrees. I’d have put the AC lower, but that was impractical. Silva joked it would have been easier for me to sleep in a freezer like him, but I wasn’t as eccentric as my best friend. Depending on the vampire, we slept where we liked. However, the colder the environment, the better we slept. It was like having our own personal crypts. Why did I accept her invitation? Why did I bring her upstairs and not down to the café? I should have walked Sophia to her apartment and left to meet Cecilia. Part of me was happy to hear she had broken up with Drew. Would the breakup last? The human heart was fickle. The other part wished to follow the bouquet of her blood back to the restaurant and slay Drew where he sat. What good would that do me? I shook my head. My fangs had sharpened completely at the notion of blood. I had to feed or I’d be a threat to her. I already was a danger. I gripped the metal countertop harder. The metal screamed as it bent under my fingers while I tried desperately to get her out of my mind. The feel of her hand against my cheek was like a dream come to life. It had been like that weeks ago when she had been in my arms. I was so close to tasting her then. Now Sophia wanted me again. Her dress had showed off her figure more than I had ever imagined, accentuating the swells of her breasts and the tiny veins which threaded through them from her heart. The heels made her legs look lithe and long. Everything about her screamed, “Eat me!” She was a walking morsel. Right now, Sophia was in the bathroom fixing herself up so she could make sense of her night. Even cornering me upstairs, I didn’t care that the streaks on her cheeks made her look like a sad mime. In some ways, it was the real her, not hiding behind any mortal lie or façade. She was being honest with herself and me when it came to desiring me. A look of detachment had already settled in her eyes when Drew had come to my place to pick her up. I hadn’t wanted to admit to myself then that the spark between them had died, but the tension between us had been as thick as murky fog. She had wanted me then, but wasn’t sure of herself. My mind let me play out the fantasy of feeling Sophia in my arms, inhaling her scent. Her delicate lips would meet mine in a chaste, yet passionate kiss. I’d fight everything in me like sweet torture until she lost herself in the passion. Her blood would be calling to me, and as she moaned for more caresses, I would plunge my canines deep into her throat.

I have to stop this! I have to stop torturing myself. She can’t be here. I shook my head. I ran my tongue over my fangs. The temptation of having her so close was too much. My yearning for blood was excruciating and beginning to twist my insides. I needed to feed. Soon the hunger would wrap its barbwire arms around my soul and shred it to pieces. “Alex?” I discerned my name being called as if through a long tunnel. I spun around. The thundering of a human heartbeat consumed my senses. My fingers snatched a delicate mortal throat. I slammed the body against the wall. Red ribbons of blood beat through the thin paper flesh. My nails transformed into razor-sharp talons pressing against skin. The point of my middle finger sliced a paper-thin cut. The aroma of fresh blood blossomed in the air. My tongue ached to taste the elixir. My waiting lips neared her flesh to partake of the life-giving liquid. “Alex, please!” The whimper brought me back to myself. I blinked. The world was no longer tinged red. I backed away realizing what I had done. Sophia cowered against the wall, tears streaming down her nowclean cheeks. The perfume of fear censed the air. My hands were claws and as sharp as any predator’s. I knew how she perceived me. I was a monster. I had fangs, talons, and my eyes had bleached to faint blue, completing the transformation of my kind. Her eyes were transfixed at the sight before her. Throwing up my hand, I halfway turned from her to hide what I had become. “Get out, Sophia. Go.” I snapped. “Alex—” I turned and hissed, knowing it would get the desired effect. A small scream tumbled over her lips. Her heart raced in her chest. Sophia paused for a split second, trying to decide what to do, then ran from the apartment like anyone who had seen a creature of darkness. It’s futile. I can never have her. Never! Now she’ll see me as nothing else except a monster, I cursed. **** “So you just let her go!” “I didn’t have a choice, Silva!” I growled back at him. I squeezed too hard, crushing the tumbler of blood in my hand and wasting the ruby nectar. Shit! A piece of glass lodged in my palm. I plucked the chunk out and watched the cut knit itself back together perfectly. I wiped the remnants of the blood on my pants. They were ruined anyway. I made a move to clean the spill, but Silva caught my hand. “The help will get it. That’s what I pay them for, Alexander.” He poured me another glass and held it out. “Do try and not break this one. It’s a rare vintage.”

I nodded and took a long swig. I nearly choked. The blood had a bitter aftertaste like brandy. The blood must have been from an alcoholic or laced with liquor. Silva was a connoisseur of all things, even down to the chessboards he displayed and the photos on the wall. He had seen a lot in his day. I sometimes wondered how he did it, facing eternity the way he did without looking back to his past as a human. Would I be like that if I reached five hundred? Would I even remember I’d been human? “Have you gone to see her since? Has she come into the café? It’s been three weeks, hasn’t it?” I placed the glass on the arm of the chair and stared at my friend. He rested casually on the leather sofa across from me with his legs crossed, waiting for me to answer. I didn’t respond right away but inspected the contents of his coffee table. A chess set fashioned after the Lord of the Rings trilogy sat in the center. It was my move. However, I wasn’t in the mood to play. The rest of the glass table was littered with ad layouts. It was just another reminder of Sophia since I knew she was an ad designer. “When did you get into advertising?” Silva shrugged. “I’m launching a new company and needed someone who knew what they were doing.” I leaned over and shuffled through some of the proofs. As I did, Sophia’s card fell onto my lap. I gripped the card as a bolt of anger shot through me. “Silva?” He flashed me his debonair smile with a hint of fang. He held up both of his hands as I held myself in my seat. He had better have a damn good explanation. “Alex, relax. Sophia knows nothing about my nature, nor have I told her I know you. I contacted her firm a few months ago before she quit. When I found out she had gone out on her own three weeks ago, on the same day the ads were due, mind you, I went to her myself. I don’t blame her for leaving, really. Her boss was an extreme asshole and didn’t know what kind of talent she possessed. She’s really the finest in the business, and you know I demand nothing but the best.” “And you didn’t tell me this because?” “It wasn’t relevant at the time. You’ve been so preoccupied with her lately I didn’t see the point. Besides, she’s been a wreck ever since she saw you. I can barely get her to concentrate on her work. Every time I call her, she’s out of focus—I think that’s the best way to put it. Resolve this dilemma between the both of you so I can have her thinking on her feet again.” Easier said than done. Staring at her card, I caught the whiff of her intoxicating scent. If she only knew what was really in those mochas she drank. She would consider me even more of a monster. Was that the reason I was so infatuated with her? No, I loved the way she moved, how her laugh lilted at the end, and how sexy her voice was. Three weeks ago was the same day I had scared the hell out of her. If it was any other vampire besides Silva working with her, I would have been worried. My friend had told me the truth. He hadn’t told Sophia anything. I took a large swig of blood, feeling it burn going down, instantly warming me. I realized then why the blood was rare because it felt like I had taken it directly from a body. Ever since Sophia had run from my apartment, I hadn’t seen her

in the café and I hadn’t sought her out. Instinct told me to leave her alone. My kind was not supposed to be with a human. Silva had been right. I was in love with Sophia. “And the realization finally hits. It’s a wonderment, isn’t it?” Sometimes Silva seemed to sense my thoughts. That wasn’t a vampire power I was aware of, but in his old age, who knew what he was hiding? “Any suggestions, Casanova?” “Just be yourself!” “That’s what’s bothering me.” I rose from the chair and looked out the window. Sunset was still hours away. The lack of sleep weighed down on my shoulders. When I settled down to try to sleep, my mind was inundated with images of Sophia running terrified from my apartment. Tonight I’d venture over and try to explain, placating myself before her. I prayed Sophia would understand and accept me. I missed the conversations we had in the café and the closeness we shared before my nature revealed itself. **** My eyes snapped opened. Twilight had just come. It was vampire nature to know when the first wings of night glided over the horizon. I disentangled myself from my ball of sheets and held back a shiver of enjoyment. I climbed into the shower, letting the hot jets relax my muscles. Sophia lingered in my thoughts. She’d be petrified to see me. I was sure of that, but I couldn’t resist her any longer. My heart—I laughed at the thought—my heart ached for her. I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in so long. These past few weeks without her presence had been lonely. Drying off, I gazed at myself in the mirror. I still looked the same. Locked in an eternal thirty. So many would die just to have what I had. Others would lie, cheat, and do anything to have immortality. Me? Well, I’d been a random victim of what mortals called a drive-by shooting, all because I’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time. I swallowed as guilt overwhelmed me. Sophia had barely escaped my attack because I hadn’t taken the chance of getting caught drinking blood. Would she have seen me as a monster if she discovered my secret that way? I had to be more careful if I wanted to pursue a relationship with her. What am I thinking? You know what happens when our kind and humans get involved, one of two things. We drain them dry or turn them. Keeping them as friends is hard, and yet we crave to be around them. Do I want that for Sophia? I shook my head as I made my way downstairs and made the signature drink the café was named after and her favorite. I could have brought flowers, but I knew her weakness. My hunger was under control and my thoughts were locked on her. My teeth pushed against my gums aching to taste her sweet flesh, but I fought the eternal urge and kept my mind focused on what I would say. I wasn’t going to grovel. I wouldn’t use my powers to jump onto her fire escape and scare the shit out of her either. Silva said to be myself. “You’d better be right about this,” I whispered as I rode the elevator up to Sophia’s apartment.

When the doors opened, part of me wanted to march right back to my apartment and pretend I’d never met Sophia. To do that would have changed fate, and I had a feeling fate was not going to let me get off that easy when it came to the woman lurking in my heart.

Chapter Five Sophia I came down the stairs from the bathroom and saw Alex hunched over, gripping the counter as if he was hurt. I thought he’d suddenly come down with something, and when I reached out to touch him, he spun around. Shock and fear had clutched my insides. His eyes were blue-white with only a pinpoint of black. I knew he saw me. His hand enclosed my neck with the points of his claws nearly slicing into my throat. He had fangs. This was the face I’d seen when I was attacked in the café. The Alex I’d known had melted away, becoming a monster from a horrible nightmare. I breathed his name, but the alien look on his features didn’t dissipate. He sniffed the air like an animal sensing prey. His teeth hovered closer to my neck, so close I felt the condensation of his breath. I whispered his name again, but he didn’t hear me. Then he tore into my throat . . . I jolted upright in bed, clutching my chest. It was just another damn nightmare. I’d been having them ever since I ran from Alex’s apartment. Each time, I woke up scared to death. The first week, I’d barely slept at all and had woken screaming whenever I did. Sweat had plastered the sheets to my body. A few calming breaths helped settle my throttling heart. My gaze slid to the alarm clock. It was almost dark. I couldn’t believe I’d slept so long. Then again, with the lack of sleep and a high-paying client on my ass, I’d finally crashed after getting his proofs done. When I’d arrived home from Alex’s, there was a message on my machine from Silva, the same guy who I’d worked for at the firm. To my surprise, he still wanted me to do the layout for him. Silva had seen the proofs the agency had done and hated them. He said if I came through for him, I’d be paid pretty well and he would want me exclusively. How could I resist that? Pulling in favors with models, photographers, and a couple of friends at my old job at the last minute, I’d gotten the look Silva envisioned for his ads. I had also explained to him that I had no money to get what he wanted done. It wasn’t a problem for him. He agreed to bankroll the entire project and still pay me as long as I set it up. He demanded everything arranged by the end of next week. The proofs were almost ready. I had even finagled a spot in Vogue, which Silva was pleased about. His fashion line was not launching until spring, but he wanted to do some advance advertising to get the buzz going. The clothes were interesting. Some of them were very dark, like they belonged on a vampire, and others seemed to go on a farm girl. Others were a mixture of both, and they could only fit on a toothpick. The same night, I’d also had three messages from Drew. Two of them were him calling me a whore and a few other choice names. The last one was of him apologizing. The sound of his voice was so forlorn it broke my heart, and I almost wavered about breaking up with him. Then I remembered the first two messages he had left and how he had acted at the restaurant. Over the past three weeks, Drew showered me with flowers and left countless messages on my machine. Thank God for caller ID. The flowers I sent back with the delivery guy. As my thoughts drifted over what Drew had said to me, I wondered who was more the monster, him or Alex? My thoughts drifted to Alex as I forced myself into the shower. Vampire. My mind formed the word I hadn’t been able to say aloud. I ran my fingers over the place where Alex had grabbed me. He was going to bite me like a common animal. As the spray doused my hair, I wondered what the experience would be like. What would it feel like to have him bite me? I shook my head. What did it matter? During the past three weeks, I’d been driving myself crazy over what I should do. I’d stayed away from Midnight Mocha trying to avoid him, trying to process what had happened. What happened hadn’t been a dream. It had been real. My life had just turned

into a horror movie. For the first week, I expected Alex to come crashing through my window to claim me as his vampire bride, but he hadn’t. I had invited him into my house. I had seen him in daylight. Didn’t sunlight kill vampires? Could he go into a church? Was he allergic to garlic? Did he have a coffin? These were the things swimming in my head the second week. The third week, even though I was having nightmares, my thoughts drifted back to the couple of times Alex and I had been so close. Alex had saved my life. He could have killed me when we were alone in his apartment. Even then, there was tension between us. He was handsome and conscientious about taking care of me until Drew came. I hadn’t wanted to leave. At that moment, I knew my relationship with Drew was over. But my mind wound back to the encounter in my apartment. Alex held me in his arms. It seemed he wanted to bolt at first, but then he relaxed into my hug. He had smelled delectable and felt so damn good against my body. The second time, his skin had been so soft when I touched his face and brushed the hair out of his eyes. I tried to hold on to every tactile detail I could before my mind reminded me he was a monster. However, if he was such a monster, then why did he save me? Part of me was terrified of him, another was so intrigued it wanted to race over to his apartment and find out the truth. An ache had formed in my heart because I missed him so much. Lately, the ache had been sparking into a burn. I saw Alex everywhere and craved his touch. I don’t know if it mattered if he was a vampire or not. I liked Alex for who he was. He could’ve killed me several times over. The night he rescued me. Even that night on the street, he could have dragged me into a dark alley and drained me dry. I shook my head as I wrapped myself in a towel and brushed my hair out to dry. I yearned for him. It was plain and simple. Now I just had to deal with the fact he was a freaking vampire. Sighing, I slipped into some jeans and an old T-shirt Drew had left behind. I used to like to confiscate his T-shirts. It was a godsend we’d never moved in together so I didn’t have a lot of his stuff to give him back. I sauntered into the kitchen and put water on for coffee. I’d only had instant these past three weeks, and I was seriously craving a Midnight Mocha, but I hadn’t scraped together the nerve yet to go in and order one. There was a knock on my door as I was about to sit down. The sudden rap startled me. I was way too skittish these days. Monsters. Vampires. What was next? Hobbits on stilts? Or Drew with more flowers in hand, begging me to marry him? Closing my hand around the doorknob, I took in a breath expecting Drew to be on bended knee when I opened the door. On the other side stood Alex, looking as normal as anyone. I drew in a breath, trying to shush my frantic heart. Instinct kicked in and told me to run, but I stayed my ground even though fear penetrated every muscle. “Hi, Sophia.” His voice was a low whisper. A black, mid-length leather jacket hung over dark slacks and a tan shirt. Sunglasses hugged his face so I could barely see his eyes. In his hand was a cup of coffee. I inhaled and realized it was my favorite. Boy, he knew the way to a girl’s heart. The heady aroma of the drink made my mouth water. I swallowed my fear as he took his glasses off and slipped them into his pocket. Underneath the dark lenses, his eyes were as dark as the coffee concoction he held. “Hi, Alex.”

His eyes searched mine. “Can I come in?” “I thought your kind could come and go as they pleased since you’d already been invited in?” His lips turned up in a chuckle. “That’s just a myth. We don’t need to be invited in. I just didn’t want to barge in since it’s rude, and I figured you might not be happy to see me after . . .” I looked down at the carpet. The rug was a weave of gray, pink, and tan. I’d never noticed the hallway carpeting before. My gaze settled on his shoes. They were black leather and looked soft, expensive. I can do this. Part of you still wants to jump his bones. He’s bringing you a peace offering. Let him in. The fear in me receded. My mouth suddenly became dry like someone stuffed a thousand cotton balls into it. I forced my gaze back to his chest. The more I studied him, the more my body warmed to the thought of having him naked in bed with me. Finally, I nodded. My eyes quickly met his and I tried to stop the burn coloring my cheeks. “Well, umm—” “Sophia, I can go if you want me to.” I heard the disappointment in his voice, and it stabbed my heart. The way he said my name was like a caress on my cheek. I didn’t want him to go. I yearned to be in his arms with his lips finally on mine. Yeah, he was a vampire. I’d been dealing with that fact for three weeks. Did it still freak me out? Oh, hell yeah! But I couldn’t just let him walk out of my life. That would be blasphemy. He let out a long breath, inferring my silence to mean I didn’t want him around. This time, I met his gaze, almost daring him. I locked my eyes with his. Moving out of the doorway, I saw his smile return. “I don’t want you to go, Alex. I want you to stay. This is just all a little eerie.” I leaned on the door and shut it as he walked in and took stock of my apartment. The kettle was beginning to whistle, and I wove into the kitchen and shut it off before the noise got annoying. When I turned around, Alex appeared in the doorway. I nearly landed on the ceiling. Closing my eyes, I took a long second to catch my breath. “I’m sorry.” My hands were shaking. I hated that they were, but I couldn’t stop them. When I opened my eyes, the coffee he had brought was on the counter. I gripped the cup and tried to drink the liquid but couldn’t because my hand was shaking a mile a minute. “Shit.” I forced myself to try to calm down. There was a space between me and Alex that hadn’t been there before. I hated it. A chasm had opened between us and there was no bridge to get to him. “Sophia, I’m making you uncomfortable. I’ll go.” He turned to move out of the kitchen. I set down the coffee cup, reached out, and grabbed his arm. Now my whole body shook. “No, Alex. Please don’t. This—you—it’s fucking strange.” Gripping his arm, I noticed he was all muscle. I wondered if all of him was. He looked deep into my eyes. For a moment, his hunger flashed, but he reined it in. He was as tense as me.

“I know. I should’ve told you. I didn’t what to spook you, but I guess I did. I didn’t mean to hurt you the other night.” His voice was low, a hypnotic tone that lulled me a little into calmer waters. His fingertips traced the places on my neck where his claws had nearly pierced my flesh. At each stroke, warm tingles started to zing through my body, touching my toes and engulfing my heart. My mouth got even drier so I swallowed. His eyes never left mine. We were both transfixed. His other hand rested on my hip. The warmth of his fingertips burned through my jeans. My breathing increased. I was scared of him, but the anticipation of being so close and yet so far made my cravings for him irresistible. “Alex?” “Yes?” His fingers pressed lightly on my pulse point before he brushed a piece of hair from my face. His nails grazed along my cheekbone. I stepped in a little closer so my breasts pressed against him. Tentatively, I rested my head against his chest and let my hands wrap around his neck. A sigh escaped my lips as I relaxed in his arms somewhat. Like the original moment, he stiffened and then let his palms sit lightly against my back. I inhaled and smelled the mocha on his jacket. His hair was tainted with the aroma along with a hint of vanilla and shampoo. Everything in me felt so right in his arms. Even though my mind was screaming because of what he was, I felt safe. “Sophia.” I lifted my head, making sure my cheek brushed against his, so I could meet his gaze. “Yes?” He paused. We were so close. “There’s someone at your door. They’ve been knocking for a few seconds.” I stared at him. I hadn’t heard the rapping. “Let them knock. I’m kinda busy.” I stretched up and was about to taste his lips when I heard the door open. “Sophia?” The voice belonged to Drew. “Shit! Why is this always happening to us?” I muttered. He still had my key. In one of his voice mails, he mentioned he was coming over one of these nights so we could discuss our “relationship.” I groaned. Alex brushed his lips against my hair and untangled himself from me. Straightening my shirt, I poked my head out of the kitchen and saw Drew standing in the hallway, wondering where I was. His face lit up when he saw me. I used to love his smile. Now the look was annoying. In my mind, he was still an ass after the events at the restaurant, and I hoped his favorite shirt was forever stained from the wine I’d thrown at him. I stepped out of the kitchen, but didn’t make a move to go and greet him. “Drew, what’re you doing here?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. “I wanted to see you. We need to talk about us. You haven’t been returning any of my phone calls, so figuring things out between us is kinda hard. I want us to work, Sophia.” He stepped toward me, but I backed away.

“Us? There’s no more ‘us,’ Drew. Didn’t you get that when you called me a whore in front of the entire restaurant? Or did me giving you back your ring not tip you off? I don’t want to see you anymore.” “Look. I’m sorry. I was a jerk. I know that. Don’t shut me out just because I accused you of sleeping with Alex. I—” At the mention of his name, Alex came out of the kitchen. The shocked expression on my ex’s face was priceless. It went from red to purple in a matter of seconds. “So you are fucking him! I knew it.” “I’d leave now if I were you!” The menace in Alex’s voice made my blood run cold. Drew laughed. “Is that a threat?” Alex stepped forward. I heard a low growl in his throat. I grabbed his arm and shot him a look. Everything in him was ready to pounce. “Drew, go home. Put the key on the table and get out.” Drew laughed, and I saw a hint of insanity in his eyes. He took the key and ceremoniously dropped it on the floor. The door slammed shut behind him. I let go of Alex’s arm. He led me to a chair and sat me down as I was still shaking, this time from my encounter with Drew. In a second, I had the cup of coffee in my hand. Alex sat across from me. I took a long sip of the coffee and let its chocolaty-coffee-goodness slide down my throat like liquid silk. I wondered if Alex had the same addiction to blood as I did to his coffee. “Sophia, are you okay?” Concern etched Alex’s features. “I will be. It’s just been a very hectic few weeks. The night I ran into you on the sidewalk, I had quit my job and decided to branch out on my own. At the last minute, this client says, ‘Screw the firm,’ and he wants to stay with me. Then I broke up with Drew because he said, well, he thinks I’m sleeping with you. But there were other reasons I dumped him.” “Was one of them me?” I blinked at the question. I hadn’t realized he was so straightforward. I chewed on my lip and mulled over the question. Even before I discovered Alex’s true nature, I’d contemplated if I had a crush on him. I was not going to be ashamed for feeling how I did. “Yes.” “Sophia, I never meant—” I held up my hand. “Save it. I know. You can’t help the way I felt about you.” His smug smile dropped. “I see. Now that you know the truth about me, you don’t want anything to do with me. Look, I came over here to try and explain.”

“Alex, I didn’t say that either. I’m glad you’re here. Right now, I need . . . Oh God.” I couldn’t help it, but tears started rushing down my cheeks. Something inside of me had cracked. The stress of the past few weeks was too much. I’d been pushing myself to get the ads done, trying not to think about Alex when I was fantasizing about him, and now Drew had barged back into my life. Alex’s strong arms enfolded me. He lifted me up and brought me over to the couch where I turned in his grasp and let the tears come forth. This was what I needed right at this moment, someone strong to hold and protect me. I didn’t care what kind of a creature he was. Okay, so he was a vampire. Big whoop! There might be drawbacks to our relationship, like not going sunbathing. His arms were a protective shelter as he held me with his head resting on mine and his hands wrapped around my shoulders as I nestled into the back of the couch. Finally, I wiped the tears away knowing I was all puffy and red-eyed. “Why is it you see me crying lately?” I sniffled. “I have that effect on women.” I giggled and hiccupped as I reached for a sip of coffee. It still tasted like heaven. “Thank you, Alex. I swear I’m not an emotional wreck. Normally, I’m pretty well put together.” Alex smiled softly and brushed the remaining tears from my eyes with his thumb. “You’re beautiful, Sophia. No matter how teary-eyed you get. I care for you a great deal. I wanted you to know that.” I searched his dark eyes to see if he was pulling my leg, but he wasn’t. His face was etched in stone. He cupped my cheek and drew me to his mouth. For the first time, it felt like I was in paradise. I draped my arms around his neck. His kiss was gentle as he barely touched my lips, but I needed more of him. I leaned back a little, wondering if he’d follow, and he did. His knee was between my legs, pressing so dangerously close. My fingers traced the muscles of his chest. The kiss became incessant. He yearned to devour mine, and I was open for the eating. I returned the kiss with the same ferocity as his. Alex’s thumbs hooked under my chin, turning my head to get to my throat. I didn’t resist. He ran his mouth along the line of my neck to where the pulse beat strongest and nipped along the skin with his sharp teeth. I drew in a breath through my teeth and waited for him to strike. I gripped the leather of his jacket, but he stopped and withdrew, leaving the space above me empty. He had moved without me seeing him. I blinked and sat up to see him sitting in the chair I had occupied earlier. How had he moved so fast? Alex stared at me with white-blue eyes. “I won’t.” I knelt down before him. Alex was trying to rein in the beast inside. Everything about him was on edge. The tips of his claws caressed the chair, and his fangs were as sharp as a cobra’s. I wasn’t afraid of him. I picked up his hand and brought it to my face. He tried to pull it away, but I held tight as I ran his hand over my cheek, over my neck, and above my heart so he could feel how fast it beat, so he would know how rapidly my breath touched my lips and how much I wanted him. It wasn’t because he was a vampire.

“I’m not afraid, Alex.” I stretched up to kiss him. His lips pulled away from his fangs. The snarl didn’t deter me. I kissed his cheek and then slowly found the same spot on his neck where he had settled on mine. I nipped at the skin there lightly. He shivered against me. The gesture must have been too much for him because he broke my grasp and caressed my throat. The softness of lips settled on my skin. The wetness of his tongue outlined my jugular vein. “It’s okay,” I whispered into his ear and nipped the end lightly before returning to teasing him. The hardness of his fang scraped along the surface of my flesh. My back arched, and I bit my lip. He wanted me. I could feel it. I wanted him. All he had to do was take me. Suddenly, I felt the hard floor under my butt and Alex was by my balcony window. I took in a deep breath to recover from how warm the room had gotten. He hadn’t breached my skin. I got up and took a step forward. Alex had his back to me, but he held out his hand to stop me and looked over his shoulder. “No, Sophia. Stay away.” I didn’t listen to him this time, nor was I going to run away. “Alex, please don’t push me away.” I put a hand on his shoulder. “The other night I almost killed you. I should never have come here. It’s too much of a temptation being around you alone. Vampires and humans make an explosive combination. Please understand.” He turned around, and I saw his appearance had normalized and the concern on his face was genuine. The pleas in his eyes for me to understand cut me to the quick. His fingers ran the length of my cheek. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered. “I don’t want to be without you.” I searched his eyes and tried to make him understand. The longing inside of me was killing me. I desired him so badly, the yearning burned me alive inside. “I—I love you, Alex.” He was silent at my words. It stunned him as they stunned me. My vampire just shook his head. “There can’t be love between us, between a mortal and immortal creature. We have to let things be as they were. You come in for coffee, and I’ll sit with you for a while. We can pretend—” “I don’t want to pretend anything.” “Nothing can happen between us, Sophia. This is as far as our relationship can go. I’ve let this go too far already.” “But—” He shook his head and put a finger to my lips. “No buts. It’ll have to be this way.” This was so unfair. He was not going to let me have any more say in it. This was my life, damn it. I could deal with him being a vampire. Defeat washed over me. Then he was gone like a ghost in the night.

Chapter Six Alex I gazed up at Sophia’s window. Even from here, I felt her pain. I had landed catlike on the pavement. It was true vampires could fly, but nothing like a superhero. We could float or glide, but I couldn’t beat the red eye to Cleveland. This was the best for all of us. I wouldn’t taste her blood. I couldn’t. Sophia meant too much to me. I stared back at her third story balcony and heard her crying. Her last words echoed in my heart. She whispered she loved me, and I knew Sophia meant it. The sounds of her sorrow turned my heart, but I’d not give myself the satisfaction of breaching her veins. It’d have been easy to lose myself in the sound of the rushing rivers buried deep inside of her. I shook my head as I walked toward Silva’s house. I needed my own kind, and he was always welcoming. As I walked through the darkness, Sophia’s sweet scent clung to me even as the night breeze tried to steal it away. Even the taste of the mocha on her lips was on mine from kissing her. The feel of her warm body under mine had been too much and pushed me over the edge. I hadn’t anticipated how much she wanted me. Or how much I craved her. The desire was so great I could have returned to her place and taken her without hesitation. She would have let me in. I swallowed and drove the monster back into its cage even while the hunger whispered to me. I ran my tongue over my lips, tasting her again. The night swallowed me as I tried to immerse myself in the sensations around me. Humans chatted along as they walked beside me. Car fumes perfumed the air along with the aromas of hot dog vendors, cigarette butts, and the steam of the subway. Sounds from far away screamed in my ears, but I ignored them and let the energy of the dark vibrate over me. It made me feel alive. It made all of my kind feel alive. We were the night. We functioned in the daylight, but it hurt like hell. I opened the door to Silva’s building and rode the elevator, wondering what I had just done. I had Sophia right where I wanted her. One nip and her heady blood would have glided down my tongue. The doors swung open. I knew what Silva was going to say. I could already hear it. I raised my hand to knock, but the door opened before I made contact. Music blared and women giggled like little children inside. Silva was having one of his famous parties. I hadn’t been to one in ages, but always had a standing invitation. Several of the women inside wouldn’t leave tonight. “You coming in or not?” I blinked and realized my longtime friend waited in the doorway. He was dressed in his usual suit, but this time, it was navy blue with a red silk tie. Only Armani for him. I moved past him inside. There were three other vampires in the room. I knew one of them. The other two were older than me. The one I knew, Carmichael, looked up from the neck of a redhead and gave me a quick smile before going back to his feast. She wasn’t long for this world. Her heart was almost done beating. A couple more sips and she’d be a body. I licked my lips absently. Silva clamped a hand down on my shoulder. Taking in the room, I noticed there were ten other humans in the room and maybe more in the apartment. Their heartbeats all sounded together in

their own symphony. I sniffed. Each of them smelled wonderful. In the back, there was a couple having sex. “You smell like Sophia. How was she?” Silva asked as he led me to a vacant couch. I sat down and stared at one of his pewter chessboards. This one represented the legend of Camelot. Silva’s fascination with chess was beyond me. I think I’d seen one that was an Alice in Wonderland set. I put my head in my hands and ran my fingers through my hair. As I did, I was reminded of Sophia’s soft flesh. I glanced up at Silva. “I didn’t. I couldn’t.” Silva sighed and sat down next to me, ignoring the human who draped herself over him like a fur. “My friend. You have issues. Did she want you to taste her?” “Yes. She invited me to at every turn.” Another one of Silva’s morsels perched on the arm of the couch and placed her arm around my shoulders. Her legs were crossed, but I could still see the throbbing of her femoral artery and the tiny veins under her skin. She played with my hair. I absently rested my hand on her thigh. The warmth of her skin sank into mine. I glanced at her. Silva raised an eyebrow at me. “Alexander, sometimes what we want and what they want might be two different things. But I know Sophia desires you. You can’t keep up the act of only being friends forever.” “Tell me something I don’t know already. Silva, she told me she loves me. How do I handle that?” My friend sighed. “If you truly care for her, maybe even love her as she has already professed to you, then she’ll haunt your heart until you taste her. Nothing about you will rest until you feel her move under you. Does she know about the secret ingredient in your coffee? Are you sure that’s not what you are attracted to?” “No. She doesn’t know about the blood. How can I tell her? Silva, I don’t just desire her as a vampire. I want her as a human, enough that I’ll never breach her veins,” I growled. Without thinking, I yanked the woman’s hand around my neck and brought it to my lips. My passion for Sophia had driven me to this. Tonight I required sustenance from a living body instead of a bottle to ease the need in my veins. I tried to imagine this woman was Sophia, but she was nothing like her. Her other hand gripped my shoulder at the force I held. My meal would pull away from me in a minute because I was being too rough. My teeth descended. I glanced up at Silva, who gave me a devilish smile. It’d been a long time since I had fed in front of him or at one of his gatherings. The blood scorched my throat and warmed my cold heart. Everything in me wanted this woman to be Sophia. The liquid was satisfying, but not in the way that I craved. But no matter what, the call of my prey’s heart, its eternal beat, lulled me into a trance. I drank swallow after swallow, feeling the strength and the power coursing through my body. Finally, her life was ebbing. Even though the fount was weak, I kept draining her until the heart shivered and one last breath quaked from her body. When I looked up, Silva stared at me. I released the girl, letting her body drop to the floor with a thud. Guilt did not plague me for taking her life.

“You were thirsty. I haven’t seen you sip from a vein in a long time, let alone drain a body. This woman really has you wound up. Alexander, you haven’t been this frustrated in decades. For your sake, go back to Sophia. Take her before your urges drive you both wild. Bite her. Fuck her. Get the itch out of your system. Go on. I’ll take care of the body.” Silva knew me too well. I got up and didn’t bother to look at the other vamps or hookers in the room. Carmichael was sipping off another human, and the body of the first was now gone. I shivered as I walked past. I could’ve been like all of them. I was like the rest of my kind since I felt no remorse for killing that girl. My thoughts were too focused on what Silva had said. “Go back and claim Sophia.” She would take me. I know she would. This was the best time since my hunger was sated. I turned my eye to the sky. There were still hours before sunrise. When I got outside Sophia’s place, the light was still blazing. I stood under her balcony for a while, staring at the fire escape. If I listened hard enough, I could hear her inside moving around. If she was watching television, I could hear the show. Part of me wondered what she was doing up there. Probably watching some old movie or getting wrapped up in her work. Anything to keep her mind off me and what had transpired between us only a few hours ago. Silva had no idea how much of what he said was true. She was already haunting my heart. I wanted to taste her. Finally, I entered the building and rode the elevator back up to her floor. The ride was agonizing. I never minded the passage of time before. Hell, I am a hundred-year-old vampire. I had learned how to deal with the march of endless years and had enjoyed them. But riding the elevator was the longest ride I’d ever had. This time I had no coffee to offer her, no gift of apology. Outside her door, I stared at the design of the grain. This close, I could hear the beating of her heart, if I had wanted. Finally, I knocked. There was silence on the other side for a few moments. Carpet crunched under padding feet. The door opened. Her hair was disheveled and her eyes sleep-laden. Her T-shirt hung almost to her knees, and her legs were bare. I’d woken her up. When she realized it was me, the look of joy on her face replaced the ache in my soul. “Alex, is everything all right? Did you forget something?” She tried to hold in a yawn and turned away slightly so I couldn’t see her. I chuckled. “Yes, Sophia. I forgot something.” I didn’t wait for her reply but stepped in and claimed her, wrapping my arms around Sophia. Her lips were on mine, and she tasted so good. So much better than the morsel I had earlier. Shock zapped her and made her rigid in my hands. For a second, she was a frozen statue, but she soon responded and melted. Each moment my mouth was locked to her, the tang of mocha was on her lips. Sophia placed her hands on my chest and pushed me away. “Alex, are you feeling okay? What’s with the sudden showing up at my doorstep in the middle of the night? I thought you didn’t want this.” Her eyes searched mine, looking for my spontaneous change of heart. “I was an idiot. A friend of mine helped me to realize that.”

Sophia laughed this time and then completely unwound herself from my arms. I closed the door as I watched her walk off down the hall. I waited for her, wondering where she had run off to. After a moment, she popped her head around the corner. “You coming?” A stupid grin spread on my face, and I let my jacket slip from my shoulders. I threw my coat on a chair as I walked down the hallway. I didn’t know what to expect, but I hoped whatever happened between us would quench the ache in my soul. Her bedroom was nothing like a normal woman’s. No bright colors, no frills, nor a bed covered in pillows. It was decorated in red and silver, my kind of colors. Her curtains were heavy to block out the light, and all her furniture was made of dark wood. Sophia’s taste fit my own. She sat on the bed cross-legged with the T-shirt pulled over her knees. She looked like a schoolgirl ready for a sleepover. Her wide eyes had brightened now that she was wide awake. I knelt before her. It seemed the only appropriate thing to do. She fidgeted some with her T-shirt. I took her twitching hands, steadied them, and kissed each one of them gently. “Sophia, I’m so very sorry about earlier. I don’t want to hurt you. Believe me when I tell you that was the only reason I left.” “Alex, I appreciate your candor, but I’m a big girl. I understand the consequences. I know what you are.” She wrested her hand from mine and ran her fingers through my hair. The subtle movement sent shivers stamping through me. “Alex, I don’t just want you to take my blood. I don’t want you to think I’m a vampire groupie or something. I want your body too. I need to be close to you. I need to feel you. I . . .” She let her thought trail off as her cheeks darkened from the directions of her thoughts. “Sophia, I want all of you, but one step at a time. Tell me you want this.” She didn’t have to answer. Her eyes told me her decision. Sophia had made her choice before I left, but in these past couple of hours, it had solidified. Sophia craved me as much as I desired her. She was willing to risk her life for that longing. “I want this. I want you.” She lifted her hair away and bent her neck to the side, showing me the delicate curve of her throat. Veins pulsated with a life of their own. I didn’t trust myself with such a fragile spot. Not after what had been said. I lifted her right wrist and turned it over. Splashes of blue decorated her arm where the veins were close to the surface. I traced one line with my finger and she shivered. Moving a couple of inches up, I unleashed my nature and let her look upon my true face, but she didn’t flinch. I gripped her wrist with both hands, wrapping my fingers around it to keep her in place. Without warning, I sunk my fangs into her veins. A moan spilled over her lips. Once the first blast of blood hit my tongue, I was lost. Sophia was everything I’d ever wanted and assumed she would taste like. Sophia jumped. Part of her stiffened and wanted to pull away, but she stayed her ground, facing her fear with her other arm wrapped around my neck to keep herself steady. I swallowed like a glutton. The blood wouldn’t come to me fast enough. We sat for endless seconds as I was lost in the ecstasy of feeding from her. The taste of the Midnight Mocha had fused with her blood. I could taste my own creation, the hint of my blood, within her. It raced to every part of my body, strengthening me. I should have been sated with the girl I’d drained earlier, but Sophia made me ravenous.

“Alex. Stop. I can’t. Please.” Her whisper came to me through a long tunnel. I felt her hand grasp my other hand to try to get my attention, but I was too far-gone, too enraptured in her blood. Silva would think I was right for taking her. It would make my life easier if I drained her, but I couldn’t kill her. I loved her. One more sip. One more swallow was all I allowed myself. Reluctantly, I pulled myself away after licking her wounds clean. By the time I stopped, Sophia had slumped against me. Her pulse was thready, but steady. Fuck. I almost killed you. Why did you let me in? Why did you let me taste you? This was what I had warned you about. This was why I wanted us to be the way we were. Then I wouldn’t have hurt you. Now I can feel your life inside of me, binding me to you. I know your thoughts and your desires, Sophia. They’re stored in your blood. Why did you let me in? I lifted her gently, placed her on the bed more comfortably, and propped her head up with a pillow. She was the personification of innocence as she lay there. Her dark hair cascaded around her head like a veil. Her skin was pale enough that she could have been an effigy on a tomb. I wasn’t going to leave her, but I had to be sure the apartment was secure. Reluctantly, I left the bedroom. I had to be sure the front door was locked. I then secured the windows, being sure no light penetrated the curtains. No matter if the dawn came, I wouldn’t leave her to death. I should have brought her to a hospital, but there would’ve been too many questions. I should have at least brought her to Silva, but he would’ve told me to turn her, and I didn’t want that fate for Sophia either. I wanted her by my side, but I wanted her human. Was that selfish? Yes. But I didn’t care. Sighing, I popped my shoes off and nestled next to her under the covers, trying to keep her warm with my stolen blood. I lay there all night, listening to her heart beating harder, pumping more blood through her body. With each beat, she strengthened. She was a fighter. She was mine. **** It was late in the afternoon the next day when Sophia made a move. I’d stayed with her, drifting in and out of sleep in the cocoon of darkness her room had become once the sun rose. The temperature wasn’t as cold as I liked it, but my body demanded sleep. My system needed to process all the blood I’d imbibed since I felt bloated like an overfed leech. Sophia rolled around and mumbled. I comforted her enough that she fell back into the arms of sleep. Now, as I moved the hair from her face, her eyes fluttered open. It took a minute for them to focus. The horror I expected wasn’t there. She only looked at me with sweet acceptance. “Hi,” I whispered. “Hi.” Sophia blushed, but her cheeks were paler than normal, like a moon orchid opening for the first time. She wound her fingers through mine, but even that was taxing for her. I smiled. She was colder than I would’ve hoped, but she was conscious, so she was going to be fine. Halfway through the night, I had tucked her under the covers since she threw them off and had added another one to make sure she wouldn’t plunge into shock. “What happened?” I brought our entwined fingers to my lips and kissed the back of her hand. “I tasted you. And I nearly killed you.”

She tried to sit up but couldn’t make it. I stretched out next to her and leaned on my elbow to look down at her. “But you didn’t. I’m alive.” I chuckled. “Barely. I almost didn’t stop. You taste . . .” I closed my eyes trying to find the words to describe to her. “You taste like my coffee, like dark chocolate with a hint of spice and my secret ingredient. And it’s very intoxicating.” “Wow.” “Yeah. Now do you understand why I was so apprehensive? I don’t want to lose you.” She nodded. “I understand, but I don’t want you to disappear either. I like what we have, Alex. I love talking to you, seeing you, kissing you.” “I want you, Sophia, but it’s too dangerous for us to be together. Don’t you think I want your body next to mine? I yearn to discover what spots would make you moan if I touched you. Tonight, I stayed with you while you slept, curled up next to you, keeping you warm the best I could. I would love to feel your skin against mine causing friction. But I could get carried away. I don’t want to put you in the ground.” Sophia managed to sit up and stare deep into my eyes. She was fighting her body. Her blood loss should’ve made her woozy, and I was surprised that she had woken up this soon at all. Even as she stared at me, I craved her blood all over again. I didn’t want to give her up, but if I held her in my arms again, I didn’t know if I could stop myself from drinking her down. The oxymoron of being a vampire. “So what do we do?” she asked. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “You leave and we pretend to go back to being friends? Yeah, that really works! If you haven’t figured it out, Alex, I’m in love with you. I know I said that earlier, and I’ve tried not to with all of this craziness, but I can’t help how I feel.” I growled, letting her see my other face, but she didn’t flinch. “How do you think I feel? Just because I’m a vampire doesn’t mean I don’t want you too.” “Then act on how you feel.” Sophia tried to get up, but wasn’t able to. “I can’t without losing you,” I whispered. Sophia sighed and hung her head. She just didn’t understand. And if she did, her heart was dictating how she acted, and she wasn’t thinking straight. It’d be better if I left and faced the burning sun. At least I could heal from the sun’s scorching rays. But if her blood stopped pumping, I didn’t know if I could heal from the wound. It was only a few blocks back to my apartment. I got up from the bed. It was best if I left Sophia alone now to recover. It was obvious she would live. I didn’t have to worry about her. “Please don’t go!”

I untangled my fingers from hers and brushed my lips over hers. They were as scrumptious as I remembered. “I’ll see you at the café. We’ll work something out. I promise. My life would be hell without you, Sophia. Rest for the day. Take some iron pills and drink plenty of orange juice. It’ll help you recover quicker.” Sophia nodded, but remained silent. I slipped from her bedroom, pondering how we were going to make this work. I’m sure there were other vampires who had fallen in love with humans and dealt with the relationship. I didn’t want to turn her or watch her die. Someway, we would figure it out. For now, the sun was my only enemy, and I had time to ponder my existence.

Chapter Seven Sophia After Alex bit me, I thought I was in heaven until my heart fluttered and it was hard to breathe. I tried to get him to stop, but he didn’t hear me. The next thing I knew, darkness consumed me. Throughout the experience, I finally understood what he meant by us having a dangerous relationship. Once his fangs had sunk into my flesh, I realized he could kill me easily. His lips tugged at my blood giving him life, a life he didn’t have any longer. Warmth had abandoned him years ago. I was temptation incarnate since I held everything he didn’t have and craved. Alex had done everything he could to stay away from me, but I kept dangling myself before him, and he was like a lion batting at an unobtainable steak. We both wanted to be with one another. The tension in the air crackled between us the attraction was so vibrant. If it were possible, we would have sparked a fire. What I said to him was true. I loved him. He was a creature of darkness, but so what? What mattered was that I loved the man. Underneath the fangs and monstrous façade, he was a gentle giant, and I wanted him in my life. I wondered how he worked with Anne and all the patrons in the café every day, hearing their heartbeats thundering in his ears. I understood now, but I still didn’t want to let him go. Having Alex even leave the apartment made me feel like there was an empty hole in my life. I tried to get up and go after him, but I couldn’t even stand. I felt too weak. The only thing I could do was curl up and go back to sleep. The thought of sleep made my eyes heavy. Work beckoned, but it would have to wait. I would finish the ads by the deadline or it would kill me. The next time I woke up, night had fallen again. Actually, it was near one in the morning. I didn’t know if it was the next day or if it was just later in the night. Either way, my stomach rumbled. Time to eat something. I got up. This time, I was able to walk with the world only spinning a little. When I saw my reflection in one of the picture frames on the way to the kitchen, I looked like a ghost. Dark circles accentuated my eyes, which made me look like death warmed over. My stomach gurgled. I was ravenous. I opened the fridge, but when the smell hit my nose, the odor turned my stomach. I slammed the door shut and had a sudden craving for Chinese. Being cooped up for the past couple of days was making me stir crazy, even though I’d been asleep. It felt like the walls were closing in around me. Besides, I had to get some work done. I glanced at the calendar and realized I’d slept for thirty-six hours. A whole day had passed. Alex must have really depleted my body if I had slept that long. I wasn’t sleepy anymore, just ready to get cracking on something. And I wanted coffee. My eyes slid to the cup left on the table from the other day. You just want to see Alex. I smiled as I made my way slowly into the bedroom. I didn’t know the temperature, but I was freezing, so I donned an oversized black sweater and black jeans. The dark colors made me look even whiter. My answering machine blinked as I walked past. There were two messages that I never heard in my sleep. They could be potential clients or the only one I had now, so I pressed the play button. The first was from Drew. “Sophia, you don’t have to be afraid of me. I’ll make sure he pays for hurting you.” Drew’s voice was a little mysterious, and his tone sent a shiver down my back. I shook my head. He was crazy. There was no way he knew Alex was a vampire. Hell, I barely knew what Alex was until I had seen him change into a vampire in front of my eyes. Sure, I thought I had been imagining things

when I was nearly strangled by the guy in the café and Alex had transformed, but it wasn’t until I was at his apartment that I knew what he was for sure. I just shook the message off. The next one was from Silva. “Sophia, I hope you are well. Whenever you get this, please come by my apartment. It does not matter what time it is. I would like to go over some of the proofs . . .” I checked my watch. Any time? Well, it was two in the morning. I could stop by Midnight Mocha, get a coffee, see Alex, and then head over to Silva’s. I had his address in my datebook. We had never met face-to-face. I’d only messengered stuff over to him. He was an eccentric man and kept a night schedule. When I had talked to him at the firm, it was always close to closing, and at times, our conferences would go over. But he paid well, so no one complained. My thoughts wandered to Silva. Maybe he was . . . naw. I shook my head. Not everyone who is a night person is a vampire. I grabbed the rest of the proofs and slipped them into my purse. Thank God for oversized purses. I should have put on some makeup to make myself look presentable, but I doubted he thought I would drop in at such an early hour. He did say anytime of day. Silva’s apartment was several blocks from here. I felt too drained, and I would catch a cab after the meeting. Outside, the night air was crisp, but the city was still bustling with people. This was the City that Never Slept. It imbued me with a little strength, but even walking a block had me winded. I had to stop several times and felt like I could have gone back to bed and slept another day away. When I did finally make it to the café, the place wasn’t crowded. Anne stood behind the counter with her neon pink hair. Alex was there. It was strange. I sensed him. I assumed the connection that we had now made that possible. Maybe it was all the blood he took from me. Butterflies took control of my stomach when I pulled open the door. As I did, the bell rang and Anne looked up from her Gothic Beauty magazine she was flipping through. I gave her a half-smile. She didn’t return it but automatically began making my coffee. I bypassed her and went out back. I stood in the doorway of Alex’s office and watched him for a moment. He was bent over his desk writing something. Music played in the background. Something I didn’t recognize. The tune was a cross between rock and metal, but the meeting of the two didn’t seem to work well. Alex seemed to like the song, though, as I watched his head bouncing to the beat. I watched him a little longer and then a giggle escaped. Alex turned and saw me. The look on his face was like a kid caught doing something naughty. He got up and brushed my lips with a quick kiss. That was so not acceptable. I wasn’t going to let him get away. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him into me. His lips met mine again in a hungry kiss as his arms nearly crushed me. I traced my tongue across his lips and felt him return the gentle caress with his own. He deepened the kiss. My blood was pumping trying to keep up with him. My hands trailed over his shirt and down to the hard bulge in his pants. I waited for him to push me away, but instead, Alex grabbed my ass hard. Even if my body couldn’t keep up with him, I wanted to drop him on the floor and strip right there. I didn’t care if Anne walked in or not. As he kissed me, the points of his teeth scraped over my tongue but didn’t draw blood. His hands began to snake under my sweater. His nails were sharp. At that moment, I broke the kiss and backed away from him. My head was spinning too fast, so I sat down in his other chair. “Hi,” I whispered, feeling flush and pulling down my sweater since it had been ruffled. He chuckled and moved a strand of hair away from my face. “Hello. You seem to be feeling better, but you look . . .” “Like hell warmed over. I know. I’ll be fine.”

“You should have stayed in bed.” He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a dark look. It smoldered inside of me, and I had to look away. I shrugged my shoulders. “I wanted to see you. My bed seemed empty, and I wanted to tell you I understand about me being a temptation for you. I get it, Alex. I don’t want to lose you in my life.” He seemed shocked at my revelation, but there was a knock on the office door. Alex turned, and Anne had a cup of coffee for me. I was about to take it when Alex spoke up. “Anne, can you get Sophia some orange juice instead?” Anne didn’t say anything but turned around, and Alex and I continued to stare at one another. The tension between us was getting thick again. We both knew where this would end up eventually. It was just a question of how much later. “Watching out for me, I see.” “You should be eating a bloody steak with spinach and taking iron pills right now. You look really—” Anne came back in and handed me a glass of juice, which I sipped at. The juice was sour. It didn’t do anything for the circus freaks doing cartwheels in my stomach. “I know how I look. Like I decided to become a sheet. Alex, I don’t blame you for what happened. I was the one who invited Dracula into my boudoir. Besides, food isn’t very appetizing right now.” “I’m far from Dracula. I like to think of myself as a more sophisticated Tom Cruise from Interview with the Vampire. Besides, I’m a hell of a lot cuter than both fanged monsters. And, I don’t run around yelling, ‘I vant to suck your blood.’ Even if you don’t want to eat, you should to build up your strength. I can order you something.” I gave him a laugh and shook my head while I sipped the juice. He gave me another look, so I took more. “I didn’t realize you were into vampire movies. And no, I really can’t eat.” He leaned forward on the desk. “They’re a hoot, really. None of them have really hit us on the head.” “Well, I guess you and I have to go see the next one that comes out.” I got up slowly and downed the rest of the juice. As I did, I realized I was still lightheaded. Alex caught my arm. He had moved from across the room in an instant. Vampire superspeed. With him this close to me again, I wanted to let myself melt into his arms, but I knew better. I still had to go over to Silva’s. If I stayed here, we would end up back in Alex’s apartment, and I would find his bedroom this time. The dizziness passed, and I leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “I have to go.” I tried to weave out of his arms, but he took the glass from me and set it down. He backed me up against the wall, pressing himself against me. His dark eyes consumed my gaze. It was strange to have him so near because the connection between us seemed stronger. The lust grew inside of me, nearly overriding my senses. He brushed the hair away from my neck while he cupped my breast with his other hand. I ran my free hand over his jeans as his lips captured mine. I let out a moan as

his hand found its way under my sweater again and tickled its way over my stomach. My gaze traveled to the wall across from me as I tried not to let the passion between us devour me in its jaws. “I want you, Sophia. I know what I said, but you feel so good. You’re so warm. I . . .” he whispered in my ear. He was reading my mind. At least I thought he was. The fervor between us was building. My heart thundered in my ears. My body couldn’t take a round with him with the shape I was in. As much as I hated to do it, I placed my hand on his chest. He stopped and looked at me with now white-blue eyes. His hunger was evident. I kissed him on the lips. “Damn, Alex. I want to be with you, too. But right now, I can’t. I have to meet with a client, and you’re the one who keeps telling me we have to have some distance between us. Honestly, I don’t think my body is ready to let me show you all my moves.” “You have moves?” He smiled. I ran my nails over the stubble on his cheeks. “More than you know, baby.” “We’ll figure it out, Sophia. Be careful. Please.” He stepped away to let me go. I didn’t look back. It would be bad if I did. I walked out with my purse and straightened my hair. Anne met me by the door. She had a coffee cup in one hand and a smug smile on her face. “I thought you could use this. Look, it’s none of my fucking business what goes on between you and Alex, but he’s not like most guys. I think you know that already. Don’t give up on him. He can be prickly at times. You just have to give him some space now and then.” I took the cup and looked at Anne. She knew Alex was a vampire and was trying to warn me in her own way. “Thank you,” I replied. I didn’t know what else to say to her, so I gave her a small smile and walked out the door. The night air revived me somewhat. Just my luck, there happened to be a cab right on the corner. I climbed in and gave the driver Silva’s address, thinking about what had happened between Alex and me. He was a big contradiction. He was going against his own advice to stay away from me for a while. Then again, so was I. This is the most difficult relationship I’ve had. We both want each other and yet know it’s better to stay away. What a conundrum! I sighed and took a sip of my Midnight Mocha. It was liquid heaven and warmed my insides, quieting my tumbling stomach. As the coffee coated my throat, my mind trailed off and I found myself wondering what blood tasted like. I shook my head. Don’t need to let myself go there. I need to figure out my relationship and how we are going to make this work. “It’s a man, isn’t it?” The cabbie’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. “Excuse me?” His beady black eyes stared at me from the rearview mirror.

“You look troubled. I bet it’s over a guy. Is he not treating you right? You’re a pretty girl and can get anyone you want. Hey, I can take you to this great club.” “No thanks. I’m good.” We pulled up to Silva’s apartment. I got out and handed the fare to the cab driver. His fingers lingered on mine a little bit longer than I wanted. I saw his dark eyes lighten some. “Next time you see Alex, tell him Tony says hey.” Before I handed him his tip, I stared. He was a vampire. “You know Alex?” He nodded. “Oh yeah. Everyone around here knows Midnight is his place. Makes great coffee, too. I normally hit him up when he opens. The chick he has working for him is hot. I love the pink hair. You be sure and tell him now.” “Um. Sure.” I handed him a five and watched as he drove off and mixed with the other few cabs on the street. My head spun as I realized just how vast the vampire population was in the city. There were more walking around than I ever imagined. Weird. I turned and stared at the skyscraper Silva lived in. Most of the windows were dark, but on the top, some were lit up. I took a swig of coffee and bolstered my confidence. Here goes nothing. I hope this guy is not a prick. I can’t deal with that tonight if he is. I don’t care what kind of money he’s paying me. I walked in and stood before the main desk, waiting for the deskman to get Silva on the phone to let me up. The doorman kept eying me, making me uncomfortable. I checked my watch again and it was after two. Maybe Silva was asleep. After a moment, the doorman waved me through. A sigh of relief welled inside of me. Strangely enough, I wasn’t tired, but I wanted to go sneak back to Alex and take him up on his unspoken offer. His hands had only started to unwrap me and I desired more. God, I’m obsessed. I want his naked body, and I don’t care what the consequences are. I’m a junky. I’m willing to give up everything just for him. The doors of the elevator closed around me. I felt like I was being closed off from the world, hidden away in a silver vault where not even Alex could find me. If I’m willing to give up my life, is he willing to turn me into something like him? What am I thinking? This is not the time to think about going immortal. I have too much shit to get together. Right now, I have a paying client who wants me to perform miracles for him. Well I hope he’s up and ready to go over these ads. The elevator stopped on the twentieth floor. When I got off, there was another man sitting behind yet another desk as if I was in an office. He stopped me and then phoned into the apartment, which I assumed was behind another door. It was obvious Silva was very much worried about his security. Why was he so concerned? He was a night owl and eccentric, everything a good vampire from the books and movies would be. Good God. I wonder if he really is. I swallowed and absently rubbed the spot on my wrist where Alex had bitten me. After a moment, I realized the bodyguard was telling me I could go in. I gave him a fake smile and walked into the lion’s den. The first thing I noticed inside Silva’s apartment was a variety of different chess sets. Many of them were pewter, but others were wood, bone, stone, made from anything big and small, and they were

all displayed meticulously. The unique ones had lights showing off their prized pieces. His place was decorated with dark tones and a glass coffee table in between two large sofas. I noticed a kitchen off to the side, and it looked very much like Alex’s. Sterile. The whole place didn’t feel like it was lived in. The apartment existed all by itself. The pictures on the wall were some kind of impressionist paintings I’d never seen before. I’d been so happy to hear that Silva wanted me to do his ads. He was doing a perfume line first, but had also started designing clothing too and wanted to test the market with the clothing that he had so far. Ad space had already been reserved in the magazines. Silva was already paying me more than I’d ever have earned at the agency, and he said if everything worked out, he’d send some more work my way. The ring of business made my heart stop. Sure, he worked late at night, which was kind of strange. He was rich. He could do whatever he wanted. The clothes he had designed were amazing, but would only fit on a twig. “Sophia, I wasn’t expecting you tonight. I had actually hoped you’d be here last night. That was when I called.” I gritted my teeth and perfected my smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Silva. I’ve been under the weather for a couple of days. I’m only now feeling a little bit better. I didn’t want to disappoint you.” “Please. Call me Silva. There’s no Mr. All my friends do. And I can see we’re going to be friends.” I felt his breath on my neck and his fingers brushed away the hair from my throat. I whirled around, but he wasn’t there. He was still by the windows looking out over the city. A wave of dizziness overtook me, and the room began to spin. Alex was right. I should have stayed in bed. That steak was starting to sound good. As the room spun, I saw a quick blur and suddenly Silva had me in his embrace. His arms hugged me to his chest. His nose ran the line of my neck as he smelled me, something Alex had done. A shiver of fear seized me as my head was still off-kilter. “You smell so good, Sophia. I do forgive you for showing up late. I can see Alex has finally tasted you. He took a lot from you. I’m surprised he didn’t kill you. He must care about you very much.” Silva led me to a couch. I sat down, but my head was still reeling, now from Silva’s words. He sat across from me on the couch. Silva pushed up my sleeve and his fingers brushed over the wounds on my arm. I nearly jumped. They were more sensitive than I realized. “Ahh, your love bite. Wounds in the arm are always a little more touchy than ones in the neck, but it was smart of him to taste you there. It can be easier to control the drain. And he’d want to be careful with you.” He ran his finger up and down the inside of my arm. Terror hit me then. I’d been right. He was a vampire. Staring at Silva, I suddenly felt I was the prey in a very small den and he would pounce on me in a second. My heart rate picked up and my voice warbled. I tried to keep it steady. “You . . . you know Alex?” Silva laughed. I tried to pull my arm away. His grip was loose, but when I tried to get out of his arms, he wouldn’t let me go. “Relax, Sophia. I’m not going to hurt you. And yes, I know Alex. We go back a few decades. I pulled him out of a rut, and he saved my life a couple of times. As he says, he is the only friend I have who doesn’t like me for my money.”

I swallowed. My other hand was trembling as I held the coffee cup. I tried to take a swig of the cooled liquid but couldn’t manage, so I just set the cup on the coffee table next to the other proofs Silva had. He still hadn’t let me go. “Is that why you picked me for all your ad work? Because I knew Alex?” Silva finally let me go and relaxed onto the sofa. “No. I chose you even before I knew Alex had any interest in you. I asked around and people said you were the best. I only use the best. I’m sure you noticed my collection of chess sets. Alexander says I am obsessed with them, but what he doesn’t understand is there is an art to chess that is applied to life. You have to choose your move carefully. How do you think I’ve survived for four centuries?” “You’re four hundred years old? Holy shit, you really are immortal,” I muttered and took a calming breath now he had let me go. It was only a façade, because inside, I was waiting for the lion to snap its jaws around my head. I should have made up some excuse to leave, but he was also my client. Silva’s laugh was rich and hearty. “Yes, we are. Now I’ll let you in on a little secret.” “What secret?” “Alex made the move on his queen far too soon.” “What do you mean?” I asked. I opened my purse and took out the proofs that I had left over. I laid them out on the coffee table, hoping to get his mind off me and onto what he wanted to talk about. I really wanted to go back to Alex’s. He ignored them. I tried to get up, but Silva was suddenly standing over me. I was really starting to hate how vampires did that. His fangs were out and his eyes were blue-white, but his look was more menacing, more frightful than it was before. “Silva, I really think it’s time for me to leave. Alex is expecting me.” Silva trapped me between his arms and leaned in close to me. “No, he’s not, Sophia. Remember, the coffee you brought with you is warm.” “So what are you going to do with me? Keep me prisoner? I thought you wanted me to be your ad consultant and not your midnight snack.” “Sophia, I’ll let you in on a little-known fact about Alex. The first woman he loved died in his arms. She caught him with a feed and ran out of the room. She was hit by a car and refused his gift. He won’t tell you about her, but it’s true. And you, he wants you more than he wants anything else. He’d give up everything for you. Even me. And I can’t have that.” He leaned in and brushed my cheek with his fingers. His claws scraped my flesh, and his grip tightened around my wrist. “You’re his best friend. He hasn’t given you up. Look, I really don’t even know what we have. Silva, if you value your friendship with him as you say you do, don’t do this. Wouldn’t you be making a move on his queen before you figured out the other moves of the game?”

“No, Sophia. This isn’t a chess game. Besides, Alex doesn’t realize this is for his own good or how jealous I can get. I don’t think he realizes how well our little stunt worked on you. Do you know why Alexander really likes you so much? Why he drained you so and almost didn’t stop? You’re addicted to his coffee, addicted to the vampire blood that’s in it. Vampires have an allure that pulls humans to us. The magnetism makes it easier for us to hunt. The blood in the coffee has bonded with your blood in a unique way. It makes you smell so delicious, like a rare perfume.” I blanched at the thought and stared at the coffee cup. I’d been drinking blood! My tongue ran over my lips, trying to taste it. I was drinking blood. Was that the only reason Alex wanted me, because I was drinking his blood? I shook my head. I didn’t believe it. My eyes darted back to Silva. “You see, Alex only adds a few drops in with a pound of his coffee. It was a joke we had, but it seems you actually have taken to it. The mixture has enhanced your blood and made you irresistible. I’m an aficionado of many things. Blood and chess sets are my passion. Yours will make a wonderful addition to my collection.” “So I become like you?” I asked. Silva moved hair from my eyes. “No, dear Sophia. The blood is so diluted in you, you just die. I’ll taste you before I drain you dry, of course. Alex will understand. Once you are gone, I don’t have to worry about Alex being so distracted.” God, Alex. Why did I ever come over here? I should have stayed with you. I put my free hand on Silva’s chest. There was no heartbeat. Alex didn’t have one either. I just hadn’t noticed it on him. “Don’t do this.” Silva’s smile widened like a cobra ready to strike. His hand gripped my throat and wrenched it to the side. I tried to hold in my cry of surprise, but it slipped out. I tried to push Silva away, but it was like moving solid steel. His breath tickled my neck, and the little hairs on my body stood up in fright. My heart sped up. He was going to bite me. I squeezed my eyes shut as the pain surged through me. Silva’s mouth locked on to my throat. I struggled to get away from him as he pulled in a mouthful of blood. “Silva! Get the fuck off of her!” Suddenly there was space where Silva had been and I could breathe again. The weight of his body had been lifted from mine. My eyes closed, and I curled into a ball on the leather sofa as Alex fought with Silva. Tears escaped my eyes as I realized how close I had come to dying. Silva was infatuated with me and was going to kill me. I understood my risks with Alex, but this was different. I trusted him. There was more commotion and breaking glass. This time it sounded like one of the windows had been broken out. Then I felt arms around me. I looked up into Alex’s white-blue eyes. “Sophia, let’s get you back home. Okay?” I nodded automatically. Everything about me was shaking. I needed his strong hands around me to remind me I was still alive.

Chapter Eight Alex I had a bad feeling when Sophia said she was going to meet with a client. Her only client was Silva. He might have been my best friend, but it didn’t mean I trusted him when it came to the things he wanted most. He wanted Sophia as his ad consultant, but I wondered if he desired her for something else. After she left, I got to thinking about Silva being as particular as he was about the different kinds of things he collected. He was a connoisseur of blood, chess sets, and a few other things. He had never met Sophia alone just talked with her over on the phone. He knew she was addicted to my coffee, which had my blood in it. I knew the taste and the aroma of Sophia was intoxicating, as somehow my blood had bonded with her system since she had so much of the mocha. If Silva had her alone . . . I didn’t want to think about what he would do to her. At that thought, I left the coffee shop and raced over to Silva’s. Dread filled my stomach as I did. When I got there, I was almost too late. Silva was poised over Sophia to bite into her. I know he would have tasted her and then taken her life. It was a general rule in our community. We did not share our meals with one another or mark those we were feeding on unless that was what they did for a living. My friend knew better. I had to save her. It didn’t matter if it might screw up my friendship. Silva would just have to get over it. Sophia was curled up in a ball and shivering. I led her out of the apartment in a daze. I didn’t want to bring her back to her place in case Silva wanted to visit her there. I doubted he would, but I wasn’t taking any chances, so I decided to bring her back to my apartment. She didn’t say anything as I grabbed a cab and directed them back to the coffee shop. Sophia leaned against me the whole way and didn’t stop trembling. I think she was in shock. I led her upstairs to my apartment and then went downstairs to get her some coffee. I knew that would calm her down. When I got back, Sophia was staring into space. She had stopped quaking, but had a blank expression on her face. I knelt down before her. “Sophia.” Her focus switched from the wall to my face. I reached out and tried to touch her cheek, but she shied away from me and a small squeak escaped her. I pulled my hand back and then placed it instead on her knee. Her muscles quivered under my touch, and I could tell she was trying to stay calm, trying to rationalize what had just happened to her. I know she wasn’t expecting to find out Silva was a vampire or that he was going to attack her. “Sophia, everything’s okay now. Silva won’t hurt you again. I swear.” “You don’t know that. He could come over here and kill me. He said he was going to collect my blood. He bit me, Alex. If you hadn’t gotten there in time, then I . . .” I handed her the cup of coffee, not sure what to say to her. Silva had no right to bite her. Her wounds weren’t deep, and the blood had begun to dry on her neck. I tried to ignore the wound the best I could. Sophia took the cup and was about to drink it when she looked at me and then shook her head. Suddenly, the coffee was in my face and Sophia was in the corner. I felt myself shift into my vampire form as my skin healed from the scalding liquid. I hadn’t expected that, and when I

went back to Sophia, she was in the kitchen and had a butcher knife aimed at my heart. I put my hands up. “Sophia, I’m not going to hurt you. You know that.” Her hand was shaking. “You’ve been giving me mochas all this time, trying to turn me into some freak. That’s the only reason Silva attacked me. That was the only reason why you ever wanted me, isn’t it? Silva told me vampire blood would make mortals more alluring. Is that why you wanted me? If I slit my wrists, will you suck me dry? Will you? You don’t even care for me, do you, Alex?” She pressed the knife to her wrists. Because of her state, I wasn’t sure what she was going to do. “Sophia, you know that’s not true. I didn’t know you’d be hooked on the coffee or that the vampire blood would intermingle with yours and bind to you the way it did. I swear to you that’s not why I care for you so much. Please, put the knife down.” I stepped forward and saw her resolve was slipping. Deep inside, Sophia knew what I was saying was true. The knife dropped to the floor, and the clatter echoed throughout my apartment. She was about to drop, but I caught her and held her to me as she cried. I hugged her, wet shirt and all, until we both smelled like mocha, and her tears had run their course. Finally, she pulled away from me. She got up and leaned on the counter. “I’m sorry, Alex. I don’t know what came over me.” I smiled at her and smoothed her hair. “It’s all right, Sophia. I don’t expect you thought Silva would attack you. I didn’t think he would either. He knows better than to mess with anything that’s not his. It’s an unwritten code among vampires. You don’t screw with another vamp’s feed.” “Feed? Is that all I am to you? A juice box you can pop into whenever you want?” I sighed. Anything I was saying right now was putting me in a deeper hole. Running my hands through my hair, I pulled off my shirt and threw it on the counter. I was tired of being wet and cold from the coffee. As I did, I pounded my fist on the stainless steel tabletop. “Sophia, I understand you’re scared. Whatever I say to you right now is going to sound like something else. Look, the sun will be up in a couple of hours. I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. I would suggest you do the same. We can talk about what Silva did to you tomorrow. There’s a guest bedroom at the top of the stairs. I don’t have any food to offer you, but at least stay the night. If I sound like an ass, then well, I’m an ass. I’m hungry, and I didn’t want to deal with Silva tonight either. He’s my best friend, and you’re the human I love. It makes things a little complicated.” I walked out. It was wrong, but I didn’t care. I strolled past Sophia, not even allowing myself to brush against her. I felt her eyes on me, but I didn’t turn around and meet them. If the situation was different, I’d want to know if she was watching me, maybe to see if we might further the relationship, but that was the furthest thing from my mind. I padded up the stairs and revealed the hidden door to my bedroom behind a fake wall. I pulled the wall shut and shed the rest of my clothes. From there, I went into the bathroom and let the scalding water wash over me so I could gather my thoughts.

Sophia was in shock and a little pissed off about the vampire blood in the mochas. I cared for Sophia, and I didn’t want to lose her. But tonight had pushed my buttons the wrong way. I wanted nothing more than to lie down and let sleep take me. Even in the shower, I could feel Sophia in the apartment with me. I wanted to crush her to me, but doing that would be no good. I would hurt her now. Why did this have to happen? Things had been going so well. Fate is such a bitch. Eternity can be so much fun as long as you never get your heart involved with a mortal. What a night! Water washed away the tension in my muscles as I felt the sun on the move. Sophia was free to leave my apartment, and I wasn’t sure what she was going to do. Finally, I shut the water off and listened as I dried off. The boards creaked in the bathroom, and I heard the water running. She was taking a shower. I sighed, feeling a little better that she would stay. She was probably scared, tired, and freaked out that Silva had bitten her and didn’t know how to react. I did feel better she was here. I crawled under the covers and stared at the ceiling. The sun was rising. I could feel the dawn pressing down around me, willing my body to shut down, but still it didn’t and sleep evaded me. After lying there for a couple of hours, I got up, checked the temperature, and found it to be too warm. I turned the thermostat down a couple of degrees and found I liked it cooler, but even when I lay back down, I could still not find my spot of rest. Then I heard Sophia scream. Silva wouldn’t come into the apartment without knocking or letting me know, and right now, he would know to stay away from me. I raced out of bed and into the hallway. The door to the second bedroom was open. Inside, I saw Sophia clutching her chest with the sheet covering her. There were tears in her eyes. She heard the floor creak and looked up. I leaned in the door. “Are you okay?” She shook her head and sniffled. “No.” “Nightmares?” “Yeah.” “Alex, can I sleep with you? I mean, I know it’s stupid, but I just need to be close to someone. Please?” There were risks with her sleeping in the same bed with me, but the look on her face wrenched my heart. I walked into the room and scooped her up along with the extra blankets because my body wouldn’t be able to give her any warmth. As I carried her across the hall, I loved having her pressed up against me. I didn’t act on my desires, but laid her on the bed and covered her up. I turned the temperature back up to around fifty. I could sleep, but the temperature was not something I was accustomed to. I rolled into bed next to her and put a little bit of space between us. It sounded like she wanted to say something, but she held her tongue. After a moment, she turned her back to me as well and curled into a ball, trying to gather warmth from the cold sheets since my body gave off none. After a few minutes, Sophia’s breathing evened out and she was sleeping. I rolled over and watched her sleep. She looked like an angel and stirred passion within me I hadn’t felt since Angie had died. Sophia began mumbling something in her sleep. I smoothed her hair and kissed the side of her

cheek. From there, I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close, trying to protect her from her nightmares. **** I slept, and when I woke up, the sun was down. Next to me, Sophia still dozed. I stared at her and noticed her color had improved from the other night. She was feeling better from when I drained her. I told her she should have stayed in bed, but no one ever likes to listen to me. I bent over to kiss her cheek, but her mouth was so much more inviting. I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers, hoping to waken her like a sleeping princess from a fairy tale and not the horror story it had become. Sophia’s lips were as soft as they looked, and after a moment, she opened her eyes. I thought she would pull away, so I broke the kiss, but she searched my eyes and brought her mouth up to meet mine again. Her arm wrapped around my neck while my hands had a mind of their own and began to wander over her body, settling on her firm, round breasts. She pulled away from me after a moment to catch her breath. “Hi,” she whispered. I smiled. “Hi.” There was a long silence between us until she gently moved my hand off her chest and sat up. Part of me felt crushed, but it was the right thing to do. “Alex, I’m sorry about the way I acted last night. I never should have said what I did. I know you’d never hurt me intentionally or try to drug me. I was an idiot. I just wasn’t expecting Silva to be a vampire, and after he attacked me, it made me realize how close I came to dying, even with you.” “Sophia, I don’t want you to hate me because of the mochas. Honestly, it was a little joke Silva and I played. I never thought about it until you and you taste so good, but that’s not the point. I never betrayed you. I—” She put her hand to my lips. “I know Alex, but after last night, I realize now you were right. We shouldn’t see one another. I’m too much of a temptation for you, and I’m not ready to die or for you to get carried away.” “Sophia, I don’t want to lose you.” She shook her head. She was trying not to cry. “I’m sorry, Alex. But I can’t do this. I hate it. I love you, and I despise that it has to be this way, but I got to thinking last night after you walked away from me. You weren’t going to stand for any bullshit, and I wanted to be fair to you. I don’t want to string you along. I want to be with you, but not at the risk of dying. I’ll finish Silva’s ad and then he’s on his own, no matter how much he offers to pay me.” “What happens with us?” It was odd to hear that question coming from me when she had asked it just a couple of days ago. I knew not being together was the right thing for us, but I didn’t want to accept it or let her go. Not just yet. “Didn’t you say we would work it out? Still be friends?”

I moved in closer to her, trying to steal her body heat. I cupped her cheek. She closed her eyes and sighed. Her demeanor melted as I brought her lips to mine and kissed her again gently. My lips slid along the side of her jaw and the line of her throat. I nipped at her skin gently, smelling her mochatinged blood underneath. I sucked a little harder when I felt her stiffen. This was a bad idea. Sophia was right. She was too much of a temptation. I pulled away from her then and backed away, already feeling the distance between us. “Will you still come into the café?” Sophia giggled and ran her hand through my hair. “Will you still give me free coffee?” “Only if they’re mochas. I can make them without my special ingredient if you want.” “They wouldn’t be the same, and it will make me feel close to you.” I grabbed her wrist and kissed the inside of her palm before I met her eyes. “Whatever happens, Sophia, I’ll always be there for you. No matter what. Know that I love you. Have nothing to fear from Silva. I’ll make sure he doesn’t harm you.” Without asking her permission, I bit into her wrist. She cried out, but didn’t stop me. I swallowed down her essence for only a few moments. I wanted a taste to remember her. When I looked up at her, she kissed me, tasting her blood on my lips. From there, she got up and left to get dressed. I sat and stared at the wall, cursing myself for what had happened, but this was for the best. Finally, I got up and got dressed as well since I had the café to run, and then I was going to go back to Silva’s and give him a piece of my mind. Even as I dressed, the echo of Sophia’s presence lingered in my bedroom like a spirit who demanded my attention. As much as I wanted to give my soul to her, I never would again.

Chapter Nine Sophia It was for the best when I told Alex I couldn’t see him anymore. We both knew a relationship between us wouldn’t work. Neither of us wanted to admit it to one another. I yearned to be in his arms so badly it hurt. Sleeping next to him and waking up beside him was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I had acted like a jerk the night before. I freaked when Silva bit me and had carried the shock over to Alex. But when he walked out on me, I knew he was not in for drama. I had left his apartment with his private phone numbers and programmed them into my phone just in case. I had thought about giving up the mochas. At first, the thought of the blood in them had grossed me out, but when Alex explained it was so diluted, I knew he never meant to harm me in any way. The truth that I was addicted to them was painfully correct, and if I gave them up, I would be giving up my connection to him. I wasn’t ready to do that. Today, I was going to go back to the house, get changed, and then later going back to Silva’s to show him I wasn’t afraid of him. I would do his ad, and then our business would be finished. It didn’t matter how much money he offered me. Outside, it was a warm day in the city. People bustled to their jobs. Cars honked at pedestrians crossing in front of them, and the aromas of a multitude of different foods scented the air. I enjoyed my walk back to my apartment and looked forward to getting something to eat. I dug my keys out of my purse, which Alex had grabbed when he had taken me away from Silva. I had been in a daze and forgotten it. When I looked up, Drew was leaning against the front of my building. Great. This is all I need. Another asshole who thinks he can run my life. “Drew, what do you want?” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him. His lips locked with mine and he kissed me. He tried to thrust his tongue into my mouth, but I shoved him away from me and wiped my lips with the back of my hand. I tried to suppress a shudder. It was like kissing a slimy duck. “Get the hell off me, Drew! You have no right to do that! We broke up, or don’t you remember that?” He put his hands up and stepped back. “I know—” “If you know, then why did you do it?” “Because I’m so happy to see you’re alive.” I laughed. “Of course I’m alive. Why wouldn’t I be?” Drew pushed me against the wall and leaned in close to me. I still had enough room to get out if I wanted to get away from him. Someone came out of my building and gave me and Drew a dirty look like they thought we were some couple making out in the entryway. I didn’t recognize them. If I had, I would have said something. “Sophia, I know.” He lowered his voice because people walked by us. “I know what Alex is.”

I kept my face straight, but inside, everything dropped. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Drew. Alex is nothing but a good man.” “Who you’re sleeping with, and he is a vampire.” “Drew, I’m not sleeping with Alex. Honestly, there’s nothing between us. We’re good friends. We realized it was better to be just that. Now get off me so I can go inside.” Drew grabbed my arm. This time there was force behind it. I stared deep into his eyes and realized he was serious. He was worried about me. “Sophia, please be careful around him.” “Drew, Alex is no more a vampire than I am.” I turned down the collar of my sweater and showed him the unmarked side of my throat. “See, no bite marks! Get a grip!” Drew squeezed my wrist. I was thankful it wasn’t the one Alex had just bitten into. “Sophia, I saw him last night. I was coming here to apologize when I went by his café and saw him come out from the back. I don’t think he saw me, but his face wasn’t human.” “Alex is as human as I am. I swear. Last night, he came to my rescue because a client of mine was being unfriendly. Not that you need to know, but Alex was kind enough to come over and help me out.” Drew searched my eyes for the truth. I didn’t waver. I was not going to betray Alex. Drew finally let me go. “I’m sorry, Sophia. Look, I still care about you, and I wanted to be sure you were all right. You haven’t been answering my calls.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ve had the flu for a couple of days. I didn’t want to be bothered with anyone.” When Drew leaned in for a kiss, I slapped him. He let me go, and I was able to get the key in the door and close it before he could recover. I was tired of him interfering with my life. I went up to my apartment, and when I looked down to the street, he was just leaving, walking with the throngs of people. I sighed. He was an ass. Making sure the door and all the windows were locked, I then went into the kitchen and pulled open the fridge. I had to go shopping. Nothing looked good, so I went to my old standby and pulled out a frozen pizza and put it in the oven. While I waited, I grabbed a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. My stomach gurgled as I walked out and saw my machine was flashing. There were only two messages. I pressed play. “Sophia, please forgive my rudeness from last night. I did not mean to cause you such a fright. You were just so delectable. I only wanted to taste you, but as Alex has so rightfully put it, I should not have trespassed where I did not belong. Please come over tonight and we will pick up where we left off. If you do not wish tonight, then just call me back, and we will work out whatever is better for your schedule.” I smirked as Silva’s message ended. Alex was right. He had put him in his place. I wondered what he said to him. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in that conversation. The next message came through, and I was sure the voice would belong to Drew, but it was Alex.

“Sophia, God I hate machines. Look, Silva won’t bother you again. I promise. I hate the way we left things. I know it’s for the best, but it doesn’t mean I like them. Come by when you’re ready, and hopefully we can talk about things more. I don’t want to lose you. I’ve lost so much already in my life. Please.” The message ended and his words cut my heart. My fingers brushed the machine, leaving trails in the dust. “I don’t want to lose you either,” I whispered. **** Time flew and the phone kept on ringing. Silva left me messages about getting together, but if he needed something, I had it delivered. I was not up to seeing him yet. Nor was I up to seeing Alex again. Whenever I went out, I walked two or three blocks out of my way, took cabs, or the subway, any alternative routes home to avoid Midnight Mocha. I know I was making a big deal about evading Alex, but I wasn’t ready to go back to him yet. I’d actually gotten the taste for the mochas out of my system, even though it had nearly killed me. My dreams had been plagued with visions of him and me together. My body yearned to be next to him. I wanted to smell him next to me. It was driving me crazy. At least the one good thing was Drew had finally left me alone. The deadline for Silva’s ads had come, and I met it without a minute to spare since he wanted lastminute changes. I e-mailed the ad files to the magazines, and the final proofs should be delivered to his house tonight or the next. I really should go over there and talk to him. I stared at myself in the mirror. The color had returned to my face. The bite marks Alex inflicted on my wrist had faded. Even though his bite marks were gone, I was still dreaming about him. I had been dreaming about being next to him and waking up in bed with him. I shivered when I thought about Alex. My heart seemed empty without him. Maybe I should stop by there tonight. I shook my head. It was a bad idea. I looked around my apartment. I’d been going stir-crazy, and I had to face my fear sometime. I had to figure out what was going to be happening to me. I’d made my decision. It had been a month, and I’d stayed away from both of them. I had to see Silva as a client since he was paying me, and I decided I was ready to tame my fear and confront Alex. The past month had been hell. I checked my hair and had it pinned up. My neck and ears were adorned with the earrings and necklace Drew had given me. This was my favorite dress, and I knew it had gotten Alex’s attention before. I slipped on my long jacket and grabbed my purse. My heart pounded in my ears, and all of a sudden, I wanted a mocha. Get a grip. I left my apartment and decided to walk over to Silva’s. It was ten blocks. As I did, I wondered what it was going to be like for a vampire in the night. Did it make them feel alive? Did it give them power? “My, my, you look ravishing. Good enough to eat, but you already know that, don’t you?” I spun around. There was Drew. I thought he had gotten tired of hanging around outside my house and checking up on me. “Drew, what the hell are you doing? I thought you weren’t skulking around here anymore. I told you last time I bumped into you I was going to call the cops. Now leave me the hell alone.” He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close as if we were a loving couple. I tried to get out of his grasp, but he held me too tight. “How can I leave you alone when I know you’re going to see

him? Sophia, I’m just concerned about you. I don’t want anything to happen to you, and I don’t want that monster to sink his fangs into you.” I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and gave him a wide smile. I leaned in close to him as if I were going to impart my kiss. “Drew, you’re an ass. For your information, I haven’t seen Alex in a month. I’m going to see a client. Now get the hell away from me.” He still wouldn’t let me go. “Sophia, let me walk you over to your client’s. At least then I’ll know you’re safe.” I threw up my hands. I was not going to get rid of him until I pleased him. “Fine.” We walked a few blocks in silence. Drew stayed close to me, enough I could feel his body heat, but he didn’t put his hands on me. However, it still made me uncomfortable being near him, and I was itching to get away from him. Drew knew it as well. It was getting late and the night was cold. I was glad I had my coat so Drew couldn’t see what I was wearing. I knew it would get his blood boiling that I was wearing his favorite dress. If he knew I was going to Alex’s after, then Drew would certainly say something to me. Finally, we reached Silva’s apartment building. Drew opened the door for me and made to go in. I stopped him. “Yeah, this is as far as you go.” He smiled coyly. “How do I know that Alex isn’t up there? I have to be sure.” I raised my hand and slapped him, making sure I put enough force behind it. The gesture turned Drew’s head to the side and stung my palm. When he turned back, there was a handprint on his cheek. “I’ll take that as a no.” “Drew, if you dare follow me again, I’ll call the cops and your supervisor and have you fired.” “Sophia, do you really think he will believe you? I’m the law, baby.” I didn’t say anything but opened the closed door and went into the building. I told the guard I was here to see Silva. He smiled. I didn’t like the look of it because he didn’t even call up. I shrugged off the feeling. I was just having a bad night because Drew had shown up and was being his normal ass of a self. I rode the elevator up. When I got up there, Silva’s other bodyguard gave me the same kind of smile. He offered to take my coat, but I kept my purse. I heard him whistle through his teeth as he watched me walk through the door of the apartment. As I entered, I heard music and chatter. It appeared Silva was having a party. When I walked in, there were six women sprawled out on his furnishings. I recognized a couple of them as the models from the shoots and immediately assumed this was some kind of a party to celebrate his new line of clothing. Among the models were three other men. All of them were talking among themselves. I didn’t see Silva anywhere. Through the balcony doors, I saw more people mingling outside. None of them had coats on. They’re crazy to be on the twentieth floor and not have coats on. Silva, where are you? I really don’t want to be here.

“Well, well. Silva has really stepped up his game. You, sweetie, are delectable.” Someone draped his arm around my neck. I ducked out from it and scooted away from the drunken guy. I shivered. This was all I needed. I approached one of the models. “Excuse me. Have you see Silva around here? I have to see him.” The model smiled at me. As she did, I saw her fangs. “Honey, everyone wants to see Silva. You’ll have to wait your turn. Why don’t you come in the back with me while you wait? You smell scrumptious.” My heart dropped into my stomach. All of these people were vampires. Horror drained the color from my face, and it felt like I’d been plunged into an ice bath. I tried not to panic, but it was hard when I was not ready to be around other vampires and I just wanted Silva. I had no idea what I was going to do. I was not going to let myself get overwhelmed. I would mingle until I met with Silva. I looked around, but there was nowhere for me to go. I watched as, outside, one of the guests fainted in a man’s arms. He pulled away from her neck a few minutes later and there was blood on his mouth. My hands were shaking as I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone. I had Alex’s number on speed dial. I backed into a corner and kept an eye out for anyone that was coming close to me. The phone rang and rang at his house. I didn’t leave a message. Next, I tried the coffee shop. After a few rings, I heard someone pick up. “Midnight Mocha.” Thank God, it was Alex. “Alex. It’s Sophia.” “Hey. How are you?” I drew in a long breath and looked around, trying to find any sign of Silva. He still wasn’t around. “Alex, I need you to come over here.” I heard his voice grow serious. There was an edge to his tone I hadn’t heard before. “What’s the matter? Where are you?” “I’m at Silva’s—” “Has he hurt you? If he’s touched you—” “No. No. I came over here to talk business, but he’s having some sort of party, and I think his guests think I’m the main course. I don’t want to leave in case someone follows me. And Drew might be outside, so I’m sorry to ask you, but I’m scared. Can you come and get me?” “I’ll be right over.” “Alex, wait—” He had already hung up, and I wasn’t able to tell him that Drew suspected him of being a vampire. I only hoped Drew didn’t see him outside or run into him. I closed my phone and slipped it back into

my purse. I closed my eyes and let my head rest against the wall. Alex was coming, and that made me feel safe because I knew he wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. “You were looking for Silva, right?” I looked up. Before me was a handsome-looking guy, but something told me he wasn’t ordinary. His eyes were a little too light, silver on the verge of turning blue. His skin was pale against his charcoal shirt and pants. His hair curled around his ears but was short enough to touch the top of his collar. He extended his hand, but I wasn’t about to take it. “Yes, but I’ll wait right here for him.” “Look, I get it. You walked in here thinking to find Silva, instead, you wind up with all of us fangs. I’m not going to hurt you. Come on, he’s just down the hall.” I looked at him, and his smile won me over. I smiled back and gave him my hand. He led me through the thickening crowd. As I did, I watched as the woman I’d spoken to earlier was now on the couch making out with another from her group. I turned away, glad I was getting out of the debacle I was in. Alex, where are you? I thought as I walked down the hall. The living room and kitchen were starting to be standing room only, and I was getting itchy. The vampire next to me gave me a smile as we walked down a long hallway. There were several doors off to the sides, but at the very end was a steel door. He pulled it open like it was nothing even though I was sure it weighed a hundred pounds. I bet this was where Silva slept. When we walked in, I noticed there was an elaborate bed in the center. It was bigger than a king size, and I could only imagine what Silva did in it. I smiled, thinking it might be nice to have all that room to roam around in. The other vampire closed the door. I studied all the dark furnishings, seeing many of them were antiques. I liked his style. It was definitely warmer in here than in the rest of the place. However, even though the bedroom was spacious, Silva was nowhere to be found. I sat on the edge of the bed and crossed my arms over my chest, hugging myself as a chill walked down my spine. This didn’t feel right. I felt like I was duped. I went to get up, but the vampire was in front of me before I could blink. “Why don’t we wait for Silva together? There’s no need to run off so quick. He’ll be here any minute. He’s above.” I looked up and around the ceiling before I noticed there was a spiral staircase in the far corner that led upstairs. Maybe that was where Silva slept. I didn’t doubt it because I assumed he owned the whole building. “Look, thanks for bringing me back here and all, but I don’t feel comfortable waiting here alone with you. I’m not part of the dinner menu. I belong to someone else.” The other vampire wrapped his arm around my neck and hugged me to him. He ran his nose along the line of my jaw. “You smell so wonderful. I’ve never detected anything like it in a mortal before.” His tongue ran over my neck as his fingers tickled over the crevasse between my breasts. I tried worming out from his grip, but he wasn’t letting me go. “Besides, if you belonged to someone else, then where are your marks? Any feeder knows to display their marks openly where all vamps can see them. You don’t have any. Who is this mysterious owner of yours?”

I swallowed. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! This guy thought humans were property. How did that happen? I was so glad that Alex didn’t think that way. “Alex,” I whispered. The other laughed. He started nipping at my throat. “Alex? Midnight Mocha Alex?” “Yes.” My voice wavered. His grip on me tightened as he fitted me against his body. “You are amusing as well. It’s a shame you won’t be around much longer to tell such great stories. Silva would have loved you.” I felt his teeth slip into my throat and then he yanked them back, severing the artery. Pain erupted in my neck. I screamed as loud as I could and struggled to get away from him. But I was pinned. With his mouth clamped onto my throat, he began to pull on my blood. I heard a door slam in the background. The vampire was draining my veins quickly as if he were in a race. I was getting cold. I struggled to stay conscious. “Carmichael, get the hell off her!” I heard Alex’s voice in the distance. My heart was hiccupped I felt the other let me go. My body was light, and I could barely make out the shapes and sights around me. It was a struggle to draw in breath. “Sophia,” Alex whispered in my ear as he hugged me to him. I felt a hand wrap around my neck, trying to stop the bleeding. I wanted to look at him. I wanted to hold Alex and rejoice that I was in his arms once again, but I couldn’t. “I don’t want to leave you.” I struggled to speak. “Shh, Sophia. Hang on.” I felt wetness on my cheek as he kissed me. “So cold. Alex,” I whispered. “Save me.”

Chapter Ten Alex After Sophia’s phone call, I raced over to Silva’s. I knew she wouldn’t call me unless there was an emergency. As I got to the apartment, I walked into one of Silva’s soirées. Dread filled my heart. If Sophia had walked into this unexpectedly without seeing Silva, then the others would think she was a walking juice box. Her life would have been in danger, especially since the vampire blood I had given her had made her irresistible to my kind. When I entered, I smelled her instantly. The aroma settled on the back of my tongue and brought back her heady taste. It was all because of that damn coffee. I might have added only three drops per pound of coffee, but it had bonded to her. Midnight Mochas were coming off the menu for sure. It had been right she stayed away from me this past month, even though I wanted to consume her. I didn’t bother her, knowing she had to come around. At first, I hoped her call would be to reconcile, but it was a call for help. I only hoped that I could get there in time. Silva knew better than to try to bite Sophia again. He and I hadn’t spoken since that night, but I knew my friend. When I got to the apartment, I sniffed the air. Sophia was inside Silva’s bedroom, and someone had breached her veins. I heard her scream as I ran down the hall. Slamming the door, I saw Carmichael fastened to her neck. He looked up. He was drunk on her blood, intoxicated by the taste. I pushed him away. He landed on one of the chess boards, scattering the pieces. I hadn’t wanted Sophia dead. I wanted her human. Carmichael nearly severed her jugular. She was barely alive. Now her heart was scarcely beating, struggling to hold on to the night. I pressed my hand to the wound to try to stop the bleeding. “What did you do, Carmichael?” I felt my fangs lengthen from the scent of the blood. Carmichael laughed and wiped his mouth to rid it of her blood. I didn’t want to bring her into the darkness. “Alex, what’s going on here?” Silva asked as he came down his spiral staircase wearing nothing more than a grey silk robe. I watched as he took in the scene. His face dropped and changed when his gaze settled on Sophia. He was by my side in an instant with a speed that age gave him. He ran a knuckle along Sophia’s jaw. “I swear. I didn’t know.” I nodded. “Alex.” She breathed. “Shh. Hold on.” “There’s only one thing you can do to save her, my friend.” “I know,” I whispered.

He looked at me hard and then nodded. I walked her over to the bed and held her close. Carmichael was still laughing. Silva grabbed him around the throat, dragged him out of the room, and closed the door. I heard it lock. I stared at Sophia longingly. She looked like a beautiful angel. Her skin was getting cold and her lips blue. It was a struggle for her to even breathe. I don’t know how she held on to life this long. “I didn’t want this for you.” She didn’t answer me. A lump of sorrow blocked my throat as I kissed her frigid lips. I then put my lips to the wound and drew out a little more of her blood. The fount was only a trickle, but I had to be sure. I had to have one more taste of her. I licked the gash clean and then bit into my wrist. I held it over her lips. I watched as blood dripped onto her tongue. I brought my wrist closer and watched in fascination as she drank. I had never made another vampire or seen the transformation. I only knew mine was filled with pain and hunger. I wanted to be sure that she wouldn’t have to suffer the same fate as I did. Sophia shouldn’t have to wake up from being bitten, only knowing hunger, not knowing what had happened to her until she found a dead body at her feet like I had after awaking from my own turning. She drank down the blood until I pulled away my wrist. When I did, I watched as her eyes opened and her body convulsed. Her eyes went from brown to the white-blue of ours and then normalized again. Her back arched, falling into the sleep of the vampire. I hugged her close and looked around the room. I didn’t want to turn her here. Silva’s window was open. I had to bring her back to my place. This was something that had to be done privately and not in the middle of one of Silva’s shindigs. I held her close and ran out his open window. I willed my body to be light and I jumped. We were twenty stories up, and the wind could blow us this way and that. But I didn’t care if anyone saw us. I needed her to be safe and to wake up where she was comfortable. I glided a few blocks, thankful there was no strong wind, and then let my feet touch down. I raced to my apartment, jumping, with precious cargo in my arms, to the fire escape and used a back entrance I had there in case of emergencies. You never knew when villagers would come with guns and pitchforks. I wasn’t taking any chances. The door opened into a side hall that went into the kitchen. I pushed it open with my shoulder. Sophia was shivering in my arms as the transformation was taking hold of her body. I raced into my bedroom and laid her down on the bed, propping her up with pillows. I brushed the hair out of her face and kissed her on the forehead. Already, I felt the connection between us strengthening. She would sleep for a few hours, and then she’d awake and be hungry. All newborns were. I sighed and went into the kitchen. After grabbing a bottle of blood from the fridge, I downed it in only a few sips. Feeding her had taken a lot of out me, as did flying here. I couldn’t believe Carmichael attacked her. He knew better than to take her. I would assume that Sophia mentioned that she and I had an ongoing thing. I leaned my head against the cabinet. Weariness overtook me. I hadn’t been sleeping too well since Sophia decided to stay away. Tonight, I would watch over her and then hopefully settle down next to her. My nerves tingled. There was another in my lair. When I turned around, it was Silva. He leaned against the doorway with a large bag in one hand, Sophia’s purse in another, and her jacket draped over one arm. Fury overwhelmed me. He should have been aware of what had been going on in his own house. He knew better than to let anything happen to Sophia. He might not have been the one to bite her, but he was responsible. However, I was not about to lash out either. What was done was done. Sophia was alive in her own

way. She would survive in the night. Now the choice was hers to decide if she wanted to be with me. It was different as a vampire. She wouldn’t see me in the same light. Humans would be attracted to her for no specific reason, save it was part of the allure of the vampire. The same magnetism had applied to making her blood irresistible to her kind. “What do you want, Silva?” I sighed, placing the bottle into the sink. He set the bags down on the coffee table. “I bring a peace offering. There’s enough blood to ease her hunger and yours for a week. It’s the only way I can apologize for what happened. I swear to you I didn’t know that Sophia was coming over tonight. If I did, I would have told her to stay away. I went through her things and found the final ads. Carmichael will be punished. Don’t worry about that.” I stared at the other vampire. I had never heard him apologize. It was unlike him to give away anything without a catch. That was why I barely asked him for favors. “So what’s the catch?” He held up his hands. “Nothing, Alexander. What Carmichael did was wrong. He must have been as intoxicated with her as I was. As you are. Those mochas are a potent cocktail. I would suggest not making them anymore. She might not have had them for a while, but I could still smell the effect in her blood. It’s all over my carpet and bedspread. She’s a precious commodity. Take care of her. If you hadn’t claimed her, I—” I waved my hand. Silva was telling me the truth. He really was repentant. It didn’t mean I forgave him, but the blood was a truce. He didn’t want to lose my friendship. He knew how much Sophia meant to me. His last comment made me wonder how much he was enamored with Sophia. I unzipped the bag. The blood was enough to feed the both of us, and it was still warm. It would be fine for a few hours left out of the refrigerator. I sat down on the sofa, running a hand through my hair. What was I going to do with him? Silva was one of the oldest friends I had. “I don’t blame you for what happened, but don’t expect to see me around for a while, Silva. I almost lost her. You’re only lucky I didn’t kill Carmichael or you.” He bowed his head slightly. “I will deal with Carmichael’s indiscretions personally, my friend. He will not trouble you or Sophia ever again. Tell Sophia the ads are marvelous. Her check is inside her purse. Alex, cherish her. She will be wonderful. Don’t fret.” I didn’t answer but stared at the dozen bottles of blood. They were glass quart bottles. Silva had paid a small fortune just to get half a dozen of those so quickly. I didn’t want to know how much the whole dozen had cost. Serves him right. After Silva excused himself, the front door closed with a soft click. I glanced over at Sophia’s purse and figured she might want some of her own things. I grabbed her keys, and when I did, I saw the check Silva had written out. A small whistle escaped my lips. This was blood money. There was no way her services cost two hundred fifty thousand dollars. I figured it was his way of trying to set her up in our lifestyle. It wasn’t my place to say anything. If she wanted to accept the check, it was up to her to decide that. For now, I hugged her keys in my hand and shut the door to my bedroom. The cool temperature would feel good to her now. I even turned it down a couple of degrees. Our bond was already strong. Her body was changing, her scent already a blend of vampire and human. Soon, it would be completely vampire. Sophia’s senses would be enhanced. She would be able to fly, to a degree, and move faster and be stronger than any human,

but the daylight would be like acid on her skin. Wood would paralyze her. Fire would kill her. Hunger would be her constant companion. I would be there to guide and love her through eternity. **** Everything in Sophia’s apartment would be a reminder of her human days. I sighed. She’d have to give it up, all her family, all her friends. She would be able to stay with them for a while. To be in touch with them, maybe even tell them what she was if that was what she wanted, but I didn’t advise it. It might be years, but I wouldn’t say anything until her family noticed she wasn’t aging anymore. After a while, everything in the world would change except her. If she didn’t adjust with the times, then she might seek the sun. Without lingering, I went into her bedroom and found a duffle bag. Her bureau was partially open, and in her closet were mostly suits and work clothes. Her bureau drawers were filled with jeans and T-shirts. She seemed more comfortable in those. I threw some pairs in, along with her underwear and bras. I didn’t really look at what they were, I just grabbed. I assumed I didn’t have the right to be nosing around in her personal life. Pictures of her and Drew still adorned the bedside tables, images of them bathing in the sun and having a life together. Sophia couldn’t have that anymore. I couldn’t give that to her. Her world shouldn’t have to be filled with shadows touching everything. Now it was, and I had made it so. Shaking my head, I grabbed her laptop, just in case, and then shut her lights off and closed her door. It felt like I was closing a chapter in her life, her human life. I only hoped she would forgive me for the darkness I had imparted on her. She had requested I save her. Was I really saving her or damning her soul? Sophia might have thought it was the cure, but she could wake up hating what she was. It’d happened before. I had seen it. I had lived it. I had known anger, fear, and hunger when I opened my eyes. There was no one there to guide me in the night. I wouldn’t abandon her. I’ll teach you until you don’t want me anymore. Please don’t want me anymore. I checked my watch. The sun would be rising soon, and I wanted to be with her when she inhaled her first breath as the undead. I made it back to my apartment right as the sun flashed into the sky like a beacon from a lighthouse. The first rays tickled my exposed flesh before turning them into burning embers. I made it inside before the light got too irritating. As I did, I sensed Sophia. She was fully a vampire now. Her energy vibrated against mine like a gypsy moth against a light. Sophia’s heart was dead in her chest, and she drew breath only on instinct now. I shut the door behind me and locked it. The blood was still on the table. I dropped the bags on the sofa and made my way upstairs. The hidden door to my bedroom was open. Sophia was awake. I only hoped she was not going to think she’d made a mistake by choosing this life. I walked to the bathroom door and stood there as I watched her for a moment. She was staring into the mirror at her reflection to see how she had changed. Her fingers had her lips pulled back so her fangs were exposed. They were a little longer than mine but still pearly white. He skin had bleached out some, and her hair was thicker and fuller. The allure that vampires had now surrounded her like a soft flame. Still, she was gorgeous in all her dangerous beauty. Did her lips still taste like mocha? I deliberately made noise. Sophia whipped around and had me by the throat. Her claws cut into my neck and her teeth were bared. Everything about her was a lethal weapon. She had become the perfect killer. The look she gave me was alien, as if she didn’t remember who I was. I had done the

same to her the first time she had come over to the apartment. As she inhaled, her appearance normalized. Her bright gaze returned, and the claws retreated. Recognition returned to her eyes. Sophia let me go, and her arms wrapped around me as she pulled me into a hug and nestled her head on my shoulder. I kissed her head lightly and held her as I felt sobs wracking her body. She had given up the ability to cry as well. I smoothed her hair. “Shh, Sophia. It’ll be all right. I promise.” “I feel so hollow, Alex,” she whispered. “Like half of me is gone.” “I know. We all feel like that. It’ll fade eventually. The longer you’re away from your lost mortality, the more you get used to this life.” Her stare pierced my soul. “Has it faded for you?” I couldn’t lie to her. “No. Not completely. Are you disappointed now you’re a vampire? Are you upset now you have eternity with me?” Realization came to her eyes as she understood what I was asking. Did she hate me now? Sophia didn’t have to stay, but I hoped she would. Just because she had turned didn’t mean I wanted her any less. Actually, the more I was around her, adjusting to the idea she was a vampire, I realized I wanted her more than I had before. My heart hadn’t changed. I needed Sophia in my life. Her fingers curled on my cheek. “No, Alex. You gave me your gift. I’m grateful you saved my life. Honestly, after I went to Silva’s, I was going to come here and tell you I’d made up my mind.” “Made up your mind for what?” She leaned up and kissed my lips gently. “To be with you forever. The time apart made me think, and I knew what I wanted. I just hope you still want me!” I crushed her to me, wrapping my arms around her so she could be even closer. My heart cracked to hear she had made the decision on her own. She had wanted me without the influence of the mochas or me being around. I brought my lips to hers to claim her. They were as sweet as I remembered and still tasted like mocha. The taste was dark and tangy. After a moment, she stepped away and clutched her stomach. Her eyes begged me to make the pain go away. I led her over to the couch, grabbed a glass, and poured some of the blood into it. I handed it to her. Utter horror painted her expression, but when she took a whiff of the crimson liquid, her expression changed. Her hands wrapped around the glass. She brought the glass to her lips and drank all of the blood down in only a couple of swallows. Her eyes closed as her body processed the nourishment. I sat down next to her, took the rest of the blood, and poured it for her. Her hunger was not gone yet. She opened her eyes and watched as the blood filled the glass. “Where did you get all of—” She gestured at the bottles. “Silva. It was his way of offering a peace treaty for what Carmichael did to you. He left you a check, too. Drink the rest of this first. The blood will ease the burn.”

She did as she was told. I swigged the last couple of swallows in the bottle and watched as she ran her finger over the red liquid and let her tongue taste a drop of it. Then Sophia did something I wasn’t expecting. She offered me her finger. Heat ignited between us. My tongue caressed her finger. Her eyes never left mine, and the hunger I saw in them was more than what all vampires shared. When I released her finger, she leaned over and straddled me. Her hands ran over my chest and her lips met mine in a frantic kiss. Her lust wasn’t for the blood. She desired me. Her tongue caressed mine and then slid along my fangs. I tried to hold in a moan, but the heat between us wouldn’t let me. Sophia’s lips trailed down my throat as the points of her fangs pressed against my flesh. They were as sharp as any vampire’s. Her hands entwined through mine. She was waiting to see what I would do. “I want you, Alex. Just because I’m like you now doesn’t change that. I only want you more than ever. The month without you was hell.” “God, Sophia, I was hoping you’d say that!” I pushed her back and wasn’t gentle about ripping her dress and taking her breasts in my hands. Her nipples were hard against the satin material, waiting to be stroked and teased out of their holding cells. I licked one of them and squeezed another. She cried out and arched her back. Her claws penetrated my leather couch. Sophia ran her hands over my chest and tore my shirt. Her nails were sharp against my flesh, but I didn’t care. I only wanted her. I got up quickly enough and stripped. She wiggled out of her dress and panties, and before I knew it, I was pinned to the floor. Sophia was on top of me. Already her wet depths clenched my cock, and she was riding me fast and hard. I gripped her hips to slow her down. I wanted to take it easy with her, to have her enjoy her first time. Sophia still didn’t know how her body had changed. She was still getting used to her own strength. “Sophia,” I said breathlessly. “I’m not going anywhere and we have forever.” “Can’t help it. The need—” I gasped as she slammed herself down on me. My muscles clamped together. I was going to come soon and I wanted to feel her. “I know, but God, I want you, too. I need to taste you.” I grabbed one of her wrists and bit deeply. She leaned over and her teeth found my neck. She bit true on the first bite. That was something I wouldn’t have to teach her. I jumped at the sudden intrusion, but as we fed from one another, me tasting the human blood and her own blood in my mouth, I realized she still tasted like mocha, only darker, headier. Soon we fell into an unhurried rhythm. We drank and rocked together until I couldn’t hold back any longer. I pushed deep inside of her. When I did, she let go of my throat and cried out. “God, Alex! Yes!” With one last quake, I released into her and let go of Sophia’s wrist. Her blood had sated a hunger in me, the craving for her. I had wanted us this close for a long time, but we hadn’t been able to get here because I didn’t want to harm her as a human. Now that she was like me, I didn’t have to worry about it. We lay in each other’s arms until I felt the hunger stirring inside of me. Sophia would be feeling it too. I kissed her on the lips quickly and then got up and put my jeans back on. My shirt and her dress were ruined. I unzipped the duffel bag with her things and threw her a shirt.

“You went to my apartment?” she asked while she put it on. “I went while you were sleeping. I thought you might like some of your own things. I wanted to make you feel more comfortable. I hope you don’t mind.” “No, but this is all a little overwhelming. I’m a fucking vampire.” She picked up one of the bottles of blood and stared at it. This time when she caught the perfume of the liquid and opened the bottle, she controlled her transformation. As she brought it to her lips, her gaze slid to me, as if asking for my permission to drink. I nodded and watched as she gulped it like chugging water. She finished about half of it and then gave the rest to me. I downed the liquid in a couple of sips. “You’ll be hungry for the next few days while your body finishes the change. You’re welcome to go home, but I was hoping you’d stay here. I wanted to show you some things before you—” “Before I decided to run away from you? Find my own life as a vampire?” I nodded. “Alex, I know this is a big adjustment for you since this was not what you wanted out of our relationship. I know you wanted me to be human, but this was what I wanted. It’s what I was going to ask you for after I left Silva’s. I don’t want to give you up. I’m grateful for letting me intrude into your life. I don’t expect just because you turned me that we’re going to move in together and live happily ever after. I know it takes time to develop a relationship, even if we are undead.” “I’m glad you realize that, but you’re welcome here as long as you want, as long as you need. I’m not pushing you out. Come on. You should rest and let your body process what you’ve taken in and finish turning. I can still smell you’re partially human.” Sophia giggled. “Wow. I still smell human. That’s a new one.” I put the blood in the refrigerator so it wouldn’t spoil and gazed at Sophia as she waited for me. She was strong. She’d survive. Our bond was nearly completely formed. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but I got impressions from her. Fear tainted her perfect demeanor. I gave her a reassuring smile, took her hand, and led her upstairs. I showed her the place to press on the wall for the door to open and then led her into the bedroom. It was below forty. Sophia crawled into bed with only her T-shirt on. I stripped completely and wrapped my arms around her. We fit together as if we’d been carved from the same stone. It felt good to have someone in my arms again. Someone to call my own. Her body was slowing. The sun was getting to her already. I kissed her neck. “I love you, Sophia.” “You too.” I heard her whisper before sleep took the both of us.

Chapter Eleven Sophia I woke up with a little shiver and realized Alex’s arms were around me, holding me close to him as if he was trying to steal my fading body heat. I wiggled out of his arms and walked into the bathroom. I felt complete. I stared at myself in the mirror, as I’d done the other night, and wasn’t afraid of the creature I’d turned into. I felt resigned about my transformation. There was a small ache in the pit of my belly. When I thought about it, the burn flared to life. Pressure on my gums made me pull up my lip. My teeth were lengthening, readying to hunt. I swallowed and tried to quiet my nerves. Everything about me seemed to be me, but it was different. Part of me was empty. I didn’t know how I felt about that. The decision couldn’t be reversed. I had crossed the threshold of death and even though I’d made up my mind before, somehow actually being a vampire made it more permanent. Padding downstairs, I took a long whiff. There were two scents, fresh and dead blood. The dead had a sour smell like old milk. The fresh was frosty. It was in the refrigerator like a cold soft drink. I licked my lips. I opened the stainless steel door and stared at the dark red liquid. It held me transfixed to think this liquid was the thing that gave me life now. I placed the bottle on the counter and ran my hand over my neck. The tears from Carmichael were completely gone. Placing my hand over my chest, my heart remained silent. Death held me now. Everything around me was alive. I heard and felt life teeming around me. The more I concentrated on it, the more I could get lost in it like a needle in a very big haystack. I shook my head, enjoying the time I had to myself. There was forever to explore my new attributes. I noticed my purse next to my laptop. Inside my bag, I found the check Silva had left for me. I thought about tearing the paper up, but if he was willing to offer me money for acknowledging he fucked up, then why not. Looking at the duffle bag, I knew Alex had been trying to be nice by getting my things, but I had to go back to my apartment to get more. Eventually, I had to go back. I couldn’t stay here forever. I loved Alex, but I didn’t want to cramp his style. He was used to being alone. We weren’t married. We weren’t even officially dating. But the feel of him inside of me and me in his arms had been wonderful, as if we were made for one another. My lips turned into a grin. He was so much better than Drew. With Alex’s blood rushing through my mouth, I felt connected to him on a very different level than I could fathom. I grabbed my keys and took one of Alex’s coats. I didn’t think he would mind. I slipped it on as well as a pair of jeans from my bag. I opened the door and left the apartment. The aroma of the coffee shop below enticed my nose. The dark perfume made my mouth water for a Midnight Mocha. Great, I’m a vampire and I’m still addicted to coffee. I shook my head and stepped outside. The night was alive. The breeze held fragrances I had never smelled before. Vanilla and cinnamon tinged the air. I stopped and inhaled the life around me. The echoes of the traffic and people walking were a cacophony. It was almost too intense. I almost put my hands on my ears to block them out, but when I thought about the noises, I could suddenly shut them out. Instinct. I sighed and let myself relax. As people walked by, I could see their hearts thumping in their chests, shaped like grapefruits with red rivers branching out all through their bodies. Each heart beat with its own rhythm and pitch, and when they combined, it sounded like a symphony. My teeth pressed on my gums. I squeezed my eyes shut. Mortals shouldn’t see me transform. I have to keep it together. I have to go back to my apartment and get a few things. Maybe I should have waited for Alex. I took in a few breaths. Nonsense. I can do this.

Pain made me focus while I pressed my sharpened nails into my palms. I took a deep breath and let myself open my eyes as my teeth retracted. The atmosphere did not seem as intense. I would not let myself get lost in the rhythm of life. My mind traveled the connection between Alex and me. He was still sleeping. Gathering my wits, I walked the few blocks to my apartment. The door attendant smiled at me. I gave him a nod. He never used to pay attention to me before. Riding the elevator up, I suddenly had a small sense of claustrophobia. I felt trapped and wanted to get out, but I didn’t panic. I was not afraid of being in a tin can. There were a couple of people in the lift with me. I tried to stay in the corner and ignore them, but their eyes were on mine. Their blurred reflections showed them checking me out, even in the oversized coat. The doors stretched open. I nearly jumped out and ran down the hall. The door to my apartment was open. There was a man standing outside. A cop. I sniffed and realized there were three others inside. Each had a different scent. One smelled like decayed lemons, another like overdone bread. One of them I recognized. Drew. “Sorry, ma’am, but no one is allowed inside. This is a crime scene.” I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to control my anger. “Oh really. Who says? This is my apartment.” I made to move inside when the cop put his hand out and blocked the door. I gave him a dirty look. The cop gazed into mine. After a moment, I felt his will dissolve, crumbling like a cookie underneath mine. I couldn’t sense his thoughts, but the longer I penetrated his eyes, the more he became mine. “Adams, what are you—” I blinked. The other cop came to the door looking for his partner. Drew was behind him. I plastered on a plastic smile, and I stepped into my apartment. The shock on Drew’s face was not missed by his comrades. Drew wasn’t kidding when he said he had influence with the police. Shit. He must have stayed outside Silva’s all night. My breath caught in my throat. That means he might have seen Alex? I was in his arms! Oh God! This time he really knows. Okay, have to stay cool. Can’t let him know about Alex. “Drew, what the hell is this?” I hissed, careful not to let my anger set off my transformation. He looked between the cops and me. “Sophia!” He rushed into my arms, nearly tackling me. I remained stiff as he tried to nestle against me. Finally, he looked up into my eyes. “You’re alive!” I snorted and I wiggled out of his grasp. Like he was really worried about me! “Of course, I’m alive. What the hell is all of this? Officer, may I ask why you’re in my apartment?” The cop looked into my eyes, and then he ran his hand over his collar as if it were choking him. “Forgive me, ma’am, but Drew reported you missing. We were checking into your things to see if maybe we had an idea of where you went or if someone had taken you.” I gave him a sly smile. His heart sped up. It made the ache in my belly expand. “Well, I’m perfectly fine. Now, if you don’t mind, will you please leave? You can cancel your investigation. I’m very sorry you got dragged into this. I spent the night with a client, finalizing some business if you have to know.” After a moment, the cops practically ran out of my apartment. Drew closed the door. I waltzed in and stared at the place. I felt violated. The apartment did not feel like my home anymore. Alex’s was

more my home now than this. The furniture seemed alien. The pictures of friends and family appeared to be amorous strangers. The faces who stared back at me all were bogus, from a life I’d shed like an old skin. Is it normal to feel this way? I’ll have to ask Alex. I did a three-sixty in the living room and stared at Drew. He was sweating. He was afraid. I could smell it. The aroma was like a sweet cotton candy that stuck to my tongue and made my teeth ache. It wasn’t something I wanted to bite into. He wasn’t something I wanted to bite into. “Drew, what the fuck are you still doing here? As I told the cops, I’m perfectly fine. Now get the hell out of my apartment!” “Sophia, please don’t shut me out. I’ve been a complete idiot. I realize that. I should’ve seen it when you first started going to that coffee house, and at Juliano’s, I should never have lashed out at you. All of this is my fault. I should have never let you go into that apartment building.” He grabbed my hand and kissed my palm. I had to fight to keep from throwing him across the room. The slightest touch of his lips made my skin crawl. “What are you talking about?” “I know you’re under his thrall. I told you the other night I know what he is. I swear I’ll take care of him for you. For us. Then we can be happy together. I saw you in his arms last night. I couldn’t believe my eyes at first. He was flying, and he landed with you limp in his arms. What did he do to you?” Shit! He really did see Alex last night. Oh God. I yanked my hand away from his and backed away toward the door. Drew’s heart raced. He was starting to piss me off. “Drew, what are you carrying on about? Who has me under his power? I’m sure you just saw an oversized bird or something. You know there are hawks in the city.” “Alex! Sophia, I know what he is! He’s a vampire. Haven’t you been listening to me? He’s been drugging you with that coffee of his. I pulled in a few favors down at the lab. The coffee came up with some strange, indescribable ingredients they’d never heard of before. The night Alex saved you I saw how he stared at you. He desired you then, but I saved you from his grasp. I didn’t know what he was then. Last night confirmed my suspicions, but while you were staying away from him, I’ve been following him. At first, I thought he was going to some hooker. If that were the case, then you didn’t need to be with him. But I watched as he went inside through her window. He attacked her. He drank her blood. I couldn’t believe what I saw. When he finished, he looked up, right at me, with these blind eyes, but he saw me. I think he smelled me. Vampires, Sophia. Think of it. They’re real! Then I saw him fly with you in his arms. You looked like you were dead. But you’re here. You’re alive. I swear I’ll protect you.” Drew launched himself at me and knocked me flat on my back on the sofa. He pulled the hair away from my neck and searched both sides for bite wounds. Thank God the wounds were gone. Then he pushed up the sleeves and gazed at my arms. I shoved him off of me and felt my fangs beginning to descend, but I stopped them. It wasn’t quick enough. A look of horror and then guilt descended over Drew’s features. However, he must have seen my eyes changing back, going from blue-white to brown.

“Oh God, Sophia. He’s already gotten to you, hasn’t he? I swear I’ll save you. Don’t murder anyone or drink human blood. If I kill him, you’ll be released from your torment. You’ll become human again. I didn’t want to believe it last night, but it’s true. You’re his disciple.” God where is he getting this stuff? Drew has watched one too many bad vampire movies in his time. I tried to catch his eye, like I had the cops, but Drew was too hyped up. “Drew, nothing’s going to happen to me. You won’t kill Alex. I’ve already drunk blood, Drew. I died. I can’t become human again. Besides, I’m happy. Can’t you just leave it at that? I don’t want to hurt you. You have to know that. Please leave it alone.” I kept my voice even and calm, trying to get him to understand. Drew shook his head. He was lost in his own thoughts and hadn’t even heard me. “No. I can save you from this. All of it. You haven’t killed anyone, so there’s hope for you. Stay put, Sophia. If your Master calls you back to him, you have to resist. Please. I love you.” He took my hands in his and brought them to his lips. His palms felt like dead fish. He was crazy. I had to tell Alex. I had to play along to get Drew out of here. “Drew, sweetie, where am I?” I asked, faking as if I was coming out of a trance. His eyes widened. “Sophia, honey, it’s okay. I’m going to take care of everything. What’s the last thing you remember?” I shook my head as he led me to my sofa. “I had a phone call from a client, and you met me outside. You walked me to his apartment. Things get a little fuzzy after that.” “Alex was the one who bit you, right? He’s the vampire, isn’t he?” I shook my head trying to play dumb. I wasn’t going to tell him I nearly had my throat ripped out by an overzealous vampire who thought I was a party favor. “What? Vampire? I was walking over to the client’s house. Someone grabbed me from behind, and I felt this pain in my neck. The next thing I remember was waking up at Alex’s place. Drew, what’s happening to me? Alex tried to get me to go to the hospital, but I wouldn’t go. I got real cold, and then I woke up and came back here.” Drew looked confused. Good. I hoped he stayed that way. “Sophia, whatever you’re telling me, I know it’s only coming from the memories he implanted inside your mind. Vampires can do that.” He got up, walked toward the door, and then turned back around. “Promise me you’ll stay here. I will be back.” I gave him the biggest and fakest human smile I could. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.” Like hell I will! I watched as the door closed behind him. His footfalls became lighter as he went down the hall. The elevator came up to the third floor. Its whirling gears were like a small hum in my ears as I listened hard to hear it go down. I shot up and grabbed the phone. I stared at the numbers a moment and realized I didn’t have Alex’s. They were programmed into my cell, and I’d left that back at his house. I called the operator and got the number for the coffee shop. Anne picked up. “Midnight Mocha, how can we help you pass the night away?”

“Anne, I need you to go up and get Alex.” “Who is this?” “It’s Sophia. You know, the chick who orders the Midnight Mochas. Please, it’s an emergency. Go wake up Alex. Tell him to get out of the apartment. Now!” “Oh, o-okay.” She hung up. I wasn’t going to wait around for Alex to get killed. Ignoring the other things I came to the apartment for, I ran out of the living room and took the stairs. At the bottom, an old woman who was struggling to get the door open and her cart of groceries up the stairs held me up. Why the doorman didn’t help or why she didn’t take the elevator, I had no idea. This was what the doorman was paid for. She gave me a toothless smile. She smelled like baby powder. Her skin was thin and wrinkled. As I stared at her coming up the stairs, I realized I would never end up like her. Her eyes were still vibrant even though she waded through life. The sight was painful to watch. My heart wanted to help her, but there were more pressing matters to worry about, like saving Alex’s life. Finally, she got to the landing of the first floor, and I opened the door for her. I sighed and ran to Midnight Mocha. I didn’t know how long it would take me, but surprisingly, my journey was a lot quicker than I realized. Vampire speed made the run much quicker. I wasn’t even out of breath. I didn’t bother to see if Anne had made it up to Alex’s. I went around the back to the elevator and took the stairs to the third floor. Alex’s apartment door was open. Shit! There’s no way Drew could have gotten here this quick! Was there? If that old woman hadn’t held me up, then I could have been here sooner. “Alex?” I called tentatively. Something broke upstairs. I tried to calm my nerves and felt the connection between me and Alex. He wasn’t there. Thank God. There was a faint human heartbeat inside. I calmed myself and sniffed. When I did, I smelled blood. Fresh. I licked my lips unconsciously. I eased in and listened. There were no other heartbeats. I sniffed again and caught Drew’s aftershave and the aroma of coffee. “Sophia.” Someone wheezed. I stepped inside. Pinned to the floor was Anne. A wooden stake protruded from her heart. With barely a whisper of life in her, she clung to consciousness. I walked over to her, mesmerized at the sight of her blood pooling underneath her and around her wound. I knelt down next to her, careful to avoid the blood. Her eyes were glazing over. Anne tried to say something, but I put a finger to her lips. She had tried to warn Alex, as I had asked, and Drew must have ambushed her. I should’ve felt sadness for her death, but I didn’t. It wasn’t because I didn’t know her very well, but for some reason, part of me just didn’t care. She was food. Placing my lips to her wrist, I licked the spot I would bite. Her eyes were locked to mine. I inhaled the scent of her blood and detected the aroma of something foreign in her blood. It almost smelled like Alex’s blood. Shaking, my hand reached out with a mind of its own and touched her wound. She cried out. I barely heard her as I brought my fingertip to my lips. The blood coated my throat. I closed my eyes as I savored the flavor. I realized Anne had an aftertaste mixed in with her human blood. It tasted almost like Alex. It made me want more. I inhaled again. This time she smelled more like vanilla. More like vanilla pennies. My body started quaking as I wanted more of her blood. Was this how Alex had felt around me? Was

this how I smelled like to him before when I was human? Anne was just as addicted to the Midnight Mochas as I was. I lifted her wrist to my lips, but before I could bite, Anne spoke. “Sophia.” I met her gaze. “Afraid. Make me—” Her words were not lost on me. I understood what she was asking. I had asked the very same thing not twenty-four hours ago. Could I make her into a vampire? Should I? Moral questions danced through my mind. I understood, from a different viewpoint now, why Alex had tried so hard to stay away from me. Being around humans was intoxicating and trying to have a relationship with one was even harder. Then an idea came into my mind. From what I knew of Anne, she was a spitfire and could talk the mouth off a sailor and make him blush. I smoothed the hair away from her forehead and nodded. First, I grasped the stake and pulled. The wood came out with a sickening squelching sound. She cried out in pain and her body convulsed. The life was leaving her. I bit into my wrist and watched as the strawberry red drops grew and then placed them over her lips. At first, Anne suckled weakly like an infant, but then she began pulling the blood from my body. I watched as the hole in her chest slowly began to heal. I pulled my wrist away. She’d sleep. I knew that from my own transformation. It was unsafe to leave her here. Drew might come back looking for Alex. There was only one place I knew of to bring her. Silva’s. I prayed Alex had gone there as well and not out into the night searching for me. I lifted Anne in my arms. It would not be the best to be seen waltzing through the streets with, for all intents and purposes, a dead body. That wouldn’t be good at all. I had run here, so maybe I could run faster and no one would see me. It was near two in the morning, and there was hardly anyone on the streets. Besides, this was a big city and strange things happened all the time. I had to chance it. I hugged her close, already feeling the faint twinge of her consciousness pressing against mine. This was what it must have felt like when Alex had done this very same thing to me. It was working. She’d survive. I only hoped she would be all right. Hey, a girl with neon pink hair could endure anything in my opinion. Working my way downstairs slowly, I prayed I wouldn’t run into Drew. I went down the back stairs and emerged into the alley. I got to the front of the coffee shop and saw someone manning the counter. Thank God, Alex had hired someone else. My heart stopped when I saw Drew sitting at the counter. I pressed myself against the shadows of the brick wall. He was sipping on a cup. I wasn’t going to take any chances. I ran faster than I had before. The world around me was like a blur. Anne didn’t hinder me at all. She was nothing more than air in my arms and flapped around like a rag doll even though I tried to keep her still. I bumped into a few humans, and I had a few narrow escapes. Before I knocked into the pedestrians, I found myself leaping over them. It was like my instincts were seeing into the future and dictating what my body would do, even on the split-second level. It was really cool.

I made it to Silva’s building. I didn’t care what I looked like or what the humans thought. The doorman tried to stop me this time as I made my way over to Silva’s private elevator. I gave him my new death look and pushed right past him as I punched the button for the door to open. Damn it! Anne was getting colder against me. Her expression looked as if she was sleeping without a care in the world. Did I look like that when I was asleep and Alex stayed with me through the night? I might have created her, but I could not be her Master. I was barely a day old and didn’t even know my own body. “Miss, you need clearance to get into the penthouse.” Hands grabbed both of my arms. I spun around and growled. As I did, I was met with two other vampires. They must have come out of the woodwork. “Do you think I care if I have clearance? I have to see Silva. Tell him Sophia’s coming and she has a little present.” The two tried to clamp down on me, but I slid through the steel doors. I pounded the button and heard the glass crack under my thumb. The doors slid shut, nearly catching the arms of one of Silva’s hired goons. I stepped back and leaned against the back of the elevator. The adrenaline was leaving me with a hollow echo in my heart and a burning pain in my stomach. My hunger had awoken from the exertion and from feeding Anne. Silva wasn’t going to be happy to see me, but considering he had attacked me in the first place when he wasn’t supposed to and had thought of me being a chew toy, I figured he could deal with it. Alex, on the other hand, might not like the idea I had turned Anne. Oh well, I had made a split-second decision, one I would live with forever or however long I lived. The doors opened and, instead of the goon who was there the last time waiting for me, there was Alex. Relief flooded through me. I nearly dropped Anne. When Alex saw her in my arms, a puzzled look crossed his features, but he took her from me, releasing me of my burden. Nothing was said between us as we went into the main entrance of Silva’s penthouse. As I walked in, I noticed there was another chessboard on the main table. This one had pieces from different vampire movies. One of the kings looked like Alex. I shook my head. “Well, well. What is the present you brought—” Silva stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Alex holding Anne’s body. His gaze slid over to me. “You brought me a dead girl with pink hair? Sophia, what is this? A joke? I can understand why you would be upset with me, considering our history, but I compensated you fairly.” I raised my hand to shut him up. I wasn’t in for his high and mighty attitude. I didn’t care how old the bugger was. “Can it, Silva. I’m not angry with you for what you did or what happened. I should be, but I’m not. Anne’s not dead. She’s turning, and her hair is neon pink.” Alex laid her on one of the couches. “Turning? I just saw her no more than an hour ago. How did—” Then he looked at me and saw I could barely stand. He led me over to sit down, went into the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of blood. Silva was going to say something, but I shot him a look and his mouth shut with a snap. I cracked open the bottle and drank it down without savoring the flavor. Once the blood hit my system, I felt high as the life swirled inside of me. A shiver of ecstasy caressed my spine. My teeth ripped from my gums, and I poked holes in my jeans from my claws.

Alex gripped one hand, and I felt him turning my face to his. I was putty in his hands as the sensations of whatever was in the blood ran through my system. It was not ordinary blood. There was something in it. I felt Alex’s fangs slice into my throat and his mouth work on the wound. After a few swallows, I normalized. Alex brushed his lips against mine. All I wanted to do was hold him. Finally, I opened my eyes and looked at the two other vampires. “What was in that?” Silva smiled. “It’s blood from a crack whore, a heroin addict, and an alcoholic mixed together. I normally add a few drops to whatever I am drinking, not down the whole bottle. I imagine you must be feeling quite jittery right now.” I swallowed and nodded. Everything around me seemed to be on edge. “Will I be okay?” “The effects will pass in a couple of hours,” Alex whispered. “Can you tell me what happened and why you turned Anne?” I nodded and began to tell him my story from the time I woke up to when I got there. He flinched at the fact I’d had to pull a stake from Anne’s chest. Silva remained passive throughout the whole story. “I’ll kill him,” Alex whispered. “First, he threatened you. Then he killed Anne. You did the right thing by turning her. I’d always planned on doing it if she had asked me. But you can’t teach her, you’re still learning yourself. It was reckless racing through the streets with her. Once I woke up, I came here. When I didn’t see you, I thought you might have gone out into the night and if you came back, I figured you’d want some space to think. I wasn’t worried. Does Drew know about Silva?” I shook my head. “I don’t think so. He knows my client lives here, but not where. He walked me over here the day that I was attacked.” I let my gaze settle on Silva so he got the point. “So what are we doing about the dead girl on my sofa?” I turned my gaze to Silva’s. “You’re going to take care of her.” I watched his exterior crack. “Oh no! You turned her. You teach her. That is one of our rules!” I jumped up and sailed across the room, clamping my hands on the arms of his chair and pinning him to the designer leather. I growled and let him see my teeth. “You will take care of her, Silva. The way I see it, this is payback for what you did to me and what happened in your apartment. You knew Alex was fighting with the decision of turning me, and we both know I would have ended up like this anyway. Take Anne under your wing and consider it payment for screwing me and your best friend over. Because of you, I didn’t get to really enjoy the process. You see, I don’t blame the one who attacked me in your bedroom. I blame you. It doesn’t matter how much you paid me. Do this for me and I’ll call it even.” He smiled. “You had a few good sucks before I or Carmichael latched on to you, darling.”

I slapped him across the face hard enough it turned his head to the side. He looked back at me and his tongue caught the blood I had drawn from the side of his mouth. Silva chuckled, reached up, and wound his hand in my hair. He pulled me down to his lips. They were hungry for attention. I lost myself in their spell as I felt his mouth trail down my throat and his fangs sink into me. I heard Alex utter a low growl behind us and the creak of the leather sofa, but he didn’t get up. He didn’t act on what had happened, but I sensed the tension in the bond that we shared. I didn’t think he was happy, but I knew that he trusted me. I let out a moan as Silva swallowed a few mouthfuls and then looked back up at me. Both of us were breathing hard. “You’re a magnificent creature, Sophia. Just as I thought you might be. You’ll make Alex a wonderful match. Don’t screw it up. You still taste ravishing. Taking care of Anne is by no means an even trade. You’ll owe me a favor. One day, I’ll come claim you for a night.” His finger trailed down between my breasts. I didn’t look away. He was challenging me. “Name the night,” I whispered. I nodded. I’m sure he would make good on his demand. What would he do? Would his challenge screw with the relationship I had building between me and Alex? Silva burst into laughter as I got off him. “Fine. You called my bluff. I’ll take in the sleeping princess and help her become a queen, but not as payment for what I did.” “Well, Silva. I can’t go back to my place tonight. You mind if we stay here?” Alex looked between the two of us. I smiled at him and took my place at his side. This was where I belonged. The other vampire waved his hand in a noncommittal gesture. “Take your pick. I’ll put her in with me. It will be easier that way.” Silva got up and carefully lifted Anne into his embrace. I watched as he walked down the hall with her. “What you did was very brave. I’m glad you saved her. She’s been a good friend to me over the years.” Alex rubbed my shoulder absently with his fingers. “What are we going to do about Drew? And what just happened between me and Silva? I can feel the tension.” “We can think about that later. Come on, Sophia. Right now, all I want is you. I want to be sure you’re whole and all right. Whatever Silva said to you, I’m sure that we’ll figure it out. I was scared you’d run off into the great night and would never want to see me again.” My hand cupped his cheek. “Alex, I’ll never leave you.” He kissed my palm. “Good. That makes me happy.” I held out my hand to him. A sly look appeared on his face as he wove his fingers through mine. At this very moment, I felt safe. I felt as if nothing bad could happen to me. I felt almost human . . . again.

Chapter Twelve Alex I stared at Sophia as she shut the door behind us. The view from Silva’s spare bedroom showed the city landscape all lit up around us as we walked in the heavens where all the other tall buildings were. We had our own private balcony. If I wanted, I could have jumped off and glided to the ground like I had with her in my arms a day ago. One day I’d show Sophia, but not right now. The fingers of skyscrapers reached upward trying to brush the clouds or tickle the underbellies of planes passing overhead. No matter how high we were, she was with me. The bond between us had cemented. Her heart didn’t beat any longer, but I felt her passion like it did. She was taut and the mixture of blood she’d taken in was making her jittery, making her, and me, a little on edge and a little crazy. Yes, there were issues we had to deal with, mainly her ex and Anne. And there was the challenge that Silva had issued, but I doubted that he would ever act on it. Silva would take care of Anne until she was ready to join the fold. If Anne wanted, she could still have her job at Midnight Mocha. First, I desired Sophia. Her transformation was complete. If she could turn another vampire, then she was mine forever. She slowly pulled off her shirt, teasing me with her full breasts encased in black lace. The swells were pale against the dark and delicate fabric. She undid the button and then the zipper of her jeans before she slowly slid them down her lithe legs, leaving her barefoot and only in her underwear, which was also black lace. I licked my lips as I watched her dark eyes bleach out and her new ivory fangs crest from their housings and rest neatly on the tops of her lips. Her fingers slithered over my neck and wove through my hair as she brought my lips down to hers. My tongue slid along the smooth expanse of her lips as I purposely nicked it along her sharp fangs, twins to my own now. My blood had created such a monstrous beauty. It was my blood that had given her immortality. Was I feeling a little bit cocky? Hell yeah. She was my creation. Her lips opened as she sucked in my tongue, meeting it with her own. My fingers shifted to claws as they raked down her back, slicing her bra. I would have to get her another one. She jumped a little at the pain, but didn’t break the kiss. On the contrary, her fingers moved down and began unbuttoning my shirt. Fingertips brushed my bare skin, sending chills of pleasure through my entire body. The last time we had been together was frenzied, like two animals. I wanted this time to last. Sophia’s lips traced the curve of my jaw down to my neck. She play-bit with her regular teeth, only letting her fangs scrape along my throat. I held back a moan. My shirt slid from my body as her bra slid from hers. Her nimble fingers worked on my jeans, pushing them down until they pooled on the floor around my feet. I stepped out of my jeans, slid my shoes and socks off, and stood before her completely naked. Her eyes watched me as I moved. She was like a stalking princess waiting for her subjects to do her bidding. “What do you want, Sophia?” I whispered, knowing she could hear me as if I screamed across the room. A devilish smile appeared on her lips. She shimmied out of her panties and walked the few steps between us before she went down on her knees before me. Before I could say anything, she had captured my cock with her lips. One hand held it steady while the other stroked my balls, squeezing them, playing with them. Her tongue swirled around the soft skin of my dick while her mouth

became a vacuum. She worked the length fast and slow, using her fangs to cause friction on the sensitive skin and the head. Every once in a while, the tip caught the flesh, and I knew she drew blood. My hands wrapped around her head, pushing her closer as I enjoyed the ecstasy of it. “Sophia. Stop, please.” I didn’t want her to, but I wanted to experience her legs wrapped around me. I wanted the ecstasy of us joining in the darkness as if we were gods. I wanted to drink from her as I pumped myself deep into her secret well. Everything in me was tightening, getting ready to come, but she was an expert. Sophia slowed a little, letting her tongue flick over my flesh, leaving me shivering and fighting for control before she looked up at me innocently and rose from the floor. She walked around me. Her hands grasped the back of my head and pulled it down. Without a word, she plunged her fangs into my throat. One hand wrapped around my chest and held me to her. I knew better than to fight my captor. I was in heaven as she drank from me, but it only lasted a minute before she released me. Again, she acted quickly and shoved me down on the bed, straddling me so her pendulous breasts swung above me like ripe fruit to be tasted. I tried to grab one, but Sophia gave me one of her agonizing looks and wagged her finger at me. Her hands grabbed my wrists and locked them together over my head. “You’re not making this easy for me.” “I know.” Her lips met mine again for a quick kiss. “You’re having way too much fun, aren’t you?” “Don’t you like this, Alex? I can leave you like this if you’re not enjoying yourself.” She made to get off me. Sophia was bluffing. She was as turned on as I was. She was getting off on the power kick. Payback was going to be so much fun! “That’s not fair, Sophia. You know I’m enjoying it.” Sophia smiled and started grinding herself against me. She was tormenting me on purpose, making up for all the times I had not claimed her as a human. My love was going to pay when this was over. I would see to that. I would drain her and leave her to beg me to feed her, tied up and helpless as a human while I took advantage of her. Well, I wouldn’t completely drain her. My hips rose to meet hers. She was wet. I could smell it as well as feel it. Her desire had peppered her blood. It would be a heady spice when I claimed her throat. “Sophia. Please. For the love of God, stop this!” I cried out. Her nails raked across my stomach and her tongue lapped at the wounds. Without another word, she slid herself onto my length, riding me, letting me feel the minute changes inside of her as she expanded accommodate me. I didn’t wait but raised my hips and pumped into her. At that moment, I won a hard-earned cry of passion from her lips. Oh yes, she was mine and no one else’s. With my free hands, I grabbed her hips to control the rhythm. Finally, Sophia was coming. She was almost there as she clenched around me. Sophia laid herself flat against my chest and let her lips touch mine. Her breathing was heavy, raspy. I watched as she moved the hair away from the side of her neck, letting me have a clean shot to bite. Slowing our dance, I brought her down from her crest and let my fangs penetrate her neck.

“Alex.” She moaned my name. Within it, I heard all of her desperation. I couldn’t wait any longer. I started our primal tango once again, holding her to me as I moved deeper inside of her. Her gasps fell onto my ears as her hands wrapped around my neck. She didn’t bite, but let me drink her in. I let myself come at the instant she did. I kept on drinking, seeing her memories of the past few hours. Feeling the desperation of losing me when she thought Drew had staked me instead of Anne, but then discovering I was alive. Within her blood, I knew she loved me. I released Sophia, and as I did, she settled against my chest and curled herself into a ball next to me. Nothing had to be said between us. I held her as silent sobs wracked her. As it did, I felt wetness against my skin. Gently, I lifted her chin to look into her eyes. What I saw was a miracle. Her eyes were wet. Sophia was crying. I smiled and wiped the droplets away with my thumb. She watched as I lifted one to my lips and tasted it. It was tinged with blood, but I also tasted the salt. Sophia gave me a puzzled look, but I said nothing and stroked her hair. For now, this was all that mattered. **** I opened my eyes, realizing I’d fallen asleep during the middle of the night. It had been ages since I’d done that. Outside, the sun crested over the horizon. I threw up my hand to cover my eyes. Silva might have had tempered glass on all the windows to help deter the light, but it still stung like hell. “God, it’s so bright! It hurts!” Sophia cried out. I didn’t wait and got up quickly and drew the drapes. I relaxed once the room was plunged into darkness once again. “I didn’t know it would be that bad.” Sophia stared at me, and I saw the loss in her eyes. Realization of how her life had changed was setting in. I was only amazed she had cried. Vampires lost the ability when they turned. I smiled as I sat on the edge of the bed. “The pain is worse in full daylight. With clothes and sunglasses, we can pass, but it feels like someone pressing nails into your skin even through the cloth.” She crawled over and captured my lips for a moment. Her kiss was sweet, but I broke away and pulled on my jeans. We still had Drew to worry about, and I wanted to be sure that Silva was being good to Anne. I sensed my former employee was awake by now as well. “How is Anne?” I asked Sophia. She looked at me for a second and was about to ask me something, but then realized what I meant. Sophia had created Anne, so she was connected to her. “She’s hungry, but otherwise okay, I think.” I nodded. “Good, but let’s go see, just in case.” I saw an indescribable look cross Sophia’s face, but she nodded and started to get dressed as well. The same old ache in my belly ran through me, and I knew that I had to feed. Even though I had taken in some of the blood Silva had given Sophia from the mixture, it seemed to go through my

system quickly, probably because of what was in it. Walking out to the living room, I spied Silva reclining on the couch. Anne was in his lap. She had her lips pressed to the wrist of a limp girl. Her human’s heart barely beat. Silva had his fangs buried in Anne’s neck. When we came into the room, my longtime friend looked up with blood dribbling down his neck. Anne kept on feeding until the girl’s heart ceased. The other vampire took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed the blood away. Only he would be so prim and proper when it came to feeding. Sometimes Silva was a genuine pain in my ass. I still hadn’t forgiven him completely for attacking Sophia. He knew better. I think that was one reason he had done it. “I take it you had a very good time last night.” He flashed Sophia and me a debonair smile. He had heard every little thing we said and moaned to one another. “Very. Thanks. How are you this wonderful, sun-filled day?” “As well as to be expected since they said it was going to be overcast today. Anne, why don’t you go with Sophia into your new room? She might find some more suitable clothes than the ones she has on. Alexander and I need to talk a moment.” Anne got up as if she were in a trance. She wrapped her arm around Sophia’s waist and led her down the hall. I smiled and nodded after Sophia. I sat across from Silva and saw that he had moved the pieces on his chessboard. This one had angels and demons depicted on the pieces. On my side sat the knight protecting the queen. On his, the queen was open to an attack. “Where do you get this fascination with chess?” Silva laughed a silky sound. “Alexander, I’m surprised at you. After all these years, you should know that chess is just another representation of life. We are the eternal rulers, the gods who move the pieces, and the mortals are our pawns.” I shook my head. Typical. So very typical. “Silva, when will you learn that humans are not pawns for us to play with? Chess was a helpful tool in an age when you needed to learn battle strategies, but we no longer need it as that.” He wagged his finger at me. “That’s where you’re wrong, my friend. Take poor Anne. She was a pawn you moved around as your employee. Sophia moved her around, too, by asking her to warn you about the pesky ex that put a stake in Anne’s heart, thinking she was already a vampire. Sophia made the choice only a god could make and elevated Anne above the mortal coil, giving her immortality. Even I made a move by putting Sophia into your path so you could turn her. Then there is the irritating boyfriend. He will not stop until you are dead. If I were you, I would go back to your apartment and make sure he has not discovered anything else.” “Silva, nothing of what you said made sense. It was merely chance that Sophia found Anne near death and made the split decision to turn her. It was merely chance that I decided to follow her that day she came over here and found you draining the life from her. We are not gods. When it comes to Drew, I’ll take care of him.” I got up and went to go get Sophia. I didn’t know if it was such a good idea for Anne to be staying here and learning the ropes from the elder vampire.

“You don’t think of yourself as a god, but you are godlike to say the least. Mortals look at us as if we are on pedestals. Why do you think I chose to have my home among the clouds? Do not worry about the new addition. Anne won’t become as sadistic and twisted as I am. At least not right away. It takes years to perfect my demeanor. Oh, and I would go check on your shop if I were you. It’s your move to cover your queen.” I looked at the chessboard, wondering what he meant about my queen. Sophia would be my queen, the one thing in my world that mattered to me. But then I glanced at the other side of the board where the queen was being left unprotected. My gaze met his as I realized what he meant. There was something else I had to protect. I raced from the apartment, taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. Well, I more or less jumped between the stair openings and let myself fall, not caring if anyone saw the blur of me gliding down from the fast descent. Outside, I winced at the daylight, using my hand to shield my eyes from the glare and moved toward Midnight Mocha. Even before I got there, I caught the whiff of heavy smoke on the breeze laden with the heavy aroma of coffee. I stood before my shop and watched as the inferno consumed the entire building. Everything I owned was gone. All my ties to the past had evaporated. Everything I had worked for! A cry of rage tore through me. I knew better than to try to race into the flames even as the firefighters worked tirelessly to put them out, but they were also trying to save the building next to the café as well. The crowd was kept back by cops and white barriers. I saw Drew. A triumphant smile caressed his face. He thought he had rid the world of a monster and freed his beloved. He assumed he was the perfect vampire hunter now the fiend was dead. I let out another cry, hoping he would hear it. My prayer was answered. He turned his head slowly, locking his eyes with mine. Drew’s face went ashen. Among the heat and blazing sun, I was starting to feel the effects of both on my body. I had to get away. It didn’t matter. I knew what I was going to do. It wasn’t safe for Sophia to go back to her apartment. We both had to stay with Silva until Drew was out of the picture. It would be easier, too, if Sophia and I were both together. Without thinking, I moved around the crowd before anyone could notice. I was pushing it being so close to the fire because vampires are combustible. A loud bang echoed from the coffee shop as something exploded. It had to be the boiler in the basement. Everything I’d worked for was gone, all because of him. “Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily, Drew?” I whispered next to his ear. He spun around so quickly he nearly lost his balance. I reached out and caught him, making sure my grip on his shoulder was hard. Not hard enough to break, but enough to bruise. He paled even more, and as the black ash drifted down from my livelihood, it began to stain my face. Soon my skin would begin to blister from the intense heat, but I was willing to risk it. “What do you want?” he asked. He tried to keep his voice steady, but gone was the confident, know-it-all look of the vampire hunter. Replaced was a frightened mortal who was now watching his life flash before his eyes. I could have easily taken him to the back and drained his life in one instance. However, I didn’t want to risk being exposed in this crowd of people.

“I want you to leave Sophia and me alone. She doesn’t want you in her life anymore. Can’t you see that?” Drew got his bravery back, squared his shoulders, and then looked me straight in the eye. His eyes were dark with determination. Maybe I should have stayed away from him, but he had threatened the woman I loved. “I only see that you’ve stolen her away from me. Once I drive a stake through your heart, your influence over Sophia will disappear. She’ll be human once again, and you’ll be a pile of ash.” I laughed and let him see my hidden face. “Drew, Sophia is already dead. If you kill me, she won’t become human again. She’ll just be really pissed off, and you might end up her next meal. I wouldn’t put it past her. Please just let your obsession rest.” The heat of the fire was starting to char my skin. Fire was lethal to vampires. “She’ll be mine. You lie to keep her under your thrall. Now your lair has been burned down and you’ll lose your strength. By the way, I know where your friend lives. He’ll be next.” His threat about trying to get to Silva was nothing. Drew would not be able to get past security, and if he did, Silva would have him drained in ten seconds flat. I’d seen my friend do it when he got pissed. I only laughed. “Enough is enough, Drew. I’m warning you for the last time. Leave it alone.” I stepped away and let myself blend into the throng. I was grateful to be away from the heat, but my teeth also ached to dig into someone. I needed a vein, especially out here in the heat of the fire and direct sun. I walked a few blocks, still moving faster than anyone could see, and then went into a dark bar. Inside the music was pumping and the liquor was flowing, even this early in the morning. “Hey, suga, I’ll be right with you.” I watched as the waitress walked away, and I licked my lips. Her short red hair showed off her sweet, swanlike neck. Drew had stirred my instinct to hunt, but that would come after. It would come tonight, and he would be my prey. For now, the girl would be the one who’d be my lunch.

Chapter Thirteen Sophia Anne dragged me into the other room, and I was able to see how she was doing. The bond between the both of us had solidified. It almost felt as if I had another person in the back of my mind, like a buzz, and if I concentrated on the link, I could tell how she was feeling. Right now, she was scared and hungry. I understood how she felt because it was how I felt only a few days ago. It was still how I felt, hollow at times. This was how she was feeling now. She closed the door, then sat on the bed, and patted the spot beside her. I noticed her hands were shaking. “Anne, what‘s the matter?” She stared down at the bed, and I had to lift her chin so she could meet my eyes. “Why did you do this to me?” She met my gaze. Her hair was still neon pink, but there seemed to be a sheen to it underneath the lights. “I’m sorry. I thought it’d be better to bring you over here than to keep you at Alex’s or bringing you back to my house. Is Silva treating you horribly?” She jumped on top of me and had her hands to my neck. Her fangs inched down and she bared them next to my throat. “I meant why did you give me this hell? I never asked for this! Did you see what I did to that girl? What am I going to do the rest of my life?” I pushed her off me so she bounced on the bed. I got up slowly. “You asked me for this! I heard you. You reached out to me. I was going to finish you off and give you peace.” “I didn’t know. I was afraid to die! I knew what Alex was a long time ago, but I never said anything because I figured if I ever did ask him, he’d eat me, or maybe, just maybe, change me. But this is nothing like I thought it would be.” I got right up into her face and growled at her. “I gave you what you asked for, Anne. I didn’t know you from Adam and put myself in danger. What do you want me to do, Anne? I can’t reverse your condition. I’m sorry you don’t like your new existence. I saved your life. Silva will teach you the ropes. I don’t expect you to be grateful, but I do expect respect.” Anne stared at me when I mentioned Silva’s name. “He’s ancient. His blood, it tastes like old pennies. It’s so strong. But he treats me nice. After I woke up, he . . .” She trailed off as she looked at the floor. There was hesitation in her mind. “Anne, if you don’t want to stay here, we can figure something out. I’m sorry you aren’t happy being a vampire, but I didn’t want to let you die.” Anne waved her hand to shush me. “I’m sorry. I should never have said anything. Silva says I can stay as long as I want and I’ll get used to this new life after a while. I like him. He’s chivalrous. I guess that’s the right word to describe him.”

My creation looked up at me with sad eyes. They were so full of sorrow, I could tell she was dealing with this worse than I was, and she didn’t even have a crazy boyfriend to contend with. I reached out to her and was amazed she accepted the hug. After a moment, I felt her teeth pressed against my neck, but I didn’t begrudge her from piercing my throat. Once they broke the surface, I let her drink. It seemed somewhat fitting. Maybe it was because I was her creator. Maybe it was because we both needed the comfort, but after a moment of feeling lightheaded, I pulled away from her and she got the idea and let go. When she looked up, there were tears in her eyes. Her fingers trailed over her cheeks, just as Alex’s had done with mine the other night. “Silva says it’s impossible for vampires to cry. We lose the ability after we are changed, but I’m crying. How is that possible?” I shrugged. “I don’t know, Anne. Maybe you get it from me. Alex told me the same thing, but last night I was able to cry. Maybe it’s a family trait or something.” She smiled and then got up and opened the closet. Inside were all different kinds of clothing. It looked like someone had gone on a shopping spree last night. I could only imagine what kind of wealth Silva had if he had bought all of this, given me a check, which I still had to cash, and owned the building. Well, after four hundred years, I guess he has to have something to show for it. Anne pulled out a few clothes and held them up. I chose a pair of loose black pants and a fitted wine-colored shirt that showed off my neck. Before I could say anything, Anne was brushing my hair and then pinning up. I should have been with one of my girlfriends having a sleepover. I felt comfortable with Anne, not because I had brought her into the fanged life but because she was a good person. She would get used to the life. If I could, so could she. “All set,” she announced. I noticed she had changed too. She wore a long black dress with a red corset trimmed with pink ribbon to match the exact color of her hair. Yup, Silva had the corset bought especially for her. I got up and went out into the main room. Silva was bent over the neck of a girl. One of his bodyguards had another girl and was playing with her. It vaguely reminded me of the scene I had walked into a few nights ago when he was having his party. I shivered for a moment as I remembered Carmichael tearing into my throat. Silva looked up when I entered with Anne but didn’t disengage from his meal. There were other human heartbeats in the room. I licked my lips, scanning for Alex, but he wasn’t there. I couldn’t sense him anywhere in the penthouse. The scent of the blood and thumping hearts awakened my sleeping hunger. I’d never taken from a willing vein before. Anne’s hunger pressed on me as well. Silva swept his eyes over my new attire and seemed pleased as he let the girl go. She was still alive. His shirt was unbuttoned and his jacket off. His blond hair was disheveled and his eyes wild with hunger. Before he said anything, he wrapped his arms around me and locked his lips to mine. The taste of blood on his lips made me respond. It made my body take action. Like the other night when I was here alone, I fell under his spell. Everything tingled inside of me. Silva had power. Anne was right. I could feel his power dancing over my skin. It was like a ripple of water pushing against me. His tongue met mine and caressed my fangs, pressing on the point so I could taste his blood. “I want you, Sophia.” I heard his voice in my mind. I couldn’t help my shock. Alex had told me vampires weren’t able to read thoughts.

“It’s a power that comes with age. Alex doesn’t know a lot of things when it comes to our kind. Like he doesn’t know what true power you have lurking underneath the surface. Your blood is strong. It made you powerful. You have abilities some of us don’t have. Anne will have them too. Drinking all those Midnight Mochas changed and enhanced you, even if you didn’t know it.” “So I’m different. Why does that make you want me? You can’t have me. You know that. You weren’t supposed to breach my veins the night I came over here either,” I thought back at him. My lips worked down his neck and I circled his jugular with my tongue. I could smell the human blood already in his system. He laughed at my thought. “I already have you, Sophia. You’re mine, remember? You owe me a favor for taking in Anne, and I want to claim it right now.” I licked up the expanse of his flesh to his ear and nibbled on it. “So you want my body. Come and take it.” His hands ran over my shirt, feeling the weight of my breasts. He squeezed them gently. My nipples hardened instantly. “No, Sophia. I don’t want your body. As wonderful as it is, I am a decent man, and you’re in love with my best friend. No. There is another currency that I want from you. I want to drain you dry and fill you back up again. My blood will make you strong. I know you want to taste me. I haven’t even let Anne taste all of me yet. Now, I have done it with many other vampires, but only those who mean something to me.” I stared deep into his blue eyes. He was telling me the truth. “So why me?” He could have any woman he wanted and I was sure any vampire he wanted, too. So what if the vampire blood had changed my DNA because I had drank so much of it in the mochas? I could cry. That was about all that I had noticed unless more powers would come with age. Who cared, honestly? It’s not like I wanted to be the freak of the vampire community. “Originally, you were going to be mine.” Silva said nothing else but lifted me off him. Anne fed from a vein on one of the leftover girls, and the bodyguard was picking up his now-dead paramour. I watched as Silva walked down the hall. He stopped and looked behind him, waiting for me to follow. Curiosity killed the cat and I wondered if I was next as I followed Silva. I wondered why he said I was going to be his originally. I got to the end of the hall and turned to the right. At the end was a large steel door. I walked through, and Silva shut it behind me. I didn’t jump as I heard the locks click shut. I flashed back to the other night when Carmichael had me in his grasp in this very room. It had been redone since then. My blood no longer stained the carpet. A black velvet couch and a wall-to-wall plasma television were off to the left in a sunken corner of the room. There was also a king-sized bed. My eyes caught the spiral staircase that led upstairs where I thought he slept. Next to that was a black piece of furniture that looked like a chest, but when I walked over to it and lifted the lid, it was a freezer. Silva had moved the freezer downstairs. “This is where you sleep, isn’t it?” I asked. Silva nodded. “I found sleeping in a freezer to be much more protective than a coffin and cooler than having a special AC unit just for this one room. I was upstairs for a bit, but I wanted a change of scenery.”

I nodded as I ran my hand over the onyx surface, but before I could move, Silva had grabbed me from behind. A small yelp escaped my lips. His grip was tight as he crisscrossed his arms over my chest. His breath was hot on my neck. He was taller than me by a little bit. His fingers slowly began to unbutton my shirt. They were slow and yet very experienced. Silva had bitten me before, but this time I wasn’t human, even though the evaporated fear still lingered in my mind from the encounter. “I thought you said you didn’t want my body.” “I don’t. Just your blood, but you don’t want to ruin your shirt. I know you’re wondering about what I said to you out in the other room. Why I had chosen you?” He slipped my shirt off and spun me around, but he was true to his word and didn’t make a move to take off any more of my clothes. “Yes.” His cool fingertips ran over the line of my collarbone, slowly tracing the veins underneath and then settling over my heart. His sharp nails cut little slices into my flesh. “I saw you one day coming out of Alex’s café when I was going over to visit him. The sunlight lit your hair and you seemed so happy. I didn’t know what you did then, but I saw you had one of Alex’s mochas in your hand. Even diluted as it was, I could smell the vampire blood in it. Already in you. I admit I began to follow you. I was a little infatuated, but I was going to make my move the first night you were attacked. I was there, in the shadows, waiting to be your rescuer when the guy tried to grab your purse, but Alex heard the scuffle first. I was going to introduce myself to you that night, but then I saw the way Alex looked at you. I’d only seen Alex look at a woman once before the way he looked at you, and it killed him when she wouldn’t accept our life. She died in his arms. So you see, you were my choice. I wanted to woo you, maybe kill your fiancé, and then turn you. I wanted you all to myself. That was why I had to taste you the night you came over here. If Alex hadn’t shown up when he did, I would have turned you. My speech about your blood was only meant to amuse you. I am sorry if I frightened you. I love Alex as a friend, and I won’t begrudge him the right for a bride.” Silva looked up with clear, crystal blue eyes. He had wanted me from the beginning, but he was not going to betray Alex. He was noble in that respect. I nodded and felt tears dot my lashes. Silva whispered a curse when he saw that I was crying. His fingers touched my tears gently, and then he backed away. He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at his fingers for a moment before motioning to the space next to him. I sat next to him on his dark blue velvet spread. Silva turned to me and kissed each of my eyelids with his palms resting lightly on each side of my neck. It was as if he treasured me. It was touching and surreal that I was letting him do this. If I were still human, there’d be no way I would be half-naked in a guy’s bedroom letting him suck on my neck. “Silva, I really don’t know what to say. Will Alex find out about this? Does it—” He placed a finger to my lips and let it trail down and settle at the hollow of my throat. “Alex doesn’t have to know a thing. This is between you and me. He will understand that you owe me a favor. That is all you ever have to tell him if he questions you.” Silva closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they were white-blue. His hunger radiated off of him like a tidal wave, like sexual passion. It was so strong it could have pushed me over. He slipped off his shirt and tossed it on the floor. Silva’s chest was defined, but not as muscular as Alex’s. He was cooler to the touch and paler. He wound his fingers into the back of my hair, cradling my neck. His lips touched my throat for an

instant before I heard him whisper something in my ear. It took me a moment before I figured it out. Right as I did, his fangs separated my flesh. It was “Thank you.” Silva was gentle as he rearranged himself with four hundred years of ease. He straddled me and laid me down on the bed. His swallows were slow and deliberate as he drew the lifeblood from me. As he did, I felt his mind wrap around mine, enfolding me in a cloth. Sensations of ecstasy flooded me. I arched my back and let out a moan. He was trying to make the draining less painful for me as I could tell from his thoughts. “I don’t want to hurt you. I want you to know how much I desired you, Sophia. You’d be my prize if I had brought you into the night.” I pressed my hand against his naked his chest as he drank me in. With each drop, he imbibed all of me. I felt myself losing strength. He stopped the assault on my mind when he realized I wasn’t going to fight him or that it wasn’t something I was going to regret. Each mouthful left me cold and shivering more. I wanted Alex’s arms around me. “So cold,” I whispered. “It will be warm again soon.” I felt my veins drying, shriveling, cracking. It was hard to think. My breath was getting raspy. My body automatically transformed itself into the vampire. My claws pressed into Silva’s skin. He was warm, and I wanted that warmth back. Silva held me down with his weight. My body fought against the draining, and yet, even as I did, there was pleasure in the pain. I didn’t know if the agony was something I could stand or, even more, if I wanted him to go on. All I knew was that I wanted this to be Alex. Everything in me cried out for my love. Finally, Silva looked up. I could do nothing but lay on the bed, limp as a wet feather as he had sapped all of my strength. His breath was hot next to my ear. “I could leave you like this and easily take your head, and then Alex would kill me. I don’t want that. I can feel your power coursing through me. Even the mocha is still inside of you. You have done me a great favor as I had requested. Now I’ll return the favor.” He lifted me up in his arms so I could find his throat. “Drink, Sophia, and gain my strength. It will come in handy one of these days. After this, we’ll be even.” I didn’t wait but sank my fangs deep within his flesh. Once his hot blood hit the back of my throat, I had come home. Anne was right. There was power inside of his blood, deep and rich that ran true. I gulped greedily, dousing the fire inside. Soon I was sitting up and my fingers had wrapped inside his hair. He was growing weaker when I began to pull away. He pushed my head back down. “No. Drink it all.” I did as he asked and took more. He was nearly drained when I heard the door open. I looked up from Silva. Instantly I felt Alex. He was seething. I could sense his emotions and our bond was a lot stronger. There was something else. It was almost like I could read his thoughts. I wondered exactly what had rubbed off from me drinking from Silva.

Alex’s eyes went from me to his friend. Silva got up slowly and put a weary smile on his face. I went over to Alex. A look of disgust passed over his lips. The growl grew into a snarl as I wiped the blood from my lips. Feeling stronger by the minute, I grabbed my shirt, pulled it on, and wrestled my hair free from the chopsticks Anne had pinned it up in. I touched Alex’s arm. “Are you all right?” I asked. I took in a breath and smelled Drew on him. There was also the scent of stale beer, dead blood, ash, and coffee. “Alex, what happened? Why do I smell smoke? Burnt coffee? What happened to the shop? To your apartment?” He grabbed me by the arm, spun around, and snarled. “What do you care? You’ve been too busy being a blood-whore with Silva. That’s all you ever wanted me for, wasn’t it? All you wanted was to be a vampire and use me for my blood. It was all a game to you. Get away from me! You disgust me!” Alex pushed me away so I landed hard against Silva’s freezer. Pain shot up my arm as I heard a sickening crack. I gripped my arm close and felt the tears moving down my cheeks. Alex had never been this way to me. He had never been an asshole. “Leave her alone, Alex. She did nothing you have to blame her for.” Alex moved across the room in a blur and grabbed Silva by the throat. Already my arm was healing, but it hurt like hell. I got up and tugged Alex away from Silva, but he shrugged me off. “Sophia was half-naked, drinking from your neck on your bed in your locked bedroom where you don’t allow anyone. You just had to have her, didn’t you, Silva? You couldn’t wait for me to be out of the picture even for a second before you claimed her for yourself. We were supposed to be friends. I know you. You drained her and then replaced her blood with yours. You know how private, how intimate a ritual that is. You want me to forget about it? Not blame her? I don’t think so.” Alex smashed his fist into the footboard of the bed. He came away with a stake-sized piece. Everything happened too quickly. Alex raised his arm and smashed it into Silva’s chest, paralyzing him. Only a little blood pooled around the wound. Alex dropped Silva to the bed and then looked at me. “Alex, what are you doing?” His eyes were feral. Alex leaned over and grabbed another stake-sized piece of wood. He kept advancing. There was pounding on the door. I backpedaled and hit the wall. Alex came up to me and pressed the point of the stake to my chest. The point dug into my flesh, starting to enter my skin. “Alex, please. Don’t do this! I didn’t know. He said I owed him a favor. Please!” “Why shouldn’t I?” Alex leaned in and whispered against my mouth. “I can still taste him on your lips. Was he good, Sophia? Did he fulfill your deepest cravings? Was his blood as good as he promised it would be? Did he pledge to make you one of his elite whores? I know you liked it. Were you using him to get me angry? Were you waiting for me to leave so you could jump him? Was that the real reason you came over here that first night I bit you? He was going to turn you, wasn’t he? Did you have some prior arrangement? Tell me!” I shook my head. He was deranged. “All I wanted was you, Alex. I fell in love with you long before I knew what you were. Long before I knew you were truly a monster.” He laughed at that. “I bet.”

The door finally burst open. Silva’s bodyguards came in and saw the scene. They pinned Alex. Anne came rushing in and pulled the stake out of Silva. I didn’t wait to see what happened. I ran out into the hall and made a side trip into the room Anne had me in. I grabbed a long coat and pulled it on. I opened another door and saw it was lined with sunglasses. I grabbed a pair of those too, then raced back into the main hall and took my purse. I didn’t have anywhere else to go, and even though Drew was on my mind, I had to go back to my place just to get what I needed.

Chapter Fourteen Alex After feasting off the barmaid and keeping her breathing, I wanted to go back to Sophia and tell her what Drew had done. I wanted to hold her. I needed her arms around me and to be surrounded by her calming scent. Instead, I waltzed into Silva’s bedroom, following the link between my creation and me since I didn’t see her at the suckfest in Silva’s living room, and found her gulping down my friend’s blood. Everything snapped. From the culmination of losing the shop and dealing with Drew, I lost it. How can the woman I love be half-naked in the same bed with my best friend? Silva always wanted Sophia, but I didn’t think she’d go for it. She had betrayed me. She had betrayed the bond we had. Silva was a bastard. I’d known that the first time I had met him. He always wanted what he couldn’t have. Now he had laid claim to the one thing I cherished most. Sophia. I smelled her blood in him. He must have imbibed all of it, leaving her limp on the bed, and she was replenishing herself. This was something only done between Master and child or lovers at times of great passion. The experience can be excruciating, filled with pleasure and pain, and it draws you closer together. The exchange was like being born again because if the vampire was older, like Silva, then the other vampire gained strength. I had sensed some of that strength in Sophia when I pushed her across the room. I almost flinched when I heard her bones break. I almost stopped there, but then I saw Silva and she begged me to spare him. In that moment, in my mind, she had become his blood-whore and given up any right to me. When the stake settled into Silva’s chest, it was the best I had seen him look in a long time. Sophia had run out when Silva’s bodyguards came in and restrained me and pulled me out. Anne screamed and pulled the stake out. It gave a sickening belch as the wood came out. I watched as Silva immediately latched on to Anne and began sucking down her blood since she had just fed. Three of his guards held me down and I didn’t fight. I knew what my sentence was going to be. I stared out at the sun and waited, thinking about the times Sophia had come into the shop when she was human. The sun had shown off her hair, and her face was so soft. Her eyes sparkled when she had been turned. She was beautiful even after I changed her, and I had lost her. Good God. What have I done? “So you think you know what the fuck was going on, don’t you?” Silva entered the room. He motioned for his bodyguards to leave as he drank directly from a bottle of blood. He threw me another full one. I caught it automatically. I wasn’t going to open it even if it was unsealed. To do so would have meant that I was accepting his gesture, that I was bowing out of the competition that he was always running. To him, life was a game of chess. Now I was going to treat it the same way. I waited for him to make another move. “I know exactly what was going on. You took the one thing you couldn’t have away from me!” I threw the bottle of blood at his head. He sidestepped it easily. The glass exploded on the white wall. Crimson dripped down the wall slowly. It was thick, and as the aroma caught my nose, I knew it was hearty and healthy. Strong blood.

Silva watched the dripping blood and then shook his head. He put his half-finished bottle down on the table next to the door, and then before I knew it, I had my back against the wall. Silva had transformed and had his fangs bared. His grip was stronger than mine. I could not get away. I deserved to die, considering I had tried to kill him. “I didn’t take her away from you, Alex. You’re an idiot. She was paying a debt to me. I don’t do anything for free. You know that. I was collecting on the favor that I told her she owed me.” “What did Sophia ask you to do for her that meant you taking her like that?” “I took in Anne. That was my payment. Alex, you were sitting right there when I told her. Or did the fire burn that part of your memory away?” I saw the hatred in his eyes as he stared at me. Something in our friendship fractured. Oh wait! It was his heart! “You think teaching Anne was worth having Sophia half-naked on your bed while draining the life out of her? I can smell Sophia inside of you. You took the one thing I loved. Favor or no favor, you should never have asked her the one thing that you knew is sacred. Now she’s your whore.” Silva closed his eyes and sighed. He let me go. I dropped down to the floor. He sat on the bed and hung his head. After a moment, he ran his fingers through his hair and stared at me. He was still bare-chested. The place where the stake had rammed his chest was almost healed. “Alexander, I took my payment from her blood, not her body. I would never touch your woman in that way. I told her that, and I kept my promise. Taking care of another’s child is a big responsibility in our society that, in the old days, might have been paid for by ten virgins or bags of gold. I took my payment the one way I knew how. You are correct. I have desired Sophia. I had watched her long before you met her. I was going to make her mine the night you rescued her from the mugger outside your café. However, you got there first, and when I saw the way you looked at her, I knew you were in love. I gave her up then because how could I hurt one of my oldest and dearest friends?” He got up and went to the door. Before he left, he turned back to me. “Her thoughts were of you the whole time, my friend. She loves you more than life. Don’t screw it up. I suggest you leave here, Alexander. You’re no longer welcome in my home. Tell Sophia she can drop by whenever she likes.” He left the room and closed the door with a soft click. As he did, I realized I had screwed up in more ways than one. **** I stared up at the lonely building. There were a few businesses around it, but it wasn’t bustling like the other side of town. Like the café, I owned the entire building. In the bottom floor of this one was an upper-class Greek restaurant with a few tenants living on the second and third floors. The fourth floor was completely empty. I had never decided what to do with it, actually. I had the fifth and sixth floors all to myself. I had learned over the years to have backups. This was my backup. It was run by a property management company buried under three or four different names of a dummy corporation. If someone looked hard enough, he or she would find me, but then again, I

owned it under another name. Unless you saw me coming and going all the time, there was no way anyone knew I owned this place, and I hadn’t been here in months. Not since I had met Sophia, so almost a year now. The sun was setting now. I jumped, catching the fourth floor balcony. From there, I took another leap and landed on the roof. The only entrance to my place from the roof was a metal trap door, which opened from the inside. I had to go down the stairs to the third floor and take the elevator that required a specific code to the fifth floor. I pulled the door to the roof open and was met with a long, dark tunnel down. I had made sure when we renovated the building that there was no access to my apartment from the fifth and sixth floors. To keep up with fire codes, there was a fire escape, which on my floors, was the only way out, and there were no handles on the outside of the fire doors. The third and second floor had no such things. Down at the third floor, I stepped out from the stairs and was met with one of my tenants. She looked at me with a strange expression. I gave her a warm smile and then stepped into the elevator. I waited as she came in, too. She went down to the basement and I rode along with her. She probably thought I was some psycho coming to steal her pajamas or something. Once the elevator doors closed, I pressed the light panel in the door above the numbers. It popped open to reveal a keypad. I punched in the ten-digit sequence and then pressed the fifth floor. It took a moment, but the elevator lurched upward as I closed the panel, making sure nothing was amiss. Once I reached my other apartment, I stepped off the elevator. Inside the hallway, there was a fake door which opened to a room with nothing and no way to get out if you got in. I walked down toward the window, and much like my bedroom in my old apartment, I pressed the wall to reveal the real door. From there, I searched along the top of the jamb and came away with the key. Once inside, I closed the outer wall and the door and flicked the lights on. It sounded like I was paranoid about anyone coming into my lair, but when I had bought this place a few years ago, Silva was insistent on all the upgrades, saying there were never too many precautions to keep out pitchforkbearing mortals. He was right. The refrigerator was empty. A fine sheen of dust blanketed everything. There were pictures on the walls and furniture like what I had in my old place, Native American-themed and black-and-white photographs. There were thick dark rugs against the natural hardwood floors. I didn’t think anything of it and went upstairs. The last time I had been here was with Silva. I was putting the finishing touches on the place with a designer he knew. Vampire, of course, but I had to go do something at the coffee shop. I laughed, remembering we had been arguing over what I should do with the guest rooms. He had made sure to put reinforced glass on all the windows and heavy, thick shades, which let the light in, but blocked it out at the same time. Upstairs, I walked up the spiral staircase and saw the layout. I had forgotten in general how big the building was. There were only two rooms up here, a second bedroom, and mine. Mine was reinforced with steel and had a steel door like Silva’s. I pulled it open. The door locked from the inside. The bathroom was off to the side and the shower had jets coming at me from all sides and above. It was all black tile and had enough room for at least three people. The bedroom had been done in black and silver. The bed was in the center of the room. A large, wall-sized plasma television and my collection of DVDs, which I had forgotten about, were to my right along the wall. The thing that I had not seen before was a large black freezer with a big red bow on it. Like everything else, it

had a layer of dust on it. I shook my head as I opened the freezer. It was cold inside and filled with bagged blood. “Son of a bitch. You knew.” Guilt raged over my heart. I would have to do some serious ass-kissing to get him to trust me again. I shook my head and closed the freezer. At least I was well-stocked. I let my eyes wander over the apartment. It was empty, hollow, just like my heart. My arms ached to hold Sophia. The explanation Silva had given me was true. For taking care of Anne, there should have been payment on Sophia’s part and he had taken it. I had no idea he was interested in her in the first place, though. Sophia had succumbed because she thought it was best. Still, sharing blood, draining, was such an intimate thing when done between vampires that I couldn’t get the image of her locked to his neck out of my head. The vision made my teeth ache, but it made my heart twinge even worse. I wanted her back in my arms. I wanted to protect her from the big, bad wolf who, right now, was Drew. I shook my head. I couldn’t go over there, start pounding on her door, and beg her forgiveness. It wasn’t going to work. I had hurt her. I had done something and called her horrible names like I had never done before. Just as I had done to Silva, I had thrown her trust away. I had nearly killed her. In the lust of the moment, I had wanted to plunge that stake into Sophia’s heart and watch the lifeblood run from her veins and then see the sun turn her into ash. But now, knowing the truth behind the situation, I knew how wrong I had been. What would I say to her? Before, I had gone to her with offerings of Midnight Mocha. Now the only thing I could proffer was myself, but that wasn’t really enough after what I had done. I tried to quiet my mind and follow the link between us. She was getting stronger. I could feel her power, even at this distance. Silva’s blood was working on her now, transforming her into a more beautiful creature. What did I do? Our connection was strong, and as I thought about her, the more I concentrated, the more it was like I was there in the same room with her and could see her. She was in her apartment. I couldn’t actually see her more than I could sense her, like sharing her mind, her feelings. She was so hurt, so angry and scared, but the love inside of her heart overwhelmed me. It was almost as if I thought it was for Silva, but it was for me alone. “Sophia.” She stopped whatever she was doing. Instantly, I felt her. I could smell her skin and feel her hands on mine. Our bond had never been this strong before. “Alexander.” I saw her as plain as the sun in the sky staring at me through frosty windows and I could hear her as if she were next to me. As I did, I felt her sorrow as well. Her heart had been broken. I didn’t know if it was because she had taken Silva’s blood or if she was fully matured now that she and I could communicate like this. Silva was old, so I could only imagine what kind of power his blood had given her. With us, age brought power and sometimes other abilities as well. It was like she reached out to me and touched my face. She went in front of a mirror and all of a sudden, I could see her. She still wore the outfit Silva had given her. As I looked at her reflection in the mirror, I noticed how beautiful she looked. The wine color set off her skin, and the scoop neck showed the swell of her breasts and made her neck look longer as her hair hung around her shoulders. The sleeves were

fitted to her arms. The buttons were so small I could barely see them. I wanted to hold her. I felt her desire for me, too. I looked around and moved to a mirror so she could see me as well. I leaned on the bureau and wanted her to understand how sorry I was. I was an idiot. “Sophia, I’m so very sorry. I never meant to hurt you.” I watched as her fingers absently rubbed the now-healed break in her arm and the place where I had held the stake over her heart. Her eyes met mine again through the mirror. There were tears in them, the miracle she had been able to resurrect from her human days. It was a gift unique to her blood, or maybe all the mochas she had drunk with my blood had changed her in some way. Whatever the reason, I had to have her back. She shook her head and moved away from the mirror a little so I could see her bed. There was a bag on it, and it was packed. She looked back. “I’m sorry, Alex. It’s not what you did that hurt me the most. It’s what you said.” “Forgive me, please. I had just found out I lost everything I had. Midnight Mocha is gone. My apartment is gone. And then there was Drew. He set the fire thinking he could flush me out. I told him to leave us be, to leave you alone, but he’s crazed. He won’t stop until he gets you back and I’m dead.” Sophia nodded. “I know. I saw the news. I’m sorry for what happened. Drew is an asshole, which is another reason I’m leaving. I’m not safe here. Maybe . . . maybe in the future something can happen between the two of us, but not right now. I’m sorry, Alex.” Without another word, she turned from the mirror, and I felt the link go dead between us. Somehow, she was blocking me. I was inside my own body again. The loneliness that gripped me was like the apartment, vast and hollow. Sophia had made up her mind, and I had lost the one thing that gave my life meaning. Now the only thing I had was revenge.

Chapter Fifteen Sophia The road stretched out before me like a winding river. After what Alex had said to me and had done to Silva, there wasn’t any way I could even think about having Alex back in my life. Not right now. There had been so much hurt and sorrow in his voice when he contacted me through our bond. He wanted to put things right, and I wanted to crumble, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t going to take being pushed around by anyone. I had done what I did with Silva so I wouldn’t have any outstanding favors with him. Of course, after I packed, taking what little things I wanted with me, I dialed Silva’s number and told him my plans. I was leaving. “Are you running away?” he asked me. I thought about his question even now. I didn’t think I was running away, but with everything that had happened with Drew, with Alex, and with him, I needed a fresh start. I loved Alex with all my soul and not because he was the one who brought me into the night, but because he was part of me. I loved Alex for being who he was, but now he had put himself in another light in my eyes. Like I told him, maybe sometime in the future we could work out whatever was between us. All we had was time, right? Drew was not going to give up. As I drove, I saw the remnants of what used to be Midnight Mocha. On impulse, I stopped the car and parked in a back alley really quickly. I locked the door and got out. I sniffed the air, wondering if there were any signs of Drew, but I didn’t catch his scent. Drinking Silva’s blood had enhanced everything in me tenfold. It was like being born again as a vampire. Scents were stronger, voices louder. Everything was more alive, but this time I could handle the change. I knew how to dampen my environment so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. I slipped into the shadows and walked through the ashes. As I did, my foot connected with something. Leaning over, I pulled out one of Alex’s pots, which had been in his living room. Somehow, it had survived the fall. I wiped it off and huddled the pot close to me. It was something of his I could have close to me. It might not be much. I scuffled around the debris and saw something metal. At first, I thought it was a ring or a piece of the coffee machines or something, but when I looked down, I saw it was attached to a chain. The chain was heavy and made from gold, and the pendant was a blooming rose. I had never seen him wear it and didn’t even know who the necklace belonged to, but I slipped the chain over my neck and had to get used to the added weight. The stem fell between my breasts. My eyes looked at the ashes, but there was nothing else left I could see worth any value. “Bye, Alex,” I whispered. I got back into my car and placed the pot in the seat next to me so it wouldn’t be ruined. Starting the car, I thought about what Silva had told me on the phone. He gave me the names and numbers of a few vampires located all over the country so I had some contacts wherever I settled and told me whenever I needed anyone to give him a call. He said he was well known and had a few friends who were older than him. If I had any troubles wherever I went and didn’t want to feed from a vein, or I needed to get set up with a blood supply, I should to go to the local blood bank or morgue, on the night shift of course, and wait until I smelled a vampire. When that happened, let them know I was new in town. They would help me out. Some of them were pricks, he said, but most were normal, likeable vamps who understood I was getting set up in a new

town. I’d spent most of my life in this area. It was time for a change. I put my foot to the pedal and zoomed out of New York City, going along the highway hoping to leave the past behind me and make a new life for myself. **** I drove for hours with the night turning to dawn until the sun kissed my cheeks and they began to burn and I had to pull over at a highway rest stop somewhere on the outskirts of Virginia. My hunger had been quieted until the sun began to bake me and I needed darkness. Inside the ladies’ room was comforting, like being dipped into cool water. I was lucky there was only one woman inside at the same time as me. It was during the middle of the week and not a lot of people were traveling yet. I locked the door quietly and smiled at her as she tried to leave. I stared long and hard into her eyes, and she lost her will instantly. I felt her cave as if her mind was cheese. I welcomed her into my arms and bit deeply into her throat. Her blood was not very thick, but it would do the trick to ease my hunger and heal the damage the sun had done to me. I sensed her heart was beating slower than it should have. I lifted my mouth from her throat and left her slumped on the floor, still alive. From there, I lingered a little while inside and then decided it was time to keep going. I didn’t know where I was headed, but it was farther south. When the divisions in the highway came, I just took one, making sure not to double-back. I only wanted to keep going. The gas gauge read half-full since I had filled it up earlier. Back in the car with the wind in my hair, I drove for a few hours, every once in a while fingering the rose in between my breasts. After another couple of hours, I saw civilization. I followed the highways into the city, which compared to New York, was tiny. The city had cranes building new skyscrapers to touch the beginning of the night. I didn’t have anywhere else to go, and as I rolled down the window, I smelled life. The city was warm, and the air caressed me like a new lover. For some reason, this was going to become home. With my wraparound sunglasses protecting my eyes and coat pulled up around my neck to keep out the light, I settled into one of the uptown hotels and finally cashed my check Silva had given me. Thank God for banks being national. The teller looked at me funny and brought me over to her manger. He barely said anything, but took the check and welcomed me to the city. He asked me if I needed anything. I smiled and took off my glasses so he could see my eyes. I don’t know what it was, but I wasn’t trying to use the vampire mojo on him. I felt his will begin to crumble anyway. “What I really need is a good realtor, and I do want to invest some of the money I’ve come into. Can you suggest anything?” He only nodded his head and then picked up the phone. After twenty minutes, he had fifty thousand or so tied up in CDs and IRAs so I would have something to fall back on. He even set up some stocks. With another quick phone call, he had the number and had gotten me an appointment with the city’s most prestigious realtor for a little bit later. I thanked the bank manager, who gave me his card and his private cell number. I told him I’d look him up, but of course, I never would. I wasn’t planning on getting into any relationships anytime soon. Not for a long time. That afternoon I met with the realtor who, at first, I thought was the most perfect version of a doll I had ever seen. But when I got closer and got a whiff of her, I realized she was a vampire. Her smile widened when she realized I was one too. She stuck her hand out for me to shake. Her teeth were

perfect. I could tell she hadn’t been a vampire long, maybe thirty or forty years, but she must have thought I was older. Maybe taking in Silva’s blood did have its advantages. “Thank God. I get so tired of showing these overpriced monstrosities to the rich humans who come in here all the time. I make a wonderful commission, don’t get me wrong, but pretending gets so tiring, and it’s not very often we get new blood in here. Pardon the pun.” Her Southern accent was slipping in now she was getting comfortable with me. “I can only imagine. Being new here, and this being the South, I guess our kind likes to stay away with the sun and all, so you don’t get too many other vampires.” I smiled, trying to feel at ease. Something about her prickled the hairs on my back. She was way too territorial. I had to put my foot down, or she was going to try to take me for everything I had. I can see how she got all those commissions. One look into her dark, doe-brown eyes, and any man was going to be a goner. And then you add in the vampire charm. Well, it was a shoo-in. “So you are looking for a high-rise condo? I don’t think I have any on the market at the moment. I do have some nice uptown condominiums, very posh. And I know a great decorator who can hook you up and have whatever renovations you need done to the place.” I smiled and leaned forward. “Look, I want something in a nice, quiet, older section of town. Lots of trees. I used to like taking walks in Central Park. I’ll give you a hundred thousand for it. I don’t want anything fancy, and I don’t want to be in a high-rise. I want the earth under my feet and no nosey neighbors. I want to be close to town, but not in it. Anything like that?” She blanched as I stared her down. She didn’t expect another one of her kind to go against her wishes. I gathered there really weren’t a lot of vampires in the South. Maybe it was time a new one came to shake things up. I’d call Silva later and ask him what he thought about Charlotte, North Carolina. The realtor flipped through her folders until she came up with something. Her hand shook as she turned it around and showed me the picture. The image was of an older house, all brick and in the Dilworth neighborhood. It was even in my price range. I was surprised because anything like that back in the city would have been twice the money and less the size. “So what’s wrong with it?” I asked her. Her fake smile returned. She was not going to be intimidated by me. If she was, then she wasn’t going to let me see her flinch. The realtor flicked her hair back. She was getting irritated. “Well, the house needs a lot of work, and the humans are saying it’s haunted. But who believes in ghosts?” I shrugged. I had never thought about it before, but if there were vampires, why not ghosts? “I’ll take it.” The realtor suddenly jumped, already counting her commission. “You won’t be sorry. The neighborhood is very quiet and right next to the hospital if you need a late-night snack. I live quite close by too. Maybe we can get together one night and I can introduce you around.” I nodded as I mulled her offer over. It would be nice to get to know someone else here, preferably someone with my same nocturnal habits. “Sounds nice. Maybe we can go out for drinks.”

I saw her smile and her teeth lengthen. She liked the suggestion. “Well, if you’re not busy tonight, I can show you the nightlife around here. I can come pick you up around eleven. I’ll have some paperwork for you to sign anyway.” I gave her my cell number and the hotel where I was staying. I got up, left, and went outside, shielding my eyes against the sun even with my sunglasses on. I searched the area and saw there was a park close by. I took a walk there and found a bench under the shade. From there, I took in my new surroundings and clutched the rose in my hand, hoping Alex was okay. Since I had closed the link between us, I hadn’t looked back. I thought about following along our connection again, but I didn’t want to open up that can of worms. Not right now. It wasn’t the right time. Not yet. **** The realtor, Jinna, turned out to be nice. Her plastic exterior was just that. Underneath it all, she was a good old Southern gal who had gotten involved with the wrong guy, and one night, after getting too rough, he decided to turn her, no questions asked, and then left her on her own. Jinna thought I was a lot older than I came off as, and when I told her I hadn’t even been a vampire for over a year, she was shocked—almost to the point she would have dropped dead if she wasn’t already dead. She didn’t pry too much about my past, and I wasn’t ready to divulge any secrets yet either. As the weeks turned into months, I got used to the weather in the South, and Jinna helped me fix up the place and even knew a few vampire contractors. Silva was very helpful whenever I called him, and about two months after I had settled in, I got a package in the mail. Jinna was there when I opened it. Inside was a chess set made up of all different characters from vampire movies. I noticed the one queen looked like me, and the other queen had neon pink hair. Inside was a note and a check for way too much money. He said the check was an advance payment for more ads, which I’d be doing now since his company was going global. Jinna almost fainted. She asked me if it was from my maker. I shook my head and told her it was from a good friend. Later that night, I called Silva and asked him what kind of a favor I owed him. Silva said nothing as long as I made sure to be available as a consultant whenever he needed me. I laughed and told him sure just as long as he gave me plenty of warning and sent a private jet since I was not flying coach back to New York. Being financially sound helped. I paid off the house and didn’t have to haggle over the security measures the contractors suggested while they were fixing up the place. Most of them I agreed with. Silva and even Jinna suggested I sleep in a freezer. I wasn’t much into being confined, so I had the contractors install another air conditioning unit and run it into the basement, which I had closed off with steel doors for both the bulkhead and the way to get in. They even installed an escape route for me winding up through the house to the master bedroom. I thought it was cool to have a secret passageway. Jinna helped me decorate. After all the renovations were done and the house was painted and decorated, it was hard to believe I was home. I sat on my balcony, sipping at a bottle of wine laced with blood Jinna had given me. She said it was a birthday present. I don’t know how she got that information, but I was not going to ask. Tonight was the night. One year ago tonight, I had turned into a vampire. A lot had happened. The night was quiet, somewhat balmy, and no one bothered me. The house might have been haunted, but I didn’t sense anything except the occasional key going missing and turning up in the fridge. There was nothing I worried about. The mortals around me were quiet and minded their own business. “Mind if I join you?”

I jumped and nearly lost my glass. I looked down, and on the ground was Silva. I couldn’t help the smile that tugged on my lips. “Sure. Come on up.” Without another word, he had jumped and landed catlike on my balcony. I was happy to see him. It was good to see a familiar face. I went into his arms and was greeted with a very warm hug. “It’s good to see you, too, Sophia.” His fingers trailed over my neck, and I realized he saw the chain. I hadn’t taken it off since the day I’d left New York. “This used to be Alexander’s. Where did you find it?” I downed the last of my glass of wine, grabbed the bottle, and motioned for Silva to follow me inside. Once we got downstairs, I got him a glass and sat across from him. “When I left, I went by the remains of the café and went through the rubble. I found this and one of his pots. I kept both of them.” The pottery rested on my mantle above my fireplace, which I loved using. “Ahh. Well, I am sure he wouldn’t mind. This place looks amazing. I love how you’ve decorated it. It’s very you. I love the dark colors. I’m sure you are keeping yourself occupied.” I nodded. I had started doing some design consulting work on the side to keep myself busy. There were only so many nights I could not be doing something. I had started to get bored after the house was completed. Jinna knew a couple of people, and of course, I had used Silva as a reference and now with his clothing line national and global, I had excellent references besides my experience at the firm. With Silva sitting next to me in the house, my mind wandered to Alex. I hadn’t thought of him in a while. I realized I’d been keeping busy to not let myself think about Alex. Now that Silva had brought it up, everything came crashing down around me. I missed Alex’s arms around me. I missed the smell of his skin against mine. The feel of his hair under my fingers. The taste of his blood. “How is Alex?” I whispered. Silva reached out and stroked my cheek. I tried to give him a smile, but it wasn’t working. “I don’t know. He’s in New York still. I think at his other building, but I don’t know what he’s up to. After our little scuffle, I told him he wasn’t welcome in my house anymore. He hasn’t come back since.” I nodded. “I do miss him, though. In the past, we’ve gone years without much contact, but we always trusted one another. I fear I have made a grave mistake by banning him from my life. There are other vampires around me who want me for nothing more than the blood I provide them or whatever money I have. They do not like me for who I am. They do not respect me as you and Alexander do.” I leaned over and gave Silva a quick kiss on the cheek. I had never seen him depressed before. It was kinda scary considering he had always been there for me. I was not going to turn him away, even if he was my benefactor. He looked up and smiled, but it was only a half-smile. He really didn’t mean it.

“Silva, you are my friend. Not because of our sordid past or the ads we have worked on. You’re a good man. I care for you. You’ve given me so much more than I can even begin to repay you for.” “Money is nothing, Sophia. I have more than I know what to do with. Anne has been the one bright spot in my life since you and Alex have left. She has given me hope and made me see things with a different perspective. She was the one who suggested I come here and see you, that a visit might make me feel better.” I was glad to hear Anne was doing all right. Silva would take care of her no matter what happened. It seemed he really cared for her as well. “Is her hair still neon pink?” He laughed. “No. It’s gleaming purple or some nonsense. It changes weekly. I think she loves the fact she can shave her head and in a matter of a couple of days, her hair is longer than what it was before. Sophia, are you happy here?” His turned serious. I stared at my home. Everything in it, save a few things, was only decorations. Nothing really mattered to me in terms of possession. I fingered the rose. Everything in my life was going well except I was lonely. Jinna had turned into a great friend and we had a lot in common. I missed Anne and Silva, but I longed for Alex. I guess I didn’t let myself think of Alex for so long that now it was weighing down on my soul. I liked the weather. I had always hated the cold, and here, people were a lot nicer, and I found the blood to be richer. “I’m happy in many ways, but honestly, I miss you and Alex. I left in such a rush, and Alex tried to apologize to me for what he said. It left an open wound in my heart, and for a long time, whenever I thought about him, it was like putting salt on the wound. But now, I don’t feel that way anymore. It’s like the past happened and I have no reason to hold on to the horribleness. I want to start over with him in my life. Would it be too selfish to ask you and Anne to relocate down here?” I chuckled, but I felt the tears in my eyes as well. Silva opened his arms to me, knowing I needed the comfort. I didn’t hesitate and let him wrap his arms around me. I inhaled his scent. It was so familiar. My fangs pressed against my gums, but I fought the urge to bite into his throat. I couldn’t start that again. “It’s okay, Sophia.” He knew what I wanted, but I shook my head and pulled away from him. “I can’t, Silva. If I want to even try and think about going back to Alex, to even talk to him, I can’t have you standing in the way. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I care for you greatly. You are a good friend, but we both know . . .” He searched my eyes and then nodded. “We do not want to become pawns to our own desire. You have fought hard this past year to build up your kingdom. I do not want to knock down your castle walls only to injure your heart again.” He took a sip of the blood laced wine and nodded his approval. “This is a good vintage. Young slave girl, I imagine. Where did you get it?” “A friend of mine gave it to me. She’s a real estate agent who sold me this place, actually. Silva, I gather that Anne sent you down here, but what is the real reason you’re here? You don’t just come and see me. You’re always strategizing, always moving the pieces around on the chessboard.”

“Ahh, you caught me. I need you to come back with me and look over a couple of photo shoots I am doing next week. You were the one who said you weren’t flying coach, and if I was going to send you a private jet, I figured you might need an escort.” “Of course.” I went to pack a few things when Silva grabbed my arm. His eyes were cold steel. “You don’t need to bring anything except yourself and whatever small items you will need. Everything will be provided for you.” I looked at him. “How long is this job going to take?” “I need you in New York for at least six months.” “Six months! What the hell am I going to be doing for six months?” Silva’s smile turned into a devilish one. “We will have work to do as I have several other ventures I want to discuss with you and other prospective clients who have been asking to meet you. Therefore, you see, everything will be taken care of. I’ve already talked with your friend, and I think”—the doorbell rang—“she’s already here.” Silva let me go, and I went to open the front door. Outside, Jinna was nearly trembling with anticipation as she stood on my steps. I noticed a limo was parked outside waiting to take me to the airport. I shook my head. Only Silva would demand this. Really, I had no choice since he had already paid me well in advance. “Hi, Sophia. Mr. King said he was your business associate and that you were going out of town for a while. I volunteered to watch your house.” Silva walked over as Jinna entered. He gave me a sly smile. I shook my head and walked upstairs to the bedroom where I kept my clothes. I looked around the room and got an overnight bag. I still had the coat and outfit I had taken when I left Silva’s. I had bought a few clothes since then and found one of my favorites was similar to the dress I had on the night Drew had proposed to me. As I thought about my onetime, human fiancé, I wondered if Alex had ever gone after him or vice versa. Silva said Alex was still alive, so maybe Drew had gotten the hint and decided to leave him alone. Somehow, I highly doubted it. I folded everything neatly into the bag and threw in a pair of heels. Other than that, if Silva was going to be providing everything else, I was sure I was going on a shopping spree with Anne. Downstairs, I gave Jinna a hug and my extra set of house keys. I didn’t have to warn her not to mess with any of my things. Inside the limo, Silva sat across from me as I settled into the seat. My thoughts drifted to the next few months. Will I run into Alex? Will I seek him out? Will I look for Drew? God, if I do that, what will he say if he sees me? What will Alex say? “Sophia, you’re not angry with me for uprooting you, are you?”

“No, Silva. It’ll be good to be back home for a while. I’ll see family while I’m there. My contact with them has been limited since I turned. Soon they’ll figure out I’m not aging. Other than that, who knows? Maybe I’ll try and see if I can find Alex. I guess we will just have to see how things go.” Silva looked out into the night. I could feel he was thinking, planning his next move. As he did, I wondered what my next move was going to be as well.

Chapter Sixteen Alex A week after Sophia left, I decided I was not going to let Drew find me again and try to take me out. He had kicked in my hunting instinct. I wanted to feel his bones breaking beneath my hands and taste his blood warming my insides. First, he had hurt Sophia, and then he’d hurt me. He was not going to get away with what he had done. After settling into my new apartment and getting used to the kinks, I went over to Midnight Mocha, or what was left, to see if there was anything left to salvage. As I walked through the ashes, I caught Sophia’s faint scent. She had been here before she left. I had searched the night for her, but our connection had been severed. Sophia had departed the city and never looked back, just as she said she would. I was but a memory to her now. I wasn’t sure if I would ever see her again, but I had to have hope. Sifting through the rubble, I didn’t find anything of any use. The insurance people had been called and recalled. They wanted to meet me next week to sign some papers now that the firemen had concluded their investigation and decided it was arson. Go figure. I would get a settlement, but it wasn’t the money that I truly cared about. I only wanted to right the wrongs of the past few nights. Vampires might have been creatures of myth made flesh, but we couldn’t travel back in time and relive our mistakes. The first thing I would fix was attacking Silva. I never should have jumped to conclusions. He had been my oldest friend. He understood me and vice versa like no other I had met, except Sophia. The next thing I would fix was the harsh and hateful things I had said to her that night. I wanted nothing more than to hold her in my arms again and smell the perfume of her blood. Now I would never taste her again. All because of Drew. Now I would be the true creature the vampire was. I was a hunter. Night after night, I perched in the shadows of the courthouse waiting for the DA to get off work. I would follow him, blending in with the shadows as all my kind were known to do. Sometimes I even took to the rooftops when I could so he wouldn’t see me. I learned his moves, his habits, where he liked to eat. I would make sure he never saw it coming when I feasted on him. My chance came two weeks later. Drew might have been obsessed with me and with Sophia, but he hadn’t been over to her apartment since she left town. It was as if he knew. Maybe he did. As he walked home, he was met by an average-looking woman. I hadn’t seen her at the courthouse with him. When I got a whiff of her, I realized she was a high-priced call girl. She looked similar to Sophia. I licked my lips. Two for one. This was going to be even more fun than I thought. Outside Drew’s apartment, I watched from across the way as he entertained his guest. They began to drink, and then he slipped something into her beverage. I didn’t intervene when I might have before and let nature take its course. After a few moments, her system absorbed the drug, and she passed out on the couch. Drew made short work of undressing her and pulling his pants down and going at her while she was unconscious. While he was lost in the throes of his own passion, I leapt from the slim ledge of the other building, going through his window, and somersaulting into a landing. It took him a moment to react. I smiled, letting him see my fangs. The look on his face made me think he saw a glowing, red-eyed devil. I smiled as he pulled himself out of the girl and

tried to pull up his pants, but before he could even zip his jeans, I had him around the neck and had sunk my fangs deep into his throat. It felt good to have his blood hit the back of my mouth. I only took enough to satisfy a little of my thirst before I dragged him into the bedroom and sat him down in a chair. Blood dripped down onto his white shirt. “What’re you going to do with me?” he whimpered. I laughed as I opened his closet and saw his rows of silk ties. I grabbed a few and then turned back to him. He wasn’t in the chair anymore. The little bugger was fast. I whipped around, but he had rushed down the hall. I shook my head. His heartbeat gave him away. I walked down the hall slowly. “Drew, you can’t hide from me. Did you think I wasn’t going to be able to find you? I’ve come to collect for payment on my café. You owe me big time.” He popped up from behind his kitchen island and leapt over it with a stake in his hand. His aim was off. The wood entered my chest, but missed my heart. The stake hurt like hell as I fell to the floor. I lay there for a minute, trying to catch my breath and gripping the wood. It had once been the end of a kitchen chair. Drew stood over me, smiling like a kid who had just gotten the best present in the world. “Whose stalking who now, vampire? Does that stake hurt? I bet it does!” My eyes snapped open. A grunt escaped my lips as I slowly pulled the stake from my body. He hadn’t gotten it all the way in, so I wasn’t paralyzed by it. The wood was slippery from the blood, but I still had a good grip. I threw the stake across the room and got up slowly. I was a little dizzy at first as my body rushed to heal the wound, and when it did, I was ravenous. My eyes settled on my prey. “Any other plans now, Drew?” The DA hopped back into the hallway. His thoughts were scattered. He had assumed the stake was going to take care of me. Boy, was he wrong. He should have done his homework better on vampires. He held up his two index fingers in the shape of a cross. “Be gone, foul beast! Back to the depths of hell! I command you in the name of Jesus! Go back to the pits of hellfire where you were spawned!” I advanced on him and couldn’t help but laugh. Is he serious? After a moment of him still holding up his fingers and shouting at me, I realized he was. He truly believed what the movies had told him. I was a monster birthed from a virgin goat or some nonsense that had black blood running through his veins and I worshipped the devil. I shook my head. “Drew, what you think about vampires is so not true. You’ve seen one too many vampire movies. I admit Fright Night and Near Dark are my favorites, but I can tell reality from fiction.”

Understanding came over his face. He was not going to win this battle. My fangs lengthened to their full length and brushed the top of my lips. “Tell Sophia I love her.” That stopped me in his tracks. All of a sudden, he had given up. He slumped on the bed like a rag doll waiting for his life to end. All the fight had drained out of him. I hesitated, wondering if it was another trick. It wasn’t. He didn’t know Sophia had left town. “Drew, Sophia’s gone.” Anger flashed over his face. “You killed her!” Here was the psycho I loved. He jumped after me, and I caught him, bringing him down to the ground. He tried to struggle as the crazed look in his eyes got more overpowering, but there was nothing he could do. I forced his neck to the side as he tried to push me off him with his hands. He wasn’t doing any good. With a little more force, I heard his neck crack. It sounded good. Not wanting the blood to cool, I slipped my fangs into his jugular and drank the body dry. With each sip, my sapped strength returned. Finishing my meal, I looked at the pathetic body beneath me. His life, as well as his memories, flowed in my veins. That was one of the differences between taking blood from a vein and drinking it from a bottle. That, and it had more vitality. I guess it would be like drinking regular compared to diet for humans. Sighing at the mess, I dialed a number I rarely used. It was for the cleaner, the one woman who knew where all the bodies were buried, so to speak. I left her a message and gave her the address. I knew better than to leave, but there wasn’t much there, so I strolled into the living room and watched the sleeping prostitute. The more I studied her, I could see the similarities to Sophia, but they weren’t close enough. I closed my eyes and ran my hands through my hair. My life was hollow without Sophia, just as my heart was. I had no purpose now except to go on existing into forever. I was too chicken to face down the sun long enough to let myself fry. So there was nothing else left to do but continue, night after night, until hopefully I would see her again. **** The nights turned into weeks, which melted into months. Darkness had been my constant companion with nothing to show for it. After killing Drew, my life went into a slump. Being a depressed vampire is not really a good thing. If you’re not careful, you can slip into insanity, but I knew better than to let myself get that far. I missed Silva. Control freak though he was, he was still my friend. But I was not going to tread where I was not wanted. Every time I tried to contact Sophia, I was met with a blank wall. It was like ramming my head into shadowed bricks since our connection was closed. I’d sensed Anne, but she hadn’t seen me, and I wasn’t about to follow her and ask her how Sophia was. It would have been bad etiquette. For a couple of months, I did nothing except mope. The scents and sounds of my neighbors in the building made sense to me, and after a while, I grew restless smelling the Greek food beneath me and not being able to eat any of the cuisine. I used to love Greek food when I was human. I had an affinity for their cheese. I began to think of something to keep me busy. I could do whatever I wanted. I had money, but I had always loved the café. There was a building a few doors down from me that was up for sale, and

the space was great for a coffee shop. The neighborhood was ripe for one. I could feel it. It was upand-coming. More businesses were buying in down here for corporate offices, and it was also a residential area. It would take me a little bit, but I could open another place. This time, it would not be in the same place I lived. I was happy with my decision. The next morning after my epiphany, I contacted the realtor listed on the sign and told them I wanted to buy the building outright. At first, they objected since there was another offer, but I countered with more money and a bigger commission. The agent ate it up. The next day I was signing papers in his office. It was a wonder what money could do. It took weeks to go through the red tape to get building permits, but I knew a few people downtown from over the years being in the business world, and it helped that one of the officials was a vampire. I slipped him a little more money and a couple pints of blood, and I had my permits within a week. Two months later, the work was almost done, and I was going to be having my grand opening in a couple of weeks. I had hired a manager and three underlings. I would never find another Anne, but I had a good feeling about the manager. His name was Ian, and he was a graduate student who had worked in the coffee industry for a while, so he knew what he was doing. He didn’t seem as if he would ask questions, and when I told him what the hours would be, he didn’t flinch. He was a night owl anyway and asked to leave by five in the morning. I didn’t care as long as he didn’t mind the other staff. He was fine with it. I was very happy with everything and wanted him to work out. The only thing I had to do was find a name. I couldn’t rename it Midnight Mocha. That was dead. Names had passed through my mind. Espresso Nights, Bewitching Brews, there were others that hadn’t made the cut. I settled on A Taste of Darkness. It reminded me of Sophia because that was what she tasted like. Her blood had a hint of darkness, and I missed it. At least this would keep me somewhat close to her. Once I had decided on the name, I had flyers printed and the menu made up. I decided to offer a light menu of different coffees, a little less than I had before, and this time, there was not going to be any Midnight Mochas. They were permanently off the menu. The grand opening went smoothly, and I was busy. I made sure I was on hand for the first month of business so the staff could get used to me, my habits, and the swing of things. After a while, I would make myself go into the back and wait for the staff to call me if they needed me until finally Ian got the confidence to run things. Soon it became routine that I went in three days a week, not on any set days, to do the books and make sure everything was in order. After three months of being open, we had been welcomed into the neighborhood and people were coming in at all times of the night. Some were even asking me to have a midnight snack menu. I gave the idea some thought and started out by ordering regular cheesecake and made a deal with the chef from the Greek restaurant in my building to make me a couple sheets of baklava once a week. I paid him well to make it on the side. He was happy about the arrangement, and after a couple of weeks, it was selling. Along with the cheesecake, I added good old-fashioned chocolate cake. Whatever leftovers there were, which was very rare, I made sure the staff got them. Coffee perked, espresso dripped, and the nights stretched out into endless cups of coffee being poured until finally a year passed. It had been one year since I’d held Sophia in my arms and one year since she had slept in my bed for the first time as my lover. The first time I had given her blood and made love to her. She was somewhere in the world, in the darkness, where I was not with her. I would know if she was dead. Tonight I stood on the roof, staring out into the darkness of the

shadows, wondering if my love was with another man. If she was, then there’d be nothing I would have to do about it since I had no claim on her to be with me. I only hoped she would have a warm spot in her heart for me. The city was alive, and in a year, my neighborhood had become as busy as the rest of the city and A Taste of Darkness was booming. Ian was taking on more responsibility. I still went in three times a week to see how things were running, but tonight, I had nothing else much to do but go to the café. It had become my life. The site where Midnight Mocha had been had turned into a fast-food restaurant. I couldn’t believe it, but hey, whatever. The night was alive before me, and I was getting hungry. I took a small step and let myself fall until I glided down to the ground. No one saw me in the shadows of the alley. I walked out front. The Greek restaurant, Medusa, had a line out of the door. I let the life of the night take me wherever I wanted to go. After a while, I found myself in front of Silva’s building. I stopped and watched as Silva got out of his limo. Someone had been with him. I watched as my old friend spoke to his driver. When the limo pulled away, I saw Silva turn toward me. He saw me. I knew he did because he gave me a little bow, something he used to pull on me when he was keeping secrets. I wondered what he had up his sleeve. I nodded in his direction. Maybe sometime in the future I might be welcome back at his home, but not right now. I wasn’t going to push my luck.

Chapter Seventeen Sophia After we arrived back at Silva’s penthouse, he showed me into the same room where I had been with Alexander. The whole place had been remodeled. The room was now in dark purple and black with a little silver. I put down my bag and opened my closet, and it was already full of clothes. I pulled out an outfit and held it up. Silva knew my style. I shook my head. Before I could hang it back up, I was suddenly on the bed with arms around my neck. When I opened my eyes, I was on my back, looking at the purple hair of Anne. Her smile was bright, and her eyes twinkled. “Hi, Anne!” “Hi, Sophia. I’m so happy you’re back. I’ve missed you.” She crawled off me and then helped me up. As I looked at her, it was apparent vampire life suited her well. Silva treated her right and had taught her vampire ways. The bond between us exploded as I thought about her. She was stronger, more defined. Silva had given her his blood, but he hadn’t done a total transfer like he had with me. “It’s good to see you too, Anne. You seem happy. I hope Silva has treated you well because if I hear that he hasn’t—” I smiled as she shook her head. “No, he’s wonderful. He’s missed you and Alex. I miss Alex, too. Have you seen him since you left?” I shook my head. “No.” My finger stroked the rose as I thought of him. “I’m sorry.” I smiled. “It’s not your fault. So what have you been up to with Silva?” I walked out into his living room, which was still the same. Silva came out from the kitchen and handed me a glass of blood. I sipped it slowly. The liquid was sweet, but laced with a tart flavor like mixing lemon and sugar together. “She’s been helping me with my designs. It seems Anne has a good eye for fashion.” Anne shrugged. “Who knows?” “The line is already big in Japan, and we’re ready to have a Paris show in two months. We have the models and the clothes. Now all we need is you.” I nodded. I was impressed with what Silva had started. Anne too. I was happy for the both of them, but if they were this far along in their debut, why would they need me? They already would have had the models in the clothes in newspapers and television spots. “Silva, if you’ve gotten that far already, why do you need me? It sounds like you’ve already gotten someone to get your ads up and out of the gates.”

“Sophia, I need you to head the global campaign. I have ideas I know only you can pull off. Besides, I want someone I can trust. We’ll start tomorrow with all the designs. Tonight is all about us celebrating. Here’s to having you home with friends and family.” The other vampire raised his glass to Anne and me. I sighed and returned the gesture. I drank a long sip and then silence settled over the lot of us. Finally, feeling cramped, I downed my glass and got up. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back.” “Do you want any company?” Anne asked expectantly. I shook my head and saw disappointment in her eyes. “Next time. We’ll go shopping. I just need to be alone for a while.” “Okay.” She was happy with that decision. As I walked out, Silva went with me. He stopped me in the hall. “Thank you for coming, Sophia. It means a lot to me.” “It’s not like I can refuse, Silva.” I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He grabbed my hand. “Sophia, don’t be surprised if Anne wants to spend time with you. You’re her maker, and it always makes us feel better to be around our makers. It’s comforting. Even if we are bitter rivals, we find comfort in being in one another’s presence. Indulge her a little.” I nodded and wondered why I didn’t feel that way about Alex. “Does that mean I crave Alex but not really care for him?” I whispered. “No, Sophia. You love Alex, and you’re bond is different with him. Since his blood bonded to you before you were turned, it made your bond a little different. Besides, you got a lot of my blood, so you have a bit of me in you.” He laughed. “No, you love him, and it makes it more complicated.” He let me go. I left the building and greeted the night. The sights and sounds of the city were different from Charlotte. The subway rumbled underneath my feet. Humans were alive and all around me. Charlotte wasn’t as busy. My feet walked on an old path. I found myself outside of where Midnight Mocha used to be. It had been replaced with a fast-food joint. I closed my eyes and thought of Alex. I hadn’t been this close to him in a year, and everything he had held dear was gone, demolished in ashes and the name of progress. I had turned my back on him. Like what I had told him before I left, it wasn’t his actions that had made me leave. It was what he had said to me. I know now he was only acting out because of the situation, but it had hurt. It was in the past, and I didn’t want to hold any grudges. I closed my eyes and felt the part of me that was connected to Alex. Silva’s words echoed in the back of my mind. “Being around our makers made us feel better, made us feel whole.” I guess I had not been thinking about it, because, as I concentrated on the piece of me touched by Alex, it was true I did feel hollow. I didn’t feel empty from losing my humanity, but from losing him. I had made a grave mistake by leaving. I realized that now. The part of me attached to him opened up, and it felt like half of my soul was torn apart. “God, what have I done?” I whispered.

The link between us was open. I couldn’t feel him anywhere, but in a city of millions, it didn’t surprise me. I had only hoped he might be around. Can I face him after all this time? Does he even want me anymore? Has he moved on and found another woman? I shook my head. I couldn’t think like that. I had to focus on what Silva wanted me to do. I had closed the door on my past, and I wasn’t in the position to go routing around in places I could not take myself at the moment. I moved away from the onetime coffee shop and let myself travel to Drew’s apartment. I had to see if he was dead. His name was no longer on the bell, but I did see his next-door neighbor’s who I had become friendly with, Shirley. I rang her bell. After a moment, her voice came over the intercom. “Hello!” It was shrill. I had interrupted her in something. “Shirley, it’s Sophia Deavers. I used to date Drew Winters.” “Come on up.” The buzzer rang, and I walked up the stairs to her apartment. I stopped outside of Drew’s place and put my hand on the door. Shirley saw me and motioned me into her apartment. As she closed her door, she led me to sit on her couch. She was making pasta with garlic bread for dinner. I did miss eating. “Oh, dear. Did you not hear what happened to Drew?” I shook my head. “Drew and I got into a fight and broke up. I left, moved south. I came back here for work, and I was hoping to talk to him, see how he was doing. I don’t mean to bother you, but what happened?” “It must have happened right after you left. Someone broke in and killed him. The police came, but they couldn’t find anything. They said he was murdered.” I tried to look shocked, and I guess it worked, because she put her arm around me. “Oh my God. I had no idea. No one told me. I . . . I . . .” I couldn’t finish what I wanted to say and got up. “No. Please don’t go yet.” I stared at her, and her will crumbled. “I’m sorry, but I have to. Thank you for telling me. I have things to do.” I noticed her window was open. I took a running leap and let myself fall. As I did, my power of flight kicked in and I floated to the ground. I had never done that before, but it felt good to do. There were still some things I did not know about the vampire lifestyle, maybe because I didn’t let myself learn them or because I needed Alex to show me. I let the night engulf me when my feet were back on the ground. The sights and sounds were alive, and it roused my hunger. Over the past year, I had learned to take only what I needed from humans and relied on bottled blood when I had to. Tonight, I would feast. I was, after all, a vampire.

**** Over the next six months, Silva’s line of clothing went global. He wasn’t kidding when he said Anne had a flair for fashion. Her stuff was genius. He had redesigned half of his collection to use ideas she had and was launching her as his main designer. I was so proud of her. I had taken what Silva had said to heart and gotten close to Anne. We had become friends and with the time I spent with her, I didn’t mind letting her feed from me. To say the least, it was almost a sexual experience, and I didn’t want her to stop, but she always did. Silva left me alone on these occasions, but over the past six months, there were times he would join and I would feed from him while Anne fed from me. It was an interesting experience, but he never went as far as trying to get me undressed. I left that to him and Anne. Over the months, we made headway on the ad concepts since Silva wanted me to storyboard all the television spots and meet with the models and everyone involved in the whole process. It was grueling work, but I got it done. Now it was almost time for me to go back home. Anne didn’t want to part with me, but I had fallen into a life in Charlotte. Silva really didn’t need me anyway. He was only keeping me around because he said that I had to be here, but I knew the real reason he didn’t want me to go. He wanted me to stay around because he missed me. He even taught me how to play chess. Anne was a doll, and in truth, she didn’t want me to go either. With the job almost done, I had more free nights and days than I did in the beginning, and whenever I went out into the city, I would be lying to myself to say I wasn’t looking for Alex or at least part of me was. Sometimes I knew I was searching, and others, well, I wasn’t going to let myself admit it. Tonight, well, tonight, I wasn’t so sure. I was lonely and hollow. I needed Alex as much as Anne needed me. I yearned to know if I was loved, if he still moved me and wanted me, because I wanted all those things from him. Now my mind was set on wandering the night, pounding the pavement at least to find some peace. I had found that walking among the humans, amongst the life in the city, did bring me some semblance of peace. The one thing I hadn’t found was a decent cup of coffee. Not even in Charlotte. I guess I was still addicted to those damn mochas, and it had been so long since I had one of those. “Going out tonight?” Silva asked. I turned from the view outside. He was dressed to go out on the town. Anne was on his arm wearing one of the new designs. I was dressed only in jeans and a T-shirt. “Yeah. I need to find a good coffee shop.” “You know I meant to tell you that I found one just the other day on the East Side. I can’t remember the name, but it smells like honey and cinnamon. It’s about four blocks east of the park. I had their signature coffee. It was great. It almost reminded me of Midnight Mocha, except Alex’s coffee was much better.” “Thanks, Anne. I’ll go look for it.” Silva let go of her arm and came over to me. He took me in his arms, hugged me, and gave me a quick kiss. “Sophia, without you, I’d never have gotten my clothing off the designer floor. Don’t be so down. You need to find your happiness again.”

Silva was worried about me. I hadn’t realized I was letting Alex’s space in my heart get to me lately. “I’ll figure it out.” I forced a smile. He nodded and let me go. After a moment, they left the penthouse, and I was left in the quiet. A good cup of coffee sounded good. I looked in the mirror, and I hadn’t changed. God, this is ridiculous. I’m a vampire who has to remember that I left of my own free will. I don’t need anyone to make me happy. I can be happy on my own. Finally, I left the penthouse and strolled in the park. Listening to the people walking the paths, I knew I had been given a gift in the first place. Maybe it was fate that had driven me to Silva’s and Alex to follow me. Whatever it was, I was eternally grateful. I opened my mind, but still the link between us was reading nothing. I took in a deep breath and smelled the faint hint of honey, cinnamon, and coffee on the breeze. I was close. After a few more blocks, I found myself in front of a café called A Taste of Darkness. I stepped inside, looked at their menu, and didn’t really see anything I wanted, but as I inhaled, I got the faint scent of a vampire. A vampire I knew. Alex. I can’t believe it. I had found him. “Can I help you, miss?” I looked up and the cashier was waiting on me to decide and order. I glanced up at the menu and there was nothing really like it on the menu. “Can you make me something special?” He looked at me. I could see he was going to be a problem. “We’re not supposed to.” I gave him my most winning smile and batted my eyelashes at him. I didn’t want to use my vampire mind tricks on him. “Please. It’s real easy. I just need your darkest roast and some of those dark chocolate flakes you have over there. Just add a little bit of cinnamon. Also, do you know if the owner is here?” The cashier gave me a cup to go and handed me the container of dark chocolate flakes. I poured in a quarter of the bottle as the guy went into the back and brought out the manager. His nametag said his name was Ian. I handed the cashier a five and told him to keep the change. “Is there something I can help you with, miss? Jerry said you wanted to see the owner.” I added a little bit of cinnamon and noticed the coffee was almost right. It was still missing an ingredient, but I knew what that was. “No, nothing is wrong. I’m an old friend of his.” “No, I’m sorry. He’s not here tonight. I can tell him you stopped by.” I sighed. This guy was going to get the mojo. “I’m sorry, but I really need to see him. Can you tell me where he lives?” I stared him down and it took me a minute, but I finally felt him melting under my gaze. “I really shouldn’t be doing this. I could be fired. I don’t know exactly where he lives, but he lives above a Greek restaurant called Medusa’s. It’s only a block down. He’s there.” My heart jumped up as elation filled my soul. I had finally found him. Thank you, God. I leaned over the counter quickly and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Trust me. You won’t get fired.”

I put the lid on the coffee cup and nearly ran out of the café. I had to stop myself because I could’ve gotten there in a blink of an eye, but I had to compose myself. What if he doesn’t want to see me? What if he isn’t there? What if . . . I shook my head. There could be no what-ifs. I had to find out what Alex still felt for me. Swallowing my heart back into my chest, I walked the few hundred feet to the building. I followed my nose to the Greek restaurant and saw the line was out the door even though it was near midnight. Guess they liked being open late. To the side of the restaurant, hidden by the throngs of people, was a doorway. I moved through the masses and looked at the nametags. Alex’s wasn’t there. That didn’t surprise me because he probably wanted to keep his whereabouts a secret after what had happened to Drew. Damn it. I moved out from the doorway and around the back. I took in the wind and smelled Alex. The link between us didn’t signal he was close, but he was. His scent was on the breeze. He was on the roof. I knew we could glide down, but why not up for a little bit? I closed my eyes and called my power. A sudden wind engulfed me. I found myself in the air, hanging near the fire escape. It went up to the roof. I guided myself over to it and let myself land. I liked falling better. It was easier. I ran up the steps and to the roof. I saw Alex in the distance. Before I could say anything, I felt his nails around my neck, and I was lying on the stone of the roof. “Why are you here?” he growled. I started laughing as I felt the warmth of the coffee burning through my T-shirt and jeans. Alex was dumbstruck, then his intent stare came back, and his grip tightened. He didn’t realize it was me or he thought I was an imposter. “I came looking for the missing ingredient for my coffee. Can you help me out? I used to know this great coffee shop on the other side of town, but when I went to check for it, the shop was replaced by some burger joint.” Alex got off me and then helped me up. He stared at me long and hard as if I were a hallucination come to life. The smell of my spilled coffee was on my shirt and permeated the air, and the liquid was on Alex too. “Sophia? Is it really you?” I stepped forward, but he stepped back. My heart sank. He didn’t want to see me. The smile fell from my lips. “Yes, Alex. It’s me. I . . . I’ve been hoping to find you, but this was the first time I’ve sensed you in the months I’ve been here.” “How long have you been here?” “Six months. Silva dragged me here from Charlotte so I could head his global clothing campaign. I’m getting ready to go back in a few days. A week maybe.” “Six months? And you just found me now? I find that hard to believe.” I nodded. This was the Alex I remembered. The one who could not accept what was right in front of him. Just like when I had offered myself to him, it had taken Silva giving him a talking to for him to realize what he was missing. I loved Alex, but I was not going to wait around for him to get that I was here and that I wanted him. I felt tears in my eyes as a lump formed in my throat. “Believe what

you want, Alex. Believe that I’ve wanted to see you ever since I got back. Don’t believe part of me has been hollow since I’ve left. I’ll leave you alone. It’s clear you don’t want me here.” I turned to go, but Alex grabbed my arm. He pulled me into him and his arms were around me, hugging me to him as if he was still trying to believe it was me and I was here with him. “Please, don’t leave, Sophia. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you, how much I needed you.” His lips met mine as I wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt like I was in heaven. It was true what Silva said. I felt more complete being in his arms. “God, Alex. I needed you all along. I never meant to hurt you.” I broke the kiss and stared deep into his eyes. “No, Sophia, I never meant to hurt you! The things I said, I never meant them. I’d never meant to hurt you or Silva. I—” I put a finger to his lips. He wiped the tears from my eyes. “I know.” I didn’t say anything, but moved my neck to the side He didn’t have to be told what I wanted. His fingers stroked the line of my neck before his fangs broke the surface of my flesh. Once his lips locked on to the wound, it felt better than having sex. Alex crushed me to him as he drank me in long draughts. I didn’t wait, and then I let my fangs slide into his throat as well. His blood hit the back of my throat like lava. The blood was the missing ingredient that I needed for my coffee. This was what I had waited for all these months. It was paradise. It was what I had desired.

Chapter Eighteen Alex Having Sophia in my arms was like a dream made flesh, and she was here with me. I had caught her scent on the wind when she appeared on the roof, but I didn’t expect it to be her. I thought she was another vampire trying to challenge me for territory. That was what Roland had been doing the first time Sophia had seen me change. He had wanted Midnight Mocha, but I was not going to let him have it. Not many vampires were territorial because who really wants to deal with carving up a city when there is plenty of blood to go around? Then I saw her, smelled her, tasted her. It was true. She was here with me at last, and I was not dreaming. Sophia pulled herself away from my throat and there were those miraculous tears in her eyes. Seeing them also made me know it was her. Only she could cry. Only she had kept the ability. As I stared at her now, coffee-stained and beautiful as ever, I realized she was so much stronger than she had been when she left. I could taste Silva in her. His scent clung to her clothes. I knew better than to say anything, and in reality, the taste only irritated me a little bit. I knew she had worked for my old friend in the past and was still working with him. I smelled Anne on her too. I was happy to know she was still around. I had always liked her. “You wouldn’t have anything I could change into, would you? The coffee is not going to come out. Thank God this was not my favorite outfit.” I smiled and walked over to the trap door. “After you.” She giggled and, without another word, dropped down. I heard her land softly on the floor beneath. I summoned my power, grabbed the handle, closed it while allowing myself to hang from the handle, and locked it. If you weren’t a vampire, there was no way you were getting in through there. I landed next to her and then walked over to my closet and pulled out a T-shirt. Sophia pulled off her clothes and let them drop to the floor. She sauntered over to me in all her naked glory. “Shower?” I swallowed and pointed. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and went over to the door. Turning back around, she met my gaze. “Coming?” Shock and panic set in for a moment. Is this really happening? Is she acting like nothing has happened between us? Are we picking up where we left off before she left town? Will she stay with me since she said she was leaving? The water turned on. “Alex.” Her voice, as well as her desire, sliced through my thoughts. I hadn’t realized she had the ability to speak directly to my thoughts and maybe read mine as well. The gift must have been something she had developed from Silva. The ability did not come from me. I hung my head as her need for me wrapped around my mind. Without a second thought, I stripped and followed her into the bathroom. The mirror had already begun to steam up. Sophia lathered her hair. I opened the door and grabbed the soap. I ran it along her bare skin, letting it caress her flesh, and placed kisses here and there as she rinsed off the stickiness of the coffee. Now Sophia smelled like lavender. After a moment, she turned around and stared at me with her dark eyes. I saw fear in them. I could feel her fear humming along her.

“Why are you afraid of me all of a sudden?” She shook her head. “I’m not afraid of you, Alex. I’m afraid of this. Of us. I’ve wanted you so much, needed to feel you close to me, but I didn’t know if you’d want me. I don’t know if I could handle that. I didn’t know if your heart would be closed to me. I—” She bowed her head and rested it against my chest as her body shook with sobs. She was afraid I didn’t want to be with her? She was terrified I had moved on? “Oh, Sophia. No. Don’t cry. I could never get over you. You’ve been all I’ve thought about since you left. I had hoped one day I could find you and apologize. There was so much that I wanted to say to you. There was so much I—” She put her hand to my lips as the water cascaded around us. “I guess we both didn’t know how the other would feel. Alex, I’ve learned one thing over the past year and a half being a vampire, and it was something Silva taught me. He taught me that the past doesn’t matter, not in the big picture of things. We don’t have to hold on to old emotions. We can let it go like ashes on the wind so it filters through our fingers. We have to live in the moment. I don’t want to lose you again. I don’t think I could stand it.” I pushed a few of her wet locks out of her face. “What happens when you leave? You’ll go back to your life wherever it is you moved to. You’ll be far away from me.” “You can come with me,” she whispered as her face caressed my palm. I kissed her cheek. “I have a life here, Sophia. I can’t just leave. My coffee shop just opened a few months ago. The shop’s just getting started.” Sophia backed away and shut the water off. She stepped out of the shower and slammed the door shut. I got out and followed her with the puddles on the floor leading me to her like breadcrumbs. I found her sitting on the bed wrapped up in one of my shirts. I sat down on the side of the bed next to her. I put my hand on her knee. She looked over at me. Her eyes were pale blue, bordering on dark, going between humanity and vampire. “I know I sound selfish. I don’t mean to be. I didn’t expect it to be easy between us, you know. You still smell like cinnamon and coffee. I used to love that smell. I didn’t think I would ever smell it again or that I would taste you again. Or even have you hold me again. But can’t we make it work? I don’t want to lose you because I live a thousand miles away.” Her eyes normalized. I ran my fingers over her knee. I wanted to be with her just as much as she wanted to be with me, but how could we make it work? I had dreamed of our reunion ever since she had left. “We’ll figure it out, Sophia. Humans make long distance relationships work all the time. We can work it out, too. I won’t lose you. Come here.” I opened my arms to her. She came into them and cried. I didn’t do anything except stroke her hair and let her curl up next to me. It was all she wanted, just to be next to me, and I wasn’t going to push myself on her when we had all the time in the world. After a while, she stretched out and I held her. The sun would be rising soon. Tomorrow night I had to go into the café to make sure we had enough inventory. I could take a couple weeks vacation, and

I was sure Ian could handle my absence. Sophia was resting next to me, and I was amazed she was still here. I smoothed the hair from her cheek and kissed it lightly. “I love you, Sophia.” I whispered. “You too.” She sighed in her sleep and nestled closer to me, trying to find warmth in my cold body. **** Sophia donned one of my shirts and her jeans after I had washed them. Her T-shirt was ruined. We still hadn’t figured out how we were going to make us work, but we would have to deal with it eventually. She brushed her hair and had never looked more beautiful. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her into me. “You are so beautiful. What are you doing tonight?” She stared at my reflected, intense gaze. “I’m going to bring you back to the penthouse with me. Silva will be glad to see you.” I laughed and untangled myself from her. “I doubt that. He banned me from there if you don’t remember.” She shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s time you cornered the king in his own castle instead of avoiding the game which was never finished.” “You’re starting to sound like him. Has your life become like a chess game too?” She laughed. “No. But I learned a few things from him. I know he misses you. He’s told me. So you’re coming with me.” Sophia pressed the button for the elevator. I wasn’t going to go with her. I was not going to push my luck with her. I walked over and canceled the elevator. She grabbed me, pinned me to the wall, and sunk her fangs into my throat. I moaned at the sudden force of it. She lifted her lips from my neck. “Come with me. You said you wanted this to work. Trust me. Please, Alex.” I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. It took only a little convincing. “I’ll go.” Sophia gave me one of her winning smiles, and then I went into the elevator with her. Several blocks later, we were outside the penthouse. I began to go into the elevator when the bodyguard stopped me and let Sophia by. “Not him!” She surprised me and got into his face. She growled and pushed him back. I hadn’t expected her to do that. “He’s with me. If you don’t like it, take it up with Silva. I don’t want to make a big deal of this. Do you?” The bodyguard let me pass. Going upstairs, I wondered what Silva was going to say. I wanted to see the look on his face. “He’s not going to be happy to see me!” I whispered.

She ran her hands over my jeans and pressed herself against me. “Trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I nibbled on her lips as the door opened. She didn’t say anything, but she turned to face the other vampires in the penthouse. I sniffed. There were at least five others and over a dozen humans. Once I walked in, I was overwhelmed. I was not sure what to make of the gathering. I stood behind her and watched as vampires feasted on the humans or nipped from veins. One purple head was bent over the neck of one volunteer. Anne. I smiled. She hadn’t changed much. Anne was still dressed in the same red corset and a black skirt trimmed with purple to match her hair. I stood back as I watched Sophia mingle with the other vampires, smiling and laughing at some of their jokes. She was more at home among the others than I had ever thought she would be. Her adaptation in the vampire world was beyond anything I had ever imagined. I watched as one of the guests came around to Sophia and hung over her. Her arm went around Sophia’s neck. I never thought she would nip from a vein at a party like this, but I watched as she took the woman’s wrist and bit down. Her eyes closed in ecstasy, and she drank a few swallows before she lifted her lips and licked them so delicately. She came over to me and kissed me quickly. I tasted the rich, warm blood on her lips. It made me want more. “You should drink from one of them.” I grabbed her wrist and held it tight. “There are some things I’m not accustomed to doing. One of them is feeding at one of Silva’s soirées.” “I guess we’re different. I’ve learned over the year not to kill those I take blood from. I tried drinking from bottles, which I do, but I also take directly from humans. I’ve had to find ways to survive since I was all alone.” “Sophia, I’m not judging you. Vampires have different ways of living. I don’t drink from humans much.” She nodded, but already I could see there was so much difference between us, but it didn’t matter in the long run because I wanted to be with her. If she wanted to feed directly from humans, then so be it. I smiled and followed her down the hall to Silva’s bedroom. She grabbed my hand, sensing my hesitation, and gave it a squeeze before she pushed open the door. Sophia shut the door behind her. Silva was watching television and looked up. When he saw her, a smile spread on his face and he got up and hopped over the couch. He swept up Sophia in his arms. I said nothing as his lips brushed hers, and I watched as he brushed the hair away from her neck and his fangs pierced her throat. His eyes looked up and met mine. Once he realized it was me, he let her go. Sophia was testing me to see if I would go postal again. However, I didn’t bat an eyelash. It was obvious they had a relationship that was beyond anything I had say in. All I knew was Silva had taken care of her for me, as I knew he would no matter what had happened between us. “Alex.” A smile lit up my old friend’s face as he crossed the room and embraced me in a heartfelt hug. He clapped me on the back and then stared at me. “It’s good to see you.” I saw the truth in his expression. He was happy to see me. I glanced at Sophia. She smiled and nodded. She knew Silva would react like this. All I had to do was trust her. I thought I had, but I

guess it was something I had to work on as well. “It’s good to see you too, Silva. It’s been too long. I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome again.” He shook his head. “I was wrong to bar you from here. Sometimes it takes someone else to make you see that. Just like adding another player to the game.” “You still haven’t changed.” “Of course not.” Silva chuckled. “I still have the game you and I never finished over there. What do you say? Want to take a crack at it?” I glanced at the table where I had last sat and played chess with Silva. Sure enough, the pieces were still in the same spot. I’ll be damned. Glancing at Sophia, I saw her nod. “Why not? I have all night.” Silva laughed and sat in the empty chair. I joined him. There was no tension coming from him as I thought there might be. Sophia wrapped her arms around my neck and slid her fangs into my throat. I couldn’t help but moan as she fed and then licked the spot. When I opened my eyes, Silva was staring at the two of us. “I’ll see you later,” Sophia whispered inside my mind. Our bond hummed, as she was content and so was I. “She’s been lost without you, Alex. I’ve been worried about her.” Silva moved one of the pawns and waited for my move. I hadn’t thought Sophia had really thought about me that much. If Silva was worried about her, then she must have been getting bad. “How much were you worried?” Silva ran his hand over his chin, rubbing his imaginary beard. “Enough I was going to go to your place and make sure you happened upon her. I was happy Anne suggested it first.” “What do you mean? Sophia said she had been looking me for months and had not found me.” I moved my bishop and took the pawn he had just moved. “She has been, but she’s been blocking you out on a deeper level. Part of her hasn’t trusted her instincts, didn’t know if you wanted to love her or not. That’s been her downfall. If she truly trusted her instincts and the bond between you two, she would have noticed you once she got off the plane. Sophia has done well for herself by adapting, but she has missed you, as I am sure you have missed her as well. Just as I’ve missed your company.” I thought about what Silva had said. He had checkmated my queen and I hadn’t seen the move coming, but I never did with him. Like usual, he was always planning, always scheming, and normally, he was always right. “Thank you for looking after her, Silva. It means a lot to me.” I met my friend’s eyes. “Alexander, what are friends for?”

Chapter Nineteen Sophia I knew Alex was nervous about meeting with Silva, but once I left the room, I also knew they’d be back to their old selves. The party was still going on outside of my room, which I had closed off. I had been so hungry when I walked in that I could not resist the call of blood. The look on Alex’s face told me he didn’t approve, but I was too hungry to care. Then Silva had drunk from me. I had let him do it only because I knew he would want to taste the girl I had tasted. Now I stared at the night. My door was closed, and I didn’t want anyone disturbing me. I was on the balcony feeling the night, trying to figure out how I could make a relationship work with Alex. I liked my house in Charlotte. I missed Jinna. New York was wonderful and my family was here, even my human family who I still contacted for now. Most important was Alex. He was correct. He could not leave his coffee shop. It would have to build up the clientele. And me, well, my job required me to go wherever I wanted. Having a home base was not bad. I could stay here for a while longer, or have Alex come down with me, but I did want to go back and settle into my house. I wanted Alex to see the house, to see my accomplishments. It could work. I would make it work. I needed Alex in my life more than I needed anything else. Work could wait. Hell, it could wait forever since I had enough money from Silva. “Hey.” It was no more than a whisper, but I turned around. Alex came over and wrapped his arms around me. He pecked my neck, but didn’t bite. “Hi.” “Silva won.” I chuckled. “He normally does.” Nothing else was said for a while as we stared at the night in silence. I noticed I had begun rocking and Alex was doing the same, keeping time with me, warming me the best way he knew how. “You know. I’ve been thinking about what you said last night about your café.” “And?” “I want this to work between us, but I also want you to see what I have done with my life. My house. Meet Jinna. You’d like her. I’ve been working with Silva for pretty much six months straight, and I need a break. If you can come down for a couple of weeks, that would be great. Then I’d come back with you. I don’t need to be in Charlotte to do my work, and the café means a great deal to you.” “You would do that for me?” I spun around in his arms and stared deep into his eyes. “I would do it for us, Alex. I need you in my life to be whole.”

“Sophia, as long as I’m with you, my life is whole. Oh, Silva wanted me to tell you he was looking at some prime Charlotte real estate.” Shock settled in. It was not expecting Silva to relocate. I could only imagine what it would be like for him in the South. It was a different way of life. However, with his money, it wouldn’t be hard for him to fit in. “Well, that is some news. I can only imagine what he is going to do down there.” Alex laughed. It was the first time I had seen him truly happy and at ease for such a long time. My life was perfect now. I had everything I wanted. I had my lover and my friends. I had eternity and the night. For so long I had nothing except the hollowness in my soul, and as I gazed into Alex’s eyes, I realized that had disappeared as well. There was only one thing that I wanted. “Alex, can you promise me one thing in our relationship?” “Anything.” “Do I still get free Midnight Mochas? I’m really dying for a good cup of coffee.” Alex’s laughter was the only thing that answered me, and I knew then that I could have as much coffee as I wanted. For now and always. The End

TuÉâà à{x Tâà{ÉÜ Crymsyn Hart’s worlds are filled with luscious vampires, gorgeous gods, quirky witches, and brooding shifters. Crymsyn is a crafty witch and psychic who, for many years, worked in Boston while attending Emerson College. She graduated with a degree in creative writing. When she gets bored, she sneaks away to local cemeteries and coffee shops to find peace and quiet. Graveyards might be a great place for the dead, but she still has to listen to their chattering. It can get annoying when all you want to do is write, but she can tell you quite a ghost story. Crymsyn shares her life with a small zoo including a playful puppy and her hubby Mark. If you come after dark, you’re more than likely to find her snuggled up with a gory horror movie or a bloody vampire movie.