Dayan heard his own heartbeat pounding in his head, roaring like the beast inside him trying to break free. The ritual words beat in his brain like a drum, filled his mind and heart and soul as he drank. Her blood was sweet, intoxicating, the pleasure coursing through him like wildfire. Fiery hot. The roar increased until his body was going up in flames, urgent, demanding, painful with need. He whispered her name like the talisman it was, forced himself to breathe, to hang on to his sanity, to fight the raging beast and its demands. His tongue stroked across the two tiny wounds, closing them with the healing agent in his saliva, resting his forehead against hers while he fought for total control.
Corinne felt drowsy, and yet her body was on fire, filled with an aching hunger that reduced her mind to erotic images which flared up like dancing flames. She didn't want him to leave her like this, her body throbbing and crying out for his, yet she couldn't summon the energy to move her arms. They felt like lead, sliding from him to lie uselessly on the sheets beside her.
When she managed to pry her lashes open a tiny bit, she could only see his eyes, those haunting eyes watching her with a terrible longing, a terrible need. Her throat worked, and tears burned behind her lashes and clogged her throat. She wanted to remove that look from his face for all time. He looked so alone. So terribly alone with that bleakness etched into the lines of his face, that emptiness in his eyes.
Corinne made a supreme effort and lifted her hand so that her finger could caress the shape of his mouth. 'Don't look so sad, Dayan. I'm not going anywhere.' She could only say the words in her head because she was far too tired to speak them. Her lashes were already drifting down.
Dayan caught her wrist and brought her knuckles to his lips, a flare of surprise moving through him. He had not given her his blood, yet the connection between them was so strong! ‘I will never allow you to escape from me, Corinne, not even through death. Nor will I allow any harm to come to you.'
She carried that last thought with her as she succumbed to the demand for sleep. Dayan watched her for a long time as the sun began to climb in the sky. He held her hand and simply breathed her in, memorizing the curve of her cheek and the sweep of her lashes to take with him to ground. He murmured a soft command to her and reluctantly left her as the sun stained the darkness and the sky turned a silvery gray.
* * *
Chapter 4
"Rina, wake up." Lisa was leaning over the bed and shaking Corinne repeatedly. Her large blue eyes held worry as she looked rather helplessly at Cullen "I can't wake her up. I can't believe I went to sleep last night and slept most of the day away. I just left her to take care of everything when she's so fragile."
"Don't worry," Cullen soothed as he took Corinne's pulse. Dayan came back last night and he probably worked at healing her. She just needs to sleep. Feel Lisa; her pulse is strong."
"I want her to wake up." Lisa was close to tears. Corinne, buried in layers of fog, recognized Lisa's voice and knew from long experience that Lisa was very upset. Out of habit Corinne answered the call struggling to the surface when she really wanted to sleep. Corinne's heart began to pound in alarm What in the world was wrong with her? Her body felt like lead, and she didn't want to wake up. Her mind turned that piece of information over and over in an attempt to make some sense of it. Corinne concentrated on her hand, her fingers, each separate muscle. It was strange that she felt so disconnected from her own body.
Lisa gasped and reached down, clutching Corinne's hand. "She moved her fingers, Cullen. I think she's waking up. Rina, come on, girl, wake up," she encouraged.
Corinne heard the voice much more clearly as another layer of fog seemed to lift between her and the world. She struggled to raise her lashes. She would open her eyes. She forced herself to concentrate harder, bringing every ounce of her strong will to bear. It was odd, but she was certain something was preventing her, commanding her to remain asleep. That made her all the more determined to wake up.
"That's it, Corinne, come on, you can do it. Are you feeling ill?" Lisa bent over her, shaking her shoulders gently. "Please wake up, you're scaring me."
Corinne made a supreme effort, her lashes fluttering for several moments before she managed to raise them. She found herself staring up at Lisa's anxious face. Corinne made herself smile when all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and snuggle beneath the covers. "I was up all night, pumpkin. I'm just really sleepy."
"You never sleep like this. I couldn't wake you up. You didn't take any sleeping pills or anything like that, did you?"
"Of course not. I'm pregnant. I would never do that." Corinne's words were drowsy and difficult to understand. Several times her lashes drifted down, and she turned on her side, curling deeper into the pillows. "I'm just tired, Lisa."
"Rina!" Lisa commanded sharply. "Don't you dare go back to sleep, or I swear I'm taking you to a hospital." There was real alarm in Lisa's voice.
Corinne sighed softly. "I'm awake, I promise. I'm awake."
"Did you see Dayan last night?" With great determination Lisa perched on the edge of the bed, retaining possession of Corinne's hand. She wasn't certain she wanted Dayan anywhere around Corinne. Corinne looked fragile, pale, more vulnerable than Lisa had ever seen her, even after John had died. Lisa wanted to take Corinne and run home. She was suddenly very afraid of Dayan. He seemed to have some kind of mystical power over Corinne; how else could her behavior be explained? Corinne never was impressed by men, by fame or money or good looks. Corinne was always the rock, the logical voice of reason. Dayan was too good-looking and talented to be trusted, too wealthy, a foreigner, too charming with women.
She had to admit that Dayan didn't have a reputation with women. Even the tabloids had been unable to exploit his sexual prowess in any way. His public appearances were not scheduled or publicized, and most reporters who had attempted to get interviews and pictures had written articles on how frustrating it was to find facts on him. Corinne had read every article she could get her hands on, because she had been such a serious fan, and she had shared that information with Lisa. Now Lisa wanted to go back and change the fact that she had taken Corinne to the bar.
Lisa frowned. But there was Cullen. She really thought Cullen was an exceptional man, not at all dangerous or mysterious, not the type to steal a woman's heart and leave her cold.
"What's wrong, honey?" Corinne whispered. Her voice was slumberous, drowsy, very sexy.
Lisa had never noticed that about Corinne before. She didn't think of Corinne as being sexy. She looked down at Corinne's face, really looked at her. Corinne had her eyes closed and she looked serene, her long lashes two thick, dark crescents on her face. Her abundance of silky hair spilled around her like a halo. She looked innocent in her repose, yet Lisa thought her so beautiful, it was almost as if she were seeing Corinne for the first time. Seeing Corinne the way Dayan had seen her.
"I want to go home. You scared me, Rina, when I couldn't wake you up. I want to go with you to the doctor and hear his prognosis about the pregnancy," Lisa said as firmly as she could.
"I'm too tired," Corinne said softly. "Let me sleep for another couple of hours, and then we'll decide what to do." She pulled the covers up to her chin.
Lisa glanced up at Cullen. "She never sleeps during the day. Corinne must be sick, really, Cullen. Maybe we should take her to a hospital."
Corinne roused herself enough to lift her long lashes and peer at Lisa. "I'm not sick – in fact, I'm breathing easier than normal. I stayed up all night, that's all. What time is it?"
"It's nearly six-thirty."
Corinne groaned. "Why are you waking me up, then? No one but a lunatic gets up that early. I think I went to bed at six."
"It's six-thirty in the evening," Lisa emphasized. "You've been in bed all day." She didn't admit she had slept most of the day snuggled right beside Cullen in the other bedroom. Lisa just wanted to go home and shut her front door, closing out the entire world.
Corinne's eyelashes fluttered in surprise.
She forced herself to sit up, blinking as she looked around the unfamiliar room. "I can't believe it's so late." Shoving a hand through her thick, dark hair, she glanced over at Cullen. "Lisa worries endlessly about me, but really, I'm perfectly fine. I don't know why I slept so long." She was still exhausted, her arms and legs, heavy. All she wanted to do was go back to sleep.
Cullen smiled at her. "Lisa was frightened when she couldn't wake you up. Would you like something to eat or drink? I could make you tea or coffee," he offered.
"He makes great tea," Lisa confirmed. "Rina loves tea, don't you?"
"That would be wonderful," Corinne agreed. Lisa was looking at Cullen with her heart in her eyes, something Corinne had never seen before. It wouldn't hurt to drink a cup of his tea to please her. "Where's Dayan?" She tried to sound casual, but it must not have come off that way, because Lisa glared at her, and Corinne couldn't help blushing.
"Just what went on last night?" Lisa hissed when Cullen stepped out of the room. "Don't you think you're in enough trouble without getting mixed up with a rock star?"
"He doesn't exactly play rock," Corinne answered mischievously.
Lisa frowned in reprimand. "Don't joke about this, Corinne. It isn't funny. You know very well you've always had an aversion to being in the public eye. What do you think is going to happen if you start running around with that man? The tabloids love people like him. Forget about him."
Corinne reached out and gently took Lisa's hand. "This isn't about Dayan at all, is it? I'm not going to die, Lisa. I won't. I'm a fighter, you know that. This baby is going to be a part of us – both of us, our family. You aren't going to lose me."
Instant tears were swimming in Lisa's blue eyes. Her fingers closed convulsively around Corinne's as if her grip could somehow keep death at bay. "You always overestimate your strength, Rina, you do. Even John said so. I want the baby too, but not at your expense. I don't want to be all alone. I couldn't stand that. I've already lost John." She laid her head in Corinne's lap for comfort. For the first time, she could feel the baby there, lying between them. She moved her head and placed her hand over the small mound. "It's moving," Lisa said with a kind of wonder.
"She's kicking," Corinne confirmed, stroking Lisa's hair. "A little girl, Lisa. It'll be okay, you'll see. I know I can do this. I want the baby so much."
"I'm sorry, Rina, I didn't mean to sound so awful about the baby. I really do want it too. I want to be excited. She'll be the only thing I have left of John, but I love you. I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you. I'm sure Dayan's a really nice person. Cullen says he is. And he doesn't have the reputation of being a womanizer. I didn't mean to imply that. I don't know why I was saying all those crazy things." Lisa wailed the words, ashamed of herself.
"I know, Lisa," Corinne crooned soothingly, "you're afraid of losing me. But I'm really not going anywhere. You just have to believe we'll be all right. It's natural, after what happened to John, to be afraid of losing family, but it won't happen. I'm very strong. I feel better than I have in years."
Lisa sat up slowly, taking a deep breath and giving Corinne a tentative smile. "So was there really someone in our house last night? Cullen didn't say one way or the other." She glanced toward the door and lowered her voice. "I thought it a little strange he didn't want to call the police or go back to help his friend, didn't you?"
Corinne leaned against the headboard of the bed. She was beginning to wake up, the heavy, fuzzy feeling was fading away. "Dayan talked to me about it last night, Lisa. He thinks we're both in danger from the same people who murdered John."
Lisa was silent for a moment. "You know more about John's death than you let on, don't you?" She looked down at her hands. "You never told me, because I never ask questions. I'm like an ostrich."
"You're not an ostrich," Corinne denied gently, refraining from smiling. "You're a beautiful young woman who suffered far too much trauma as a child. John and I both got in the habit of trying to protect you."
"We're the same age," Lisa pointed out, "but you're the one who always took care of the details of our lives. You've had to battle the same trauma as I have, and you have a heart condition. John may have been my brother, but he was your husband. We both loved him. We both lost him. Why am I such a chicken about life? Why am I so afraid to hear anything that might upset me? That's why you didn't tell me what you knew about John, and it's why you didn't tell me about the baby. You were afraid I'd fall apart." She looked down at her hands. "I would have fallen apart."
"Lisa" – Corinne said her name softly – "you're being way too hard on yourself. You always worried about me and took on all the jobs you thought were too strenuous for me. We work as a team together, we always have. I didn't tell you my suspicion about John's murder because that's exactly what it is, just suspicion. John and I are" – she searched for the right word – "different."
Lisa ducked her head, shaking it, ashamed. "And I never wanted to hear about it. Not once. It was because…" She trailed off.
"It was scary," Corinne finished for her.
Lisa shook her head adamantly. "It made me feel left out. It created a bond between you and John that I wasn't a part of. We were always together. I wanted John to love you because I was afraid someone would come along and steal you away from us. I was the one who talked you into marrying John, remember? You told him no so many times, but I cried and fussed and acted so childish. I was afraid we wouldn't be together anymore. I was lost there for a while, feeling like I couldn't breathe. I feel that way now. Everything is so scattered. John is dead. I know your heart's been acting up lately; I've seen you fighting for air, and taking more medicine. Now you're going to have a baby, and for the first time ever you're really interested in someone." The last was almost an accusation.
Corinne could feel Lisa's pain. Their world was changing around them very fast, and it was frightening to think of all the dangers they were facing. She couldn't blame Lisa for being scared or for wanting things to be the way they were before. "I loved John very much, Lisa – don't think for one moment I didn't. Maybe it wasn't romantic and passionate, but I loved him deeply and I'll never regret what we had. I don't want you to think I was forced into marrying John. I'm excited about the baby, but I'm nervous too. And meeting Dayan is very unexpected. I don't know how I feel about him. I don't know why I respond to him the way I do." She took a deep breath and admitted, "It is frightening, Lisa. I'm afraid too."
Lisa swallowed hard and summoned up her courage. "Tell me what you think happened – why someone wanted to kill John."
"John went to the university to talk to a professor about his talent." Corinne looked straight into Lisa's eyes. "You know what I'm talking about – his ability to know certain things before they happened." She took Lisa's hand in hers. "It was how we managed to save you. John knew you were in danger, and I was able to open the trunk of the car." She closed her eyes, remembering finding her mother's battered body lying next to Lisa. Her heart gave a lurch, and she forced her mind away from the haunting memories. "The university sent him to the Morrison Center, which does psychic research. John felt strongly that we should be using our talents to help others."
"Because of me; because you saved my life," Lisa said softly.
"He thought maybe he could save others," Corinne confirmed gently. "A few weeks later, he told me he thought someone was following him. He became secretive. You saw the changes in him. He left that morning to meet someone. He was nervous, edgy, and he wouldn't say why. I don't know if he had started working with them and discovered they were doing something illegal. You know John – he would have wanted to go to the authorities. Dayan suspects that the people who murdered John are part of some organization who fanatically believe in the existence of vampires."
Lisa's lips parted in an O shape, and her blue eyes went wide with shock. "You can't believe that nonsense. That man is crazy. Vampires! Good God, Corinne, he must be mentally ill!"
"Dayan's right," Cullen said as he e
ntered the room carrying two cups of steaming liquid. "I belonged to the organization at one time. They investigate anyone who appears the least bit different. Most of those on the bottom rung are kids who love anything gothic and like to pretend they believe in vampires. They think it's all fun and games, but the information they supply often determines who is under investigation. Those at the top are very serious about killing anyone they think is a vampire. They do it in a ritualistic way. A stake through the heart, garlic in the mouth, beheading – the whole bit. These people are fanatical, and they're killers."
Lisa was staring at him in horror. "You joined something so stupid? Why would you do that?"
"I believe vampires exist," Cullen admitted. "I saw one." He kept his gaze fixed on Lisa, waiting for shock, for condemnation. Waiting to lose his chance with her.
Corinne and Lisa exchanged one long look. They were suddenly very aware they were alone in a house with someone they didn't know very well. And the man was probably very ill. Last night, when Dayan was talking to her, Corinne thought he'd made perfect sense, but now it all seemed totally insane.
Cullen handed each of them a cup of tea. "Don't look at me that way. I know what you're thinking, but I'm not crazy. There was a time I thought I was losing my mind. Several years ago, I was engaged and my fiancée and I had gone out to dinner. At that time there was a serial killer loose in the city. He targeted women, and their bodies were always drained of blood. My fiancée was murdered that night, and I witnessed it. I saw him bite her neck and drain the blood out of her. I saw it with my own eyes. He would have killed me too, but something interrupted him." He tapped his finger against the palm of his hand. "I saw him kill her. No one would believe me. I wasn't drinking. I don't use drugs, but the cops wanted to lock me up in a mental institution instead of listening to me. Those in the organization listened to me. Unfortunately, my anger and terror bought me a membership into the inner sanctum of the group." He tried not to sound bitter, but even after all this time he still felt the pain of that time. He looked directly at Lisa. "I swear to you, I'm not crazy. I saw a monster. I saw it."
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