First Thirst (Craving 1)

But I needed more.

MacLeod was waiting patiently for me to think things out.

So I told him, “Okay, so we know that whatever vampire was lurking in the woods here at MacLeod might be a spy for Allora. Then again, could be a vampire who had obviously just fed and was hiding. So let’s assume the worst and we have this bitch vampire capable and desirous of keeping you in there and therefore doing away with me. My grandmother would want me to free you, and I want to get justice for her horrible murder, so, I’m in.”

He growled. “No, lass, yer grandmother wouldna want ye in danger…”

“No, she probably wouldn’t, so going to use some precautions,” I answered. “Like you said. If that vampire was her spy, then bingo-bango, Allora will come for me no matter where I am. I’d rather get it over with here and be done with her.”

“But, lass, I allowed Jeremy to bring ye here because I dinnae realize ye were an innocent…totally untrained in the skills ye need to defeat Allora when she cooms,” he answered sharply.

“Ah, well, our warlock, Jeremy, can help me in that regard. He is an immortal…so his magic is pretty special, and I’m sure he can help me dig for mine. Besides,” I shrugged, “I might free you before she gets here and then you can take her down.” I smiled in his general direction, although I couldn’t see him.

“But, lass…”

“I’m staying and if she comes, I’ll deal with her. I have a couple of deterrents for vampires.”

“Garlic doesnae work,” he said gravely.

I laughed. “I know, but Holy Water does. I have a vial of Holy Water on a chain necklace that I will wear from now on. I’m not reckless, you know. Also, I know of a potion or two that I can use as a shield she won’t be able to immediately get past.” I put up my hands. “I’m staying and I’m helping. She murdered my grandmother and if my grandmother was anything like my mother, she would never let you suffer because of something she did.”

“Nae!” he shouted, dipping into a deeply sexy Scottish accent. “Allora is devious and powerful. She will kill ye in a horrible way. Do ye ken, lass? I dinnae mean to be so harsh, but ye need to know. I cannae have yer life on m’hands. I need yer help, aye, but I think we can achieve that if ye would but stay to the light and spend yer nights safely tucked in where she cannae enter.”

“Not happening. I don’t run and hide. You can’t hide forever. Sure, I could stay safely in the light a week, two…a month—then what? No, this needs to be handled head-on. I mean to do that,” I told him. “You don’t know me, My Lord. When I take something on, I see it through.”

He sighed. “What ye need now is yer sleep so ye can think clearly. I can see ye are travel weary…go in, take yer shower, and be at rest. We’ll talk more on the morrow.”

“Where will you be when I am in the shower and changing?” I asked.

“I wouldna spy on ye, lass, when ye need yer privacy. No, lass, I wouldna do that. I’ll walk away, though I mean to return and see that ye are safe. I’ll keep watch for ye so I can at least alert ye.”

“Okay, that sounds fair. Good-night, My Lord.”

“Och, lass, but I wish I was on yer side of the shield,” he said in a voice that dripped with sex.

I felt my body, my entire body blush.

I hurried off to the bathroom and closed the door, leaned my back against it and sent witchy feelers out, making sure I was alone.

* * * * *

As it turned out, sleep had not come easy.

Nightmares plagued my active brain. Demons and fangs, blood dripping from their ugly mouths as they bent over my neck.

I felt myself flaying my hands and then a voice whispered in my ear over and over, and called my name—his voice!

I awoke with a start to find my bangs matted against my forehead where beads of sweat had collected. I sank back down. I hadn’t drawn my drapes and I could see the stars in a blue-black sky outside.

“I’m sorry, lass, I woke ye as ye seemed to be having a distressful dream.” His voice so close, so sexy.

I pulled the covers up to my neck as I had apparently been too warm and thrown off my T-shirt when I was tossing and turning. “Uhmmm, I thought we had rules about privacy. Still in bed here.”

“I have been doing a tour of the house and grounds and heard ye cry out,” he said.

I knew vamps didn’t need much sleep and he seemed sincerely concerned. So I didn’t read him the riot act and said instead, “Thank you. I was having a horrible dream.” I glanced at the clock. It was five in the morning and I groaned.

He chuckled. “Can ye go back to sleep, lass?”