First Thirst (Craving 1)

I stared into the library and breathed a sigh of relief. He was correct. Nothing looked disturbed, and yet—I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

The portal still shimmered, though humans could not see it. “I have to go, but…I will find a way…I know I will, and free you soon.”

“Go then, but until ye do…dinnae stay away from me, lass…I dinnae think I could bear it,” he said with feeling.

I looked into those blues of his and whispered, “This is crazy…you and I.”

“Nae, ‘tis right and good and always meant. Say ye will return to me tomorrow,” he demanded.

I wanted to. Why shouldn’t I? “Yes…but not until Jeremy and I have installed the Blood Wards.”

I turned back to the portal, but he stayed me with his hand on my hip. Oh damn, I had to leave immediately or he would tempt away all resolve.

I broke away and dove into the open portal and came out the other side in the darkened library. The stillness all around me should have been a comfort. It wasn’t. An uneasiness took over and a shiver shimmied up my spine.

It was then, all at once, that a whiff of something met my nostrils.

I hurriedly closed the portal and stood my ground, ready to take on whatever threatened. Someone was there…in the shadows. I could just make out a form.

A female form.

She stepped forward towards me. She was, of course, alone. No other vampire could enter without an invitation.

I readied myself.

I heard Devin shouting at my back, but I had to concentrate. I didn’t have time to do anything but protect myself.

Devin was screaming for me to return to Trinity. He was screaming for Jeremy!

I was frozen in place as I searched the shadows.

She was tall, lithe, and graceful. Her blonde hair was like silk. Her amber lit eyes were alive with fury. Her skin was pale and she had a classically lovely face. She moved with caution, so she was aware I was a witch.

How the hell did she get here? She was supposed to be at a meeting in London?

My Shama was already on the alert, always protective when I was in danger, and damn, I was in danger. I could feel her power.

The ancient vampire Allora stood eyeing me, and she wore a sneer on her face.

Something glinted in the narrow ray of moonlight that shined through the window. A sword. She held a sword. Was this the sword she used to kill my grandmother? If so, it was now even more powerful than it had been. Damn, I was in trouble!

Shit, shit, shit!

* * * * *

I would never leave you hanging:

Here is an excerpt from the first chapter in Craving-Torment

I stepped into the portal and the first thing that hit me as I stepped out and into the library of MacLeod Castle was the stillness.

The room was clothed in the darkness of night. The scent of the leather bound books that usually gave me comfort and excitement—didn’t, because another scent met my nostrils and made them flare.

An uneasiness took over and a shiver shimmied up my spine.

It was then, all at once, that the scent became stronger and I knew I was in serious trouble.

I heard Devin at my back screaming my name.