“I’ll tell you about it sometime. Right now, there are a few things you need to know.”
“Like what?”
“For starters, you can’t tell anyone about me.”
“Who would believe me?”
“It doesn’t matter. For your sake and mine, this has to be our secret.”
“All right. I promise. What else do I need to know?”
“Never invite a vampire into your house.”
“A little late for that bit of advice, don’t you think?” she muttered dryly.
“Invitations can be rescinded, so if you want me to leave, just say so and I’ll be gone.”
“Really? Just like that?”
“Just like that. Most popular vampire lore is true, which is why it’s been around so long. I know you have a wooden stake in your possession. You need to keep it sharp and carry it with you whenever you leave the house. It’s more effective if you dip it in holy water. Vampires are strong, but their flesh is easily penetrated with wooden stakes or silver-bladed knives. If you think your life is in danger, never hesitate to strike first.”
He paced away from her to look out the front window, debating whether to tell her that his mother and Logan were also vampires, and that Mara was his mother, not his sister, then decided such information was on a need-to-know basis, and right now, she didn’t need to know.
He turned to face her again. “Do you have any questions?”
She shook her head.
He didn’t have to read her mind to know she was still reeling from what he’d told her. “I’d advise you not to go wandering around alone after dark. And to stay out of Goth clubs. Oh, one more thing. Vampires are pros when it comes to hypnotizing people, so if you meet someone you think might be a vampire, don’t look into their eyes.”
“Have you hypnotized me?”
“Not exactly, but I’ve erased things from your memory. Things you remembered anyway. I guess I need more practice.”
“The two men who broke into my house? You killed them, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Were they hunters, too?”
Derek nodded.
“It all sounds like something out of a horror movie. Vampires and vampire hunters. I . . . thank you for looking out for me.”
“It’s the least I can do, since I’m the one who put you in danger in the first place.” He blew out a breath. “Like I said, I’m sorry I got you involved in this. Take care of yourself.”
“You’re leaving?” She should have been glad. He was a vampire, after all. But the thought of never seeing him again made her heart ache. It made no sense. She should be terrified of what he was, running for her life. But, strange as it seemed, she wasn’t afraid of anything but losing him.
“It’s for the best, don’t you think?”
“But . . . who’s going to protect me if you go?”
“You probably won’t need protecting as long as I’m not around.”
He was right, of course, but . . . Rising, she closed the distance between them. Resting her hands on his shoulders, she went up on her tiptoes and kissed him.
At first, he didn’t kiss her back; then his arms went around her and he pulled her body against his, his mouth devouring hers in a kiss that burned away every thought, every need save the flame that smoldered between them, growing hotter and more intense as his tongue dueled with hers.
“Sheree . . .” Holding her away from him, he took a deep breath. “Damn, girl, what are you doing?”
“I don’t want you to go. Please, Derek, I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. Maybe it won’t last, maybe it isn’t even real, but shouldn’t we find out?”
“Oh, it’s real enough, love. Don’t ever doubt it.”
“I hear a ‘but’ in there somewhere.”
“I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I’m willing to take my chances.” Moving closer, Sheree ran her hands over his chest. “Are you?”
She was old enough to know her own mind, he thought as he took her into his arms again, and there was no denying that he wanted her more than his next breath.
Muttering, “I just hope you don’t regret it,” he lowered his head and branded her lips with his. Right or wrong, he intended to stay with her as long as she would have him.
Mara glared at her son in disbelief. “Have you completely lost your mind? How could you do such a stupid thing?”
“She had a right to know,” Derek said. “I put Sheree’s life in danger and she needed to be aware of it. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell her about you or Logan.”
Mara glanced at her husband, lounging on the sofa beside her, his long legs stretched out in front of him. “I don’t believe this,” she said. “Our people spent years and thousands of dollars obliterating every scrap of proof of our existence, so that, gradually, mortals went back to believing in the myth and not the reality.” She turned her angry gaze on her son. “Now, we have hunters being killed and stories about it in the newspaper. And to top it off, you decided to tell Sheree. Sheree, who knows where we live!”
“He did the right thing,” Logan said. “The girl needed to know.”
“What?” Mara rounded on her husband, ready to do battle. “How can you say that?”
“Because it’s the truth. What was Derek supposed to do? Just walk away and leave her in the dark?”
“If necessary,” Mara retorted.
“He’s crazy about her,” Logan said, grinning at Derek. “That being the case, he had no choice but to tell her the truth.”
Derek dropped into the chair across from the sofa. He had always admired Logan, and never more so than when he stood up to his wife. Mara might be the most powerful vampire in the world, but Logan wasn’t the least bit afraid of her, even though she could easily destroy him.
“There’s always a choice,” Mara retorted, but there was no heat in her voice.
“You’re worrying for nothing,” Logan insisted. “She isn’t likely to go around telling everyone she’s dating a vampire. Who would believe her?”
“I hope you’re right. At the moment, we have more pressing problems, like finding out if it’s just coincidence that hunters are popping up all over the place, although you know I don’t believe in coincidence, or if someone’s hunting us specifically, and if so, who it is.”