“Rylan?”
He took her hands in his. “Before I take you home, there’s one thing you need to know.”
“What’s that?”
“Should you decide to make a run for it, I will always be able to find you. No matter where you go, I will be able to hunt you down.”
“Hunt me down? I don’t think I like the sound of that. It makes me feel like . . .”
“Prey?”
She nodded.
“I’m a vampire, Kadie. A predator. Humans are what I prey on.”
“I know.” She looked at their joined hands. His so large and strong. Hers small, powerless in the grip of his. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because if you decide to take off during the day in hopes of escaping me, it won’t work. You’re mine,” he said, an odd note of regret in his voice. “And you’ll be mine for as long as it pleases me.”
“Didn’t we already have this conversation?”
“I just wanted to make sure you understand.”
“Will you be mine as long as it pleases me?”
His smile was melancholy. “I’m sure you will tire of me long before I tire of you.”
“That’s no answer.”
“I’ll be yours for as long as you wish.”
He drew her into his arms, his lips claiming hers. At that moment, she told herself that nothing else mattered, not even the little voice in the back of her head that whispered she was prey.
Chapter 27
“How shall I introduce you?” Kadie asked. She had packed a bag earlier that night, and then Saintcrow had used his preternatural power to transport them to Morro Bay.
Their first stop had been at a car rental agency where Saintcrow had picked out a low-slung sports model. Now, as she stood on the front porch of her parents’ house, it suddenly occurred to her that she was about to present a vampire to a surgeon and a housewife who were active in their church and their community and who had lived in the same small town all their lives. If they knew vampires existed, they had never discussed it, at least not in front of Kadie or her sister.
“Perhaps you can just tell them I’m a friend.”
“A friend I brought home from work?” she asked with a wry grin.
“Or you could say I followed you, like a stray puppy.”
“Some puppy,” Kadie remarked as she opened the door and stepped into the foyer. “Mom? Dad?” She dropped her suitcase on the floor. “I’m home.”
Still standing on the porch, Saintcrow watched as a dark-haired woman with bright blue eyes ran forward to hug Kadie.
“I’m so glad to see you!” her mother cried. “We were beginning to worry about you.”
“That’s what mothers are for,” Kadie said, hugging her mother in return. “Is Dad home?”
“No. He took Kathy to the hospital this afternoon. I just got home myself a few minutes ago.”
“Is she all right?” Kadie asked anxiously.
“She’s been feeling poorly the last few days, so Dad took her in for another treatment. If all goes well, she’ll be home in a few days.” Mrs. Andrews hugged her daughter again. “I’m so glad you’re home. Kathy’s been asking for you.” Moving to shut the front door, she noticed the stranger on the front porch for the first time. “Kadie, you didn’t tell me you brought company.”
“This is my . . . my friend, Rylan Saintcrow. Rylan, this is my mother, Carolyn Andrews.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Saintcrow.” Carolyn looked at Kadie. “Where are your manners?” Extending her hand, Mrs. Andrews said, “Come in, won’t you?”
Summoning his best manners, he murmured, “Thank you, ma’am,” as he shook her hand.
“Please, call me Carolyn,” she said with a smile. Tucking Kadie’s arm in hers, Mrs. Andrews led the way into the living room. She and Kadie sat together on the sofa.
Saintcrow trailed behind, his gaze moving quickly over the room. The furniture was old but expensive and well taken care of. A piano stood in one corner, the lid covered with photographs of varying sizes, all depicting Kadie and another, younger girl, in various stages of growth. The pictures on the mantel displayed photos he was certain Kadie had taken.
His gaze rested on Kadie’s mother. She was a pretty woman in her late forties. She carried herself with the air of a woman who had never known want. Now and then, she ran her fingertips over the large filigreed silver cross that hung from a silver chain around her neck.
“So, tell me all about this last trip,” Carolyn was saying. “Did you get any great shots?”
Their voices faded into the background as Saintcrow sat in the overstuffed chair across from the sofa, absorbing the smells of the house—soap, shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste, the lingering odor of cooked food, disinfectant, the fragrance of the flowers on the table beside the sofa. The smell of an apple pie wafted from the kitchen. And overall, another scent he recognized all too well. The scent of vampire blood.
He was aware of the curious glances Kadie’s mother occasionally sent in his direction, and after she and Kadie had played catch-up, she turned to him with a smile.
“So, Mr. Saintcrow, tell me about yourself. What do you do?”
“I don’t have a job, as such. I’m rather fortunate in that I’m able to live off my investments,” he said smoothly. “And please, call me Rylan.”
“You must have a lot of spare time on your hands. What do you do to keep busy?”
“Mother, really!” Kadie exclaimed.
“It’s all right, Kadie. I support several people who live in a small town that has no other source of income.”
Carolyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “That’s very generous of you. It must be terribly satisfying, using your money to help others.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Oh! Where are my manners?” Mrs. Andrews exclaimed. “Have you two had dinner?”
“We ate earlier, Mom.”
“How about dessert? There’s a fresh apple pie in the kitchen, still warm from the oven.”
“Sounds great.” Kadie looked at Saintcrow, a twinkle in her eye. “It’s too bad you’re on a diet. My mom makes the world’s best apple pie.”
“A diet?” Mrs. Andrews shook her head. “You look fit as a fiddle to me.”
“Trying to cut down on carbs,” Saintcrow replied.