He shrugged. He'd never psychoanalyzed his relationship with Seline. He'd simply enjoyed. After two hundred years of darkness, distrust, and entrenched loneliness, she was the true beginning of his path towards the light. For too many years beforehand he'd walked the knife's edge, not quite falling on either side, yet slowly slipping back into the darkness from which he'd emerged after his years with Elizabeth. He might never have found Nikki had it not been for Seline.
I do not know, and I do not care. But I think the friendship Seline and I share would not have been as strong had we been lovers.
Because lovers cannot remain friends once the relationship falls apart?
There is always an undercurrent of tension in such situations, whether it is acknowledged or not. She bit her lip, expression clearly troubled. He could tell her thoughts without having to read her mind or taste the uncertainty in the link. Her fears were evident enough in her eyes. What hope does that offer us, then? she asked eventually. We are lovers, and we are friends. Are you saying it's inevitable that we'll eventually drift apart?
He sighed. No. We are far more than just lovers, Nikki. We are two minds, two souls, one heart. But—
No buts. Simply trust in the fact that what I feel is every bit as strong as what you feel. Tears washed through her dark amber eyes. She bit her lip, blinking as she looked away. But emotion surged through the link, a wash of love that almost drowned his senses. It was a drowning he could have endured forever.
Jake stepped through the doorway as the police began making moves to leave. “I've arranged for you to be moved back into the other suite. This room won't be useable for a few days yet." Though his words were addressed to Nikki, his gaze sought the shadows still haunting the bedroom. Looking for a vampire, Michael thought with a smile.
She nodded. “And what about Mr. Harris?"
"Expecting us as soon as the police will let you go."
"She can go now,” an officer said. “We know where to find you both if we have any more questions." Nikki glanced his way. How are you going to get out of the room?
I am the wind, remember?
Amusement swam around him. So you're going to fart your way free?
Vampires don't get wind.
Her eyebrows raised. Really?
Really. My diet does not lead to an excess of gases.
And here I was thinking you were simply being polite these past four months. She rose. I'll call the elevator and wait for you there.
Good.
She and Jake left. Michael waited until he heard the ding of the elevator arriving, then pushed away from the wall. He glanced at each of the police officers, focusing their attention on whatever it was they were working on. Then he ran for the door, the room little more than a blur as he moved through.
"We have a problem we have to deal with before we head over to Harris’ place,” he said, reappearing beside Nikki as the elevator doors closed.
Jake jumped. “I wish you wouldn't do that. Not good for the old heart.” He paused, then added, “What problem?"
He hesitated. “Mary. I'm afraid she could be on the killer's list."
"What?" Nikki stared at him, face suddenly pale. “Why would you think that?"
"Because the kidnapped women all had one thing in common—everyone but Dale were in the same year at Boston High."
Jake punched the button for the sixth floor. “So were a couple of hundred other people.” Though his voice was flat, the acrid smell of his fear hung heavy in the air. He believed, even if he didn't want to.
"True. But there is no other link among these women."
"Who says these attacks aren't random?” Jake said. “This guy obviously isn't sane. He may not have—or need—a motive."
"But he has got a motive—revenge.” Nikki's gaze was thoughtful, distant. “For what they did to him in school. For what they did to him at the prom. Dale was one of those who taunted, even though she wasn't in the same year as the other ladies."
A chill ran through Michael. She was reading the killer's mind—or at least, his memories—as easily as she breathed. He touched her back, and she jumped, her gaze leaping to his.
"It's getting stronger,” she said.
"It is.” Both her clairvoyant abilities, and this odd link between the killer and her. “Seline's making a charm, which she'll courier over by morning. It'll stop him using the connection between you to track us." Her eyes widened as the implications of his words sunk in. “Meaning, when we go down to rescue Harris’ wife, he'll know?"