The Rest Falls Away (The Gardella Vampire Chronicles 1)

When his incisors scraped over her flesh, at the tender joint of neck and shoulder, readying to sink in, she stiffened… sighed. Closed her eyes. Tears leaked from them.

She groped in the sheets, closed her fingers around the smooth wood. "I will always love you, Phillip." And she stabbed him.

When she opened her wet eyes, she saw someone standing in the door of her chamber.

Max. His stake was outlined by the moonlight.

"I followed him."

"I knew he would come."

He bowed his head, then looked up at her. "You saved him. You stopped him in time."

"I hope." She drew in her breath. "You were right about it all, Max."

"For that, and for this, I am sorry."

"You were right about me—I am a foolish woman."

"No. You are a Venator."