Night's Master (Children of The Night 3)

“Take what you need,” I said. “Hurry.”

Rafe swore under his breath. Then, his face set in hard lines, he took me by the hand and led me into his bedroom.

My heart was racing like a runaway train when he closed the door.

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Couldn't we have a light?” It was so dark in his room, I couldn't see a thing.

“Sorry, there aren't any.”

“Why not?”

A soft sound of amusement rose in his throat. “I have no need for them.”

He placed his hands on my shoulders and urged me to take a few steps backward. When I felt the edge of the mattress against the backs of my knees, I sat down, relieved to discover that he did, indeed, sleep in a bed.

I felt the mattress sag when he sat down beside me.

“Relax,” he murmured.

“Right.”

“Why are you so tense?” he asked. “We've done this before.”

“I don't know.” It was the truth. Maybe it was because we were in his bedroom for the first time; maybe I was just too keyed up after all that had happened.

“You don't have to do this,” he said quietly.

What other choice did I have? If I refused, Susie would die. “No,” I said, “it's all right, really. Just…just do whatever you need to.”

Even as I spoke the words, I couldn't help wondering if I was doing the right thing. Would Susie hate me for what was about to happen to her, or thank me for helping to save her life? And how would it affect her relationship with Cagin, whatever that was? Before tonight, they had both been two-natured creatures—both human and Were; now, she would be a Vampire, a blood-drinking child of the night. It would make their relationship more difficult, more like mine and Rafe's, I thought, and then frowned as I realized I wasn't sure exactly what our relationship was.

It was a strange sensation, being near Rafe but unable to see him. He caressed my cheek, rained kisses along the side of my neck. I shivered at his touch, stilled as his tongue laved my skin. In a distant part of my mind, I wondered why it didn't hurt when he bit me, and then all thoughts and fears were forgotten, swallowed up in the waves of sensual pleasure that washed over me. A delicious heat engulfed me, driving everything from my mind but the need to give him whatever he desired, my heart, my soul, the very breath from my body.

I moaned a low protest when his tongue skimmed my neck, sealing the wounds. The bed shifted as he rose, and I reached blindly for his hand. “Don't leave me.”

“I'll be back in a few minutes.”

“No. I want to be there.”

“I don't think this is something you want to see.”

“How do you know? You said you'd never seen it done.”

“But I know how it's done. You don't, and you don't need to.”

“Yes, I do.” Feeling light-headed, I rose on legs that were none too steady, and would have fallen if Rafe hadn't slipped his arm around my waist.

“You're the most stubborn woman I've ever known,” he muttered irritably.

I smiled into the darkness, pleased by his words though I wasn't sure why. When he opened the bedroom door, I squinted against the light, which seemed brighter than it had before.

Cagin was sitting on the sofa where we had left him, Susie still cradled against his chest. His hand, large and calloused, lightly stroked her hair. She didn't move, didn't seem to be breathing. Were we too late?

Rafe settled me in one of the leather chairs. “You sure you're all right?”

“I'm fine, stop worrying about me.”

“Yeah,” he muttered, “like that'll ever happen.”

He regarded me a moment more, as if he expected me to collapse any minute, then moved toward the sofa. Wordlessly, he lifted Susie from Cagin's lap. Shape-shifter and Vampire exchanged glances—Cagin's yellow eyes filled with suspicion, Rafe's dark ones narrowed and impatient—then Cagin rose and went to stand in front of the fireplace.

Rafe took Cagin's place on the sofa. He looked at me over Susie's head and then, ever so gently, he smoothed her hair away from her neck. For a moment, his fingertips stroked the skin beneath her ear. His lips were moving, but I couldn't hear what he was saying.

The air seemed suddenly charged with Supernatural energy. The hair along my nape prickled, and I knew Rafe was gathering his power.

My breath caught in my throat as he lowered his head over her neck. His hair swung forward so that I couldn't see what he was doing, but I knew. I could smell the scent of Susie's blood, feel the rush of preternatural energy that filled the room.

Cagin took a step forward, a feral gleam in his amber eyes, his hands tightly clenched at his sides.

I was surprised by the sharp stab of jealousy that swept through me as Rafe continued to drink.

Susie stirred in Rafe's arms, a small moan rising in her throat. Her hands clutched his arms, her fingers digging deep into his skin, and then she went suddenly limp.

Cagin took another step forward, his face terrible to see.

When Rafe lifted his head, I saw a single drop of bright red blood at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were red and glowing. He looked at me, only for a moment, but it seemed to stretch into eternity. I could hear his voice in my head.

This is who I am, he said. This is what I am.

And then, his gaze still locked on mine, he bit his wrist and held the open wound to Susie's lips.

“Drink.” He spoke softly, yet his voice rang with authority.

Susie obediently licked at the blood oozing from his wrist, once, twice, and then her hands grabbed his arm and she sucked greedily.

Once again, preternatural power flowed through the room. Susie's cheeks bloomed with color, her hair and skin took on a luster they'd never had before.

Cagin swore softly, his gaze focused on Susie.

It seemed she would drain Rafe dry before he said, “Enough!” and broke her hold on his arm. A flick of his tongue sealed the wound in his wrist.

Depositing Susie on the sofa, Rafe gained his feet. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then looked down at Susie. “Do you know who I am?”

She nodded, though her eyes were filled with confusion. “What happened?” She glanced around the room. “Where am I?” When she saw Cagin, she smiled tentatively.

“What do you remember?” Rafe asked.

“I remember…” She frowned. “I remember some men came to the house. I don't know who they were. They took me outside and put me in a van….” She worried her lower lip with her teeth. Teeth that seemed much whiter than they had been before. “I don't recall anything after that.” She looked at Cagin again. “I remember you,” she said softly. “You saved my life.”