Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael 1)

“Nik, not everyone in your life has to die. Don't be afraid to live because you're so afraid of death. Don't let fear close your heart."

His words cut through her. She stared at him, wondering how he'd known, how he'd guessed.

"I'm no fool, Nikki. I've watched you grow from an untamed urchin to a warm but distant woman. Let someone break the ice, kid. If not Michael, then someone else. You can't go on as you are." Why not? Why was everyone so intent on changing her life when she was happy?

But am I really? She remembered the long nights of loneliness and wasn't so sure. Awareness raced like fire across her skin. She knew without looking that Michael had stepped into the room. Still holding Jake's hand, she turned and watched him walk to the opposite side of the bed. She wondered if it were a deliberate choice. His gaze, when it met hers, was dark, emotionless, and there was a similar stillness in the link. He was keeping his distance as she asked. So why did she feel so uneasy?

"Good to see you're alive,” Michael said softly. Though his gaze had turned to Jake, she knew all his attention was on her—waiting, assessing.

She shivered, biting her lip. She didn't want the confrontation she sensed coming. She wasn't ready for it. How could she be? Her whole life had changed in some unfathomable way, and the man standing so calmly on the opposite side of the bed had worked that change.

"As I was just explaining to Nikki, I'm too bloody stubborn to die.” Jake's smile was a pale imitation of its usual self.

His eyes closed. She lightly squeezed his hand, then placed it back on the bed. He needed to rest. And she needed to get out of this hospital.

"We should go,” she said softly, glancing at Michael.

He nodded and stepped away from the bed.

"Get the bastard for me, Michael,” Jake murmured as they left. Michael's gaze was bleak as it met hers. “I will."

There was a promise of death in his voice. Nikki gave Mary a brief hug, then followed Michael down the corridor.

"He'll live,” Michael commented as they waited for an elevator.

"I know.” She glanced at him, studying his still features. “Thank you for not leaving him in the tunnel." He shrugged. The elevator doors opened, and several people got out. Nikki stepped inside and pressed the lobby button. In silence, they walked out to the car and drove home. Her nerves were stretched to the breaking point by the time she walked into the kitchen. Michael followed her inside and watched her make coffee. The time for confrontation had come. She feared it, and sensed she wasn't the only one.

Apprehension stole through her heart. She ignored it, finally turning to face him. His body was as shadowed as his thoughts, lost to the darkness filling the kitchen.

"What did you do to me, Michael?"

He didn't answer her right away. She gripped her coffee cup tightly, watching his shadow, waiting.

"I saved your life."

His answer was little more than a whisper across the darkness. She couldn't see him—but did she really need to? All she had to do was reach out and listen to the color of his thoughts... She shuddered and resisted the temptation. It wasn't natural to be linked so intimately. And the link was stronger now than it ever had been.

"At what cost? Why do I feel so different?"

"You were dying, Nikki. I had to save you."

"And in the process you broke your vow never to make me do something against my will." He made no answer, a still, silent presence she could feel but not see.

"What did you do?” she repeated, her voice a harsh whisper.

"What I had to do."

"Answer me, damn it! I have the right to know."

"But have you the courage to look beyond it?” A trace of bitterness haunted his words. She glared at the shadows that hid him so well. He sighed.

"What I have done cannot be undone."

"What can't be undone, Michael? What the hell did you do to me?"

"I gave you part of what I am."

Horror rose anew. Did that mean she was a vampire?