****
Dominic watched her intensely as she surveyed the view from his penthouse apartment.
He knew he was right to trust his instinct.
She was incredible. Not only was she beautiful, but she possessed a valuable talent that very few humans were ever gifted with: she could read into objects, discover their pasts and reveal their hidden secrets. He knew that could be incredibly useful in guiding him towards the individual that had attempted to separate him from his Anima.
Usually, individuals with this sense are only able to learn a few things from the objects they read. His medallion, however, was no ordinary object; it possessed his soul. That would explain her vivid dream of him, he thought, hoping again that he’d convinced her that her dream had been of his ancestor and not of him.
"Would you like a drink?" he asked with a casual air. He moved to join her as she stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows. She had a strong energy about her and his body responded to it. He ached to close the shallow distance between them, to touch her and explore every inch of her supple body. He knew that doing so would just open the door for her to gain insight into his psyche, however, which he didn't want at the moment.
"If you’re having one." Miriam spoke without looking away from the view of the skyline.
Dominic smiled darkly. Although he enjoyed the flavor of a well-aged drink, he usually preferred something a bit different.
He didn't need human blood to survive—he had his Anima to make sure of that—but if he ever turned into the darker version of himself, his bloodlust would be unquenchable. He only ever tasted human blood on certain occasions, like during sex, as a way of elevating the pleasure. He wondered what Miriam would taste like; his lips curled with the seductive thought.
They were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing his throat behind them. Dominic turned, a snarl emitting from the back of his throat.
"Am I interrupting?" Rogan asked in his usual sardonic tone.
"What are you doing here, Rogan?" Dominic leveled an intimidating look at his brother.
"I thought I would stop by and see if you—" he turned his attention towards Miriam as he spoke, "—and your guest had changed your minds about attending tonight's festivities." He ran his gaze down the length of Miriam's body, his eyes gleaming.
Dominic's blood ran hot with anger. He knew that Rogan was toying with him, like a sadistic cat with a mouse. Dominic would never bring a human into a house of vampires. Although his family was civilized and none had yet lost their humanity, he knew that they viewed humans as a lower class—something he could never quite agree with. The fact that Rogan had extended his invitation meant that something was up. Dominic didn't trust him for a second.
"Festivities?" Miriam's questioning gaze turned towards Dominic's.
"Why, yes." Rogan moved towards her. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Rogan Kane." He made a formal bow.
Dominic stepped in front of Rogan's path to Miriam before he could reach her. "Brother."
"Ahh," Rogan's eyes gleamed. "I can see I'm unwanted here."
"Dominic?" Miriam questioned. She tried to sidestep around him, but Dominic just cut her off.
"It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Rogan directed his sentiments towards Miriam, "I hope to do it again sometime."
"Not a chance," Dominic snarled.
"So, that's a ‘no’ for the dinner party then?" Rogan threw the last question out there mockingly.
Dominic's eyes flared; Rogan took the hint.
Once the door shut behind Rogan, Dominic turned to Miriam and was shocked to see apprehension and rage play out across her face.
"Excuse me, but what was that?"
"My brother?" Dominic began, confused by her sudden change in demeanor. He had just protected her from one of the most notorious Kane vampires...and she was angry?
"Not that," she sputtered. "But how you treated me."
"How so?" Dominic questioned.
"I am not your possession," she declared angrily. She pushed past him, but as her fingers grazed the front of his shirt, she paused. She gave him another one of her curious looks before continuing towards the door.
"In your world, of course, but it's a bit different when it comes to Rogan and I." How could he explain that vampires were incredibly territorial, without using the word ‘vampire’? If he had not sent Rogan a clear 'hands-off' signal, her life would be in danger right now.
She snorted with disdain and reached for the door.
Dominic stopped her before she left. "How will you get home?" he pressed.
"None of your damn business," she shot back.
"Miriam, I apologize for that untimely scene. Please allow me to have my car take you home, or wherever you need to go. It will be my apology to you." He didn't want her outside, especially now that it was getting dark and Rogan may still be in the neighborhood.
Miriam paused, as if she was debating whether or not to accept his offer. “Alright," she said stiffly.
Once she had turned away from him, Dominic breathed a sigh of relief.