Darius watched Sutherland walk the length of the ballroom for the tenth time in as many minutes. For the past half hour, he had been combing the lower level of Lord Vanderline’s impressive home.

Rumors were already circulating that Sutherland’s fiancée might be the witch in question. After all, when asked what the witch looked like, the boy had said a beautiful angel with light blonde hair and green eyes.

Not many in the room would fit that description, save for Sutherland’s fiancée, who had mysteriously disappeared about the same time. The only thing that did not make sense was the boy said the woman had worn a blue gown.

Sutherland denied the rumors as fanciful and took the man outside, and then they came back in, the man apologized, saying he had been mistaken.

Amazing how money could wipe one’s memory clean.

Remont took a step out on the veranda and told Darius to follow. “Did you know she had brought the boy back to life?”

“No, what did you hear?”

“Apparently Sutherland’s carriage ran the child down. Gabrielle got out of the carriage, took the child in her arms, and chanted in some mysterious language and minutes later the child awakes, good as new.”

“That is impossible.”

“I tell you, it is true, Darius. She might very well be a witch.”

Demetri lit a cigar and exhaled. “And are witches dangerous to vampires in any way?”

“Not that I know of.”

“So why are you warning him?” Demetri asked, leaning against the door.

“Just be wary. Witches are dangerous creatures. Witches who can heal are extremely powerful.”

“But there is nothing that says I cannot take a witch as a lover, correct?”

Demetri’s lips quirked. “You are taken with her already.”

“I want her, and now that Sutherland is no longer scouring the hallways, it is safe to find her and bring her back to the townhouse.”

“Where is she?”

Demetri clapped him on the back. “We will find her, brother. Do not worry. Remont, you search one wing, and I will search the other. Darius, perhaps you should scour the surroundings.”

Darius nodded. “I shall meet you both at the front entrance in a quarter of an hour.”

“All right, we will see you then.”

Darius followed a servant out of the room, down the long hallway to where he had found Gabrielle earlier. He smiled, remembering the look on her face when she had discovered the lovers.

She had been so intent watching them, she had no idea he had slipped in unnoticed.

“Vampire!” came the blood-curdling cry.

Gasps and screams came from the ballroom.

Darius’s breath caught in his throat. It had come from the top floor … where Demetri would be searching.

His brother had a ravenous hunger—one that apparently could not wait.

Darius jumped to the third floor and ran into Remont, who had obviously heard the scream as well.

Another scream sounded from a nearby room, and a second later the door opened and Demetri walked out, calm as could be, wiping blood from his mouth with a satisfied smile.

“For God’s sake, Demetri. Could it not wait until after you completed your search?” Remont said, furious.

Demetri shrugged. “I could not help myself. You know how I like the plump ones.”

Multiple footfalls could be heard rushing up the staircase.

They had no choice but to leave.

* * *

“You look cold, love.”

Gabrielle stopped short, surprised to find a woman smoking a pipe in the back doorway of a townhouse that had seen better days. At least sixty in age, she wore a soiled apron over a threadbare dress, and her stockings were rolled down to her ankles; stained slippers covered her feet. She looked Gabrielle up and down, her brows furrowed. Exhaling a stream of smoke, she asked, “Are you lost, dear?”

“Yes, I—I suppose you could say that.”

The woman chewed on the pipe, her eyes narrowing. “By the looks of your dress and the fancy bits in your hair, I am going to guess you are running from someone, or you had too much to drink this night and have lost your way.”

“Do you live here?” Gabrielle asked, avoiding the question.

“Aye, I do,” the woman replied, brushing off a drop of rain that had fallen on her cheek. “Would you like to come in, love?”

“Yes,” Gabrielle said, so relieved she wanted to hug the woman.

Gabrielle followed the woman into a warm room where a fire blazed. The furnishings consisted of two chairs and a worn-out, faded blue settee. Two makeshift tables were made from wooden crates. “I know it is not much to look at, but it is home.”

“It is lovely and comfortable,” Gabrielle said, meaning it. The woman had made the most of what she had, and the room, though tiny, was warm and comforting with personal effects placed here and there, with a chipped vase with wildflowers in the middle of the table.

Gabrielle savored the warmth, reaching out to the flames.

“My room is downstairs, just through that door there. I used to sleep upstairs, but I cannot get up and down the stairs like I used to. There is a small room in the loft there.” The woman pointed to the steep staircase. “Nothing but a cot, a chair, and a small vanity, but you are welcome to it, for as long as you need it.”

Gabrielle could not believe her good fortune. She reached out and touched the woman’s wrinkled hand. “Thank you for your kindness.”

The woman walked into the small room; the sound of dresser drawers followed. A second later, she walked out with an old chemise. “By the way, my name is Bev.”

“I am . . . Elizabeth.”

“Lovely to meet you, Elizabeth. Here you are. This will keep you warm and dry tonight. I need to go to market in the morning. You can join me and we can look for something for you to wear.”

“No,” Gabrielle blurted. “I—uh, should stay here.”

Bev nodded. “Very well.”

It was obvious Bev was happy to have company.

“Thank you, Bev. I shall never forget your kindness.”

“You will be taking the upstairs room. It is not much. Just a small space with a cot and a chair, and a place to lay that pretty head of yours.”

“I am grateful, Bev.”

“Well, it is late and you had best get out of those wet clothes or you will catch your death. I will fix you up a bowl of rabbit stew in the meantime.”

“Do not go to any trouble.”

“It is no trouble, Elizabeth. I have been alone for many years. Plus,” she said with a wink, “I like taking care of people.”

Walking up the steep stairs to her attic room, Gabrielle felt a sense of freedom for the first time since her mother’s death. She had escaped Sutherland, and for now she had a roof over her head.

* * *

Darius stared at the picture of Rose in oils. It had been painted the night of their engagement, and it went everywhere with him.

He brushed his thumb over the lovely face. Gabrielle did look a lot like Rose, but there were also small differences. Rose’s nose was a little broader at the tip than Gabrielle’s was, and her eyes a darker shade of green. Her hair was also more golden, where Gabrielle’s was a paler blonde, but those differences were all slight. Anyone else might not spot them.

Darius removed his boots and socks, then his shirt. He took off his pants and drawers and slipped beneath the sheets, pulling the black bed curtains shut, leaving him in darkness.

He closed his eyes, remembering Gabrielle as they danced last night. The look in her eyes as she stared at him. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but he could swear she had known him. Maybe even remembered him?

Had it not been for the commotion from the boy and his father, then he could be with her right now. He had seen her stricken expression and watched along with the other guests as Sutherland pushed them out.

He wondered what other powers Gabrielle possessed, and had she used those powers to escape last night? Because one moment she had been there, the next she was gone. Vanished without a trace.

After all these centuries, all these endless months, he had found his wife again.

Only to lose her.

But he would find her again.

He must find her again.

He concentrated on her face and sent the same message he had been chanting over and over since meeting her. Come to me, Gabrielle. I will not harm you. Let me take care of you. Return to me.