Eternal Kiss of Darkness

"Kira, I will attempt to breach your mind again. If I am successful, you can return home tonight."

She gave him a glance that was both hopeful and wary. He found that he had mixed feelings about this as well. Logic stated that the faster Kira was gone, the better it would be for both of them, but despite that, he knew he would . . . miss her.

The stupidity of missing a woman who wanted nothing more than to forget she'd ever met him was so enormous, he'd find it funny if the jest weren't on him.

"All right," Kira said, standing up.

Emerald blazed from his eyes as he locked them with her light green ones, compelling her not to look away.

"Kira." Her name was barely a whisper, but seething energy filled that single word.

"Come to me."

She did, taking the hands he held out to her. Her heartbeat, breathing, and blood rushing through her veins were a symphony of sounds calling to him. But her mind remained quiet, secluding its secrets behind a wall he couldn't penetrate.

"Open your mind to me," he breathed, releasing more of his power.

"I'm . . . trying," she gritted out, her hands flexing in his grip.

That mental wall flickered, but didn't fall. Mencheres released her hands and stepped back.

"It's still too soon," he said, more disturbed by the knowledge that he was relieved he wouldn't need to say goodbye to Kira tonight than by his inability to breach her mind yet again.

"It's been almost five days since that morning at the warehouse," Kira said, spinning around in frustration. "Five days of being trapped here. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Come on, let me go."

She had no qualms about wanting to forget him forever - or at best, never to see him again. If only he felt the same single-minded detachment over her.

"Your sister believes you to be recuperating from the flu, and your job is secure. I know this situation is not of your choosing, but it will be over soon."

Kira's fists clenched, and her natural sweet scent soured. "My sister isn't well."

"Is she in danger of dying in the next few days?" Mencheres asked bluntly.

Kira hesitated, biting her lip. "No."

"Then I cannot justify the risk."

"Look, she's scared!" Kira snapped. "I don't suppose that happens very often with vampires, but it does with the rest of us. These hospital stays are hard on Tina. They beat on her back to loosen the mucus in her lungs, then give her treatments to help her breathe easier. She's my little sister, I told her I'd be there for her." Kira's voice wavered, becoming huskier. "I told her she could always count on me."

Mencheres closed his eyes. Kira didn't know it, but loyalty was one of the qualities he prized most. And he understood, all too well, the sense of responsibility Kira felt toward someone she considered hers. He studied her strong, lovely face and the curve of that stubborn jaw. Any manipulations Kira might have tried on him were justified. Mencheres would have done the same himself, if he were her.

"There is one thing that might hasten my ability to erase your memories." Kira's expression became hopeful and she took a step toward him.

"What? Whatever it is, I'll do it."

Would she still say that once she heard what it entailed? "Your blood would give me greater power over you. For humans with very strong minds, drinking them is sometimes necessary before they can be mesmerized. You are very strong-willed, Kira. Perhaps more than my blood in your system is preventing me from manipulating your mind." Kira paled as she digested what she'd have to do. Mencheres watched her, keeping his expression blank. Was her protectiveness for her sister greater than her fear of offering her throat to a vampire?

She swallowed hard, then gave a short nod. "Okay. Let's do it."

He was surprised by her quick capitulation. "You realize this means I will bite you and drink your blood?" he asked, just in case she hadn't understood.

Kira let out a small laugh. "You're a vampire. I didn't think you'd use a needle and a straw."

"You're not afraid?" he challenged.

Her pale green gaze was steady even as her pulse began to race. "You promised not to harm me. So then I have nothing to be afraid of."

Loyalty. Bravery. Determination. Kira's attributes were like a torch shining on all his dark years of ruthlessness. Long-dormant emotions rose in him, and his eyes flared green. He couldn't remember the last time he'd met someone of her quality, and her blood would become part of him when he drank from her. When Kira pulled back her hair and came to stand only inches away, he found that he wanted her blood inside him so badly that he dared not touch her lest he injure her with his urgency.

She shivered, glancing over her shoulder. "It feels like something just brushed up against me . . . do you feel that?"

It was his power uncurling and wrapping around her in all the ways he couldn't allow himself to. Mencheres tempered it, only letting his aura caress hers without that coiling energy stroking along her skin like dozens of hands.

"Come closer," he rasped, still not trusting himself to touch her. It had been so long since he'd felt anything this strong for a woman. The unexpected surge of need snaking through him had his skin humming with energy. If this was how he felt in anticipation of biting Kira, what would it feel like to possess her body? To make those full, red lips part with a slow, rapturous scream as he drove his flesh deeply inside her?

A sound escaped Kira, almost a gasp. Mencheres reined himself back in again, trying to squelch the sudden flare of lust that resulted in his unconsciously flicking his power along the most sensitive cluster of her nerve endings. The depth of his response to her was astounding, as if something long asleep in him had unexpectedly awakened with a roar.

"Like this?" Kira asked, tilting her head to the side with her eyes closed.

The smooth line of her neck with its vibrating pulse was almost his undoing.

Mencheres clenched his fists, drawing himself back under control with great effort.

Slowly. She's never been tasted before.

The knowledge that he'd be the first to claim her blood aroused a primal instinct in him. He enfolded Kira in a smooth, strong embrace. Her pulse thundered beneath his lips as he brushed them over her neck. Her flesh was so soft, her scent mingling with his as he drew her close. She didn't speak, but her breathing came in small, unsteady puffs that warmed him where they landed. His arm slid down her back, pulling her even closer, smothering his moan at the feel of her body flush against his.

"How much . . . will you need to take?" she whispered unsteadily, her heart rate jumping when Mencheres grazed her throat with his fangs.