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  Alisa nodded and hugged her back.

  Koen watched them with interest. Before Lauren could ring up the sale, he threw a few bills on the counter and picked up the box.

  “Appreciate it. Have a good night.”

  Lauren gave Alisa a too-bright smile as Koen led her out into a ridiculously expensive car that Lauren knew would pay her bills for a year. Maybe two.

  She went back behind the counter and dropped against the wall. God. That big vampire in her shop.

  Was she still safe? True, she wasn’t specifically hiding from him, but that he’d found her here, did it mean that the others could? Was she in danger?

  Cherise and David checked in with her every once in a while to be sure she was still okay, but no one else had any idea where she was. It needed to stay that way.

  Even though Armel Joubert and Didier Devereaux, who ran the vampire and supernatural studies in Paris, were dead, the council still existed. And she was enemy number one since she’d helped destroy thirty years of cruel research and aided in the release of all the council’s subjects. They’d tear her apart if they ever found her. So her doctorate in genetic research was only a memory, and she lived a paycheck-to-paycheck life with a shop that barely made its expenses and a car that needed a rope and a hill to get started half the time. The scissors in her drawer that she used to cut stems on the flowers also served her for haircuts. And the snow boots she used last year were packed with plastic baggies to keep her feet dry because they had holes in them.

  Turning to pick up the multi-use scissors off the counter, she noticed the money Koen had thrown down and laughed with a snort. Two crisp one hundred dollar bills.

  Lauren shook her head and laughed. Well, what the fuck. Tonight she was going to have a nice dinner with a good bottle of wine. And if there was a little left over, maybe she would hit a real beauty salon for a real haircut. If the council found her, at least she’d leave a good-looking corpse.

  She thought about this new development. Alisa with Koen. The sweet, sexy reporter she’d been building a friendship with since she’d arrived here about a year ago. What the hell was fate’s problem? Why did it keep on setting her up? The only woman she had really befriended since she got here other than her staff and simple acquaintances with many of her customers and suppliers, and she was dating a vampire. And not just a vampire, but one of those huge-ass first bloods.

  Lucky girl. One thing Lauren knew about them was that they were intense about everything. Koen was one of the oldest, so she knew his sexual prowess had to be off the charts.

  Sighing as she locked the doors and killed the lights, she just hoped it went all right for Alisa. And she wondered if she knew what he was.

  The flowers left safe in the back of the car, Koen escorted Alisa through the small park across the street from her apartment building. There wasn’t a lot of green space, but just beside it, the lake sparkled in the darkness, the lights of the city and the full moon creating its own magic.

  How could the night get any sweeter? After this romantic walk in the park, she knew they would end up in her bed making love for the thirtieth time since he arrived here just two nights ago. She couldn’t wait.

  “Hold on,” she said to him suddenly and turned to pull him into her arms to kiss him thoroughly. Once she pulled away he moaned.

  “You know I’m already filling up. You have the sexiest mouth in the world. I think I’m done with this walk.”

  “Yeah, so am I. Let’s head home.”

  Koen liked the sound of that. Home. He couldn’t wait to take her there. She already belonged.

  On the way out of the park, they passed a woman struggling with four golden retriever puppies on four leashes that were currently crisscrossed around her calves.

  “Oh, no!” she called out as she lost her balance and started to topple over. Alisa did a double take as Koen crossed the sidewalk and was there holding the woman before she hit the ground. The woman turned to him.

  “God, thank you! I couldn’t seem to stop that. Four is just too many to safely walk at once. I won’t do that again.”

  “It’s all right. I would have hated to see you take that fall on concrete.”

  “Me too. I can’t thank you enough.”

  Alisa arrived next to them and squatted down to pet one of the puppies. It dove at her, frantically licking and nipping at her hands. Alisa laughed. “They’re gorgeous! I’ve always wanted a dog.”

  The woman looked down at her. “Really? Because these guys are looking for homes. I have their mother and father and I’m keeping one of the litter mates, but I can’t keep all of them.”

  Alisa’s smile faded away as she stood.

  “I wish. But I can’t.”

  Koen saw the sadness in Alisa’s eyes once again as she looked down at the playful pup at her feet. He saw her hand twitch as she reached out to it, and then drop by her side. Whatever it was that brought that look into her eyes, he was going to fix it. No matter what it was, or what the cost, Koen never wanted to see her sad again. And the way she looked at that puppy...he knew it would make her happy.

  “Are you sure? He looks like he wants to go home with you,” the woman teased.

  He did, too. The puppy had attached himself to Alisa and when he stopped moving and just stared straight up at her, she dropped down and gathered his champagne body in her fingers and buried her face against him. She could smell that sweet puppy breath and feel his warmth. A small procession of tears slipped away from her self-restraint and travelled down her cheek. Oh, if I had the time, her eyes promised the little dog, I would take you right now and keep you close for the rest of your life. It wasn’t fair to the puppy, who deserved a good forever home with someone who had a long life to share.

  So she stood and shook her head. “I can’t. But thank you for letting me steal a few moments with him. He’s a really good boy.”

  The pups owner shook her head. “Too bad. I thought I might have the perfect home for him. Well, thank you, sir, for saving me from injury. Or at least my dignity.”

  “Anytime. Here, let me help get these lines untangled,” Koen offered.

  Carefully, Koen helped her take each puppy and unwind the leashes until they were all separated. He saw Alisa waiting patiently for him, her eyes still on the puppy.

  While she was distracted, he caught the woman’s eyes and sent a compulsion to her.

  “Be at the entrance of this park in two hours. Someone will show up with money and take this puppy that my woman was petting. He will give you a generous sum of money. Please bring some puppy food, toys, and whatever we will need for a few days. Thank you.”

  The woman tilted her head to acknowledge him and walked away carefully with the straining dogs.

  “You are a good man. I knew that back in Paris. You’re such a hero, Koen.”

  “I’m no hero,” he said, his fingers buried in the back of her head, twined through her hair. “But I want to be yours. I want to make the world exactly what you want it to be. That’s why you need to tell me what’s wrong.”

  “You are my hero. I am so grateful for these days we’ve had. And really, my troubles are not a part of this. We are so wonderful together. When we are with each other, I have no worries or problems. So, would you just take me home so you can get inside me?”

  Nothing sounded better to him, either. It was obvious she wasn’t going to disclose the reason for her sadness and occasional distance. The matter wasn’t closed, but there were other things to attend to now.

  He pulled her to him to kiss her, his tongue lingering on her lips.

  “Okay. Let me make a quick call.”

  Two hours later, Alisa crawled out of bed and headed for the kitchen.

  “I think I still have some of that pinot noir you bought at the restaurant last night. And I’ll bring you some cheesecake. It’s been in there a few days, but I’m sure it’s still good.”

  Koen was starving. During these two nights with her, he hadn’t eaten nearly
the amount of calories needed by a first blood vampire. She would have been shocked by what he needed. She was offering cheesecake? Oh, hell, yes.

  Alisa was buried in the refrigerator when her doorbell chimed. She pulled out, surprised. It had to be three a.m. Who the hell would be here at that time of morning?

  Pulling the tie around her, she cinched it to cover her lack of clothes and looked into the peephole. It was a man she did not recognize. Stepping backward, she bumped into Koen.

  “Let him in,” he said.

  “You know him?”

  “I sent for him. Open the door, baby.”

  Alisa unlatched the door, popped the deadbolt back and turned the handle.

  The man she did not know stood there holding the squirming puppy Alisa had held in the park just a few hours earlier. She turned back to see Koen grinning broadly.

  “Ah, Koen, what did you do?”

  “You wanted him, I could see that. He’s yours.”

  “I can’t have a pet in this building.”

  “You can now. I fixed it with the building manager.”

  “Mr. Murray? He would never agree to that! I heard him tell a kid once if he could forbid goldfish, he would.”

  Koen shrugged and handed her the puppy.

  “What can I say? I’m a charming motherfucker. The puppy is yours, baby. You lit up when you held him. I would see you happy.”

  What was she going to do with him? Alisa held the puppy close as he licked her face. Oh, hell. She was falling in love at first sight all over again. Her eyes lifted to Koen’s, glistening.

  This was real love. That he found so much heart-deep joy in pleasing her. What they had wasn’t just an incredible sexual affair…she was really in love with this man. Sadly, she had to admit he had fallen in love with her as well.

  Koen stepped forward, one of his hands curled around the puppy’s head, the other around Alisa’s.

  “He’s going to be a big dog. Look at those paws. His puppy name is Samson, but you can call him whatever you want.”

  Alisa buried her face in his soft fur, her fingers threaded there too.

  “No. I love Samson. I think it suits him perfectly.”

  She would keep him. And the puppy too. This had grown too great, this love, this bond with Koen. If it was meant to be, if destiny wanted them to take this ride together, who was she to thwart fate? It was too late now, anyway. If she tried to leave him, if she tried to make him leave, he never would accept it. He was going to be hurt either way, but at least now she knew they could be together at least until she passed on.

  The hard part was yet to come. He would have to be told, and soon, that they would not have a lot of years ahead. That their lifetime together would have to fit into just a few years. Now, she believed it would be enough.

  This time, when she looked up at Koen, she didn’t hold back at all. She let the depth of her love for him show in her eyes.

  He paused, then touched her cheek. The sudden realization that something had changed struck him as he picked Alisa up, puppy and all, and carried her back to the bedroom.

  SIXTEEN

  It couldn’t be true. Chione had to have had some kind of a breakdown. He knew she and Starla had become close. And he always thought of Chione as sort of fragile. So she must have convinced herself that Starla was still alive because she couldn’t handle the loss. He was barely handling it himself. But he promised her that he would come to the temple right away when she phoned and told him that Starla wasn’t dead after all. He knew it wasn’t true. He’d touched her empty body after the lifeforce was gone.

  Already dressed, he walked out into the beautiful night. His eyes travelled upward. He’d forgotten it was a full moon tonight. They should be celebrating the apex of their power as they usually did each night of the full moon. They should be celebrating the additions of new family to their community, since Jacob and Starla had only moved here just a week earlier.

  Instead they would be saying goodbye. He worried about Chione’s emotional health, but in truth, his own was suspect. He knew already that Jacob would go from here after Starla was laid to rest tonight. And he thought he might do so, too.

  He was still the leader of his people, but this loss was his greatest and he needed time and distance. For now, there was nothing here for him. He had thought about it this morning and decided he might go to the Americas. Everything about his home would remind him of Starla and his son. An ancient friend had lived in the American state of California of two centuries and invited him at least once every year to come for a visit. Ahmose could not think of a better time to go. He couldn’t look at that empty house he had built in joy for the new family.

  Laughter came from beyond the open door of the temple. It added to his confusion and anger. How could someone be inside with her and laugh like that? He stormed through the door and stopped in his tracks. Starla, Jacob, and Chione looked up at him, smiles frozen on their lips. Starla looked up at him…

  A split second later he was in front of her, kneeling, his lips against her belly, his arms tight around her. Jacob did not stop him. This time, he completely accepted Ahmose’s touch on his woman. He understood. Coming forward, he knelt beside Ahmose, a hand on his shoulder.

  “There is a God in the heavens and he brought her back to us.”

  Ahmose glanced at Jacob, and then back to Starla, who looked perfectly healthy.

  “How is this possible?” He looked at Chione, who shook her head and shrugged.

  “All I know, master, is that she began to breathe at mid-morning and did not stop. If it is a miracle, then we are grateful. But I think there is something we do not know about a Shoazan.”

  He didn’t care at this moment. Ahmose stood and hugged Starla again, carefully because he couldn’t imagine she was very strong yet after…dying.

  “Welcome back,” he said softly into her ear.

  She reached out to caress his cheek, moist with tears.

  “I didn’t know I had gone anywhere. Although, I guess I must have if you felt me gone. We are fine, both of us. Our son has been very chatty this day. He wants us all to know that he is not going anywhere until he meets us all.”

  “I am grateful.” Ahmose didn’t try to control the flow of tears down his face. He raised his wet eyes to Chione.

  “Have you called Masura?”

  “I have. But I wanted to let Jacob and you know before anyone else. Masura will be here shortly. He doesn’t believe it either.”

  Jacob closed his phone he’d just answered.

  “Eillia and Daniel are nearly here. She was shocked when I told her and then she murmured something I didn’t understand and told me she’d tell me more when she saw Starla.”

  Ahmose’s heart still raced, even though now he knew it was true that she was alive. Chione was behind him, and he felt a butterfly soft touch on the center of his back. His muscles unclenched, his heartbeats slowed, and his respiration calmed. He’d forgotten her talent for impressing was strong enough even to work on the most powerful first bloods. He smiled his thanks. She smiled back and lowered her head. Chione had always been the kindest of them all.

  He was beginning to realize that he may have been very wrong all along to think of her as fragile. She saw things he did not realize she saw. She fixed things so seamlessly, no one realized she had done so. He thought she might be like water, soft and fluid, able to fit into any shape, and yet it could cut through stone.

  Chione smiled that sweet, passive way she had always done except now he thought it may be hiding a tigress.

  Eillia and Daniel arrived and went immediately to the temple.

  With her usual elegance, Eillia swept into the room, pushed aside anyone near Starla, and pulled her into her arms.

  “Sweetie, I cannot begin to make you understand my joy at finding you alive and well,” she said as she leaned back, her eyes searching Starla’s.

  They hugged again, and then Eillia turned to Jacob.

  “Don’t let her out
of your sight again.”

  Jacob grinned and hugged Eillia. “Never again.”

  “All right. Then my job is done.”

  Daniel slid his wife aside, glanced at Jacob for permission, which was given, and hugged Starla.

  “You scared us, little vampire.”

  “Not nearly as much as I was.”

  “We’re hoping Eillia can help her remember what happened. Who did this to her.” Jacob told him.

  “Of course,” Eillia agreed. “When you feel well enough, my dear, I will journey with you into your memory.”

  Jacob sat down beside Starla with his hand on her leg.

  “We would like you to do it soon. The quicker we find out who did this, the safer Starla will be. She’s a target now that she survived this attack since the killer will know she can reveal him.”

  Eillia nodded. “I am ready whenever you are.”

  Jacob turned to Starla. “Are you? This won’t be pleasant.”

  Starla drew a shaky breath. “I know. But you’re right. My child is still in danger and nothing matters more.” Pausing, she closed her eyes. When she opened them moments later, she whispered, “Okay. Let’s do it now.”

  Eillia looked around the room.

  “Here, then. On this rug. Jacob, I want you behind her to support her. You’re right, this will be difficult.”

  They took places on the rug, Eillia facing Starla, Jacob right behind her.

  “Jacob, don’t touch her while we’re on the spirit plane. I don’t want you swept into this. You don’t want to be there, plus then I’ll have to deal with returning both of you to your bodies, and I think I’ll have my hands full with getting Starla out immediately.”

  Holding out her hands, Eillia took Starla’s.

  “All right. Relax. Let your mind clear. We’ve done this before to connect with your child. It is the same process. Go to the white room.”

  “I’m there. It’s completely silent.”

  “Good. It needs to be. Now, stare at the far wall and let me have control.”