Her grandpa had told her she was special. Some of the older folks whispered that she was fey or had the Sight. They always said it in hushed tones and glanced worriedly at her, as if she’d suddenly put some kind of hex on them.

  Others weren’t quite so kind. Crazy, witch, touched, or just plain nuts—she’d heard them all and then some. She’d long since learned not to let it bother her. Content to live alone, she had very little to do with the nearby townspeople. The limited contact suited both sides.

  Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to relax. The wind was little more than a light breeze, so it was quiet other than the usual creaks and groans the old house made as it cooled and settled for the night.

  Unfurling all her senses, she waited and listened. The animals seemed fine, going about their nightly business. That was good. They would alert her to any danger. She’d always been able to “talk” with the animals—yet another talent that set her apart from others. And that was fine with her. Animals were much more trustworthy than people.

  Whatever was coming, it wouldn’t be good. She could sense that much, but nothing more. Laurel Rose settled back against the side of the window seat and waited.

  Something was coming.

  • • •

  Stefan cocked his head to the side and listened. He could sense something on the air. A calling. A searching. Something. It was there for a moment, no more than a whisper on the wind, and then it was gone.

  A feeling of urgency swelled inside him. He had to hurry, but to where? To whom? Shrugging it off, he concentrated on the here and now. The door to the bar opened and he could hear the giggles of the two blondes as they hurried toward him.

  Stepping out into the dim glow of one of the few remaining lights in the parking lot, he smiled. “Ladies,” he greeted them. He bowed slightly and swept his hand back, inviting them into the darkness.

  They giggled and tittered as they hurried forward on the uneven ground in their high-heeled shoes. One of them stumbled slightly and Stefan grabbed her arm, steadying her. She looked up at him, her smile slowly fading the longer she watched him. It was as if some gut instinct had finally kicked in, warning her of the danger he presented. “Maybe I should just go back inside.”

  Stefan heard the anxiety in her voice. He cupped her pale cheek in his hand and rubbed her red-stained lips with his thumb. “If that is what you wish, I will not stop you. But I will not hurt you.” He reinforced his words with a small mental push of encouragement. Her friend was already eagerly waiting, watching him and licking her lush lips in anticipation.

  Her frown instantly disappeared. It was replaced by a sultry smile filled with sexual promise. But Stefan was no longer interested in sexual release. The women that had appealed to him only minutes before now left him cold. All he could think about was the woman called Laurel Rose.

  But he played the game. After all, they deserved some fun for what they would provide for him. Putting his arm around her, he guided her into the sheltering darkness of the building.

  He pushed her back against the wall, lowered his mouth, and kissed her. Her lips were soft and sweet and she was so very eager to please him. She swept her tongue into his mouth, opening her own wider, offering him everything.

  Stefan tugged at the front of her blouse, flicking at the buttons one by one until it fell open. He admired the long line of her pale belly and the generous breasts encased in a lacy bra. He stroked a finger down her neck, across her cleavage, and over her stomach until he reached her belly button.

  Her friend tittered, her high-pitched voice grating against his nerves. He turned to her and pinned her with a stare. She fell silent. When he crooked his finger at her, she all but fell over herself in her haste to reach his side. He pushed her back against the wall next to her friend, leaned over, and kissed her. She was slightly shorter than her friend, but just as voluptuous. He searched her mind. Her name was Karen and she thought he was hot.

  Stefan usually respected people’s right to privacy and didn’t trespass into their minds. Only when he or his family were threatened or when he needed to feed did he do so, and then he kept it at a minimum. It was as much for himself as for them. There were things floating around in people’s minds that he just didn’t want to know. He usually got the information he needed and got out. But it was a useful skill and one he kept well honed, as he did with all his powers. Only very rarely could a person block his questing mind.

  He ended his kiss with Karen and returned his attention to the other delectable morsel in front of him. He skimmed his finger back up her torso, dipping into the deep valley of her breasts. A quick twist of his fingers opened the front clasp of her bra. The lacy fabric pulled away and her generous breasts tumbled out.

  Cupping the pale, white mounds in his hands, he rubbed his thumbs over her distended nipples. She moaned and arched her hips against him, searching for his hard cock. The only problem was that his dick was no longer hard. The only yearning burning within him now was the need to feed.

  He pinched her swollen nipples before releasing her breasts and tearing open the fastenings of her tight jeans. He thrust his hand down the front of her skimpy bikini panties and found her hot and wet.

  Turning back to Karen, he leaned down and nipped at her earlobe before whispering in her ear, “Open your blouse and bra.” He licked at the whorls of her ear. “Then open your jeans and push them down so I can finger-fuck you and your friend at the same time.” He skimmed his tongue over her neck and bit the top of her shoulder lightly before releasing her.

  While he told Karen what he wanted, he’d kept his fingers busy on her friend, burying two of them deep inside her. Her cream slipped from her core, coating his hand as she moaned and rocked her hips.

  Clothing rustled next to them and within seconds Karen had ripped off her blouse and bra and thrown them to the ground. She fumbled with the opening of her jeans and then both jeans and panties were down around her knees.

  Stefan immediately fondled her breasts, arousing the tips to hard peaks before sliding his hand lower. Karen was just as wet and ready as her friend, and he sank his fingers into her.

  Leaning back against the building with their clothing mostly gone, both women made an incredibly erotic picture. But still, Stefan felt no stirring of desire.

  Anger flared to life within him. He’d been looking forward to some sexual release, but this unknown woman had robbed him of it and he didn’t even know who she was. That gave her power over him and Stefan didn’t like that one bit.

  The moans of the women in front of him grew louder and he chastised himself for not paying attention. The last thing he wanted was for someone to hear them and come to investigate.

  Leaning closer, he spoke softly, ordering them to be quiet. Immediately, the groans of pleasure went silent but they continued to pump their hips hard, both of them reaching for release.

  They really were quite lovely with their breasts bobbing as they thrust forward and backward, pleasuring themselves on his hands. Their skin was soft and their pussies hot and wet. Beyond the heavy makeup and brittle laughter, he could see the beauty in them both. He sensed their desperation with their lives and how they both longed for more than they had in this small town.

  It was time.

  Easily slipping into their minds, he took control of their thoughts, purposely blurring them. It was easy. They were both so open and relaxed by the beer they’d drunk and the potent desire pulsing through their veins. They would never even know what he was doing. All they would feel was the pleasure.

  Stefan leaned forward and nuzzled Karen’s neck, licking the salt from her flesh. She silently tilted her head, giving herself to him. And he took what she offered. His fangs lengthened and he sank them into her soft skin. Her blood gushed forward, filling his mouth immediately. It was warm and fresh and he savored every drop as he drank deep. It slipped down his throat and hit his belly with a warmth that made him moan.

  Mindful not to take too much, he carefully withdrew his teeth and licked the wound closed. It would disappear within minutes. Thrusting his fingers deep one final time, he brushed her clit with his thumb. Karen came quickly, her release flowing over his hand and down her inner thighs.

  When she was finished, he withdrew his hand and eased her down until she was sitting against the building. Then he turned all his attention to her friend. This woman was slightly bigger and he could afford to take more of her blood. She arched her neck, but her large breasts drew him. He cupped one of the pale mounds and nuzzled his way to the side before sinking his teeth in deep.

  Stefan felt light-headed, almost drunk as he continued to feed. Like Karen, her blood was rich and pure. Cousins. The thought flashed across his mind. These women were cousins. It would be easy to get lost in the erotic images that filled her thoughts, but Stefan forced himself to pay attention. When she’d given all he sensed she could, he withdrew his teeth and closed the wound.

  Again, he pushed his fingers hard into her slick channel, driving her desire higher. One brush of his thumb against her clit and her orgasm hit her. Her hips jerked and spasms shook her. When she was done, Stefan withdrew his hand and lowered her until she was seated next to Karen.

  Licking his lips, he savored the flavor of the blood they’d both given him. Fresh blood was much more potent than that stored in a blood bank. Power surged through his veins as the life-giving liquid pumped through his body. Strength and vitality rippled through every bone, every muscle—indeed, every fiber of his body.

  One of them groaned, drawing his attention. Karen slumped forward, holding her head in her hands. Stefan felt a stirring in his chest and was surprised by the compassion he felt for both women.

  Crouching down in front of them, he helped them both get dressed. When they were both fully clothed, he tugged them to their feet, steadying them until they could stand on their own. They looked so young and bewildered that they made him feel old and jaded. He made up his mind that they would come into a small inheritance from a distant aunt they didn’t know. He’d make sure it was enough money for them to go away and start a new life if they chose.

  Decision made, he leaned down and kissed them each on the forehead before escorting them back to the corner of the building. There he cupped their faces one at a time and, staring deep into their eyes, reinforced the memory he’d already implanted. They would not remember him at all. They would not remember anything except leaving the bar and driving home. They would sleep deeply tonight and wake refreshed in the morning.

  He watched from the shadows as they got into their car and drove away. They would be safely home in their beds within the half hour. As their headlights faded in the distance, Stefan reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his cell phone. Hitting one of the numbers on speed dial, he waited patiently while it rang. Before he’d sent the women home, he’d delved into their minds to get the information he needed.

  A sleepy voice answered the phone. “Yeah?”

  “This is Stefan Dalakis.” He could hear the shuffling of covers as the man scrambled up in bed.

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Dalakis. What can I do for you?”

  Stefan gave the man his instructions. Within twenty-four hours, Karen and her cousin would be informed they were the beneficiaries of a distant aunt who didn’t really exist. When he was finished, he ended the call, confident everything would be handled exactly as he’d requested. The Dalakis family was this law firm’s biggest client and they did everything possible to keep them happy. Stefan smiled cynically. Money did have its uses.

  He hesitated for a brief moment before hitting another number on speed dial. “It’s about damn time,” the voice on the other end snapped.

  Stefan held the phone away and smiled before slowly putting it back to his ear. “I miss you too,” he told his brother.

  Lucian snorted. “Delight’s been worried about you.”

  Stefan sobered immediately. He knew it was Lucian who’d worried more. His brother understood just how precariously Stefan’s life was balanced at the moment. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset her, but I just needed to be alone, didn’t want to talk.”

  His brother sighed. “I know.” Stefan could almost picture his sophisticated, urbane brother shoving his fingers through his hair in exasperation. “Where are you?”

  “Transylvania. Well, not too far from there. I’m not exactly sure where I am at the moment.”

  “You went home to see Cris and Johanna?” Stefan could hear the surprise and just a tinge of disappointment in his brother’s voice.

  “No. Transylvania, North Carolina.” He leaned back against the wall and sighed. “With a name like that, I just had to stop and see it. I’m still on the road,” he added softly. “I’d come home and see you before I did anything else.”

  Lucian was quiet on the other end, although Stefan could hear him breathing. Stefan knew his brother understood the implication. “Just remember that we are here for you. Always. We can get through anything together. We are Dalakis.”

  His brother’s understanding and willingness to do anything for him moved Stefan deeply. “We are Dalakis,” he echoed softly. Straightening away from the wall, he briskly continued. “I’ve moved on, but I’m still in North Carolina. I’m going to be here a while. Do some more exploring.”

  “Just check in now and again.” Lucian’s sardonic voice was loud, his meaning clear.

  “I will,” Stefan promised. “Just because I know Delight worries about me.”

  Lucian snorted and hung up. Stefan listened to the dial tone before turning off his phone. It felt good to reconnect with his brother. He’d gone too long without it. It had been several weeks since his last call home. That was inexcusable. He would not let that happen again.

  He tucked the phone back in his pocket, walked to his truck, and climbed into the cab. Settling back, he waited. An hour later, he was rewarded when Aaron and Clem walked out of the bar and hurried toward a dirty blue pickup truck. There seemed to be more rust than paint on the vehicle. Stefan figured it was the caked-on mud that was really holding it together.

  There was a sense of purpose and urgency about them and Stefan knew they were heading to the woman they’d called Laurel Rose. And when they found her, so would he.

  Chapter Three

  Laurel Rose sat upright with a sudden jerk. Damn, she’d fallen asleep. That was the last thing she’d meant to do. She rubbed her eyes, squinted, and stared out into the darkness. The moon was almost full, giving her some light. Off to the left, a shadow moved.

  She was glad she’d doused the lights earlier in the evening before she’d started her vigil. She loved the dark, the peace and calm of the night. But that peace had been broken.

  She eased off the window seat, laid the quilt aside, and made her way silently toward the kitchen window. There, a little closer to her home now, she could see the shape getting bigger. Definitely not an animal.

  She’d been expecting something like this sooner or later. Wanting to be sure, she opened her mind and was immediately bombarded with the unease of the animals that lived in the forest around her. They accepted her as one of them and were warning her of intruders.

  Cautiously, she tried to pick up on the thoughts of the person creeping closer. It was much harder with humans and she didn’t get much. But what she did get had her reaching for the rifle that she’d already loaded and placed on the kitchen counter earlier in the evening. Malice and excitement tinged the air. Whoever was out there was up to no good.

  With her rifle by her side, Laurel Rose moved silently and swiftly to the other side of the house. Peering through the small window next to the door, she checked the immediate area. Satisfied that no one was there, she eased the door open until the crack was large enough for her to slip through. She carefully closed the door behind her and slid through the shadows of the wraparound porch, working her way back toward her intruder.

  Her fingers tightened on the gun and she forced them to relax. She didn’t like violence, but sometimes there just wasn’t any choice. She might not have occasion to use it very often, but she darn well knew how to fire a rifle with great accuracy. Her grandpa had seen to that.

  Forcing her hands to stay relaxed, she peeked around the corner of the house, searching the area where she’d last seen him. She knew it was a man. The shadow had been too big to be anything else and the emotions she’d picked up had been distinctly male. She didn’t question how she knew that—she just did.

  Laurel Rose shifted her weight to her left leg, automatically compensating for the weakness in her right. It was only at times like this that her slight handicap bothered her. She could still move quickly, just not quite as fast as she wanted. Instead, she was forced to be stealthy.

  She wondered if this man was the one responsible for the death of her chickens last week. It certainly hadn’t been a fox or some other animal. Animals tended to take at last a part of their kill with them, not leave the bloody carcass behind totally intact.

  Then there had been the mysterious disappearance of some of her tools from out in her garden. For the first time in her memory, she’d been forced to start putting everything in her shed in the evenings and locking the door. Theft had never been a problem before. And why would it be? She was alone on eight hundred acres of prime hill country.

  A shuffling just off to her right startled her. Another shape was skulking alongside her shed, his feet crunching the dry grass with every step. There were two of them.

  Laurel Rose chewed on her lip and tried to figure out the best way to defend against two trespassers. One man was bad enough. Two were going to be much harder to handle. But she didn’t have a choice. She had to deal with them.

  But then, she hadn’t had much choice in her life. The actions of the adults surrounding her when she was growing up had shaped her life as surely as her special abilities had. Laurel Rose sucked in a deep breath, tightened her hold on the gun, and did what she’d always done—make the best of things.