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spiked black hair and directed her dark amber gaze at him, as though she sensed his
scrutiny. She appeared thoughtful and bold, and he didn t like that. Just what was she up
to?
Clara s presence bothered WB a great deal, but he kept her close. She knew too much
to do otherwise, and he wasn t ready to kill her & yet. She was the only one of his clan
members that possessed an exceptional scenting power. She was able to track like no
other vampire he knew. She was still important enough to him, and thus, he had allowed
her to live.
Her independence in the end, he told himself, would be her undoing. One day her lack
of respect towards him would push him too far, and useful or not, he would put an end to
the little pretty.
Clara always made him frown, and he knew she was aware he did not like her. So the
question presented itself why risk herself and stay? She could easily take off and live
quite safely and comfortably out of his range & for the moment. She knew lone vamps
were not his targets. It would take too much time to ferret them out.
No, WB was only interested in destroying the largest of the clans, enlisting the others,
and taking over the human world, village by village, towns by town until he reached the
larger cities.
She moved away from the guard who strode over and took up a position at WB s side.
The vamp took a threatening stance as John Patrick entered the dimly lit chamber and
lingered for a moment in the shadows.
All WB s guards were on the alert. They sensed something about John Patrick that
was dangerous. A few of WB s militant vamps circled John Patrick from behind.
John Patrick looked around as he emerged from the shadows. He wore a sneer that
distorted his usually attractive features. His eyes were burning a low shade of red, and his
aura was giving off powerful vibes. It was obvious that he was not afraid of the crew of
vampires, and WB wondered at it. What sort of demon would not fear a vampire? Did he
have a shield against a vampire s bite and strength? Perhaps he could not be killed in the
usual fashion?
However, it was already known that John Patrick and Damon Drummond had collided
and that Damon had gotten the better of the match. Interesting & thought WB as he
watched the man/demon come closer.
He thought of Damon and smirked. No doubt Damon was regretting the night he had
agreed when Chad MacFare had said they should let WB live. Damon had objected
strenuously but in the end allowed it to be so.
The two could have easily bested him, just as they had with their so-called Prince ,
Pentim Rawley, but they hadn t. Chad had thought them better served to let him live. WB
almost snorted over the memory. Fools, they hadn t seen what an adversary they had left
alive.
No doubt, Damon was repeating history when he left John Patrick alive. Time would
tell on that score, and in the meantime? In the meantime, he would find out why John
Patrick wanted this meeting. First things first.
WB smiled and put up a welcoming hand. John Patrick let s dispense with the
amenities and get to the point, shall we? Tell me, what brings you here?
* * *
Dublin lights, Nikki noted to herself, seemed as though they made an attempt to ward
off the worst of the night.
They had entered the south side of the Liffey River, and as they passed, Nikki glanced
over the dark waters glistening mysteriously under the lamp lights. How many secrets the
river must hold &
She wanted to ask where they were going, but they hadn t spoken since those last
words to one another, and she felt oddly awkward.
It was Damon who finally broke the silence. I m taking you to a little place I keep in
Dublin a quiet loft on a quiet street, away from the bustle of Temple Bar and still close
enough to walk there. I think you will be comfortable there.
And you & ? Nikki was suddenly concerned. Would he leave her there alone? Was
he going off & perhaps to his little vampire beauty?
Yes, I like it as well, he said, glancing quickly at her and then away.
Even in the darkness of the car, Nikki saw a soft smile curve his luscious lips and
hurriedly looked away from him, but she couldn t stop the next question as it jumped out
of her mouth. But, are you staying there, at this place of yours, as well?
More so than less, he answered vaguely.
What does that mean? Nikki frowned up at him.
He frowned but did not look at her as he weaved through the city s nighttime traffic,
It means that I am taking you somewhere safe, where I will draw up a plan of action.
A plan of action? What action?
Nikki saw an odd expression flitter across his handsome face before he sighed. She
gave him a moment as he clearly was thinking out his answer. When it came, his voice
was grim.
What do you think our course of action should be, slayer? We have a clan taking over
parts of the city in slow degrees but managing to do so successfully all the same. Can we
leave it go unchecked?
No & but what I want to know is why & just why you are working against them?
They are vampires & you are & She didn t finish the sentence as she screwed up her
mouth and sighed over the problem.
He almost snorted before he sneered. Is that what you think of me that I am a
vampire and so I must be like them?
She puzzled up at him. Truthfully, Damon Drummond, I don t know what to think of
you.
Then let me give you the quick and easy version, something you can digest and
understand, something that will make you believe me when I tell you that I don t mean to
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