She didn't trust him.

Smart woman.

"I can't do that," she said. "The bus leaves in twenty minutes." She turned toward the convenience store. Andrus moved quickly, blocking her way.

Helena slammed into Andrus' chest. "What-what are you? Another effing vampire?"

I'm something far worse. "No. Like I said, I'm a scientist-or, more accurately put, a student of the paranormal." Lie. Blink. "I've learned many of their tricks over the years and can teach you. You'll need my help if you really want to run from him."

He watched intently as her radiant blue eyes locked on his face. She was still afraid.

Time to close the deal. If she resisted, he'd have to take her and risk witnesses or police being called. That would leave an easier trail for the vampires to follow.

"Look. I know you're afraid, but I'm your only chance. Vampires never let anything get between them and their mates. He'll go after the people you love if he has to. He won't rest until he gets you-"

"He says we're married," Helena interrupted, her eyes filled with anger. "That it happened when he took a drop of my blood. Do you know how I can break the bond?"

"I do not," he answered. "But I can teach you how to evade him. I can even keep him from sifting you away if he gets close."

"What's sifting?"

He's never sifted in front of her? Idiot, Andrus thought. He's probably worried about using his vampire talents in front of her because of that idiotic Pact. Well, he could give a rat's ass about the Pact. Besides, what could the gods do to him that hadn't been done already?

"It's how vampires travel. They can move from one place to another using their minds. Although, they cannot travel far-it burns up too much energy."

"Crap. Then there's no way for me to outrun him?" Helena's face showed her desperation.

Andrus suddenly found himself feeling sympathetic toward the poor woman. Like him, she felt trapped.

Stay focused. "We rarely do this, but we have an archive. It's the only one of its kind-centuries of texts and artifacts. Perhaps we can find an answer for you there."

Was that a flicker of hope in her eyes? Today was turning out much better than he'd planned.

"Where?" she asked coldly.

"North of San Francisco." The Demilords' archives were in fact there, but the records were mostly profiles of vampires on their watch list or documents they'd confiscated. Fact was, Demilords didn't care much about history, just killing vampires. Preferably Obscuros. Now, if a "good" vamp or two-or three or four-got in the way...oh well. No loss.

Three hundred years ago, the vampire queen's army began failing at containing the Obscuros as the Pact dictated. It was then that the Demilords were created, and it was then that Andrus' hell began.

"Okay." Helena nodded. "I guess I don't have a choice. But if you lay a hand on me, I'll make sure Niccolo finds out."

Oh, I hope he does.

"She what?!" Niccolo screamed at the top of his lungs into the phone from his lavish 180-degree Strip View Suite at the Four Seasons in Vegas. "How could you let her leave? You had two orders: keep her safe and don't let her leave! How hard is it for five vampires to keep an eye on one tiny human woman?"

What if something happened to her? He would never forgive himself. He hadn't even had the chance to apologize for their fight or to make it up to her. This was horrific! He was horrific. He'd made her feel so badly that she'd fled him.

He wanted to wretch. Thank goodness she couldn't get far; she had no money or anything much of value. Yes, thanks to you, you evil bastard.

"I'm sorry, Niccolo," Viktor explained with a hint of humor in his voice, "but your human is"-he paused-"sly. A very fitting mate for you. Speaking of, how are the wedding plans coming along? Are you going with the Gone with Wind or the Star Trek theme?"

Niccolo cringed. He was, as Viktor would say, "busted." Attempting to make amends, the fiercest vampire in the world thought to surprise Helena with an extravagant theme wedding in Vegas. A suggestion from Sentin who insisted she'd enjoy the "hip scene."

"Do you find this humorous? Do you?" He paused and took a breath. "Truth be told, my primary objective here is to conduct a little clean up."

Niccolo suddenly felt sick again as the fresh memories assaulted him. The carnage left behind by the Obscuros was horrific. They'd attacked a large group of humans at a quinceanera-a fifteenth birthday party for a young woman-and slaughtered children, expectant mothers, the elderly...they spared no one.

"My apologies, Niccolo. I was only trying to lighten the mood. Has the team been able to bring Las Vegas back under control?"

Niccolo and the local team who were permanently stationed in Vegas-it needed constant monitoring-had mowed the vile Obscuros down, but he didn't feel like reliving those memories. He knew Viktor would understand if he diverted the conversation.

"Control, no. This place-I simply do not understand it. The humans here wear giant cocktail glasses around their necks and insert exorbitant amounts of money into little machines that light up. I still cannot understand, however, why they call them 'slut machines.' Is because they steal your money?"

"I believe the correct name is 'slot machine.' They're kind of fun..." As Viktor spoke, Niccolo's mind involuntarily shifted back to the topic of Obscuros. According to his calculations, he'd personally executed two hundred rogue vampires in recent weeks; over a thousand had been killed by his soldiers, yet the list only grew longer each day. Niccolo needed to make a bigger dent. He'd heard all about the Demilords who'd supposedly been put in place to control the outbreak during his absence, but where were they? From what he could see, no one had been keeping the Obscuros in check. Suspicious, to say the least.

"It matters little what the machines are called," Niccolo interjected. "This place is loathsome. But if a wedding here will please Helena, then I shall do this for her. Please tell me one of your men is tracking her."

A long silence, then, "Not exactly. She slipped away too quickly. We couldn't pick up her scent-it is pretty sunny today."

"Inferno! I am in no mood to blindly sift all over the goddamned-"

"Don't go ballistic," Viktor added, "I gotcha covered-GPS tracking. I had it added to her phone-she busted into your office and took it back. I've been watching her movements via Internet. You can use the live satellite map to find a safe place to sift nearby-away from any structures-then, boom. You're there."

Thank the gods for her thievery and for this "GPS."

"Where is she now?" Niccolo asked.

"Heading west toward the Windy City. I'll send the link to your phone and get you hourly updates."

"Buon. Grazie."

Niccolo hung up and rubbed his hands over his face. He had to get her back quickly and make amends. He had only six days left until their three-month anniversary. She had to be turned willingly or the prophecy would not be fulfilled, and Niccolo's one chance of leaving the queen would be lost.

That meant he'd never have the chance to know peace or a day of freedom. He'd never know Helena's sweet body inside and out. His mind toggled through the catalog of fantasies awaiting their day in the spotlight. His standard: taking her for the first time over a bed of velvety red rose petals, the midnight crackle of a fireplace, the sweet scent of her arousal filling his lungs as he plunged himself repeatedly inside her. Then there was the fantasy of taking her in the shower, pinning her against the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist as she panted his name in his ear.

Niccolo grew hard for the fifth time that day and shifted himself.

Gods, he could not wait to bed her. Gods, he needed to buy looser pants. Otherwise, his cock might not make it to their wedding night. Or, perhaps, he needed to stop thinking about her.

Idiota. You realize that's impossible. Any second now you're going to get the itch. You won't be able to resist wanting to feel her with your mind.

His attempt to fight his craving for her, indeed, lasted all of one glorious second before he gave in. He focused to catch a whiff of her mind in the atmosphere. Distance dulled the connection, but it was always there.

Aaah, Helena... Right now, she's annoyed, but no longer angry. In any case, the guilt was almost unbearable; he'd caused her pain. Thank the gods he didn't love her. He couldn't imagine how miserable he would be if they shared more than just a powerful bond and insatiable lust.

For a moment he considered using his gift to sift to her, but blind sifting was extremely risky. And sifting toward a moving target was unthinkable. He could end up landing inside a steel girder, slab of cement, or hit by a semi. No. He'd have to wait until she stopped moving and then do as Viktor suggested.

Niccolo suddenly flinched and released a growl from deep within his chest. He sensed a burgeoning lust radiating via their connection. She'd better be thinking of me.

Chapter 9.

Helena stared out the dust-coated window of the black Hummer speeding west on Interstate-80, watching the sherbet sunset and chewing her thumbnail to the nub. She'd already surveyed everything inside the enormous tough-boy vehicle twice. A waste of time. The interior was spotless except for several discarded candy wrappers on the floor. There was nothing to tell her who this dark, brooding man truly was.

She quickly stole a glance of Andrus whose gaze was fixed on the road, sunglasses covering his eyes despite the darkening sky.

Of course he can see in the dark, she griped, all monsters can.

Earlier, he'd pulled off his leather coat and was now wearing a plain black tee and leather pants. With both hands firmly gripping the wheel, the thick muscles of his forearms flexed just enough for her to see every menacing rope. She noticed his appearance the first time she'd laid eyes on him. What woman wouldn't? He was unusually handsome-in a dangerous to your heart kind of way-and built like a brick house.

Problem was, he reminded her of Niccolo. They could be brothers, she thought.

So who was he really? More importantly, what was he? She didn't buy his scientist story one bit, but she did buy the part about him knowing how to keep Niccolo away. Something about Andrus screamed, "I am lethal!" Yeah, he'd had lots of practice keeping people at a distance.

Helena was a trained observer, a scientist; she knew how to watch and learn. She was good at it. This was how she noticed the pain undulating just beneath the surface of this man's menacing shell. Maybe it wasn't obvious to the average Joe or Jill on the street, but this creature was a walking contradiction. Even his short dark brown hair-recently cut and deliberately mussed-was a clue. Cold-blooded men didn't care about styling their hair in a way that advertised they were dangerous. Truly lethal men tried to hide what they were. The element of surprise was more important. No, he was trying to look more dangerous than he really was-which was still considerably dangerous.

"Where are you from?" she suddenly blurted out.

Andrus didn't acknowledge her question.

Helena was growing seriously impatient with the secretive act.

Suddenly her phone beeped. It was a message from her mother. Baby, you okay? No response on my email. Are you coming home for Christmas, or I am coming to see you? Airline tickets are on sale, want to buy now.

Crap. She had no idea when she could go home. She needed to end things with Niccolo first. Otherwise, he'd just find her and take her. The situation stank.

Helena quickly replied, Sorry. been swamped w/ work. Yes, coming home for Xmas. Got ticket already. Love u. Miss u! She'd have to figure it out later. Dammit, she hated all these lies!

She turned to Andrus. "Look. You can cut the crap right now. I know you're not a paranormal scientist."

A hint of a smile, the frightening kind, touched his lips. "Then, what am I?" he said, his voice low and crawling.

Helena thought for a moment. "You're not a vampire, but you're no human either. I can tell."

No response. His eyes remained locked on the road.

"I think you're a...demon," she guessed.

Demon? That sounded silly. Helena chuckled inwardly. She had read way too many novels. Her favorites were the ones where the heroes were dark, brooding demons. She had never actually seen one or truly believed they existed for that matter. But up until a few months ago, she would've said the same thing about vampires.

"Sorry. Not a demon," he said coldly, scratching his rough jaw, obviously not interested in discussing the matter further.

"Fine. I don't care. Just promise you'll hold up your end of our bargain and not bully me like Niccolo and his buddies."

Andrus removed his glassed and flashed a glance her way. "They've treated you badly?"

The surreal golden color of his eyes startled her. She lost her train of thought for several moments until she realized he was waiting for a response. Speak, dumb-dumb. "No. Not badly, but like a redheaded stepchild. It's not just annoying, but hypocritical. I mean, if I'm so lowly, then why did he want me?"

Andrus did not respond for several moments, then, "Even a dog is missed by its owner when it runs away. But it's still a dog."

Did Niccolo really think of her as his dog? Christ, he probably does. "I'm not some vampire-pet."

Andrus stifled a laugh. "No, but can you blame him for trying? You look like the kind who might incite frequent stroking."

"Sorry?" Helena snapped. Had he just flirted with her?

"Forget it. I will not treat you like a dog, I vow it," Andrus mumbled, returning to his icy demeanor.

So then, what was he going to do to her? Was she safe with this stranger?

Unlikely.

With the way things were going, Andrus would turn out to be the Grim Reaper.

In fact, now that she was in feeling-sorry-for-herself mode, why not move the needle to a full-fledged pity party? That's right. Because her life had always been a struggle. Why should now be any different? For years she worked hard, helping her mother make ends meet. It had made her into a workaholic, worrywart, control freak. Her life became all about the future, avoiding a repeat of her mother's mistakes. That's why she'd never had a boyfriend; friends and school were way safer bets.

Helena's mom, Laura, had married young. She was from Kansas City and dreamed of the California life-endless sunshine, beaches, and carefree. When she met a young man, a corporal traveling through town who'd stopped at the local bookstore where she worked, it was love at first sight. Just nineteen, she left her life behind in the middle of the night-her hardcore religious parents would never approve of a church "outsider"-and traveled with him to San Diego where they were married. He was redeployed shortly after but never returned. A freak, unexplainable disappearance during a routine patrol somewhere in the Philippines.

Devastated, pregnant, and unwilling to crawl back to her family, her mother moved north to Santa Cruz where she did her best to make a home for Helena and herself. But despite her mom's affection and hard work, Helena always knew something important was missing: her father, her mother's laughter. Family.

When Helena became older, she secretly hoped her mother would move on, and find another love. But Helena's mom swore she'd never love another. To this day, she wore her wedding ring and reminded Helena every chance she got of two things: make sure she could always take care of herself, and if the universe blessed her with the gift of knowing her soul mate, she should love him with her entire heart, no matter how much time they were given.

That was Helena's big mistake. In a moment of weakness, she'd bought into her mother's romanticized version of the world and had forgotten the pain and sacrifice accompanying it. She fell for Niccolo-or, perhaps, she'd fallen for the dream of Niccolo. Reality, as she'd discovered, hadn't stacked up.

Because he didn't love you back. She would never, ever, ever make that mistake again.

Helena again glanced over at the menacing looking man who could have been Niccolo's long lost cousin, except for his golden eyes. He was a painful reminder of what she'd left behind and wanted so desperately to forget. And like Niccolo, she knew she couldn't trust him; no man with that much darkness clinging to him was meant to be trusted. But what choice did she have? He was right; Niccolo would not stop until he got her back. Life would be running and hiding until she found a way to free herself.

Pang. Again that stupid pang when she thought of life without Niccolo.

Her cell phone suddenly vibrated again. She dug it from her front jean pocket, expecting another text from her mother, but instead saw: I warned you, Helena. You cannot hide from me. I will find you. I will always find you. You are mine.

Helena fumed. "Arrogant son of a..."

She texted in reply: Not yours. Never was. Never will be.

He replied, I'm sorry for what happened. Please, come back.

Too late, Vampire. It's over.