Aidan had an almost overwhelming urge to kiss that look right off her face. "Do you think she should apologize for jumping to conclusions, Joshua?"

"In your wildest dreams," she denied. "You aren't nearly as innocent as you'd have me believe."

Joshua reached out and touched a bruise on the side of her chin. His eyes went to Aidan's gold ones. "What happened to Alex's face?" There was a hint of suspicion in his voice, and he seemed to retreat into some private torment.

"Aidan?" Instant fear caused Alex's voice to tremble.

Aidan simply caught and held Joshua's gaze with his own. His voice dropped an octave, becoming like pure running water rippling over the child, seeping into his mind. "You remember Alexandria falling because she was so weak with illness, do you not, Joshua? Remember? She ruined her beautiful suit when she fell on the path. You were very upset until I came and carried her to the big black car and brought her here to our home."

Joshua was nodding in agreement, the suspicion and tormented look gone as quickly as they had come. Thankful, Alexandria held out her arms for the boy.

Aidan shook his head. "We will go into the living room and sit down before you hold him, piccola.

You are still shaky."

His voice felt like a caress, yet she knew it was a command. Velvet in iron. He was clearly in charge. She tried not to let it annoy her and meekly followed him down a wide hallway. She stumbled several times because, instead of watching where she was going, she was staring in awe around her. She had never been in a house as beautiful as this one. The woodwork, the marble floors, the high beamed ceilings, the paintings and sculptures were all magnificent. A Ming vase sat gracefully on an antique mahogany stand near a wide stone fireplace. Aidan had to catch her arm twice to keep her from walking right into a wall.

"It is customary to watch where you are going, cara mia," he reminded her gently. "It is not as if you have never seen the house before," he added wickedly to make her smile.

She made a face at him. "Don't you think this is all a bit much? What if Joshua comes tearing through the house and knocks over the Ming vase? Somehow, I'm beginning to think we made a big mistake in accepting your hospitality. Some of these things are priceless." Two could play at his game.

"I believe we already had this conversation," he said smoothly, steering her into the living room.

"We agreed that if Joshua broke anything, we would not cry over spilled milk." His golden eyes gleamed at her, daring her to continue.

"Aidan, really, a Ming vase?" Horrified at the thought of destroying such a treasure, Alexandria considered grabbing Joshua and running from the house.

Deliberately Aidan leaned close so that his warm breath stirred the tendrils of hair falling over her ear. "I have had centuries to admire the piece. Losing it might give me the incentive to patronize a modern artist."

"That is sacrilege. Don't even think it."

"Alexandria, this is your home. This is Joshua's home. Nothing in it is as important as the two of you." His golden eyes glittered at her as his gaze ran up and down her body. "Now sit down before you fall down."

She swept a hand through the hair tumbling across her forehead. "Would you just try not to sound like a drill sergeant? It's getting on my nerves."

He looked unrepentant. "One of my annoying habits."

"And you have so many." Alexandria chose a leather recliner to curl up in, and at once she realized just how weak she really was. It felt good to sit even after a short walk. Joshua immediately came to sit in her lap, needing the closeness to her as much as she did to him.

"You look so white, Alex," Joshua pointed out with a child's candid nature. "Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm getting there, little buddy. It takes time. Do you like your room here?" She again examined him for marks.

"It's great, really big. But I don't like sleeping up there without you. It's kinda too big. Marie and Stefan let me sleep downstairs near them." He hugged her bruised, lacerated neck and didn't notice when she winced.

Aidan's golden eyes narrowed to slits. With deceptive indolence he reached out a lazy hand and drew the child to his side. "We have to be careful of Alexandria for a while. Remember what I said?

She needs tender care. It's up to you and me to see that she gets it. Even when she rebels, as she's thinking of doing now."

"I'm okay," Alexandria said resentfully. "If you want to sit on me, Joshua, of course you can." No one, except her, told Joshua what to do.Joshua shook his head, his blond curls bobbing in the way that always made her heart melt. "I'm big, Alex, not a baby. I want to take care of you. That's my job."

She raised her eyebrows. "I thought I was the one in charge."

"Aidan says you only think you're in charge but that we have to let you think that because women like to think they're in control, but men have to protect them."

Her blue eyes met golden ones over the blond curls. "He said all that, did he? That's a lot of thinks, Joshua. I am in charge, not Aidan."

Joshua smiled conspiratorially at Aidan. Aidan mouthed, "I told you so." Both looked at her in complete innocence, their expressions so similar, it unexpectedly turned her heart over.

Joshua moved closer to Alexandria, playing with the braid hanging over her shoulder. She could hear his heart beat, hear the blood pounding and surging through his young body. All at once she was aware of the pulse beating in his neck. Every stroke, every beat. Horrified, she thrust him away from her and jumped to her feet, searching for a way out. She had to run as far and as fast as she could, away from Joshua. She was a monster!

Aidan moved so swiftly, she didn't even see him coming, yet he was there with her, his arms surrounding her, holding her captive and still. "It is nothing, cara, only your heightened senses."

His voice was barely discernible, yet she heard him clearly. The tone was soft and gentle and calm.

"Do not be alarmed."

"I can't risk being near him. What if you're wrong? What if I still have the vampire's blood in me? I couldn't bear it if I harmed Joshua. I can't be here with him."

She kept her voice low, m.u.f.fled against his chest, a whisper of sound that tugged at Aidan's heart.

He pulled her closer into the shelter of his arms, felt her relax instinctively against him. She didn't trust him, didn't know him, but her body did. "You could never harm the child, Alexandria, never. I know you feel hunger, that you are unusually weak. Your body has been through a tremendous ordeal, your mind has suffered a trauma, but nothing could ever induce you to harm Joshua. I know it absolutely." His voice was soothing black velvet seeping into her mind, a balm.

She allowed him to hold her, to calm her, as she rested her head against his hard frame. She could hear his heart beating the same rhythm as her own. He was so calm, so gentle, his voice never rising, always so certain, so confident. A solid rock to lean on. Of their own volition, her lungs slowed to match his breathing pattern.

Aidan stroked her hair, ma.s.saging the nape of her neck as he drank in the scent of her. "Better now?"

She nodded and stepped away from him just as an older couple approached. Alexandria recognized the woman carrying a tray with two long-stemmed cut crystal winegla.s.ses and three English bone china mugs. The man behind her carried a tray with a bottle of red wine and a pitcher of something steaming.

Marie flashed Alexandria a tentative smile. "It's good to see you up and around. Are you feeling better now?"

Aidan's hand on Alexandria's neck tightened perceptibly. His thumb stroked across her pulse, once, twice, a gesture meant to soothe even as it served notice that he was in control.

Alexandria's chin lifted. "I'm fine, Marie, thank you. It was good of you to try to help me while Aidan was gone." She sounded sweet and polite, wishing the entire time that she could detect a hint of corruption in any of these people. She was determined not to like them, not to be drawn into their circle. She didn't want to be lured into a trap by the silken web of this fantasy home, this place of beauty. The older couple seemed warm and giving, looking into each other's eyes with love, looking at Aidan and Joshua-her Joshua-with great affection. She wanted to see none of it.

The trays were placed on the coffee table, and Aidan reached with lazy contentment for the bottle of wine. Marie poured hot cocoa from the steaming silver pitcher into three mugs. "Joshua loves his hot chocolate before bedtime, don't you, honey?"

The boy eagerly accepted the mug and grinned mischievously up at Marie. "Not as much as you and Stefan do."

Alexandria's stomach was rebelling at the sight and smell of the chocolate. Aidan handed her a winegla.s.s and filled it with the ruby-colored liquid. Even as she shook her head, he was pushing it toward her lips, his golden eyes staring directly into hers. "Drink it, cara."

She felt as if she was falling forward into the fathomless depths of his eyes, mesmerized, hypnotized. She could feel him in her mind, a dark shadow pressing his will on her. You will drink it, Alexandria.

She blinked, then found the empty winegla.s.s in her hand, her eyes locked with Aidan's. He smiled, that flash of white teeth, lifted his gla.s.s to her in a small salute, and drained the contents.

In total fascination, she watched his throat work. She could barely pull her gaze away from him.

Everything about him was so sensual.

Alexandria tasted the sweetness, the addicting spice that seemed so familiar in her mouth, on her tongue. Aidan was watching her closely, with that unblinking stare of a predator. She turned away from him, close to tears, afraid to spar with him in case she made a fool of herself in front of the older couple. She was confused and tired and scared. She lifted an unsteady hand to push at her hair.

"Aidan says we can get a computer just for me," Joshua blurted out.

Alexandria glanced at Aidan. He was pouring himself a second gla.s.s of "wine," and he held up the bottle, offering her more. Everything in her demanded that she comply, so she backed away from him, shaking her head. Why was it so important to her to do as Aidan wanted? It was unlike her to follow anyone's lead so blindly. It frightened her to think he had such power over her.

"You know, Joshua, we haven't really had time to settle in and think about what we're doing," she cautioned, her eyes never leaving Aidan's face. "We don't even know yet if we're going to stay here.

This is more of a trial to see if we can all get along. Sometimes roommates just don't work out, no matter how much they like one another."

Joshua looked as if he might cry. "But it's great here, Alex. I know we should be here. It's safe here. And you can get along with me, can't you, Aidan? I'm not too loud or anything."

Aidan's hand rested in the boy's silky curls even as his golden eyes held Alexandria captive. "You know you aren't. I like having you here, and I don't expect us to run into any problems. Your sister is worried that the two of you might be extra trouble for Marie and Stefan, but I know better."

Marie was nodding in agreement. "We love having you, Joshua. You brighten up the house. And boys are supposed to be loud."

"Of course everyone would want you, little buddy," Alexandria hastily a.s.sured her brother, making a supreme effort to free herself from Aidan's mesmerizing golden gaze. "Sometimes adults can't live together. I'm used to doing things my way, and Aidan is set in his medieval ways."

"What's medieval?" Joshua wanted to know.

"Ask Aidan. He's good with answers," she replied resentfully.

"Medieval refers to the days of knights and ladies, Joshua. Alexandria thinks I would have made a great knight. They were men who served their homeland with honor and always rescued and took care of fair maidens." Aidan drained the contents of a third gla.s.s of ruby liquid. "A fitting description, and quite a compliment. Thank you, Alexandria."

Stefan coughed behind his hand, and Marie hastily turned to look out the window.

Alexandria found a reluctant smile curving her soft mouth. "That's not all I could call you, but for now, we'll leave it at medieval."

Aidan bowed formally from the waist, his golden eyes warming. She could drown in those eyes. His palm cupped the side of her face almost tenderly, the pad of his thumb sliding over her skin in a brief caress. "Sit down, cara mia, before you fall down."

Alexandria sighed and did as he ordered, mostly because her legs were wobbly. She was certain it had nothing to do with being close to such an attractive, masculine man and everything to do with her recent ordeal with the vampire. No mere man could make her weak in the knees.

Aidan settled beside her on the couch, as Stefan had acquired the leather recliner since she had abandoned it. Aidan's thigh brushed hers, sending a tremor rushing through her. His breath warmed her ear. "Fortunately, I am no mere man."

"Stop reading my mind, you... you nightmare from a Thomas Ivan game." It was the worst insult she could think of, but he only laughed softly, the sound in her mind, not in her ear. It was blatant seduction and wrapped her in heat.

"It's very late, Josh." She turned her attention to her brother to save herself. It was the only sane thing to do. "Time for bed."

Aidan leaned even closer, his lips brushing her ear. "Little coward."

"Ah, Alex, I don't wanna go to bed. I haven't seen you for days," Joshua wheedled.

"It's past midnight, young man. I'll stay with you and read you stories until you fall asleep," she promised.

Aidan stirred, a sleek movement of muscles, no more, but she felt the heavy weight of his disapproval. "Not tonight, Alexandria. You need rest, too. Marie can put the boy to bed."

Marie was frantically signaling Aidan. She had already sensed Alexandria's ambivalence toward her and knew most of it stemmed from the impression of her usurping Alexandria's position with Joshua. Aidan was only making it worse with his dictatorial manner. As always, Aidan simply ignored what he didn't want to see. He had no intention of allowing Alexandria to do anything he thought might be harmful to her. Aidan was used to having his way in all things.

"I don't think you're going to tell me what I can or can't do with my own brother. I've been putting him to bed for years, and I intend to continue doing so. I'm certain Marie has no objections." She glared a challenge at the older woman.

Marie smiled at her. "Of course not."

Aidan took Alexandria's fist, gently pried open her fingers, and laced his through hers tightly enough that she knew better than to fight his grip. "I am the one to object, piccola, not Marie." His voice was gentle enough to melt a heart of stone. "I am responsible for your health. You are weak yet and need to rest. Tomorrow or the next night will be plenty of time for you to take back your job." He turned to look at Joshua. "You will not mind if Marie puts you to bed tonight, will you?"

"I can go to bed all by myself," Joshua bragged. "But I do like Alexandria's stories. She always tells me one after she reads me a book. Her stories are always better than the book.""Not like her cooking?" Aidan asked.

Joshua wisely did not reply.

"I can cook." Alexandria felt she needed to defend her domestic abilities in front of Marie.

"No one microwaves quite like Alexandria," Aidan teased her.

"As if you would know," she said scornfully. The aroma from the wine bottle was drifting up to her, beckoning, causing hunger pangs so intense, she was almost unable to control her instinct to reach for it.

"Leave her alone, Aidan," Marie admonished. She had never heard him tease before, and it was something she found welcome and astonishing. But they were all on thin ground with the newcomer, and Aidan had to keep Alexandria with him to survive. They all had to tread cautiously, to be careful not to drive her away.

Perversely, Alexandria didn't want Marie to stand up for her. She didn't want to like the older woman. She wasn't going to like any of them. She absolutely would not. And why did she have to be so aware of Aidan's body against hers, the strength in his fingers? She didn't have to be afraid of him any longer. What more could he do to her? She was already the walking dead, wasn't she?

She was going to defy him.

He brought her knuckles to his mouth, whispering, "No, you are not. And the silly things you think. 'The walking dead.' Where do you come up with this nonsense?" His mouth brushed her skin, sending darts of fire racing over her nerve endings. "Allow me to guess. Thomas Ivan."

"Maybe he does use that term. I don't remember."

"Is Mr. Ivan the gentleman who came to see Miss Houton?" Marie inquired cautiously.

"Call her Alexandria, Marie. This is not a formal household, and you are no servant. You are my family and friend."

"Please do," Alexandria seconded at the pressure on her fingers.

"I would like us to be friends," Marie said.

That made Alexandria feel small and petty. After all, this woman she was resenting was the one taking care of Joshua when she was unable to do so. Immediately on the heels of that thought came anguish, as a bit more of the truth slid into her brain. Her breath caught in her throat, and she fought for air, strangling, choking.

Aidan pushed her head down toward the floor. "Breathe, cara. It is not so difficult. In and out.

Keep breathing. Marie, please take the boy into the other room."

"What's wrong with my sister?" Joshua demanded, clearly rebelling.

Alexandria fought the madness swirling in her brain. She would not allow Joshua to be affected by this whole insane nightmare. She sat up and smiled at him, a bit pale, her smile tentative but there all the same. "I'm just a bit weak, like Aidan said. Perhaps he's right, although I hate giving him the satisfaction, he's so bossy lately. You go on with Marie, and I'll just sit here until I feel well enough to get to bed myself."

Joshua's eyes lit up. "Maybe Aidan should carry you. He's very strong. He could do it, you know, like in the movies." He sounded eager.

"I could do that," Aidan agreed, winking at Joshua.He looked very s.e.xy, enough that he seemed to rob her breath again. "I don't think so." Alexandria sounded firm.

Aidan suddenly stood, inhaling sharply, his attention clearly on something other than those in the room. Alexandria felt it, too. A disturbance in the air, a dark, creeping evil moving slowly but surely toward them. It spread like a dark stain over the sky, the air thickening until it was difficult to breathe. A low murmur began in her mind, the words foreign, beckoning, impossible to understand, but she knew their significance. Something was tugging at her, attempting to draw her outside.

A sound escaped her lips, an inarticulate cry of terror, so m.u.f.fled it was nearly nonexistent, but Aidan turned his golden eyes to her immediately. Horrified, Alexandria clutched his arm. He's out there, she thought in terror. She dragged Joshua to her protectively, inadvertently clutching him too tightly.