"You and I need to talk," Xaphan said in a low, gravelly voice.

Elise watched with loathing as Blake's skin turned that waxy, sallow color, and red replaced the lovely blue in his eyes.

"I don't think so," Elise growled.

His lips curled back in a condescending sneer. "Stupid little vampire, don't you see? I'm your only hope of saving this mortal."

Even though she knew better, hope sparked in her. "How? You'll willingly leave him?" That would mean the demon would get away, but then Blake would be free. G.o.d forgive her, she would be okay with that.

"If I could do that, do you think I'd still be here, kept by two bloodsucking vermin? I'm too deeply buried inside this body to leave while he still has life, vampire. But I'll make a bargain with you."

Don't listen. You can't bargain with evil. It will always win if you do.

"What's your offer?" Elise asked softly.

Those malevolent eyes glared into hers. "I'll give you the rest of this mortal's natural life span if you get us away from the other vampire. When the mortal eventually dies, then I'll be free to find a better home."

"Liar," Elise bit off. "You'd try to kill Blake as soon as we got off this train."

Xaphan sighed. The sulfur smell from his breath would have gagged Elise if she'd still been human.

"The years this mortal has left are no more than a tick of the clock to me, but they mean something to you, don't they? This is a fair offer. If you refuse, try to force me onto the salt flats, all of you will die. You can't hope to beat me; I am one of the first Fallen. I was around before Cain was even turned into a vampire."

Icy fear slid up Elise's spine as she stared into the demon's eyes. There was nothing left of Blake in them. They were ageless, evil, and swirling with red embers. It was as if she'd been afforded a glimpse into h.e.l.l. How could she and Mencheres think to kill something as old, as powerful, as Xaphan? What if all of them did did die on the salt flats, their bodies left to rot under the harsh sun, because she didn't take the only chance they had at surviving? Could she truly kill Blake anyway, after what he'd come to mean to her? die on the salt flats, their bodies left to rot under the harsh sun, because she didn't take the only chance they had at surviving? Could she truly kill Blake anyway, after what he'd come to mean to her?

Elise thought of having Blake with her for forty, fifty, maybe even sixty years. That would be more happiness than she'd ever allowed herself to believe she'd find in all her undead lifetime. Xaphan might win anyway, if she persisted in taking Blake to the salt flats. Maybe if she took his deal now, in the future, they'd find another way to vanquish Xaphan without killing Blake or or letting the demon possess someone else. letting the demon possess someone else.

Really, wasn't this the only possible solution, even if it meant bargaining with a devil?

"If you care at all for his life-or yours-you'll see this is the only choice..." Xaphan drew out.

Blake's face flashed in her mind, looking completely different than it did now with the demon piloting him. I can't live like this, I can't live like this, he'd said when they first met he'd said when they first met . . Blake had proved countless times that he'd rather die than let the demon get away. In the end, this wasn't her decision. It was Blake's-and he'd already made it. Blake had proved countless times that he'd rather die than let the demon get away. In the end, this wasn't her decision. It was Blake's-and he'd already made it.

"No deal," Elise said, hardening her resolve. "If we all die sending you back to h.e.l.l, then so be it."

The demon howled, becoming a ma.s.s of livid movement and flinging both of them up to the ceiling of the cabin in a blur. Elise didn't let go, wrapping herself around him and letting their hate-filled gazes meet.

"I'll kill you," Xaphan hissed.

Elise didn't blink. "You will try."

All at once, the demon froze. Elise relaxed even though the new flood of oppressive power squeezed her. Mencheres came into the cabin.

"You did the right thing, my child," he said to Elise.

She wasn't surprised that her sire had overheard the entire exchange. "I had no choice."

Mencheres came closer, forcing the demon back into the corner of the small room. "Yes, you did. And you made the right one."

Elise wondered if she'd still think that later.

Chapter Twelve

Blake looked at the clock. Eight-thirty in the evening. He had less than twenty-four hours left to live.

Elise sat across from him, her tenseness palpable. Mencheres had forced her to leave this morning to get some sleep, but Elise had come back looking like she had spent the three hours in the other cabin wide-awake. Blake wanted to a.s.sure her once more that she'd done everything she could, but maybe talking about it would only make things worse.

Her blond hair was loose, falling just past her shoulders, and she wore another tank top with yoga-style pants. Blake had been studying her while she looked out the window, trying to memorize her features. Small, straight nose. The mouth that looked more sensual than pouty. Those high cheekbones and smooth forehead. Her beautiful, mesmerizing, blue-green eyes.

Yes, if there was an afterlife, Blake wanted to bring the memory of Elise with him.

"Chess?" he asked, gesturing to the board.

She glanced away from the window. "I don't know how to play."

"Hmm. You don't know how to drive or to play chess.

What have you been doing with all your time?"

His tone was teasing, but her face clouded. "I listen to music," she said slowly. "Read a lot of books. When I get restless, I walk through the city. It's been sufficient."

It didn't sound sufficient. It sounded lonely. Elise had said she'd been living like that since the fifties, but what had she been like before then? Blake knew she was much older than he, even though she looked to be in her early twenties. How much older? How much older? he wondered. he wondered.

"How old are you?"

She appeared to think about it for a second. "Altogether, including the years before I became a vampire?"

Blake nodded.

"Ninety-nine in September," Elise said.

That number was so at odds with her lovely, youthful appearance, Blake had to smile. "You don't look a day over ninety-two," he said with wry humor.

Elise shrugged. "Some days, I feel even older."

Today was one of those days, if the stress on her face was any indicator. Blake sought to lighten her mood. There was no need for either of them to bemoan what was coming.

"How about I teach you to play chess? It's not hard. By the time the train arrives in Salt Lake tomorrow morning, you'll be a pro."

"I don't want to learn to play chess," Elise snapped, then she grabbed the edge of the built-in metal board and ripped it out of the cabin wall.

Blake stared at her. "Don't do this."

Suddenly she was in front of him, kneeling in the empty s.p.a.ce where the pull-down table had been.

"You don't have to die." Her voice was ragged. "I can take you with me and keep you safe. Keep the demon from hurting anyone else..."

Blake took her beautiful face in his hands. "You can't watch over me every second of every day, and I won't let that thing get away to ruin more people's lives. Aside from you, the only thing that's made me happy these past few days is knowing that I've finally scared it for a change. That demon is going to regret what it did to me, because I'm the man who's going to bring it down. Don't try to take that away from me, Elise."

Her eyes were bright, pink tingeing the corners. Blake couldn't stop himself from what he did next. He kissed her, needing her taste like he was the vampire, and she was fresh blood. To his relief, her mouth opened at once, her tongue raking his while fangs sprang out of her upper teeth.

Blake didn't care about her fangs, even when those sharp tips scored his tongue. Elise sucked at the blood while kissing him, her raw need matching his and driving his pa.s.sion to a fiery level. He pulled her up on his lap, groaning when she wrapped her legs around his waist.

His hands went under her tank top, tugging it up in impatience. Then he blinked when it was wadded on the floor with her bra in the next moment. Blake didn't bother to contemplate how fast Elise had taken it off, however. He cupped her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, tearing his mouth from hers to kiss them. Her flesh was soft and sleek, her nipples so hard by comparison. When he sucked and bit them gently, Elise moaned, ripping at his pants.

They split open, torn to the knee. Blake pulled them off, kicking the remains free. Her pants were gone in another blur, as was his shirt, until there was nothing separating her skin from his.

He grabbed her hips and arched forward, his mind exploding at the squeeze of her flesh as he thrust into her. Oh G.o.d, oh yes! He kissed her again, bracing his legs against the chair across from him, moving deep and fast within her. Elise rocked with him, gripping him so tightly it almost hurt-but he never wanted to end.

He held her, moving faster, knowing this would be the closest he ever came to heaven.

The whistle at the station sounded like a death knell to Elise. She gripped Blake's hand. If it were possible for vampires to throw up, she would have gotten sick as the train ground to a halt.

"Salt Lake City," the attendant cheerfully called out.

Blake squeezed her hand. "It's okay," he said, and squared his shoulders.

I won't cry, Elise promised herself. Elise promised herself. If he can be this brave, so can I. If he can be this brave, so can I.

She didn't feel brave, though. She felt like silver was spearing her through the heart. How she'd ever get through the day, she had no idea.

Last night, she'd cast about for any other option than Blake's death. Turning Blake into a vampire wouldn't work, Mencheres reminded her when she brought that up. Changing Blake into a vampire required that he be drained of blood until he was almost almost dead. Then, still clinging to life, Blake would drink Elise's blood, which would trigger his undeath. Since natural death didn't happen, becoming a vampire wouldn't force the demon out. No, it would mean Xaphan would have a back door into possessing a vampire instead. With Blake as a possessed vampire, who knew what new horrors Xaphan could wreak? They'd be handing the demon more power than he'd ever dreamed. dead. Then, still clinging to life, Blake would drink Elise's blood, which would trigger his undeath. Since natural death didn't happen, becoming a vampire wouldn't force the demon out. No, it would mean Xaphan would have a back door into possessing a vampire instead. With Blake as a possessed vampire, who knew what new horrors Xaphan could wreak? They'd be handing the demon more power than he'd ever dreamed.

I won't let the demon free, he'd stated flatly. Mencheres had agreed that only human death, without any vampire blood in Blake, could force Xaphan out into the merciless trap of the salt flats. he'd stated flatly. Mencheres had agreed that only human death, without any vampire blood in Blake, could force Xaphan out into the merciless trap of the salt flats.

But without any vampire blood in Blake, his death was irreversible.

They exited the train. Elise kept hold of Blake's hand because she couldn't stand not to touch him, but Mencheres's hand on Blake's shoulder was for a different reason-to restrain him in case the demon tried to make a run for it again. Xaphan had taken over Blake last night, going ballistic and trashing the interior of the cabin before Mencheres stilled him. Elise had to green-eye the train workers so they didn't call the police at the disturbance. You'll all die tomorrow, You'll all die tomorrow, Xaphan had spat before crawling back into whatever hole he'd burrowed inside Blake. No, they hadn't heard the last from Xaphan. Xaphan had spat before crawling back into whatever hole he'd burrowed inside Blake. No, they hadn't heard the last from Xaphan.

Elise didn't know what the demon had in store for them, but she knew he wouldn't go gently into that good night. Still, Xaphan wasn't scaring her with his threats. He was just solidifying her resolve to do anything to make sure Blake had his victory over the demon. If Blake was willing to die for that, so was she.

Mencheres had two vehicles waiting for them in the parking garage. One was a regular four-door sedan, but the other was a large van. Elise's heart clenched at the thought of loading Blake's body into the van afterward. At least he wouldn't be stuffed into a trunk. That indignity she couldn't stand.

"Wait a few days until you mail my letters," Blake said to her quietly. He'd written to his family, apologizing for what they thought he'd done and telling them he loved them.

"All right."

She didn't tell Blake that she had no intention of mailing those letters. She'd deliver them in person and make sure, with all her inhuman power, that they didn't think less of the amazing man walking next to her.

Mencheres stopped by the van. "I'll drive this one," he stated. "You and Blake follow me in the car."

Elise didn't move. No, no, No, no, was running through her mind in a roar. Blake leaned down and, very gently, kissed her cheek. "Don't come apart on me now," he breathed. was running through her mind in a roar. Blake leaned down and, very gently, kissed her cheek. "Don't come apart on me now," he breathed.

She nodded and forced her legs to move, one step after the other. Somehow, she made it into the car, Blake in the driver's seat next to her. Mencheres started up the van, and Blake followed him out of the parking lot into the bright morning sunshine.

Chapter Thirteen

Blake glanced at the landscape zoom by along Interstate 80. This was the first he'd been to Utah. In fact, it was the first time he'd been out West. He'd stayed mostly on the East Coast during his thirty-seven years. Born in Ma.s.sachusetts, enlisted in the army after high school, graduated from Penn State, married in New Jersey, divorced in New York City, possessed in New York City, met a vampire in DC, died in Utah, Born in Ma.s.sachusetts, enlisted in the army after high school, graduated from Penn State, married in New Jersey, divorced in New York City, possessed in New York City, met a vampire in DC, died in Utah, Blake reflected. There was so much he'd wanted to do with his life, but somehow, he'd let most of that be swallowed up under promises of "later." Blake reflected. There was so much he'd wanted to do with his life, but somehow, he'd let most of that be swallowed up under promises of "later."

Now that there was no more "later," Blake couldn't help the sadness washing over him. He wished he'd spent more time with his family. Gotten to know his friends better. Let go of jealousies and resentments a lot quicker. All that time, so much of it wasted, All that time, so much of it wasted, Blake thought. Blake thought. What I wouldn't give to live it all over again, especially with Elise by me. What I wouldn't give to live it all over again, especially with Elise by me.

Even as the regret filled him, Blake pushed it back. He'd chosen his life, such as it was, and he'd been allowed to meet the most amazing person before the end of it. Plus, what he was doing now was the equivalent of jumping on a grenade to save dozens of people, if not more. Blake harnessed the same mentality that had seen him through a two-year stint in Iraq during the First Gulf War. Complete your mission. Don't fail your unit. Complete your mission. Don't fail your unit. Right now Right now , , Elise was his unit. He'd make her proud of him. Elise was his unit. He'd make her proud of him.

"I don't want you going back to your home in the tunnels," Blake said.

She looked at him, her eyes wide. "What?"

"I don't want you going back to your home in the tunnels," he repeated, emphasizing each word. "I don't want you spending the next fifty years like the last fifty. I know this is going to be hard on you, but don't let it push you back to how you were, avoiding everyone so you don't have to care for anyone. I can stand dying, Elise, but I can't stand the thought of that."

Her jaw flexed, and she blinked a few times, but she didn't reply.

"Promise me," Blake said, hardening his voice.

"I promise."

Her words were choked. Blake looked back at the road, something tight inside him easing. Elise would go on. She'd live long enough for both of them, and one day, some lucky b.a.s.t.a.r.d would come along and make her happy.

And whoever he was, Blake hated him. Guess he wasn't finished being jealous after all.

Blake started to whistle to distract himself from that line of thought. Oddly enough, he found himself whistling that same tune Elise had earlier in the week, "Beautiful Dreamer." After a few minutes, some of the stiffness left her frame.

"I love that song," she murmured. "It was my favorite as a child."

"It's been around that long?" Blake asked, teasing.

She gave him a melancholy look. "Longer. My mother used to sing it to me before I'd fall asleep. Funny, I can't remember her face, but I remember her voice."

Blake swallowed hard. In time, she'd forget his face, too.