She got out of her car and made her way to the entrance. Helen met her at the glass door, a worried look on her face.

Opening the door for her, Helen said, "Are you all right? You look as if you're in pain."

She met Helen's concerned gaze. "I'm just feeling a bit worn out. Is my dad up?"

Helen nodded as she wrapped an arm around her shoulder and guided her to the front desk. "Yes, he's the only resident awake at this early hour, so he was excited to learn he'd have two visitors today.

"Two?"

"He's talking with the nice gentleman who came by for a visit. Ooh, his Irish accent sent tremors down my spine." A dreamy expression crossed Helen's face. "I've never seen such arresting eyes on someone before. They reminded me of molten steel."

Rose jerked her gaze to Helen's once more, her heart rate picking up. "Where are they?"

"They're in the rec room, dear."

Rose took off down the hall, her stomach tightening even more. Who was this Irish man visiting her father?

A shiver coursed though her as she hurried down the hall. It was eerily empty. She usually passed a nurse or resident or two on her way to the rec room. Today, only the whooshing heartbeats of sleeping residents behind closed doors greeted her. She paused for a second. How strange that she could hear their heartbeats. Shaking her head, she began walking at a brisk pace once more. She had to get to her dad.

Rose arrived at the entrance to the rec room to see the stranger, his long black hair hiding his face as he leaned over her father. His hands gripped the older man's upper arms, while her father's bony hands clutched his broad shoulders as if here were hanging on for dear life.

From across the room, she heard her father's rapid breathing, sensed his heart thudding in his chest as he pleaded in a desperate whisper, "Please..."

Her father took a deep breath and then his heartbeat stopped as if instantly cut off. When the man let him go and his body slumped back in this wheelchair, Rose's heart jerked, disbelief rocking through her.

"No!" she screamed and took two steps.

She didn't have time to ponder how she landed beside her father all the way across the room. Crouched next to his wheelchair, rage engulfed her, shutting out all rational thoughts. "What have you done?" She launched her body toward the stranger, ready to claw his eyes out.

His hand shot out, encircling her throat as his dark eyebrows drew together over cold-as-steel eyes. Her gaze strayed to the inch-wide streak of white that slashed through his pitch-black hair before locking with his penetrating stare. His hold on her neck tightened in a viselike grip. The smell of rich earth and outdoors rushed over her as he forced her to her knees, a satisfied smirk crossing his angular face.

"Ye're a fine bit of stuff." A heavy Irish accent laced his words as his hard gaze scanned her face. Lifting her mother's necklace with his other hand, he glanced down at it, read the inscription on the back, then gave her a lethal smile. "Now that ye've summoned me, yer protection is me duty to fulfill. Let's get started."

Even more outraged by his odd, emotionless comment, Rose clawed at the tight hold he had on her neck. She wanted to scream at him, to rip his heart out, but taking a breath was difficult at this point. She was unprepared when he lifted her off the ground and flung her across the room.

When her body slammed hard into a far wall, swift pain radiated through her on impact. As she slid to the floor, she thought for sure every bone in her body was broken. Rose fell to her side in agony, unable to catch her breath. Her vision began to blur, but the only thought that entered her sluggish mind was the fact her father was gone forever. Killed by a powerful, evil bastard.

Wake up.

Rose heard the deep growl in her mind but she didn't want to come out of the blissful darkness she'd fallen into. She rolled over onto her side, moaning at the hunger raging through her. The need to eat, to survive overrode her fear of the man who'd killed her father. He was somewhere close. She could feel him, feel the impatience radiating from him.

Grass tickled her cheek and the smell of earth permeated her senses. Her gaze started to come into focus and it landed on a pair of black boots standing beside her. She realized she was outside but she couldn't have been passed out long because it was still dark. How could she see him so clearly as if it were daylight?

The man squatted a couple feet away from her. His black shirt clung to his muscular chest and arms. Eerie smoky eyes narrowed on her. If she'd had the energy, she'd gouge those cold eyes out.

"My father," she hissed at him.

"I hear yer stomach rumbling," he said, ignoring her. "Ye need to eat."

"You killed him, you bastard," she shouted with everything she had. The loss caused a deep pain to fill her heart. She tried to move, to crawl away from him, but damn it, she felt so weak and helpless when all she wanted to do was torture the bastard, make him pay.

"Yer aul fella's dead," he said in a matter-of-fact tone. He met her gaze for a long moment, an impassive look on his face. "The nurse is taking care of him as ye'd instructed her to do if he passed."

"I didn't give Helen official permission...I-I mean, I know we talked about it-" she started to say, then shrieked, "You had no right to initiate my father's burial preparations." Fury and sorrow engulfed her, making her sick to her stomach. Her empty belly pitched and rumbled, rebelling at the waves of conflicting emotions running through her. Rage, sadness and helplessness slammed into her...all laced with healthy dose of fear. He was a cold-blooded killer.

The man's expression darkened. He stood and turned to address someone. "Come."

With great effort, Rose was finally able to sit up. She saw Scott, a male nurse who worked at the retirement home, step forward.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern in his gaze as he squinted in the darkness. A lock of blond hair fell over his eyes as he started to lower himself to the ground to check on her.

The stranger put a hand on Scott's chest, stopping his descent. His steely eyes turned toward her again.

"Ye need to eat."

"You'd better pick out a cemetery plot," she gritted out through clenched teeth, rage overcoming her grief and fear. If she gave in to the fear, it would consume her. Better to die fighting.

"Ye have to feed," he ordered, ignoring her threat.

Why the hell would he care if she ate? He just planned to kill her anyway. She glanced around the wide field he'd taken her to. It had to be the field behind the rest home. Rose met his gaze once more. His choice of word-feed-was just like something Duncan would've said. Ohmigod, was it possible the man was a vampire? He felt familiar to her somehow. She remembered she'd tingled when he'd touched her...just like with Duncan and James. Her heart pounded and her head ached at the realization he had to be a vampire. She had no chance in hell of killing him...at least not easily.

But...that meant if he expected her to "feed", he thought she was one, too. The thought of drinking someone's blood made bile rise in her throat. She clamped her lips shut to keep from throwing up and shook her head. When she regained control over her rolling stomach, she panted out, "You're insane. I'm not a vampire."

"Vampire?" Scott asked, shock and disbelief on his face as he glanced at the vamp. "Are you some kind of nutcase?"

"Whisht!" the vamp said in a low, commanding tone. Scott shut his mouth as if an invisible hand had been clamped over it. He just stood there, staring at them.

"I'll kill the vamp who converted ye," the vamp bit out. "He's obviously the reason ye've called me."

Rose gritted her teeth, fury building to a frenzy within her. "You seem to have an easy time killing. And for the last time, I'm not a fucking vampire."

The stranger got down on one knee and grasped her chin. Anger made his cold eyes seem to dance like liquid mercury.

"I don't have time for this shite. I know ye hear the blood rushin' in his veins, smell the sweet scent callin' to ye." His deep voice lowered to a menacing purr. "Embrace yer new life, Roisin. Eat."

She jumped at the last word. As soon as he'd spoken it she felt her incisors lengthen inside her mouth, brushing against her lips.

Hunger clenched her stomach and she clamped her lips shut, her chest tightening. No! This can't be happening. I'm not a vampire. But the truth didn't lie. Her entire morning started to make sense-her heightened senses, her strength with the drunk man in the parking lot, her ability to jump across the room...and her pulse, thumping at the sound of blood pumping in Scott's veins.

A satisfied look crossed the vamp's face. He used his thumb to raise her upper lip, exposing one of her incisors. Sliding his gaze back to Scott, he said, "Dinner is ready."

Rose jerked her head away from his touch, hunger clawing within her. But her old human self wouldn't let go. "I won't take his blood."

The stranger snarled and stood. Grasping Scott's arm, he jerked him closer and said in a cold tone, "He won't feel a thing." The vamp's fingernail extended and he sliced a two-inch cut on Scott's wrist.

"Ow!" Scott yelped, grasping his arm. Panic crept in his voice as he stared at his wrist. "God, I'm bleeding."

"Except that," came the vamp's curt comment. Turning his icy gaze to Rose, he continued in a droll tone, "Better seal his wound. They say wrist cuts can be lethal."

Rose had gasped at the vamp's disregard for Scott's well-being when he sliced his wrist. She quickly crawled over to put her hand over Scott's wound, hoping to stop the flow of bright red blood.

"Help me!" Scott wailed, falling to his knees.

"Help him, you bastard!" she screamed up at the man.

He crossed his arms, a stoic look on his face. "Only you can help him."

Her heart racing in fear for Scott, Rose grasped his arm and pulled him close. When she ran her tongue across his cut to seal the wound, her stomach cramped in response to his sweet flavor. Instead of wanting to vomit at the taste of his blood, she savored it. His blood didn't taste metallic at all, but more like a fine dinner wine. I want more, she thought as she fought the need to take the man's blood.

Scott's appreciative moan didn't help. He swayed toward her. "That feels so good. Does it feel even better if you suck on it? Do it," he begged.

I know ye want to kill me, the vamp spoke in her mind. If ye want a go at me, ye haven't a prayer if ye don't eat.

The instinct to survive reared its ugly head and Rose gave Scott what he wanted. She sucked on his wound, taking the blood he offered. With each swallow, her hunger abated, but she found she couldn't get enough. She sucked harder, leaning closer. Scott's eyes were closed and he groaned as if he were having an orgasmic experience.

"Enough," the stranger commanded. "Ye'll take too much."

His harsh words jerked her out of the euphoric state she'd fallen into. Rose carefully laved Scott's wounds closed. She hated the vampire even more for making her take an innocent man's blood.

Scott fell back on the ground panting and staring up at the early morning sky. "Damn, I'm tired, but that was amazing."

The stranger pulled Scott to his feet. Turning him toward the facility, he said in a dry tone, "Good lad. We're always open for a donation twenty-four/seven."

Feeling renewed and stronger than she ever had, Rose glared at the loathsome vamp.

"He can't go to work after donating blood."

He rolled his eyes, then took a deep breath as if to give him patience. "Ye've got the rest of the day off. Go home and sleep," he called after the nurse.

The vamp turned his penetrating gaze back to Rose and started to say, "Now back to-"

Rose didn't give him a chance to finish, she launched herself toward the vamp, intending to choke his pathetic life out of him. "You bastard!"

The momentum knocked them to the ground. Rose landed on top of him, clocking him hard in the jaw with her fist.

His head snapped back at the impact. He grunted but swiftly grabbed her wrists and rolled her over on her back, pinning her to the ground. His silver eyes blazed in anger. "I've had enough of explaining meself. Ye might be newly converted, but ye've proven ye're worthy of yer heritage. The lesson begins now."

She felt him enveloping her, surrounding her mind, not like Duncan, but different...almost as if he were trying to suck the energy right of her.

If he wanted to play mental games, she'd come out the winner. With a concentrated effort, she blocked his invasion. "Fuck you!" she said as she mentally shoved him away. The vamp went flying backward until he rammed into a tree twenty feet away.

Rose quickly stood and the act made blood rush to her head. She leaned forward, putting her hands on her knees as she took deep breaths to keep from losing consciousness.

The vamp got up, brushed the dirt and debris off him and leered at her. Taking two long strides, he launched himself in the air, coming at her like a bullet.

Shocked by the show of his powers, Rose stood there rooted to the ground.

Defend yourself, he growled in her head, jerking her out of the trance she'd fallen into.

At the last second, survival instincts prevailed and Rose jumped straight up in the air, avoiding his hit by mere inches.

The vamp landed on the ground, rolling to his feet. He pivoted on his heel, facing her once more. "Ye're a quick learner." His voice was almost appreciative.

The thought made her want to puke. Rose growled and leapt at the man. Grasping his neck, she pulled him to the ground. Jamming her knee into his chest, she encircled his neck and squeezed with all her might. The bloodlust railing within her surprised her, but at the moment she didn't give a damn.

"You killed my father and turned me into a vampire. How did you bite me without me knowing it?"

Before she knew what had happened, he'd grasped her wrists and rolled her over on her back once more. This time he held her arms above her head. "I didn't bite ye. Another converted ye."

"Liar!" she spat, trying to pull free of his tight grasp. "You erased my memory."

He laughed at her comment. "Shite, I can't. Yer will is the strongest I've ever seen. Even stronger than yer mother's."

Rose stopped struggling, shocked by his comment. Blood rushed in her ears. "You knew my mother? Who are you?"

A surprised look crossed his face as if he didn't expect her not to know who he was. "Me name is Ronan Keegan and yer mother is the reason I'm cursed," he bit out. Leaning close, he inhaled next to her throat. "In spite of me anger...I bet ye'd be a good ride, Rose. Goddess knows I want to take yer blood. The need rages within me."

Fear welled within her and Rose prepared to fend him off, to keep those fangs out of her body. But she didn't get a chance, because he swiftly rolled over and gritted out, "Defend yerself."

Pain slammed into her as he jerked her arm, sending her flying across the field to land in a heap a good fifteen feet away.

Aching all over, Rose raised herself up on her arms. Why was he toying with her? Why didn't he just kill her? Get it over with?

Breathing heavily, she brushed her hair out of her face in time to see Ronan running toward her. Panic set in when she saw the vamp convert to a black jaguar mid-stride. Thick muscles rippled in his shoulders as the animal thundered toward her, roaring his jaguar's cry, his white teeth bared.

"I don't want to die," she whispered out loud.

Shift and defend, she heard him hiss in her mind.

Rose crouched low on the balls of her feet. She clutched the grass and earth with her hands, feeling strange. She was preparing to jump out of his path again when he repeated, Shift and defend, for fuck's sake.

A growling scream came from deep within her at the same time her muscles began to twitch. Her shoulders and legs felt as if they were breaking in two, no longer a part of her.

She ignored the biting pain, concentrating on the animal leaping toward her. Rose jumped and turned in the air, ready to grasp the fur on the jaguar's back and take him down that way.

Instead of her arms and hands, she saw red furry legs and long, sharp claws. Blood welled as her claws raked down the jaguar's back.

Raaaaaagh, he growled, turning his head and snapping at her claws as he landed.

Rose released her hold and leapt off his back, landing on all fours. Shocked by the knowledge she'd converted to a jaguar, she could only stare at Ronan.

Blood seeped from his wounds and he took a slow, tight circle until he faced her once more, his long tail twitching just above the ground.

Tell me why ye summoned me? Did ye call me 'cause of the one who converted ye?

Summoned you? She gave a mental snort of anger. I didn't summon you. Rose was shocked at how easily she fell into talking mentally, but as a jaguar, she probably didn't have the physical ability to vocalize anyway.