"Uh-huh." Nigel snorted as Duncan tossed the keys in the air and said, "Let's go."

Rose climbed in the passenger seat of the rental car while Nigel got in the back. Duncan stowed their luggage in the trunk and slid into the driver's seat.

"This is just so weird sitting on the opposite side of the car," Rose commented, staring out the windshield from the left side of the car.

"Tell me about it," Duncan agreed, starting the engine.

"Well, you could've made it easier on yourself and rented an automatic."

Duncan put his left hand on the gearshift and gave her a sexy grin. "I love a challenge, a ghra. I thought you knew that about me."

Rose didn't mistake his double meaning. She just shook her head as she gave him directions to Lonan's pub.

Rose loved the scenic view Galway County offered, the moss-covered rocks and crags, glimpses of waves crashing against the shore as they made the hour-long trip to Galway city. The misty morning only made the lush green countryside seem to glitter like a well-polished emerald. Hence the nickname for Ireland-the Emerald Isle, she thought with a smile. Her excitement at being there was bittersweet though. Her father would've loved Ireland. His death weighed heavily on her heart.

She rolled down her window a bit to catch all the scents and to clear the sad thoughts from her mind. Cool air rushed through the crack, making her feel a little better.

When she began to shiver at the crisp air, Rose came out of her sad reverie and shoved thoughts of her dad to the back of her mind. She was glad she remembered to bring a lightweight jacket, but couldn't believe she didn't think to at least buy a disposable camera.

Taking in as much of the scenery as she could as they drove past, she said, "It's gorgeous. How I wish I had my 35mm with me."

Duncan picked up her hand and kissed her palm. "We'll come back again, Roisin. Ireland is our homeland. We both have a lot to learn about it."

Rose met Duncan's gaze and thought of the promise he made...as if they'd always be together. He sounded so sincere. She stilled herself, refusing to be drawn into his web of seduction. He didn't plan to convert you, remember? she reminded herself.

"What do you think, Nigel?" Rose asked, pulling her hand away from Duncan's grasp to turn and look at her uncle.

Nigel's head was leaning against the backseat. His mouth gaped open as he quietly snored in his sleep.

Duncan chuckled. "Looks like the excitement and long flights finally got to him."

Rose glanced at her watch. "I guess all our internal clocks will be messed up a bit during this trip due to the time differences."

"It's best to tough it out when we get there. Staying awake will make adjusting to Ireland's time easier."

Rose nodded her head in agreement. She was too keyed up to sleep anyway.

Duncan parked their car behind the pub and cut the engine. Nigel awoke saying, "Are we here already?"

Rose laughed at her uncle and got out of the car. The trio made their way to the front of the pub and knocked on the door.

The door unlatched and a woman with short, spiky, dark hair opened the door. Squinting, then stepping out of the sun's path, she said with a genuine smile, "Ye must be Rose. I'm Siobhan Lonan." She beckoned them inside. Once they'd all filed in, she shut the door, saying in her heavy Irish accent, "We don't open the pub until three in the afternoon."

Turning to Rose, Siobhan grasped her chin and turned her to face the dim light filtering from outside. Her chocolate-brown gaze scanned her face, scrutinizing. "Ye look just like yer mother. I miss Anna's sweet smile."

"Were you a little girl when you knew Anna?" Nigel asked, clearly puzzled that this forty-something-year-old woman would know his sister-in-law who'd been close to fifty when she died over two decades ago.

Siobhan laughed, her brown eyes twinkling. "Oh, I like this one," she said and started to answer his question when Rose spoke in her mind. I know you're an Atruan, Siobhan, but my uncle has no idea I've been converted to a vampire. Please, I'm not ready to tell him yet.

But ye were already half vampire, Siobhan answered, sounding puzzled.

"It's nice to meet you, Siobhan." Glancing at the men, Rose said, "This is Duncan Mordoor and my uncle Nigel Sinclair."

When Duncan shook Siobhan's hand, the Atruan said to Rose, What manner of vampire is he? I smell Atruan on him, but the other...

He's part Ruean, a vampire clan in the United States.

I smell him on ye, part of yer essence. Did he convert ye?

Rose nodded, answering Siobhan, then she smiled at her uncle. "Nigel, in answer to your question, yes, Siobhan knew Mom many years ago."

Nigel took Siobhan's hand and bent over her fingers. His eyes twinkled as he kissed the tips. "It's truly a pleasure to meet you, Siobhan."

She gave him a wide grin, cutting her gaze to Rose. "Oooh, he's a charmer, too."

Nigel winked at her, then straightened and let go of her hand. "I told Rose, I wanted to come to Ireland to sightsee. So far I love the scenery in Galway City."

Siobhan chuckled at his comment and released his hand to walk behind the bar. Lifting a ledger from underneath the counter, she opened her scheduling book and looked at Rose. "Well, I just had two people book for the week, so I only have two rooms available."

"Perfect, Nigel and Duncan can bunk together," Rose said.

Duncan cut his gaze to Rose. "What?"

Siobhan raised her eyebrow. "Um, it's a queen-sized bed."

"Rose and I-"

"That'll be fine," Rose interrupted Duncan. "We're only here for a few days."

Like hell I'm not sleeping in your bed, Duncan spoke in her mind. To which she responded, That should keep your attempts to seduce me at bay.

"Okay, it's settled then." Siobhan scribbled a note in the scheduling book and brought out some keys from behind the counter. By the amused tilt of her lips, Rose guessed the woman could sense the undercurrents going on between Rose and Duncan.

"Whatever works. I'm just happy to be here." Nigel beamed at Siobhan.

"Come on, I'll show ye the rooms and then ye can get settled."

Nigel immediately followed Siobhan as she walked through a door that led down a long hall. Rose fell in line behind him. Duncan was close on her heels. She literally felt his anger like a dark cloud hovering around her, ready to let loose the storm churning inside it.

I'm your mate. I will sleep where you sleep.

You aren't my mate, she countered as she turned down another hall that was lined with doors to the left and right.

They reached the first room on the left and Siobhan opened the door, handing the key to Nigel. "Here's yer room. I'm sure ye're hungry. I'll whip up some biscuits and we'll have a bit of tea together once you're settled."

Rose looked up at Duncan and held back a laugh at the muscle ticcing in his jaw. "Why don't you guys go get our luggage while Siobhan shows me to my room?"

Duncan didn't say a word. He just pivoted on his heel and started down the hall. Turning to watch him walk away, Rose couldn't help but dig at him a little more.

Oh, by the way, I did tell you my uncle is bisexual, right?

Duncan stopped mid-stride, his shoulders tensing. Rose! His tone warned he was about to lose his temper, big time.

Chuckling, she beat a fast retreat down the hall, following in Siobhan's footsteps.

Siobhan opened her door and flipped on the light switch, then followed Rose inside the room. Rose eyed the cast-iron double bed with its floral down comforter and white eyelet bed skirt. She itched to walk over to the window, pull back the eyelet curtains and lift the room-darkening shade. But out of deference to Siobhan's aversion to the sun she'd seen earlier, she held back.

Siobhan shut the door and grasped her hand, pulling her over to the bed. "Sit, child," she said in a mother-like voice.

When Rose sat beside Siobhan, the older woman turned curious eyes her way. "You're the first Atruan priestess to come back home. Tell me how I can help you."

"I'm not a priestess, but Anna's descendant," Rose corrected.

Siobhan nodded her understanding. "But as her descendant, you carry her special powers, Rose. You are a priestess in your own right." Siobhan bowed her head in a sign of respect.

Rose lifted her chin, searching the older woman's gaze. "I don't need servitude, I need guidance, Siobhan." She took a deep breath and told Siobhan everything that occurred the last few days, minus the mating issue between her and Duncan. She felt that was too personal and something she and Duncan needed to work through on their own.

When she finished, feeling drained from having to recount the events, Siobhan hugged her, saying, "Before yer mother moved over to be with the other priestesses, she was me best friend. I cried when I heard she was kidnapped by her Guardian." She ran her hand down Rose's hair. "Me poor child. I'm so sorry for yer loss. So much has happened in such a short time."

Rose returned her hug, then pulled back. "Now you see why I need answers." Lifting her brow, Rose let amusement reflect in her gaze. "Starting with how you can look so young. If you knew my mother, then you're well over two hundred years old."

Siobhan laughed. "Ye're a tough one, just like yer mother. Because I choose to serve as a liaison for the priestesses should they ever come back, the Saoi used his powers to slow my aging."

Rose perked up at her mention of the man her mother insisted she speak with. "Can you get me an audience with the Saoi?"

Siobhan nodded. "Indeed, that's why I'm here. But a meeting place will need to be set, so it might not be until tomorrow."

Grabbing Rose's hands, the woman's eyes sparkled. "In the meantime, tell me about yer uncle. I find him intriguing."

"From the way my single uncle's acting, I definitely think the feeling's mutual." Rose winked.

Siobhan's smile widened. "Ye know he'll need someone to keep him occupied while ye visit with the Saoi..."

Rose laughed. "I was hoping you'd be able to help me out."

"I'm yer humble servant." Siobhan bowed her head, though her lips curved in amusement. She stood and a wide smile spread across her face. "I'm going to get started on your uncle's biscuits."

The mention of food reminded Rose how long it'd been since she'd fed. And the pub seemed empty at the moment. She'd have to find a way to slip out and eat soon.

"Um, I need to eat, too. Got any suggestions where I could go to find a willing donor?"

Siobhan's brow furrowed in confusion. She started to speak when a knock at Rose's door interrupted her. Her eyes brightened and she gave Rose a mischievous look. "Problem solved. See you in the dining area in a few."

Rose sighed and stood as Siobhan opened the door, greeted Duncan and then walked off down the hall.

Duncan entered Rose's room and shut the door behind him.

"We need to talk," he said in a controlled tone as he set her suitcase down next to the door.

"There's nothing to talk about. I have my room and you have yours." Rose lifted her chin and crossed her arms under her breasts. The act drew his attention to her chest. Her teal green ribbed turtleneck only showed off her curves more, making his cock jump to attention. Duncan narrowed his gaze as he stalked toward her.

When he stood in front of her, he mentally lifted her body in the air so that they were eye level. "You are my mate. Your body craves mine as much as mine does yours." He wrapped his hands around her waist and yanked her against his chest.

His trailed his lips across her jaw. "All I could think about on the trip was having some time alone so we could make love until we were both spent. I miss your warmth and seductive scent surrounding me."

He felt her shudder in his arms and Duncan smiled, pressing a kiss behind her ear. "But more than anything I hunger after your sweet taste, Roisin, I miss the way it feels going down as I suck and swallow," he finished, setting her on the ground.

Rose's breathing turned shallow and he saw her work hard to maintain control, to force her rapid heart rate down to an even beat. After several seconds, she lifted her gaze to his and stepped out of his embrace, shaking her head.

"I have to stay focused while I'm here."

Duncan curled his fists by his side. "You must eat. I've never seen a vampire go without sustenance as long as you. It's not normal."

She lifted her chin a notch, her blue-green eyes full of challenge. "I told you I have a strong will."

"I hear your stomach growling, feel your hunger like an animal clawing in your gut..." Running his hand through his hair, he mumbled, "This is ridiculous."

"I can run out for a bit and grab a bite," Rose said in an amused tone.

Duncan set his jaw and anger flashed in his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Try it and I'll cut his balls off."

"It could just as easily be a woman," Rose countered.

Duncan paused, intrigued by the idea of watching Rose feed on another woman's neck, but every fiber in his body roared in protest.

"I made you. I'm your mate and it's my responsibility to feed you-mine alone."

Rose sighed, spreading her hands. "Then we're at an impasse. I'm no one's responsibility."

Frustration filled Duncan that she constantly chose to twist his words. "That's not what I meant," he started to say, but she walked past him, opening the door to her room.

"Come on, I'm sure Nigel's waiting for us at a table."

Duncan blew out a breath of sheer impatience. He followed Rose down the hall and back into the pub.

The smell of pastries cooking and tea steeping made Rose's stomach turn. A sudden, painful cramp in her stomach caused her to pause mid-stride on her way to the table.

Duncan wrapped his arm around her waist, grumbling in her head, Stubborn woman.

"You okay, Rosie?" her uncle called out as Duncan led her to the table.

Rose slid in the booth across from her uncle, eyeing the pot of tea.

Remember what I said before, vampires can eat for recreational purposes, Duncan reminded her.