“Temper, temper,” the witch snapped. “Sit down and I’ll tell you.”
Scowling, he sat beside Kadie, who took his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.
“There is a cave high in the Carpathian Mountains rumored to have a river of blood that is said to restore balance to ancient vampires,” Izabela said. “I have no idea if this river actually exists but it is the only thing I’ve found that relates in some small way to your condition. I’m not sure restoring balance has anything to do with the toxicity of your blood.” She smiled faintly as the black cat made itself comfortable on her lap.
Saintcrow snorted. “A river of blood in a cave? It sounds like the plot for a two-bit horror movie.”
Izabela shrugged.
“How did you come up with this information?” Kadie asked.
“I found it in an ancient book of Transylvanian superstitions.”
Saintcrow shook his head. A river of blood in a cave. In Romania, of all places. Romania, long rumored to be the birthplace of vampires. It sounded ridiculous. But what if thecave existed? What if it held the key to his current state? It would take only moments to transport from here to there.... He could feel Kadie watching him, waiting. “Thanks for the information.” Tugging on Kadie’s hand, he pulled her to her feet. “I’ll think about it.”
Izabela also rose, one brow raised. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
He looked at her in surprise. “You can’t be serious.”
“Excuse me?”
“My blood just killed two vampires. Don’ tell me you’re crazy enough to drink it anyway.”
“It has other uses,” she replied with a casual wave of her hand.
Saintcrow muttered an oath as he bit into his wrist and held it over the bottle that magically appeared in the witch’s hand. When the container was full, he licked the wound in his wrist to seal it. “Nice doing business with you,” he muttered.
A thought took them home.
“A cave in Transylvania,” Kadie mused as she settled on the sofa. “Are we going?”
“I’m considering it.” Leaning down, he brushed a kiss across her lips. “I’m going out.”
“I’ll go with you, if you like?”
“Not this time.”
Nodding, she pursed her lips to keep from begging him to take her along. If he was going hunting, she wanted to be with him, knowing he wouldn’t take a life as long as she was beside him.
“I’m just going for a walk,” he assured her. “I need to clear my head.”
She nodded again. As much as she loved him, as much as she loved being with him, there were times when she enjoyed being home alone, or hunting alone. No doubt he felt the same.
Impulsively, he lifted her to her feet, gathered her into his arms, and kissed her, a long, slow kiss that ignited every nerveand desire in her body. She clung to his broad shoulders as he deepened the kiss. “Go warm my side of the bed,” he said, with a wink. “I won’t be long.”
The night was dark and cool. Thick gray clouds chased each other across the sky, sometimes blocking the moon’s light. He sighed as the darkness embraced him in loving arms. The wind whispered her secrets in his ear, telling him that prey was just around the corner.
“Prey is always just around the corner,” said a familiar voice.
Saintcrow grinned as Kincaid appeared beside him. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Haven’t seen you in a while. I was starting to worry.”
Saintcrow scowled at him. “Did Kadie send you to keep an eye on me?”
“Not this time.”
Side by side, they strolled down the street, a comfortable silence between them. Then, with a sigh, Saintcrow said, “Izabela said she’s found a river of blood located in a cave in the Carpathians that might help.”