The other men darted forward, only to be stopped by a harsh word from Saintcrow.
Trelaine thrashed on the ground, unable to free himself, screaming curses all the while as the silver seared his face, hands, arms, and neck.
Saintcrow freed Kadie’s hands, bit into his wrist, scooped up some of his blood and spread it over her charred flesh. “Are you all right, darlin’?”
“I am now. How did you escape the net?”
“I was only pretending to be caught,” he said, his fingers lightly caressing her cheek. “You know silver has no power over me anymore. Anyway, Trelaine was overly confident in his magic and his preternatural power, and he sorely underestimated mine.”
Kadie batted her eyelashes at him. “I should have known better than to doubt you, my big, strong, handsome hero.”
“Indeed.” Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he asked, “What shall we do with him?
He was somewhat surprised when his kind, loving, tender-hearted Kadie said, “Destroy him.”
Trelaine let out a horrified cry. “Mercy!” he begged.
“Mercy?” Saintcrow repeated, striding toward the vampire. “You must be kidding.”
“I didn’t hurt her!” Trelaine wailed. “Well, not bad! Look! Her burns are already healing.”
“True enough,” Saintcrow said, reaching for a nearby branch. “This is as much mercy as you’re going to get,” he said, and his eyes were blood-red with rage as he drove the make-shift stake into the vampire’s heart.
Trelaine let out one last terrified scream and then seemed to shrink into himself.
Saintcrow glanced at the others and then at Kadie. “What about them?”
“They aren’t vampires or witches,” she said slowly. “Just men under Trelaine’s thrall. It seems a shame to kill them.”
Saintcrow grunted, then fixed his gaze on the other men, and unleashed his power, wiping the memory of Trelaine and everything else that had happened from their minds. “Are you ready to go home, wife?” he asked, after sending the men away.
“Yes, husband, more than ready.”
He took her in his arms, holding her so tightly Kadie thought her ribs might crack. A moment later, they were in Arizona standing on Angela’s front porch.
Angela had the baby in her arms when she opened the door. “I guess you’ve come for him,” she said, a note of sadness in her voice.
Kadie nodded.
“He’s such a sweet boy,” Angela said.
Kadie nodded as she eagerly took the baby from Angela’s arms while Rylan gathered the baby’s things.
“We’ll be happy to watch him any time you want to get away for a few days,” Angela said wistfully. “Enjoy him while you can. Babies grow up way too fast.”
Kadie nodded. “Thanks, again.”
“Anytime,” Angela assured her.
Saintcrow slipped his arm around Kadie’s waist and transported the three of them home.
Kadie sighed as she sank down on the sofa. She was safe. Conor was safe. And Rylan was there beside her, bruised but unbowed. She glanced at him, tempted to read his mind but afraid he was having second thoughts about keeping the baby.
“You’re worrying again,” he said. “I’m fine with having the kid here. Just make sure you save some room in your heart for me.”
“I’ll never love anyone or anything more than I love you,” she said, smothering a yawn.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Saintcrow asked.