A Whisper of Eternity

He knew she wasn't at home as soon as he woke from the dark sleep. He could feel the house's emptiness, the lack of life. Where was she?

Fueled by anger and jealousy, Dominic surged to his feet. If she had defied him, if she had dared to go out with that boy again... what would he do? Much as it might please him to do so, killing the young upstart would not winTracy 's affection.

After changing his clothes, he went into the city to satisfy his thirst. It wouldn't do to approachTracy when the urge to feed was clawing at him.

It was Friday night and the streets were crowded with tourists taking in the sights, young lovers holding hands, teenagers with spiked hair and trendy clothes. Dominic shook his head. How times and fashions had changed!

He took a deep breath, his senses quickening when he scented his prey, a pretty young girl hurrying down the street, a bag from a popular clothing store swinging from her arm.

He moved up beside her, measuring his steps to hers.

She glanced at him, her eyes widening in alarm.

"Do not be afraid," hesaid, his voice low and hypnotic. "I am not going to hurt you."

"You're not?"

"No." He put his hand on her arm and guided her down a dimly lit side street.

"Where are we going?"

"Right here," he said. "There is nothing for you to be afraid of."

"Nothing to be afraid of," she repeated dully.

He tightened his grip on her arm, bringing her to a stop. "Close your eyes."

Mesmerized by his voice and the look in his eyes, she did as she was told.

Taking the bag from her arm, he placed it on the ground,then drew her into his arms, his embrace gentle. Humans were so veryfragile, one had to be careful not to crush them, not to bruise them.

He drew a deep breath, breathing in her scent, letting it flow through him.An appetizer, so to speak. With his preternatural sense of smell, he caught every nuance - the lavender soap she had washed with, peppermint toothpaste, a slight hint of starch in her clothes mingled with a faint odor of cologne from the man she had been with earlier.

His fangs lengthened in response to her nearness, the pounding of her heart, the whisper of blood moving through her veins. Gently, he brushed her hair away from her neck.

And then he drank.

It was a pleasure like no other.

Warmth suffused him, spreading through him like liquid sunshine, filling him with strength and power.

Even after all these centuries, the urge to take it all was strong but he was no longer a slave to his hunger, no longer helpless to resist the beast within. He took only what he needed, what he required to survive.

Five minutes later, the woman was back on the street with no memory of what had happened.

With preternatural speed, Dominic returned to Nightingale House.

The boy was standing on the front porch, a box of candy in one hand, the other raised to knock on the door, when Dominic arrived.

Slowing, Dominic walked up the driveway toward him.

The boy - Bryan - turned at his approach. "I don't think she's home."

"Did you have an appointment?"

"No."Bryan shook his head. "I was just hoping to see her." His eyes widened. "Damn, did you two have a date for tonight?"

"Not exactly."

"Well, I've been knocking for five minutes,"Bryan said. "If she's here, she's not answering the door. Maybe she just doesn't want to see me."

Dominic closed hiseyes, let his preternatural senses explore the house. A fine anger rose within him when he opened his eyes to find the boy still there. "Go home. She is not here."

"Oh. Well." The boy cleared his throat. "I guess I'll go then. If you see her, tell her I'll call her tomorrow."

"I will see her," Dominic said, and there was no room for doubt in his tone.

"Yeah.Well." The boy cleared his throat again,then rushed down the stairs.

Dominic watched him toss the box of candy into the back seat, then climb into an old Chevy convertible and drive away far faster than was safe. But he had no thought for the boy's welfare. His every thought was forTracy .

Where was she?