The tension building in Rhine’s body surges through him to his fingertips, where his grip tightens.

“I’ve always known that about you, Valerian,” I say. “I know something else, too.”

He smiles and strokes his chin. “And what’s that?”

I lean forward, my gaze locked with his, and run my fingertip over his knuckles. “That you’re such a pussy, the only way you can get inside girls’ panties is in a dream.”

Valerian’s face hardens, for the briefest of seconds. Then he smiles. “That’s what I adore most about you, Riley Poe. Crass American that you are, you’ve got that special, oh, I don’t know . . .” He in turn grasps my hand with his. “Fuck appeal. It’s terribly irresistible.”

I yank my hand away.

Rhine moves forward, and I reach up and grasp his hand with mine. It stops him. His heart is pounding a mile a minute. Fury rolls off him in waves. I know Valerian notices it. And of course, he doesn’t even acknowledge it. Arrogant bastard.

“But as I insisted before, that’s not why I’m here,” he says, and leans back in his chair. He’s dressed in head-to-toe black. His skin clashes seductively. “You see, I’m so enamored of you that I cannot sit back and watch you be killed mercilessly. ’Twould be . . . quite a loss.”

I narrow my gaze. “What are you talking about?”

His smile is cold. “Your fiancé, Riley. You do realize there’s no saving him now, hmm?” He leans forward again. “He’s partaken of too much human blood, love. He’s awash with it. He can no more control it than you can control me. His vampiric brain is crazed. He doesn’t know you anymore. Or his family. He knows only the female. And his next meal. And I can promise you, my love. No root doctor potion can fix him now.” His brown eyes soften as he looks at me. “You’ve got to put him out of his misery.”

Valerian’s words hit me hard. I fight not to gasp. “Where are you getting your meals from?” I ask. “And since when do you care enough about Eli’s misery to want it ended? And what do you know of the female?” Carrine’s words ring in my ear. “You see, I’m under intense orders myself. My savior freed me from my prison. ’Tis the verra reason I’m even walking the Earth again. I have no choice but to wait.”

Valerian gives a slight shrug. “I’m merely en route to my destination and thought to stop by and encourage you,” he says. “Like I mentioned before, I hate to see such fine fucking material as yourself wasted. And if you wait too long, trying to”—he waves his hand in the air—“save Dupré’s soul, you will get killed yourself.” His eyes turn molten. “And I truly do hate that thought.” He smiles. “And I’ve only fed once since my arrival. I’m not greedy, you know, but I must survive.”

I pin Arcos with a glare. “You freed Carrine, didn’t you? And you’ve given her orders to control Eli.” I cock my head, staring. “Why? Why go through all that? If you simply wanted me, why not just take me? And how did Victorian end up in Romania? How did he simply vanish from the forest?” I draw closer to him. “What are you, some fucking magical fairy bloodsucker?”

Valerian’s expression doesn’t change. His chocolate eyes lock on to mine and he stares. “That female he’s with? She’s a witch, no?” He shrugs. “Maybe she used her magic to send my brother back home. Perhaps you should ask her all of your questions. I don’t have the answers.”

Anger rages through me, and I grab his arm. His eyes light up with interest. “Leave here, Arcos,” I warn. “And don’t touch another human.” I rise and lean over the table. “I will kill you myself.”

Valerian’s brown gaze flashes at the challenge; then he chuckles softly. “Oh, Riley. How easily you forget.” He looks at me. Turn your lovely self around and kiss that paltry human boy you’ve brought along with you. Go on. Do it.

I turn where I stand, slip my hand around Rhine’s neck, and pull his mouth to mine. I kiss him, deeply.

Do you see the power I still possess? You may stop now. The sight sickens me. I simply wanted to prove myself to you. Now you must kill Dupré. He’ll only hurt you in the end. Kill you. Dead. Do what you wish to his lover.

I pull away from Rhine’s mouth. His eyes are glued to mine, green flashing curiosity. I turn and look at Valerian.

“I’m not an idiot, Arcos,” I say, and I move away. “I’ve known what has to be done since I arrived here. Now leave Inverness,” I warn. “Before I call the House of Arcos and tell Daddy what you’re up to.” I won’t tell him I’ve already sent word home to Vic. Better if they surprise him.

Valerian casts an unworried smile. “As I said, I’m just passing through. Heading to Ireland for a jaunt.”

“That’s too close,” I advise. “Go farther. And stay out of my head.”

Valerian chuckles. “Or what, pray tell?”

I edge closer to Valerian’s chair and straddle his lap. In my peripheral I notice several bypassers and other cafégoers turn their glances toward me.

I don’t care.

Valerian’s eyes widen as my hand pushes open his black woolen coat. His stomach is hard, lined with lean muscle. Not bulky strong. Just . . . well, aristocratic strong, if that makes sense. I let my hand move over his ribs, distracting him.

My other hand grasps the silver blade tucked into my boot and I lift it.

One hand on his crotch.

His eyes turn darker.

My other hand goes to his heart with the blade.

Just that fast, Valerian’s eyes flash the tiniest bit of fear. Just before they ice over.

I smile. “So you see,” I say, and press the blade just a little harder, beneath his coat. I grab his crotch harder, too. “I’m not the pushover you think I am.” I lean my mouth to his ear. “I could end you right now, Arcos. It’d be so easy.” I move my face in front of his, our eyes inches apart. “And all I did was use a little bit of pure, unadulterated human female skill.”

He stares at me. “That, my love, would be a mistake,” he advises. “One day, you may just seek my help.”

I slip my blade back into my boot and get up. “I highly doubt that. Now go. Tonight. Or I’ll make the call. Not just to your father. But to Eli’s.”

Again, a tinge of fear replaces the cocky spark of fire in Valerian’s brown eyes. He gives a slight nod. “Very well. You’ll see what I mean soon enough,” he warns. He spares Rhine a glance. “Perhaps your little human friends can keep you safe enough.” He smiles. “For a while.” He rises from the table and buttons his woolen coat up to the throat. He stands in front of me now, looks down at me, and I briefly wonder why vampires are so goddamn beautiful. What a waste.

His smile bares straight white teeth. “Very well, my dear Riley. I’m on my way. But if you need me at all, please . . .” He lifts my hand and brushes his lukewarm lips over my skin. “Call me. I will hasten to be by your side.”

With one last lingering stare, he gives a slight bow, turns, and heads down High Street. I stare at him until the shadows swallow him up.

Then he’s gone.

And I mean gone. Just that fast, he’s out of Inverness. On foot, I sense his presence getting farther and farther away. I can’t believe he even dared approach me. Or maybe he really is stupid enough to pull all that shit and not think I would eventually recognize him?

“Riley?”

I turn and meet Rhine’s gaze. A sheepish expression crosses his face, and he smiles. “Do . . . you remember wha’ you just did?”

I smile and punch his arm. It’s funny to me that Rhine’s brogue is void of the letter t. “You mean that kiss? Yeah, I knew I was doing it.” I incline my head in the direction of Valerian. “But it’s better if we let him think he made me do it. I may never have gotten rid of him otherwise.”

His green eyes flash. “I’m no’ sure if I like the idea of you doing it unawares, or on purpose.”

I smile and we start back toward the bike. “I can’t let everyone know all of my secrets,” I say. “Had Valerian realized he wasn’t overpowering me, I may not have been able to slip inside his head like I did.” I knock shoulders with him. “I didn’t mean to use you, Rhine. For what it’s worth, you are a fab kisser.”

Rhine cuts his eyes at me and shrugs. “I’ve been told that a time or two,” he admits. “Never by an older lass, though.”

“Watch how you say that word older,” I warn. “I’m fast creepin’ toward thirty and not liking it much.”

When we get to Rhine’s bike, he throws his leg over it and sits for a moment, staring at me. The sun has dropped now, and a streetlight casts his face in half shadow. He watches me, studying me closely. I’m sorely tempted to slip back inside his brain, just to see what he’s thinking.

But I don’t.

Finally, he shakes his head. “Get on.”

We pull our helmets on, and I crawl onto the back of the bike and wrap my arms around Rhine’s middle. “We’ve got a vampire to awak- en,” I say. “And trust me when I say shit’s about to hit the fan.”

“I believe it,” he says, and pulls into traffic.

Oh yeah. Shit is definitely about to hit the fan.

What Arcos doesn’t know certainly won’t hurt him.

And I’ve got a wealth of information, just from our little café chat.

And I love that he doesn’t even know the secrets he gave to me.

That’s what he gets for fucking with a human with vampiric tendencies.

And a little fallen angel dust, thrown in to boot.

Part Seven

    SOULLESS

This one, this one right here. This was my dream, my wish. And it didn’t come true. So I’m taking it back. I’m taking them all back.