Petrinastalked the dark city streets, her rage growing with every step. How darehe ! How dare he talk to her like that, treat her like that, sending her away as if she were some troublesome child! She was not some fledgling vampire, to be lightly dismissed! He had embarrassed her, humiliated her, not only in front of that foolish mortal female, but in front of Sea Cliffs other vampires, and that was something she could not forgive.

" Petrina?"

She turned to find Zarabeth hurrying after her.

"Go home, Bethy ."

Zarabethdidn't argue. She had lived with Petrina long enough to know better.

Petrinawatched her friend vanish into the darkness.

Dominic would be sorry for his lack of respect, she vowed, as she continued on her way. In five hundred years, she had never formed attachments to any place, or any one, save for Zarabeth . She had fully intended to drain the girl and cast her aside but something about Zarabeth had given her pause and she had brought her across instead. Zarabeth had become Petrina's first friend since becoming a vampire. At first, it had been strange; now the two of them were very nearly inseparable.

Aside from Zarabeth , the only thing she wanted was Sea Cliff. Petrina had hoped Dominic would accept her in his house, that they could rule Sea Cliff together. She knew now that such a thing was impossible. Dominic had rejected her for that puny mortal.

She thought briefly of destroying the woman but knew such a thing would gain her nothing but Dominic's hatred and perhaps cost her her own life.

Which left only one alternative.

She frowned as she contemplated it, and then she smiled. It was always better to rule alone.