Dominic stalked the night, his anger as dark and thick as the clouds that scudded overhead.

Someone had dared to hunt in his territory, killing not once but three times. Even though there were a dozen other vampires in the village, he had claimed this piece of ground as his own over a century ago. He had been the first vampire to take up residence in Sea Cliff; therefore, it was his. He allowed others to dwell there but only if they agreed to abide by his law. He had toldTracy that the vampires had no democracy and no ruler and that was true, to a point. No one vampire ruled over the others. But there were a few vampires likehimself , ancient vampires filled with power, who had staked out parts of the world as their own. This tiny village on the coast ofCalifornia was his and he would not allow any other immortal to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere he had created.

He moved swiftly through the dark streets, his preternatural senses reaching out, searching through the night for the one who did not belong.

Each vampire resident was accounted for: Zarabeth was already at rest, her hunger sated. Nicholas, Marcus, Landau, andMagdalena were huddled together at The Catacombs, debating whether it was more fun to take their prey by surprise or seduction. Franco was hunting in the city. Laslo and Turk, the two youngest of his kind, were playing billiards in a back alley pool hall. The other four were wandering the night, oblivious to the rain. Try as he might, he could find no hint of Kitana's presence. Had she left the village?

He scoured the village and the beach from one end to the other and back again, unable to find any trace of an unknown vampire.

Pensive, he walked the dark streets that led home. Even though he had been unable to find evidence of an intruder, something was not right.

He jerked his head up as the scent of fresh blood was borne to him on the night wind.

Quickening his steps, he turned down a narrow alley that ran behind a small delicatessen. Blurred by a curtain of rain, he saw two shapes struggling in the darkness. The scent of blood grew stronger.

As he approached, one of the figures vanished from his sight. Was it Kitana ?

The second figure, a mortal female, dropped to the ground. Blood oozed from her throat.

Dominic frowned thoughtfully. To his knowledge, Kitana was the only vampire in the area who had the ability to shield her presence from him. A law unto herself, she would not feel bound to abide by any rules he set forth.

But there was little time to worry about that now. He knelt beside the woman, the scent of her life's blood strong in his nostrils, awakening his hunger even though he had fed earlier. His fangs pricked his tongue. He licked his lips as he stared at the unconscious woman. Her pulse was slow and erratic, her skin a sickly gray.

He swallowed hard, his hunger at war with his conscience. She was almost past saving. Should he let her go?

He lowered his head, his tongue flicking across her throat to taste a single crimson drop. Warmth flowed through him. What harm to take the rest when she was at death's door?

He lowered his head again, mouth watering in anticipation.

And then he thought ofTracy . He had told her he had not killed for many years. She would not approve of what he was about to do.

He reared back, his gaze narrowed as he looked at the woman lying on the ground. He had only moments to decide. She was perhaps thirty, a little on the plump side. Her hair was light brown, plastered to her head by the rain. The gold band on her left hand gleamed dully in the moonlight. He swore softly. She was married. No doubt she had children.

With a low growl, he tore open his wrist and held it to her lips."Drink!"

It was a command, not a request.

Unable to resist the compulsion in his voice, the woman opened her mouth and swallowed.

Almost immediately, her color returned, her pulse grew stronger.

As strength returned, she clutched his wrist to her mouth with both hands and she drank as though ravenous.

With a cry, Dominic wrenched his arm away from her.

Only then did she open her eyes. She stared up at him, her expression bewildered.

Dominic stared deep into her eyes. "You will not remember any of this," he said, his voice low, hypnotic. "You will not remember me, or the one who attacked you. Is that clear?"

Shenodded, the movement sluggish.

Rising, he pulled the woman to her feet. "Go home."

She blinked up at him, then turned and walked down the alley, her steps slow and unsteady. She didn't look back.

With a thought, Dominic arrived inTracy 's bedroom.

She was in bed, asleep. Her long honey-colored hair was spread out on the pillow, a splash of gold against the pale blue pillowcase.

He gazed down at her, all else forgotten as he admired the gentle curves of her figure, the perfection of her countenance, the way her lashes lay on her cheeks, the length of a long, shapely leg. He had followed her for centuries and now, at last, she was almost his. This time, he thought, this time he would have her.

Tracywoke slowly, uncertain what had awakened her.The rain, perhaps? And then, as her mind cleared, she realized she wasn't alone in the room. Panic swept through her and then, sensing his presence, her fear receded.

"Dominic?"

"I am here."

She sat up. "Is something wrong? You left so abruptly earlier."

"There is nothing wrong, my best beloved one. I wanted only to see your face before I take my rest."

Small frissons of pleasure moved through her at his words. "Oh. Aren't you going to kiss me good night?"

"Most assuredly."Sitting down on the edge of her bed, he drew her into his arms.

She snuggled against him, lifting her face for his kiss. He smelled of rain and cologne and... she looked up at him. "Where have you been?"

"Out."

"Were you... feeding?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You smell like... like blood."

"I found a woman earlier. She had been attacked by a vampire and was near death."

"Oh, no!"

"I revived her and sent her home."

"Will she be all right?"

He nodded.

"You said no one hunts in Sea Cliff and yet three people have been killed. How could that happen?"

"There is an interloper in the village. I saw him briefly." Dominic frowned. "He must be very old, to mask his presence from me so effectively."

"Maybe he's gone now."

"Perhaps."He stroked her hair lightly. "Let us not speak of him now."

"You said you were outside. How come you're not wet?"

"Because I do not wish to be."

"Must be nice."

"Indeed. Come to me, my best beloved one, now, tonight. Let me show you the world as only a vampire can see it."

The thought made her stomach churn. "No. I can't. I'm not ready." She looked up at him, her expression dark and confused. "Maybe I'll never be ready. Will you find me again if we're parted in this life?"

"I will always find you, querida , in this life, or any other."

Once, the thought had filled her with alarm; now, it was strangely comforting.

Dominic kissed her cheeks, her brow. "I must go. Dawn approaches." He kissed her again, his lips claiming hers, hot and hungry, and then he gazed deep into her eyes.

"Dream of me, my best beloved one," he murmured."Dream of our life together." And then, as he had so many times before, he vanished from her sight.

A moment later, the first faint rays of golden sunlight pierced the darkness.