Kitanaslipped her arm aroundBryan 's shoulders, felt him stiffen in response to her touch. "Are you still angry with me,man amour ?"

He lifted one shoulder in a negligent shrug. "What difference does it make? It's done now, and it can't be undone."

"Ah, my sweet, do not be sad or angry." She made a broad gesture with her hand. "The world awaits us. You have only to tell me where you wish to go."

"Anywhere?"

"Anywhere."

He grunted softly. "I always wanted to go surfing inAustralia ."

"We can leave tomorrow, if you like."

"Yeah, and I can ride the waves at midnight." He turned to face her. "You've taken the sun away from me."

She ran her finger over his cheek. "Have I given you nothing in return?"

"A lust for blood?"He stared into the ashes of the fire. "I know too well the addict's curse - undying, infernal, unholy thirst. Swear to dawn, 'Never again!' yet come the night, another sin. Once so proud, now Hunger's Whore, hunting, seeking, drinking more..."

She laughed softly, a rich, deep sound that had the unexpected power to arouse him. "I've made a poet of you."

He grimaced.

"Complain all you want, monamour , but you can't fool me. You may miss the sunlight, but you revel in the power that is now yours."

He stared into her eyes. Once, those eyes had filled him with dread, but no more. She had said she loved him. Perhaps she did. He had tried to resist her, tried to hate her, but it was impossible. When they were alone together, she was the most enchanting creature he had ever known. She was warm and playful and, as Dominic had said, the most incredible lover a man could wish for.

He was about to tell her he wasn't angry anymore when she went suddenly still.

"What is it?" he asked.

"He's done it at last."

Bryanfrowned at her, wondering what she was talking about, and then swore under his breath. "No."

"Yes. After all these centuries, Dominic has made a fledgling of his own."