She couldn't hear any note of anxiety in his voice, just that matter-of-fact way that he spoke of everything, but she was locked to him tightly, feeling his emotions when even he couldn't, and his anxiety was all for her.

A Carpathian as close to the darkness as Zacarias suffered the leaden weight of the sun much more than others. The sun was at its highest point. DS had chosen his time well. He must have studied - and believed - all the vampire legends. She let her breath out slowly. Zacarias feared

he would have only one chance to strike through her. As it was, she was holding the connection between them, not him. He wasn't wasting his energy when she was capable and that told her just how dire the consequence of the afternoon sun really was for him.

Marguarita made a show of pressing her pen to the paper again, taking her time, letting her hand shake, while her mind raced. There was not going to be the opportunity to stall these men until sunset. They were as aware as her just what position the sun was in. She was going to have to keep them away from Zacarias. Charlie had betrayed him, but evidently they didn't know Zacarias's exact location. She could well imagine. Only those serving inside the house knew where the sleeping chambers were located.

She knew that would have a ring of truth. Charlie had to have told them that, which was why they hadn't waited. It was obvious Lea had been brutally beaten and yet she hadn't given up Marguarita.

Remembering the ring and the words in the ancient tongue engraved in the antique gold, she plunged her left hand into her skirt pocket. She needed to remove the ring, but Zacarias, being who and what he was, had made it the exact size to snugly fit her finger. It would take a few tugs to slip it off.

Can you do that for me?

She felt his hesitation. He didn't want to waste the energy.

I can stall them for a time to give you time to recoup. It will give me a small chance to convince them you aren't here.

She already knew they weren't going to take her word for it and eventually, after a show of being beaten, she would have to give up some location for them to dig in. If they had any brains, they'd look at her throat and know she would never give up his location no matter what they did to her.

Yes, you will. I will not allow them to put another hand on you. Tell them.

Like hell, I'll tell them.

His heart jerked. She felt it. That quiet smoldering rage that built like a volcano beneath the earth. You will obey me in this.

Actually, no, I don't think I will. I can handle them. If we get that far, you can destroy them, but I have weapons all over the house. I just need to get a chance at them.

I forbid this.

Forbid away. Did he really think she would give him up to these insane fanatics?

She handed the note to DS. He read it, cursed, crumpled it up and threw it in her face. His fist hit the wall beside her head.

She felt the ring loosen on her finger and slide off into her pocket. The relief was instantaneous. Zacarias might be angry with her, but he still reached out to protect her as best he could. Even that small push of energy drained him. She could feel his weakness - and his frustration. He remained alert, no longer arguing with her, reading her determination just as easily as she could read his anger and silent promise of retaliation. Strangely, that made her shiver, frightening her more than DS and Esteban. But not enough to allow them to get

to Zacarias. She would take the consequences as long as she saved his life.

"Do you think I'm kidding around with you? I can hurt you like you've never been hurt."

Lea reached out and took Marguarita's hand in silent camaraderie. "I'm sorry. There was no real way to warn you."

"Shut up," DS snapped. He shoved Lea toward the large family room. "Get in there. Both of you."

Esteban snatched up the satchel and followed. His face beaded with sweat, the smell permeating the room making Marguarita want to gag. Both men were terrified, but so high and elated at the thought of driving a stake through Zacarias's heart that they couldn't stand still.

"Watch them," DS snapped.

He prowled through the house, inspecting every nook and cranny, paying attention to the floors, and closets, opening every door. Marguarita kept the house in perfect order. There were no marks on any of the floors indicating furniture had been moved, or trap doors were installed. The floorboards appeared seamless, even when DS moved throw rugs. She tried not to wince when she heard pottery smashing on the floor, or her dishes being thrown as his frustration and anger grew.

Her heart gave a little thud of protest when he stalked back into the room, fury on his face. His eyes locked onto hers as he marched toward her determinedly. Lea gave a small squeal of fear and moved closer to Marguarita as though she might protect her. Marguarita withdrew immediately from Zacarias, not wanting him to witness or feel what was coming. She heard the sharp echo of his protest, but she broke the contact off anyway. He was already upset with her for not disclosing his location, so what did it really matter if she could spare him this?

His face was a twisted mask. "You will tell me what I want to know, you little demon bitch." Spittle flew from his mouth. His eyes were maniacal.

DS rained blows on Marguarita without mercy, her face, her stomach, every unprotected part of her body until she went to the floor and he kicked her repeatedly. Marguarita was grateful she couldn't scream. No sound emerged, no matter how much she cried out in pain. She did her best to cover her face and body while the blows continued, curling into the fetal position. The attack continued forever it seemed. She lost track of time, her mind a haze of pain.

"You're going to kill her," Esteban yelled, rushing DS.

"Good. The bitch deserves it." DS yanked his arm away from Esteban and delivered another hard kick to her hip.

"She doesn't know or she would have told you."

"She knows. They protect their masters. They're like dogs, guarding them, with no minds of their own." He continued to rain down punches and kicks, striking anywhere he could, legs, hips, arms and back, even her head.

Esteban grabbed DS again, pulling him away from her. "She won't be able to lead us to the resting place and no one else knows. By the time we tear up the floor, the sun will have set."

DS shoved Esteban away from him with enough force to send him staggering. DS wiped his hand over his face as if clearing his mind. The wild look in his eyes receded. He spit at Marguarita and paced across the floor. There was only the sound of his ragged breathing as he worked to get himself under control. Eventually he dug out a silver vial and dumped white powder on the small table in the corner of the room.

Esteban's eyes lit up. He started over but DS waved him away. "Watch them."

"They aren't going anywhere," Esteban whined. He licked his lips.

Lea slid down the wall, her movements very careful as she positioned herself beside Marguarita. She leaned toward Marguarita, placed her lips against her ear and whispered as softly as she could, "Are you okay?"

Marguarita couldn't catch her breath. There were so many places on her body that hurt and her ribs burned, robbing her of all air. Tears swam in her eyes, obscuring her vision, or maybe it was blood. She could taste it in her mouth. Her lip was swollen and painful. She curled a little tighter in response, praying DS would stay away from her.

Lea put her hand on Marguarita's arm in a gesture of comfort, tears streaming down her face. She looked pleadingly at her brother. His eyes were on the white powder DS was carefully chopping into straight lines on the table. He crept closer, licking his lips repeatedly, his hands shaking in excitement and need. Lea closed her eyes in disgust.

"DS, I need it, come on," Esteban pleaded, his voice shaking.

DS swung around, swearing. "You act like a bitch in heat, you want it so bad, crawl to me, on your hands and knees. Show your high and mighty sister what a bitch dog you are."

"Don't, Esteban," Lea pleaded in a whisper. "Look what he's doing to you."

Esteban didn't turn around. He had eyes for only the white powder. Deliberately, DS took his silver straw and sniffed an entire line up his nose. He threw his head back and howled, as if he was a wolf, howling at the moon. "Damn, that's good shit."

Esteban stumbled forward, and immediately DS's expression changed from rapture to pure contempt. He slapped Esteban and shoved him. "Get away from me, you bitch dog. You want it, you gotta earn it. Crawl across the room on your knees in front of your fuckin' sister."