Lifting his hands at his sides, palms up, he chanted softly, "Eye of water, eye of fire, show me that which I desire."

Most people saw only shadows and patterns of light when scrying, but Vilnius was not like most people. He was a wizard without equal.

Slowly, the water began to shimmer. All the colors of the rainbow swirled across the surface, mixing, mingling, until the face of Jason Rourke stared back at him.

Supernatural power flowed through the room as Vilnius slowly stretched his arms over his head. He held them there a moment before slowly lowering them to his sides. "Eye of water, eye of creek, show me the lair of the one I seek."

Rourke's image blurred and disappeared, and in its place Vilnius saw a two-story dwelling. The numbers 3235 were visible on the front of the house.

"Eye of ice, eye of snow, the city and state I would know."

The candlelight flickered on the walls, the house disappeared, and a map of a small town in northern California appeared on the dark surface of the water. A star indicated the name of the street he sought.

Vilnius muttered, "Blessed be," then emptied the cauldron into the sink, broke the circle, and blew out the candles. He had the information he needed. All he needed now was a suitable place to exact his revenge. When he had that, Jason Rourke's future would be numbered in days instead of centuries.

Leaving the house, Vilnius locked the front door and set the wards. After tossing his luggage in the backseat of the Ferrari, he slid behind the wheel. He sat there a moment, enjoying the scent and feel of fine leather before he started the car. He loved being behind the wheel of the convertible, loved the low rumble of the powerful engine, the sense of exhilaration that came from being in control of such a finely crafted vehicle.

With the top down and the wind whistling in his ears, he paid no heed to traffic signals as he sped down the highway. Every light turned green as he approached.

He spent the night at a country inn. The next day, at the airport, he magicked his way on board, bypassing the endless lines and security checks. He loved flying. Indeed, he had embraced every new luxury and invention that mankind had discovered in the last four hundred years. The cleverness and ingenuity of the human race never failed to amaze him. He pitied the poor mortals who lived only a short span of years. They missed so much!

Settling back in his seat, he looked out the window. It had been years since he had been to America. Perhaps he would do a little sightseeing before he dispatched the vampire and went after Luisa. No doubt she would be angry with him at first, but, in time, she would come to understand that he had done what was best for her. If not...He closed his eyes. If not, he was certain he could find a way to persuade her to change her mind.

Chapter 22

Ana Luisa opened the oven door, slipped her hand into an oven mitt, and withdrew the cookie sheet. She took a deep breath, smiling as her nostrils filled with the scent of freshly baked sugar cookies. After placing the cookie sheet on the counter, she turned off the oven and closed the door.

She was enchanted with the appliances of this new world. Baking, which had been something of a drudgery in her time, was now a pleasure. In the last two days, she had baked an apple pie, two cakes--one chocolate and one strawberry--and dozens of different kinds of cookies. Since she couldn't read English, Ramon had drawn pictures of the directions for her. Her only regret was that he couldn't share the sweet treats with her. She hated to throw the uneaten desserts away, but there was no way she could consume all of them. When she mentioned it to Ramon, he told her not to worry about it.

Truly, this was a wondrous time in which to live. She found the washing machine and the dryer fascinating and washed her clothes even when they weren't dirty. The hot running water in the shower and the sink was a never-ending pleasure. And the soap--it came in so many colors and scents.

She loved watching TV, even though she found some of the programs confusing. She also loved listening to the music on the stereo. Never had she heard such music. Often, she didn't understand the lyrics, but that didn't diminish her pleasure, and Ramon was always there to explain anything she didn't understand.

Electric lights were a marvel. Imagine, light at the flick of a switch. Ramon had promised to teach her how to read and write English; he had already shown her how to play some of the games on his computer. There had been so many changes in the world while she had been trapped in that painting, and she wanted to embrace them all, to see everything, learn everything, experience everything.

And then there was Ramon.... Thinking of him made her smile. She wanted to know everything about him, as well. He was a most amazing man, strong yet gentle, powerful yet tender. She didn't care that he was a vampire. She had, in fact, been giving serious consideration to asking him to make her what he was. She rather liked the idea of staying forever young, of never being sick. Of course, being a witch, she could expect to live a good long life, but she loved Ramon, and she wanted to share her whole life with him.

She also liked the idea of possessing the same kind of supernatural powers that he did. He could read her mind, compel people to obey his will, vanish into mist, hover in the air, walk up the side of a building like a spider. He could control the weather and move so fast it was as if he simply disappeared. Not only that, but he was incredibly strong. True, she could also do some amazing things, but he accomplished his without the need to cast circles or spells. She imagined the power she could have if she could combine her magical abilities with those inherent in being a vampire. She would never have to be afraid of her father again.

The idea had great appeal.

Perhaps tonight she would ask Ramon to bring her across.

"Are you sure about this?" Ramon asked. They were lying on a blanket in front of the hearth, sharing a glass of wine.

Ana Luisa traced his lower lip with the tip of her finger. "I thought it would make you happy."

He took her finger into his mouth and sucked gently, then pressed her hand to his heart. "It does. I'm just surprised."

"Will it hurt?"

He caressed her cheek. "A little, but I'll be with you the whole time."

She tilted her head to the side. "Your eyes are red. And glowing."

He nodded. "Does it frighten you?"

"Not really," she decided. "But why are they glowing?"

"It happens sometimes when I get excited, or when I'm on the hunt."

A slow smile spread over her face. "Are you excited now?"

Cupping the back of her head, he drew her closer and kissed her. "You have no idea."

"Do it, Ramon," she murmured.

Leaning forward, he kissed her gently. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his gaze searching hers. "You've only thought about it a few days, chica. Once it's done, there's no going back."

"I'm sure." Turning her head to the side, she brushed her hair away from her neck. "Do it now, Ramon. Make me what you are."

With a low growl, he gathered her into his arms. His tongue laved the skin beneath her ear, arousing her, lulling her. She gasped, her body arching upward, when his fangs pierced her throat. Panicked, she clutched at his shoulders, and then, with a sigh, she surrendered to his dark kiss, content to let him take whatever he wanted.

To take it all...

High in the skies over the Atlantic Ocean, Josef Vilnius woke with a start. He stared out the window of the plane, a sudden emptiness stealing over him as his connection to his daughter abruptly disappeared, severed as cleanly and thoroughly as if someone had cut the magical bond that bound them as surely as blood.

His hands tightened on the armrests until his knuckles went white. Only death could break the bond between the two of them.

He gazed into the vast nothingness of the heavens, surprised by the soul-deep pain her passing left in its wake. He had raised Luisa single-handedly, taught her about the world and her place in it, looked after her when she was sick, applauded her accomplishments. It grieved him to realize that their last words to one another had been filled with anger and recriminations.

It occurred to him that he had never told Luisa that he was fond of her.

He would never have the chance now.

He had waited too long.

Everlastingly too long.

Chapter 23

Rourke grinned as he laid his last card on the table. "I believe that's zero for me and twenty-six points for you, since I just...what did you call it?"

"You call it winning," Kari said. "That last hand put me over five hundred. And don't gloat!"

He had just learned how to play the game, and he had already beat her three games in a row. Kari glared at him, and then she frowned. Of course he was winning. He could read her mind!

"You're cheating!" she exclaimed. "Admit it, you know what cards are in my hand and what I'm going to play before I even do it."

He lifted one brow. "In days gone by, accusing another of cheating at cards often led to swordplay."

"Well, I don't have a sword," she said with some asperity. "And don't change the subject! Have you been reading my mind?"

Talk of swords brought Vilnius to mind, but Rourke shook the wizard from his thoughts. He was enjoying his time with Karinna far too much to ruin it by thinking about Vilnius now.

"Rourke? Hello? Earth to Rourke."

"Forgive me," he murmured. "What did you say?"

"I asked if you were reading my mind."

"Ah. Would you believe me if I said no?"

"Yes." She replied without hesitation, knowing in her heart of hearts that he was too honorable a man to take advantage of her.

"I have a good memory for what cards have been played," he remarked as he shuffled the deck.

Kari sighed. He didn't seem to have any trouble concentrating on the game. She wished she could say the same thing, but she spent more time watching him than paying attention to what cards had been played. He wore a pair of black jeans, and a dark green shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing muscular forearms. She had never known a man who exuded such raw sensuality. Even doing no more than sitting across from him, she was acutely aware of his every movement, of the attraction that hummed between them whenever their eyes met. Sometimes, when he looked at her, she felt it like a physical caress. Would it be so bad to let him make love to her? She was a big girl. Maybe it was time to leave her morals behind and have a fling with a wildly handsome, dangerous man. Maybe it was time to stop thinking so much and give in to her deepest desire.