He stopped moving.

She had an instant of worry until she looked into his face.

He breathed the words Tala never thought any would say to her. "I love you, too, my sweet Tala." They sealed their proclamations with a hungry kiss, and the tempo of their mating increased. The need to reach that pinnacle of heavenly bliss lay within their grasp.

Then, her body quaked, sending her soaring into paradise with him close behind. He grunted with each wave of release, joining her in the crashes of pa.s.sion, the tidal waves of love-induced o.r.g.a.s.ms.

He relaxed on her body. His breathing returned to normal. Raining light kisses across her hairline, he whispered his love and devotion.

Tala would never feel heartache again. She glowed within his embrace, wishing away the beams of morning so she may enjoy the newfound love of her vampire lover.

Just before dawn, Lucius had to seek his rest. He hated leaving Tala, especially when she lay naked, tempting, even while asleep against the soft bedcovers.

Before leaving, he covered her body with the sheet and tenderly kissed her temple.

"Tonight, my love, we shall beat this curse that keeps us from the ultimate bond of mates."

Turning, he stepped onto the wooden porch overlooking the swamp waters. An alligator sat silently within the nearby reeds. He sent a mental command for it to protect Tala. a.s.sured of its compliance, Lucius shifted into a raven. The air snapped in electric charges as his body transformed in size and shape.

He flew toward his resting place. Tomorrow night, Tala would rest with him. Never would he have to sink into the deep sleep without the woman of his heart within his arms.

Lucius glided over the cemetery and spotted Alonso and Jolie slip into their tomb to escape the coming sun.

Yes, the wait would soon be over for Lucius.

Once the sun went down, Lucius arose refreshed and ready.

And hungry.

It was then he realized, he hadn't fed off Tala last night.

Was there a meaning behind it? He wasn't sure.

After seeking his meal in a few humans, he discovered he had no desire to take a life while he drank their blood. What was happening to him? Could love change him so completely?

As the last human staggered off and Lucius licked his lips of blood, he realized how much he preferred Tala's sweet blood. It tasted different than a human's, and he wanted to sample her again.

As he was about to contact her to meet him at the edge of the bayou so they could travel to the ritual, the gator guardian called to him in warning.

Another vampire was with Tala.

In a fury, Lucius shifted. As the great raven with inhuman speed, he soared across the early evening sky. On the wind, he caught the vampire's scent, one he didn't recognize.

As he approached the shack, he saw Tala with a tall, dark vampire. She looked irritated, and they appeared to be arguing.

"Tala, you know what can happen. Think of what happened to Telia," the vampire said as he paced the porch.

Lucius landed behind Tala and shifted into human form. Sometimes, like now, it was handy to be able to conjure clothes. He stood dressed in his immaculate black suit and held his walking stick. As if knowing he had arrived, she backed into his waiting arms for comfort.

"Damon, I presume?" Lucius whispered to her, and she nodded confirmation. "And you must be Lucius." Damon was a tall, blond with a muscular build. He had a telltale American accent with a slight Southern drawl.

Obviously, not an ancient vampire.

"Yes, and why are you here?"

"I felt trouble and I came right away."

"How could you feel trouble with my mate?"

"Because I loved and bonded to her twin."

Lucius enclosed Tala flush against his body, crossing her front with his walking stick, protecting her and soothing her shivering body. "We're going to try and overcome the curse with the help of magic."

"What magic is powerful enough to rid an ancient curse such as the one that condemned my Telia to insanity and death?"

"The magic of true love," Tala answered confidently.

Damon stood in silence, then turned away. His shoulders slumped in defeat, or perhaps with painful memories. "I loved Telia. More than any other."

"And I love Tala. We're willing to take this risk." Lucius planted a soft kiss against her temple.

"Come with us," Tala offered.

"No, you go and try to break the curse. I only wanted to give you a warning. But maybe if your love is strong enough, there is hope."

"And if it doesn't work..." Tala turned in Lucius' arms. "I ask for you to end my life before the madness completely takes hold."

Lucius felt humbled. "Tala, you must believe in this ritual. That is of great importance. Otherwise, it's doomed from the beginning. No doubts. We will beat this together."

"Tala, listen to him," Damon said. "Go with him. I wish you luck. But before I go, listen to me. The curse goes into effect at dawn. With the morning light, all will be revealed."

Damon stepped toward Tala. She left Lucius' arms and hugged her sister's lonely mate.

In a flash of black fur, Damon fled to prowl the bayou in search of something to ease his pain. As she watched him disappear into the dense trees, Tala felt his depression.

"Come, sweet," Lucius said. "They await us to start the ceremony."

Before leaving, the echo of Damon howling a sad, lonely song touched her soul. Tala prayed she would survive and not let Lucius exist in similar desolation. She knew they shared a bond already, and if broken, only extreme pain would follow.

At the small voodoo shop, Monique allowed them in the back door. She led them into a side room, where candles of various scents mixed in the air.

Lucius tried to block out the perfumes wafting through his senses. How can a vampire endure such an a.s.sault on the nose?

Monique, dressed in long, flowing white robes and a turban, looked the part of a voodoo priestess. Lucius still felt leery, however, since her beliefs went against his.

The priestess took them into a circle of candles and instructed them to lie side by side.

"You must trust in one another. Let your love shine through any doubts or negative forces. The evil feed off those negatives. The only way to fight for your greatest desires is to banish all evil from your hearts. Show your love."

"Are you saying we should make love? Here?"

"If it deems necessary, yes. I ask that you act on your innermost feelings. I will do the rest and call upon the spirits to help banish the evil that curses your joining." With that, she stepped toward a tall basket and removed the lid. She pulled out a large white snake. Its hiss vibrated through the room.

"I'm scared, Lucius."

He gazed at Tala and saw fear in her eyes.

"Fear is one of those negative energies," Monique said. "Perish those fears, and concentrate on the positive. Think of being in his arms." She went to the door and called in a few humans of African decent, who formed an outer circle.

Humans. It struck Lucius as odd. He thought they hated his kind.

But then, he focused on Tala. "I'm here. We're doing this together." He took her hand and placed a kiss in her palm. "Think of how we meld when the pa.s.sion overtakes us."

The drums and music began as the helpers struck up the beat. Monique began to dance, invoking the spirits.

In what seemed hours later, the music still pulsed through the room. Monique continued to dance and sang, holding the snake about her neck.

Lucius moved closer to Tala and half lay upon her. As he looked into her face, his emotions overwhelmed him. She had become everything to him in such a short while. How could there be anything negative in their union?

"I love you, Tala," he breathed, then closed his lips over hers.

Colors swirled around him as she readily responded. She opened her mouth to him, brushing her tongue along his in a sensual dance, matching the tropical beat surrounding them.

The need to feed ate at him. He wanted to drink from her, fill himself with her essence. He needed to give his entire being to her. Mist encircled him in a warm, welcoming embrace, encouraging him to love and mate.

His body burned to join with her. She was so willing and open to him, he could take her right then.

"Act, my friend. Show her your love. Make her your eternal mate. It is time," the mist seemed to whisper.

As Tala became more insistent, Lucius could sense her struggling to hold the beast at bay, refusing to let go of restraint.

He pulled up the hem of her dress as her body continued to writhe in want. By the G.o.ds, she was bare beneath her dress. No fabric to bar his way.

Animal instinct took over. The fangs grew within his mouth in antic.i.p.ation of sinking into her. He could already taste her upon his tongue, her sweet, salty blood. It was like ambrosia from the G.o.ds, and all his.

He fumbled with his pants and released his c.o.c.k, straining and hard, ready for action. In one swift stroke, he plunged into her slick core. She climaxed immediately, milking him with each squeeze.

"Take her. She is your mate," the mist whispered again.

Her screams of ecstasy drove him over the edge. His seed spilled into her, and he sunk his teeth into her shoulder. One gulp, then another, but he needed something more. They weren't complete. They had to fulfill their destiny.

Still wracking with his o.r.g.a.s.m, he pulled away and bared his neck to her. She bit him. And drank. Her mouth closed over his neck and warmth shot through him. She drank hungrily, and he gave each drop with relish. Each sip a climatic high. By the G.o.ds, he wanted to give his all to her.

Yes, completion at last. She was his. They shared the blood bond.

She broke the contact and gasped for air. Lucius sensed the beast easing back before Tala gained control once again.

Then, Lucius became conscious of his surroundings. He had mated with Tala in front of strangers. He looked up to find they had all left. Only he and Tala remained in the room. The candles flickered in the silence, strange after the endless music and singing.

But now, they had to wait. Would Tala go insane? Did the ceremony rid them of the curse?

Only time would tell.

They lay in each other's arms amid the candlelight, reluctant to leave the comforting embrace of the dim silence. "How long should we stay?" Tala asked in a sleepy voice.

"We could probably go now." He hesitated. "How do you feel?"

"Tired, but good. I feel...complete." Her face beamed.

The weight lifted from his heart. So far, so good. "Will you come with me to my resting place?"

"Yes, let's go. I'm so tired."

He rose, then lifted her into his arms. "Seems I'm always carrying you around."

"So romantic. It's right out of one of my books."

"And how do I compare to one of your heroes?"

"Better than any author could create." She planted a kiss on his jaw and nestled into his neck. "I love you so much. I just want to sleep a thousand years in your arms."

"That's not all I want to do with you in my arms." He laughed soft and low. It vibrated through his chest.

She giggled. "You're bad."

"I told you, you don't know how bad I can really be."

"Yeah, well, I can be bad, too."

He growled. d.a.m.n, and this was his woman!

That night, they retired into his stone tomb. Unlike what Tala had expected, the room had a homey interior. Black silk sheets covered a mattress.

Thank goodness, no coffin!

Candles dimly lit the room, casting a warm glow over Lucius' handsome features. And he apparently conjured his clothes, disappearing the moment he lounged upon the mattress. Naked, he looked like sin incarnate, his white-blond hair a stark contrast to the dark sheets. His muscles, all sinew, beckoned to be touched. She itched to run her hands over each inch of his body.

A renewed energy filled Tala as she stepped toward the bed. Right now, she wanted to show him her pa.s.sion. For once, she wanted to dominate this powerful vampire.