Chapter 8.

Sebastian sat with his head against the abandoned warehouse wall, trying to make sense of what he'd done. The last thing he remembered was making love to Gitana. A sharp pain had seized his chest while he released his seed into her. Afterwards, he took her to bed and held her warm body in his arms. He laid there for hours as the pain in his chest continued. It wasn't until he'd heard the pounding in his own ears, and felt his body warm ever so slightly, that he realized his heart was beating.

It was normal for his heart to beat during a kill, while he fed from the victim and let their warm blood flow through his veins.

Sebastian hadn't fed all day. He'd had only a tiny drink from Gitana's wound, and it wasn't nearly enough to qualify as a feeding.

His heart should not have started to beat again, yet it did. An overwhelming hunger had come over him. He'd spent centuries learning to control his demon, but looking at Gitana's sleeping body had nearly sent him over the edge with carnality.

He fled before she woke and did not even dare kiss her good-bye. He was blind with the raw need to hunt, to kill. He woke to find himself here, on the floor of the old warehouse with three b.l.o.o.d.y corpses at his feet. It wasn't as easy for him to read people once they were dead, but it could still be done. Two of the men had been involved in the rape and murder of at least three girls, but the third he couldn't read. That meant that he was either an innocent or a supernatural. Sebastian had no memory of tasting his blood, and that was the only way to tell if he was supernatural or not.The thought of having killed an innocent human was tearing him apart. He'd been "clean" for close to fifty years now. Others like him had a hard time understanding how he could go cold turkey like that, and so did he. There was no logical explanation for his behavior. He had simply lost the taste for anything other than the blood of evildoers.

The afternoon sun was high and shining through the upper windows. Beams of it surrounded Sebastian as he staggered to his feet.

This much direct sunlight should have knocked him out, leaving him injured. Other than feeling slightly sluggish, a bit under the weather, and hornier than h.e.l.l, he was fine. Looking down at his bloodied hands, the vampire in him picked up on the pulsating vein in his wrist. His heart was still beating.

Chapter 9.

Gitana pulled the remaining weeds from her flower garden and gathered them to the side. Later, she'd add them to her compost pile, using them to fertilize next year's herbs.

"Ah, Dicentra Formosa," a voice said from behind her.

She looked up and had to shield her eyes from the afternoon sun. There was a tall man standing dangerously close to her. His attire screamed scholar. His tiny circular, wire-framed gla.s.ses gave his otherwise too handsome face a boyish charm. She glanced at his short brown hair and thought it complimented his green eyes well.

Smiling, he pointed at the flowers before her. "Dicentra Formosa," he said again, his thick British accent becoming apparent.

Gitana followed his gaze and then it clicked. "Oh, yes, I'm sorry. These are Bleeding Hearts, yes. I take it that you're a fellow plant lover?"

He flashed a smile that was so innocent it made her want to like him. "I'm William, and yes I do enjoy studying plants, among other things."

Rising to her feet, she brushed her hands on her long black skirt. The Roma in her had conditioned her to wear dresses to do most everything. For the most part, she'd severed her ties with the old ways, but still felt more comfortable in skirts. She double- checked her hand for dirt before extending it out to William.

"Hi, I'm Gitana, what can I help you with today?" She bent to pick up the pile of weeds. "I closed the shop up early today, but I'd be happy to take you in if you'd like."

Suddenly, he was behind her with his hand on her shoulder. Dropping the weeds, she spun around fast, unsure how he'd managed to move so quickly. William's green eyes began to glow, taking on a supernatural appearance. Terrified, she swung out at him and he caught her wrist with his hand. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to warn you. Sebastian is a friend of mine."

Gitana stopped struggling and stared at William. "You're not a vampire?" It was more of a question than a statement.

He smiled down at her. "No, I'm not a vampire, but I'm not a completely normal human either. I posses the gifts of magic and immortality, I am also a member of the Council."

The very mention of the Council made her take a step back. The Council was in place to oversee the supernatural community, and when they paid you a visit, it normally ended in death. They were the only checks-and-balance system in place, and they'd been around for thousands of years. The thought of the Council coming for Sebastian scared her more than the thought of Aaron showing up again.

The fear must have shown on her face because William put his hands up to signify that he wasn't a threat. "I'm not here to collect anyone. I'm here to warn you and Sebastian."

"Sebastian's not here." She almost added that she didn't know where he was, but that didn't seem wise. If this man proved to be a threat then it was best he think Sebastian could show up at any moment.

"I know that Sebastian's not here." A rather knowing grin spread across his face. "I'm the one who lured him away."

"You what?"

"I lured him away. It was simple. I used my power to override his system. I imagine that he felt a hunger like he'd never felt before."

If William had indeed used magic to overload Sebastian's system, then it was amazing she was still alive. "You say that you're here to warn me about something, yet you make a powerful vampire's blood thirst border on uncontrollable. Hmm, doesn't sound like you're much of an ally."

He took a step toward her and she backed up. "You are right to a.s.sume that, but I am one of your only allies on the Council. I knew that Sebastian would never harm you. He hasn't spent all these years looking for you to let a little thirst for blood ruin his chances."

She'd only just met Sebastian. How could he have been searching for her? Opening her mouth to demand answers, she caught sight of a large green car pulling down the lane. She knew that car. It belonged to Aaron's right-hand man, Travis. Frantic, she searched for an easy escape route for William. He'd be no match for a werewolf in the woods behind them, and he'd have to cross paths with Travis to get to back to his car--that was no good either.

"Come on!" Grabbing hold of his hand, she pulled him and ran toward the greenhouse. William never protested. He simply ran behind her. They entered the greenhouse, leading him down the aisle and into the shop. She slammed the door closed behind them.

"Care to tell me what that was about?" William asked, sounding winded.

"Gitana, I know you're in there! Come on out! Aaron wants to see you," Travis called from outside. She peeked out the window and watched as the young blond walked toward her shop door. "Aaron just wants to talk to you, I promise."

The minute Travis' hand touched the door handle it was propelled off. "What the h.e.l.l?"

William looked over at her and his eyebrow rose slightly. "Did you do the protection spell?"

"Yes, its only purpose is to keep anything out those is intent on doing harm to me. Looks like Travis had a little more on his mind than just talking." She laughed softly.

William made an odd noise, clearing his throat. Gitana glanced over at him, unsure what the problem was. He didn't look much like the fighting type. Maybe he was scared. "You're safe in here."

He chuckled. "I'm not concerned about my safety. I'm concerned about yours. The Council has no idea that you're a master of the craft. This will only serve to make them more intent on their mission."

Why did it matter if she could perform magic? She'd never harmed an innocent person, and rarely used her gifts. The look in William's eye told her that there was more to the council's "mission" then he was letting on. "What do they want with me?" "That's what I came to talk to you about."

Travis tried touching the door one more time and yelped as his hand was knocked off again. "Gitana, you can't hide in there forever, neither can your vampire friend!"

The mention of Sebastian made her pulse race and her throat dry. Aaron obviously knew about him. Now, it was just a matter of time before he attacked. He'd kill Sebastian, and if she were lucky he'd kill her too. The idea of being at Aaron's mercy scared her more than the thought of ceasing to exist.

Travis climbed back into his old green car and left. He'd be back and he wouldn't be alone.

"Would you like some tea, William?" It was a ridiculous question, but it beat screaming like a mad woman out of fear, so she went with it.

Chapter 10.

"What do you mean the Council wants us dead?" Gitana choked on her tea.

William set his cup down gently and put his hand over hers. "Not both of you, they'd settle for just one. Sebastian's made many friends on the Council over the last fifty years, so they will most likely be coming after you instead."

Somehow, he wasn't making her feel any better about their situation. "So, you're telling me that they think that the prophecies about Sebastian and I are true? That's ludicrous, I mean, he's a vampire. He said it himself, he can't have children."

"Sebastian isn't a normal vampire. He's never been normal, not even when he was human. He was a clairvoyant and possessed an untapped level of magical power. The people in his village called him the boy with clear sight. His sire saw this in him and that's why he brought him over against his will. The 'change' affected Sebastian's powers and he wasn't able to use them in the same way he once had. Fifty years ago they began to reemerge. They're different now, as to be expected with his condition, but they are there." He took another sip of his tea and continued. "I started studying Sebastian over a hundred years ago. He wasn't the monster that the other vampires seemed to be. No, he was kind, intelligent, and he became my friend in a relatively short period.

He's a good man and that's why I am here. I think, no I know, that he'd turn into the greatest threat mankind has ever seen if anything happened to you."

She sat there thinking about what William had told her. If the Council wanted someone dead, then they always got their wish. It was just a matter of time before there wish came true about her. Suddenly, her cheeks felt flushed and her stomach twisted into a knot. Pain gripped her and she let out a soft cry. Clutching her stomach, she looked at William, pleading silently for help. He jumped to his feet and came to her side. He touched her forehead and his eyes widened.

"It's as I thought." He didn't wait for her to ask anymore about it, he just picked her up and took her in his arms. She let her head lay on his chest for no other reason than it felt incredibly heavy. "You need to rest."

Nodding, she pointed him in the direction of her room. William walked her in and laid her on the bed gently. He sat next to her, taking his jacket off and tossing it aside. He rolled up his sleeve and thrust his wrist out in front of her mouth.

"Drink, your body needs it."

Stomach bile rose quickly at the suggestion of drinking someone's blood. William put his wrist closer to her mouth. "Your body temperature is lower than it should be, and I noticed your sensitivity to the sun earlier. I'm not saying you're a vampire, but I am saying that something is happening--changing you somehow. I suspected it might work this way. You and Sebastian were destined to be mates. In order for him to be able to offer you the gift of a child he needs to become more human, and in order for you to accept his seed, you need to become more like him."

Covering her mouth to keep from being sick, Gitana shook her head violently. Drinking blood was wrong and reserved only for mullos.

I'm not like that--I'm not a demon.

There was no way she could become more like Sebastian. She was Roma, and they were the chosen protectors of the mullo.

Each had sworn an oath to never allow themselves to be swayed by the darkness the mullos presented.

It couldn't be.

Another sharp pain twisted at her gut, a hunger rivaled by no other ripped through her body. She clenched her teeth in an attempt to stave off the desire to feed. She could hear William's heart beating, his rich blood pumping through his veins. So close, so easy to taste, to touch.

She dug her fingernails into her into the palm of her. The added pain did little to help ground her. The power within her wanted to press her mouth to his wrist and sample his sweet offering.

No.

Thankfully, William pulled his wrist away slowly. Her resolve was all but gone. Whatever was happening to her, was taking control fast.

William forced a smile onto his face. "There's more than one way for a vampire to get what it needs...a vampire can feed off s.e.x and l.u.s.t as well as blood."

The mere mention of s.e.x sent her body into a burning rage. No amount of self-mutilation could stop help bring her back now. Her gaze narrowed. She looked out from her eyes, yet was separate from it all. William inched closer and the controlling power in her set its sights on him. The curve of his jaw, and the way his tan skin held the tiniest bit of a five o'clock shadow caught held her attention. Moister collected between her legs at the thought of having William's hands run all over her body, fondling her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, inching over her mound, slipping in and out of her slit. She reached for him and he nearly fell off the bed trying to get away from her.

"William," she said, slowly, her voice not her own. "Let me touch you. Let me run my mouth over you and taste every inch of you.

You know you want me to. I can see it in your eye."

"Gitana, no, I can give you my blood--not s.e.x. Sebastian's one of my closest friends and I...."

Reaching down, she planted her hand firmly between his legs, cupping his bulge. It hardened. A clever grin spread across her face. "Je veux faire l'amour avec toi." The words ran off her tongue yet she understood not what she said.

"It's Sebastian's demon coming through. You said that you want to make love to me," William tensed up. "Please, Gitana. Try to fight it. This can't happen."

The tugging in her gut encouraged her to rub the long line of his clothed erection. With her free hand, she removed his gla.s.ses, her l.u.s.t filled gaze meeting his head on. Gitana cupped William in her hand, working it up and down him and licked his cheek. She'd never needed s.e.x so bad in her life. William could deny wanting to sleep with her all night. His hard c.o.c.k told her the truth.

Sebastian climbed out of the shower, pulled a pair of black jeans on, and towel dried his hair. He was still a little taken aback by the events of the day. Waking up surrounded by dead bodies used to be his favorite pastime. It was no longer so. He'd taken the time to dispose of the bodies, sickened by his own lack of control. His only hope was that none all of the men were evildoers.

Thinking that way didn't lesson the shock of it all. He'd have spent more time searching for clues to what had happened at the warehouse, but he wanted to get back to see Gitana. He was addicted to her. For him, she was as vital as blood, maybe more so.

He would have gone straight to her, and made love to her, but he'd been covered in so much blood that he was afraid he'd scare her.

Tipping his head to the side, he ran a hand through his wet hair and reached for his cologne.

Sebastian...Sebastian...its William, come quick, Gitana needs you. He heard one of his oldest friends say in his mind.

Time seemed to stand still, and his gut tightened--Gitana needed him. The vampire within took hold, allowing him to defy gravity.

A normal person would have been able to cover the distance between his house and Gitana's in ten minutes it took him mere seconds. He thrust her shop door open and sniffed the air. Blood, fear, rage, s.e.x--all a.s.sailed his supernatural senses. He licked his fangs and took a moment to breathe deeply. Now was not the time to lose hold on his demon.

"William?"

Sebastian... in the bedroom. Come quick.

Utilizing his speed, he raced to the bedroom and pushed the door open. It took a moment for the sight before him to register.

William was backed up against the wall--his shirt undone, his bare chest showing, while Gitana crawled before him on her hands and knees, tugging at his pants. William had a death grip on his pants and was fighting to keep them up. Sebastian could smell William's desire to f.u.c.k Gitana in the air, and the fact that he wasn't was the only thing that saved his life. He may be an old friend, but Sebastian would kill any man that touched his Gitana.

"Sebastian!" William cried out, looking extremely relieved to see him.

Gitana glanced leisurely back at him and gave him a wicked smile. One that screamed s.e.x and the promise of endless pleasures between the sheets. Gone was the beautiful smile she'd hid so many times before. No, this smile was one he'd seen on female vampires. It was a smile that said that they needed s.e.x to quench their thirst, and that they would take it at any price.

He shook his head. "Non, this cannot be. I never brought her over. I never drew blood from her." As he said it, he remembered the cut on her hand. He'd lick it clean before making love to her. A vampire knew better than to draw blood from person of magic and then deposit their seed in them. He'd done this to her. By drawing her blood and then coming in her, he'd forced an exchanged of essences--of life forces.

He dropped to his knees. "NO!"

William fought Gitana off and came to his side. "I don't think you did this intentionally. I think it was meant to happen. h.e.l.l, the last case of a vampire turning someone like this was recorded over two thousand years ago. I don't think she'll change all the way, and she almost vomited when I offered her blood, so that's good. Her hunger comes in the form of s.e.x. She's new to this and she can't control it, that's why I called you. I didn't want to have to...."

Sebastian looked up into his friend's eyes and nodded. "Merci, you are a good friend."