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Ferine but I still felt better.
    I heard the bedroom door open and curled tighter into a ball in the back of his closet.
    “Pet?” Dekker’s worried voice carried through the closet door but I couldn’t seem to move.
    “Pet? Kierra?” The light flipped on and I shrank back, squinting against its brightness.
    “Is she OK?” It sounded like Nate.
    Dekker crouched in front of me. “Are you all right? What happened?”
    “Fffferine.” All I could get out was his name.
    Dekker’s eyes grew dark and his face cold, then he softened. He cradled me in his arms and lifted me up. “Nate, check the security logs.”
    I found my feet as he guided me to the couch in front of the window. He pulled me down, wrapping his strong arms around me. Someone handed me a glass of wine. My hand shook slightly as I gulped it down.
    I heard Nate’s smooth drawl behind me. “Ferine was here with a few of his goons.”
    Dekker’s arms surrounded me with security and I burrowed against his chest. “Tell me what happened.”
    “Oh, God, Dek. I heard this voice in my head and this pressure. Shit, it really hurt! Like something wanted to split my skull open from the inside!” Once I got started it poured out in a torrent of pain and fear.
    Not one of the men standing around said a word. After a moment Dekker looked up at Nate. “Call Segrun. Set up a perimeter. Ace, check out the building security. He shouldn’t have been able to get that close.”
    I heard men moving, heard the door close, and then it was just us. I wanted to stay wrapped in his warmth forever but when he shifted I figured I should move. “Thanks, Dekker.”
    “For what? Leaving you here alone so one of Ferine’s scum could invade your mind?” He sounded disgusted as if it were his fault.
    I shook my head. “Not your fault, Dek. You warned me and I didn’t believe you.” I took a deep breath to steady my shaky nerves. “Did he do that to me before? Get in my head to make me go with him?”
    Dekker’s lips twisted into a wry grin. “Either that, or you’re way more stupid than I thought.”
    I slapped his arm in mock affront. “So why did it hurt this time? Because I wouldn’t do what he wanted?”
    Dekker’s fist clenched and a dark rage settled on his face as he spoke. “No, normally we can only persuade, suggest, not force, and most vamps have to be in the same room, even touching. No, this was something more. And being my blood slave should make you resistant to others’ influence. After we examine the security tapes, we’ll know how, and I will make sure he never does anything like this again.”
    I had no doubt he would find the guy and serve vampire justice on him. A memory surfaced. I’d seen Dekker look this murderous once before, when he confronted Ferine those few nights ago. “So who is Segrun?”
    A sly smile crossed his face. “My sister.”
    “Sister? As in thousand-year-old vampire sister?”
    He nodded. “A very old vampire offered to turn my hafna in return for our assistance. Segrun had fought at my side since she was old enough to hold a sword. In all, thirty-five of my forty-two warriors made the turn.”
    I got up to get another glass of wine while I digested that. “You must have had some reputation to warrant that vamp’s attention.”
    “I think it had more to do with being one of the few pagan companies left. Christians would have burned him for witchcraft.” He stood looking out over the city. “Don’t forget the rest of your things.”
    Several more boxes and two more suitcases sat just inside the door. They’d obviously gone to my apartment again, since the cases were mine. I stalked over and stood staring down at them with my hands on my hips. I didn’t know whether to hug Dekker or slap him.
    His voice right at my shoulder startled me. “I thought you might like more of your things.”
    I just nodded numbly.
    “There’s room in the closet and I made space in the dresser as well.” He traced a finger along my