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strange to her that he appeared like any normal man. Or at least a man with a drop-dead gorgeous body, long black hair and mesmerising eyes. Nothing about him screamed vampire. Even his dark and gothic style of dress didn’t look out of the ordinary. Beyond everything else, she knew the truth, and the differences would affect them whether they wanted to acknowledge them or not. They could pretend it all away, but it would inevitably create problems.
    Aubrey didn’t know how to broach the subject without putting a damper on their mood, but the question begged to be asked. “How can we make this work, you and I?”
    He averted his eyes. “If it’s what we both want, then we’ll find a way.”
    “I see. So you don’t know either. I don’t mean to upset you, but this has been on my mind from earlier. Why haven’t you tried to bite me?”
    He brought her wrist to his lips and smothered it with kisses. “My love for you overpowers the need. Besides we don’t feed on humans. It isn’t the way. We have a blood supply and it more than nourishes the coven.”
    Uncertain how he’d react, she blurted her next question. “What does it feel like for you to drink blood?” Once the words were out, she held her breath.
    His smile suggested all was okay between them. “Does sex always make you this inquisitive?”
    Aubrey laughed. “Sorry.”
    “It’s fine. To answer your question, blood is like water to me. An icy, cool glass on a hot summer day. Once I’ve had my fill I’m recharged,” he explained.
    She watched him frown as he glanced out the window.
    “I have to go. The night is fading and it will be sunrise soon.”
    With a groan she clung to him tighter. “No, I’m not ready.”
    His hand circled her upper back, soothing her worries. “Trust me, I want to stay, but this is one of the times our lifestyles differ.”
    Aubrey raised her head. She didn’t want him to feel guilty. “I understand.”
    He captured her lips with his then rose from the bed.
    “Until tomorrow evening.”
    A tear fell as she watched him disappear. He’d turned her whole life around, for the better.
     

     
    Varick passed by the dining hall on his way to bed and was surprised to find Luke sitting at the head of the table, surrounded by his faithful followers. Rarely were they ever in the same area of the house. Still buzzing from his encounter with Aubrey, he refused to let anything or anyone dampen his spirits.
    He nodded in the fair-haired vampire’s direction. “Luke.”
    “Varick,” he sneered. “Late night out, I see. Good thing nothing bad happened here, you know, since we were without   a leader.”
    As always his brother liked to point out his faults to others.
    He didn’t want to get caught up in the banter and waved a hand at him. “Whatever.”
    Luke pushed back his chair and hoisted his feet onto the table, hands resting on his waist. A smug look streaked his face. “You know, the clan is in an uproar. Everyone’s been talking.”
    Varick sighed. “Talking about what?”
    Dark eyes bore right through him. “About you bringing a mortal into the West Chamber. How could you be so careless? It’s a wonder Dante left you in charge.”
    An uneasy feeling passed through his gut. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Luke narrowed his eyes. “You know better, but you acted like a complete idiot. We need someone intelligent ruling over us. Someone worthy to look up to.”
    He tired of hearing about his shortcomings. “Look, I know I haven’t lived up to the ways of Dante. Believe me it turns my stomach sour. But I’m trying. I need a little more time and then I know I can turn things around. Have some faith in me. Have some faith in Dante. Obviously he thought I was right for the job.”
    Luke snickered. “Remains to be seen. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t have brought a woman here. Especially not a woman you swore to keep safe. Our brothers are beyond restless, with good reason. They can smell her. Fresh, innocent