Dark Magic

He jumped away as if he’d been burned, his face flamed crimson, and he looked guiltily at Gregori.

Gregori’s dark features relaxed. The hard edge to his mouth softened. “Do not worry, Gary, she is incorrigible. Even I have trouble with her. I ca

Are you angry?The smile was fading from her eyes, her mouth.

Gregori tightened his hold on her when her step faltered. We can discuss this at home,chérie. You are already here; you may as well give the boy a thrill. But I warn you, not too big a thrill.

She relaxed her body into his. That quickly. That easily. As if she belonged, his other half. He was begi

Her smile sent a bolt of lightning right through Gary. “Would you like to go to the Cafe du Monde?” she asked. “It’s still open. We can sit there and talk for a while.”

Gary glanced at Gregori’s impassive face. Who could deny her anything? She was like something mysterious and magical from another world. Gregori looked as merciless and ruthless as ever, his dark, dangerous features granite, his silver eyes cold and glittering with menace. But his posture was protective, the arm circling her waist, tender. Gary turned his face away to hide a smile. Vampires seemed to have women problems, too.

“Would you like to join us at the Cafe du Monde?” Gregori asked him quietly, already changing direction. They turned down Saint A

As they passed the famous St. Louis Cathedral, Gary cleared his throat. “I always wanted to know, is it true the vampire can’t go onto sacred ground? Will a cross help to protect a person, or is that hogwash?”

“The vampire ca

“You’re blowing all my theories,” Gary said sadly.

“What are your theories?” Sava

Gregori stirred restlessly. The cold, merciless eyes swept over Gary, leaving a bad taste in the human’s mouth. He wanted to tell the creature he couldn’t help himself, that Sava

“You were going to tell us of your theories,” Gregori prompted gently.

They crossed the street with a crowd of wandering tourists. Gregori was all too aware of most of them staring at his lifemate. Heads turned as she stood on the edge of the cafe’s patio, where tables were set close together.

One of the waiters waved them toward an empty table, then recognized Sava

Gregori sat with his back to a thick post, partially hidden in the shadows, his eyes restless, all senses on alert. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down. Somewhere in this city was a powerful vampire with a legion of human puppets to do his bidding.

Sava

Gregori summoned the waiter and leaned close, his voice hypnotic. “Sava

Sava

“Is it like this everywhere you go?” Gary asked.

“Pretty much.” Sava

Gregori could feel sorrow beating at her, a crushing stone weighing down her heart. His hand slipped down her arm to lace his fingers through hers. At once he poured warmth and comfort into her mind, the sensation of his arms around her body, holding her close. “Peter Sanders always took care of the details surrounding Sava

“I’m sorry,” Gary said instantly, meaning it. Her distress was evident in her large blue eyes. They shimmered with sorrow.

Gregori brought Sava

Are you my hero, then?There were tears in her voice, in her mind, like an iridescent prism. She needed him, his comfort, his support under her terrible weight of guilt and love and loss.

Always, for all eternity,he answered instantly, without hesitation, his eyes hot mercury. He tipped her chin up so that she met the brilliance of his silver gaze. Always,mon amour. His molten gaze trapped her blue one and held her enthralled. Your heart grows lighter. The burden of your sorrow becomes my own.He held her gaze captive for a few moments to ensure that she was free of the heaviness crushing her.

Sava

“Gary.” Gregori drawled the name slowly and sat back in his chair, totally relaxed. He looked like a sprawling tiger, dangerous and untamed. “Tell us about yourself.”

“I work a lot. I’m not married. I’m really not much of a people person. I’m basically a nerd.”

Gregori shifted, a subtle movement of muscles suggesting great power. “I am not familiar with this term.”

“Yeah, well, you wouldn’t be,” Gary said. “It means I have lots of brains and no brawn. I don’t do the athlete thing. I’m into computers and chess and things requiring intellect. Women find me ski

Gregori’s white teeth flashed. “There is only one woman who matters to me, Gary, and she finds me difficult to live with. I ca

“Maybe because you’re jealous, possessive, concerned with every single detail of her life?” Gary plainly took the question literally, offering up his observations without judgment. “You’re probably domineering, too. I can see that. Yeah. It might be tough.”

Sava

Gregori stirred again, the movement a ripple of power, of danger. He was suddenly leaning into Gary. “You think you are intelligent? Baiting the wild animal is not too smart.”

Gary’s laughter joined with Sava