A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 117



"She doesn't share her blood with you?"

"No." It wasn't quite the truth. He had tasted her blood, but he saw no need to share that knowledge. A taut silence fell over the room as all conversation ceased. A moment later, the piano fell still as well.

"Why do you bring her here then?" Petrina demanded. "The Catacombs is only for our kind, or those who serve us. She is an outsider. She does not belong."

A low murmur of agreement rippled through the other vampires.

Dominic's gaze moved over the faces of the vampires in the room. "This is my territory," he said, his voice filled with quiet power. "Tracyis my woman. I have given her my protection, and offered her the Dark Gift. Whether she accepts it or not, she will remain under my protection. Anyone who harms or defiles her will answer to me."

"This may be your territory," Petrina remarked, "and you may be the oldest vampire among us, but according to the ancient laws of our kind, if she is not vampire and not a slave, she is fair game to anyone who can take her."

Petrina'sgaze moved overTracy , her narrowed eyes glowing with hunger.

"Do you wish to challenge my authority?" Dominic's voice rang out, echoing off the walls."Any of you?If so, step forward and I will oblige."

The vampires fell back, all but Petrina . Power gathered around her like an ominous cloud. "So be it," Dominic said.

"There is no need for a challenge," Petrina said. "You have only to drink from her. We will know then that she is truly your woman and therefore deserving of your protection, and ours."

Tracystared up at Dominic, her heart pounding.

The other vampires closed in, their eyes glittering.
Dominic turned towardTracy . "It must be of your own free will."

It was hard to think with all those pairs of hungry eyes staring at her. If she refused, would Petrina challenge Dominic to a battle? She was sure Dominic would win, and while she wasn't fond of Petrina , she didn't want to be responsible for any hurt done to either Petrina or Dominic. More importantly, she wanted to be accepted by the vampires for Dominic's sake. Would it shame him in some way if she refused? Would Petrina actually fight him? Would it be a fight to the death?

"Tracy?"

"Do whatever you have to do." Turning her head to one side, she closed her eyes, and waited.

Dominic's gaze rested on the face of each of the vampires that now stood in a circle around them. "The blood is the life. I take this woman's blood, freely given, and in doing so, I pledge my life to protect her from any and all who would do her harm."