A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 119



She drank it down in three long swallows and asked for more.

When she finished the second glass, Dominic took her by the hand and headed toward the door.

Tracyshivered as they stepped out onto the sidewalk. As though waking from a dream, she stared at Dominic. "How could you put me in a position like that?" she demanded. She wiped her hand across her mouth. "How could you?"

She jerked her hand from his grasp and wrapped her arms around her middle, sickened by the memory of what she had done.

"I am sorry, my best beloved one. I had no idea she would invoke such an ancient law." "You should have known!"

"Tracy…"

"Don't touch me!"

"Tracy, calmyourself . No harm has been done."

"No harm? No harm! You drank my blood! You made me drink yours!" "Was it so very unpleasant?"

"Yes!" He reached for her again, but she slapped his hand away. "Leave me alone. I'm going home." "I will take you."

"No."

"It is not safe for you to be on the streets alone." Reaching into his pocket, he offered her the keys to his car.

"Not safe? I thought I was under your protection now," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Not every vampire in the village was in the bar tonight."

She wanted to refuse his offer but wisdom prevailed. Muttering, "Thank you," she took the keys from his hand, careful not to touch him.

"I will walk you to the car," he said, his tone indicating he would not take no for an answer.
He opened the door for her, not with the key, but with a thought.

She slid behind the wheel, shoved the key in the ignition, and drove away without a backward glance.

Once out of the parking lot, she knew she didn't want to go home, couldn't face being in that big, empty house, or wondering if he was prowling around below, listening to her every move, her every thought.

Turning off the main street, she drove to the Driftwood, anxious to surround herself with normal people