A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 145



"I guess that means me,"Tracy said, her voice little more than a squeak. Dominic nodded, his attention still focused onBryan . "Did she say anything else?" "Only that she will see you at The Catacombs tonight, if you are not afraid to meet her." Tracypushed her plate away, her appetite gone. "You're not going?"
"I must."

"Why?"

"This is my territory."
"So?"

"It is mine because I am powerful enough to keep it. Those who have challenged me in the past have been defeated. If I want to keep the respect of the vampires among us, I cannot show weakness now."

Bryanpushed his own plate away. "That makes sense." Slamming his fist down on the table, he stood and began to pace the floor. " Dammit, I can't live like this!"

Rising to his feet in a single lithe movement, Dominic laid his hand onBryan 's shoulder. "Look at me."
Bryanstared into Dominic's eyes, whatever objections he'd been about to voice dying on his lips.

"You will go into the living room and lie down on the sofa," Dominic said, his voice low and hypnotic. "You will close your eyes and go to sleep, and you will not awake until tomorrow morning. Your mind will be calm and you will dream about walls.High walls that will allow nothing inside."

"Sleep,"Bryan repeated.

"Yes. Go now."

Yawning,Bryan walked into the living room.

Tracystared at Dominic. "You're just full of tricks, aren't you?"

He shrugged. "He needs the rest." Moving up beside her, Dominic lifted her to her feet. "And I wanted to be alone with you for a little while."

All thought ofBryan fled her mind when she saw the look smoldering in Dominic's eyes.

Slowly, so there could be no mistaking his intent, he lowered his head and claimed her lips with his. She leaned into him, her eyelids fluttering down as his mouth covered hers. His tongue teased her lips. His hands skimmed over her back, cupped her buttocks to draw her body closer to his until they stood heat to heat, mouths and bodies fused together.

Somehow, they were in her room, stretched out on the bed. She was melting, her body aching with need, yearning for something only he could give her.