A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 181



How many vampires were there in Vegas?In the world?
Where had Dominic gone to spend the day? Where did the others go?

In the movieDracula , the vampire had been required to sleep on his native soil. Obviously that was Hollywood fiction since Dominic hadn't mentioned such a thing, but thinking about it made her wonder how many other vampire myths were fantasy and how many were fact. Would he be repelled by garlic?A cross? Would pure silver or holy water burn him? She would have to ask him later.

She was crossing the lobby of Caesar's Palace when she suddenly rememberedBryan . Hurrying up to her room, she dropped her packages on the bed, which had been made in her absence, and quickly dialed his number.

He didn't answer, so she left a message, telling him where she was and giving him her room number. It was only when she hung up the receiver that she realized he was probably down at the beach.

At least she hoped that's where he was. She couldn't shake the feeling that something horrible had happened. She couldn't help worrying that Kitana might have broughtBryan across, or that he was helplessly in thrall to her. She shook off a quick mental image ofBryan lying in a coffin beside Kitana , his lips stained with blood. If anything happened to him, it would be all her fault. Knowing howBryan felt about vampires, how would she live with herself if Kitana forced the Dark Gift on him?

As much as she wanted to spend another night here, it was time to go home. She had to get in touch withBryan , had to know that he was safe.

She glanced out the window, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the sun was low in the sky. Dominic would be rising soon.

Chapter 30

Kitanacame awake the moment the sun began its slow descent below the horizon. Instantly alert, she sat up and stretched her arms over her head. As always, she was filled with a sense of indomitable power and well-being. She had been a sickly child. While her brothers and sisters were outside playing in the sun, she spent her days indoors, staring out the window. Unable to run and play with the others, she had been confined to her bed. Any exertion wearied her. Sometimes the mere act of eating had exhausted her.

She was nineteen years old the night the stranger came to her parents' inn. She had been sitting on a chair in the common room in front of the fire, blankets swathed around her. Summer or winter, she was always cold.

The man's gaze had settled on her face for a long time. His eyes had been a blue so pale they seemed almost colorless. But, for all that, they mesmerized her with their intensity. When he looked away, she felt as though she had lost something precious.