A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 196



Calling her name, he followed Petrina's scent up the stairs, down the hall toTracy 's bedroom.

He came to an abrupt halt when he opened the door, his gaze taking it all in in a single glance. Franco and Laslo stood on either side of the bed. Petrina knelt on the mattress. Her head jerked around as he opened the door. There was a smear of blood on her lips.

Tracy's blood.She was lying on the bed, her eyes closed,her face as pale as death itself. Rage rose up within him as he met Petrina's gaze.

Defiantly, she returned his stare.

"You gave me your word," Dominic said coldly.
"You gave me your word you would not follow me."

"I did not follow you. This is where I live." His eyes narrowed."And where you will die."

He was moving as he spoke, his hands reaching for Petrina . But she was moving, too, and when he reached the foot of the bed, she disappeared in a swirling black mist.

Undaunted, Franco and Laslo attacked him, one from each side, bearing him down to the ground.

Dominic was feeling weak and light-headed from the amount of blood he had lost earlier, but his rage, combined with his soul-deep concern forTracy , fueled his flagging strength. With a roar, he surged to his feet. The two vampires flew after him, but he was too quick for them. Pivoting on his heel, he broke the mirror overTracy 's dresser. Grabbing two long shards of glass, he whirled around, slashing first Laslo and then Franco across the throat, slicing their jugular veins. Blood fountained from the killing wounds. Both vampires fell back, their hands clutching at their throats, screams issuing from their lips as the mirror's silver backing scorched their preternatural flesh.

Dominic saw a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and Petrina materialized in front of him. He ducked just in time to avoid the brunt of her attack. Nevertheless, her nails, as sharp as a raptor's claws, raked his cheek as she hurtled past him. He felt a sudden wetness on his skin and knew she had drawn blood.

She caught herself and whirled around, her fangs bared. Dominic facedher, his feet spread wide, waiting.
She sprang at him again, her face contorted with hatred.

Dominic waited until the last second, then, darting backward, he grabbed the stake from the dresser and drove it into her breast.

She shrieked as the wood pierced her heart. Eyes wide, she stared at the blood spreading over the front of her dress,then slowly sank to the floor where she twitched once, then lay still.

Panting heavily, Dominic spared hardly a glance for the bodies on the floor as he hurried toTracy 's side. She was still alive, but close to death.