A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 93



"Sea Cliff is a haven for vampires."

She blinked up at him. In the back of her mind, she heardBryan asking her if she thought there was anything strange about the village."A haven? Youmean . . "

Dominic nodded. "There are perhaps a dozen or so who live here." "But… I thought, that is, all the books I read said vampires couldn't live together."

"We do not hunt the same territory," Dominic said, "nor do we hunt where we live. As for living together, there is safety in numbers."

"All those people in black… I thought they were just Goths…"
"Some are."

"And the rest?" "Are vampires."

"I really don't think I want to meet any of them."
"It is necessary."

"Why?"

"Because you are mine.And since you willnot let me bind us together, it is necessary that the others see us together, that they know you belong to me."

She lifted a hand to her throat. "And that will keep me safe?"

"Save for Kitana , I am the oldest of my kind.To violate one under my protection means death. Are you ready?"

She glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt. "Should I change?" "You will do as you are."

She should have been afraid. She was on her way to meet a—what did one call a bunch of vampires, anyway? Inspecting her feelings as Dominic drove toward thevillage, she found that it wasn't fear that made her heart pound, but curiosity. Dominic would protect her. She had no doubt of that.

He parked the car in front of a bar on a quiet side street.Tracy grimaced when she saw the name of the place.The Catacombs.

With a shake of her head, she put her hand in Dominic's when he opened the door.

The inside of the bar was dim, filled with shadowy corners. Someone was playing a soft, bluesy tune on the piano in the corner. There were no mirrors; the windows were painted black. Candlelight flickered off the walls and cast shadows on the faces of the customers. She wondered whatkind of drinks were