A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 95



"Like I belong to you?"

"In away."

"He drinks from her, doesn't he?" "Yes, but it is her choice."

"What happens to mortals who wander in here?" "That rarely happens."

"Why's that?"

"There are wards set about this place…" "Wards?"

"Think of them as supernatural shields. Most mortals pass by the place without ever realizing it's here. "And those who innocently wander in?What happens to them?"

His gaze met hers. "Do you really want to know?"

Unable to speak past a throat gone suddenly dry, she nodded. She needed to know it all. "The vampires feed on them, and then let them go."

"How can you let that happen?"

"How can I stop it?"

"I don't know. You said you were the oldest vampire around. Doesn't that make you the king, or the boss, or something?"

He smiled faintly,then shrugged. "Vampires are not ruled by kings, nor do we adhere to a democracy. There is only one thing a vampire respects, and that is power. This is my domain and they will adhere to my rules so long as I can enforce them. I have forbidden them to hunt in the village, but I cannot keep them from following their instincts. Any mortal who comes in here is considered fair game. I ask only that there be no killing."

"And those two…" She started to saywomen ,then hesitated."Female vampires?" "What of them?"

"They seemed mighty chummy."

Dominic smiled. "Are you jealous, my best beloved one?"
"Of course not," she said quickly, but they both knew she was lying.