Embrace the Night

Page 153



"No."

"Neither do I."

Maurice licked lips gone dry. Gabriel was toying with him as a cat might play with a mouse before the kill. He tried to look away from those horrible blood-red eyes, but he couldn't move.

Drawing Maurice closer, Gabriel reached up with his free hand and wrapped his fingers around Maurice's throat. He could feel the blood rushing through the man's veins, smell the overpowering scent of fear that rose from every pore. He had not fed in several days…

"Have you ever thought of being dinner?" he asked mildly.

Maurice shook his head, his stomach churning at the thought of Gabriel feeding on his blood. Gabriel grunted softly. "Have you ever thought of being a vampire? I could arrange it, you know."
"No!"

"Careful, little man," Gabriel warned. "You're in no position to offend me."

Maurice glared at him, his eyes filled with fear and defiance. "Go ahead, kill me, you bastard, but do it and get it over with."

Gabriel regarded Delacroix for a long while, faintly amused by the man's unexpected show of courage. "I'm not going to kill you," he said, loosening his hold on Maurice's throat.

Horror darkened Maurice's eyes. "You don't mean to turn me into what you are?" He shook his head. "I would rather be dead."

"Listen to me, Delacroix, listen very carefully. Sara's life is in danger." He saw the accusation in Maurice's eyes. "Not from me, but from another vampire. A very old, very vindictive vampire."

"I don't understand."

"There's no reason you should. Suffice it to say that I'm afraid of her…" "Her?"

Gabriel nodded.

"And you're afraid of her?" Maurice asked incredulously, unable to believe that Gabriel was afraid of anything, living or dead.

"The female of the species is always more dangerous, more deadly. Nina is vexed with me, and she intends to get even with me by hurting Sara. I can't protect Sara from Nina during the day."

"What can I do against a vampire?"