Embrace the Night

Page 154



"Nina is no threat during the day. But she's been known to hypnotize others to do her bidding. And that, my friend, is where you come in. I'm letting you live so you can protect Sara while I rest."

"I understand." Maurice swallowed hard. "And when the threat to Sara is past, what then? Will you kill me for what I tried to do today?"

"Only if you try it again."

"And what of Sara?" "What about her?"

"You aren't… you wouldn't…"

"Make her what I am? No, I would never do that." With a sigh, Gabriel released his hold on Maurice's arm. "Get out. And take your cross with you. You might have need of it."

With a nod, Maurice scooped up the crucifix and fled the room. Closing the door behind him, he slid to the ground, the heavy silver cross clutched tightly in his hands. Never, he thought, never had he been so afraid. So close to death. Or worse.

Gradually, he became aware of Sara's cries. Pushing himself to his feet, he walked on unsteady legs to the bedroom and unlocked the door.

Sara studied Maurice's face, her heart heavy in her breast. "Did you?" "No."

"Oh, thank God," Sara murmured.

She started to step past Maurice when he caught her arm. "I thought he was going to kill me."
Sara's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"He woke up when I put the stake to his heart." Maurice shivered with the memory. "I've never seen anything so awful as the look in his eyes."

Sara nodded. She, too, had seen that look. It had chilled her to the depths of her soul. "He could have killed me," Maurice said, "but he let me live because of you."

Taking her hand, Maurice led her into the parlor and sank down on the sofa. "He told me about Nina, said I was to protect you during the day." Maurice paused, willing his hands to stop trembling, but he couldn't shake off the fear that had gripped him. "What are we going to do, Sara Jayne?"

"I don't know."

Maurice glanced around the room, at the garlic hanging from the windows and over the door. "Do you really think that will keep her out?"

"It kept Gabriel inside the cottage."