Embrace the Night

Page 167



broken. The sound of the knife clattering to the floor echoed like thunder in the empty wooden building.
And then Gabriel was beside her, gathering her into his arms, crushing her close. "Sara, are you all right?"

"Yes," she sobbed. "But you…" She stared at the bright splash of crimson spreading over his shirt-front, dripping from his arm.

"It's nothing, cara," he said reassuringly. "By tomorrow the wounds will have healed."

Overcome with relief that he was there, that the danger was past, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder, unmindful of the blood that stained her dress and dripped from his arm to hers.

"Did he… did that creature…" Gabriel closed his eyes, hating to ask, hating to think of his Sara at the mercy of that zombielike creature. "Did he hurt you?"

"No."

Feeling weak from the loss of blood, Gabriel sank down on the floor, cradling Sara to his chest, rocking her gently. "It's all right, now, cara," he crooned, his hand stroking her hair, her cheek. "It's all right."

"Nina said…"

"She was here?"

Sara felt his whole body tense at the mention of the vampire's name. "Yes. She… she… Oh, Gabriel, it was awful. She said this was just the beginning."

Sara raised a hand to her neck, revulsion rising up within her as she felt the two small puncture wounds. "She bit me."

For a moment, Gabriel closed his eyes. It was obvious that Nina hadn't brought her over, but had she taken enough to initiate Sara? If Nina had taken enough blood, Sara would be enslaved to her forever, bound to do her bidding. Sara could still function during the day. She shared a mind bond with Gabriel. If she desired, she would be able to find him no matter where he went, no matter where he rested during the day. Was that Nina's ultimate goal, to have Sara destroy him? It was the kind of twist that would amuse Antonina's warped sense of humor, having Gabriel's lover drive a stake into his heart.

With a low groan, he gazed into Sara's eyes. "How much blood did she take from you?"
"I don't know."

"How do you feel?"

"Sick. Take me home, please."

Rising to his feet, Gabriel carried her out of the building.

Maurice had stood in the shadows while Gabriel comforted Sara. Now he glanced briefly at the creature