LITMIR.BIZ

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had on humans. What she didn’t know was whether she was susceptible. She had, after all, been forced to resign herself to life as a normal without being fully normal.

      But after the attack that had nearly killed her, why would they want to keep her captive now? It didn’t make sense.

      “She’s awake,” said a deep voice.

      Then she heard a rustle and smelled the odor of human come closer.

      “Can you open your eyes?” a woman’s gentle voice asked.

      “Stand back,” said the same deep voice. “We don’t know what she is or how she’ll react.”

      That gave Dani her opening. If they were wary of her, she might be able to take advantage of it.

      Instantly she sprang up into a crouch and snarled, her gaze moving from one to the other. Even as she did it, she knew how pathetic she must look, like a puppy pretending to be a full-grown wolf. But maybe it would be enough.

      “It’s all right,” the familiar woman’s voice said.

      Dani glanced at her, taking in a tiny, dark-haired beauty wearing a sapphire cocktail dress. Her expression was kind. The other woman regarded her with consternation from eyes surrounded in entirely too much makeup.

      Then there were the men. In an instant she knew they were the vampires. One wore neatly tailored black and stood leaning against a desk. The other was seated and also wore black, though he looked a bit more disheveled. And like too many vampires, they were handsome, almost as if their change transformed them into objects of dark beauty.

      “We rescued you,” said the blond vampire, his voice slightly accented. “I found you in the park and brought you here.”

      Dani gave him another snarl. Like she was going to believe a bloodsucker?

      For long seconds, no one moved. Then the elegant man with the dark hair said, “You can leave if you’d like. I’ll show you the door.”

      She doubted that and didn’t move. Besides, she hurt all over and wasn’t yet sure how far she could walk. Her clothes were torn and covered in blood. She wouldn’t make it far before the police stopped her, and then she’d have to make up some lie about what had happened because normals absolutely didn’t believe in vampires, and she didn’t want to get committed.

      “It’s all right,” the woman in blue said again, her voice remaining gentle. She moved closer and Dani smelled vampire all over her, but also the scent of human. She might be in league with the bloodsuckers, but she was still a normal.

      The woman edged onto the couch beside her, moving slowly.

      “Terri,” said the dark vampire warningly.

      “It’s all right, Jude. She’s frightened. After the way she was attacked, how could she be anything else?”

      The woman called Terri smiled at her. “I’m Terri, and I’m a doctor. I’m both amazed and thankful at the way you healed. We thought we couldn’t save you.”

      Dani didn’t answer, choosing to reveal nothing.

      “I’ll give you something to wear so you can leave. I’m afraid my clothes might be a bit small on you, but at least they’ll cover you so you don’t have to answer questions.”

      Fear immediately spiked Dani. How could this woman know she didn’t want to answer questions? Then the answer came to her: she had healed too fast from nearly fatal injuries. Of course they knew she might have something to hide.

      Uneasier than ever, she edged away and adjusted her crouch, ready to spring if necessary. One hand felt for and found her necklace, the crystal wolf’s head that hung by a leather thong around her neck. It was all she had left of her old life, and her heart squeezed with relief when she realized she still had it. It had been her last gift from her mother, and she would probably never receive another. She drew a steadying breath and refocused on her enemies.

      Then the blond vampire with the faint accent spoke. “My advice would be to remain here until just before dawn. There are rogues on the streets, the ones who attacked you. You don’t want to encounter them again.”

      Dani finally spoke. “How do I know it wasn’t you, vampire? You and your friend?”

      Instantly she wished she could recall the words. She had just revealed too much, that she could tell they were bloodsuckers, and in so doing had made herself a threat to them.

      “Très intéressant,” said the blond one, revealing the source of his accent. “She knows what we are. So she must be able to smell us.”

      “I can smell you, all right,” Dani said forcefully, hoping to hold them at bay with a show of strength, however false. “Your stench fills the room.”

      “So you know what we are. Perhaps you can tell us what you are.”

      “I’m a human,” Dani said, catching herself just before she revealed more by saying she was a normal. “Can’t you smell it, bloodsucker?”

      He shrugged and turned his head away from her, as if losing interest. That offended her, that he considered her such a small threat he could ignore her. Even if it was true.

      The woman, Terri, reached out and touched her gently on the arm. Dani pulled back.

      “Let me explain some things,” Terri said. “That man over there? That’s Jude, and he’s my husband. Whatever you may think about vampires, he doesn’t condone what happened to you, and now I’ll have to endure the anxiety while he sets out to hunt those who hurt you.”

      Almost in spite of herself, Dani looked at her. “What are you talking about?”

      “Jude,” said the other woman, “is a bit of an avenger. He usually deals with demons, but now I’m quite sure he’s going to look for the rogues who attacked you.”

      “Chloe,” the dark one called Jude said in a warning tone.

      “Well, it’s true, boss. Besides, you’re not going to be able to avoid looking for them, not with the news that St. Just brought us.”

      Jude frowned at her, but said nothing.

      The blond one suddenly rose and in an instant was bent over, his face inches from hers. His black-as-ebony gaze was mesmerizing, and the only way she could fight it was to pull back as far as possible.

      “She’s human,” he said, “but not quite. I don’t care what you are, ma cocotte, but I know what you were used for. You were attacked on purpose. You are a declaration of war against Jude and any other vampire who forswears harm to humans. It was simply your misfortune to be there when they decided to make the declaration. But I will tell you this, they are still out there, still hunting to create more mayhem. Since you healed, you can now attract them once again. Especially since you reek of blood.”

      Her heart skittered, and she found herself wondering what to believe.

      “Stay here until dawn. Then go home and stay there, because the attack on you is a mere taste of what these rogues intend to inflict on this entire city.”

      “Why should I believe you?”

      He shrugged and drew away. “I don’t care what you believe. I don’t even care what you do. I did what I needed to, I brought you to Jude to prove these rogues have arrived. Beyond that…” He shrugged.

      He seemed about ready to walk out the door, then he settled in the chair once again, looking angry and despairing all at once.

      Dani had to drag her gaze away, appalled that she found him so magnetic. A bloodsucker magnetic? Every fiber of her being rebelled. It came as a relief when she looked at the one called Jude and realized she didn’t feel the same pull toward him. So she wasn’t utterly lost.

      “How about some introductions,” Jude said. “I’m Jude Messenger, and you’re in my office. Terri already

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