Bat out of Hell (14 page)

“
What?
”
she
gaped.

“
I
went
to
the
future
to
find
you
and
bring
you
back
so
I
could
be
with
you,
set
things
right.
”

A
vague
memory
shifted
in
her
mind
of
another
woman
with
a
similar
body
and
this
man
at
her
window.
.
.

“
No.
”
She
struggled
against
him.

“
Ava,
please.
I
love
you,
and
I'm
going
to
take
you
home
and
help
you.
”
He
kissed
her,
no
trace
of
malice
in
the
soft
caress
of
his
lips.
His
fine
hair
tickled
her
face,
making
her
skin
prickle
with
desire.

She
relaxed
against
him.
“
I
have
no
choice.
I'm
too
weak
to
fight
you.
”

“
Last
time
you
didn't
fight
me.
You
left
when
I
slept,
and
they
took
you
away
from
me.
”
His
face
wore
a
haggard
look.

“
I
won't
as
long
as
you
’
re
telling
the
truth.
Will
I
really
die?
”
She
gazed
into
his
eyes
as
he
held
her
tightly.

“
Yes.
You
need
my
blood
to
survive
and
I
yours.
”

“
Why?
What
if
I
wish
to
live
another
way?
”

He
glanced
around.
“
What
I've
done
to
you
makes
you
dependent
on
me
as
I
am
on
you.
We
must
drink
from
each
other,
love.
We
will
never
thirst
and
will
live
forever.
Let's
go
and
whisper
as
we
walk
through
the
back
paths.
There
is
no
other
way.
I've
ruined
you.
I
don't
apologize,
either.
This
life
has
its
glories
and
ecstasies,
Ava.
You
will
see.
”

Gabriel
led
her
through
bramble
covered
paths
and
trails.
Once
he
had
to
pull
her
along
as
dogs
barked
behind
them.
They
finally
made
it
back
to
Winghaven
in
the
wee
hours
of
morning
before
night
lifted.

Ava
collapsed
against
Gabriel,
and
he
carried
her
the
last
few
steps
into
the
house.
Servants
awaited,
and
he
barked
orders
to
them.
She
soon
found
herself
surrounded.
After
a
few
minutes,
she
had
a
bowl
of
warm
soup
before
her
as
she
reclined
in
the
red
guestroom.

Gabriel
stared
at
her,
his
eyes
a
light
blue
color,
his
dark
hair
disheveled.
“
Are
you
feeling
better?
”

“
A
bit,
but
not
much,
I'm
afraid.
”
Tears
filled
Ava's
eyes
and
dripped
into
her
soup.

“
I'm
not
surprised.
”
He
pushed
her
damp
hair
back
from
her
forehead.
“
I
can
help
you.
”

“
How
many
women
have
you
already
helped
in
this
way?
”
Anger
made
her
voice
tremble.

Gabriel's
mouth
turned
down
at
the
corners.
“
Only
you.
I
swear
it.
I
became
a
vampire
as
part
of
my
family
inheritance.
All
Dunnings
are.
We
feed
off
each
other.
My
family
is
all
dead.
.
.
killed
by
those
who
hunt
us
in
this
region.
”
He
frowned.
“
I
wasted
away
until
I
saw
you.
I'm
in
love
with
you.
”

“
Yes,
for
my
blood.
”
She
tried
to
laugh,
but
a
sob
came
out
as
she
pushed
his
hand
away
from
her
face.

“
No.
Not
just
for
that.
For
you.
Look
at
you.
”

Ava's
face
grew
hot.

“
I
can't
see
myself,
but
I'm
average.
Plain.
”

“
No,
you're
gorgeous.
You're
light
where
I
am
darkness,
sunshine
where
I
am
moonbeams.
”

“
If
I
do
believe
what
you
say,
how
can
you
help
me?
And
can
I
leave?
”

“
I
want
you
to
stay.
If
you
leave
me,
you'll
die.
We're
bonded
now,
and
I
will
make
you
love
me.
I
think
you
already
do.
”

“
How
could
I?
”
Ava
stared
at
her
empty
tray,
and
he
took
it
from
her,
banging
it
down
on
the
table.

“
Have
you
ever
felt
such
ecstasy
in
your
life
as
you
did
the
other
night?
”

“
No,
but
that
doesn't
mean
—”

“
What
we
shared
is
an
act
of
love.
Do
you
feel
that,
Ava?
”

“
I'm
not
sure.
I'm
confused.
”
She
shook
her
head.
“
Maybe
I'll
take
my
chances
without
you.
”