Protection (21 page)

“What are you—” Bancroft demanded, fresh power in his voice as he blurred close. Then he backed away just as swiftly as Nicholas dipped the crude torch in the fire, thrusting its flames toward Bancroft’s face.

“What am I? What are you?” Nicholas snapped, grimly satisfied by the sudden fear on the other man’s features. No, not a man—the Other. The Other’s inhuman, though undeniably humanlike, face.

“You misunderstand. Perhaps I gave offense. I didn’t mean to seem, ah, unwholesome in my advances.” Apparently, Bancroft Ulwin had trouble speaking so glibly with a torch bare inches from his chest.

“
Vrykolakas
,” Nicholas said, knowing it was Greek—he was fluent in the written language—even as the term sprang into his mind from nowhere. “
Strigoi
!
Draugr
!”

“
Dhampir
,” Bancroft replied, plainly striving to maintain control despite the panic rising in his eyes. “Vampire, as you have it here. I had no notion you were so well-educ—”

“I will burn you down,” Nicholas cried, forgetting his injuries, his stiff limbs, his shortened leg. Most of all, he pushed aside memory of the touch that had tempted him, inflaming needs that could never be fulfilled. “Go! Go now or burn!”

Bancroft drew himself up. For a moment his dark eyes stabbed into Nicholas, a promise of violence, lust, or both. Then he was gone. The study doors open, a breeze passing into the stuffy little room, the torch sputtering…

Gone. Just gone.

What did he say? That Grantley was the answer to his father’s prayers? And what did he promise?
Gripping his makeshift torch, Nicholas almost quailed from the truth.
He promised to bed me. Pleasure me if I signed Grantley over to him…

But every Christian boy and girl knew Satan’s promises were always lies. And Nicholas, not truly a Christian for longer than he could remember, still believed that essential teaching from his childhood. Liars never kept their end of any bargain. Only fools gave away what could never be replaced in the expectation of supernatural aid. Much less supernatural ecstasy…

Shaking, trembling all over, Nicholas realized he had been standing unsupported for some time. Quickly, he grasped the mantle for support, grateful for his upper body strength. He had no notion why a vampire would want Grantley. Or even how he, a strict rationalist who had never studied the occult, knew what a vampire was. But he doubted Bancroft Ulwin would give up after only one denial. Which meant he, Nicholas, had to be ready.

Look for
Soulless
from S.A. Reid in Summer 2012 in both e-book and paperback.

About The Author

S.A. Reid is a pseudonym for Stephanie Abbott, a writer of fantasy adventures. Her first book, a reincarnation romance called PAST LIVES #1: RACHEL is now available.
 

Stephanie also writes cozy mysteries like ICE BLUE and BLUE MURDER (coming Spring 2012) under the pen name Emma Jameson. And as S.A. Reid she writes adult romances like SOMETHING DIFFERENT, PROTECTION, and SOULLESS (coming Summer of 2012).