“How do you know?”
He shrugged casually. They might have been discussing the weather. “He would never have sent a challenge if he had not devised a trap. I have acquired a certain… reputation among the undead.”
She drew up her knees and rested her chin on them. “I wish he would just go away, find another city to terrorize.”
He shook his head, his golden eyes loving. “No, you do not. Besides, I would never allow him to kill wantonly anywhere nearby. My work often involves travel, you know.”
“He’s the serial killer who’s been in the papers recently, isn’t he?” she guessed shrewdly.
“One of them. The others are dead now.”
She twisted her fingers together in agitation.
Aidan laced a hand through hers reassuringly. “Do not worry, Alexandria. I will protect you from him.”
“It isn’t that. I know you will. It’s just that now that I know you, now that I’ve met Gregori and I know what causes someone to turn vampire, isn’t there any way to… to cure them?”
He shook his head sadly. “I know you feel sorrow for them and for those of us who must destroy them, but in most cases it is a conscious choice on their part. And once a kill has been made during the taking of blood, there is no way back.”
She met his eyes squarely. “Gregori has done so.”
His golden gaze was suddenly cold and speculative. “That is impossible.”
“I know he has. He regrets it bitterly, and it eats away at him, but he has killed someone evil using that method. I
know, Aidan, really. I sometimes see things in people that others can’t.”
“Is he turned?” His voice was quiet, lacking inflection, and he was very still as he awaited her answer.
She shook her head. “He thinks he’s evil, but he has tremendous compassion in him. But he is dangerous, Aidan. Very dangerous.”
“Vampires are adept at hiding the truth. They are consummate liars. You are certain Gregori has not turned?”
She nodded. “I was afraid of him. He’s afraid of himself. As he said, he’s like a tiger, unpredictable and dangerous. But he’s not evil.”
Outside, clouds were blackening the gray dawn sky. Aidan smiled smugly and waved a hand, and instantly the clouds began to disperse. “The remaining vampire thinks to intimidate me with a display of power, and I allow it to lull him into a false sense of security. But the dawn is upon us, and he must seek the shelter of the earth.”
Alexandria relaxed a little. She didn’t like to think the vampire could be just outside their window, listening to their conversation.
Aidan shook his head. “If he were that close, piccola, I would know.”
She laughed. “I still forget you can read my thoughts. Sometimes it’s very disconcerting.”
“Sometimes it can be very interesting.” His strange, brilliant eyes gleamed at her, sending a blush spreading over her entire body.
“Your mind is interesting, too,” she agreed, a smile curving her mouth. “It has all sorts of interesting ideas.”
“We are just getting started,” he said softly. He leaned toward her, cupping one breast in his hand, his thumb feathering over the hard peak. “I love touching you, being able to touch you whenever I wish.” His fingertip brushed her throat, the mark he had deliberately left on her.
She felt his touch through her entire body. “You should be outlawed, Aidan. You know, all my recent sketches for Thomas Ivan’s characters took on your look. I couldn’t help myself. Do you think Thomas will notice?”
His eyes glittered at her. “Thomas Ivan is an idiot.”
“His concepts are both innovative and popular, and he happens to be my boss,” she said firmly. “You’re just jealous.”
“One of my more annoying habits, no doubt. I do not intend to share you, Alexandria.” Abruptly he released her. “I do not want another man touching you.”
“Working together does not mean sleeping together,” she pointed out patiently, secretly knowing that she would readily break off even the work relationship with Ivan if it truly caused Aidan deep distress.
“And you believe he will accept that?”
“He’ll have no choice. I’ll tell him you and I are engaged. He’ll have to accept it.”