As they lay locked together, Savannah was unable to take it all in, to believe how he had made her feel. His hands were stroking her hair, his mouth brushing her temple.
Gregori knew he would never get enough of her. Her fingers were twisting absently in his wild mane of hair, and the touch sent a new heat curling through his blood.
Then something invaded the peace and serenity. Suddenly, scenting danger, Gregori lifted his head. On the heels of his own alertness came a warning from the wolves. They called to him, their voices pitched in excited tones. He lowered his head and placed a brief, hard kiss on Savannah’s mouth. She looked drowsy, sexy, thoroughly loved.
At that moment the summons came, a soft, muted, but insistent voice, whispering to Savannah. My darling, I am close. Where are you? Was it her mother? Savannah attempted to sit up, joy coursing through her. She hadn’t seen her mother in five years. Now, when she needed her the most, when she needed guidance and comfort, her mother had unexpectedly appeared.
You will not answer. It was an imperious command, and Gregori expected to be obeyed. He was already pulling away from her, his face an implacable mask, his eyes slivers of steel.
Savannah was already seeking the familiar mental path to her mother. But at once, before she could actually send a message, her body became like lead, and her mind could not converse. Terror gripped her, and she didn’t understand.
Helplessly she glanced at Gregori, and when she saw his mask of granite, she knew he had done something to her. Her eyes were eloquent, pleading with him, frightened by his cool, expressionless features. There was something immovable about him, something harsh and unrelenting. Merciless. Why had she ever thought him gentle, tender? He was as cruel as a vampire.
“You cannot call out to your mother. It is not Raven. You are being hunted, Savannah,” he said softly, his beautiful voice without inflection. “You will be able to speak only to me on our exclusive path. I want your assurance that you will do as I say.”
Savannah was furious. Hurt. More hurt than furious, and that made her all the more furious that she had allowed herself to care enough to let him hurt her in the first place. You have no right to do this to me. Release me at once, Gregori! I know my own mother when I hear her.
He stood up and stretched, a lazy ripple of muscles that made her want to claw out his eyes. “It is not your mother. You are mine, Savannah, and it is my duty to protect you in any way I see fit. These vampire friends of Roberto are after something, and I think they are not alone. I believe they have drawn in human butchers. Aidan Savage is here in the city, and he is a good hunter, but I think these renegades are following you.” He dressed with fluid efficiency and casual grace. “I am not in the habit of explaining myself. I have made a concession to you in doing so. Choose now how you will proceed.”
I refuse your claim on me, she answered in the only way he allowed her to communicate. I will take my refusal to our people and plead with them for the mercy you evidently don’t have in you. I will not be tied to you!
He bent over her, a dark, imposing figure exuding power. His silver eyes glittered at her. “Hear me, Savannah. If you believe nothing else about me, believe this. You belong to me, with me. No one will ever attempt to take you from me and live. No one.” His voice was low, beautiful, and all the more deadly for it.
Her violet gaze was held captive by his pale one. She believed him. And not even her father, the Prince of their people, had a chance of destroying him. Her mind shied away from that thought. Destroy Gregori? She didn’t want that. He just couldn’t have her. Let me up, Gregori, she demanded. The paralysis was beginning to make her crazy. She felt as if she couldn’t breathe. She felt smothered, strangled.