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  Now he was making her feel guilty for being mad about him breaking into her apartment. Even if he had made her dinner, it didn’t excuse it. Finally, she sighed, deciding to let it go. “No, the dinner is very nice. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She sat down at the table and he served her a steak, mashed potatoes, and a roll. Joan ate a little and had to admit, it was good. Better than good, it was great. “Very good. Where did you learn to cook like this?”

  “You’d laugh if I told you.”

  “Try me.”

  “Paris at the turn of the century. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you try to develop hobbies.”

  Joan giggled and sipped her water. “Aren’t you going to eat too? Um…can you eat?”

  “I can, but I don’t very often.”

  “So,” Joan said, swallowing a mouthful of potatoes. “What are your plans with all this? Are we dating now, or what?”

  “I don’t know, you tell me. Are you willing to date me?” he asked.

  She frowned at him for being elusive. “Usually the sex doesn’t come first.”

  “But it can,” he countered good-naturedly. “At least we know that part of our relationship doesn’t need any work.”

  “I still don’t get this. Why me when you could have any woman you want?”

  Severus rubbed the back of his neck. “I could, but having so many women at my disposal isn’t necessarily a good thing. I haven’t had a real relationship in a very long time and I find I miss it. I miss the intimacy that only a real relationship can offer.” He shrugged. “You can be surrounded by a room full of people and still be lonely, Joan.”

  That one surprised her because it was so brutally honest. “So, what’s the after dinner plan?”

  “If it was okay with you, I thought we might take a walk around the city.”

  Wow, she guessed this really was a date. “Sure, I think that would be nice.”

  Chapter Eleven

  It was almost midnight by the time Severus brought Joan home from their dinner date. They talked for a few minutes, kissed for a few more, and then he left to hunt and she got ready for bed so she wouldn’t be exhausted for work tomorrow.

  As she washed her face and brushed her teeth, Joan thought how weird it was that

  she was dating a vampire. Never in a million years would she have thought that possible. But, just as he’d promised, Severus had helped her see that the vampires weren’t just mindless beings that sucked the blood of humans. They were people like her who just happened to be afflicted by this…what was it? A disease, a disorder? She didn’t know what they considered it, but one thing was for sure, they didn’t consider it a bad thing.

  Joan had to admit, she was a little ashamed that she’d formed a group of vampire hunters without really knowing much about the creatures. Her thoughts wandered back to when Severus had asked her for a child. Weird. Even now, she didn’t know what to make of it. What kind of father would he be? She supposed no worse than some of the fathers out there. At least he really wanted a baby and, at his age, he must have had them before. She’d have to ask him.

  Joan heard footfalls behind her and turned around.

  Standing a few feet behind her was a tall, elegant vampire woman with long, wild, red hair. Her eyes seemed to burn with a demonic light. Joan recognized her from the abandoned house she and the others had broken into two weeks ago. There were two big, burly male vampires with her. One was white with long, blond hair and the other an African American with a shaved head and piercing, pale blue eyes. They stood behind the woman as if waiting for her orders.

  “Hello, Joan,” the woman said. “My name is Myra.” She smiled, showing off her long, white teeth.

  A block of ice settled in Joan’s gut. She didn’t know what this woman wanted, but it couldn’t be good. “Who are you, and what do you want?”

  “I’m an old friend of Severus’. He appears to have become quite smitten with you and forgotten all about the favor I asked of him. Pity that. Now it looks like I’m going to have to punish you myself.”

  Joan pulled her robe tighter around her. “I don’t understand. I haven’t done anything to you. What would you have to punish me for?”

  “You were to be punished for forming your little group of vampire hunters and making a pest of yourselves. It’s too bad he fell in love with you. He was so very good at things like that.”

  “If he’s as in love with me as you say, won’t he be angry if you hurt me?”

  “He might, if he knew where you were and what happened to you. But I’ll make sure he doesn’t find out. Then, after I’m done with you, I’ll track down your motley crew of hunters and deal with them too.”

  Joan wasn’t going to sit around and wait to see what this evil woman had planned for her. Hoping beyond hope, she bolted for her apartment door, but was intercepted by the blond vampire. He wrapped his arms around her and crushed her against his chest. Leaning down close to her ear, he said, “Where are you going, lovely? The night is so dark and you are so vulnerable. Why not stay with us where you’ll be safe?”

  His African American partner laughed and there was nothing warm or kind about it. Joan wished there was some way to send Severus a message. She fought the blond vampire’s grip, but he was much too strong. Worse still, he seemed to actually like how much she fought.

  “Severus will find me!” she shouted as they dragged her toward the two story window. “He’ll never stop looking until he does.”

  “Don’t be silly. By the time I’m finished with your apartment, he’ll think you got cold feet and took off into hiding. He’ll be devastated, of course, but he’ll soon forget you. So why don’t you make things easier on yourself and do as you’re told? Maybe my boys here will take pity on you and let you go sooner.” She bared her teeth and laughed.

  Joan racked her brain trying to think of something, anything, she could say to convince these monsters to let her go, but nothing came. She was on the verge of tears, but wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Escaping these things was going to take a cool head. So Joan stopped fighting and let the blond vampire pull her into his arms just as he jumped out her window.

  * * * *

  Joan woke up in a dark room with her hands tied above her head. She looked around, trying to get her bearings, but nothing looked familiar. There was a dresser, an open window with lace curtains blowing in the breeze, the bed she was lying on, and a bedside table. She pulled on her hands, but soon realized that she wasn’t as much tied as she was handcuffed and fat chance of getting loose from those.

  The bedroom door opened and she was momentarily blinded by the hall light. Then, she recognized the female vamp, Myra, and her stomach dropped. “Listen,” Joan said, trying to reason with the woman. “I know why you’re mad about the vampire hunting group, and I certainly don’t blame you, but let me explain.”

  Myra grinned. “Go right ahead.”

  “Well, um…the truth is, we never actually caught any vampires. We barely even saw any. We were never a threat to you or your people.”

  “That may be true,” Myra said, “but the fact remains you were a bother and need to be made an example of. I mean, how else are we doing to dissuade others from following in your footsteps? If Severus had done his job, I wouldn’t have had to take over your education myself. But since he mixed business with pleasure…well, here you are.”

  The blond vampire came in dressed only in white sweatpants. Joan’s panic rose. “There’s no need for any of this. I’ve learned my lesson, believe me! I promise never to hunt vampires again.”

  Myra caressed her cheek. “Too little, too late.”

  The blond vampire unfastened her handcuffs and manhandled her over his lap. She struggled, but it had the same effect as a small child fighting an adult. The vampire was much too strong for her. As she fought him, he pulled her jeans and underwear down, running his hand appreciatively over her buttocks. Shame heated Joan’s cheeks as she realized how he
lpless she was against these creatures. What made her think her and the others had a chance at actually killing one?

  The first spank was hard and was followed by several more. He spanked her until her bottom was numb and her body burned with a vague sexual desire. Then, he bound her hands again and left the room.

  Myra smiled. “At least that should give you something to think about, hmmm?” Then, she walked out.

  Joan squirmed as she fretted over what else they might have planned for her. She was sure there must be more than a little humiliation. Oh, Severus, where on Earth are you? Please find me and get me out of here!

  Chapter Twelve

  When Severus arrived at the apartment, it was empty. Most of Joan’s personal belongings were gone and an inspection of the closet showed both suitcases were missing as well. A crudely written note left on the dining room table indicated she’d fallen in love with someone else and didn’t want to see him anymore.

  Severus knew it was all a lie. What he couldn’t figure out was why anyone would want to abduct Joan. Then, Myra came to mind. She’d been very angry about Joan forming a band of vampire hunters. It wouldn’t be beyond her to overstep the boundaries like this.

  Hot fury fired the stolen blood in his veins and he vowed not only to get Joan back unharmed, but to make Myra pay for touching her in the first place. But now was the time for calm. Where would Myra have taken her? It could be anywhere. Myra had a hundred hideouts in the city. She could have stashed Joan in any one of them. There was only one thing he could do. Hit every nightclub his people frequented until he got a lead on Joan, and he didn’t have a whole lot of time to do it before sunrise.

  * * * *

  Severus hadn’t been out to the nightclub scene in weeks, ever since he’d started dating Joan. It amused him to think he didn’t even miss the people, or the music, or the noise. Was his desire to settle down with Joan having that much of an effect on him? He was sure it was. It had been centuries since he’d known the comfort of home and family and he really longed for the tranquil bliss.

  A current of toxic worry moved through his heart. Because of their long lives, vampires tended to take human life for granted. Humans weren’t as strong, or as aggressive, and so many among his people saw them as little more than food. It pained him to think that his own humanity had suffered too. But when he’d met Joan, something had happened. He’d remembered what it was like to really like someone, to connect with them and enjoy their company on a fundamental level.

  Unfortunately, he had forgotten how jealous and petty some vampires could be. Myra being a prime example. He should have guarded Joan better. He should have moved in with her to make sure this couldn’t happen. The fury rose in his chest again. When he found Myra, Joan had better be okay or there would be hell to pay.

  Glancing up and down the street, Severus stepped into one of the many nightclubs lining the road. The music and flashing lights brought his senses to life. He scanned the dance floor and spotted Keith, a tall, blond vampire who hung around with Myra sometimes.

  Severus came over, touched Keith’s arm and leaned in close. “May I speak to you for a moment?”

  The blond vampire gave him a strange look, but followed him out into the alley. “I don’t know you, do I?” the blond asked.

  “I’m a friend of Myra’s.”

  Keith nodded. “Oh, yeah. What can I do―?”

  Severus grabbed the front of his T-shirt and slammed him against the brick wall. “Something of mine is missing. Perhaps you’ve seen it? It’s a lovely, young African American woman about this tall.” He held his hand up to just below his chin. “I know Myra took her and I think you might know where she is.”

  “Easy, easy, okay? Myra made me promise I wouldn’t tell anyone where she was, especially you.”

  “Well, if you value all the teeth in your head, you’d better reconsider.”

  Keith considered this for a moment. He didn’t look scared as much as he didn’t seem to want a big hassle. “Okay, but I can’t tell you where she is. I have to show you.”

  Severus let go of his shirt with a shove. “Show me then.”

  * * * *

  Joan woke to the sound of angry shouting downstairs. She’d been captive here for hours and was beginning to lose her sense of time and place. Myra made sure someone came in to feed her earlier and let her loose for a few hours, but when the vampire lady came back up, it was right back to being tied up. She was starting to think Myra didn’t know what to do with her. The vampire woman couldn’t let her go for fear of Severus and didn’t really want to keep her. Perhaps she was looking for another vamp to take Joan off her hands. Ugh.

  Joan closed her eyes and tried to focus on the fight, but she couldn’t understand a word. It was probably just Myra arguing with another one of her many vampire lovers. But as the yelling grew louder, Joan thought she made out Severus’ voice. Could it be? Could he have really been searching for her? The thought filled her with a desperate hope.

  The shouting stopped and heavy steps started coming up the stairs. Joan could her Myra say, “You’ve lost your edge and become obsessed. What is this woman to you? Nothing! She doesn’t even love you. She never asked for you once and, if one of my boys had seduced her, she would have easily succumbed to his will.”

  They emerged in the hallway outside her bedroom door and Joan could see them clearly from where she lay. Although Myra was a scary vampire, Severus had her beat, hands down. He towered over the female vamp, glaring at her with such venom, Joan was afraid he was going to do something really nasty right in front of her. He shoved Myra back into one of her boy toy vampires and marched into the room. When he saw Joan, he froze. She sure hoped she didn’t look all messed up.

  Severus snatched the handcuff keys off the dresser and rushed to her side. He unlocked her wrists and freed her. Joan’s arms sprang free, aching from having been bound for so long. She threw her arms around him and hugged him close. Severus cradled her in his arms. “How are you, Joan? Did they hurt you?”

  “Not really,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest. “I’m mostly just sore.”

  “I’m so sorry, my darling. I should have never left you alone. Can you forgive me?”

  Joan couldn’t help herself. She giggled. “Of course I can. This wasn’t your fault. But thank you for rescuing me.”

  He pulled back and stared into her eyes. “I would have gone anywhere and done anything to find you, Joan. I meant it when I said I cared about you. I only hope that, in time, you can feel the same.”

  Joan smiled. “Funny, but I think I already do.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Severus took her back to his house and insisted on carrying Joan over the threshold. He carried her into the kitchen, sat her at the table, and began making her bacon and eggs. She wanted to tell him not to bother, but the truth was, she was starving. Her vampire captors hadn’t fed her anything that didn’t come out of a can and she hated processed food. As Severus scrambled the eggs in a bowl, her mouth started to water.

  “I’m surprised you know how to cook,” she joked. “I mean, it’s not exactly a skill you would need every day.”

  He smiled, flashing his long, menacing canines. “I can cook all kinds of things, but I’m best at bacon, eggs and toast.”

  “You’re already way ahead of my kidnappers.”

  His expression grew dark and serious. “I’m so sorry about that, Joan. I shouldn’t have underestimated Myra. She’s very vindictive.”

  Joan shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you came to rescue me. That was very sweet.”

  “I’m just sorry I didn’t realize what they’d done sooner.” Severus placed the raw bacon in the pan and it sizzled. He stared down at the food, seemingly deep in thought. “I suppose you won’t consider marrying me and having a child with me after all that.”

  Joan considered that for a moment. She had very strong feelings for Severus, but she was afraid Myra wasn’t done with her revenge scheme yet.
The last thing she’d tolerate was some vengeful vamp trying to get at her baby. No way that was going to happen. “Frankly, I’m concerned about Myra and her boy toys. Won’t they try and get me again when you’re not around?”

  Severus plucked the hot bacon out of the frying pan with tongs and placed it on the plate with the toast and eggs. He placed the plate in front of her, along with a cup of hot coffee. Joan hoped the coffee wouldn’t keep her up for the rest of the night. The whole two hours left of the night.