But this . . .

It made her feel as if she were a giddy foundling who had yet to gain command of her hungers.

The logical part of her understood the sensations he aroused were dangerous. Not only to her hard-earned control, but to the part of her that was still very much a woman.

But a larger part of her accepted that there was no way to fight what was happening between her and this gorgeous, sexy vampire. There seemed no choice but to allow their relationship to develop to an inevitable conclusion.

Whatever that conclusion might be.

Almost on cue, Santiago turned to send her one of those smiles she felt to the tips of her toes.

“Anything?” he demanded.

With an effort, Nefri returned her mind to Gaius and his odd behavior. It was certainly more pressing than her girlish reaction to a charming male.

“The emotions were far more contained than those near Gaius’s lair,” she said, moving to stand near Santiago while her gaze returned to the schoolhouse.

“I assume he just stopped by for a quick snack,” Santiago said. “No doubt the longer he stays in one spot the further his infections spread.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

She shifted her gaze to meet his frown. “I agree with your logic.”

“But?”

“But I don’t understand his need for any snack, quick or otherwise.”

He considered her words. “Because he didn’t feed while he was with your clan?”

“No, since his return to this world he’s clearly indulged his most primitive hungers, but he’s a very old vampire. He shouldn’t have to feed so often.” Nefri grimaced. The Harpies had claimed they’d found corpses disposed of in the swamps, not to mention the crazed human male they were holding captive. “Especially not after he seemingly gorged before leaving his lair.”

“Unless he’s still recovering from injuries,” Santiago suggested. “We don’t know how badly he was hurt during the battle with the Dark Lord.”

“It’s possible.”

The dark eyes narrowed. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m wondering if the spirit is somehow draining Gaius,” she said slowly.

Santiago straightened from the truck, taking time to mull over her suggestion. “You mean feeding off him?”

She shrugged. “It’s just a theory.”

“It makes as much sense as anything else.”

Not the most comforting assurance considering nothing about Gaius or the spirit made sense.

“Can you feel Gaius?”

He closed his eyes, concentrating on his connection to his sire. “I know he’s north of us.”

“Are we gaining on him?”

“We are,” he said after a beat. He opened his eyes. “It feels like he’s settled in one place.”

Yet another anomaly. She shook her head in frustration “Odd, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“He doesn’t expect to be followed.”

“He always was arrogant.”

“But not stupid.”

Santiago easily followed her train of thought. “You suspect Gaius is setting an ambush?”

“It’s rather convenient that your connection to him returned just in time to follow his trail,” she pointed out.

He scowled, clearly already having considered the possibility he was being played by the vampire he’d once considered his father. “True.”

“It could be a coincidence. Or . . .”

“Or an elaborate trap,” he finished for her.

“Yes.”

He turned to pull open the door of the truck. “There’s only one way to find out.”

Nefri crawled into the cab, scooting across the leather seat. She wasn’t nearly so eager to confront Gaius. Not until she had more information on the spirit that she feared was far more powerful than she’d first suspected.

But how?

The Commission had revealed all they intended to. It would be a waste of time to try and question them. And it wasn’t as if there was a textbook lying around that explained mysterious spirits.

At least . . .

Not in this world.

She turned to study Santiago’s profile as he put the truck in gear and headed back toward the highway. “Can we reach Gaius tonight?”

“No.” He shot her a curious glance. “Even if he stays where he is it would take too many hours to reach him.”

“Then I would request we make a small detour.”

“Request?” He grinned. “Where’s my commanding Nefri?” She sniffed. “You called me bossy, remember?”

“So we’re partners?”

She gave a slow nod, wondering if he truly understood how difficult it was for her to concede to his demands.

It wasn’t about accepting someone could be her equal. She wasn’t that vain.

It was allowing herself to be vulnerable.

Something easier said than done.

“Partners,” she murmured.

“I like the sound of that.” His grin widened. “Even if it was like pulling teeth.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re very . . . persistent.”

“I’m a stubborn, impulsive bastard who too often allows his heart to rule his head,” he admitted, his smile fading as he held her gaze. “But, I would die for those I consider mine.”

Warmth flared through her heart. “I know.”

He turned his attention back to the field they were cutting through, slowing as they neared the narrow road. “Which direction?”

“North,” she said, hoping she wasn’t taking them on a wild goose chase. “For now.”

“Wait.” He shot her a suspicious glance. “You aren’t taking me to the Oracles, are you?”

She arched a brow. “Not unless you wanted to drop in for a visit.”

“I’d rather poke out my eye.”

A feeling shared by most of the demon world, she wryly acknowledged. Including herself on occasion.

“No, we’re not going to the Oracles,” she assured him. “I have an acquaintance who might be of assistance.”

His suspicion remained. Smart vampire.

“What kind of acquaintance?”

“I think I should wait and let you see for yourself,” she murmured, struck by a sudden thought. “Oh, we need to find a ring or a necklace. Preferably made of diamonds. The larger the better.”

His suspicion transformed to confusion. “Not that I mind buying you all the bling your heart might desire, querida, but I’m not sure there are any stores open.”

“Has that ever stopped you?” she asked dryly.

His soft chuckle brushed over her skin with sinful pleasure. “Never.”

Northern Arkansas

Santiago had used up most of the swear words he’d learned during his considerably long life as he crawled through yet another mud-filled sinkhole that at last led to a hidden meadow.

An acquaintance, Nefri had claimed. Why hadn’t he demanded more details? Like whether or not the creature lived in the Ozark Mountains in an area so remote not even a damned billy goat could find it?

Of course, he should have known something was up when she’d demanded to be taken to the clan chief of Arkansas rather than a jewelry store to acquire a diamond the size of an ostrich egg. At the time, however, he was distracted by the clan chief ’s eagerness to impress Nefri with his generosity. Hell, Santiago didn’t doubt the bedazzled vampire would have given his entire fortune if Nefri had requested it.

Now he wondered what kind of acquaintance demanded a priceless jewel and lived in the middle of nowhere.

Indifferent to his strange litany, Nefri led him out of the sinkhole and straight across the meadow, the clinging mud flaking off her jeans and sweater to leave her looking as fresh as a fucking daisy.

Even her long hair was perfect, shimmering like a river of ebony beneath the fading stars.

It was no wonder that the Arkansas clan chief had turned over a million-dollar diamond without batting a lash.

“If you’re lost you can just admit it,” he muttered as she at last came to a halt in front of a dead tree that somehow managed to stay upright in the center of the meadow. “I swear I won’t tell anyone.”

Her gaze remained locked on the tree. “I’m not lost.”

“Then you’re punishing me?”

Her lips twitched. “If and when I decide to punish you, Santiago, you will know.”

“Comforting.”

“Mmm.”

“Where are we going?”

“Here.”

He glanced around the empty meadow. Did she expect someone to be taking a late night stroll in this isolated area? “You made me ruin my boots to meet a tree?”

“Hush,” she murmured, leaning down to place the diamond in a small hollow beneath a gnarly root.

“Now what?”

She turned to offer a mysterious smile. The ice-princess at her most seductive.

“Now we wait.”

He stepped forward, trailing his fingers through the cool silk of her hair. This was a woman made for night. As distantly remote and beautiful as the moon.