Carpathian 03 - Dark Gold

felt as if he had a family for the first time. People had cared for him for centuries, been loyal to him, and that had helped keep him a part of the world of sanity. Now, though, he had more than mere loyalty, fine as that was.
    He had emotions choking him, tearing at him, warming him. He loved it, even as he found it somewhat overwhelming. "We will never tell Alexandria that one," he agreed solemnly.
    
    Marie took Joshua's hand. "He just compliments me so he can stay in my good graces. He likes to lick the frosting bowl."

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    
    Joshua was shaking his head so hard, his blond curls bounced. His voice was solemn, his eyes earnest. "No, Marie, it's really true. Alexandria is a terrible cook. She burns everything."
    

Chapter Five
    
    She heard noises first. A drum beating. Wood creaking. Water running. Whispers of conversations, rumbling car engines, and the distant laughter of a child. Alexandria lay perfectly still, not daring to open her eyes. She knew she wasn't alone. She knew it was night. She knew the drum beating was her own heart—and that of another in a synchronized rhythm. She knew the conversation she could hear so clearly was taking place at a distance from her, on the first floor, in the kitchen. She knew the child laughing was Joshua.
    
    She didn't know how she knew these things, and it terrified her. She could smell cookies and spice. She could smell… him. Aidan Savage. He was there watching her with his beautiful eyes.
    Liquid gold. Penetrating. All-seeing. She let herself breathe. Hiding like a frightened child beneath the covers was not going to change anything. She was whatever he had made her. And he had somehow made her… not human. But, the voracious hunger now crawling through her body in a way she had never known was a fact she had to deal with.
    
    Her long lashes lifted, and the first thing she saw was his face. It was amazing how beautiful he was, in a purely masculine way. She studied him carefully, thoroughly. He was strong and powerful. It was there, all of it, the violent nature hidden just beneath all that civilized charm. His eyes were like a cat's, golden orbs, unblinking and steady, lashes long. He had a strong chin, an elegant nose. His lips were very defined, inviting, his teeth exceptionally white. His hair was a tawny mane of shimmering gold flowing to his broad shoulders. His muscles were ropey and rippled when he moved. But now he remained utterly still, like a part of the room, almost blending in, watching her intently. He was a magnificent predator. She knew he was, knew there was no other quite like him.
    
    She touched her tongue to her lips to moisten them. "So, what do we do now?"
    
    "I need to teach you our ways."
    
    His voice was quiet and matter-of-fact. Did that mean people turned into vampires every day?
    Alexandria sat up tentatively. Her body was sore and stiff but not agonized as it had been before.
    She stretched her muscles gingerly, testing them. "I don't have any desire to learn your ways."
    She glanced up at him, a flash of blue eyes quickly concealed by long lashes. "You tricked me.
    You knew I thought I would become… human again."
    
    He shook his head, the force of his will so strong, she had to look up at him. At once the molten gold captured her gaze. "No, Alexandria, you know that is not true. You wanted to believe it, so you convinced yourself. I chose not to confront you with the truth, but I never at any time misled you."
    
    A small, humorless smile touched her mouth. "Is that what you think? How noble of you to absolve yourself of any responsibility."
    
    He stirred, a slight ripple of muscles, and her heart leapt in alarm. He subsided, motionless once more, as if reading her fear. "I did not say I do not hold any responsibility in this matter. But I Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    cannot change what is. Nor could I change what occurred last evening. Believe me, Alexandria, I would give anything that you not have had to endure what the vampire put you through. Had I been able to do more to spare you such agony, I would have done so."
    
    His voice, so soft and gentle, rang with honesty. He seemed incapable of lying. But didn't vampires have that ability, that power to mesmerize their victims? Alexandria didn't know what was reality anymore, but she was not going to allow anyone to take