The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

away. He didn’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t suddenly been overwhelmed by the scent of blood - so many humans in one place - which immediately thrust him deep into his vampire nature. He growled and rose slowly to his full height, just in time to be surprised by a pair of mortals who turned the corner, heading towards his location. His mind spun as he thought of nothing but the aroma of the blood pulsing through the hapless mortals’ veins. His fangs descended and he crouched, ready to spring.
    “Hi! Are you here for the sound circle? We’re late too. Why don’t you come on in with us?” The female of the couple moved to the door of the underground area and stood, waiting, a smile on her friendly face. Her companion waved.
    As if he hadn’t just regressed into a snarling beast, he forced himself to straighten, then snapped his shoulders back and raised his chin. “Yeah, OK.” He clenched his fists at his sides.
    Yeah, OK? What the hell? Nobody ever told me vampires could have psychotic meltdowns. Maybe all the drugs I did in the 1960s have finally caught up with me. Did I just choose not to attack them because they were nice to me? Am I insane? Since when does my brain work when I’m near mortals?
    He edged over to the door and held it open while the two humans entered and descended the staircase. He followed, already enraptured by the engulfing sound.
    Can’t these people sense me? Don’t they realize a predator is behind them? What’s happened to human instincts?
    They entered the chant-filled sound chamber and quietly found places to sit in the outermost circle. He kept a distance between himself and the others seated nearby and scanned the room. It was incredible. Whatever Grace had done to the walls made the area seem as if they’d stepped inside an amethyst quartz crystal. The circle area consisted of gentle risers, so that people in each circle sat slightly elevated over the row before. Scented candles burned atop tall, ornate holders, creating soft light and shadows. His vampire vision, especially attuned to the darkness, allowed him to see the blissful expressions on the faces of the participants. The sounds washed over and through him. Fifty voices chanted unfamiliar words, creating extraordinary harmonies. The vibrations lapped against his ears like the soothing waves of a vast sea. He imagined himself back in the womb.
    His gaze finally locked on the only one who mattered, and he studied her as she sang, her face ecstatic. Grace’s long, blonde hair flowed down the front of her body, hiding all but the sleeves of her shiny, white shirt. With his sensitive hearing, he was able to eliminate all the other voices and tune into hers. It was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard. Her timbre caressed him like summer rain and he felt his heart sputter, then beat wildly, which startled him because he’d previously had no occasion to allow his cold, dead heart to mimic life.
    He closed his eyes, lost in the pleasure of her vocalizations, and began chanting himself. Or, more accurately, the chant took control. The sound simply happened. He’d heard about the concept of channelling, but he thought it was a scam. He’d never have guessed what an amazing sensation it was to simply allow sound to flow from his body without any conscious direction. He hadn’t sung in so many years, he was surprised by the power of his own tenor voice.
    Suddenly, everyone in the room went silent. Everyone except Grace, that is. He’d stopped singing too, without even being aware of doing it. Had there been some imperceptible signal? Her glorious voice soared through the rarefied space as she leaned forwards, bringing her face near the woman on the floor, whose hands had relaxed at her sides. The sound was eerie and unearthly. Goosebumps rose on his arms - something that shouldn’t have been able to happen.
    After a few seconds, Grace stopped singing and eased back from the woman. Like releasing a taut rubber band, the formerly limp recipient sprang to her feet, thrust her arms into the air, threw her head back and laughed. “She did it! Grace did it! I’m pain free for the first time since my cancer was diagnosed. Thank you, Grace! Thank you!”
    Grace stood, opened her arms, and the woman collapsed against her, sobbing.
    Ethan sniffed in the woman’s direction, expecting to recognize the familiar scent of impending death again and instead sensed . . . life. Shocked, he focused his full