A Vampire for Christmas(107)

CHAPTER SEVEN



DELLA STARED INTO THE mirror over the sink and tried to come to terms with what she was seeing and figure out whatever it was that Eagan was trying not to tell her. Her stomach lurched in fear when she held her freshly washed hand up to the bright light overhead to study her palm. It hadn’t changed since the cold water had washed away the last of the dried blood.

A long, jagged line stretched from just under her forefinger down to her wrist. A reddish scar, not an open wound. How was that possible? The scar itself was proof enough that she wasn’t dreaming that she’d cut herself badly and bled her way to the front door. That much she remembered. After that the facts became fuzzy. Eagan had appeared out of nowhere to keep her from hitting the floor.

What next? His eyes had gone all weird and so had his teeth. Who had solid black eyes? No one. Who had such long canine teeth? Not Eagan the last time she’d seen him. What had changed?

At first she’d thought he’d leaned in closer to study her wound. But no, he’d licked her hand, over and over again. She closed her eyes as she remembered the soft bobbing motion of his head as the smooth velvet of his tongue had swept across her palm.

What had he said? The blood called to him. Who said something like that?

A soft knock at the door reminded her she wasn’t alone.

Della, please come out or let me come in. We need to talk. I won’t hurt you.”

She hadn’t locked the door, so there was nothing keeping Eagan out. He was waiting for an invitation. “Come in.”

The bathroom wasn’t big. Just three stalls and a counter. She watched Eagan’s reflection as he eased into the room, moving slowly and obviously unsure of his welcome. When he realized where she was looking, he grinned, briefly revealing those freaky teeth.

He gestured toward the mirror. “That’s a myth, by the way.”

What is?”

He edged closer, but managed not to block her access to the door. “That I have no reflection. I also like garlic.”

You’re not making any sense, Eagan.”

But he was. Horrible, terrifying, but amazing sense. All the pieces shifted and turned until one by one they fell into place. A single word filled her mind, shouting its truth even though common sense and reality said it couldn’t be true.

Eagan was already nodding. “The word you’re looking for is vampire. Believe me, if I could make you forget this night ever happened, I would. My people are gifted with the ability to affect a human’s thoughts, but there’s no way to deny the scar on your hand.”

She stared down at her palm in wonder. “My hand is almost healed.”

Holding it out for his inspection, she asked, “How is that possible?”

That same sad smile was back. “My saliva has a coagulant that stopped the bleeding, but my blood has even stronger healing properties. I put a few drops in your tea. By this time tomorrow, that scar will have all but disappeared.”

Her lips curled in distaste. “Your blood! Why would you do such a thing!”

Eagan flinched as if she’d hit him. “Because you cut your hand bad enough to cause permanent nerve and tendon damage. I couldn’t let that happen, not if I could prevent it. Now, if you’re all right, I’ll be going.”

He stopped in the doorway to pull out a business card and sat it on the counter. “I have no right to ask you to keep this between the two of us, Della, but it would be better for all concerned if you did. Here’s my number if you should ever want to talk…or anything.”

His eyes faded back to their usual beautiful shade of blue. As the door drifted shut, she reached for the card. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but all it said was his name and a phone number. Not much in the way of information. Nothing like Eagan McHale, Vampire. Or Hero. Or Rescuer of Damsels in Distress.

She shoved the card in her pocket, determined to hold on to that much of him. Maybe she should be scared, but she wasn’t. Eagan had just taken her whole worldview and shattered it, but he’d also saved her. In her book, that made him a hero in every sense of the world. He’d also had to reveal his secret life to her, trusting Della with his truth before walking away. Why? Because he’d assumed she wouldn’t want him to stay.

Silly man.

Tearing out of the bathroom, she ran straight through the diner and out into the cold Seattle night. Where was he? She looked up and down the block. Nothing. She stared at the alley across the street where he’d stood before. “Eagan!”