My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(7)

What could be more fulfilling than tending to one's soul?

But for all his vaulted notions, he could not deny a stark, utterly unexpected reaction to the warm, vibrant beauty of Miss Hadwell.

The passions and desires that had been all but forgotten over the centuries had tingled to sudden life. He had been unnervingly aware of the scent of her skin and the satin softness of her ripe lips. And perhaps, above all, the delicate form that had brushed against him with an innocent provocation.

Such sensations were as unwelcome as they were unexpected. Especially with the realization that he could no longer remain in the shadows as Drake stalked the young maiden. He would have to somehow ensure that he was allowed to remain close to her side.

Ruefully wishing that he were back in the Veil with nothing to occupy his thoughts but the companionship of his brethren, Sebastian slowly rose to his feet. He had put off the inevitable long enough. Miss Hadwell was close by and alone. Even if Drake was trapped in his lair, it was his duty to be at her side. There were dark companions of the vampire that could still offer danger.

As silent as smoke, Sebastian moved through his quiet home and down to the kitchen door.

Once in the bright summer sunlight, he paused to allow his eyes to adjust and then used the scent of Miss Hadwell to guide his feet across the garden and down the narrow alley.

He found her by the derelict stables, her gaze carefully trained upon the ground as if searching for a lost object.

Just for a moment, his gaze lingered upon her delicate form, shown to advantage in a blue muslin gown, and the shimmering raven curls piled atop her head. She appeared so tiny, so utterly vulnerable, that his heart gave an odd lurch.

Almost as if sensing his presence, Miss Hadwell slowly turned. The dark eyes widened as he stepped forward.

"Oh." Her hand lifted to press to her heart. "You startled me."

Sebastian offered a faint bow. "Forgive me, that was not my intent." He glanced about the decrepit stables and small yard littered with rubbish. "Have you lost your brother once again?"

The tension faded from her face as her charming dimples suddenly flashed. Sebastian felt an odd warmth flow through his blood, as if the sun had abruptly emerged from behind heavy clouds.

"No, William is safely at home enjoying his breakfast."

"Ah, that is a relief." Ruthlessly shaking off the strange desire to sweep the petite maiden into his arms and carry her off to the protection of his home, Sebastian took a step forward. He had to somehow convince this overly bold woman that she could not be so recklessly indifferent to her own safety. "The streets of London can be a perilous place. Most especially when the night cloaks them in shadow."

"So I have discovered." Her smile faded and for the first time Sebastian noted the weary smudges beneath the dark eyes. "Unfortunately, William has no understanding of danger. He believes that all possess his own gentle heart."

A flare of impatience raced through him. "A grievous error and one that might lead to your own harm."

His tone was sharper than he had intended, and her expression swiftly settled into lines of defensive stubbornness.

"I have spoken with him. There is little else I can do."

Realizing his mistake, Sebastian forced back the words trembling upon his lips. For the moment it was important that he not alienate this woman. He would have to consider what was to be done with her troublesome brother at a later time.

"If it is not your brother that you seek, then what brings you to such a melancholy place?"

Her gaze slowly turned toward the shadows of the stables, her arms wrapping about her waist in an unconscious motion.

"I could not sleep," she said slowly. "I wished ..."

"What?"

There was a moment's pause before she grimaced. "I wished to assure myself that I had been mistaken."

"Mistaken in what?" he asked softly.

A visible shudder raced through her. "There is no such thing as a shadow that speaks and murders innocents. It must have been fear that made me believe in such an absurd fancy. It could not have been real."

Sebastian frowned at her troubled tones. Surely any other maiden who had received such a fright would wisely lock herself in her home and not return to the very spot where the demon had lurked? Reckless, indeed.

"And so you came in search of this killer?"

"Of course not." She regarded him with a hint of surprise. "I merely desired proof that it was a human monster and not a figment of my nightmares."

"Ah. Have you satisfied your fears?"

She grimaced again. "Not really. There is nothing to verify what I witnessed last evening."

There was a pause as she studied his deliberately unreadable expression. "Unless you possess an explanation?"

He did, of course. He possessed all the answers she clearly desired. But he feared that she was not yet prepared for the truth. Should he tell her of Drake and the Medallion, she might very well think him mad, or worse.

Besides which, the knowledge that a desperate vampire was stalking her was hardly a reassuring revelation, he acknowledged ruefully. For now it seemed preferable to worry over nightmares.

He gave a lift of his shoulder. "As I said last evening, it is a creature of the night."

Her lips thinned at his cautious words. "That is no answer."

Sebastian stepped closer. Close enough to smell the heady scent of her warm skin.