Part 22 (2/2)
”Dr. Winter?” Hannah glanced at Katrina. ”Isn't he the one you said invented the test?”
”That's him.” The Baroness leaned a shoulder against the wall, crossed her feet at the ankles, and folded her arms beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. ”He's a good kid.”
”Kid?”
”Hasn't even seen his first century, but what a brilliant mind. I look forward to seeing how he develops over the next few hundred years.”
Hannah glanced at her arm as Jules prepared to draw blood. For a moment, her brain felt like it was overloading. A year ago, she never imagined vampires existed, let alone being tested for her ability to become one. One thing she'd learned, moment to moment, day to day, nothing was predictable.
While they awaited the test results, Hannah and the Baroness ate lunch at a nearby restaurant. In spite of the delicious food presented, Hannah didn't feel hungry-not when she thought about Seraphim. The man had completely messed with her mind. He'd said she was irreplaceable to him. She'd been stupid enough to believe him. She, of all people, should have known men would say anything to keep a woman providing b.l.o.w. .j.o.bs and supplying blood.
”Hannah!”
”Sorry, did you say something?” Hannah glanced at the Baroness. ”You've been in a stupor since we got here. It's Seraphim, isn't it?” ”I can't believe I let him get to me. I should have known better.”
”Look, don't jump to conclusions about him.”
”He basically told me it's over between us. As if it had ever begun.” Hannah shook her head, lowering her gaze to her lap. She knew it had been too perfect with Seraphim. There was no such thing as love at first sight.
The Baroness sighed, rubbing her fingertips to her forehead. ”d.a.m.n. I know I shouldn't tell you what I'm about to, but I can't stand a lot of stupidity.”
”Tell me what?”
”Seraphim's in love with you. I know it.”
”How?”
”While he was away, he wasn't with Vikenti for the reason you think. They had business and -”
”Wait, Vikenti's a spy, too?” Hannah interrupted. It was bad enough the world seemed littered with vampires, but now half of them were spies, doctors, pimps, and G.o.d knew what else!
”As I said, Seraphim's job is dangerous. He was injured.” ”Injured?” Hannah's brow furrowed. ”He looked fine. He -”
”Jules and Matthew took care of him. He needed surgery twice in two days. Immaculates heal really quickly, but believe me when I tell you, he nearly died.”
Hannah's stomach twisted, though she tried not to feel for a man who obviously didn't want her. ”I'm sorry to hear that. I wouldn't wish anything bad on him. Ever.”
”When he woke up, the first word he spoke was your name.”
”It was?” Hannah met her eyes, feeling both sick at Seraphim's brush with death and elated that he did care for her after all.
”If that's not some kind of love, I don't know what is.”
”It still doesn't mean he wants to be with me. He made that clear enough.”
”People don't always say what they mean. Hannah -” The Baroness' was interrupted by her cell phone ringing. She held it to her ear. ”h.e.l.lo? Jules!...No kidding? That's great!...Once Hannah and I talk, we'll make an appointment...Good. Thank Matthew for me. Bye now.”
”Well?” Hannah's heartbeat quickened as she waited for the Baroness to give her the details about her conversation with Jules.
”We're compatible. I can try changing you.” ”Excellent. Will you still do it?”
”I said I would.” Katrina leaned forward, her fingertips creating a steeple as her eyes fixed on Hannah's. ”We'll get you a hotel room. You can relax for a day or so and think long and hard about what you really want to do.”
”I already know.”
”Just make sure.” The Baroness reached across the table and squeezed Hannah's hand. ”This is a major change in lifestyle we're talking about.”
”I know, and I'm more than ready for it.”
Hannah wasn't sure about much anymore, but she knew becoming a vampire was exactly what she wanted.
Chapter Twelve.
Trixie dropped Hannah at her hotel, then drove to her own. On the way she considered the events of the past day. She'd left for the city shortly after Mercedes and Hannah, not wanting to travel with them since she was sure Sir Edward would send someone to spy on her, just as he must have had someone trail Vincent the previous night.
What she hadn't expected was for Rafe to be the one tailing her-and so blatantly.
”Going for a drive?” he'd asked, slipping his arm around her waist as she opened her car door.
She turned, glaring into his eyes. ”Get your hand off me, unless you'd like it dangling out of your ear.”
Rafe grinned, revealing the tips of his fangs as he slowly dropped his hand to his side. ”So you're really a Baroness now?”
”Rafe, as much as I'd love to stay and chat with you,” she mocked, ”I have to meet my husband.”
”Yes. Something about an anniversary? Does he know about you?”
Trixie stepped into her car, shut the door in Rafe's face, and sped away from the mansion, her claws biting into the steering wheel, her teeth grinding. G.o.d, she hated him! She would have tried to kill him right there at the mansion if it wouldn't have called attention to her.
She was halfway out of the desert when she noticed another car following her in the distance. She didn't need to be psychic to know who was driving. Looks like she might have to kill the SOB after all.
Her stomach churned. f.u.c.k! Why did he affect her like that, even after so many years? She pulled the car over so suddenly she nearly skidded off the road. Moments later, Rafe pulled behind her and stepped out.
”Couldn't keep away from me, girl?” he grinned, stepping out of the car to meet her. ”What do you want, Rafe?” As if he was going to tell her.
”Just to see how you are.” His lie cried out to her. She smelled it on him, and she smelled his contempt mixed with l.u.s.t. So familiar. So horribly familiar. ”So how are you really, Caroline?”
”That's not my name anymore.”
”It's the name you were born with. No matter how old any of us get, that first name belongs to us in a way no other can. Does your husband know?”
”Know what?”
”That you're not really fit to be a Baroness. Rumor is Vikenti is rich old blood. And you, well...”
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