Geoffrey's eyes widened. Fear and rage flashed across his face. He lunged to his feet.
William attacked, swinging the sword in a swift arc.
The blade slammed into his brother's chest. Geoffrey staggered, stumbling back. His booted heel slipped on the cliff's edge. His face went slack with shock. And he fell back into the air, into nothing.
Savannah expected him to transform, to shift, to fly back up and attack them.
Instead, she just heard the sound of his scream.
«He's too weak,” William whispered. “He can't stop the fall.»
The screaming ended, choked off abruptly.
Savannah ran to the edge of the cliff. Her eyes searched the bottom, searched the rocky surface, the churning waters.
And she saw him. There, at the base of the cliff, his body dangling atop the old remains of a wooden boat. His head was twisted, his mouth open. His eyes stared sightlessly up at her.
A long sliver of wood from the ship's bow had pierced his chest.
«I-is he dead?»
William didn't answer. With his fingers clenched around the blade, he leapt off the cliff. Within seconds, he was beside Geoffrey, staring down at his still figure.
He lifted the sword. “Good-bye, brother.»
He slashed the blade across Geoffrey's throat, severing his head in one quick blow.
William closed his eyes against the sight. The sword dropped from his fingers, to land in the blood beneath his feet.
Now, it was finished.
He returned to Savannah. He needed her, needed her touch to wipe the darkness from him. To banish the cold sweeping through him.
She was there, waiting on the cliff's edge. He could see the tear tracks on her cheeks. He pulled her against him, desperate to feel her body against his. He inhaled her delicate scent and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
He'd almost lost her. His body began to shake.
«William?»
He kissed her with all the fire and desperation that was in him. It had been too close. He could still see Geoffrey, see him sinking his teeth into her delicate throat.
He shuddered.
He felt her fingers, lightly stroking his back. Soothing him. Reassuring him.
It's all right, William. It's over now. He felt her warmth pouring into him.
«Let's get out of here,” he whispered. He wanted to leave this place and never come back.
She nodded, and they turned away from the cliffs.
William froze. He could feel something. Someone. Watching. Waiting.
His gaze searched the clearing. “Where did the wolf go?»
Savannah blinked. “I-I don't know. I wasn't watching—” She hurried over to the rocks and bent down, touching the ground lightly. When her hand lifted, there was blood on her fingers. “He was here a moment ago…»
And now he'd vanished.
But William could still feel him. Still feel his rage.
He's watching us.
Savannah returned to his side, her body brushing lightly against his. Why?
He didn't know, but all his senses were screaming a warning to him. The wolf was waiting. Hiding in the shadows. And he was going to attack.
William didn't know if Savannah could survive another attack. She was weak. He'd taken her blood, and then Geoffrey had savaged her. She needed to feed in order to regain her strength. They both needed to feed. But he knew she wouldn't want to do it, that she would fight the hunger. He would have to force her. He couldn't risk her waning strength. Not when they had another killer on their trail.
He wanted to go after the wolf, to hunt the beast down and destroy it. But he had to take care of Savannah. She needed him.
He scooped her up into his arms, holding her tightly.
He heard a low growl, and he knew that it wasn't just a wolf that was stalking him. He could feel the creature's dark power. Its hunger.
Stay away from her. He knew the creature heard his warning.
William's arms tightened around Savannah and he leapt into the air.
The wolf howled.
* * * *
He took Savannah to an inn on the outskirts of a small village. He knew they looked like hell, but with a small compulsion, he made the innkeeper overlook their haggard appearance and give them the best room that he had available, a room that, he assured William, had strong shutters that covered its windows.
William took Savannah upstairs, worried by her increasing pallor. She needed blood, and she needed it fast.
He locked the door behind him and placed her gently on the bed.
She stared up at him, her eyes wide. “That wasn't a wolf, was it?»
William shook his head. He noticed that her hands were shaking.
«What was it?»
«A vampire.” From the instant that the beast had attacked Geoffrey, he'd known that he was dealing with one of his kind.
Savannah nodded. “I thought so.” She swallowed and rubbed her head. “Why did he attack Geoffrey?»
«I don't know. Geoffrey spent his life hurting others. Maybe he did something to the vampire, hurt him or someone that he cared about.»
She slid back against the pillows, weariness evident in every line of her body. “Geoffrey hurt so many people.»
He pulled the covers over her. “He won't hurt anyone else.»
Her hand caught his. “Thank you, William.»
He stilled. Hunger flashed through him at her delicate touch. “For what?»
«For ending my nightmare.»
He took a deep breath. Her weakness beat against him. “Rest, now. Just close your eyes and rest.»
She frowned, shifting restlessly on the bed. “Are you leaving?»
«Only for a moment.»
She shook her head. “No! Don't leave me.»
«Sleep, Savannah.” He pushed the compulsion. Normally, it wouldn't have worked on her, but in her weakened state, there was no way she could fight him.
Her lashes lowered and her body stilled.
He couldn't risk traveling far. Not with the other vampire close by. He would have to find food, fast, and return to Savannah.
He would use one of the inn's staff. A maid or a bellhop. He would be quick. Savannah had to drink. And she wasn't strong enough to get the blood on her own.
He hurried to the door. With every second that passed, her strength drained.
And with the wolf out there, she couldn't afford to be weak. Not for a moment.
* * * *
«Savannah. Wake up, Savannah.»
She heard his voice, calling softly to her. She tried to open her eyes, but she just felt so tired. She wanted to sleep, just sleep.
«You can't sleep. You have to open your eyes.»
She knew that voice. William. She smiled.
«Yes, it's me. And I need you to look at me. Can you do that?»