"Let them try." Dorian hit the button for the penthouse elevator. "The last vampire who crossed�"

Movement at the lobby doors silenced him, and Dorian turned to assess the newcomer.

Everything about the moment changed, the darkness and dread that surrounded him parting like a heavy curtain to reveal the light.

The woman stepped into an alcove at the front of the lobby, her smile bright, her laughter floating to his ears like a symphony.

"�evoking veto power," she was saying into her cell phone. "Those are terrible choices." A pause, then she laughed again. "No, I said you can pick any movie as long as it�s not about vampires." Another pause. "Because I want to watch normal people fall in love and mash their faces together! God, you�re obsessed!"

Dorian smiled, wondering what she�d say if she knew the vampires of this century�s bubble-gum books and movies were nothing like the real thing, especially when it came to, quote, mashing their faces together.

"I�ll be home as soon as I can ditch this work thing," she said. "Nine o�clock, ten tops."

Not if I have anything to say about it, love�

She put the phone away, and Dorian watched in abject fascination as she removed a mirror from her purse and checked her makeup and hair, brow furrowed as she smoothed back an errant auburn lock. Her movements stirred the air, carrying her scent.

Citrus and vanilla, with a hint of something all her own.

After two and a half centuries walking the earth, Dorian had enjoyed his share of beautiful women. But something about this one captivated him in ways he�d never before experienced and couldn�t begin to explain.

"Dorian, we need to discuss�"

He cut his brother off with a raised hand, attention still fixated on the woman. Her sweet summer scent intoxicated him, the soft beat of her heart pulling him into a deep trance.

As she walked across the lobby to the elevators, ignoring the now-docile doorman, their gazes met and locked for a beat� two� three�

Dorian inhaled sharply. Behind her coppery eyes, beneath the sunshine and light, darkness gathered like a storm on the horizon, stirring a terrible, ancient longing inside him.

Mine.

After what felt like an eternity, the woman averted her eyes and headed into the waiting elevator, tapping the button for her floor. But not before granting him the faintest, rose-colored smile and a shiver she tried desperately�unsuccessfully�to suppress.

Dorian�s lips curved in response, his mouth watering, predatory instincts flaring as thoughts of the woman�s soft skin invaded his consciousness. The taste of demon blood lingered in his throat, but perhaps he�d get to sample some of that sure-fire remedy tonight after all.

His cock stirred at the thought.

He took a step toward her, but a solid grip on his shoulder stopped him in his tracks, and the elevator doors closed, ferrying her away.

Dorian wheeled on his brother, fully intending to hit him with the same right hook he�d given the overly-pierced demon. But the look in Malcolm�s eyes stayed his hand, and he lowered it to his side, letting out a deep sigh instead.

"Bloody hell, Mac," he said. "You show up after fifty years� What did you think would happen? We�d pop over to the nearest pub, grab a few pints, and reminisce about the good times?"

Malcolm�s face reddened. "I�m here to see to Father�s affairs. To ensure our longevity."

"That is not your responsibility."

"Whose, then? Yours?" He practically sneered. "We�re alone, Dorian. Father is dead. Without him, the few allies who remained loyal to House Redthorne will turn, if they haven�t already. Our power is waning. How long until we can no longer walk in the daylight? Until we can no longer pass as human? Without a witch or an alliance�" Malcolm shook his head, frustration and disappointment warring in his eyes. "If you see an alternate ending to this fairytale, I�m all ears." JrNovels.com