The Vampire's Kiss Read Online Free

very good at planting compulsions.
    As they’d traveled, he’d cloaked their presence. No one would remember them. Even the few residents of town who had seen them would not actually be able to recall their presence.
    It wasn’t as if there had even been that many people out to see them. Tyler, North Carolina wasn’t exactly the big city. There were a few shops and businesses along the main street, but most of the residents actually lived in nearby cabins. Nestled in the mountains, the city was occasionally visited by tourists hoping to get away from the rigors of big-city life. But even at the height of the tourist season, the town still only boasted a few thousand residents. It was a small town, quiet and secluded. Perfect for him.
    With a wave of his hand, the door to Savannah’s room flew open and he carried her inside. She was still unconscious, a result of the strong compulsion he’d given her. In repose, her features looked incredibly fragile. And incredibly lovely.
    Her body felt good in his arms. Warm. Alive.
    It had been years, too many years, since he’d felt the warmth of a woman against him. His body stirred with needs that he’d long thought dead.
    Quickly, before he could change his mind, he placed her on the small bed. The springs squeaked softly as they took her weight.
    For a moment, he hesitated, staring down at her. She looked so good. So pure. Why would one such as she come looking for him?
    He shook his head. It didn’t matter. When she woke, she would have no memory of him.
    But he would remember her.
    He turned from the bed, from her, and forced himself to survey the room. Henry’s diary was here. It had to be in the room.
    He spotted her luggage sticking out of a small closet. He took a step toward it.
    On the bed, Savannah stirred. She moaned and her thick lashes lifted.
    William spun around in shock. Impossible! She couldn’t be waking. She couldn’t—
    “William?” Her voice was thick, husky. It sent a shaft of desire burning though him.
    He stared at her in wonder. She remembered him. She’d woken on her own, despite the compulsion, and she remembered him.
    Impossible. How could she—
    She licked her lips. Her head lifted and she met this gaze. “I remember you.” She shook her head in confusion. “I thought you said I would forget.”
    She should have forgotten. Never before had someone resisted his compulsion.
    She looked around the room. Her gaze fell on a small framed picture on the bedside table. A smiling man with dark hair and emerald eyes looked back at her.
    A faint sheen of tears filled her eyes. “I still remember everything. Everything.”
    William sat down beside her on the bed. He cocked his head and studied her. “I was wrong. You’re not like the others.” He placed his hands on either side of her head.
    Savannah felt a strange pressure. It was like she could feel him, from inside her mind. “Wh-what are you doing?”
    He frowned and dropped his hands. “Your mind . . . it’s different.”
    She bit her lip. Sadness filled her. “I’m more different than you can possibly know.” Her hand reached for his.
    William froze.
    “I need you to help me. Please.”
    His gaze remained locked on her hand. “I’ve already told you, I can’t.”
    “You must help me.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you’re the only one who can.”
    The faint light from the rising sun flickered through the window. William stood abruptly. “I have to go.
    “William, I—”
    “Meet me at midnight,” he surprised her by saying. “At Jake’s.”
    “Jake’s?” Savannah had arrived in town just before sunset. She’d only had time to rent a room before heading off in search of William Dark.
    “It’s a bar on Miller Street. Just follow the sound of the music.”
    She nodded. “I’ll be there.” She looked nervously toward the window. “Is it safe for you to—”
    He was gone. Just that fast, he’d vanished.
    Savannah searched her room, but she could find no trace of him.