Jeanne Stein - Blood Bond

Anna and I have come a long waybut there are people who have been with me from the very beginning, and I would like to acknowledge their contributions now.

First, my husband, Phil, and daughter, Jeanettebecause you can never have too much love, support and encouragement.

My critique group (members past and present): Mario Acevedo, Margie and Tom Lawson, Warren Hammond, Angie Hodapp, Aaron Ritchey, Terry Wright, Tamra Monahan, Jeff Shelby, Sandy Meckstroth, Heidi Kuhn and Jim Colebecause no matter how hard you try to get it right the first time, you seldom do.

My editor, Jessica Wade at Ace Books, and my agent, Scott Miller from Trident Mediabecause you need people on your side who know what theyre doing.

All the good people at Ace, from Jesse Feldman to Rosanne Romanello, senior publicistbecause you guys really make it happen.

The heart of the Hand Hotel Writers: Susan Smith, Vicki Law, Carol Berg, Cindi Myers, Marnie Kirstatter, Lynde Iozzo, our host Michael Stone and unofficial hostess Stella McDowellbecause the creative energy that sparks off this group and the others who join us from time to time is unbelievable (to say nothing of the great food and the way weve come to think of the Hand as home).

Sisters in Crime and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writersbecause thats how it all started for me.

Im not even going to try to list all the wonderful friends and family who come to my signings, buy my books and just generally offer encouragement, because that would take a dozen more pages. Just know I love you all.

This is the end . . . and the beginning.

WHAT CAME BEFORE

SUDDENLY, MAX IS STANDING AT THE FOOT OF MY BED.

I sit up, rubbing my eyes. Did I fall asleep?

He smiles. Hey.

Hes wearing jeans and a T-shirt. He looks good. Hey, yourself. When did they let you out of the hospital?

An hour ago. I was afraid you werent going to wake up in time.

My head is fuzzy with sleep. I give it a shake and focus on Max. You really look good. I just left Texas a few hours ago. You made a miraculous recovery.

In a way. He takes a seat on the end of my bed. I have something to tell you. And I dont think I have much time.

I smile. Why not?

Oh, you know, places to go, people to see.

You realize Pablo is in custody.

Yes. But thats not why Im here.

I prop myself up straighter against the headboard and try to concentrate. My brain isnt cooperating. It seems to be trying to cut into my thoughts, to tell me something. I tell it to shut up, that I only want to listen to Max. I lean toward him. Go on.

He sighs. First, I owe you an apology. I didnt treat you very well when I found out you are a vampire. I was afraid of what it meantto me. Stupid because it meant nothing. Not really. Above all, you are a good woman, Anna, and my biggest regret is that I realized it too late.

I shrug. You can make it up to me.

He shakes his head. No. Believe me, its too late. But there is someone else. Learn from me. You have a real chance at happiness now. Take it.

My turn to shake my head. If you mean Stephen

No. Not Stephen. There is another. You know who it is. He stops, tilts his head as if listening. He nods. I only have a few more minutes. Dont regret what happened in that hangar. I know youve been wondering whether you will always be stronger than vampire. You only need to want it. All the strength you need is within yourself. You are right about Culebra. He has found new meaning for his life with Adelita. He has found a way to make up for past mistakes. He has finally found peace. Make sure he understands he is not to blame for what happened to me. He needs to concentrate now on the future. Let the past die.

I tilt my head. But how did you know what I was thinking at the hospital? You were unconscious the entire time.

All the same, I heard your thoughts. Loud and clear. In fact, it was those thoughts that kept pulling me back when I was ready to let go. He laughs. Your will is too strong. I was relieved when they sent you home.

I dont understand, I say while my gut is saying, of course you do. You know.

It was my time, Anna.

Anger wells up, and with it, fear. Fear of losing a friend. Fear of losing Max. No. I dont want you to go.

Its too late. Its a tribute to your power that I was allowed to hang around this long. To say a proper good-bye. Ill miss you, Anna.

No. I lunge forward on the bed, reaching for his hand.

It slips through mine as though made of fog.

He smiles a slow, sweet smile and raises his hand in farewell.

And then before I can reach out again, he is gone.

FUNNY HOW SOME DREAMS ARE FLEETING AS SPRING snow while others stay with you long past waking. Its been that way with the dream I had the night Max died. Only it wasnt a dream, was it?

Its all I think about on my way to Monument Valley. Maxs message to me is like a beacon drawing me to Daniel Frey. And when I get there . . .

JANUARY

I WISH I HAD A CAMERA. THE EXPRESSION ON DANIEL Freys handsome face when he opens the door and sees me standing on his porch in the middle of the day in the middle of Monument Valley is priceless. Its a combination of surprise, delight, unease, trepidation and just plain confusion. It hikes his eyebrows, furrows his brow and turns a half frown, half grin into something that resembles a gargoyles grimace.

Anna. What are you doing?

Is John-John here?

No. Hes still at school. A glance at his watch. He wont be home for another three hours.

I push him into the living room, slam and lock the door and shove him down on the couch.

He grins up at me. I take it you have a reason for surprising me like this?

Can you guess what it is? My hands are busy unbuckling his belt, pulling at the top button of his jeans.

You missed me? It comes out in a hoarse whisper, his fingers tugging my blouse free, slipping it off my shoulders.

In another moment, hes got my jeans unzipped and were both squirmingfrantic to have nothing between us except heat and skin.

And then hes inside me and neither of us speaks again for a long time.

FREY IS STROKING MY HAIR. I HAVE MY HEAD ON HIS chest, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart.

I nestle closer. This is right, isnt it?

His hand stills. He tilts my chin up so that our eyes meet. For me, its been right for a long time. Maybe since the first day I saw you walk into that school auditorium with your mother. Im just sorry it took so long for me to get the courage to tell you how I felt. He pauses. And when I finally did, you didnt believe me.

I think back to that conversationcould it really have been only a few weeks ago? I shake my head and smile sadly. John-John had just lost his mother. Staying with him, being a real father for the first time, starting a new life. Thats a lot of emotional upheaval in a very short time. I believed you missed me. I believed you wanted me. But I didnt believe you were ready to love me.

And, he reminds me, there was Stephen.

I nod. Yes. There was Stephen. A human I thought I could build a future with because he knew and accepted my true nature. But he was human, after all, and love was no competition for the lure of a public career that I could never, as vampire, be a part of.

I poke his chest with a finger. And you were right. A match between a human and a vampire is doomed from the start.

Oh. So, Im the consolation prize.