The two creatures came together in a rush, teeth and claws rending fur and flesh as they rolled on the ground.

I scrambled out of the way, my heart pounding with dread.

It was a fearsome sight, mesmerizing in its intensity; frightening, yet beautiful, like a savage ballet. I backed up another step and realized I wasn't alone. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Rafe's grandmother standing behind me, her eyes glowing red as she watched the battle.

“Do something!” I cried. “Can't you do something?”

“I could,” she replied, “but Rafe would never forgive me for interfering.”

I wondered how she could be so calm when her grandson's life was in danger.

The creatures parted for a moment. Panting heavily, they stared at each other. Blood smeared their mouths and dripped from the numerous bites and scratches that appeared on both of them. Cagin seemed to be favoring his right foreleg.

I held my breath, hoping the fight was over. Both were injured. Both were bleeding.

Rafe took a step toward Cagin, his lips peeled back in a silent snarl.

He froze, as did Cagin, at the sound of voices coming toward us.

Between one heartbeat and the next, Cagin and Rafe resumed their own forms. Cagin turned and disappeared into the darkness between the two houses. Rafe vanished in a swirl of silver mist, as did his grandmother. If Cagin's clothing hadn't been scattered on the ground, I might have thought I imagined the whole thing.

Tossing Cagin's clothing under a bush, I quickly made my way up to Susie's front porch and knocked on the door as if nothing untoward had happened and I was merely stopping by for a visit.

On the sidewalk, a man and a woman strolled by, completely unaware of the life-and-death struggle their presence had interrupted. I wished I could thank them.

As soon as they were out of sight, I ran down the street and didn't stop running until I was at home behind a locked door.

With a sigh, I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against the wood.

“Kathy.”

Rafe's voice, so soft I thought I had imagined it. And then I heard it again, louder. Opening my eyes, I turned around, and he was there, his clothing stained with blood, his face, neck, arms, and no doubt the rest of him, covered with nasty-looking bites and deep scratches. Even as I watched, the smaller wounds were healing, fading, until only a deep laceration across his left forearm remained.

I stared at him, at the faint red glow that lingered in his eyes, and knew what he wanted. I waited for him to ask, and as the seconds ticked by, I realized he wasn't going to. I was going to have to offer.

My legs were shaky as I walked to the sofa and sat down. I was acutely aware of his gaze on my face. Leaning my head back against the sofa, I closed my eyes.

“Just don't take too much,” I said, and my voice was every bit as shaky as my legs had been. He had bitten me before, but his desire then had been fueled by passion, not physical need. I wondered if there would be a difference. Would his bite still bring me pleasure? Did he see me now not as a lover, but as prey?

My hands clenched as he sat beside me. His knuckles stroked my cheek, the length of my neck. Kisses followed in the wake of his touch, and then I felt the prick of his fangs at my throat. Pleasure flowed through me. I felt lighter than air, felt as though I could soar through the heavens. I wondered what he was feeling, and no sooner had I done so, then it was as if I was walking in his mind. There was pleasure there, too, mingled with an easing of physical pain. I felt his strength returning, and with it, his desire.

I opened my eyes to find him staring down at me. His eyes were no longer red; the wounds that I had seen had healed, leaving no trace of a scar. Amazing, I thought. He looked strong and fit while I felt light-headed and a little disoriented.

Muttering “stay here,” he went into the kitchen.

I closed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep, though I was certain to have nightmares after what I had seen.

I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, Rafe was shaking my shoulder, pressing a glass of orange juice to my lips, insisting I drink. When I emptied the glass, he filled it again and coaxed me to drink that, too.

“I'm all right,” I said. “Don't look so worried.”

He stroked my cheek. “What am I to do with you?”

“Anything you want,” I murmured.

I closed my eyes. Had I imagined it, or had I heard Rafe whisper, “No bad dreams tonight” before I slid into welcome oblivion?

That night, I dreamed a wonderful dream. In it, Rafe and I were holding hands as we walked along a sandy beach. A full moon cast silver highlights on the surface of the water. The sand was warm beneath my bare feet, the air tangy with the scent of salt and surf, but it wasn't the ocean or the night that held me in its spell, it was the man beside me. He wore nothing but a pair of black trunks, and I couldn't stop looking at him, couldn't stop admiring his well-muscled physique. I was jealous of the moonlight that danced in his midnight black hair and caressed his tawny skin.

A wave washed up on the shore, and I gasped as the icy water splashed over my legs. In an instant, Rafe had me in his arms, cradled against his chest.

“Better?” he asked.

Locking my arms around his neck, I murmured, “Oh, yes,” thinking that nothing could be better than being held in his embrace.

He proved me wrong by showering me with kisses, one deeply erotic kiss after another, until I was on fire for him. “Rafe.”

Just his name, but he knew what I wanted. He carried me across the sand to a sheltered cove. Miraculously, a blanket sprinkled with bloodred rose petals awaited us there. The light from a dozen candles cast flickering shadows on the rocks and sand.

He lowered me onto the blanket; then, stretching out beside me, he drew me into his arms and kissed me again. Whether it was one kiss or many, I didn't know. His hands played lightly over my oh-so-willing flesh, making my body sing a new song. He was the master and I his eager student, anxious to discover the secrets behind his fathomless black eyes, willing to follow wherever he led. His body was taut beneath my questing fingertips, his skin smooth, cool to my eager touch, exhilarating to my senses. He let me explore to my heart's content, let me touch and taste whatsoever I desired.

Ah, desire…it hummed through my veins, sizzled over my skin. The prick of his fangs only heightened each sensation, carrying me to dizzying heights, yet I climbed them unafraid because I knew Rafe was waiting for me there, just as I knew that he would never let me fall….

I woke to the sound of my alarm, amazed that I had slept so late. I set the alarm clock every night as a precaution, but I always woke before it went off.

Sitting up, I realized I was wearing a pair of pink bikini briefs and a T-shirt and nothing else. Funny, I didn't remember undressing or getting into bed.

Rafe, I thought, he must have undressed me and put me to bed. I glanced at the other side of the mattress, frowned when I saw a faint indentation in the other pillow, as though someone had been there only moments ago. I ran my fingertips over the pillowcase, smiling as I realized that Rafe had spent the night beside me.

The dream I'd had flashed through my mind. Had it been a dream? It had seemed so real, the smell of the ocean, the feel of the sand and the sea beneath my feet, the taste of salt water on my tongue…the taste of Rafe on my lips, the heat of his body intimately pressed to mine.

I shook my head. Of course it had been a dream. What else could it have been? We were nowhere near the ocean.

Brushing away my confusion, I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, only then remembering my visit to Susie's house and the fight that had ensued between Rafe and Cagin. Thinking of it now made me shiver. I had never seen such a bloody battle before, nor realized the extent of Rafe's ability to heal. And my blood had helped. It pleased me that he had come to me instead of going to a stranger. Everything about him pleased me, I thought, smiling.

Ten minutes later, wrapped in a towel, I went to the phone and dialed Susie's number, felt a surge of relief when she answered on the second ring.

“Susie! How are you?”

“Hi, Kathy, I'm fine, why?”

“Nothing. I mean, I called you last night and you didn't answer and…and I was worried.” I decided not to mention that I had gone by her house, or that a Were-tiger and a pair of Vampires had been lurking in the dark.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I heard the phone, but Rick and I were on our way out. I'm surprised the machine didn't pick up.”

“That's all right. I was just, you know, worried. Where's your mother?”

“Oh, she had to go home. My dad was in a car accident. He's got a broken leg and a few bruised ribs. The doctor said he'll be okay in six or eight weeks, but right now, he can't get around on his own.”

“Are you staying by yourself?”

“For now.”

“Do you want me to come and stay with you?”

“No, I don't think that's necessary. I'm fine, really.”

“Well, I'm glad you're all right. You sound a lot better.”

She laughed softly. “You know what they say, anything that doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I'm not crazy about what's happened to me, but I think I can live with it, although I guess I won't know for sure until the next full moon. The head Werewolf said he'd send someone to talk to me before then, sort of help me adjust, you know?”

“That's great. How's Rick these days?”

“I think he's getting used to the idea. He took me to see the kids last night. We haven't told them yet…Rick wants to wait a little longer. He's probably right. There's plenty of time. Anyway, I'm not sure they're old enough to understand what's happened.”

“I'm sure it will all work out. Speaking of work, I've got to go; I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Thanks, Kathy. You're a good friend. Let's get together for lunch soon.”

“Sounds good to me. I'll talk to you later.”