“Welcome to my world,Gary." Savannah was flashing a mischievous smile. "He considers you family and under his protection now, so he's bound to be impossibly bossy."Gary groaned. "I didn't consider that. Damn. You're right.He can't help himself;it's his nature.""Do not start,you two. I did not think what it would be like to have the two of you driving me insane." Gregori sounded disgusted, but Gary was beginning to understand him a little. He never really changed expression, and his eyes gave nothing away, but Gary could almost feel Gregori's silent laughter."You do have a sense of humor," he accused him."Well,do not blame me.It is Savannah's fault.She insists on it," Gregori replied in disgust. "Let us go and get you something decent to eat.""Am I going to crave blood, raw steak, that kind of thing?" Gary asked, straight-faced."Well,actually..." Savannah started."I do not have rabies." Gregori silenced her with a look. "I am not contagious.""All the books say if you drink my blood, I get to drink your bloodd, and them I'm like you." Gary sounded slightly disappointed."Some people grow bat wings," Savannah admitted, her teeth tugging at her lower lip. "That's where Batman came from. And capes,all those swirling capes. A regular epidemic. It's from our blood, a kind of allergic reaction. Don't worry,you would be showing signs already if you were one of those with a problem.""Is she always like this?" Gary aksed Gregori."She gets worse," Gregori said truthfully.”

“Life is dangerous,Gary," Gregori said softly. "You are Rambo, remember?"Savannah's laughter rang out, rivaling the jazz quartet playing on the corner. Heads turned to listen to he, then to watch her, stealing away the attention of the audience gathered in a loose semi-circle around the quartet. She moved in the human world, completely comfortable in it,a part of it. Gregori had walked unseen, and that was how he preferred it.She was dragging him into her world. He could hardly believe he was walking down a crowded street with a mortal wwith half the block staring openly at them."I didn't know you knew who Rambo was," Savannah said, trying not to giggle. She couldn't imagine Gregori in a theater watching a Rambo movie."You saw a Rambo flick?" Gary was incredulous.Gregori made a sound somewhere between contempt and derision. "I read Gary's memories on the subject. Interesting. Silly,but interesting." He glanced at Gary. "This is your hero?"Gary's grin was as michievous as Savannah's. "Until I met you, Gregori."Gregori growled, a low rumble of menace. His two companions just laughed disrespectfully, not in the least intimidated."I'll bet he's a secret Rambo fan," Savannah whispered confidentially.Gary nodded. "He probably sneaks into movie theaters for every old showing.”

“What plan of action? What can be done? We can't fight the whole society.""I was thinking we could use you as bait and draw them into a trap," Gregori said, straight-faced.Gary's eyes widened in alarm. "I'm not sure I like that plan.Sounds a little risky to me." He looked at Savannah for support.Gregori shrugged his broad shoulders in a casual shrug. "I do not see a risk."Savannah's small clenched fist thumped his stomach in retaliation. Gregori glanced down at her with surprise. "Is this when I am supposed to say ouch?"Savannah and Gary exchanged a long, mournful groan. "Why did I want him to have a sense of humor?" she wondered.Gary shook his head. "Don't be asking me. You created the monster.”

“Do you see why I avoid humans, ma cherie? They are silly, exasperating creatures.You like him.You can't hide it from me, even if you try to hide it from yourself. Invite him home.Not for all the trees on this earth.I want to meet him.Savannah. She was up to no good, he was certain of it. Gregori's hand went to the back of his neck, massaging deeply. What I should do is scare the holy hell out of him so he will get over this nonsense."So,are you?" Gary asked."Am I what?" Gregori was distracted. Why had he ever talked to this fool in the first place? Because Savannah was making him crazy. Savannah had made him do something dumb. He had read Gary's mind and found him to be an interesting, likeable person. Don't blame me. She sounded innocent.”

“Hey,Gary," Savannah said, "do you want to go on a vampire hunt?"Greogri swung around to pin her with his brilliant silver gaze. Do not even start. He used the beauty of his voice like the weapon it was, compelling and mesmerizing.Savannah blinked, then smiled sweetly up at him. "Really,Gary. I saw it one of those tour brochures. Isn't that the perfect place to look for those society types? They must hang out around those kinds of things?""A vampire hunt?" gary echoed incredulously. "For real?""I have the brochure at home." She studiously avoided Gregori's furious gaze.She wore the little secret smile again, the one that always drove Gregori crazy, turned him inside out, and melted his heart. She was up to no good. He had no doubt of it. It has occurred to me that you need a good spanking.Her smile grew smug. I said I was willing to try anything once, lifemate, but i think it best if we wait until we are alone,don't you?”

“You think ninety percent of the things I want to do are silly.""i think my allowing you to do all these things is silly."She winced visibly. "We need less of this allow stuff.Besides, you owe me a night out without any trouble.""You had trouble tonight?" Gary asked."There was no trouble." Gregori was clearly puzzled."You're always getting in fights. Everywhere we go,you just can't help yourself," Savannah accused ndignantly. "You picked the one tonight.""You picked a fight?" Gary was astounded."I did not pick a fight," Gregori denied. "A few men were determined to mug us,so I provided them with an interesting experience. There was no fight. Had I actually struck them physical blows, they would be in the hospital." His white teeth gleamed, the silver eyes glittering with more than danger, with a hint of amusement. "As it is,they just think they should be hospitalized.There is nothing wrong with any of them.I was quite gentle for Savannah's sake.Which,I see, she does not appreciate.""I would appreciate going out and behaving normally.""I was behaving in my normal fashion, cherie," he reminded her gently."I take it we're going on a vampire hunt tomorrow night," Gary said, laughter in his voice.”

“You're Savannah Dubrinsky." Gary breathed her name reverently. "My God, I should have guessed."Gregori's entire demeanor changed, becoming all at once menacing and dangerous. His face was etched in stone, his mouth hard and faintly cruel. The hair on the back of Gary's neck literally stood up. He swallowed hard and instinctively moved a little distance from the woman. Not that he blamed the man, creature, whatever, but his reaction was more that of untamed beast than civilized man. Gary was taking no chances.Savannah laughed softly. She leaned into the man despite Gregori's restraining arm. "He can read your mind," she reminded Gary softly, her breath swirling with tantalizing warmth over his neck.He jumped away as if he'd been burned, his face flamed crimson, and he looked guiltily at Gregori.Gregori's dark features relaxed. The hard edge to his mouth softened. "Do not worry, Gary, she is incorrigible. Even I have trouble with her.I cannot blame you for what I myself cannot control." His arm swept arond Savannah's small waist, and he tucked her beneath his shoulder.Are you angry? The smile was fading from her eyes, her mouth.Gregori tightened his hold on her when her step faltered. We can discuss this at home, cherie.You are already here;you may as well give the boy a thrill.But I warn you,not too big a thrill.She relaxed her body into his.That quickly.That easily.As if she belonged, his other half.He was beginning to believe it might be possible.”