Savannah smiled wanly up at him. She was looking far more pale than he liked. He had hunted that evening despite the early hour, taking enough blood to sustain both of them. But she had refused to feed, as if denying her hunger were some kind of penance for her sins. His hand went to the nape of her neck and massaged gently. Her hunger beat at him, and he knew Aidan could feel it, too.

The Carpathian male was watching him, without obvious censure but with a puzzled expression all the same in his deep golden gaze. Gregori felt it like a knife: he wasn’t taking care of his lifemate the way he should.

Don’t be silly, Gregori.Savannah’s soft voice swirled in his mind. You take great care of me. Who cares what anyone else thinks?

“So, healer,” Aidan said, “have you made up your mind where you wish to lead these butchers?”

Savannah stirred, twisting to look back at Gregori, her blue eyes suddenly alive. “Do you have somewhere you particularly want to go?”

“You have a place in mind?” he asked. He knew it was a mistake to look into her eyes. He could drown in her eyes. It was like falling over the edge of a cliff.

“Yes. New Orleans. The French Quarter’s jazz festival is this week. I’ve wanted to go for a long time. Now we can go together. Do you like jazz? I love jazz.” She flashed a broad smile at him. “I had made plans to go before... all this happened. In fact, I got a place there.”

She really wanted to go. It was in her eyes, in her mind. This was important to her. Gregori could feel a terrible dread rising. It was almost impossible to deny Savannah anything. Yet he could not take her to New Orleans, vampire capital of the world, city of sin. The butchers probably had their headquarters there. He stifled a groan. “You have a residence in New Orleans?”

“Don’t sound so gloomy. You wanted to go somewhere, lead the society away from the Savages, so where better than the next place on my schedule? No one will think our move the least bit odd or suspicious,” she pointed out, “since it was already on my agenda.”

Gregori glanced at Aidan and shook his head. “Do you hear the logic of that? She has never been to the French Quarter of New Orleans, but no one will think it odd that she suddenly shows up in a home there.”

“Very logical,” Aidan agreed. “I can see you have your hands full, and I must return to Alexandria. First, though, I would very much like to visit with the reporter with you.” For a moment his face was hard, a cruel edge to his mouth. “I remember what was done to our people by this society.”

“This fight cannot be yours, Aidan,” Gregori said. “I would not put you and your human family in danger.”

Aidan inclined his head. “He prowls out there. I can feel him stalking around the compound.” There was an eagerness, a need to do battle.

Savannah knew it was the instinctive, predatory nature of the untamed Carpathian male. “Go now, Aidan,” Gregori said firmly.

“It was nice to finally meet you, Aidan,” Savannah added. “I hope to meet Alexandria soon. Perhaps when Gregori and I remove the threat of these human butchers, we can get together.”

“When Gregori removes the threat,” Gregori corrected her, using his implacable, commanding, don’t-even-think-of-challenging-my-authority voice.

Aidan nodded his farewell. Then his solid form wavered, began to shimmer, and disappeared out the open window in a kaleidoscope of colors carried on the night breeze.

Savannah reached behind her and took Gregori’s hand. “New Orleans. What do you think?” There was a small silence. “It is dangerous there,” he said carefully.

“True, but it will be dangerous anywhere we go, won’t it?” she pointed out reasonably. “So what difference does it make where we are? We may as well have some fun.”

“I prefer the mountains.” He said it quietly, neutrally.

She suddenly grinned at him, that mischievous, impish smile he couldn’t resist. “When an old geezer marries a young chick, he has to learn to get back into the swing of things. Party time. Night life. Does it ring a bell, or has it been too long?” she teased.

Gregori bunched her hair in his hand and tugged. “Show some respect, bébé, or I might have to turn you over my knee.”

“Kinky.” One delicate shoulder rose and fell in a sexy little shrug. “I’m willing to try anything once.”

He leaned over and kissed her. He had to kiss her; he had no other choice. Once his mouth fastened on hers, he was in trouble. She was heat and light, spice and satin, lace and candlelight. And he was lost. Utterly, completely lost. Gregori jerked himself away from her, swearing in his ancient tongue.

Savannah’s eyes were cloudy, dreamy, her lips moist and slightly parted. Her soft mouth curved with that sensuous, mysterious smile he could never quite figure out.

“I have a great idea, Gregori,” she told him wickedly. “Let’s take a commercial flight.”

“What?” He was staring at her mouth. She had a great mouth. A perfect mouth. A sexy mouth. Mon Dieu,he wanted her mouth.

“Doesn’t a commercial flight sound fun? We could take a night flight, mingle with people. It might even throw off the reporter.”

“Nothing is going to throw off the reporter. He is tenacious. And there will be no commercial flight. There will be no discussion on this, either. None. If we go to New Orleans, and I am not saying we will, commercial flights are out.”

“Oh, Gregori. I was only kidding. Naturally we’ll do things your way,” she added demurely.

He shook his head, exasperated at himself. Of course she had been teasing. He wasn’t used to anyone treating him as Savannah did. Outrageous woman.“I need to go out and talk with Wade Carter.”

She stood up instantly, expectantly, her blue eyes wide in anticipation. “Tell me what you want me to do. I can probably manage mist. I’m stronger now, using your blood. I can back you up.”

Amusement warmed the cool silver of his eyes. “ Mon Dieu.Savannah, you sound like a cop movie. No, you will not back me up. You are not talking to Carter. You will stay here, safe, where I know he cannot touch you. Am I making myself crystal clear, bébé?You are not to leave this dwelling.”

“But Gregori,” she said softly, “I’m your partner now. I’m supposed to help you. If you Insist on tackling this Wade Carter, men I have to help you. I’m your lifemate.”

“There is no chance that I will allow such a thing. You may attempt to defy me, but I assure you, it is a waste of your energy.” He spoke gently, that mocking male superiority setting her teeth on edge. “I am your lifemate, chérie,and I will give any order I deem necessary for your safety.”

She thumped his chest hard with her clenched fist. “You make me so mad, Gregori! I’m trying very hard to get along with you and your arrogant orders. You don’t even change expression! We could be discussing the weather instead of having a fight.”

His eyebrows shot up. “This is no fight, ma petite. Afight is where we both are angry and have a contest of wills, a battle. There cannot be such a thing between us. I do not feel anger when I look at you, only the need to care for you and protect you. I am responsible for your health and safety, Savannah. I can do no other than to protect you, even from your own folly. You cannot hope to win. I know this absolutely, so there is no reason to become agitated over the issue.”

She thumped him again. He looked startled, then caught her flying fist in his hand and gently pried her fingers open. Very carefully he pressed a kiss into the exact center of her palm. “Savannah? Were you trying to hit me?”

“I did hit you—twice, you scum. You didn’t even notice the first time.” She sounded very irritated with him.

For some reason it made him want to smile. “I apologize, mon amour.Next time, I promise I will notice when you strike me.” The hard edge to his mouth softened into a semblance of a smile. “I will even go so far as to pretend that it hurts, if you wish it.”