It was only a matter of time before she joined with the others, and though her sacrifice wouldn’t be as willing, it would be complete. So much more satisfying than those thrill seekers who came to him eagerly. Pathetically. They were searching for something only he could give them, a feeling of family and unity, a chance to no longer be alone.

They didn’t completely understand, of course. Couldn’t know what would ultimately be expected of them. But it didn’t matter. Eventually they gave.

As Kristi would.

He stared after her until she reached the far side of the quad, then he slipped inside the window and started down the stairs. Tonight was the choosing. Later would be the giving.

He only hoped that the bloodletting would be adequate….

But of course it wouldn’t.

It never was.

The need was insatiable.

CHAPTER 17

K risti hit the speed dial button on her phone as she hurried across the street. She hated to be one of those women who always turned to a man, but damn it, she needed a back up and Jay was the only person she’d confided in. Armed with the mace in one hand and her phone in the other, she reached the rear entrance of her apartment house and paused near the hedge of crepe myrtle by the stairs. The phone rang one time. Twice. “Come on, come on,” she whispered just as Jay picked up.

“Hey.”

“I’ve got a kind of a situation,” she whispered without any preamble. “I think someone might be in my apartment.”

“Are you there now?” he asked urgently.

“I’m outside. I saw a shadow in the window.”

“Human?” Jay asked, but he’d relaxed a bit upon hearing she wasn’t in the unit.

“I think so.”

“I’m on my way. Don’t go in without me.”

Suddenly she felt foolish, as if she’d let the night get to her. She was probably overreacting. “Maybe I made a mistake. I don’t know.”

“I can be there in five. Just wait.”

“Jay—”

“I said I’d be there,” he said tersely. “Wait for me.”

She heard a door open above her, so she hung up, switching the phone to silent. Hiding at the base of the stairs, she stayed in the shadows, waiting for whoever was inside her apartment to appear. There was enough light at the base of the stairs to be able to catch his image on her cell phone, or so she hoped. Then she could follow him on foot or in her car and figure out just who he was and what he wanted. If he had a car, she’d get the license plate number; if he was on foot, she’d tail him.

Why would anyone break in to her apartment?

Maybe because it belonged to Tara Atwater.

Yeah, but that was months ago. Why now? And how? The locks had just been changed.