“Dar Vorona. Gift of the Raven. I’m my father’s gift.”

“To whom?”

“That, my dear doctor, is a story for another time.”

“The raven is holding a bloody sword,” Crest said thoughtfully.

“I never said it was a nice gift.”

He finished the bandage and was examining it critically. “You know those things are unreliable.” His voice held just a touch of reproach.

“Eleven out of twelve work fine. I’d say that’s better chances than getting an orgasm with a blind date and women still try.”

He blinked and laughed softly. “I never know what you’ll say next.”

“I don’t either.”

He rose and put his arms around me. So warm. I resisted the impulse to lean back against him. “Are you hungry?”

“Ravenous,” I murmured.

“The food’s probably cold by now.”

“I don’t care.”

He kissed my neck. The kiss sent tingling warmth down into my fingertips. I turned and he kissed me again, on the mouth. I was so tired . . . I wanted to melt against him and let him hold me. “You’re trying to take advantage of an injured naked woman.”

“I know,” he whispered in my ear, drawing me closer. “How awful.”

Please don’t let go. What am I thinking? Am I this desperate? I took a deep breath and pushed away from him gently. “I have to finish my work. I don’t think you want to watch me.”

“Do it after,” he whispered and kissed me again. Somehow instead of breaking free, I pressed against him. I wanted nothing more than to stay wrapped up in him like this, smelling his scent, feeling his lips on mine . . . And then the vampire’s head would lose the last of its magic and Derek and I would’ve bled for nothing. Poor Derek. “No,” I said, my face a grimace. “By then it’ll be too late.”

“Work first. I see.”

“Tonight. Not always.”

“I’ll watch,” he said.

“You don’t want to, trust me.”

“It’s part of what you do. I want to know.”

Why? I shrugged and went to the bedroom to find some clothes. He didn’t follow me.

IN THE KITCHEN I SET A LARGE SILVER TRAY IN THE middle of the table. Supported by four legs, it rose above the surface of the table about three inches. Greg had kept an excellent supply of herbs in his apartment. Having combined them in the right proportions, I spread the aromatic mixture on the platter so it covered the metal completely. Crest sat on the chair in a corner and watched me.

I pulled the strings of the bag, took the head out, and placed the monstrosity onto the powder, balancing it on the stump of the neck.

“What the hell is that?”

“A vampire,” I said.

“I’ve seen pictures. They don’t look like that.”