She watched Kyla step inside. Not a surprise. Then Rabid. Not a surprise. But the woman he held in his arms shocked Cinn. Sparkle. But this looked more like a wax figure than a real person. Pale and limp, with eyes closed, Sparkle already looked dead. Rabid brushed more of the plants to the floor and dumped Sparkle’s body on the counter.

The rogue grinned at her, and it was the scariest thing Cinn had ever seen.

“I’ve helped myself to Sparkle’s life force. But I didn’t take all of it. I’m leaving a little for a bedtime snack.” His laughter was an evil rumble that worked its way up through his massive body.

Stephan rubbed his hands together. “Now, what shall we do first?”

“I have an idea.” Kyla sidled over to Dacian. She licked her lips as she pushed his shirt aside and drew her long nails down his chest, leaving bloody furrows behind. She glanced at Cinn to see her reaction.

Cinn met her gaze, mimicking the mask vampires seemed able to put on at will. It wasn’t so easy for her. She was sure her hate and fury must be oozing from her very pores. But the creature watching her wanted a show of emotion. So Cinn showed none.

Kyla’s moue of disappointment looked strangely feline. She shifted her gaze back to Dacian. He growled and bared his fangs at her, but his black eyes showed no recognition.

“Make Rabid take away his rage, Stephan. I want Dacian aware when I drain him.” She licked her full lips, her expression equal parts pouty and sensual anticipation. “My lovers never walk away from me”—she offered Cinn a phony woman-to-woman glance— “alive.”

Stephan looked at Dacian. “He’s not going anywhere, so we’ll leave him till last.” He grinned at Cinn. “Too bad he’ll never know the truth. All those centuries he thought I wanted him to fight by my side, when all I really wanted to do was destroy him.”

“For God’s sake, why? He couldn’t kill you. You’re his maker.” She chanced a glance at Dacian. No help there. Yet.

“True. But he was always more powerful than I was. The night feeders would only follow the strongest.”

“Idiot. He didn’t want to lead the night feeders.”

Stephan’s expression turned ugly. “Be careful, bitch, or your little life will end a few minutes sooner than I’d planned.” He seemed to have trouble getting his temper under control. “In fact, I think I’ll kill you first.”

Zane spoke for the first time. “Why kill the human? Send her on her way.” He glanced at the wide-eyed audience. “Send them all on their way. This vampire is the one you want. Let’s take care of business and get out of here.”