“Seems stronger or is stronger.”

The vampire shrugged.

“Okay, then, let’s not worry about it.” Plastering on a fake smile, Tony added shadow-taint getting stronger to his list of things to worry about. Right under something worse and more terrible options.

He briefly considered adding finds dark comforting to the list but comforting wasn’t quite the right word. Walking back to the rear doors, he felt hidden, safe, and hyperconscious of the man walking at his side—but then Henry’d been on his list for a few days now.

The circle of light on the back wall announced trouble of a different sort.

Crap. Security.

They hadn’t been seen yet, but they were seconds away from discovery.

Grabbing Henry’s arm, Tony threw him against the wall, hooked a leg between his, and locked their bodies together at mouth, chest, and groin—realizing too late that Henry might not understand the game.

Fortunately, Henry seemed willing to play regardless.

“Hey! You there! Break it up!”

Pulling away, Tony turned, faked surprise at the sight of the rent-a-cop, and murmured, “Wait here, babe.” As red-gold brows flicked up, he turned and stepped forward, launching into a low-voiced and urgent, “this is who I am and I’m trying to impress this guy with the whole working in television thing.”

The security guard rolled his eyes but allowed that he understood a guy doing what a guy had to do to get laid. “Just don’t fucking do it here!”

“We’re on our way out.”

“Good.” He’d clearly already dismissed them and was anxious to move on. He had a script waiting, after all. “Lock up behind you.”

Henry said nothing until the door was closed and locked, then he smiled, his teeth too white in the darkness. “Very clever.”

“Thanks.” Tony just barely managed to resist the urge to wipe his mouth. He’d kissed Henry a thousand times, but this was the first time he’d tasted blood. Kate’s blood, Tina’s blood, his blood . . . older blood.

He knew it was all in his head.

It was nothing but . . . shadow-stuff.

The shadows had surrounded her, a ring of darkness she couldn’t break. Trapped. No escape. If she banished one, the others would attack. She drew herself up to her full height and began to gather power, determined to make them pay as high a cost as possible for their victory.

As they moved closer, she could hear their voices in her head.

Help us.

Don’t let him destroy us.

Help us.

We want to live.

Help us.

We need you.

“So I’m to be responsible for your lives as well?”

In answer, faces began to flicker around the circle. Lee. Mouse. Kate. Ben. Tony . . .

. . . Kiril, Sarn—eyes bulging, tongues protruding as they were nailed to the boards—Haryain, heavy white brows raised above his glasses.