She looked at him, mute, and knew by his expression that he had divined her thoughts.
"I'm sorry… "
"There is nothing to be sorry about, my sweet. You only want what every woman wants.
I wish I could give you everything you want, everything you need, but I cannot."
She stared at him. How could he talk about it so lightly? He had come into her life like a whirlwind, made her love him, made her need him. Did it mean nothing to him? He was like no one else she had ever known. No man alive could compare to him.
His expression told her he knew what she was thinking.
"I can't believe you really mean to leave me when this is over."
"It is for— "
"Don't you dare tell me that it's for the best!" She wiped the tears from her eyes. "I thought you loved me. You said you loved me."
"Do not doubt it. If I did not love you, I would have seduced you long ago, Victoria Cavendish. I would have taken your love and your blood and left you with nothing."
Tears dampened her cheeks. She made no move to wipe them away, only stood there looking up at him, her expression filled with anguish. She was hurting, and it was his fault.
" Victoria … "
"Kiss me."
He yearned to take her in his arms, to feel her hands on his flesh, her body writhing in ecstasy beneath his. Had he thought he could stop with one kiss, he would gladly have obliged, but he was hurting and weak. Taking blood had eased the pain somewhat, but in his weakened state, he did not trust himself to make love to her without taking more of her blood as well. And if he tasted her again, he did not trust himself to stop.
"I cannot, sweeting. I must go."
"But it's still early."
"Yes, but I need to rest." Rising, he moved away from her, away from the temptation of warm flesh and pouting lips. "It will help me heal faster."
"You're not just saying that?"
"I would not lie to you."
"Good night, Antonio."
"If you do not see me tomorrow night, do not worry."
"Why won't I see you? Where are you going?"
"I may sleep through the night."
"Oh."
He murmured, "Buono notte, my sweet." And then, as though to remind her of what he was, he vanished from her sight.
"He loves you very much."
Vicki looked up to see Lady Kathryn sitting on the edge of the mantel, one leg crossed over the other. "I know."
"Like must marry like," Lady Kathryn said wistfully. "A lady cannot marry a commoner. A vampire cannot marry a mortal." She smiled faintly. "Or even a ghost, mote's the pity.
He is such a delectable creature."
"I guess you're right," Vicki said thoughtfully. "Like must marry like for there to be true togetherness, true happiness."
Chapter 33
Vicki slept late the next day. After rising, she showered and ate breakfast. She made her bed. She read a book. She watched a movie. She ate lunch. She took a nap. And still it seemed like an eternity until the sun went down.
She waited all that night for Antonio to appear. At midnight, she admitted that he wasn't coming. She couldn't blame him, not really. If sleep made him feel better and heal faster, then sleep was what he needed. But she missed him terribly just the same.
She rose early the following morning, dressed quickly, and drove to the nearest phone booth to call Bobbie Sue.
Bobbie Sue answered on the fifth ring. "Girl," she said, yawning, "do you know what time it is?"
"Eight-fifteen. Is Duncan there?"
"Eight-fifteen!" Bobbie Sue exclaimed. "I'm late for school! Talk to you later, Vicki.
Duncan, telephone."
A moment later, Tom's voice came over the receiver. "Hi, Vicki. Is something wrong?"
"Yes. Falco is here."
Tom grunted. "I guess that explains why things have been so quiet here. Are you all right?"
"Yes, for now." She quickly explained everything that had happened since she had left Pear Blossom Creek. "We need to find him, and I need your help for that."
"I'll be there as soon as I can. Look for me sometime tomorrow afternoon."
"Thank you."
"Don't worry. Just stay inside." He paused. "Does Battista sleep in the house?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"Just curious."
"We're only hunting Falco," Vicki reminded him.
"Sure, sure."
"If you have any intention of hunting Antonio, then stay there."
"Listen, Vicki— "
"No, you listen. I'm in love with Antonio. If you're thinking of going after him, then I'll look for Falco on my own."
Tom cursed.
"I want your word, Tom."
"All right, you've got it. I won't hunt Battista."
"You swear?"
"I swear."
As soon as she hung up the receiver, she was beset by doubts, doubts that only grew stronger on the ride back home. What would Antonio say when he found out that not only had she called Tom for help, but she had given Battista's address to a vampire hunter?
Lady Kathryn swooped into the back parlor shortly after Vicki arrived home. "Ah, there you are," she said. "I was afraid you had left us."
"No." Vicki sat down, her fingers drumming on the arm of the chair.
"You seem worried," Lady Kathryn remarked. "Is something amiss?"
"I called on a friend of mine, Tom Duncan, for help. He'll be here sometime tomorrow."
"You mean, here, at the castle? Oh, my dear, what have you done?"
"We need help," Vicki exclaimed. "I can't find Falco on my own, and Antonio's in no condition to hunt for him. You know that."
"Are you sure you can trust this man, Tom?"
"I hope so. You've got to tell me, does Antonio take his rest here in the castle?"
Lady Kathryn floated around the room, looking much like one of the ghosts in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion as she flitted about.
After a moment, she settled on her usual perch on the stereo cabinet. "I'm afraid that is something you will have to ask Antonio."
Vicki blew out a sigh. She wasn't looking forward to telling Antonio what she had done.
Whenever she was troubled, Vicki cleaned house. That was what she did now. She mopped and dusted. She washed the windows. Since there was no washer or dryer in the castle, she filled the kitchen sink with soapy water and washed her underwear, then hung it over the kitchen chairs to dry.