In Darkness We Must Abide by Rhiannon Frater Page A

Carlotta’s address.”
    “And he killed her anyway.” Vanora was certain of that fact. Aeron was ruthless. That was quite evident since his arrival in Houston. In his desire to possess her, he’d destroyed her family and her home. He’d even taken Armando from her. Or maybe Armando had never been hers to begin with. That thought rang true, which saddened her.
    “It’s kinda Aeron’s shtick to kill people,” Greg said with a mirthless chuckle.
    “But he didn’t kill you,” Vanora observed.
    “You’re really not good at this witch stuff, are you?” Greg huffed with disappointment.
    Lifting her gleaming hand, Vanora narrowed her eyes. “I’m learning by doing. So don’t make me learn how to kick your ass.”
    “Threats are not necessary!”
    “So I can hurt you?”
    “Well, yeah. Your voodoo would probably hurt like a bitch and burn off my…uh…” Greg flashed a grin that contained far too many sharp teeth. “It would probably tear up my handsome visage.”
    “You mean your human disguise?”
    “You could call it that.”
    “It’s looking a bit ratty.” Vanora lowered her hand, her magic feeling strangely warm on her fingertips.
    “Well, I kinda fucked the old flesh suit up when dealing with Aeron earlier.” Greg shrugged his broad shoulders. “I need a new one anyway. But a good feeding should fix this one up.”
    “So how did you escape Aeron at the club?” Vanora didn’t even want to know what lurked beneath Greg’s slicked back red hair and pudgy face. It was better to change the subject.
    “I set it on fire. Vampires and fire don’t really get along. Though you wouldn’t know it by looking at the skyline.” Greg wagged his head sadly. “They sure did fuck up Houston.”
    “But you’re okay with fire?”
    “Fire and I get along just fine. It just tickles.”
    “So he killed your girlfriends and you burned down your own club to get rid of him, huh?”
    “Yup. I was planning on blowing out of Houston tonight anyway.” A frown shaped on his features and the result seemed just a bit off. “Once Aeron hits an area, it’s time to go.”
    Sinking back against the seat, Vanora wearily sighed. “I wish my brother had listened and left the city.”
    “It wouldn’t have changed much except his expiration date. Once Aeron is gunning for you, you might as well start writing your own obituary.”
    “But he can’t kill you?”
    “Babe, I’m a demon. I can’t be killed. Only vanquished. If your mother had taught you anything about your nature, you’d know that. Let me guess…dear old mom never cracked open a grimoire and taught you anything about the craft before kicking off.”
    “Aeron killed her when I was ten.” Vanora bit off her words angrily. “So fuck you.”
    “You may not want to hear this, but she was a stupid old cunt for not teaching you how to fuckin’ protect yourself.”
    Vanora slapped her glowing hand against his arm and was satisfied by his scream. Wrenching away from her touch and jerking the truck dangerously close to a parked car before recovering, Greg howled curse words at her in several different languages Vanora didn’t even recognize.
    “Don’t speak that way about my mother ever again!” Vanora shouted over his cussing.
    Shoving his foot down on the brake, Greg brought the truck to a dizzying stop. Vanora caught herself on the dashboard as the seat belt bit into her chest. Yellowish smoke that reeked of sulfur puffed out of Greg’s nostrils.
    “You and I need ground rules right now!” Greg pointed a finger tipped with a talon at her.
    A few weeks before, she would have been terrified, but tonight she was just angry. “I agree!”
    “First off, do not use your fuckin’ magic on me. It hurts! Plus, I’m trying to fuckin’ help your white ass!”
    “You don’t speak ill of my mother, family, or anyone else that I care about. And stop with the albino shit!”
    “Fine! Then you have to accept that I am a foul-mouthed, opinionated,