JARHARIS by Fawn Lowery Page B

insides at the feel of her body pressing so tightly against his length. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her, never wanting to set her free. He closed his eyes for a moment, shutting out all else except the warming sensation generated by her body.
    “Come on. Let’s go.”
    “No. I can’t go with you to meet the others.”
    “But—”
    “They can’t be aware that I’m helping them, Selena. I have to stay in the shadows and be unknown, except to you.”
    She caressed the side of his face with one palm. “You’ll help us kill the vampires—won’t you?”
    He caught her hand and brought her palm to his mouth. He kissed it, pressing his lips into her warm flesh. If anything ever happened to her—
    “ Jarharis , you’ll help us kill the vampires, won’t you?”
    “I won’t allow you to put yourself in danger, Selena. Yes. I’ll be there and help if I’m needed.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER ELEVEN
     
     
    Armed with a box of wooden stakes and wearing odoriferous leis of garlic, the members of the Vampire Club piled into three cars and headed toward the outskirts of the city, relying on information Tanya had supplied regarding Aston’s hideaway. Against Jarharis’s better judgment, he allowed Selena to accompany the group. Transforming into a bird, he raced against time to arrive at the destination that Tanya had supplied. Realizing that her information revealed the exact location where he encountered Aston last night, he was certain that she lured the club members into a trap.
    He arrived at the stand of dense foliage and took up a position in a tall willow across the road. From his advantage point, he could clearly see the gravel road where the club would stop their cars. The road gave way to woods and entry could be gained only on foot. Trepidation filled his insides as he perched in the tree and tried to see amid the dense stand of trees. If only he could be certain of what lay within the grove and the definite danger that the group of hunters might be bringing upon themselves.
    State your needs.
    The voice sounded so clearly within his head that he almost lost his footing on the tree branch. Suddenly the urge to transform into his undead state gripped him. He leapt from the branch and glided softly to the forest floor beneath the tree, immediately assuming his vampire state. His hand went immediately to the amulet hanging about his neck. He clasped it in one fist and tightened his fingers around its faceted shape.
    State your needs.
    There was no mistaking the voice that time. He glanced around, looking for the speaker of the words, only to feel that he was alone beneath the tree. He contemplated what he should ask for, wondering if indeed, the voice was offering to fulfill his needs to keep Selena safe and to find Aston’s hideaway.
    “ Jarharis , Aston’s sanctuary lies within the trees.”
    He jerked his head around, spying Mi. She hovered near a branch on the tree. Taking a seat on the woody bough, she relaxed her gossamer wings, folding them across her back, and stared at him.
    Jarharis blinked his eyes at the tiny pixie. She appeared to be illuminated, as though surrounded by a soft pale green light that allowed him to see her features as clearly as if he were in his own sanctuary and illumination coming from a crystal chandelier. “Did you speak to me?”
    The pixie smiled at him and nodded her head. “Aston’s sanctuary lies within the trees.”
    Puzzled, for her voice didn’t sound like the first voice he heard, he held the amulet and stared at her.
    “Look at the gem. It will reveal the way to Aston’s sanctuary. But you must not tell the members of the vampire club.”
    Jarharis’s brows rose upward in surprise. Mi disappeared as quickly as she had materialized. He looked around, but failed to catch further sight of her. He opened his hand and stared at the amulet. It glowed pale yellow, then drew his gaze to its center. As before, he saw a swirling mist, moving,