Kindling Flames: Stolen Fire (The Ancient Fire Series Book 4) by Julie Wetzel Page A

behind his ear. “But it’s only while we’re in the city.” She continued to rub him until he purred. “Once we’re back to the car, we can take it off.”
    Zak rubbed his head into Vicky’s leg and pranced around at the end of the lead. The tips of his hair wiggled unnaturally in his excitement.
    “Now,” Darien reclaimed Vicky’s free hand, “where were we?” He wrapped her hand back around his arm and led her to the street. “You know, I didn’t come out here very often in the daytime.” They headed away from Canal Street, past more parking areas. Most of them were fairly empty at this time of day. After a few blocks, the road they were on joined with another.
    “This is Decatur,” Darien explained. “The Quarter runs from Decatur up to North Rampart Street, and from Canal Street clear over to Esplanade Ave.”
    As they walked, Vicky could just see the green of a park up on the left-hand side. “So, you know this area well?”
    “Oh, yes,” Darien answered. “I’ve spent a great deal of time here.” His accent slipped a little, picking up a hint of the French that the area was so well known for.
    Vicky raised an eyebrow as they walked on.
    “I came to New Orleans in 1810.” Darien got that faraway look that he often had when remembering things from his past. “That was a different time. The area was being flooded with immigrants from the Haitian Revolution just a few years before. With the active ports and the influx of people, this was the perfect place for vampires.” His demeanor took on that edge of danger that Vicky had learned stemmed from his darker nature. “No one questioned if someone went missing every now and then.” This was the side of Darien that scared Vicky. She had only seen it a few times, but it unnerved her to know that such darkness lurked in his soul.
    “At that time, there were several masters in this city.” He looked around as if seeing the area in a different light. “Most of them are dead now, too eager in their lust for blood to not draw attention. I was always careful. Life is too precious to be taken so recklessly.” He caressed Vicky’s hand where it touched his arm. “But, like draws like, so I spent more than my fair share of time in their company. Fortunately, by that time, I was old enough to not be pressured into moving with the crowd.”
    “You mean, other vampires could pressure you into things you didn’t want to do?” Vicky asked. It was hard to believe that anyone could force Darien into doing something he didn’t want to by peer pressure alone.
    Darien smiled at her. “It was hard to go against what others of my kind were doing. A lesser vampire would have been looked down on as weak or afraid for taking the route I chose,” he explained. “Murder and death are part of what we are.”
    Vicky shivered. “No,” she said, shaking her head and resting her other hand on top of his arm. “You’re not like that.”
    Darien covered her hands with his again. “Yes. I am,” he answered. “I have been every bit the dark villain, and it will always be part of me.”
    “Did you enjoy it?”
    Darien paused to consider his answer. “At times.”
    “And do you still?” Vicky pushed.
    “Not so much anymore,” he answered truthfully.
    They walked on in silence. The bit of green ahead of them opened up on both sides of the street. Vicky tore her mind from their conversation and looked around her. On the left side of the street was a line of carriages. Beyond them was a black, iron fence, separating the sidewalk from the famous Jackson Square. Wrapping around the edges of the square were the redbrick buildings with the amazing balconies that the area was known for. “Wow,” Vicky breathed in awe. They were as beautiful as she had imagined.
    Darien pulled his arm from hers and wrapped her up against his side. “Is beautiful, no?” He looked out over the square. “I’ve been through here hundreds of times, but one never appreciates a place