To Curse the Darkness by P.G. Forte Page A

who’d raped and abused Heather. It didn’t bother him at all that Vincent was dead. But he hated like hell that he’d been the one to strike that match.
    It took a moment before the rest of what Elise had said sank in. “Whoa, hold on a minute. What are you talking about? I didn’t tell Audrey about Vincent.”
    Elise’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t tell her he was dead? You didn’t tell her that you’d used the information I gave you to find him?”
    â€œHell no. Why would I do that? She was holding me prisoner, remember? I wasn’t looking to be killed, and I sure as hell wouldn’t have implicated you . Of course I let her think he was still alive. That was the only bargaining chip I had.”
    â€œHuh. Well, I guess it’s a good thing she and I are not ever likely to play poker again, because her ability to bluff has certainly gotten a whole lot better than it used to be.”
    â€œThat still doesn’t explain why you left town.”
    â€œWhat did you want me to do, Marc? Prove my devotion to your memory by sitting at home and waiting for Quintano to come and kill me?”
    â€œWhy would you think that? Why would Conrad hurt you?”
    â€œBecause Audrey hurt you . For all I knew, she’d killed you. And then she went and put a great big target on my back by coming to me for help. If you imagine Quintano could ever be persuaded not to avenge your death, you have no idea who your sire is. Besides, our clans have been at war with each other for decades, Marc. I’ve told you that as well. I didn’t feel like becoming the latest casualty.”
    â€œSo you left that for me?”
    â€œNo. You brought that on yourself. Don’t you dare try and lay that at my door. I warned you what could happen. I told you it wasn’t safe for us to continue seeing each other, but you just wouldn’t listen. You have this overly romantic view of our relationship. It’s charming, really. It’s seductive and alluring and I wish to God it were true. But it’s not. I know from experience that star-crossed lovers rarely find a happy ending outside of fiction. Especially when they’re vampires from warring families.”
    â€œWell, this time they do,” Marc told her grimly. “If I have anything to say about it. This time they most definitely do.”
    * * * * *
    Conrad had finished breakfast and was headed for the small salon just off the front hall, where he liked to spend his evenings immersed in a good book, when he ran across Julie seated on the stairs leading up to the second floor.
    â€œThere you are,” she said as she sprang to her feet. “Finally. Can we go up and see Georgia now?”
    Conrad hesitated. “Julie, I…”
    â€œYou promised,” she said, hurriedly reaching for his hand and holding it tight. “You said you’d take me with you. Please?”
    Technically, he hadn’t promised anything. He’d agreed in theory, yes, but that was a far cry from having actually given his word. He was tempted to try and explain the difference, but the trusting look in Julie’s dark eyes, so much like her mother’s, demolished his resistance. It wasn’t that crucial a matter. In fact it was hardly worth mentioning. “Very well,” he said as he gestured for her to precede him up the stairs. “We might as well get it over with.”
    The landing at the top of the stairs was spacious, large enough to accommodate a small seating area where one might enjoy a small snack or indulge in conversation. An ornate marble bench was conveniently located in front of the picture window so that one could also, if one were so inclined, gaze through the glass at the front lawn below. But tonight none of those activities were on Conrad’s mind when he slowed to a stop.
    Julie turned to look at him. “Grandfather? Is everything all right?”
    All right? Conrad shook his