-CREATURE OF THE NIGHT-It seemed all I ever did was to yearn for something that I'd lost. Right now I wished for my best friend, but I could never call her again. At other times when my pain had been nearly unbearable, I'd beg for my mama. There were many nights when I screamed for Alexis, but none of my calls were ever answered.Julie has done a great deal to convince me that giving up my old life completely will be for the best. Julie is my new First Lieutenant because she had collected the most Rogues in the competition to become my right hand. Of the hundreds of Rogues who had been captured, how many had been put to death? None. Technically they had never run away since there was no commander to run away from.Julie is a surprising being. Turned by a Rogue at the age of twelve, she is forever trapped in a prepubescent body. Though she appears to be no more than a child, Julie's tough, and everyone—even Vampires—lower their guard around her. Because of this and her skill as

If you kill a Vampire in a fair fight, all of his or her property reverts to you. I owned Johan's house, his blood donors, and his seat on the Vampire Council. I'd gone from a lowly Third Generation illegally turned by a Rogue and set to be put to death to become a Master Vampire and a Council member because of a broken piece of wood. But we don't talk about that …A year after Johan's demise, Tyler was transformed. Gone were the revealing dresses that Johan had forced his women to wear. She had worked out until her tall slim body was taut with wiry muscles. She kept her black hair short in a boy cut and mainly wore T-shirts and black leather pants. She looked like a biker chick gone Goth, especially when she tooled around on her motorcycle. I don't know much about bikes, but Tyler rode an old school bike that I hear is supposed to be pretty uncomfortable. Women seldom chose the bike because it left you wide open. The driver has to sit with his or her legs splayed out in front and has

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah," I grunted.We both stood. Tyler tilted her head to expose the long line of her neck. I placed my hands on her shoulder and put up a mental wall to shield me from unwanted feelings or sensations. Vampires could do this naturally, but being a Third, I had to learn this talent in a different way. Paul, my confidante, my protector, and my friend taught me the trick. It works really well for me. But Paul was not someone who I wanted to think about when I was trying not to think about lust. I concentrated on Tyler's neck. I first sensed and then saw the pulse there. Hers always beat rapidly. My teeth lowered because I had the desire to eat. And there lies the source of the control. You didn't really make the teeth do what you want. It was like looking at your hand and saying "flex." You had to have a desire that would bring the teeth, like a desire to eat, a desire to fight, or a desire to intimidate. That was the big secret that took me so long to understand.

I leaped over the couch and lunged for him, clawing him cleanly in the chest and snapping my fangs inches from his throat. He blocked me with a forearm and held my head away from him with his hand. I screamed as my fangs met nothing but air, and it was really pissing me off.Tony sent me flying backwards over the couch. He looked down at the claw marks on his chest. "I liked this shirt," his voice sounded incredulous.I picked up and threw the couch against a puke green loveseat. "I hate it!" I leaped at him again, but this time he caught both of my wrists and held me fast. "Kim!" he shouted.The crucifix slipped out during the struggle, and Tony grimaced with a growl and turned away. I kneed him in the balls, and though he doubled over, he still held on to my wrists.Gigi, the wench, sneaked over and ripped the crucifix from my neck.Stupid, stupid move.I twisted out of Tony's grip and leaped for Gigi's throat.Tony snatched and held the back of my neck, squeezing tender ski

Then I knew she wasn't lying. Alexis had used his mind to bring me to climax. For me, though, he had made it most enjoyable."The last time that I tried to help 'myself,' Alexis pulled my tongue out of my mouth," Kaniji continued. "Of course, you know this because you were standing there watching him do it."My husband has been a very bad boy."Where is Alexis?" I asked. I had seen a different side of an evil man. I knew that there was more to him even if Kaniji didn't."He's been exiled," Kaniji said.I tried to hide my surprise. I didn't expect her to tell me anything. "What does that mean?""It means that he has to leave all he knows, his place on the Council, and … you."My breathing grew ragged. "Why is he being punished?"Kaniji smiled. "Now that's the million-dollar question.""A million dollars is nothing to us," I said. "What do you want in return for this information?""You have nothing that I want.""Not even Tony?"Her eyes flashed at me. "You would bargain away