Sadie felt sadness and joy wrapped tightly around her heart. Joy because Vlad was free to hunt and be wild again, and sadness because she knew it unlikely now that she could ever experience him the way that she wanted. If he even wanted to be near her in a week . . . if she was even still alive. She had to tear away, because she didn't want to now give him hope when none was warranted. She wouldn't hurt him like Teresa had.

"Happy hunting," she murmured, pushing away from him, obviously unhappy about it.

Vlad growled. He didn't understand this at all. He knew how she felt,...