“So zis is ze girl?” Luc stepped from the shadows lurking beneath the decrepit awning that spanned a good part of the house. 
	The aura radiating from him made Nyaira seem like little more than a lost puppy. A pit formed in Victoria’s stomach, and her heart beat impossibly faster.
	He cocked his head at her, his expression unnervingly even.
	“Indeed, [i]mon cœur,[/i]” Nyaira purred, her demeanor changing instantly. She looked more relaxed, her body impossibly sinuous. 
	“Not quite what I ’ad expected.” He brushed a strand of his platinum hair from his face and stepped toward Victoria.
	She exhaled shakily, incapable of looking away.
	Luc gently, but firmly gripped her chin. 
	Victoria’s legs turned to Jell-O at his cool touch as he turned her head to either side.
	“But power comes in ze most unsuspecting packages, no?” Luc’s lips quirked in a smile. “Come!” He released her, and turned to the open door. “I ’ave arranged for our transport.”
	Victoria swallowed as Nyaira stepped to follow him, pulling her after. Taking a deep, shaky breath, she used both her strength and weight, and yanked her arm free. She hissed as Nyaira’s nails scraped her skin, leaving stinging scratches in their wake, and stumbled backward at her unexpected success.
	She shouted, her eyes wide when the man from the car appeared beside her. The sound cut off when he clamped a hand over her mouth, Victoria reaching up instinctively to try pulling it away.
	[b]“Don’t make a sound.”[/b]
	Victoria tried to slow and quiet her frantic breathing as the vampires snarled.
	“She can [i]vanish?[/i]” Nyaira growled as Luc pushed past her. 
	Victoria held her breath as Luc looked through her and Illyad.
	“No.” Luc’s face darkened. “Zere’s someone else ’ere. I can feel zeir magic.”
	“You can [i]what?[/i]” 
	“I zought it was ’ers.” Luc spun around to Nyaira, his accent thickening. “Zey’re still ’ere. Find zem! Guard ze perimeter!”
	“With pleasure.” Nyaira raced from the front of the house, her figure a blur in her speed.
	The anger and murder on Luc’s face made Victoria’s blood run cold. She held her breath as he stepped toward them, his eyes ever searching.