Free Edge of Twilight by MAGGIE SHAYNE

let his hands shake too badly as he applied it to her wound.
    â€œTh-thanks,” she whispered.
    He met her eyes quickly, knowing that his tasting her had shaken her as much as it had him. He thought about kissing her then. Not to further his plan, though it would certainly do that. But just because he wanted to. And Edge had never been one to deny himself anything he wanted. So he leaned a little closer.
    â€œWell now, what have we here?” Rhiannon asked from the doorway.

4
    H e stopped in midmotion, seeing the alarm in Amber’s eyes at the sound of the other woman’s voice.
    She cleared her throat. “Aunt Rhiannon, this is Edge.”
    Rhiannon came forward even as Edge got to his feet, turned to face her and put on his most charming smile. He extended a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard of you. Princess of Egypt, right?”
    The beautiful woman’s stern expression softened just slightly. “Yes.” She took the hand he offered, shook it. “And how did you meet my Amber Lily?”
    â€œShe hit me with her car.”
    Rhiannon blinked, shot a shocked look at Amber on the bed.
    â€œIt was an accident,” she said. “But I figured the least I could do was give him a ride. He was coming this way anyway.”
    Her brows went up. “Really? And what brings you to Salem Harbor, Edge?”
    â€œAmber’s Ferrari.”
    She made a face, not embracing his humor.
    â€œActually, I just always wanted to see it.”
    She didn’t seem to believe him. “Well, now you can.”
    He licked his lips. “I, um—I heard the commotion. Is there anything I can do?”
    â€œWe have things under control.”
    He nodded, then cast a glance at Amber in the bed. “I suppose I should go, then. Leave you to it.”
    â€œIt was nice meeting you,” Rhiannon said, stepping to one side of the open doorway.
    Amber sat up on the bed, swinging her feet to the floor. “Do you have somewhere to stay?”
    He smiled at her. “I’ll find a place. I always do.”
    She sent Rhiannon a pleading look, to which the other woman responded with a scowl. But then, from outside the room, another voice came.
    â€œThat’s the problem with royalty. They can be so rude.” A third woman came into the room. She wore a plush robe and looked drained of energy. Her feet dragged a little when she walked, and her eyes were red, as if she had been crying or was suffering a hangover.
    Amber shot to her feet, and Rhiannon turned to reach for the woman, but she held her hands up and stopped them both. “Don’t.”
    Rhiannon sighed, but lowered her arms to her sides. “You should be sleeping.”
    She shrugged. “Tell your friend Eric his vampire-tranquilizer needs tweaking. It might have put you out of commission, Rhiannon, but for a vampiress as powerful as I am, it only produces a slight buzz.”
    â€œIf you were yourself, Gypsy, I’d show you the meaning of powerful.” Rhiannon said the words gently, though. It wasn’t a real threat.
    The “Gypsy” crossed the room, gently embraced Amber. “I didn’t exactly give you a proper greeting, did I?”
    â€œIt’s understandable,” Amber said, hugging her back.
    As they pulled apart, the vampiress studied Amber, stroked a hand over her hair. “It’s redder than last time I saw you.”
    â€œMore burgundy than red,” Rhiannon said.
    Amber shrugged. “It always seems to be changing. Mom says I have raven hair with bloody highlights.”
    She was all about highlights, Edge thought in silence. Her ebony eyes turned darkest midnight-blue if you looked closely enough. He wondered if they had changed, as well, or if they’d always been that way. Not that it mattered in the least to him.
    The third woman was facing him now, offering a weak smile and a hand. “I’m Sarafina.”
    He took her hand.