Free Edge of Twilight by MAGGIE SHAYNE Page A

Her grip wasn’t as strong as he would have expected in one as old as she was. The power of a vampire floated around them like a nimbus. It grew with age, and he sensed a depth of it in this woman—nearly as much as he felt wafting from Rhiannon. But it was hiding now, or dormant.
    â€œThey call me Edge.”
    â€œAnd you’re a friend of Amber Lily’s?”
    He glanced her way. “I’d like to be.”
    â€œThen you’re more than welcome to stay here with us.”
    â€œâ€™Fina, a word, please?” Rhiannon whispered.
    Sarafina shot her a look. “There’s no need for secrecy, Rhiannon. I imagine Edge has figured out by now that you don’t trust him, and that you guard Amber Lily like your Pandora would guard a freshly downed antelope.”
    Pandora? Edge sent the mental whisper to Amber, wondering if she could hear and respond.
    Her pet black panther, she thought back at him.
    He was impressed with her telepathic skills and notsure how to respond to the likening of Rhiannon to a predatory feline, so he said nothing at all.
    Sarafina moved closer to him, studied his face. “Not that she’s overprotective, by any means. There are a lot of ruthless sons of bitches who’d give anything to get their hands on our Amber Lily.”
    â€œAnd you think I might be one of them?” He tried to look shocked, glancing from her to Rhiannon to Amber. “I’m a vampire, ladies. I’m one of you.”
    â€œYou’re a vampire. Not one of us,” Rhiannon said, her voice soft, dangerous.
    He held up both hands. “I didn’t come here looking for free room and board.”
    Sarafina shrugged. “Still, I can’t think of a better way to keep an eye on you than to have you stay right here, with us.”
    He smiled at her. “Not on your life, lady.” Then he turned to Amber. “I’m out of here, Alby. But I won’t be far.”
    He started for the door, and Amber came up behind him. “Edge, you don’t have to—”
    She stopped speaking when he turned around, snapped an arm around her waist, tugged her hard against him and kissed her mouth. It wasn’t a long kiss. It wasn’t meant to be. It was a message. And he thought the vampires received it loud and clear.
    When he let her go, she frowned at him, almost as if she knew exactly what he was doing. Damn, she was supposed to be weak-kneed and confused. Instead she looked as sharp and nearly as mistrusting of him as the vampires were.
    He said, “I’ll see you again.” Then he turned on his heel, walked into the hall, down the stairs and out of the house.
    Â 
    Amber closed her eyes, squared her shoulders and turned to face the two women. “Don’t even start.”
    â€œI don’t like him,” Rhiannon said.
    â€œHe’s up to something,” Sarafina agreed.
    â€œOf course he’s up to something.” Amber stalked down the stairs, with the two women right behind her. She headed to the kitchen, put on a kettle, dug in a cupboard for the herbal tea blend she and Willem both favored. Only then did she turn and face the women again. “Sit.”
    â€œAmber…” Rhiannon began.
    â€œJust sit. Sarafina, you’re going to fall down if you don’t get off your feet.” She took ‘Fina’s arm, pulled out a chair for her.
    Sarafina sat down. Rhiannon didn’t. She folded her arms over her chest and speared Amber with her eyes. “Amber, he’s handsome, I’ll grant you that,” she said.
    Sarafina agreed. “Devastatingly handsome.”
    â€œHottest man I’ve ever seen in my freakin’ life,” Amber put in.
    The two looked at her, wide-eyed.
    â€œLook, I wasn’t born yesterday, you know.”
    â€œNo. Just twenty-three years ago,” Rhiannon said. “Which really isn’t much longer than yesterday.”
    â€œNot to you, maybe. But I’m not