protested, demanding to know what was going on. And then one of them fell upon him, and he screamed.
Megan paused. Coles expression had not changed during any of this. I knew then. But there were several of them, and the men on the field werent really listening to me. Im sure they thought I was crazy and that whenever they delivered pistol shots into the chest of one of the creatures, it would stay down. But I knew. And I was armed. I was able to take down three of the four I counted. But it was insane on the field! Those who witnessed the event and survived were certain that the opposing troops had somehow risen to fight one another again.
The Battle of Fredericksburg was a while back, Cody said.
Weve been chasing this for a long time, Megan said. Through many battles. But the thing isnow its all come here. For me, Fredericksburg was the beginning. We think we have the situation under control, and thentheres a new outbreak. Recently, after the Battle of the Wilderness, things grew worse. She drew a deep breath. There were dead and wounded from both Rebel and Union armies, and we know that some of ours were takenand that a few of the officers were taken to the prisoner-of-war facility where we met tonight. Id already been sent North when word came that there were riots going on at the prison. And so II came. Id heard as well, of course, that I might at last find my long-lost brother among those sent in.
How did you hear that? Cody asked, frowning.
She laughed. No major feat of intelligence. People are whispering about it on the streets. And, I believe, it will remain nothing more than whispering. Most people mock the idea of anything outside the ordinary. Cody, youre simply known as an excellent man at taking down a horde of unruly men, and Cole Granger she paused, turning to stare at the man, hoping that she had all her dignity about her as she did so Cole Granger is famous, or infamous, for being the best man to maintain law in a wild frontier town. And, naturally, Brendan Vincent, its long known that youre a staunch Unionistdespite being a Southerner from one of the Texas towns recently annihilatedby outlaws, of course, they say.
All three men were quiet, staring at her. She hadnt really lied; people were whispering on the streets. She hadnt explained just how far up in the Southern echelon it was known that something beyond the absolute horror of warfare was going on. She didnt want tocertainly not now. She wasnt trusted as it was. Cody was trusted; she was not. They surely knew what he was. And Cody had been with the Southern armyuntil his wounds had sent him home to New Orleans, held firmly in Union hands. All this, and still they trusted him but not her.
Cole set a hand on her upper arm, spinning her around to look at him, still the skeptic. She stared at the hand. He stared back at her; he didnt let go.
What? she asked icily.
Why didnt you try to contact us first?
A knock at the back door stalled any answer she might have been able to dream up.
Keep her hereIll get it, Cody said.
Well? Cole asked as Cody walked to the door.
Well, what?
Why didnt you contact us? he asked. Why did you chance going into that prison alone? How did you get into that prison alone?
I think Cody can answer that for you.
I think you should answer the question for me, right now.
But before she could pretend to answer, she was suddenly swung about and pulled hard against his chest; he had a large, long-fingered hand clamped over her mouth.
She heard Martha Graybow speaking. Cody, is everything all right? I saw you all come in, and then I noticed that you still have lights on. Its so late, and you fellows never came for your supper, so I was worried.
Martha. She should call out to Martha, and Martha could vouch for her. But then again, what good would that do? Noneit could only do harm! Brendan Vincent was a diehardif he knew that she knew Martha, he might decide that Martha was a Southern spy!
She held still and waited, tempted to bite Cole Grangers hand.
She somehow refrained.
If she were to bite him
Everything is fine, Martha, thank you. We did have a late nightyou heard about the trouble at the prison. Well, its all over now and were just sitting with a bit of whiskey and winding down, Cody said.
Oh, thank goodness. I do worry about you boys.
Martha, beautiful, sweet Martha. She hadnt wanted her husband to go off. She had known she would become a widow.
Boys? Cody said with a laugh. Ill have to tell Brendan. Hed appreciate that.
You young men! Martha corrected.
Thank you for your concern. Were fine. And we wont forget breakfast, Martha, I promise you.
The door closed. Megan gave a good hard kick backward, getting Cole Granger in the shin. He tensed but didnt let go.
I dont think I like your sister much, Cody, he said, easing his hold then and pressing her firmly away.
She turned and stared at him, it was becoming increasingly difficult to remain calm in the face of this irritating man. You dont know how lucky you are that Im a temperate and reasonable woman, she said pleasantly.
Oh, you can get worse than this? Cole inquired.
Patience
But her temper had flared. She drew back her lips and let out a hissing sound, displaying the fangs she could summon within seconds. She felt they were really quite beautifulnot that that was the effect she was going for here.
Holy, Jesus! Brendan Vincent cried, jumping back.
Cole Granger held his ground.
Dont make a move! Cody warned.
She smiled sweetly, retracting her fangs. If Id wanted to hurt anyone here, Cody Fox, I could have bitten off the ever-so-charming Sheriff Grangers fingers just moments ago. Dont you get it? What is the matter with you? Why dont you believe me? Im your sisteryour half sister, your fathers daughter! she said, praying again for patience and control.
Brendan Vincent stared at Cody. She could be any bloodsucking monster out there, he cautioned. She could have found out things about you. God knowsthere is a war going on. She could be here to kill us all in our sleep. I say we stake her right now.
Now, now, hold up, Cole said, arms crossed over his chest as he walked around her. She did fight with us at the prison. And look close. She and Cody have the same eyes.
Im not getting that close, Brendan said.
Cole smiled at that. She could have killed us a few times already, if that had been her intent. Well, maybe she couldnt have killed Cody.
Well, maybe you should have just staked her at the prison, Brendan muttered.
Cody had moved closer. Megan stood very still, watching him as he resurveyed her, head to toe. Admittedly, she wasnt particularly well dressed. One didnt pick ones finest ball gown for a romp with ravenous killing machines in a prison yard. She wore a simple tailored blouse, vest, form-hugging, knee-length jacket, mens breeches and boots.
Cody had moved closer. Megan stood very still, watching him as he resurveyed her, head to toe. Admittedly, she wasnt particularly well dressed. One didnt pick ones finest ball gown for a romp with ravenous killing machines in a prison yard. She wore a simple tailored blouse, vest, form-hugging, knee-length jacket, mens breeches and boots.
But he wasnt looking at her attire, she knew.
His gaze rose at last so that his eyes met hers. Fire and ice. They were the same hazel and green color of his own, a color that seemed like gold. She wore it well. Her eyes were fascinating, compellingmesmerizing. Or so her admirers had told her.
Cody touched her hair, drawing his fingers through it. Suddenly, he smiled. Let me see those fangs again.
She flushed, looking at the others. Cody, it makes your friends uncomfortable.
My friends know exactly what I am. They just want you to be the same, and nothing worse.
She allowed her fangs to show once again.
Yes, she was half vampire. Go figure. Her father seemed to have a steady ability to propagate. It wasnt like all the things that shed read about vampires, but then again, who really knew anything about them?
What else did your mother say about my father? Cody asked.
Its really a long story.
A long story, Cody, Cole Granger spoke up from behind her brother, coming forward. I personally find long stories wonderfully intriguing. To her astonishment, he paused, gripped her chin and looked into her mouthat her receding fangs. He looked at her mouth and studied her teeth and fangs as if he were looking at the quality of a horse he was considering for purchase.
Oh, she was tempted to bite.
Oh, so tempted.
She restrained. He was pushing her. He knew that a bite wouldnt turn him into an uncontrolled maniac. Nor would a single bite kill him.
He was trying to see if she would snapif she was capable of control.
She pretended boredom. And strangely, surprisingly, she discovered that she liked something about him.
It was his scent, she realized. He smelled of leather and musky soap, of the night air and of something more subtle and deep and alluring. Horses, whiskeyand himself.
Bathed.
God, she loved the smell of a man who had bathed. These days, it didnt seem there were many of those. God knew that many a mans uniform, worn day in and day out as the war dragged on, reeked to high heaven. Well, this fellow wasnt a soldier. He was a sheriff, in a town, with a house most likely.
We are always ready to be entertained by a story, and yet I find myself wondering not about any story, but rather what thoughts are prowling through that little mind, Cole said.
She blinked. There was certainly no chance she intended to have a deep and philosophical discussion with this man.
No matter how delicious he smelled.
She smiled. I was actually thinking, sir, that you smell quite good.
Cody burst out with a laugh.
Brendan even grinned. Good thing you do enjoy lathering away in a tub, Cole.
She couldnt help herself. She allowed her smile to deepen. Good enough to eat, she said sweetly.
She was surprised when Cody came to her defense, though he spoke too coldly. Give it up. Youre not going to bite anyone, rip anyones throat out or devour their blood. Gentlemen, please do say hello to my sister. Oh, and please do return the use of her jaw back to her.
How have you come to that determination? Brendan asked. Cole hadnt even looked at Cody. Hed released her jaw, of course, but he was still studying her with those eyes of his, pure blue ice.
She almost flinched when Cody reached out to touch her, lifting a small strand of hair away from her neck. She had a tiny mark there. Not dark, but rather a light, tiny, almost heart-shaped birthmark.
I bear the same mark, he said quietly.
You do? Really? I never noticed it, Brendan said, frowning. But then, Id not have noticed it on the young lady if you hadnt pointed it out, and you wear your hair long around your ears, Cody, andoh, my. Well. If you say you both have the same mark he finished lamely.
Cody had pulled his own hair back to prove the point.
Cole walked across the room, taking a seat at the piano bench. He folded his hands prayer fashion, in thought.
Cole, Brendan said. It appears the young lady is telling the truth.
Yep.
Cody turned to look at him. Thats all?
Congratulations. You have a sister, Cole said. That really solves nothing at all.
Cody grinned. And that means?
It means, he said with his long, deep drawl, that we know shes your sister. Whether or not we can trust her? Well, that remains to be seen.
CHAPTER THREE
COLE DIDNT SLEEP well during the night. He lay down to rest with a stake in his hands and his bowie knife beneath his pillow.
He knew that Brendan Vincent would be doing the same in his room.
But morning arrived without incident, and when he came downstairs, he discovered that Codys newfound sister was in the kitchen with their hostess, Martha, setting out utensils for their breakfast, something Martha Graybow prepared wonderfully. Apparently Cody thought it a good idea to introduce them, lest Megans presence in their rooms seem somehow untoward.
He instantly wanted to protect the womanstand between her and Megan Fox and make sure that the young half-breed vampire wasnt about to pounce. Martha Graybow was a mature woman, but she had a beautiful, kind face, and Cody had a feeling that she wouldnt be a widow long, once the war was over.
If there were any men left.
Martha had apparently loaned their surprise guest clothing; that morning, Megan Fox was wearing a demure cotton day dress that displayed the sleekness of her slender, shapely form to perfection. Actually, shed worn mens clothing well, too, but, this morning, she appeared as pure, sweet and innocent as a newborn angel. Her hair was quite gold, gold like her eyes.
So much like Codys.
And yet so different. So sultry, even when she was looking innocent. Somehow.
You smell good. Good enough to eat.
He found it hard to admit even to himself, but her fangs were equally stunning. He didnt think hed ever been able to say that before.
Good morning, Sheriff, Martha said, her voice bright, her smile sincere.
Im only a sheriff in Texas, maam, he reminded her with a smile of his own. Cole will do just fine, thank you.
Well, then, Cole it is, Martha said, flushing. And Im Martha to my friends. Well be dispensing with the Mrs. Graybow, when you speak to me, young man, if you please.
As you wish, Martha, Cole said.
He was standing close enough to Megan to hear her mutter beneath her breath. Charming. Oh, so, charming.
He ignored her. Ignored herwhile keeping a wary eye on her. Last night, Cody had suddenly seemed to embrace the young woman. Of course, Cody was happy. He had just married a beautiful woman, and now he was finding that he had a sister. Hed been alone in the world for years, and now he had a family.