As darkness fell, Samantha stirred from her deep slumber. Her eyes flew open, instantly alert. The room was pitch black, but her vampire senses quickly adjusted, taking in every detail of Marcus's bedroom. She sat up abruptly, realizing something was amiss.
Marcus wasn't there.
A quick glance at the ornate clock on the wall confirmed it was sunset. Why hadn't he woken her?
Samantha swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet touching the cool hardwood floor. She stood, stretching her lithe form as her mind raced with possibilities. Had there been news about Lily? Had something happened while she slept?
She moved swiftly to the door, her heightened senses searching for any sign of Marcus in the sprawling estate. But there was nothing - no familiar scent, no sound of his voice giving orders or making calls. The silence was unsettling.
