day later, Austin realized he was going to live.

And still have bills to pay. He considered other jobs in law enforcement, but human criminals had somehow lost their appeal. He was only interested in the undead variety.

To keep his mind off Darcy, he took a temporary job in construction. The labor wore him out so he was able to sleep at night. He worked until the next Saturday, then took a day off.

He sat on the couch, drinking a beer and wondering what to do with his life. He'd reached some of his old contacts from his days in Eastern Europe. He was considering going back. He knew the languages. He knew there were bad vampires there. Still, he was reluctant to leave New York. Darcy was here. He wanted to be here in case she needed him.

Who was he kidding? She had plenty of friends. She didn't need him. He eyed the box that now held the videotapes of her old newscasts. He should return the tapes. He should let go.

He clunked the beer bottle down on the coffee table. First, he'd watch all the tapes one more time. One last tribute to Darcy. He stacked the tapes in chronological order, then inserted the first one into the VCR. For the first hour, he smiled. Into the second hour, he felt like crying. By that evening, he had reached the last tape. He was sprawled on the couch, thoroughly depressed, with the last slices of a take-out pizza congealing on the coffee table.

A news anchor described Darcy's disappearance, his face plastered with false concern. No one knew where she was.

"She's dying in an alley, you bastard," Austin growled. If only that damned experiment had worked. If Darcy could change back into a mortal, she'd stop rejecting him. What had gone wrong with the experiment? Something about mutated vampire DNA and the need for the person's original DNA.

The next newscast started. The reporter was standing in the alley behind the vampire club. Though Darcy's body had never been found, the police had recovered a knife stained with her blood. Poor Darcy. Knifed in the chest.

Austin sat up with a jerk. Holy crap! The bloody knife. Her original human DNA. He slapped a hand against his forehead. Was that what Roman needed to make the experiment work?

Austin threw on a suit so he would look like he was still with the CIA. He looked up Gregori's address and phone number on the computer and scribbled down the information. He made some calls and discovered the evidence on Darcy's case had been moved to a central lockup facility in Midtown.

He drove there. It was nine P.M. on a Saturday night, so the place was dead. Only one officer on duty.

Austin approached the officer and planted an image of a CIA ID card in the officer's head. "I'm with the CIA." He flashed an ID card from a video rental store.

The officer nodded. "How can I help you?"

"I need to check the evidence for the Darcy Newhart case. It's four years old."

The officer pushed a clipboard toward him. "I'll need you to sign in."

Austin wrote the name Adam Cartwright.

The officer thumbed through an index file, then removed a card. "Here it is. Bin number 3216."

"Thanks." Austin waited for the officer to buzz him in. He strode down the narrow aisles till he located the box labeled 3216/Newhart. He pulled it off the shelf. Inside, he found a broken video camera, Darcy's old purse, and in a plastic bag, the bloody knife. He stuffed the plastic bag inside his coat and returned the box to the shelf.

Back in his car, he examined the knife through the plastic covering. This could be it. Darcy's one chance to become human again. And their one chance to be together. He set the bag on the passenger seat. His hands shook as he dialed Gregori's number on his cell phone.

"Hello?" Gregori answered.

"I need to speak to Darcy."

There was a pause. "This is Austin, right?"

"Yes. I have something important to tell Darcy."

"Haven't you done enough? She lost her job because of you."

"I wouldn't bother her if this wasn't extremely important."

"I have a better idea. Don't bother her at all." Gregori hung up.

Great. Her friends were protecting her. Austin drove to Gregori's address and parked. He buzzed the apartment.

"Yes?" A female voice came over the intercom.

"Vanda, is that you? I need to talk to Darcy."

"Austin?"

"Yes. I have something vital to show Darcy."

"She's already seen it," Vanda replied dryly. "Look, she's cried enough over you. Leave her alone."

Austin released the intercom button with a sigh. He could break into their apartment, but then he'd have a bunch of angry vampires screaming at him. Darcy would be too upset to listen. He needed an ally. Someone who could present Darcy's options to her without breaking and entering. Shanna Whelan? He wasn't sure where she was. She and Roman had moved out of the townhouse to get away from Sean's threats. But the townhouse was still there. And the kilted Scottish guards.

Connor. He was the perfect choice. He was the one who had transformed Darcy. He should be the one to tell her the news.

Austin drove to Draganesti's townhouse on the Upper East Side. The steps leading to the front door were dark, lit only by a blinking red light on a surveillance camera equipped with a night lens. He rang the doorbell and glanced up at the camera to allow the guards inside a good look at his face.

A deep voice, laced with a Scottish accent, spoke over the intercom. "Push the button and state yer purpose."

He pressed the button on the intercom. "I want to speak to Connor."

No answer. Austin waited. He pivoted, surveying the quiet street. And waited. He had pushed the button on the intercom to remind them he was waiting, when the door slowly opened.

An unwanted shiver crept down his spine.

"Come in," Connor said. He smiled slightly. "Ye're just in time for dinner."

They're all bottle-fed, Austin reminded himself as he stepped into the dimly lit foyer. Connor was just trying to scare him. Or maybe, the bastard enjoyed playing with his food.

There were three kilted Scotsmen in the foyer. Connor was in the middle with the youthful-looking vampire on the right. A black-haired Scotsman was on the left. Behind them, there was a large staircase and a reserve troop of six more kilted vampires.

Connor crossed his arms and regarded him curiously. "Well, laddie. Ye have some bollocks coming here."

"I need to talk to you. In private."

Connor tilted his head toward the black-haired Scotsman. "Dougal, search the perimeter. Make sure our wee friend from the CIA has come alone."

"Aye, sir." Dougal and two of the reserve guards went out the front, closing the door behind them. Two more reserve guards zoomed out the back door.

"I'm alone," Austin said. "And I'm no longer with the CIA."

Connor arched a dubious brow. "Raise yer arms, please, so Ian can check you for weapons."

Austin lifted his arms as the youthful vampire circled behind him. "I have a knife in my jacket." In less than a second, the last two reserve guards were flanking him with swords pointed at his chest.

Austin blinked. That was fast. Ian removed the plastic bag containing the bloody knife and handed it to Connor.

"I wasn't going to use it," Austin muttered.

"You wouldna have had the chance." Connor turned the bag over, examining the knife. "This blood is old."

"Four years old. It's Darcy's." Austin noted the automatic flinch in Connor's hands.

A hint of remorse flitted over the Scotsman's face before he resumed his usual blank expression. "Any other weapons?"

Ian finished patting down Austin's legs. "Nay. He's clean."

"This way." Connor marched toward a door behind the staircase.

Austin followed, still flanked by the two armed guards and trailed by Ian. He went through a swinging door to find himself in a kitchen.

"Sit." Connor motioned toward the table. He glanced at Ian and the guards. "You may go."

Austin approached the table, but didn't sit.

Connor set the bloody knife on the table. "So, this is the knife that killed Darcy?"

"No, it wounded her. You're the one who killed her, you bastard." He rammed a fist into Connor's jaw. Austin smiled grimly when the Scotsman stumbled back. The vampire's jaw had been hard as stone, but the pain had been worth it, just to see the shocked expression on Connor's face.

"Why the hell did ye do that?"

Austin flexed his sore hand. "You deserved it."

Connor sat at the table and motioned to the chair across from him.

Austin sat. Apparently, he didn't need to worry about a counterattack. Connor must have agreed he deserved the hit.

"So ye've left the CIA?" Connor asked.

"I resigned a week ago after a major disagreement with Sean Whelan. I wanted to concentrate only on the Malcontents, but he still believes all vampires are evil."

"And ye no longer believe that?"

"No. I got to know some Vamps while I was doing the reality show. They're harmless." Austin sighed. "Sean ordered me to stake them during the day while they're helpless. I refused."

"Sporting of you."

Austin was surprised by the twinkle of amusement in the Scotsman's eyes. "I thought so."

Connor lounged back in his chair. "Rumor has it that ye actually won that contest and all the money, but ye gave the check to the ladies."

Austin shrugged. "They needed it."

"Aye. But so do you if ye're unemployed."

"I intend to find another job."

"Ye worked in Eastern Europe for a while."

Austin swallowed. "How do you know about that?"

"Ian has grown quiet adept at breaking into Langley. Ye're fluent in Hungarian and Czech?"

"Yes." Austin suddenly felt like he was on a job interview. "I'd like to continue the fight against the Malcontents if you know of an organization that��"

"Later," Connor interrupted him. "Several Malcontents have been murdered lately in Central Park. What do ye know of that?"

Austin took a deep breath, but remained silent.

"The Russians have accused us of doing it, but I think it's yer bloody Stake-Out team. Since ye're no longer with the CIA, you wouldna mind telling me if I'm right?"

Austin hesitated. "The Malcontents deserve to die. They attack the innocent."

"Aye." Connor crossed his arms. "Since you and Garrett were involved in the reality show, I'm betting the assassin is either Sean Whelan or one of the females on the team."

Damn. He needed to call Emma and tell her to stop.

" 'Tis one of the ladies, then," Connor said softly. "You wouldna feel the need to protect Sean."

Austin shifted in his chair. This vampire was too sharp.

Connor gestured toward the knife. "And why have ye brought this here? Are ye hoping to torment my guilty conscience?"

"So you admit to your guilt? Why didn't you take her to a hospital? Or to Romatech? They have tons of synthetic blood there. You could have saved her."

Connor's eyes clouded with pain. "She was such a brave lass. She dinna deserve to die."

"But you killed her."

He shook his head sadly. "A vampire can smell how much blood a mortal is carrying. We can hear the beating of their hearts. The knife had nicked a major artery. She was bleeding internally. Only a few more beats and she would have been gone."

"You don't think there was enough time?"

"I know there was not." Connor heaved a sigh. "I know she hates me. But believe me, there was no other way to save her."

"I believe you." The pain in the vampire's eyes was real.

Connor touched the plastic bag. "How did ye get this?"

"I stole it from the police."

The Scotsman's eyebrows rose. "I'm impressed."

"Darcy told me about Roman's experiment to transform a vampire back into a human. She said it didn't work because they needed the human's original DNA."

"Aye." Connor lifted the knife, his eyes widening. "And this is Darcy's human blood."

"With her human DNA." Austin leaned forward. "I think it's possible the experiment could work on her."

"Have ye told her?"

"No. Her friends are protecting her from me."

"Why?" Connor frowned. "What did ye do to her?"

"I made her lose her job. And I fell in love with her."

"Ah. And ye would prefer to love a mortal than a vampire?"

"I'd be happy with her any way I could get her, but it's not about me. It's about Darcy and her happiness. This needs to be her decision."

Connor set the knife back on the table. "I'll have to check with Roman to see if he believes it could work."

"Then will you tell her? I think it should come from you."

Connor sighed. "I couldna give her a choice before."

Austin handed him the knife. "This time, you can."

At midnight, Vanda and Maggie dragged Darcy into the living room to watch another episode of The Sexiest

Man on Earth. Sly was still airing the show on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The vampire public demanded it. According to Corky Courrant, it was the most popular show since the formation of DVN.

In the week since she'd been fired, Darcy had kept busy helping the ladies start their business and find a townhouse of their own. For now, they were all staying in Gregori's cramped apartment. The ladies were too happy to be bothered about the close quarters. They even invited Darcy to participate in their male dancer club, but she declined.

Now she sat, scrunched on a couch between Vanda and Maggie. The ladies loved seeing themselves on TV, but watching the show and seeing Austin was torture for Darcy. Knowing she couldn't have him didn't lessen her love for him. It only increased the poignancy of her longing. By the end of the show, she was thoroughly depressed. The jubilant ladies filled glasses with Bubbly Blood.

"Cheer up." Maggie handed her a glass. "At least Sly agreed to let us keep all the money."

Gregori snorted. "He had no choice. Roman was the one who put up the funds, and he insisted you all keep it."

"The master did care about us after all." Cora Lee grinned. "You should be happy, Darcy. Your show is the biggest hit ever."

"Indeed," Princess Joanna agreed. "Sly would be a fool not to beg you to do another one."

Unfortunately, Sly was a fool. "He'll just hire someone else," Darcy muttered.

"I don't think so," Vanda countered. "Corky Courrant's been playing your interview over and over. She's making you famous. Sly will have to ask you back."

"Vanda's right." Gregori sipped from his glass. "Corky's taken up the cause of female Vamp liberation, and she's named you the hero of the movement. Sly will look like a complete scumbag if he doesn't take you back."

Unfortunately, Sly was a complete scumbag. Darcy wasn't going to hold her breath waiting for him to call.

"The founder of the female Vamp liberation movement." Maggie gazed at Darcy with admiring eyes. "I knew it. I knew there was a reason for you to be with us. This was all meant to be."

Darcy's heart swelled with emotion. She was meant to be here. Meant to be a vampire. Her eyes misted as she regarded all her friends. At last, she was making peace with her world.

"Being the marketing genius that I am," Gregori continued, his eyes twinkling, "I've decided to take full advantage of your celebrity status. I convinced Roman to start a new line of female Vamp products, and we want you to be our spokesperson."

Darcy's mouth fell open. "You mean, I would have a job?"

"Yes." Gregori smiled. "You would make commercials, go on tours. Be an inspiration to Vamp women all around the world."

The ladies squealed and gathered around Darcy to congratulate her. She was too stunned to do anything but babble incoherently. In the midst of all the noise, the phone rang.

Gregori answered it. "Sure, come on over." He glanced at the women. "Step back, please. We have a visitor coming."

The women crowded against the far wall as a figure materialized before them. Shoulder-length auburn hair. A red and green plaid kilt. Connor. Darcy stiffened.

He immediately focused on her. "We need to talk. Alone."

Her heart pounded in her ears. What doom was he bringing tonight? And why? Her life was finally looking hopeful again.

"Come, ladies." Gregori motioned toward the door. "Let's give them some privacy."

Darcy perched on the edge of an easy chair as her friends filed from the room. Connor paced about, his kilt swishing around his knees. He was nervous, she realized, and that only served to make her pulse race faster.

He cleared his throat. "I've been enjoying yer show."

"Thank you."

"I gather ye dinna tell yer boss about Austin working for the CIA?"

"No. Sly was furious enough just to find out he's mortal."

Connor folded his arms across his wide chest. "He came to see me a few hours ago."

"Austin?"

"Aye. He had something important to tell you. And yer friends here weren't letting him get through to you."

Darcy's heart stuttered. Austin had tried to reach her? While she remained speechless, she heard muffled whispers behind the door. Her friends were listening in. Her nosy, overprotective friends. "Austin's been trying to reach me?"

"Aye." Connor glanced at the door where the whispers had grown in volume. "I suppose they were trying to protect you."

Darcy raised her voice. "How silly of them. They should know I can take care of myself."

The whispers cut off.

Connor's mouth twitched. "Well done, lass," he said softly.

Darcy motioned to the chair next to her. "What did Austin say?"

"He claimed he was no longer with the CIA." Connor took the offered seat. "We checked on it, and it's true. In fact, Sean Whelan has blacklisted him from any government employment."

"I see." Poor Austin. He was in worse shape than her.

"Ye told him about the experiment to transform a vampire back into a mortal."

"Yes." Darcy frowned. "I told him it didn't work."

"Because the vampire's original human DNA is needed."

"Yes." Darcy wondered where this was going.

"Austin brought me the knife from yer attack four years ago. It was covered with yer blood. Yer human blood."

Darcy fell back against the chair. "You mean... ?"

"Aye. I took the knife to Roman. He isolated yer human DNA. He thinks ye're the best candidate we'll ever find."

She pressed a hand against her chest. Her heart was thundering in her ears. "I��I could become mortal again?"

The whispers resumed outside the door.

Connor leaned forward, bracing his forearms on his knees. "I have to tell ye, lass, there's a possibility ye could perish during the procedure."

"How��how big a possibility?"

"Roman estimates a seventy-five-percent chance of success."

And a twenty-five-percent chance she could die.

The door burst open, making her jump in her chair.

"Don't do it!" Maggie rushed into the room.

"I agree." Gregori marched in. "You shouldn't risk your life, Darcy. You have a perfectly good life here."

The other ladies murmured in agreement.

Darcy's eyes filled with tears. She did have a promising future in the vampire world. But she didn't have Austin. And he still wanted her. That was why he'd brought Connor the knife. "Austin wants me to do it?"

Connor shook his head. "He dinna say. He only said ye deserved to be happy. And ye deserved to have a choice."

He wants me to choose. She could have a bright future as a celebrity in the vampire world. She had wonderful friends who cared about her and a female liberation movement she'd managed to start. On the other hand, she could have Austin. And her family. And sunshine. And a one in four chance of dying.

"Don't do it." Maggie knelt beside her chair. "We need you."

"I'm not sure we're enough." Vanda's eyes glimmered with tears. "There's nothing more sacred than love."

"But we love her!" Maggie exclaimed.

A tear tumbled down Darcy's cheek.

"Enough of yer blethering," Connor stood. "This is Darcy's decision. I couldna give her a choice before, but now, I can."

Darcy wiped her cheeks. "I need to talk to Connor alone for a moment."

Her friends trudged slowly from the room and shut the door.

Darcy drew a shaky breath. "If I go through with this, I might not survive, so I want you to know how I feel."

Connor sat heavily in the chair next to her. "I know ye hate me. I doona blame ye for that."

"I've been telling myself I should hate you, but I realize now I was angry with myself. I was... ashamed." More tears slipped down her cheeks, and she brushed them away.

"Why, lass? Ye were verra brave to rescue that young girl."

Darcy shook her head. "I was a coward. I blamed you for transforming me, for not giving me a choice. But the truth was I had a choice. When you poured your blood down my throat, I could have refused. I could have turned my head and died with dignity. But I didn't. I was afraid. I didn't want to die."

"No one wants to die, lass."

"I drank your blood." Tears streamed down her face. "I was so appalled with myself."

Connor grabbed her hand. "You did what ye had to do to survive. And ye made the right choice. Look at all the good ye've done. Our world is a better place because ye're here."

"I made the right choice," she repeated to herself. A sense of peace filled her heart. Maggie was right. Her life as a vampire had been meant to be. And if she hadn't survived, she would have never met Austin. She squeezed Connor's hand. "Thank you."

His blue eyes glistened with tears. "Have ye decided, lass?"

"Yes. I took the cowardly choice before. This time, I choose to be brave."