Nathan's Mate Read Free Page A

no veil or shadow this time.  Nostrils flaring and eyes burning, the man pinned her with his black stare but said nothing more.  He seemed to be struggling...with himself.  His eyes raked over her body and face hotly. 
     
    Sasha scrambled for cover, pulling back the sheet and blankets to cover herself from chin to toes.  She flushed as she realized she had been as naked as the day she was born, exposed to every eye in the room.  Had they seen her mark of the vampire?
     
    Liam was the only one brave enough to approach Nathan.  He walked calmly around the bed and dragged his brother to his feet, yanking hard with both arms around his shoulders.  Nathan was two hundred years older than Liam, but Liam had his own elevated degree of power as a healer and Nathan didn't really resist.  He was too busy trying control his animal instincts. 
     
    "You okay, Nathan?"  Liam slapped him on the back as Nathan stood, stumbling a little as he gained his balance. 
     
    Nathan held up his hand.  "I'm fine.  I'm six hundred years old for Christ's sake.  I can control myself."
     
    Liam gave him a doubtful look as he returned to Sasha.  He introduced himself and his brother as Regan looked on curiously. 
     
    "What's wrong with him.  He doesn't look so good."  Regan probed quietly as she continued gaping at Nathan.
     
    "Let's go get some nourishment, Regan.  The healing was draining.  I'll explain everything."  Liam nodded his head toward the door, indicating that they should leave Sasha and Nathan alone. 
     
    "Are you sure it's safe."  Regan didn't sound so sure that leaving them alone was a good idea. 
     
    "They'll be quite safe, Regan.  Come along and I'll explain.  They have a few...issues to work out."  Liam coughed to cover his laugh as he motioned Regan out the door. 
     
    Regan moved behind him slowly, shooting her sister one last, perplexed look as she followed Liam. 
     
    Sasha watched as the pair disappeared, her mind whirling.  She remembered the monsters that attacked her and seeing a brief glimpse of the vampire that Liam had introduced as Nathan before she lost consciousness.  She also remembered sending out a calling spell to Regan.  She had obviously received it.  She was here, and she must have healed her. 
     
    "You saved my life,"  Sasha whispered, knowing that he must have destroyed the creatures attacking her. 
     
    Nathan walked around the bed and sat on the floor beside the bed before replying, "I almost didn't make it fast enough."  His eyes never left her face.  Sasha could see the fear and concern in his expression. 
     
    She lifted a hand to his cheek, unable to stop herself from comforting him. "You made it.  I would have been dead had you not shown up.  What were they?"
     
    "Fallen vampires."
     
    Sasha shuddered.  She didn't know that vampires could fall and become such hideous creatures.  "And you hunt them?" 
     
    "Yes."  Nathan answered simply.  "They prey on the innocent." 
     
    "And you don't?."  She couldn't stop herself from asking the question.  Weren't all vampires evil? 
     
    A volatile look crossed his face as he answered roughly.  "No.  I do not.  Vampires may survive on blood but we take from those who aren't so innocent and we don't kill to do it." 
     
    She believed him.  His insulted look was definitely not false.  He looked like she had slapped him.  Remorse stabbed at her sharply as she replied, "I'm sorry.  I know very little about vampires." 
     
    "Probably about as much as I know about the mage."  His voice was rough and low.  "Do you know that we are mates?"
     
    Sasha flinched.  "I knew I was the mate of the vampire because I have the mark.  I didn't know who he was.  But I have dreams..."  Her voice shook.  "I never see a face...but I dream.  I recognized your voice." 
     
    "I dream the same dreams.  But I could see you very clearly."  Nathan willed his mark to appear and held his forearm out to her.  "We are