The Burning

Praise for
New York Times
bestselling author
Susan Squires and . . .

The Companion

“A darkly compelling vampire romance . . . the plot keeps the reader turning the pages long into the night.”

—Affaire de Coeur

“Bestseller Squires charts a new direction with this exotic, extremely erotic, and darkly dangerous Regency-set paranormal tale. With her ability to create powerful and tormented characters, Squires has developed a novel that is graphic, gripping, and unforgettable.”

—Romantic Times
(4½-starred review)

“Travel through Egypt’s deserts and London’s society with two of the most intriguing characters you will ever read about. You will encounter a dark world that is intense, scary, and sexy, and a love that will brighten it . . . powerful and passionate . . . captivating . . . Squires has a wonderful ability to keep her readers glued to the edge of their seat.”

—Romance Junkies

“A vibrant, riveting, and sometimes just plain scary novel that should satisfy anyone—including the man in your life—who enjoys paranormal tales . . . Squires’s saga is off to an intriguing start.”

—All About Romance

“Squires does a fantastic job of taking an old tale, vampirism, and spinning it into a new and fresh tale with characters who intrigue and captivate.”

—Fallen Angel Reviews

“An unforgettable, sensual, and erotic novel that takes you places you’ve never gone before . . . will make you believe in the power of true love.”

—Romance Reader at Heart

“[
The Companion
] delivers sensual love scenes, an intriguing plot fraught with danger, adventure, and the unexpected which will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next enthralling tale from this immensely talented author.”

—Rendezvous

“Squires has just taken the traditional vampire novel to a whole new level with
The Companion
. With her riveting and compelling writing, she has woven a tale of love amidst the most desperate of circumstances and created unforgettable characters . . . fans of the genre will be fascinated . . .
The Companion
will capture your interest from the first scene until the last . . . readers who like a strong historical novel as well as one with a definite bite should add
The Companion
to their wish list. It will be a keeper for sure!”

—aromancereview.com

“Squires has demonstrated a talent that few can surpass. Her descriptions and historical details are flawless. Her characters exceed their potential and the plot keeps you quickly turning the pages. Squires has joined the company of authors whose books are classics. Look for this book to become a classic in its genre too.
The Companion
is a gem. Obviously, everyone needs it.”

—Coffee Time Romance

“A totally absorbing novel...the characters are brilliantly conceived and perfect for the gripping plotline. The author gives the reader a unique twist on what vampires really are, a tortured hero to adore, the only heroine who could possibly be right for him, a truly horrific villain—and a fascinating story that carries the reader through one exciting adventure after another . . . Squires’s prose grabs you from the beginning and gives you a relentless ride through this complex, beautifully written book.”

—New and Used Books

“A riveting story, the first of what I expect to become a fresh, unforgettable new vampire series.”

—BookLoons

“A book to be savored, not torn through at breakneck speed . . . Squires is a talented author and
The Companion
offers the promise of more beautifully dark vampire novels to follow.”

—The Romance Reader

ST. MARTIN
’
S PAPERBACKS TITLES
BY SUSAN SQUIRES

The Companion

The Hunger

NOTE:
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

THE BURNING

Copyright © 2006 by Susan Squires.

Cover photo © Shirley Green.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

ISBN: 0-312-99855-4
EAN: 9780312-99855-4

Printed in the United States of America

St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / April 2006

St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

To Jennifer Enderlin, who is probably tired of having books dedicated to her. But she has to put up with it again because she was such an important part of this effort. She said, “More,” just at the right times. And to Harry, without whom these books wouldn’t exist at all
.

One

TRANSYLVANIA, PROVINCE OF THE HAPSBURG EMPIRE, SEPTEMBER 1820

They ran their hands over his body. There were three of them. Their palms rubbed his chest, his hips and thighs, and the bulge of his biceps where his wrists were bound above his head. The nails scraped lightly, threatening. He knew what was to come. The stone bench on which he lay was hard against the bare flesh of his buttocks and shoulders, but the room was warm. They loved heat. It was a true luxury in the winter of the Carpathian Mountains. The only illumination came from the fire licking at the logs in the great stone arches. Above him, their faces were unreal in the flickering light. Their eyes glowed red. Now they would compel him. Their low moans filled the little room cut into the rocky heart of the monastery. He knew every crevice in its stone by now. This room held his torment and possibly his salvation
.

“Test him well, tonight, sisters,” one of them whispered. Her breasts brushed his belly
.

“Is he worthy of our father’s trust?” another breathed into his ear
.

He felt his loins throb, tight with a need he dared not indulge. He had no idea whether they compelled that need, or whether it belonged to him. A tongue found his nipple. He could not help but arch up into it. The chains clanked. A hand cupped his balls. He felt the scrape of canines at his throat. They wanted blood tonight. He waited for the pain. How would he bear their ministrations in the long hours ahead?
Atonement. You deserve this,
he told himself
. A thousand years of torment would not atone for your crimes. You have one chance at redemption and they will help you to it.

He breathed as they had taught him. He focused inward, searching for an island of control. His shoulders relaxed. All emotion drained slowly away. The piercing of his carotid was a fact of pain, no more. One of them sucked at his throat while the others kept him roused
.