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i had to keep my teeth ground tightly together to stop myself from screaming out loud . we carried on walking . i half-hoped i 'd black out again , to numb myself to the pain . i did n't even care that declan and little kenny would probably dump me in a gutter to die , rather than drag my deadweight body along . but i stayed awake , if not entirely alert , and managed to swing my legs into action when prompted . i 'd no idea where i was being taken , and i was n't able to raise my head to mark the way . when we finally came to a halt in front of an old , brown-faced building , little kenny darted forward to open a door . i tried looking up to see what the number was . but even that was beyond me , and i could only stare at the ground through half-closed eyes as declan and little kenny dragged me inside and laid me on a hard wooden floor . little kenny stayed with me , keeping watch , as declan went upstairs . they 'd lain me on my left side , but i rolled over on to my back and stared up at the ceiling . i could feel my last sparks of consciousness flickering out . as i watched , my eyes played tricks and i imagined the ceiling was shimmering , like sea water in a light breeze . i heard declan coming back with somebody . he was talking quickly and quietly . i tried turning my head to see who he was bringing , but the scene on the ceding was too captivating to turn away from . now i was imagining boats , sails filled with the breeze , circling the sea/ceiling above me . declan stopped by my side and examined me . then he stepped back and the person with him bent over to look . that 's when i knew i was really losing my grip on reality , because in my delirium i thought the person was debbie hemlock , my ex-girlfriend . i smiled weakly at the ludicrous thought of running into debbie here . then the woman standing over me exclaimed , `` darren ! oh my ? '' it 's hot ! '' `` do n't be a baby , '' debbie smiled , pressing a spoon of steaming hot soup to my lips . `` not if it scalds my throat , '' i grumbled . i blew on the soup to cool it , swallowed , then smiled at debbie as she dipped the spoon into the bowl again . harkat stood guard by the door . outside i could hear alice burgess talking with one of their street people . i felt incredibly safe as i lay there , sipping soup , like nothing in the world could harm me . it had been five days since declan and little kenny rescued me . the first few days passed in a haze . i 'd been wracked with pain and a high fever , senses in disarray , subject to nightmares and delusions . i kept thinking debbie and alice were imaginary . i 'd laugh when they talked to me , convinced my brain was playing tricks . but as the fever broke and my senses returned , the faces of the women remained constant . when i finally realized it really was debbie , i threw my arms around her and hugged her so hard , i almost fainted again ! debbie asked harkat . `` no , '' harkat replied . i asked debbie to fetch harkat and mr tall even before she 'd told me what she and alice were doing here . when my worried friend arrived - mr tall did n't come - i told him about steve and his gang , and about steve being darius 's father . harkat 's round green eyes almost doubled in size when he heard that . i wanted him to leave and contact the vampire generals , but he refused . he said he had to stay to protect me , and would n't go until i was fit again . i argued the point , but it was no good . he had n't left the room since then , except for the occasional toilet break . debbie spooned the last of the soup into my mouth , wiped around my lips with a napkin , and winked . she 'd hardly changed in the two years we 'd been parted . the same lush dark skin , beautiful brown eyes , full lips , and tightly cropped hair . but she was more physically developed than before . she was leaner , more muscular , and she moved with a fighter 's fluid grace . her eyes were always alert . she was never totally at ease , ready to respond to any threat at an instant 's notice . the last time we 'd met , debbie and alice had been on their way to vampire mountain . they were troubled by the rise of the vampaneze and shaven-headed vampets - they thought they 'd turn on humanity nextif they won the war of the scars . they decided that the vampires should create their own human force to combat the threat of the gun-wielding vampets .

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they planned to offer their services to the generals , and hoped to put together a small army to battle the vampets , leaving the vampires free to tackle the vampaneze . i did n't think the generals would accept their proposal . vampires have always distanced themselves from humans , and i thought they 'd reject debbie and alice automatically . but debbie told me that seba nile - the quartermaster of vampire mountain , and an old friend of mr crepsley 's and mine - had spoken on their behalf . he said times had changed and the generals needed to change with them . vampires and vampaneze had sworn an oath never to use missile-firing weapons , but the vampets had n't . many vampires were being shot by the shaven-headed curs . seba said something had to be done about it , and this was their chance to fight the vampets on level terms . as the oldest living vampire , seba was greatly respected . upon his recommendation debbie and alice were accepted , albeit with reluctance . for several months they 'd trained in the vampire ways , mostly at the hands of my old task master , vanez blane . the blind vampire taught them to fight and think as creatures of the night . it was n't easy - the ever-wintry vampire mountain was a hard place to survive if you lacked the hot blood of the vampires - but they 'd clung to each other for support and stuck with it , earning the admiration even of those generals who 'd greeted them with suspicion . ideally they 'd have trained for several years , learning the ways of vampire warfare . but time was precious . the vampets were growing in number , taking part in more and more battles , killing more and more vampires . once debbie and alice had covered the basics , they set out with a small band of generals to assemble a makeshift army . debbie told me seba and vanez longed to come with them , for one last taste of adventure in the outside world . but they served the clan best in vampire mountain , so they stayed , loyal servants to the end . the door to my room opened and alice stepped in . alice burgess used to be a police chief inspector and she looked even more warrior-like than debbie . she was taller and broader , with more pronounced muscles . her white hair was cut ultra-short , and though she was extremely light-skinned , there was nothing soft about her complexion . she looked as pale and deadly as a snowstorm . `` the police are searching the neighbourhood , '' alice said . `` they 'll be here in an hour or less . darren will have to hide again . '' the building was old and had once been used as a church by a shady preacher . he 'd created a couple of secret rooms , almost impossible to find . they were stuffy and uncomfortable , but safe . i 'd stayed in one of them three times already , to avoid the police searches which had been in full flow since the massacre at the football stadium . `` any word from vancha ? '' i asked , sitting up and pushing the bed covers back . `` not yet , '' alice said . as the other surviving hunter , vancha march was the only person apart from me who could freely kill steve . debbie and alice did n't have a direct line to the prince , but they 'd equipped a number of the younger , more forward-thinking generals with mobile phones . one would get word to vancha about the situation here - eventually . i just prayed it would n't be too late . recruiting an army had proved a lot harder than it sounded . no vampire knew for sure how the vampaneze had put the vampets together , but we could imagine their recruiting strategy - find weak-willed , wicked people , then bribe them with promises of power . `` join us and we 'll teach you how to fight and kill . we 'll blood you when the time is right and make you stronger than any human . as one of us , you 'll live for centuries . anything you wish for can be yours . '' debbie and alice faced a much harder task . they needed good people who were willing to fight on the side of right , who recognized the threat the vampets and their masters posed , who wished to avert the prospect of living in a world where a band of killers dominated the night . crooked , grasping , evil-hearted people were easy to find . honest , concerned , self-sacrificing people were harder to come by . they found a few , among police and soldiers - alice had lots of contacts from her time on the force - but nowhere near enough to counter the threat of the vampets . for half a year they made little or no progress . they were beginning to think it was a waste of time . then debbie saw the way forward . the vampaneze were on the increase .

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as well as recruiting the vampets , they were blooding more vampaneze assistants than normal , driving up their numbers in a bid to win the war of the scars by means of force . since they were more active than usual , they needed to drink more blood , to keep up their energy levels . and when vampaneze drank blood , they killed . so where were all the bodies ? vampaneze had survived for six hundred years by feeding cautiously , never killing too many people in any one area , carefully hiding the bodies of their victims . there were n't many of them - never more than three hundred before the war of the scars - and they were spread across the world . it was relatively easy to keep their presence a secret from humanity . but now they were on the increase , feeding in groups , killing hundreds of humans every month . there was no way such a drain on humanity could have passed unnoticed by the general public - unless those they fed from were n't officially part of that public . tramps . dossers . hobos . mankind had dozens of names for homeless people , those without careers , houses , families or security . many names - but not a lot of interest . homeless people were a nuisance , a problem , an eyesore . whether `` ordinary '' people felt pity or disgust for them , whether they handed over change when they saw someone begging or walked straight by , one thing united most humans - they knew homeless people existed , but very few took any real notice of them . who in any town or city could say how many homeless people were living on the streets ? who 'd knowif those numbers started to drop ? who 'd care ? the answer - almost nobody . except the homeless people themselves.they 'd know something was wrong . the homeless would listen , pitch in and fight . if not for the vampires , then for themselves - they were victims of the war of the scars , and stood to lose big time if the vampaneze were triumphant . so debbie , alice and their small band of generals took their recruiting speeches to the corners of the world most humans know nothing about . they went out on the streets , into homeless shelters and mission churches , down alleys lined with rough beds made of cardboard boxes and wads of newspapers . they moved freely among the people of this subworld , facing suspicion and danger , spreading their message , in search of allies . and they found them . there was a grapevine among the homeless , similar to that of the vampire clan . though most lacked phones , they kept in touch with one another . it was amazing how fast a rumour could travel , and wherever alice and debbie went , they found people who 'd heard about the murders and knew they were under attack , even though they had no idea who their attackers were . debbie and alice told the street people about the vampaneze . they encountered scepticism to begin with , but the vampires with them backed them up , demonstrating their powers . in a couple of cities they helped the street folk track down vampaneze and kill them . word spread rapidly , and over the last several months thousands of street people across the world had pledged themselves to the vampire cause . most had n't been trained yet . for now they were serving as eyes and ears , watching for vampaneze , passing on word of their movements . they 'd also chosen a name ? vampirites . harkat helped me out of bed and i hobbled from my room , down the corridor and stairs to the ground floor , where the hidden rooms were located . alice came with us , to ensure all was in order . we passed declan along the way . he was on the phone to another nearby vampirite stronghold , warning them of the police search . the generals with debbie and alice left them eventually , to resume the fight against the vampaneze - all hands were needed in the war of the scars . a couple kept in touch , meeting up with them every month or two , monitoring their progress . but most of the time the ladies of the shadows - as the vampirites referred to them - travelled alone , choosing places where the vampaneze were active , recruiting fervently . they 'd come to my home town a fortnight ago . there 'd been many reports of vampaneze here , and a band of vampirites had already formed to combat them . debbie and alice came to raise morale , and also to spread awareness among the street folk . that task accomplished , they 'd planned to move on soon . then i 'd turned up , beaten and bleeding , and their plans changed . i rubbed my right shoulder as i shuffled to the secret room . alice had removed the arrowhead and stitched me up . the wound had healed cleanly , but it still stung like crazy , and i was a long way off full recovery . alice and harkat moved the furniture which helped mask the entrance to the hidden room at the rear of the house . then alice pressed a secret panel and a section of wall slid back to reveal a cramped cell .

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there was a very dim light set in one of the walls . `` they searched the house thoroughly last time , '' alice reminded me , checking that the jug beside the mattress on the floor was filled with water . `` you could be in for another long stay . '' `` i 'll be fine , '' i said , lying down . i heard debbie shout , as alice was about to close the section of wall on me . she came hurrying to the entrance , carrying a small bag . `` i 've been waiting until you were strong enough to give this to you . it will help pass the time . '' i asked , taking the bag . `` you 'll see , '' debbie replied , blowing me a kiss and stepping back as the cell was closed off . i waited a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dim light , then reached inside the bag and pulled out several notepads bound together by an elastic band . i broke into a smile - my diary ! i 'd forgotten it entirely . now that i cast my thoughts back , i recalled handing the notepads to alice before leaving with harkat two years earlier . once i got the all clear , i returned to my bedroom and spent the next couple of days bringing my diary up to date . i 'd soon filled out the most recent notepad , so debbie brought me fresh writing material . i wrote all about my adventures with harkat in the barren wasteland which seemed to be the world of the future . i described my fears , that the world might face destruction regardless of who won the war of the scars , and that i might be in some way linked to the fall of mankind . i told about discovering harkat 's true identity and returning home . a quick rundown of our recent travels with the cirque du freak . then the latest cruel chapter , in which tommy died and i learnt that steve had a son . i had n't thought much about tommy since that night . i knew the police were scouring the city in search of his killers , and that r.v . and morgan james had killed eight others and wounded many more in the stadium . but i did n't know what the general public made of the murders , or if i 'd been identified as a suspect - maybe steve was setting me up to take the blame for this . i asked debbie to bring me all the local papers from the last few days . there were poor pictures of r.v . ( full-vampaneze could n't be photographed , but r.v . 's molecular system must not have changed yet ) and morgan james , but none of me . there was a brief mention of the incident outside the ground , when i 'd been attacked , but the police did n't seem to place much importance on it or link it with the stadium murders . debbie asked , tapping a photo of a smiling tommy jones . she was sitting on the end of my bed , watching me while i read the papers . she 'd been spending a lot of time with me during my recovery , nursing me , chatting with me , telling me about her life . `` we were good friends when we were kids , '' i sighed . `` do you think he knew about steve or the vampaneze ? '' he was an innocent victim . `` but did n't he say he had something important to tell you ? '' `` he said there were things we had to discuss about steve , but he was n't specific . i do n't think it had anything to do with this . '' `` it scares me , '' debbie said , taking the paper from me and folding it over . `` you 're scared because they killed tommy ? '' `` no - because they did it in front of tens of thousands of people . they must be full of confidence , afraid of nothing . they would n't have dared pull a stunt like this a few years ago . they 're growing more powerful all the time . '' `` over-confidence may prove to be their undoing , '' i grunted . `` they were safer when nobody knew about them . confidence has brought them out into the light , but they seem to have forgotten - light 's no good for creatures of the night . '' debbie put the paper aside . `` not too bad , '' i said . `` but alices stitch work leaves a lot to be desired - i 'm going to have a terrible scar when the wound heals . '' `` another one for the collection , '' debbie laughed . `` i noticed a new scar on your back , long and deep . did you get it when you went away with harkat ? '' i nodded , remembering the monstrous grotesque , how one of its fangs had caught between my shoulder blades and ripped downwards sharply . `` you still have n't told me what happened , or where you went , '' debbie said . `` it 's not something we need to talk about right now . '' `` but you found out who harkat was ? ''

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`` yes , '' i said and let the matter drop . i did n't like concealing secrets from debbie , but if that wasteworld really was the future , i saw no reason to burden debbie with foreknowledge of it . i woke early the next morning with a terrible headache . there was a small crack between the curtains , and although only a thin shaft of light was visible , i felt as if a strong torch was being shone directly into my eyes . groaning , i stumbled out of bed and pulled the curtains closed . that helped , but my headache did n't improve . i lay as still as i could , hoping it would go away . when it did n't , i got out of bed again , meaning to go downstairs and get some aspirin . i passed harkat on my way . he was leaning against a wall , asleep , although his lidless eyes were - as always - wide open . i had taken a few steps down the stairs when a wave of giddiness overcame me and i fell . i grabbed for the banister , managed to catch it before i toppled over , and slid to a bruising halt halfway down the stairs . head ringing , i sat up and looked around , dazed , wondering if this was an after-effect of my wounded shoulder . i tried shouting for help but i could only work up a croak . a short while later , as i lay on the stairs , gathering my strength in an effort to crawl back to my room , debbie walked by the top of the staircase . she caught sight of me and stopped . i raised my head to call her name , but again i could only form a choked croak . debbie asked , taking a step forward . you have n't been drinking again , have you ? '' why had she confused me with declan ? we looked nothing alike . as debbie climbed down to help , she realized i was n't the tramp . she stopped , coming on guard . `` it 's ? me , '' i gasped , but she did n't hear . debbie shouted . at her cry , alice and harkat came running and joined her at the top of the stairs . `` is it one of declan or little kenny 's friends ? '' `` i do n't think so , '' debbie said . alice challenged me . `` tell us , quick , or ? '' `` wait , '' harkat interrupted . he stepped past the women and stared hard at me , then grimaced . `` as if we have n't enough ? problems ! '' `` it 's ok , '' he told alice and debbie as he picked me up . `` it 's darren . '' debbie exclaimed . `` but he 's covered in hair ! '' and i realized why she had n't recognized me . overnight , my hair had sprouted and i 'd grown a beard . `` the second phase , '' harkat nodded . this means ? '' yes - it meant my time as a half-vampire was almost at an end . within a few weeks the vampire blood within my veins would transform all of the human cells and i 'd become a true , night-hugging , sunlight-fearing creature of the dark . i explained the purge to debbie and alice . my vampire cells were attacking my human cells , converting them . within weeks i 'd be a full-vampire . in the meantime my body would mature rapidly and undergo all kinds of inconveniences . apart from the hair , my senses would go haywire . i 'd suffer headaches . i 'd have to cover my eyes and plug up my nose and ears . my sense of taste would desert me . i 'd experience sudden bursts of energy then loss of strength . `` it 's terrible timing , '' i complained to debbie later in the day . harkat and alice were busy elsewhere in the house while debbie helped me cut my hair and shave . `` i 'm vulnerable , '' i said . `` my head 's pounding . i ca n't see , hear or smell right . i do n't know what my body 's going to do from one minute to the next . if we get into a fight with the vampaneze any time soon , i ca n't be depended upon . '' `` but you 're stronger than normal during the purge , are n't you ? '' but that strength can dwindle away suddenly , leaving me weak and defenceless . and there 's no way of predicting when that will happen . '' `` what about afterwards ? '' debbie asked , trimming my fringe . `` you 'll be a full-vampire ? '' `` you 'll be able to flit and communicate telepathically with other vampires ? '' `` not straightaway , '' i told her . `` the ability will be there , but i 'll have to develop it . i 've got a lot of learning to do over the next few years . ''

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`` you do n't sound too happy about it , '' debbie noted . `` in many ways i 'm glad - i 'll finally be a true vampire , as a prince should be . i 've always felt awkward , being a half-vampire and having so much power . on the other hand i 'm facing the end of a way of life . no more sunlight or being able to pass for human . i 've enjoyed the best of both worlds since i was blooded . now i have to leave one of them - the human world - behind for ever . '' i sighed moodily . debbie thought about that in silence , cutting my hair back . then she said quietly , `` you 'll be an adult at the end , wo n't you ? '' `` yes , '' i snorted . `` that 's another change i 'm not sure about . i 've been a child or teenager for the better part of thirty years . to leave that behind in the space of a few weeks ? `` but wonderful , '' debbie said . she stopped cutting and stepped in front of me . `` do you remember when you tried to kiss me a few years ago ? '' `` yes , '' i grimaced . `` that 's when i was pretending to be a student , and you were my teacher . you hit the roof and ordered me out of your apartment . '' `` rightly so , '' debbie grinned . `` as a teacher - an adult - it would be wrong of me to get involved with a child . i could n't kiss you then , and i ca n't kiss you now . it 'd feel terribly wrong kissing a boy . '' her grin changed subtly , mysteriously . `` but in a few weeks , you wo n't be a boy . you 'll be a man . '' a benefit of the purge was that my wound healed quickly and i got my strength back . a couple of days later , i was almost back to full physical fitness , except for my headaches and growing pains . i was doing press-ups on the floor of my bedroom , working off some of my excess energy , when i heard debbie squeal downstairs . i stopped instantly and shared a worried look with harkat , who was standing guard by the door . i hurried to his side and removed one of the earplugs i was wearing to block out the worst of the street noises . `` should we go down ? '' harkat asked , opening the door a crack . we could hear debbie babbling excitedly , and as we listened , alice joined her and also began to talk very quickly . `` i do n't think anything 's wrong , '' i said , frowning . `` they seem happy , as if an old friend has ? '' i stopped and slapped my forehead . harkat laughed , then both of us said at exactly the same time , `` vancha ! '' throwing the door wide open , we barged down the stairs and found debbie and alice chatting with a burly , red-skinned , green-haired man , dressed in purple animal hides and no shoes , with belts of sharp throwing stars - shurikens - looped around his torso . i shouted happily , clutching his arms and squeezing tight . `` it is good to see you again , sire , '' vancha said with surprising politeness . then he burst into a grin and hugged me tight . turning to harkat , he laughed . `` i missed you too , ugly ! '' harkat grinned . `` it 's great to see you both , but of course i 'm most pleased to see the ladies , '' vancha said , releasing me and winking at debbie and alice . `` female beauty 's what we hot-blooded men live for , aye ? '' `` he 's a born flatterer , '' alice sniffed . `` i bet he says that to every woman he meets . '' `` naturally , '' vancha murmured , `` because all women are beautiful , in one way or another . but you 're more beautiful than most , my dear - an angel of the night ! '' alice snorted with contempt , but there was a strange little smile playing at the corners of her lips . vancha looped his arms around debbie and alice and guided us into the living room , as though this was his house and we were the guests . sitting down , making himself comfortable , he told debbie to go fetch some food . she told him - in no uncertain terms - that he could do his own fetching while he was here , and he laughed with delight . it was refreshing to see that the war of the scars had n't changed vancha march . he was as loud and lively as ever . he filled us in on his recent movements , the countries he 'd explored , the vampaneze and vampets he 'd killed , making it sound like a big , exciting adventure , free from all consequences .

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`` when i heard that leonard was here , i came as quickly as i could , '' vancha concluded . `` i flitted without rest . i have n't missed him , have i ? '' `` we have n't heard from him since the night he almost killed me . '' `` but what does your heart tell you ? '' vancha asked , his large eyes weighing heavy upon me , his small mouth closed in a tight , expectant line . `` he 's waiting for me - forus . i think this is where mr tiny 's prophecy will be tested . we 'll face him on these streets - or beneath - and we 'll kill him or he 'll kill us . and that will be the end of the war of the scars . except ? '' vancha asked when i did n't continue . `` there was supposed to be one final encounter . four times our path was due to cross with his . when he had me at his mercy recently , that was the fourth time , but we 're both still alive . maybe mr tiny got it wrong . maybe his prophecy does n't hold true any longer . '' vancha mulled that one over . `` perhaps you have a point , '' he said uncertainly . `` but as much as i despise des tiny , i have to admit he does n't make many mistakes when it comes to prophecies - in fact none that i 've heard of . he told youwe would have four chances to kill leonard , aye ? '' `` then maybe we both have to be there . perhaps your solo encounter does n't count . '' `` it would have counted if he 'd killed me , '' i grunted . `` but he did n't , '' vancha said . `` maybe he could n't . perhaps it simply was n't his destiny . '' `` if you 're right , that means we 're going to run into him again , '' i said . `` a fight to the death . except if he wins , he wo n't kill both of us . evanna said one of us would survive if we lost . '' evanna was a witch , the daughter of mr tiny . i 'd almost forgotten that part of the prophecy . if steve won , he 'd leave one of us alive , to witness the downfall of the clan . there was a long , troubled silence as we thought about the prophecy and the dangers we faced . vancha broke it by clapping loudly . `` enough of the doom and gloom ! he nodded at harkat and me . `` how did your quest go ? do we know who harkat used to be ? '' he glanced at debbie and alice . `` i do n't wish to be rude , but could you ? leave us alone for a while ? '' `` is thismen 's talk ? '' alice asked mockingly . `` no , '' harkat chuckled . `` it'sprince 's talk . '' `` we 'll be upstairs , '' debbie said . `` call us when you 're ready . '' vancha stood and bowed as the ladies were leaving . when he sat again , his expression was curious . `` it 's about who i was , '' harkat said , `` and where ? we learnt the truth . we do n't think we should discuss it ? in front of anybody except a prince . '' `` intriguing , '' vancha said , leaning forward eagerly . we gave vancha a quick rundown of our quest through the wastelands , the creatures we 'd battled , meeting evanna , the mad sailor - spits abrams - and the dragons . he said nothing , but listened enthralled . when we told him about pulling kurda smahlt out of the lake of souls , vancha 's jaw dropped . `` but it ca n't be ! '' `` harkat was alive before kurda died . '' `` mr tiny can move through time , '' i said . `` he created harkat from kurda 's remains , then took him into the past , so that he could serve as my protector . '' vancha blinked slowly . then his features clouded over with rage - and fear . `` damn that desmond tiny ! i always knew he was powerful , but to be able to meddle with time itself ? what manner of diabolical beast is he ? '' it was a rhetorical question , so we did n't attempt to answer it . instead we finished by telling him how kurda had chosen to sacrifice himself - he and harkat shared a soul , so only one of them could live at any given time - leaving us free to return to the present . `` thepresent ? '' harkat told him about our theory - that the wasteworld was the future . when he heard that , vancha trembled as though a cold wind had sliced through him . `` i never thought the war of the scars could be that crucial , '' he said softly .

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`` i knew our future was at stake , but i never dreamt we could drag humanity down with us . '' he shook his head and turned away , muttering , `` i need to think about this . '' harkat and i said nothing while vancha deliberated . finally he heaved a large sigh and turned to face us . `` these are grim tidings , '' he said . `` but perhaps not as grim as they seem . from what you 've told me , i believe that tiny did take you into the future - but i also believe he would n't have done so without good reason . he might have been simply mocking you , but it might also have been a warning . `` that damned future must be what we face if we lose the war of the scars . steve leonard is the sort who 'd level the world and bring it to ruin . but if we win , we can prevent that . when tiny came to vampire mountain , he told us there were two possible futures , did n't he ? one where the vampaneze win the war , and one where the vampires win . i think tiny gave you a glimpse of the former future to drive home the point that wehave to win this war . it 's not just ourselves we 're fighting for - it 's the entire world . the wasteworld is one future - i 'm sure the world where we 've won is completely different . '' `` it makes sense , '' harkat agreed . `` if both futures currently exist ? he might have been able to choose which ? to take us to . '' `` maybe , '' i sighed , unconvinced . i was thinking again about the vision i 'd had shortly after we 'd first met evanna , when harkat had been plagued by nightmares . evanna helped me put a stop to them , by sending me into his dreams . in the dream , i 'd faced a being of immense power - the lord of the shadows . evanna told me this master of evil was part of the future , and the road there was paved with dead souls . she 'd also told me that could be one of two people - steve leopard orme . the uncertainties came rushing back . i was unable to share vancha and harkat 's view that one future was bright and cheery where the other was dark and miserable . i felt we were heading for big-scale trouble , whichever way the war of the scars swung . but i kept my opinions to myself - i did n't want to come across as a prophetof doom . vancha laughed , startling me out of my dark thoughts . `` we just have to make sure we kill steve leonard , aye ? '' `` aye , '' i said , grinning sickly . `` does it alter your opinion of me ? now that you know i was once a vampire traitor ? '' `` i never liked you much anyway . '' he spat into his right palm , ran the spit through his hair , then winked to show he was joking . `` seriously , you were right not to broadcast the news . we 'll keep it to ourselves . i always believed that although kurda acted stupidly , he acted with the best interests of the clan at heart . but there are many who do n't share that view . if they knew the truth about you , it might divide them . internal argument is the last thing we need . that 'd be playing straight into the hands of the vampaneze . `` as for who harkat is now ? '' vancha studied the little person . `` i know you and trust you . i believe you 've learnt from kurda 's faults . you wo n't betray us again , will you , harkat ? '' `` no , '' harkat said softly . `` but i 'm still in favour of a treaty ? between the two clans . if i can help bring that about through peaceful ? means , by talking , i will . this war of the scars is destroying ? both families of the night , and it threatens to destroy ? `` but you recognize the need to fight ? '' vancha said sharply . `` i recognize the need to kill steve ? leonard , '' harkat said . `` after that , i 'll push for peace ? but openly - no plotting or intrigue ? vancha considered that in silence , then shrugged . i 've nothing personal against the vampaneze . if we kill leonard and they agree to a truce , i 'm all for it . now , '' he continued , scratching his chin , `` where do you think leonard 's holed up ? '' `` probably somewhere deep underground , '' i said . `` you think he 's preparing a grand-scale trap , like before ? '' `` vampaneze have been active here . that 's why debbie and alice came . but if there were dozens of them , like ? the last time , the death count would be higher .

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i do n't think steve has as many ? vampaneze with him as when we faced him ? in the cavern of retribution . '' `` i hope you 're right , '' vancha said . `` how did my brother look ? '' vancha and gannen harst were estranged brothers . `` not hard to imagine why , '' vancha grunted . `` i 'll never understand why gannen and the others follow a maniac like leonard . the vampaneze were content the way they were . they did n't seek to crush the vampires or provoke a war . it makes no sense for them to flock to that demon and pledge themselves to him . '' `` it 's part of mr tiny 's prophecy , '' harkat said . `` as kurda , i spent much time with ? the vampaneze , researching their ways . you know about their coffin of fire . when a person lies within , it fills ? with flames . all normal people die in it . only the lord of the vampaneze ? can survive . mr tiny told the vampaneze that if they did n't ? obey that person and do all that he commanded , they 'd ? be wiped from the face of the earth . most of the vampaneze fight to preserve themselves ? not to destroy the vampires . '' `` then they 're motivated by fear for their lives , not hatred of us . after all , is n't that why we 're fighting too - to save ourselves ? '' `` both fighting for the same reason , '' harkat chuckled humourlessly . `` both terrified of the ? of course , if neither side fought ? both would be safe . mr tiny is playing the creatures of the night ? for fools , and we 're helping him . '' `` aye , '' vancha grunted disgustedly . `` but there 's no use moaning about how we got ourselves into this sorry state . the fact is , we fight because we must . '' vancha stood and stretched . there were dark rims around his eyes . he looked like a man who had n't slept properly for a very long time . the last two years must have been tough for him . although he had n't mentioned mr crepsley , i was sure the dead vampire was never far from his thoughts . vancha , like i , probably felt a certain amount of guilt - the two of us had given mr crepsley the go-ahead to face the vampaneze lord . if either of us had taken his place , he 'd be alive now . it looked to me like vancha had been pushing himself to his limits in his hunt to find the lord of the vampaneze - and was rapidly nearing them . `` you should rest , sire , '' i said . `` if you flitted all the way here , you must be exhausted . '' `` i 'll rest when leonard is dead , '' vancha grunted . `` or myself , '' he added softly , under his breath . i do n't think he realized he 'd spoken aloud . vancha said , raising his voice . `` enough self-pity and misery . we 're here and leonard 's here - it does n't take a genius to see that an old-fashioned scrap to the death 's on the agenda . the question is , do we wait for him to come to us , or do we seize the initiative and go looking for him ? '' `` we would n't know where ? to look , '' harkat said . `` so we look everywhere , '' vancha grinned . `` but where do we start ? `` his son , '' i said immediately . `` darius is an unusual name . there ca n't be too many of them . we ask around , find out where he lives , track steve through him . '' `` use the son to get to the father , '' vancha hummed . `` ignoble , but probably the best way . '' `` the boy worries me . leonard 's a nasty piece of work , a formidable foe . but if his son has the same evil blood , and has been trained in leonard 's wicked ways since birth , he could be even worse ! '' `` i agree , '' i said quietly . `` can you kill a child , darren ? '' `` i do n't know , '' i said , unable to meet his eyes . hopefully it wo n't come to that . '' `` it 's no good hoping , '' harkat objected . `` going after the boy is wrong . just because steve has no morals does n't ? mean we should act like savages too . children should be kept out ? `` so what 's your suggestion ? '' `` we should return to the ? cirque du freak , '' harkat said . `` hibernius might be able to tell us more ? about what we should do .

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even if he 's unable to help , steve knows ? where the cirque is camped . he 'll find us there . we can wait for him . '' `` i do n't like the idea of being a sitting target , '' vancha growled . `` you 'd rather chase children ? '' harkat countered . vancha stiffened , then relaxed . `` perhaps no-ears has a point , '' he said . `` it can certainly do no harm to ask hibernius for his opinion . '' `` but we 'll wait for night - my eyes ca n't take the sun . '' `` so that 's why your ears and nose are stuffed ! '' `` the purge ? '' it struck a couple of days ago . '' `` will you be able to pull your weight , '' vancha asked directly , `` or should we wait for it to pass ? '' `` i ca n't make any guarantees , but i think i 'll be ok. '' `` very well . '' vancha nodded at the ceiling . `` what about the ladies ? do we tell them what we 're up to ? '' `` not all of it , '' i said . `` we 'll take them to the cirque du freak and tell them we 're hunting steve . but let 's not mention darius - debbie would n't think much of our plan to use a child . '' when night fell , we departed . declan andlittle kenny bid us farewell . they were settling down in the living room , mobile phones laid in front of them like swords . debbie and alice 's vampirites had been scouring the town for traces of steve and the other vampaneze since the massacre in the stadium . declan and little kenny were to coordinate that search in the ladies ' absence . `` you have our numbers , '' alice said to declan as we were leaving . `` call if you have anything to report , no matter how trivial it might seem . '' `` will do , '' declan grinned , saluting clumsily . `` try not to get yourself shot this time , '' little kenny said to me , winking . alice and debbie had a rented van . we piled in , harkat and vancha in the back , covered by several blankets . `` if we 're stopped and searched , you two will have to break free , '' alice told them . `` we 'll act like we did n't know you were there . `` you mean you 'll act the innocent and string us out to dry , '' vancha grunted . even though it was night and the moon was only half-full , i wore sunglasses . my eyes were especially sensitive that night , and i had a splitting headache . i was also wearing earplugs and had little balls of cotton wool stuffed up my nose . `` maybe you should stay behind , '' debbie said , noting my discomfort as alice switched on the engine . `` i 'm ok , '' i groaned , squinting against the glare of the headlights , wincing at the roaring grumble of the engine . `` we could walk , '' alice said , `` but we 're more likely to be stopped and searched . '' `` i 'm ok , '' i said again , hunching down in my seat . `` just do n't blow the horn . '' the drive to the old football stadium where the cirque du freak was encamped was uneventful . we passed two security checkpoints , but were waved through at each . ( i took my glasses off and removed the earplugs and cotton wool as we approached , so as not to arouse suspicion . ) alice parked outside the stadium . we let harkat and vancha out of the back and walked in . a big smile broke across my face as the tents and caravans came into sight - it was good to be home . as we exited the tunnel and made for the campsite , we were spotted by a group of children playing on the outskirts . one stood , studied us warily , then raced towards us , yelling , `` godfather ! godfather ! '' i laughed , catching shancus as he leapt up to greet me . i gave the snake-boy awelcome hug , then pushed him away - my skin was tingling as a result of the purge , and any form of contact was irritating . `` why are you wearing sunglasses ? '' shancus frowned . `` you 're so ugly , i ca n't bear to look at you without protection , '' i said . `` very funny , '' he snorted , then reached up , picked the cotton wool out of my left nostril , examined it , stuck it back in , and said , `` you 're weird ! '' he looked behind me at vancha , debbie and alice . `` i remember you lot , '' he said . `` but not very well . i was only a kid the last time i saw you . ''

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smiling , i made the introductions . `` oh yeah , '' shancus said when i told him debbie 's name . `` you 're darren 's bird . '' i spluttered with embarrassment and blushed bright red . debbie just smiled and said , `` am i , indeed ? `` i heard mum and dad talking about you . dad knows you from when you first met darren . he said darren goes googly-eyed when you 're around . `` that 's enough , '' i interrupted , wishing i could strangle him . `` why do n't you show the ladies how you can stick your tongue up your nose ? '' that distracted him , and he spent a couple of minutes showing off , telling alice and debbie about the act he performed on-stage with evra . i caught debbie smiling at me sideways . i smiled back weakly . `` is truska still with the show ? '' `` yes , '' shancus said . `` i must look her up later , '' vancha muttered , using a ball of spit to slick back his green hair . the ugly , dirty prince fancied himself as something of a lady 's man - even though no ladies ever agreed with him ! `` is mr tall in his van ? '' harkat asked shancus . `` i guess , '' shancus said . then he glanced at debbie and alice and straightened up . `` come with me , '' he said officiously . `` i 'll lead you to him . '' all five of us fell in behind the snake-boy as he led us through the campsite . he kept up a running commentary , telling debbie and alice who the various tents and caravans belonged to , giving them a rundown of that night 's coming show . as we neared mr tall 's van , we passed evra , merla and urcha . they had the family snakes out in big tubs of water and were carefully scrubbing them down . evra was delighted to see me and rushed over to check that i was all right . `` i wanted to come visit , '' he said , `` but hibernius told me it was n't a good idea . he said i might be followed . '' `` the cirque 's being watched ? '' vancha snapped , eyes narrowing . `` he did n't say so in as many words , '' evra said . `` but i 've felt eyes on my back a few times recently , late at night when i 've been wandering around . we 've all been edgy here lately . '' `` maybe we should n't have ? come back , '' harkat said , worried . `` too late now , '' vancha huffed . `` let 's go see what hibernius has to say . '' merla grabbed shancus as he made to lead the way again . `` you 've a show to prepare for . you need n't expect me to groom your snake for you every time you want to go and play with your friends . '' `` aw , mum ! '' shancus grumbled , but merla stuck a sponge in shancus 's hand and dragged him over to the snake i 'd bought for his birthday . `` i 'll catch up with you later , '' i laughed , feeling sorry for him . `` i 'll show you my new scar , where i was shot . '' shancus groaned . he turned appealingly to evra . `` how come darren gets all the excitement ? why can'ti get into fights and have scars ? '' `` your mother will scar your backside if you do n't get busy on that snake , '' evra responded , and winked at me over shancus 's head . `` drop by when you have time . '' mr tall was waiting for us at his van . he was standing in the doorway , looking more impossibly towering than ever , eyes dark , face drawn . `` i have been expecting you , '' he sighed , then stood aside and beckoned us in . as i passed him , a strange shiver ran down my spine . it took me a few seconds to realize what the sensation reminded me of - it was the same sort of feeling i got whenever i saw a dead person . when we were all seated , mr tall closed the door , then sat on the floor in the middle of us , legs crossed neatly , huge bony hands resting on his knees . `` i hope you do not think me rude for not visiting , '' he said to me . `` i knew you would recover , and i had much to put in order here . '' `` that 's ok , '' i smiled , taking off my sunglasses and putting them to one side . `` it is good to see you again , vancha , '' mr tall said , and then welcomed debbie and alice .

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`` now that the pleasantries are out of the way , '' vancha grunted , `` let 's get down to business . you knew what was going to happen at the football arena , aye ? '' `` i had my suspicions , '' mr tall said cagily , his lips barely moving . `` but you let darren go regardless ? you let his friend die ? '' `` i did not 'let ' anything happen , '' mr tall disagreed . `` events unfolded the way they had to . it is not my place to interfere in the unravelling of destiny . you know that , vancha . `` and i still do n't buy it , '' vancha grumbled . `` ifi had the power to see into the future , i 'd use it to help those i cared about . you could have told us who the lord of the vampaneze was . larten would be alive now if you 'd warned us in advance . '' `` no , '' mr tall said . `` larten would have died . the circumstances might have differed , but his death was inevitable . i could not have altered that . '' `` you should still have tried , '' vancha persisted . mr tall smiled thinly , then looked at me . `` you have come to seek guidance . you wish to know where your onetime friend , steve leonard , is . '' `` can you tell us ? '' `` but rest assured , he will make himself known soon . you will not have to dredge the depths for him . '' `` does that mean he 's going to attack ? '' vancha pressed . `` is he nearby ? when does he plan to strike ? `` i grow weary of your questions , '' mr tall growled , his eyes flashing menacingly . `` if i could step in and play an active part in the affairs of the vampire clan , i would . it is much harder to stand back and watch , passively . harder than you could ever imagine . you wept for larten when he died - buti grieved for him for thirty years in advance , since glimpsing his probable death . '' `` you mean 'you did n't know for ? sure that he 'd die ? '' `` i knew he would come to the point where it was his life or the lord of the vampaneze 's , but i could not see beyond that - though i feared the worst . '' `` and what of our next encounter ? '' `` when vancha and i face steve for the last time - who 'll die then ? '' `` i do not know , '' mr tall said . `` looking into the future is more often than not a painful experience . it is better not to know the fate of your friends and loved ones . i lift the lid off the present as seldom as possible . there are times when i can not avoid it , when my own destiny forces me to look . but only rarely . '' `` so you do n't know if we 'll win or lose ? '' `` nobody knows that , '' mr tall said . `` not even desmond tiny . '' `` butif we lose , '' i said , and there was an edge to my voice now . `` if the vampaneze are triumphant , and steve kills one of us - which will it be ? '' `` i do n't know , '' mr tall said . `` but you could find out , '' i pressed . `` you could look into the future where we 've lost and see which of us survived . '' mr tall sighed . `` what profit would there be in it ? '' `` i want to know , '' i insisted . `` maybe it would be better ? '' vancha began to say . `` imust know . for two years i 've dreamt of the destruction of the clan , and listened to the screams of those who 'll perish if we fail . if i 'm to die , so be it . but tell me , please , so i can prepare myself for it . '' `` i can not , '' mr tall said unhappily . `` nobody can predict which of you will kill the vampaneze lord - or die at his hand . '' `` then look further ahead , '' i pleaded . `` go twenty years ahead , or thirty . do you see vancha or me in that future ? '' `` leave me out of this . ' '' `` i do n't want to mess about with stuff like that . '' `` then just look for me , '' i said , staring hard at mr tall . mr tall held my gaze , then said quietly , `` you are sure ? '' mr tall lowered his gaze and closed his eyes . `` i can not be as specific as you state , but i will cast my eyes a number of decades forward and ? '' mr tall trailed off into silence . vancha , harkat , debbie , alice and i watched , awed , as his face twitched and glowed a light red colour .

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the owner of the cirque du freak seemed to stop breathing and the temperature of the air dropped several degrees . for five minutes he held that pose , face glowing and twitching , lips sealed . then he breathed out , the glow faded , his eyes opened and the temperature returned to normal . `` i have looked , '' he said , his expression unreadable . `` i did not find you there . '' if the clan falls , it will fall because ofme . i 'm the doomed one in the future where we lose . '' `` not necessarily , '' mr tall said . `` i looked fifty or sixty years ahead , long after the fall of the vampires . you might have died after all of the others had been killed . '' `` then bring it forward , '' i demanded . `` look twenty or thirty years ahead . '' `` no , '' mr tall said stiffly . `` i have already seen more than i wished . i do n't want to suffer any further tonight . '' `` what have you suffered ? '' `` grief , '' mr tall said . he paused , then glanced at vancha . `` i know you told me not to look for you , old friend , but i could n't help myself . '' vancha cursed , then braced himself . since this fool 's opened the can of worms , we might as well watch them wriggle . hit me with the bad news . '' `` you 're saying i 'll die whether we win or lose ? '' `` is destined to destroy you , '' mr tall replied . `` i can not say when or how it happens , but it will . '' `` who 's this lord of the shadows ? '' i was the only person who 'd been told about him . evanna had warned me not to speak of it to anybody else . `` he 's the cruel leader who will ruin the world after the war of the scars , '' mr tall said . `` i do n't get it , '' harkat grumbled . `` if we kill steve , then there wo n't be a ? lord of the bloody shadows . '' `` oh , but there will , '' mr tall said . `` the world is set to produce a monster of unimaginable power and fury . his coming is unavoidable . only his identity is yet to be determined - and that will be decided shortly . '' `` the wasteworld , '' harkat said sickly . `` you mean , even if we kill steve , that 's what ? the future will be ? the desolate land where darren and i found ? out the truth about me - that 's what lies ? in store ? '' mr tall hesitated , then nodded . `` i could not tell you before . i have never spoken of matters such as this in the past . but we are at the time where no harm can come of revealing it , since nothing can be done to avert it . is upon us - within twenty-four hours he will be born , and all the world will tremble at his coming . '' vancha , harkat , debbie and alice were filled with confusion , especially the latter pair , who knew nothing of the wasteworld of the future.i was filled with fear . this was confirmation of all my worst nightmares . would rise regardless of what happened in the war of the scars . and not only could i not prevent his coming - in one of the futures , i wouldbe him . which meant , if we won the war , at some stage in the next fifty or sixty years , along with all the other lives i 'd ruin , i would kill vancha too . it sounded like a sick joke . but evanna and mr tall both had the gift of reading the future - and both had told me the same thing . `` let me get this straight , '' vancha growled , breaking the silence and disrupting my train of thought . `` no matter what happens between us and steve leonard - or in the war with the vampaneze - a lord of the shadows is going to come along and destroy the world ? '' `` yes , '' mr tall said . `` humans are soon to lose control of this planet . the reins of power will be handed over . this is written . what remains to be seen is whether the reins pass to a vampaneze or ? to a vampire . '' he did n't look at me when he said that . it might have been my imagination , but i got the feeling he had deliberately avoided making eye contact with me . `` but regardless of who wins , i 'm for the chop ? '' mr tall smiled . `` but do not fear death , vancha , for it comes for us all . '' `` for some of us , it comes very soon . '' `` you 're not part of this . no vampire or vampaneze would raise a hand against you . '' `` that might be true , '' mr tall chuckled , `` but there are others in this world who do not hold me in such high esteem . ''

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he cocked his head sideways and his expression mellowed . `` and to prove my point ? '' we all sprang to our feet and rushed to the door , except mr tall , who slowly rose behind us . alice was first to the door . flinging it open , she dived out , drew a gun , rolled when she hit the ground , then came to her knees . vancha was next . he leapt out , pulling a couple of shurikens free , jumping high to launch them from a height if he had to . i had no weapons , so i sprang over to where alice was , guessing she 'd be able to supply me with something . harkat and debbie moved at the same time , harkat brandishing his axe , debbie pulling a pistol like alice 's . behind them , mr tall stood in the doorway , gazing up at the sky . then he stepped down . there was nobody in sight , but we heard another scream , this time a child 's . then a man gave a shout of panic - it was evra . `` a weapon ! '' i yelled at alice as she got to her feet . with one hand she reached down and produced a short hunting knife from a pouch on her left leg . `` stay behind me , '' alice commanded , homing in on the screams . `` vancha to my left , debbie and harkat to my right . '' we obeyed the ex-chief inspector , fanned out and advanced . i could sense mr tall following , but i did n't look back . a woman screamed again - merla , evra 's wife . people spilt out of the caravans and tents around us , performers and staff , eager to help . mr tall roared at them to keep out of this . his voice was thunderous and they quickly bolted back inside . i glanced over my shoulder , stunned by his fierceness . `` this is our fight , not theirs , '' he said by way of explanation . the `` our '' surprised me - was mr tall finally abandoning his neutrality ? - but i had n't time to dwell upon it . ahead of me , alice had cleared the end of a tent and come into sight of the disturbance . a second later , i was on the scene too . the vons - except lilia , who was n't present - were under attack . their assailants - r.v. , morgan james and steve leopard 's son , darius ! had killed evra 's snake and was in the process of chopping up shancus 's . evra was fighting with the hook-handed madman , trying to drag him off . shancus was in a wrestling lock with darius . merla had hold of urcha , who was gripping his snake for dear life , sobbing pitifully . they were backing away from morgan james . he was following slowly , smiling a jagged half-faced smile , red circles of blood highlighting his evil little eyes . the nose of his rifle was aimed at merla 's stomach . vancha reacted quickest . he sent a shuriken flying at morgan james 's rifle , knocking it off-target . james 's finger tightened on the trigger at the contact and the rifle exploded - but the bullet shot wide . before he could fire again , merla released urcha , ripped her right ear loose , and sent it flying at james 's face . the ear struck him between the eyes and he fell back , grunting with surprise . alerted to our presence , r.v . knocked evra out of the way and drove after shancus . he grabbed him from darius and held him up , laughing , daring us to risk the snake-boy 's life . alice yelled . `` i 've got morgan james covered ! '' debbie shouted back . `` then take him out ! '' alice roared . `` the boy dies if you hurt morgan ! '' retorted , pressing the three blades of his hookedleft hand up into the scaly flesh of shancus 's throat . shancus either did n't realize the danger he was in , or did n't care , because he kept kicking and punching r.v . but we saw the killer 's intent and paused . `` let him go , hooky , '' vancha snarled , moving ahead of the rest of us , hands spread wide . `` i 'll fight you man to man . '' `` you 're no man , '' r.v . replied scornfully . `` you 're scum , like all your race . `` uh 'm fuhn , '' morgan james groaned . he picked up his rifle and aimed it at merla again . harkat shouted , stepping in front of merla and swinging at james with his axe . james leapt clear of the deadly blade .

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across from him , darius drew a small arrow-gun and fired at harkat . but he fired too hastily and the arrow flew high of its mark . i threw myself at darius , meaning to grab and hold him , as r.v . was holding shancus . but shancus 's snake was thrashing wildly in its death throes , and i tripped over it before i could bring my hands together around darius 's throat . flying forward , i crashed into evra , who was rushing to his son 's aid . we both fell over , wrapped in the dying snake 's coils . during the confusion , morgan james and darius regrouped around r.v . alice , debbie , harkat and vancha hung back , unable to pursue them for fear that r.v . would kill shancus . merla screamed , eyes filled with tears of desperation . jeered . `` you ca n't get out of here , '' vancha said as r.v . `` who 's going to stop us ? '' mocked him . evra was back on his feet and he made to run after the retreating trio . dug his hooks deeper into shancus 's throat . he sang , and evra froze . `` please , '' debbie said , lowering her pistol . `` release the boy and we 'll let you leave unharmed . '' `` you 're in no position to make deals , '' r.v . `` the snake-boy , '' r.v . `` he 's no good to you . '' i took a determined step forward . `` take me instead . i 'll swap for shancus . '' i expected r.v . to leap at my offer , but he only shook his head slyly , red eyes shining . `` stuff it , shan , '' he said . `` we 're taking the boy . if you get in our way , he dies . '' i glanced around at my allies - nobody was reacting . the vampaneze had us in a bind . vancha could move with the speed of a full-vampire , and debbie and alice both had guns . but r.v . could kill shancus before any of us could stop him . r.v. , morgan james and darius continued to back away . and james were grinning , but darius looked the same way he 'd looked after shooting me - scared and slightly sickened . then , as the rest of us hesitated , mr tall spoke . `` i can not allow this . '' paused uncertainly . `` this is none of your business ! '' `` keep your nose out of it . '' `` you have made it my business , '' mr tall disagreed quietly . i must intervene . '' `` do n't be a ? '' yelled , but before he got any further , mr tall was upon him . he moved at a supernatural speed which even a vampire could n't match . in less than a flash of an eye he was in front of r.v. , his hands on the lunatic 's hooks . he wrenched them away from shancus 's throat , tore two of the hooks off the left hand , and one off the right . `` my hands ! '' screamed in agony , as though the gold and silver hooks were part of his flesh . `` leave my hands alone , you ? '' mr tall 's midriff erupted in a fountain of dark red blood and white chips of bone . for a moment he stood , gripping r.v . 's hooks , as though nothing had happened . then he collapsed , blood pumping out of the hole , his stomach torn to shreds . and darius stared numbly at mr tall as he fell . then morgan james screamed at them to run . in a ragged unit they fled , r.v . clutching shancus , james firing wildly at us over his shoulder . our eyes were all on mr tall . he was blinking rapidly , hands exploring the hole in his middle , lips torn back over his small black teeth . i do n't think anybody knew how old mr tall was , or where he 'd come from . but he was older than any vampire , a being of immense magic and power . it was mind-boggling to think that he could have been brought low in so simple and violent a manner . debbie snapped to her senses first and rushed towards mr tall , dropping her pistol , meaning to go to his aid . the rest of us took a step after her ? ? and stopped instantly when somebody spoke from the shadows of a nearby van . `` your concern is commendable , but utterly worthless . keep back , please . '' a small man waddled forward , smiling glibly . he was dressed in a sharp yellow suit and green wellington boots . he had white hair , thick glasses , and a heart-shaped watch which he was twirling in his left hand.desmond tiny !

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behind him came his daughter , the witch , evanna - short , muscular , hairy , clad in ropes instead of clothes . she had a small nose , pointed ears , a thin beard , and mismatched eyes , one brown , one green . we gawped at the strange pair as they stopped beside the gasping mr tall and gazed down at him . evanna 's face was strained . mr tiny looked only curious . with his right foot , he nudged mr tall where he 'd been shot . mr tall hissed with pain . `` shut up , please , or i 'll kill you , '' mr tiny replied . though he said it sweetly , i 've no doubt he would have struck debbie down dead if she 'd said another word . fortunately , she realized that too , and she held her tongue , trembling . `` so , hibernius , '' mr tiny said . `` your time here comes to an end . '' `` you knew it would , '' mr tall replied , and his voice was remarkably firm . `` yes , '' mr tiny nodded . `` but didyou know ? '' `` you could have turned aside from it . your fate was never directly linked to these mortals . '' `` for me , it was , '' mr tall said . he was shivering badly , a dark pool of blood spreading out around him . evanna took a step aside to avoid the blood , but mr tiny let it flow around his boots , staining the soles . `` no , '' mr tiny replied simply . then he bent over mr tall and spread the fingers of his right hand . he placed his middle finger in the centre of mr tall 's forehead , the adjoining fingers over his eyes , and held the thumb and little finger out at the sides . `` even in death , may you be triumphant , '' he said with surprising softness then removed his fingers . `` thank you , father , '' mr tall said . he glanced up at evanna . `` goodbye , sister . '' `` i will remember you , '' the witch answered as the rest of us looked on , stunned by the revelation . i 'd known about evanna 's twin brother , born , as she was , of a union between mr tiny and a wolf . i 'd just never guessed it was mr tall . evanna bent and kissed her brother 's forehead . mr tall smiled , then his body shook , his eyes went wide , his neck stiffened - and he died . mr tiny stood and turned . there was one round tear of blood in the corner of each eye . `` my son is dead , '' he said , in the same tone he 'd have used to comment on the weather . `` we did n't know ! '' `` he never cared to speak of his parentage . '' mr tiny chuckled and kicked the dead mr tall 's head aside with the heel of his left foot . i growled when he kicked mr tall , and started towards him angrily . harkat and vancha did the same . `` gentlemen , '' evanna said quietly . `` if you waste time picking a fight with my father , the killers will escape with the young von boy . '' we stopped short . i 'd momentarily forgotten about shancus and the danger he was in . the others had too . now that we 'd been reminded , we shook our heads and snapped out of our daze . `` we have to chase them , '' vancha said . `` but what about mr tall ? '' debbie cried . `` he 's dead , '' vancha sniffed . `` let hisfamily care for him . '' mr tiny laughed at that , but we could n't afford to pay him any further heed . grouping together without discussing it , the five of us set off . evra shouted . i looked back and saw him exchange a wordless look with merla . she half-nodded and he ran after us . `` i 'm coming too , '' he said . accepting evra into our ranks , we raced away from merla , urcha , mr tiny , evanna and the dead mr tall , and hurried through the campsite in pursuit of shancus and his kidnappers . as soon as we cleared the tunnel leading out of the stadium , we saw that our quarry had split . to our right , r.v . was running away with shancus , headed into the heart of town . to our left , morgan james and darius fled down the hill towards a river which flowed close by the stadium . vancha took charge and made a swift decision . `` alice and evra - with me . we 'll go after r.v . and shancus . darren , harkat and debbie - take morgan james and the boy . '' i 'd rather have gone to shancus 's rescue , but vancha was more experienced than me .

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["rather", 4004], ["go", 4014], ["goest", 4014], ["gone", 4014], ["rescue", 4035]]

nodding obediently , i swung left with harkat and debbie and we set off after the killer and his apprentice . my headache had flared up savagely and i was half-blind as i flailed down the hill . also , the sounds of my feet on the pavement as i ran were torture on my ears . still , as a half-vampire i could run faster than harkat or debbie , and i 'd soon pulled ahead and was rapidly closing the gap on morgan james and darius . james and darius stopped when they heard me coming and spun to face my charge . i should have waited for harkat and debbie , rather than face them on my own , armed only with a knife . but rage had taken hold of me . i forged on heedlessly as they fired , james with his rifle , darius with his arrow-gun . by the luck of the vampires , their bullets and arrows missed , and seconds later i was upon them , wild with fury , intent on revenge . james swung at me with the butt of his rifle . it struck my right shoulder , where i 'd been shot by darius . i roared with pain but did n't falter . i stabbed at james with my knife , aiming for his half-mangled face . he ducked , and darius punched me in the ribs as i slid past . i swatted the boy aside and stabbed at james again . he laughed and grabbed me tight , wrestling me to the ground . my face was pressed up close to the left side of morgan james 's head . the skin was wrinkled and red , his teeth exposed behind the thin flesh of his lips , his eye a horrible glob in the middle of a ruined , scarred mess . `` lyhk iht ? '' james gurgled . i sneered , rolling on top of him , poking for his eyes with my thumbs . `` uh 'm gon na duh the shahm tuh yuh ! '' james vowed , breaking my grip and driving his knee up into my stomach . i grunted , falling away slightly , then coming back at him . i managed to stick my knife in , but only into his arm . i was aware of the boy battering me with his arrow-gun , trying to beat me off . i ignored him and focused on morgan james . i was stronger than the vampet , but he was larger and a seasoned fighter . he wriggled beneath me , digging his knees and elbows into the flesh of my stomach and groin , spitting into my eyes . there was a painful white light building inside my head . i felt like screaming and clapping my hands over my ears . but instead i bit into the flesh of james 's upper left arm and ripped a chunk away . james screeched like a cat and shoved me off , lent strength by his pain . as i fell aside , darius kicked me hard in the head and i lost my bearings for a second or two . when i recovered , james was on top of me . he pushed my head back with his left hand and brought up my own knife - which i 'd dropped in the fight - with his right , meaning to slitmy throat . i grabbed for the knife . grabbed again . knocked it aside . grabbed a third time - then stopped , tensed my muscles and shut my eyes . james gave a little shiver of delight . he thought i 'd given up . what he did n't realize was that i 'd caught sight of harkat behind him , swinging his axe . there was a whishing sound - darius started to shout a warning - then a heavy thud . i caught a glimpse of morgan james 's head rolling away into darkness , severed from its body by one powerful blow of harkat 's axe . then blood gushed from the stump of james 's neck . i shut my eyes again as i was drenched in a burst of hot red liquid . james fell over lifelessly . i pushed myself up , opened my eyes , wiped blood from my face , and slid out from beneath the beheaded body of morgan james . darius was standing next to me , staring numbly at his felled companion . blood had hit the boy also , drenching his trousers . my head was filled with white noise . blood congealed in my hair and dripped from my face . but i knew what i must do . hatred motivated me . debbie stopped me . she screamed , racing up behind me . there was such terror in her voice , that even in the midst of my bloodlust , i paused . she pulled up beside me , panting hard , eyes wide with horror . she wheezed , shaking her head desperately . `` no - he 's steve leopard 's son , '' i contradicted her . `` a killer , like his father . '' `` he has n't killed anyone , '' debbie objected . `` morgan james killed mr tall .

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now he 's dead , you 're even . you do n't have to kill the boy too . '' `` i 'll kill them all ! '' i screamed madly . it was like i 'd become a different person , a bloodthirsty reaper . `` every vampaneze must die ! every vampet ! everyone who aids them ! '' `` even the children ? '' debbie asked sickly . my headache was the worst it had ever been . it was like red-hot pins were being pushed through my skull from the inside out . part of me knew this was wrong , but a larger part had seized on the hatred and urge to kill . that merciless part was screaming for revenge . `` harkat , '' debbie appealed to the little person . `` make him see sense ! '' harkat shook his neckless head . `` i do n't think i can stop him , '' he said , staring at me as if he did n't know me . debbie shrieked . `` i do n't know if i ? have the right , '' harkat muttered . debbie turned to me again . `` you must n't do this , '' she wept . `` it 's my duty , '' i said stiffly . she spat at my feet . `` that 's what i think of yourduty ! you 'll become a monster if you kill that boy . you 'll be no better than steve . '' her words had sparked a memory deep within me . i found myself thinking about mr crepsley and his last words to me before he died . he warned me not to devote my life to hatred . kill steve leopard if the chance presented itself - but do n't give myself over to some insane revenge quest . what would he have done in my place ? kill the boy ? yes , if necessary . butwas it ? did i want to kill darius because i feared him and felt he had to be eliminated for the good of us all - or because i wanted to hurt steve ? i gazed into the boy 's eyes . they were fearful , but behind the fear there was ? in steve 's eyes , evil lurked deep down . not in darius . he was more human than his father . my knife was still pressed to his throat . it had sliced thinly into his flesh . little rivulets of blood trickled down his neck . `` you 'll destroy yourself , '' debbie whispered hoarsely . `` you 'll be worse than steve.he ca n't tell the difference between right and wrong.you can . he can live with his wickedness because he does n't know any better , but it will eat you away . do n't do it , darren . we do n't wage war on children . '' i stared at her , tears in my eyes . i wanted to take the knife away . i could n't believe i 'd even tried to kill the boy . but still there was part of me that wanted to take his life . something had awoken within me , a darren shan i 'd never known existed , and he was n't going to lie down without a fight . my fingers shook as they held the knife , but the furious angel of revenge inside me would n't let me lower them . `` go ahead and kill me , '' darius snarled suddenly . `` it 's what your kind does . you 're murderers . i know all about you , so stop pretending you give a damn . '' he only smiled sickly in reply . `` he 's steve 's son , '' debbie said softly . `` he 's been raised on lies . that 's not his fault . '' `` my father does n't lie ! '' debbie moved around behind darius so she could look me straight in the eye . `` he does n't know the truth . he 's innocent , in spite of anything he 's been tricked into doing . do n't kill an innocent , darren . do n't become that which you despise . '' i groaned deeply . more than ever i wanted to take the knife away , but still i wavered , fighting an inner battle which i did n't completely understand . `` then think of this , '' harkat said . `` we might need the boy to swap ? for shancus . it makes sense not to kill him . '' the fire within me died away . i lowered the knife , feeling a great weight lift from my heart . i smiled crookedly . `` thanks , harkat . '' `` you should n't have needed that , '' debbie said as i spun darius around and tied his hands behind him with a strip of cloth which harkat had ripped from his robes . `` you should have spared him because it was the right thing to do - not because you might need him . '' `` maybe , '' i agreed , ashamed of my reaction but not wanting to admit it . we can debate it later .

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first , let 's find out what 's happening with shancus . a minute later she was deep in conversation with alice burgess . they were still in pursuit of r.v . vancha asked to speak to me . `` we 've a choice to make , '' he said . `` i have r.v . in my sights . i can cut him down with a shuriken and rescue shancus . '' `` i think he 's leading us to steve leonard , '' vancha said . i groaned softly and gripped the phone tightly . `` what does evra say ? '' `` this is our call , not his , '' vancha responded with a whisper . `` he 's thinking only of his son . we have other concerns to consider . '' `` i 'm not prepared to sacrifice shancus to get to steve , '' i said . `` i am , '' vancha said quietly . `` but i doubt it will come to that . i think we can retrieve the boyand get a shot at leonard . if you want me to play it safe and kill r.v . now , i will . but i believe we should chance it , let him lead us to leonard , and take it from there . '' `` you 're the senior prince , '' i said . `` no , '' vancha retorted . `` we 're equals . shancus means more to you than he does to me . i 'll follow your lead in this one . '' `` thanks , '' i said bitterly . `` sorry , '' vancha said , and even over the phone i could tell his regret was genuine . `` i 'd take responsibility if i could , but on this occasion i ca n't . do i kill r.v . or follow ? '' my eyes flicked to darius . if i 'd killed him , i 'd have told vancha to bring r.v . down and save shancus - otherwise steve would surely slaughter the snake-boy in revenge . but if i turned up with darius captive , steve would have to trade . once we had shancus back , we 'd be free to pursue steve later . tell me where you are and we 'll catch up . '' we were hurrying through the streets with darius , taking back alleys to avoid the police patrols , when harkat slowed , came to a stop and turned . he cocked his head sideways , raising one of the ears stitched beneath his grey skin . `` footsteps ? `` my ears are plugged up , '' i reminded him . i think it 's just one person , but i ? could be wrong . '' `` we ca n't fight and hold on to darius at the same time , '' debbie said . `` if we 're to make a stand , we should either tie him up or let him go . '' `` i 'm not letting him go anywhere , '' i muttered . `` you two proceed . if r.v . leads the others to steve , you need to be there with darius , to trade for shancus . i 'll stay and deal with this . if i can , i 'll catch you up . '' `` do n't be stupid , '' debbie hissed . i snapped , harsher than necessary . i was very confused - hatred for steve , fear that i might become the monstrous lord of the shadows , the pain of the purge - and in no mood to argue . `` come on , '' harkat said to debbie . `` we ca n't talk to him when he 's ? besides , he 's right . it makes more sense this way . '' `` but the danger ? '' debbie began . `` he 's a vampire prince , '' harkat said . `` he knows all about danger . '' harkat jerked darius ahead , limping forward as quickly as he could . debbie had no choice but to follow , though she looked back imploringly at me before turning a corner out of sight . i felt sorry for the way i 'd snapped at her , and hoped i 'd have a chance to apologize later . i removed the cotton buds from my ears and nose and took a firm grip on my knife . by concentrating hard , i could dim the noise within my head and focus on the street sounds and scents . i heard footsteps approaching , soft , steady , coming straight towards me . i crouched low and readied myself for battle . then a figure came into sight and i relaxed , stood and lowered my knife arm . `` evanna , '' i greeted the witch . `` darren , '' she replied calmly , stopping close by , studying me with an unreadable expression . `` why are n't you with your father ? '' `` i will join him again presently , '' she said . `` my place is here now , with you and your allies . let us hurry after them , for fear we miss the confrontation . ''

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`` i 'm going nowhere , '' i said , standing my ground . `` not until you give with some answers . '' evanna purred archly . `` i will need to hear some questions first . '' `` it 's about the lord of the shadows . '' `` i do n't think this is the time ? '' `` i do n't care what you think ! '' `` you told me years ago that would be either the vampaneze lord - steve - orme . mr tall , before he died , said that would rise no matter who won the war of the scars . '' evanna sounded surprised . `` it was not like hibernius to be so revealing . he was always the more secretive one . '' `` i want to know what it means , '' i pressed on , before she got sidetracked talking about her dead brother . `` according to mr tall , will be a monster , and he 'll kill vancha . '' `` he told you that too ? '' evanna was angry now . `` he went too far . he should not have ? '' `` but he did , '' i stopped her , then took a step nearer . i 'm no monster . i would never harm vancha , or any vampire . '' `` do n't be too sure of that , '' she said softly , then hesitated , choosing her next words carefully . `` usually , there are many paths between the present and future , dozens of options and outcomes . but sometimes there are only afew , or even just two . that is the case here , a lord of the shadows will come - this is definite . but he can be one of two people , you or steve leonard . '' `` silence , '' she said commandingly . `` since we are so close to the time of choosing , i can reveal certain facts which before i could not . i would n't have spoken of this , but it seems my brother wished to inform you of your fate , perhaps to give you time to prepare for it . it is only right that i honour his final wishes . `` if you kill steve leonard , youwill become a monster , the most despised and twisted the world has ever seen . '' my eyes bulged and i opened my mouth to protest , but she continued before i uttered a syllable . `` monsters are not born fully developed . they grow , they mature , theybecome . `` you are filling with hatred , darren , hatred which will consume you . if you kill steve , it will not be enough . you 'll push on , driven by rages you can not control . because destiny has marked you out as a bearer of great power , you will create great havoc . you will destroy the vampaneze but that wo n't be enough . there will always be a new enemy to fight . during your quest , certain vampires will try to stop you . they too will die at your hands . vancha will be one of them . '' `` i would never ? '' `` not only vampires will obstruct you , '' evanna went on , ignoring my protests . `` humans will interfere , leading you to turn against them . and , as the vampaneze and vampires fall at your hands , so will humanity . you will reduce this world to rubble and ash . and over the remains you will rule , all-powerful , all-controlling , all-hating , for the rest of your unnaturally long and evil life . '' she stopped and smiled at me witheringly . `` that is your future , where you taste success . in the other , you die at the hands of the alternate lord of the shadows , if not during the hunt for him , then later , when the rest of the clan has fallen . in many ways , that might be for the best . now , have you any more questions ? '' `` i could n't , '' i said numbly . there must be some way to avoid it . '' `` there is , '' evanna said . she turned and pointed back the way she 'd come . leave your friends . if you go now , you 'll break the terms of your destiny . steve will lead the vampaneze to victory over the vampires and become the lord of the shadows . you can lead a normal , peaceful life - until he brings the world crashing down around you , of course . '' i ca n't do that , '' i said . `` i ca n't turn my back on those who 've put their trust in me . what about vancha , debbie , shancus ? `` yes , '' evanna said sadly . that is why you can not escape . you have the power to run from your destiny , but your feelings for your friends wo n't allow you . you 'll never retreat from a challenge . and so , even though you have the best will in the world , you 'll see your destiny through to its bitter end - either death by steve 's hand , or a rise to infamy as the lord of the shadows . ''

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`` you 're wrong , '' i said shakily . i 'm not evil . now that i know , i wo n't let myself go down that road . if i kill steve ? if we win ? i 'll turn my back on my destiny then . i 'll save the clan if i can , then slip away . i 'll go where i ca n't do any harm . '' `` no , '' evanna said simply . now , '' shewent on before i could argue my case again , `` let us hurry after your friends - this night is central to the future , and it would not do to miss a moment more of it . '' with that , she slid ahead of me and followed after the others , tracking them by means of her own , leaving me to trail behind , silent , dejected , bewildered - and terrified . we caught up with debbie , harkat and darius after several minutes . they were surprised to see evanna , but she said nothing to them , just hung back and observed us silently . as we progressed , debbie asked me if i 'd been talking with evanna . i shook my head , unwilling to repeat what i 'd been told , still trying to make sense of it and convince myself that evanna was wrong . we regrouped with vancha and evra a quarter of an hour later . they 'd tracked r.v . to a building and were waiting outside for us . `` he went in a few minutes ago , '' vancha said . `` alice has gone around the back , in case he tries to escape that way . '' he glanced at evanna suspiciously . `` are you here to help or hinder , my lady ? '' `` neither , my prince , '' she smiled . `` i serve merely as a witness . '' `` hurm ! '' i stared up at the building . it was tall and dark , with jagged grey stones and broken windows . there were nine steps leading up to the oversized front door . the steps were cracked and covered with moss . apart from some more moss and broken windows , it had n't changed much since my last visit . `` i know this place , '' i told vancha , trying to forget about my conversation with evanna and focus on the business at hand . `` it 's an old cinema theatre . this is where the cirque du freak performed when steve and i were kids . i should have guessed this was where he 'd come . it brings everything full circle . stuff like that is important to a maniac like steve . '' `` you shut up about my dad ! '' darius growled . `` you think leonard 's inside ? '' vancha asked , cuffing darius around the ear . `` i 'm sure of it , '' i said , wiping streaks of morgan james 's blood from my forehead - there 'd been no time to mop myself clean . `` what about shancus ? '' evra hissed . he was trembling with anxiety . `` will he harm my son ? '' `` not as long as we holdhis son captive , '' i said . evra stared at darius , confused - he knew nothing about the boy - but my old friend trusted me , so he accepted my guarantee . `` how should we play this ? '' `` just march straight in , '' i said . `` perhaps we should try to sneak up on them from the back , or via the roof . '' `` steve 's prepared this for us , '' i said . `` anything we can think of , you can bet he 's already considered . we ca n't outguess him . we 'd be fools to try . i say we go in , face him directly , and pray that the luck of the vampires is with us . '' `` the luck of the damned , '' darius sneered . `` you wo n't beat my father or any vampaneze . we 're more than a match for the likes of you . '' vancha studied darius curiously . he leant up close , sniffing like a dog . then he made a small cut on the boy 's right arm - darius did n't even wince - dabbed a finger in the blood that oozed out , and tasted it . `` he 's been blooded . '' `` by my father , '' darius said proudly . `` he 's a half-vampaneze ? '' i frowned , glancing at his fingertips - they were unmarked . `` the blood 's weak within him , '' vancha said . `` but he 's one of them . there 's just enough blood in his system to ensure he can never regain his humanity . '' `` did you volunteer for this , or did steve force you ? '' i asked darius . `` my father would n't force me to do anything ! '' darius snorted . `` like every vampaneze , he believes in free choice - not like you lot . ''

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vancha looked at me questioningly . `` steve 's fed him a load of rubbish about us , '' i explained . `` he thinks we 're evil , and his father 's a noble crusader . '' `` he 'll stop you from taking over the world ! he wo n't let you kill freely ! he 'll keep the night safe from you vampire scum ! '' vancha cocked an amused eyebrow at me . `` if we had time , i 'd take great delight in setting this boy straight . but we have n't . debbie - phone alice and tell her to come here . we 'll go in together - all for one and all that guff . '' while debbie was on the phone , vancha pulled me aside and nodded at evra , who was standing a few metres ahead of us , gazing at the entrance to the cinema , fingers twisted into desperate fists . `` he 's in a bad way , '' vancha said . `` how would you expect him to react ? '' `` are you clear on what we must do ? '' i stared at him coldly . he grabbed my arms and squeezed tight . `` leonardmust be killed . you and i are expendable . so are debbie , alice , harkat , evra - and shancus . '' `` i want to save him , '' i said miserably . `` so do i , '' vancha sighed . `` and we will , if we can . but the lord of the vampaneze comes first . remember what happens if we fail - the vampires will be destroyed . would you trade the snake-boy 's life for all those of our clan ? '' `` of course not , '' i said , shaking myself free . `` but i wo n't abandon him cheaply . if steve 's prepared to deal , i 'll deal . we can fight him some other night . '' `` and if he wo n't deal ? '' `` if he forces a showdown ? '' `` then we 'll fight , and we 'll kill or we 'll die - whatever the cost . '' i locked gazes with him so he could see i was telling the truth . it was like stepping back into the past . the building was cooler and damper than before , and fresh graffiti had been scrawled across the walls , but otherwise it was no different . i led the way down the long corridor where mr tall had sneaked up on steve and me , appearing out of the darkness with that incredible speed and silence which had been his trademark . a left turn at the end . i noted the spot where mr tall had taken and eaten our tickets . back then , blue curtains had been draped across the entrance to the auditorium . there were no curtains tonight - the only change . we entered the auditorium , two abreast , vancha and alice in front , debbie and evra next ( debbie pushing darius in front of her ) , then harkat and i. evanna drifted along further back , detached from us by distance and attitude . it was completely black inside the auditorium . but i could hear deep , muffled breathing , coming from somewhere far ahead of us . `` vancha , '' i whispered . `` should we move towards it ? '' i could feel the tension rising , both in myself and those around me . but nobody broke rank or spoke . we stood in the darkness , waiting , leaving the first move to our foes . several minutes later , without warning , spotlights were switched on overhead . everyone gasped and i cried out loud , hunching over , covering my extra-sensitive eyes with my hands . we were defenceless for a few vital seconds . that would have been the ideal time for an attack . i expected vampaneze and vampets to fall upon us , weapons flashing - but nothing happened . `` are your eyes ok ? '' debbie asked , crouching beside me . `` not really , '' i groaned , slowly raising my eyelids a fraction , just enough to see out of . holding a hand over my eyes , i squinted ahead and caught my breath . it was a good job we had n't advanced . the entire floor of the auditorium had been torn out . in its place , spreading from one wall to the other , running from a few metres ahead of us all the way to the foot of the stage , was a giant pit , filled with sharpened stakes . someone called from the stage . my eyes lifted . it was hard to see , because the lights were being trained on us from above the stage , but i gradually brought the scene into focus . dozens of tall , thick logs clotted the stage , placed vertically , ideal cover . sticking out from behind one log near the front was the grinning face of steve leopard . when vancha saw steve , he drew a shuriken and threw it at him .

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4195]]

but steve had picked his spot carefully and the throwing star ended up buried in the wood of the log behind which he was standing . `` bad luck , sire , '' steve laughed . `` care to make it the best throw out of three ? '' `` maybe i can get him , '' alice muttered , stepping up past vancha . she raised her pistol and fired , but the bullet penetrated no deeper than the shuriken . `` is that the preliminaries out of the way , or do you want to take a few more pot shots ? '' `` i could possibly leap the pit , '' vancha said dubiously , studying the rows of stakes between him and the stage . `` do n't be ridiculous , '' i grunted . even vampires had their limits . `` i do n't see anybody else , '' debbie whispered , casting her eyes around the auditorium . the balcony above us - from where i 'd spied on steve and mr crepsley - could have been swarming with vampaneze and vampets , but i did n't think so - i could hear nothing overhead , not even a single heartbeat . `` where 's your army ? '' vancha shouted at steve . `` around and about , '' steve replied sweetly . `` did n't you bring them with you ? '' `` not tonight , '' steve said . the only people sharing the stage with me are my fairy godfather - a.k.a . gannen harst - a certain righteous vampaneze , and a very scared young snake-boy . what 's his name again , r.v. ? '' `` shancus , '' came the reply from behind a log to steve 's left . `` shancus ! '' evra roared . pushed shancus out from behind the log , and we saw that although his hands were tied behind his back , and he was gagged , he was still very much alive , and he looked unharmed . `` he 's a spirited lad , '' steve laughed . `` a bit loud though , hence the gag . some of the language he uses ? i do n't know where kids today pick up such filthy words . '' `` by the way , how 's my own beloved flesh and blood doing ? i ca n't see too well from here . '' `` i 'm fine , dad ! '' `` but they killed morgan ! the grey one cut off his head with an axe ! '' `` how grisly . '' steve did n't sound the least bit upset . `` i told you they were savages , son . no respect for life . '' `` it was revenge ! '' harkat yelled . `` he killed mr tall . '' there was silence on the stage . steve seemed lost for words . then , from a log close by steve , i heard gannen harst call out to r.v. , `` is this true ? '' `` yes , '' r.v . `` he shot him . '' `` how do you know he killed him ? '' `` tall might have simply been wounded . '' `` no , '' evanna answered , her first word of the encounter . morgan james murdered him . '' `` is that you , lady evanna ? '' steve asked uncertainly . `` not up to any mischief , i hope , like siding with the vampires ? '' he said it flippantly , but his anxiety was evident - he did n't fancy a clash with the lady of the wilds . `` i have never taken sides between the vampires and vampaneze , and have no intention of starting now , '' evanna said coolly . `` that 's ok then , '' steve chuckled , confidence returning . `` interesting about mr tall . i always thought he could n't be killed by ordinary weapons . i 'd have gone after him a long time ago if i 'd known he could be so easily bumped off . '' `` gone after him for what ? '' `` harbouring criminals , '' steve giggled . `` you 're the only criminal here , '' i retorted . steve sighed theatrically . `` see how they slander me , son ? they soil this world with their murderous presence , then point the finger of blame elsewhere . that 's always been the vampire way . '' i started to respond , then decided i 'd be wasting my time . `` let 's cut the crap , '' i called instead . `` you did n't lead us here for a war of words . are you coming out from behind that log or not ? '' steve cackled . `` do you think i 'm insane ? you 'd cut me down dead ! '' i looked around again , nervous . i could n't believe he had n't laid a trap , that there were n't dozens of vampaneze or vampets slithering up on us as we talked . yet i did n't sense a threat . i could see vancha was confused too .

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`` i want to chat , darren , '' steve said . `` i 'd like to discuss a peace treaty . '' i had to laugh at that - it was such a ludicrous notion . `` maybe you want to become my blood-brother , '' i jeered . `` in a way , i already am , '' steve said cryptically . then his eyes narrowed slyly . `` you missed tommy 's funeral while you were recovering . '' i cursed fiercely but quietly . `` why kill tommy ? '' `` why drag him into your warped web of revenge ? didhe 'betray ' you too ? '' `` tommy was my friend . even while others were bad-mouthing me , he stuck by me . i had nothing against him . a great goalkeeper too . '' `` then why have him killed ? '' darius cut in . `` you killed tom jones . morgan and r.v . tried to stop you , but ? that 's right , is n't it , dad ? '' he asked , and i saw the first flickers of doubt stir in the boy 's eyes . `` i told you , son , '' steve replied , `` you ca n't believe anything a vampire says . pay no attention to him . '' then , to me , he said , `` did n't you wonder how tommy got his ticket to the cirque du freak ? '' `` i just assumed ? '' `` you set him up ! '' `` of course , '' steve chuckled . `` withyour help . remember the ticket you gave to darius ? he passed it on . tommy was opening a sports store , signing autographs . darius went along and 'swapped ' his ticket for a signed football . we still have it lying around somewhere . could be a collector 's item soon . '' `` you 're sick , '' i snarled . `` using a child to do your dirty work - disgusting . '' `` not really , '' steve disagreed . `` it just shows how highly i value the young . '' now that i knew steve had given tommy the ticket , my mind raced ahead , putting the pieces of his plan together . `` you could n't have known for sure that tommy would run into me at the show , '' i said . if he had n't , i 'd have worked out some other way to manoeuvre you together . i did n't need to , but i liked the idea . him being here at the same time as us was providence . i 'm just slightly miffed that alan was n't here too - that would have made for a complete reunion . '' `` what about my cup ticket ? `` i phoned tommy that morning , '' steve said . `` he was astonished - first he bumps into his old pal darren , then he hears from his old buddy steve . i faked astonishment too . i asked all about you . learnt that you were coming to the match . he invited me as well , but i said i could n't make it . '' `` very clever , '' i complimented him icily . `` not especially , '' steve said with false modesty . `` i simply used his innocence to ensnare you . manipulating the innocent is child 's play . i 'm surprised you did n't see through it . you need to work on your paranoia , darren . suspect everyone , even those beyond suspicion - that 's my motto . '' vancha edged up close to me . `` if you keep him talking , maybe i can slip out back and attack him from the rear , '' he whispered . i nodded my head a fraction and vancha slid away slowly . `` tommy told me he 'd been in contact with you in the past , '' i said loudly , hoping to mask the sound of vancha 's footsteps . `` he said there was something about you that he had to tell me the next time we met , after the match . '' `` i can guess what that was , '' steve purred . `` care to share it with me ? '' then , sharply , `` if you take one more step towards that door , mr march , the snake-boy dies . '' vancha stopped and shot steve a look of disgust . `` leave my son alone ! '' evra screamed . he 'd been holding himself in check , but steve 's threat proved too much . `` if you harm him , i 'll kill you ! i 'll put you through so much agony , you 'll pray for death ! '' `` my ! '' steve cooed . `` such vindictiveness ! you seem to have the knack of driving all your friends to violence , darren . or do you deliberately surround yourself with violent people ? '' then , tiring of his verbal games , i said , `` are you going to fight or not ? '' `` ialready answered that question , '' steve said .

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`` we 'll fight soon , have no fear , but this is neither the time nor place . there 's a rear tunnel - newly carved - which we 'll leave by shortly . by the time you pick your way through the stakes , we 'll be far out of reach . '' `` not yet , '' steve said , and hisvoice was hard now . `` there 's the sacrifice to make first . in the old days , a sacrifice was always made before a large battle , to appease the gods . now , it 's true that the vampaneze do n't have any official gods , but to be on the safe side ? '' evra screamed - it was as clear to him as to the rest of us what steve meant to do . `` you ca n't allow this ! '' `` i have no say in it , brother , '' gannen harst responded from behind his log . he had n't shown his face yet . i had the feeling he was ashamed to show it . `` ready , r.v. ? '' `` i 'm not sure about this , man , '' r.v . replied uneasily . `` do n't disobey me ! '' steve growled . `` i made you and i can break you . now , you bearded , armless freak - are you ready ? '' answered softly , `` yes . '' vancha cursed and raced forward to force his way through the pit of stakes . harkat lumbered after him . alice and debbie fired on the log protecting steve , but their bullets could n't pierce it . i stood , clutching my knife , thinking desperately . then a voice behind me called out shakily , `` dad ? '' everybody paused . darius was trembling . `` you 're not really going to kill him , are you ? '' `` you do n't understand what 's happening . '' he 's just a kid ? `` i 'll explain later ! `` no , '' i interrupted , sliding up behind darius . `` there wo n't be any 'later ' . if you kill shancus , i 'll kill darius . '' for the second time that night i felt a dark spirit grow within me , and pressed the blade of my knife to the young boy 's throat . behind me , evanna made a small cooing noise . `` you 're bluffing , '' steve jeered . `` you could n't kill a child . '' `` he could , '' debbie answered for me . `` darren was going to kill him earlier . harkat stopped him . he said we 'd need the boy to trade for shancus . otherwise darren would have killed him . darius - is that the truth ? '' `` yes , '' darius moaned . part of it was fear , but an equal part was horror . his father had raised him on lies and false heroics . only now was he beginning to realize what sort of monster he 'd aligned himself with . i heard steve mutter something . he peered out from around his log , studying us from the heights of the stage . i made no threatening moves . my determination was clear . `` very well , '' steve snorted . `` throw away your weapons and we 'll swap the two boys . '' `` you think we 'll entrust ourselves to your untender mercies ? '' vancha huffed . `` release shancus and we 'll turn your son over . '' `` not until you shed your weapons , '' steve insisted . `` and allow you to mow us down ? '' then steve threw an arrow-gun away , far across the stage . `` gannen , '' he said , `` am i carrying any other weapons ? '' `` a sword and two knives , '' gannen harst replied immediately . `` i do n't mean those , '' steve growled . `` do i have any long-range weapons ? '' `` no , '' gannen said . `` what about you and r.v. ? '' `` we have none either . '' `` i know you do n't believe a word i say , '' steve shouted to vancha , `` but you trust your own brother , do n't you ? he 's a pure vampaneze - he 'd kill himself before he 'd utter a lie . '' `` aye , '' vancha muttered unhappily . `` then throw away your weapons , '' steve said . `` we wo n't attack if you do n't . '' vancha looked to me for advice . `` he 's tied , just like we are . he wo n't risk his son 's life . '' vancha was dubious , but he slipped off his belts of throwing stars and tossed them aside . debbie threw her pistols away and so , reluctantly , did alice . harkat only had an axe , which he laid down on the floor beside him . i kept my knife to darius 's throat .

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steve stepped out from behind the log . i felt a great temptation to throw my knife at him - i might just have been able to strike him from this distance - but i did n't . as a vampire prince , and one of the hunters of the vampaneze lord , i should have . but i could n't risk missing and enraging steve . he 'd kill shancus if i did . `` out you come , boys , '' steve said . gannen harst and r.v . emerged from behind their logs , r.v . shoving the bound shancus ahead of him . gannen harst was typically grim-faced , but r.v . was smiling . at first i thought it was a mocking smile , but then i realized it was a smile of relief - he was delighted he had n't been called upon to kill the snake-boy . was a twisted , bitter , crazy man , but i saw then that he was n't entirely evil - not like steve . `` i 'll take the reptile , '' steve said , reaching for shancus . `` you go get the plank and extend it across the pit . '' handed shancus to steve and retreated to the rear of the stage . he started dragging a long plank forward . it was awkward for him - he could n't get a decent grip , because of the hooks mr tall had torn off . gannen went to help him , keeping one eye on us . the pair began feeding the plank across the pit , letting it rest on blunt-tipped stakes , which i could now see had been placed there specifically for this purpose . steve watched us like a hawk while r.v . and gannen were busy with the plank . he was holding shancus in front of him , stroking the snake-boy 's long green hair . i did n't like the way he was looking at us - i felt as though we were being x-rayed - but i said nothing , willing r.v . and gannen to hurry up with the plank . steve 's eyes lingered on evra a long moment - he was smiling hopefully , hands half-reaching out to his son - then settled on me . he stopped stroking shancus 's hair and gently placed a hand on either side of his head . `` remember the games we played when we were children ? '' he asked craftily . i had a terrible feeling - a sense of total doom - but i could do nothing but follow his lead . `` 'dare ' games , '' steve said , and something in his voice made r.v . and gannen pause and look around . steve 's face was expressionless , but his eyes were alive with insane glee . `` one of us would say , 'i dare you to do this , ' and stick his hand in a fire or jab a pin in his leg . the other would have to copy him . i knew i could n't stop it . i knew i 'd been a fool and made a fool 's mistake - i 'd assumed steve was even the slightest bit human . steve 's act of pure , pointlessevil caught everyone by gut-wrenching shock . for a long moment we just stared at him and the lifeless body by his feet . even steve looked stunned , as though he 'd acted without thinking it through . then evra went wild . he screamed , hurling himself at the pit of stakes . if harkat had n't reacted and knocked him aside , evra would have impaled himself on the stakes and died like his son . `` i ca n't believe ? '' alice muttered , face whiter than usual . then her features hardened and she ran for the pistol she 'd discarded . debbie sank to her knees , weeping , unable to deal with such wickedness . as hardened as she 'd become , nothing in her life had prepared her for this . harkat was struggling with evra , pinning him down , protecting him from his rage . evra was screaming hysterically and pounding harkat 's broad grey face with his scaly fists , but harkat held firm . vancha was at the pit of stakes , lurching through them , clambering over the sharpened tips , driving towards the stage like a man possessed . and gannen harst were staring at steve , jaws slack . evanna was looking on silently . if the murder had shocked her , she was masking it incredibly well . darius was stiff with terror , holding his breath , eyes wide . i was still behind darius , my knife at his throat . i was the calmest of everyone there ( except evanna ) . not because i was in any way unaffected by what had happened , but because i knew what i must do in retaliation . the fierce , hard , hating part within me had flared to life and taken over completely .

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i saw the world through differenteyes . it was a dreadful , wicked place , where only the dreadful and wicked could prosper . to defeat an evil monster like steve , i had to sink to his depths myself . mr crepsley had warned me not to , but he was wrong . what did it matter if i followed steve down the road of total evil ? stopping him - getting revenge for all the people he 'd killed - was the only thing i cared about now . while i was thinking all this through , gannen snapped to his senses and saw that vancha was closing on them . he hurried to his lord , grabbed steve by the right arm and spun him towards the exit , cursing foully . rose shakily and stumbled after them . he stopped , vomited , then reeled ahead . alice found her pistol , brought it up and fired . but there were too many logs between her and the vampaneze . she did n't even get close to them . steve stopped by the tunnel entrance at the rear of the stage . gannen tried to push him downit , but he shook his protector 's hands away and turned to glare triumphantly - daringly - at me . `` show me you can do it ! i double dare you ! '' in that moment , as if our minds were somehow joined , i understood steve entirely . part of him was appalled by his brutality . he was hanging dangerously on the edge of outright madness . as the monster within me had grown this night , so had the human within steve . he needed me to match his evil deeds . if i killed darius , steve could justify his cruelty and continue . but if i did n't respond to his evil with an equally evil act of my own , it would drive home the truth about how far he 'd fallen . he might even snap beneath the weight of full realization and go mad . i had the power to destroy him - with mercy . but i could n't find mercy within myself . the fires of fury in my heart and head demanded i kill darius . right or wrong , i had to avenge shancus 's death . an eye for an eye , a tooth for a tooth , a life for a life . out of the corner of one eye i caught sight of evanna . there was no pity in her expression , merely the weariness of one who has seen all the evils of the world and must watch them repeat themselves over and over again . `` dare accepted , '' i said , abandoning myself to my dark destiny , knowing in that moment that i was betraying all my moral beliefs . this was the start of the path to damnation . if i defeated steve , iwould become the lord of the shadows , and in the long , blood-red decades and centuries ahead , i 'd be able to point back to this night and say , `` that was where the monster was born . '' i began to draw my knife across darius 's throat . this time debbie did n't try to stop me - she sensed my damnation , and was powerless to save me . but then i paused . the throat was too impersonal a target . i wanted steve to reallyfeel this . lowering the knife , i cut away darius 's shirt , revealing his bare , pale chest . i positioned the tip of the knife over his heart and gazed at steve , no longer blinking against the searing lights , my eyes dark , my lips tight over my teeth . steve 's expression steadied . the beast within him had seen its mirror image in me , and was satisfied . he drew back from the madness , becoming his cold , crafty , calculating self again . i drew my arm back to its full extent , so i could strike swiftly with the knife . i meant to stab darius with all my strength and kill him quickly . i might be a monster , but i was n't an entirely heartless one . but steve called out before i pierced his son 's heart . `` be careful , darren ! you do n't know who you 're killing . ' '' i knew , if i did ; that he 'd derail me with some other twisted trick . listening to demons was dangerous . better to act in haste and shut your ears to them . there was something darkly inviting about his tone . it was like when someone was about to tell a gruesome but hilarious joke . i could feel the awfulness of it , but also the humour . i had to hear him out . `` darius , '' steve chuckled , `` tell darren your mother 's name . '' darius gawped at his father , unable to respond . `` he 's about to drive a knife through your heart ! tell him your mother 's name - now ! '' `` ah-ah-ah-annie , '' darius wheezed , and i froze . `` and her surname ? '' steve asked softly , relishing the moment .

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1589], ["truth", 1599], ["far", 1613], ["fall", 1626], ["falls", 1626], ["fallen", 1626], ["may", 1637], ["mays", 1637], ["mayest", 1637], ["might", 1637], ["snap", 1647], ["snapping", 1647], ["beneath", 1655], ["weight", 1666], ["weighted", 1666], ["weightest", 1666], ["full", 1674], ["realization", 1686], ["go", 1693], ["goest", 1693], ["mad", 1697], ["mads", 1697], ["power", 1715], ["destroy", 1726], ["destroys", 1726], ["mercy", 1743], ["find", 1766], ["fire", 1798], ["fires", 1798], ["fury", 1806], ["heart", 1818], ["head", 1827], ["demand", 1836], ["demandest", 1836], ["demanded", 1836], ["kill", 1843], ["avenge", 1885], ["avenges", 1885], ["death", 1902], ["eye", 1911], ["eyed", 1911], ["tooth", 1932], ["teeth", 1932], ["life", 1953], ["lifes", 1953], ["corner", 1984], ["catch", 2004], ["catched", 2004], ["catches", 2004], ["caught", 2004], ["sight", 2010], ["sighted", 2010], ["pity", 2040], ["expression", 2058], ["merely", 2067], ["weariness", 2081], ["see", 2101], ["seen", 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3109], ["steadied", 3109], ["beast", 3121], ["mirror", 3152], ["image", 3158], ["imaged", 3158], ["imaging", 3158], ["satisfied", 3184], ["draw", 3194], ["drawn", 3194], ["draws", 3194], ["drew", 3194], ["become", 3227], ["becoming", 3227], ["cold", 3236], ["crafty", 3245], ["calculate", 3259], ["calculating", 3259], ["self", 3264], ["extent", 3310], ["strike", 3330], ["swiftly", 3338], ["mean", 3363], ["meanest", 3363], ["meant", 3363], ["stab", 3371], ["stabs", 3371], ["strength", 3399], ["quickly", 3420], ["heartless", 3481], ["call", 3504], ["called", 3504], ["pierce", 3525], ["pierced", 3525], ["son", 3533], ["careful", 3558], ["darren", 3567], ["know", 3585], ["knowest", 3585], ["kill", 3605], ["killing", 3605], ["know", 3619], ["knowest", 3619], ["knew", 3619], ["derail", 3650], ["trick", 3683], ["listen", 3695], ["listens", 3695], ["listening", 3695], ["demon", 3705], ["demons", 3705], ["dangerous", 3719], ["well", 3728], ["wells", 3728], ["haste", 3744], ["shut", 3753], 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`` shan , '' darius whispered uncomprehendingly . `` annie shan . v is for vampwoman kerrelyn sparks chapter one as a man of few words , mikhail kirillov never stated the obvious . his companions were smart enough to reach the same conclusion he had . zoltan 's snitch had double-crossed them , and now they 'd teleported into a trap . mikhail quickly scanned the group of malcontents as they emerged from the nearby forest and gathered on the moonlit meadow , snarling and thumping their fists against their shields . they were armed with swords , spears , and axes . a mortal might assume these vampire thugs were hopelessly stuck in the past , but mikhail knew better . the malcontents preferred their battles up close and bloody . the scent of blood in the air drove them wild . he completed his headcount . `` thirty-six to four . '' `` we each take out nine , '' jack said . zoltan nodded . `` we should fight in a circle , so our backs are protected . '' mikhail frowned as his companions drew their swords . zoltan 's idea was n't bad , but it would severely limit their mobility . and if there was one thing mikhail valued , it was a life free from limitations . freedom from the ravages of time and disease . freedom to live however he liked and fight however he wanted . in over six hundred years of battle , no one had come close to defeating him . as a result , he had become a fiercely aggressive warrior but never much of a team player . not that he did n't care about his friends . just twenty minutes earlier , jack had announced with a huge grin that his wife , lara , was pregnant . mikhail would single-handedly annihilate an entire army of malcontents to ensure jack returned to his wife even though it was unlikely that he would need assistance . jack , aka giacomo di venezia , was probably the best vampire swordsman on the planet . jean-luc echarpe would disagree , but he was too busy designing silly clothes , while jack and mikhail were helping zoltan destroy a malcontent human-trafficking ring based in albania . as coven master of eastern europe , zoltan czakvar could handle himself in a swordfight . it was j.l . wang who had mikhail concerned . the former fbi special agent was a young american vamp and probably more comfortable with a pistol in his hand than a sword . a metallic screech pierced the air as the malcontents drew their swords . they shouted taunts across the field , no doubt feeling arrogantly secure in their superior numbers . time to improve the odds . with one swift move , mikhail reached overhead to draw his weapon from the leather scabbard on his back . it was a huge broadsword , heavy enough that most mortals found it difficult to lift with two hands . with his left hand , he pulled a freshly sharpened battle-axe from his belt . his roar boomed across the field , causing the malcontents to flinch . as he charged toward them , he saw the calculations in their gleaming eyes . just like the weathermen who watched incoming hurricanes , they were predicting where and when he would make landfall . dead center . the vampires in the middle lifted their swords and shields in anticipation . the ends of the battle line inched forward , hoping to close in and surround him . mikhail teleported to the right flank , and with one mighty swing of his sword , he lopped off three heads . before the dead could fully disintegrate into three piles of dust , he teleported to the left flank and decapitated three more malcontents . with one last stop at the center of the line , he took out three more , then teleported back to his companions . the entire maneuver had taken less than five seconds . shocked , the malcontents fumbled about . a dozen succumbed to fear and teleported away . mikhail took a deep breath , then bellowed another war cry as he lifted his sword and battle-axe overhead . that alone was enough to make three more malcontents piss on themselves before teleporting away . behind him , his companions chuckled . `` now it 's twelve to four , '' zoltan said . `` way to go , mikhail , '' j.l . added . with a shout , they charged toward the malcontents . mikhail dispatched two with one swing of his sword , then spun around to take out a third with his axe . a quick glance assured him that his companions were doing well . jack had killed two and engaged a third , an ugly guy with a scar down the side of his face . zoltan and j.l . had each killed one and were fighting a second opponent . that left two malcontents . mikhail spotted them attempting to sneak up on j.l . and zoltan from behind . typical malcontent behavior . stabbing someone in the back .

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["disagreeing", 1888], ["busy", 1910], ["busied", 1910], ["design", 1920], ["designing", 1920], ["silly", 1926], ["clad", 1934], ["clothe", 1934], ["clothes", 1934], ["help", 1972], ["helpest", 1972], ["helping", 1972], ["destroy", 1987], ["destroys", 1987], ["malcontent", 2000], ["human", 2006], ["rang", 2023], ["rung", 2023], ["ring", 2023], ["base", 2029], ["basest", 2029], ["based", 2029], ["albania", 2040], ["coven", 2051], ["covens", 2051], ["master", 2058], ["eastern", 2069], ["europe", 2076], ["handle", 2106], ["swordfight", 2130], ["wang", 2150], ["concern", 2176], ["concerned", 2176], ["concernest", 2176], ["former", 2189], ["fbi", 2193], ["special", 2201], ["agent", 2207], ["young", 2219], ["youngest", 2219], ["american", 2228], ["americans", 2228], ["vamp", 2233], ["vamped", 2233], ["comfortable", 2263], ["pistol", 2277], ["hand", 2289], ["sword", 2302], ["metallic", 2315], ["screech", 2323], ["pierce", 2331], ["pierced", 2331], ["shout", 2391], ["shouted", 2391], ["taunt", 2398], ["tauntest", 2398], ["taunting", 2398], ["taunts", 2398], ["across", 2405], ["field", 2415], ["fielding", 2415], ["doubt", 2426], ["feel", 2434], ["feeling", 2434], ["arrogantly", 2445], ["secure", 2452], ["securest", 2452], ["superior", 2470], ["number", 2478], ["numbering", 2478], ["numbers", 2478], ["improve", 2496], ["odd", 2505], ["odds", 2505], ["swift", 2522], ["move", 2527], ["reach", 2545], ["reached", 2545], ["overhead", 2554], ["draw", 2562], ["drawn", 2562], ["draws", 2562], ["weapon", 2573], ["leather", 2590], ["scabbard", 2599], ["back", 2611], ["broadsword", 2638], ["heavy", 2646], ["heavier", 2646], ["heavies", 2646], ["mortal", 2671], ["mortals", 2671], ["find", 2677], ["found", 2677], ["difficult", 2690], ["lift", 2698], ["two", 2707], ["twos", 2707], ["hand", 2713], ["hands", 2713], ["left", 2729], ["leave", 2729], ["pull", 2746], ["pulled", 2746], ["freshly", 2756], ["axe", 2777], ["belt", 2791], ["belts", 2791], ["belted", 2791], ["beltest", 2791], ["belting", 2791], ["roar", 2802], ["roarest", 2802], ["boom", 2809], ["boomed", 2809], ["cause", 2836], ["causing", 2836], ["flinch", 2862], ["charge", 2878], ["charged", 2878], ["toward", 2885], ["see", 2899], ["saw", 2899], ["calculation", 2916], ["calculations", 2916], ["gleam", 2934], ["gleams", 2934], ["gleamed", 2934], ["gleamest", 2934], ["gleaming", 2934], ["eye", 2939], ["eyed", 2939], ["eyes", 2939], ["like", 2951], ["weatherman", 2966], ["weathermen", 2966], ["watch", 2978], ["watched", 2978], ["incoming", 2987], ["incomings", 2987], ["hurricane", 2998], ["hurricanes", 2998], ["predict", 3021], ["predictest", 3021], ["predicting", 3021], ["landfall", 3059], ["dead", 3066], ["center", 3073], ["vampire", 3088], ["vampires", 3088], ["middle", 3102], ["middles", 3102], ["middling", 3102], ["lift", 3109], ["lifted", 3109], ["anticipation", 3150], ["end", 3161], ["ends", 3161], ["endest", 3161], ["line", 3180], ["inch", 3187], ["inched", 3187], ["forward", 3195], ["forwarding", 3195], ["forwardest", 3195], ["hope", 3204], ["hoping", 3204], ["surround", 3229], ["right", 3267], ["rightest", 3267], ["flank", 3273], ["mighty", 3295], ["swung", 3301], ["swing", 3301], ["lop", 3326], ["lopped", 3326], ["three", 3336], ["head", 3342], ["heads", 3342], ["fully", 3372], ["disintegrate", 3385], ["pile", 3402], ["piles", 3402], ["dust", 3410], ["dusting", 3410], ["decapitate", 3460], ["decapitated", 3460], ["last", 3499], ["stop", 3504], ["take", 3540], ["took", 3540], ["maneuver", 3618], ["maneuverest", 3618], ["take", 3628], ["taken", 3628], ["less", 3633], ["five", 3643], ["fived", 3643], ["second", 3651], ["seconded", 3651], ["seconds", 3651], ["shock", 3661], ["shocked", 3661], ["fumble", 3687], ["fumbled", 3687], ["dozen", 3703], ["succumb", 3713], ["succumbs", 3713], ["succumbed", 3713], ["fear", 3721], ["fearest", 3721], ["away", 3741], ["deep", 3763], ["deeply", 3763], ["breath", 3770], ["breathest", 3770], ["bellow", 3786], ["bellowing", 3786], ["bellowed", 3786], ["another", 3794], ["war", 3798], ["cry", 3802], ["alone", 3862], ["piss", 3909], ["pissest", 3909], ["teleport", 3942], ["teleporting", 3942], ["behind", 3956], ["chuckle", 3986], ["chuckled", 3986], ["twelve", 4008], ["twelves", 4008], ["way", 4042], ["ways", 4042], ["go", 4048], ["goest", 4048], ["add", 4075], ["added", 4075], ["shout", 4090], ["dispatch", 4149], ["dispatched", 4149], ["spin", 4193], ["spun", 4193], ["around", 4200], ["third", 4220], ["quick", 4243], ["glance", 4250], ["assure", 4258], ["assured", 4258], ["well", 4298], ["wells", 4298], ["kill", 4316], ["killed", 4316], ["engage", 4332], ["engaged", 4332], ["ugly", 4350], ["guy", 4354], ["scar", 4366], ["side", 4380], ["sidest", 4380], ["face", 4392], ["fight", 4449], ["fightest", 4449], ["second", 4458], ["seconded", 4458], ["opponent", 4467], ["spot", 4513], ["spotted", 4513], ["attempt", 4529], ["attempting", 4529], ["sneak", 4538], ["sneakest", 4538], ["typical", 4583], ["behavior", 4603], ["stab", 4614], ["stabs", 4614], ["stabbing", 4614]]

he teleported to the first one , turned him to dust , then glowered at the second malcontent . with a squeak , the second malcontent teleported away . mikhail wedged his axe beneath his belt , then turned to watch the end of the battle . a burst of music joined the clanging of swords . mikhail tilted his head . the music appeared to be coming from jack 's jacket . a lively rendition of `` that 's amore . '' with a muttered curse , jack lunged at his opponent , causing scarface to jump back six feet . with his left hand , jack pulled out his cell phone and glanced at it . `` you do n't have to answer it , '' mikhail muttered . `` it 's lara . '' jack continued to fence with scarface . `` if i do n't answer , she 'll worry . '' mikhail snorted . thank god he 'd avoided the trap most of his friends had fallen into . marriage and children ? `` hello , bellissima , '' jack answered the phone . his opponent tried to take advantage of his divided attention by rushing forward , but jack easily drove him back . `` this is not a good time , lara . can i call you back in about twenty minutes ? '' jack glanced to the side as zoltan finished off his assailant . `` make that ten minutes . '' there was a pause as jack parried with scarface . `` no , there 's nothing going on . he deftly handled a well-aimed thrust . `` that clashing noise ? oh , it 's just a few of the guys doing sword practice . '' stifling a groan , mikhail slid his sword back into the scabbard . wang jabbed his opponent in the heart , turning him to dust . he joined mikhail and zoltan as they stood nearby , watching jack . `` no , sweetheart , you do n't have to wait on me for dinner . '' jack jumped , missing a low swipe intended to slice through his knees . could you put a bottle of blardonnay in the fridge for me ? '' mikhail rolled his eyes . with a resigned sigh , zoltan sheathed his sword . jack could have killed scarface five minutes ago if he were n't so distracted . `` if you 're hungry , go ahead and eat . '' jack easily fended off another frenzied attack . `` you 're eating for two , you know . '' no , i do n't think you 're fat . i think you're-merda ! '' jack leaped to the side to avoid disembowelment . `` no , bellissima , i was n't referring to you- '' `` enough ! '' mikhail zoomed forward , caught scarface 's hand in his fist , and squeezed till vampire cried out in pain and dropped his sword . then mikhail punched him in the jaw , sending him flying back twenty yards , where he slumped onto the ground in a daze . jack gave mikhail a grateful nod , then walked away a short distance to continue his phone conversation . `` lara , i think you 're more beautiful than ever . '' he slid his sword into its sheath . `` i know you miss working in the field , but we agreed you should n't be taking any risks right now . yes , it 's perfectly safe here , but-why is my voice echoing ? did you put me on the speakerphone ? lara- '' he stopped as a form materialized nearby . it could n't be lara , mikhail thought , as a dark form took shape in the moonlight . as a mortal , lara did n't have the ability to teleport . this was a vampire and definitely female . her head was covered with a black spandex cap that included a mask over her eyes . whoever she was , she was stunning . black leather boots and gloves , and the rest of her encased in body-hugging black spandex . long , slim legs , nicely rounded hips , a trim waist cinched tightly with a leather utility belt , and br**sts that were firm and full . not too full , he amended his assessment , but full enough to fit nicely in his hands . not that he intended to- his thoughts screeched to a halt . her body looked familiar . only the lower half of her face was exposed , but that , too , seemed familiar . where had he seen those lips ? so pink and delicate . and the way she lifted her chin with a slight tilt , as if she could shrivel a man 's balls with one arrogant , disdainful glance-he 'd seen that before on a reality show on the digital vampire network . he did n't usually watch television , but that was one show he had n't missed . how many times had he imagined her nak*d on a pile of furs ? she twirled around , her black silk cape rippling through the air as she scanned the surroundings . apparently convinced she was in no danger , she faced them , assuming a dramatic pose .

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2027], ["another", 2039], ["attack", 2055], ["eat", 2075], ["eating", 2075], ["two", 2083], ["twos", 2083], ["know", 2094], ["knowest", 2094], ["think", 2119], ["thinkest", 2119], ["fat", 2131], ["fattest", 2131], ["leap", 2171], ["leaps", 2171], ["leaping", 2171], ["leaped", 2171], ["avoid", 2192], ["disembowelment", 2207], ["refer", 2250], ["referring", 2250], ["enough", 2271], ["catch", 2308], ["catched", 2308], ["catches", 2308], ["caught", 2308], ["fist", 2337], ["squeeze", 2352], ["squeezes", 2352], ["squeezed", 2352], ["till", 2357], ["vampire", 2365], ["cry", 2371], ["cried", 2371], ["pain", 2383], ["drop", 2395], ["dropped", 2395], ["punch", 2428], ["punching", 2428], ["punched", 2428], ["jaw", 2443], ["jaws", 2443], ["jawed", 2443], ["jawest", 2443], ["send", 2453], ["sending", 2453], ["fly", 2464], ["flys", 2464], ["flying", 2464], ["yard", 2482], ["yards", 2482], ["slump", 2501], ["slumps", 2501], ["slumped", 2501], ["onto", 2506], ["ontos", 2506], ["ground", 2517], ["daze", 2527], ["dazed", 2527], ["give", 2539], ["gave", 2539], ["grateful", 2558], ["nod", 2562], ["walk", 2576], ["walked", 2576], ["short", 2589], ["distance", 2598], ["distancing", 2598], ["continue", 2610], ["conversation", 2633], ["beautiful", 2676], ["beautifulest", 2676], ["ever", 2686], ["everest", 2686], ["sheath", 2725], ["sheaths", 2725], ["miss", 2746], ["work", 2754], ["wrought", 2754], ["working", 2754], ["field", 2767], ["fielding", 2767], ["agree", 2783], ["agreed", 2783], ["take", 2808], ["taking", 2808], ["risk", 2818], ["riskest", 2818], ["risks", 2818], ["right", 2824], ["rightest", 2824], ["yes", 2834], ["perfectly", 2852], ["safe", 2857], ["safes", 2857], ["safed", 2857], ["voice", 2884], ["speakerphone", 2929], ["stop", 2951], ["stopped", 2951], ["form", 2961], ["formest", 2961], ["materialize", 2974], ["materialized", 2974], ["think", 3022], ["thinkest", 3022], ["thought", 3022], ["dark", 3034], ["take", 3044], ["took", 3044], ["shape", 3050], ["shapes", 3050], ["moonlight", 3067], ["moonlights", 3067], ["moonlighted", 3067], ["mortal", 3081], ["ability", 3113], ["teleport", 3125], ["teleporting", 3125], ["definitely", 3161], ["female", 3168], ["cover", 3191], ["covered", 3191], ["black", 3204], ["spandex", 3212], ["cap", 3216], ["include", 3230], ["included", 3230], ["mask", 3237], ["maskest", 3237], ["whoever", 3261], ["stunning", 3288], ["leather", 3304], ["boot", 3310], ["boots", 3310], ["glove", 3321], ["gloved", 3321], ["gloves", 3321], ["rest", 3336], ["encase", 3351], ["encased", 3351], ["body", 3359], ["bodied", 3359], ["hug", 3367], ["hugging", 3367], ["long", 3388], ["longs", 3388], ["slim", 3395], ["leg", 3400], ["legs", 3400], ["nicely", 3409], ["hip", 3422], ["hips", 3422], ["trim", 3431], ["trimmer", 3431], ["waist", 3437], ["cinch", 3445], ["cinches", 3445], ["cinched", 3445], ["tightly", 3453], ["utility", 3476], ["firm", 3510], ["full", 3519], ["amend", 3547], ["amended", 3547], ["assessment", 3562], ["fit", 3587], 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black boots wide apart , gloved fists on her hips , chest thrust forward , and chin lifted as she looked them over . she gave an imperious nod to zoltan , then j.l . mikhail watched her closely as her gaze moved to him . her eyes widened , then she quickly focused elsewhere . her eyes were an odd shade of blue . lavender blue . in over six hundred years , he 'd never seen anyone with eyes quite like hers . she was the most beautiful female vampire in the world . unfortunately , she was also the snootiest . there had been many occasions over the years when he could have met her in person . he always spotted her across the ballroom at roman 's big parties . she would wear one of her wispy regency-style gowns and pile her shiny blond hair on her head with a few curls trailing down her lovely neck . naked on a pile of furs . he 'd always been careful to keep his distance , for he knew if he drew too close , he 'd want to drag her off to a cave . not that he had a cave . there was just something about her that stirred the centuries-old norseman in him , heating his blood till he was driven to conquer and pillage . no doubt , she wanted to perch on a satin chaise in an elegant parlor while she sipped hot chocolood from a china teacup and engaged in witty conversation . he wanted her nak*d and wet on a pile of furs . she had a long , fancy name , but he preferred to think of her simply as pam . naked and wet and panting on a pile of furs . `` good evening , gentlemen , '' she addressed them with her crisp british accent . `` jack , you may inform lara that i have arrived safely . '' `` lara , what have you done ? '' mikhail leaned to the side to watch scarface , who was still on the ground . the malcontent 's eyes were open , and he was leering at pam . `` i know i said it was safe here , '' jack continued , `` but you should n't have let her come . '' he glanced at the woman in spandex . behind pam , scarface jumped to his feet . mikhail tensed , ready to attack . `` i am vampwoman ! '' pam gripped the edges of her cape and lifted her arms suddenly as if she planned to take flight . all she managed to do was clobber scarface as he made a lunge for her . she glanced back at his crumpled body on the ground . she must have realized he was a malcontent , for she swiveled to face them with a victorious flourish of her cape . `` i meant to do that . '' snooty as always . she lifted her chin and attempted to glare down at him , an impossible task since he was a good foot taller than her . he stared calmly back until her cheeks flushed a rosy pink , and she looked away . zoltan stepped toward her . `` lady pamela ? '' mikhail asked , unable to resist goading her . she shot him an annoyed look , then turned back to zoltan . `` this is a most unfortunate development since i had hoped to keep my true identity a secret . i did not anticipate that anyone would see past my clever disguise . '' with a sigh , she waved a hand in the air . `` in hindsight , i now realize that it is nigh impossible to conceal someone as well-known as myself . '' she cast another irritated look at mikhail . one corner of his mouth curled up , and she stiffened before turning back to zoltan . `` at any rate , it hardly signifies . since we are all on the same team- '' `` we ? '' damn , she was beautiful even when she was angry . `` as i was saying before i was so rudely interrupted-since we are working together , i feel certain i can rely on your utmost discretion . '' `` lady pamela , '' zoltan began . `` vampwoman , '' she corrected him . `` i will thank you to address me properly while i am in costume . '' `` lara , i 'll call you back . '' jack pocketed his cell phone . `` what are you doing , lady pamela ? is this some sort of game where you masquerade as a superhero ? '' i am quite serious , i 'll have you know . '' `` she could pretend to be a supervillain . '' `` i am not pretending , '' she insisted . `` i labored for a fortnight on this costume . and i studied fencing and martial arts for six months . i assure you , i am quite prepared to battle evil . '' i have my reasons , and they are of no concern to you . '' while zoltan launched into an explanation that six months of lessons hardly sufficed when the malcontents had centuries of experience , mikhail tilted his head to look around her .

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in the nearby forest , a large group of malcontents were teleporting in . apparently , the cowards who had fled earlier were now returning with reinforcements . there had to be over fifty of them . he interrupted zoltan 's lecture . `` when did you acquire the ability to speak more than one syllable at a time ? '' i came well prepared . '' she flipped back her cape to reveal her utility belt . `` i have a sword , an assortment of knives and ninja stars , an automatic handgun with extra clips , and several hand grenades . '' `` hand grenades ? '' gave her an incredulous look . `` why would you want those ? '' she gasped when mikhail grabbed at her waist . `` unhand me , you brute ! '' he wrenched a grenade off her utility belt , ripped out the pin , and tossed it into the forest . `` how dare you- '' her voice broke off when he pulled her against his chest as he twisted around . a loud explosion boomed , followed by screams . he hunched over her as branches and leaves rained down on his head and shoulders . zoltan , j.l. , and jack drew their swords and rushed to the forest to destroy any survivors . he needed to go with them , but pam was clinging to him , clutching handfuls of his black t-shirt in her fists . she was in his arms at last . he could n't risk those thoughts right now . too much lust , and his eyes would glow red . she nodded , her face pressed against his chest . she lifted her head , and their eyes met . the color instantly sparked a surge of longing so intense he forgot to breathe . time froze , and he was drowning as memories flooded his head , memories of love , joy , and everything that was beautiful in the world . with a shake of his head , he squeezed his eyes shut . he could n't fall into that trap again . the grief and guilt had nearly destroyed him . yes , he was in pain , but it had been a slap in the face he sorely needed . he 'd vowed centuries ago never to involve himself with another vain and selfish woman . the damage from the first one had ravaged his heart , and he could never allow himself to be that vulnerable again . his mind made up , he opened his eyes . unfortunately , with one look at her , he was instantly rocked by another wave of lust . it gripped him by the balls and squeezed tight . damn , he wanted her bad . grasping her by the upper arms , he moved her back a few inches . release me , so i can help the others . '' she gave him a blank look , then gasped . she released her grip on his t-shirt . `` oh , dear , i 've wrinkled your shirt . she attempted to smooth out the wrinkles . he gritted his teeth at the feel of her hands rubbing across his chest . naked and wet on a pile of furs . his groin swelled . not now , dammit ! `` are you wearing body armor beneath this shirt ? '' her gaze lifted and locked with his once more . his leather pants bulged . she stepped back , her cheeks blushing . i did n't know a man could be so ... he turned away abruptly as his vision turned pink . `` oh dear , i must have offended you , '' she said in a rush . `` obviously , i do n't make a habit of feeling men 's chests . i do n't recall my late husband being so ... well , he was much more refined . a viscount , actually . '' a candy ass . mikhail willed his eyes to stop glowing , but it did n't work . prim and proper pam would be shocked . `` i do n't believe we have been formally introduced , '' she continued . `` i am lady- '' `` i know who you are . '' and why not shock her ? why not show her how he honestly felt ? was he such a coward that he intended to keep it a secret for another hundred years ? with a gasp , she stepped back . she was tinted pink , along with her surroundings , a sure sign that his eyes were glowing red . there was no need to write a sonnet in her honor or woo her with fine gifts . no need to say a word . he could simply let the fire in his eyes blaze the message to her soul . i lust for you . he could hear her heart racing . she opened her mouth , but no words came out . for the first time in centuries , lady pamela smythe-worthing had been rendered speechless . chapter two `` we 're done ! '' jack ran up to them , followed by j.l . and zoltan . mikhail turned away , so they would n't see his eyes . he gazed at the forest while he attempted to force his vision back to normal . `` i originally spotted about fifty . '' pam gasped . malcontents ? '' `` ready to attack . '' `` i think the blast killed about half of them , '' j.l .

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reported . `` most of the survivors teleported away , and we took care of the rest . '' `` oh , dear , '' pam whispered . `` we were terribly outnumbered ... '' `` any mission can suddenly become dangerous , '' zoltan told her . `` it was ill-advised for you to come here . '' `` i disagree , '' she replied with a stronger voice . `` you should be thankful i came here so well equipped . '' `` thank god for the holy hand grenade of antioch . '' `` actually , it came from yorkshire , '' pam explained . `` it 's amazing what you can find on e-bay . '' `` my lady , the malcontents could return any second , '' zoltan insisted . `` i believe we are safe for the moment . '' mikhail turned to face her , his vision now back to normal . `` they 'll think twice before risking another of milady 's hand grenades . '' she gave him a shy , grateful smile . `` so we have time for a few questions , '' mikhail continued . `` how did you find out about our mission ? '' her smile withered . you 're not an employee at mackay security and investigation , so you should n't have known- '' `` you must n't blame lara , '' she interrupted , turning to jack . `` she worries so much about you . i went to see her at your villa in venice , and i encouraged her to call you , knowing that i could use your voice as a beacon . '' she fiddled with her glove and avoided looking at him . `` it 's a rather long story- '' `` then make it short . that made her look at him again . `` that 's lady pamela to you-i mean vampwoman . '' his mouth curled up , and she turned away from him with a huff . `` it all began when maggie and darcy went to scotland to film angus mackay 's castle and interview emma for their show , real housewives of the vampire world . '' `` i can see where this is going . '' pam frowned at him . `` your wife was quite devastated when you postponed your appearance on the show . '' `` i told her i could do it after we destroyed this human-trafficking ring , '' jack mumbled . `` and that was six months ago . '' pam glowered . `` maggie and darcy have been waiting forever . after they finished up in scotland , they dropped by to see me and the old harem girls in london . they told us how frustrated they were , waiting for you to complete your mission in albania , and that 's when i thought you might appreciate some help . '' mikhail asked dryly . `` you were n't complaining when you needed one of my hand grenades . '' `` we do appreciate your help , '' jack muttered . `` but you should return home now . '' we may have defeated some traffickers , but where , pray tell , are the humans ? '' mikhail scanned the area , wondering where the human captives were being held . scarface had regained consciousness and was attempting to sit up . he flopped about , groaning , his lips bloodied and both eyes bruised and swelling . mikhail zoomed over , grabbed his shirt , and hauled him to his feet . `` where are the humans ? '' he asked in albanian . scarface sneered . he pulled back a fist . scarface gasped . `` do n't hit me again . there 's a road through there . '' he waved at the forest behind them , then teleported away . mikhail drew his sword . with his longer legs , mikhail could have easily outdistanced his companions , but he held back , making sure pam remained safe . you fool , it 's happening already , an inner voice chided him . he was becoming vulnerable . over another vain and selfish woman . he shoved those thoughts away . after half a mile , they emerged on a dirt road , where a dented and rusty old camper truck was parked . mikhail quickly circled the truck . no malcontents in sight . he returned to the back door , where jack was hacking at the chained padlock with his sword . mikhail smashed through the chains with his battle-axe , then opened the door . they were greeted by a dozen pair of terrified eyes . the girls , tied up and gagged , attempted to squirm farther back into the filthy recesses of the camper . mikhail guessed their ages to be somewhere between twelve and twenty . more years than his daughter had lived . he pushed that errant thought aside . at least he had n't failed these . he climbed into the camper , and the girls cowered on the floor , whimpering behind their gags . `` you 're frightening them . '' pam quickly followed him into the camper , then knelt in front of the girls .

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`` you poor dears , there is no need to be afraid . we have come to rescue you and deliver you safely home . '' `` my lady , '' zoltan whispered to her . `` these are humans . we should leave them to the human authorities . i 'll call the local police- '' `` and what ? '' pam looked up at him , aghast . `` make them endure hours of questioning when we could easily take them home to their families ? have n't they suffered enough ? '' `` our first imperative is always to keep our existence a secret , '' zoltan whispered . `` if we teleport them- `` they have bite marks , '' mikhail interrupted , motioning at the girls . `` the malcontents were feeding off them . they already know about vampires . we should teleport them home , then wipe their memories . '' pam gave him a grateful smile that made his heart squeeze in his chest . he ignored it and moved closer to the girls , who were huddled together , trembling . pam patted a girl on the shoulder . `` i know he looks like a huge brute , but he wo n't harm you . '' a huge brute ? mikhail winced inwardly . even so , it seemed like a good thing that pam was here . her presence was comforting the girls . they had grown quiet , the terror on their faces melting into hope . he leaned over one of the girls , and , using his psychic power , he delved into her mind to locate her home . then he grasped her arm and teleported her back . with a happy squeal , she turned to thank him . he removed her gag and ropes while he wiped her memory of the last few days . when her face turned blank , he teleported back to the camper truck . with all five of them working , it took only a few minutes to return the captives to their homes . after delivering a third girl , mikhail reappeared at the camper to find it empty . he sauntered around the truck , making sure no malcontents had returned . as he approached the back , pam materialized . she glanced into the camper , then , with a satisfied smile , turned away . `` not bad for your first night , '' she murmured to herself , then peeled the spandex cap off her head . her blond hair slipped free , and she shook it out , the golden tresses falling in waves around her shoulders . good god , she is beautiful . he must have made some kind of noise , for she spun around to face him . `` oh , you-you 've returned . '' `` the others have n't made it back yet . '' `` i 'm sure you already know that . '' she brushed her hair back over her shoulder . `` the cap was rather hot . stifling , actually . i might have to reconsider my costume design . '' he raked his eyes down to her boots , then back up to her br**sts . `` it looks good to me . '' `` you 're ogling my chest . '' `` there 's a red mark there . it draws a person 's attention . '' `` that 's a 'v . ' it stands for- '' `` voluptuous ? '' `` viscountess ? '' vampwoman . '' she gave him a dry look . `` you may mock me , but i much prefer my new identity . '' `` what was wrong with your old one ? '' she ducked her chin and fiddled with her gloves . why are you risking yourself ? '' `` i 'd rather not- '' `` what was wrong with lady pamela ? i always thought she was beautiful . '' `` she 's ... '' `` she 's what ? '' her eyes glistened with tears , and she turned away . she did n't sound as vain as he had expected . first , i married a vampire without realizing it . there were rumors about maximilian . plenty of clues . i never saw him eat , never saw him during the day . but like a fool , i ignored it all . i was too enamored with the notion that a viscount could love me and want to marry me . '' he should have been honest with you . '' she waved aside his attempt to defend her . a few weeks after the wedding , max asked me if i would like to wear beautiful gowns and go to lovely parties forever . she brushed away her tears with an angry swipe . `` can you imagine giving up mortality for such a ridiculous reason ? '' `` did you know he meant to transform you ? '' she gave mikhail a wry look . `` it was a bit of a shock when he attacked me . '' mikhail gritted his teeth . it was a good thing the bastard was dead . `` i was so foolish . i gave up my chance to ever have children . '' mikhail 's heart squeezed as the memory of his daughter swept across his mind . `` you wanted children ? '' she nodded , and another tear rolled down her cheek .

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`` then i made the mistake of complaining to my father . i did n't go into any details , but it was enough to make him suspect that the rumors were true . '' `` i was a coward . i knew my father hated max , but i did nothing to dissuade him . max trusted me , and i let him down . '' `` so it was your father who killed your husband ? '' he staked max while we lay beside each other in our death-sleep . father left his ring in the ashes so i would know it was he . i feared that max 's vampire friends would avenge him by killing my father , so i begged him to flee to america . he asked me to accompany him , but i was too afraid to go . i abandoned him when he was in danger . '' `` i joined the coven master 's harem in london , where i would be safe . then later , when the germans were bombing london , i fled to new york . as usual , i took the cowardly way out . '' `` that was self-preservation . the underground lairs were no longer safe . '' `` and then my friend , vanda , was in danger . the malcontents blew up our nightclub and wanted to kill her , and i left her . i went back to london . '' she turned to face him with tears running down her cheeks . `` do n't you see why i 'm ashamed ? i 'm a coward who fails the people who count on me . i abandon them when they need me the most . '' mikhail stared at her , stunned by the ferocity of her self-recrimination . was she trying to earn redemption as vampwoman ? she 'd be lucky if she was n't rewarded with an early death . `` i can understand the need to make up for past mistakes , but what you 're doing now , you 're putting yourself in danger- '' `` you do n't approve . '' she dried her cheeks with an impatient swipe . `` i should n't have confessed everything to you . '' `` but you could never understand how i feel . you 're so incredibly huge and fierce . i doubt you 've ever lost a battle or ever let anyone down . '' `` do you even know what it 's like to be filled with guilt and regret ? '' he pinched his eyes shut to avoid the memories that flooded his mind . he opened his eyes to find her staring at him . `` you do know , '' she whispered . her hand lifted toward his face , but before she could touch him , she blinked and withdrew her hand . `` then you do understand . '' `` i understand that each time you endanger yourself , it will scare the hell out of me . '' for almost two hundred years , he 'd assumed she was selfish and vain . and why would n't she be , when she was the most beautiful vampire in the world ? but instead of feeling superior , she had actually been ashamed of herself . she 'd used the snooty image of an arrogant viscountess to hide her self-doubt and vulnerability . with a small shock , he realized that lady pamela had been the masquerade . vampwoman was the true pam . mikhail ? '' her gaze lifted back to his face . `` from moscow ? '' `` you know of me ? '' you 're a full head taller than the other men , and they 're rather large . of course , the rumor is that you 're some sort of fierce medieval viking and that you came to russia centuries ago to pillage and plunder . '' `` well , i was in a harem for years . there was n't much to do other than gossip about the men . '' `` i 've always thought you were beautiful . '' he touched a lock of her hair . now he realized she was just as beautiful on the inside . and he 'd been a fool to avoid her all these years . he touched her cheek and wiped the moisture of her tears with his thumb . `` i-i should be going . '' he grazed his thumb over her lips . they were as soft as he 'd imagined . `` i believe our work here is done . '' he slid his hand around her neck and leaned over till his mouth was a mere inch from hers . her rapid breaths puffed against his skin . `` prepare to be plundered . '' with a gasp , she teleported away . chapter three `` coward ! '' lady pamela yanked off a boot and threw it on the parquet floor of her bedchamber . how could she have behaved so cowardly ? six months of planning and practicing to be a stronger and more fearless person , and what had she done ? she 'd run away just like she had in the past . with a disgusted groan , she tossed her other boot on the floor . perhaps it was n't too late . less than a minute had passed since she 'd fled in fear . she could teleport back and ... what ?

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allow that huge barbarian to kiss her ? a shudder skittered down her spine . `` coward , '' she muttered . instead of running away , she should have slapped the brute soundly . or better yet , she should have used some of her newly acquired martial-arts skills to fling him over her shoulder . was it even possible to fling such a man ? he was so enormous . as immovable as a giant boulder . and his eyes had turned red . her hands flew to her cheeks , and she felt the heat of a blush . his eyes had turned red . when she 'd first spotted him , she 'd been shocked by the sheer strength of his presence . it felt like he had swallowed up her entire field of vision , so she could hardly even see the other men . why , oh why had she told him so much about herself ? what had possessed her to confide in such a huge brute ? although he had seemed rather attentive and understanding for a barbarian . she chased that thought away . he was a barbarian . he had attempted to kiss her . prepare to be plundered . she jumped when a loud pounding shook her door . `` lady pamela ? is that you i hear ? '' that accent could only belong to miss cora lee primrose-a southern belle , transformed just prior to the american civil war , and one of pamela 's friends who shared the london townhouse . `` yes , i have returned , '' she answered . `` well , land sakes , come out of there and tell us how it went . we 've been worried sick about you . '' `` i 'll be down shortly . '' pamela removed her utility belt and set it carefully on her bed so the various knives and ninja stars would n't snag her pink satin coverlet . with a sigh , she unzipped the front zipper on her costume . perhaps she should n't be overset by the night 's events . after all , she did assist the men in defeating the traffickers and delivering the captives back home . the blast from the hand grenade had frightened her but not enough to make her run away . apparently , the prospect of a kiss was more terrifying than an explosion . she removed her cape , then peeled off her latex costume . no doubt he had imagined undressing her . how dare he ogle her like that ? his eyes had glowed red . how could a man 's passion flare so hot so quickly ? she slipped on a silk wrapper and tied the sash around her waist . the man was a barbarian . he probably ogled a dozen women nightly and leered at them all with glowing red eyes . prepare to be plundered , indeed . a viking warrior who ravished innocent women ? what if she had stayed ? where would he have touched her ? and kissed her ? no doubt a barbarian did wicked things a gentleman would never do . goose bumps prickled her skin . she rubbed her arms as she marched toward the door . `` i will not give him another thought . '' she was halfway down the stairs when she recalled his reaction to the camper full of pretty mortal girls . his eyes had n't turned red for them . like her , he had wanted to take them home , and he 'd handled them gently to assuage their fears . he 'd been surprisingly kind ... for a barbarian . `` thank the lord you are alive and well ! '' princess joanna announced when pamela entered the parlor . `` santa maria be praised , '' maria consuela added , and kissed her rosary . `` i 'm quite all right , '' pamela assured the ladies . joanna 's title of princess was honorary since she was an old vampire , having been changed in venice while en route to the holy land during one of the crusades . maria consuela de montemayor had been captured during the spanish inquisition when the authorities had feared that her fiance was jewish . fortunately for her , he was also a vampire , and he 'd teleported into the prison to rescue her . both had been widowed centuries ago and had then transferred to a harem , where they could live in comfort and safety . after appearing on a reality show for the digital vampire network , lady pamela and her old harem friends had become modern enough to eschew the concept of needing a master . still , in many ways , they held fast to their historic roots . princess joanna settled in an easy chair by the fireplace . `` prithee , tell us all that has transpired . '' cora lee walked in with a tray and set it down on the table . `` we want to know everything . '' she poured four cups of steaming hot chocolood , a mixture of synthetic blood and chocolate . `` i do declare we were worried sick . '' maria consuela shuddered . `` it reminded me of being tortured . ''

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`` please do not suffer on my account . '' pamela sat , then accepted a cup from cora lee . the southern belle perched on the settee next to maria consuela . `` were you able to find lara 's husband ? '' everything went precisely as i had planned . '' not precisely , pamela thought with a silent groan . never in her wildest imaginings would she have foreseen herself in that man 's arms . `` and who was there ? '' princess joanna sipped from her cup . `` giacomo di venezia , of course . and zoltan czakvar ? '' pamela nodded . `` they were quite shocked to see me when i arrived . '' `` i bet ! '' cora lee snickered . `` two others . we hardly know them . '' pamela took a sip from her cup . `` one was that new chap , j.l . wang . '' `` from cathay ? '' princess joanna asked . `` i believe it 's called china now , dear . '' pamela set her cup down . `` but he 's actually american . '' princess joanna waved a dismissive hand . `` those americans are such a ... boiling cauldron . '' `` i think it 's melting pot , '' cora lee said . `` who was the other fellow ? '' pamela shrugged nonchalantly even though heat was invading her cheeks . `` that ... man from russia . '' princess joanna 's eyes widened . cora lee gasped . `` you mean the huge giant with the icy blue eyes and the blond braid down his back ? land sakes , his hair is longer than mine ! '' `` wicked , '' maria consuela whispered as she clicked through her rosary . he has eyes as cold as sin . '' more like red-hot and glowing , pamela thought with an inward wince . but the sinful part was probably accurate . princess joanna pressed a hand to her chest . `` you can not mean that barbarian ! '' pamela started to lift her cup , but changed her mind for fear her hand would noticeably tremble . `` he seemed to be a valuable member of their team . no doubt he 's a fierce warrior . '' princess joanna snorted . `` fierce , indeed . the man is one of those horrid vikings . '' `` evil , '' maria consuela whispered . joanna shuddered . `` for centuries , they were a scourge on our countryside , always pillaging and plundering . '' and she 'd come close to being plundered . if pamela had waited but a second longer , his lips would have touched hers . and being a barbarian , he would n't have stopped . he would have ravished her mouth entirely . her skin pebbled with gooseflesh , and in a shocking burst of clarity , she realized it was n't fear that was making her heart pound and her body tremble . was she losing her senses ? such feelings could not be tolerated . the man was not her type at all . `` his name is mikhail , right ? '' cora lee asked . she sipped from her cup . `` i do declare he 's always frightened me a bit . he seems so ... cold and forbidding . '' `` evil , '' maria consuela muttered . `` he is absolutely wrong in every possible way , '' pamela said in a rushed voice . `` incredibly huge and muscular , with a chest like a rock . not at all like my late husband . maximilian was a gentleman . sophisticated and refined . he would have never said ... '' she paused when she realized that the three women were watching her curiously . cora lee leaned forward . pamela 's face blazed with heat . `` you are comparing him to your late husband ? '' pamela shook her head . `` only to emphasize what a huge brute he is . '' cora lee gave her a pointed look . `` maybe he 's huge all over . '' pamela gasped . `` i daresay that is ... '' `` wicked . '' maria consuela zipped through her rosary at vampire speed . cora lee shrugged . `` i 'm just saying it 's been a long time since any of us indulged in a little romance . '' `` that is quite out of the question , '' pamela snapped . `` i have no intention of going anywhere near that brute- '' `` huge brute , '' cora lee interrupted with a smirk . was he really huge ? pamela shoved that disturbing thought aside . `` we all know a man 's size is totally irrelevant . what matters is his mind-control ability . '' princess joanna nodded . we need to make the acquaintance of a gentleman who is skilled at vampire sex . ''

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`` like roman . '' cora lee sighed . `` i do declare he could satisfy us all in ten minutes . '' `` exactly , '' pamela agreed . `` it was very time-efficient . and wonderfully private . the entire experience is so much more refined when it 's conducted purely as a mental exercise . '' cora lee nodded . `` we could stay in our own rooms . and we did n't even have to take off our clothes . '' `` and it was never messy , like physical sex . '' pamela grimaced . `` no grasping , sweaty hands pawing you all over . '' `` there was a time when i think i actually enjoyed real sex . '' princess joanna waved a hand in the air . `` but that was centuries ago , and i have long forgotten . '' `` it is best left forgotten , '' pamela said . the thought of having a man physically invade her body-it was far too shocking . too raw and frightening . but was n't she trying to get over her cowardice ? `` are you going to meet them tomorrow night ? '' `` surely , one night of wild behavior will suffice , '' princess joanna said . `` it is far too dangerous for you to continue with this folly . '' pamela swallowed hard . she could n't wallow in cowardice for another century . or even another night . `` vampwoman will return . '' chapter four `` you should n't have come , '' zoltan announced the next evening after lady pamela teleported into his parlor in budapest . with a silent squeal of triumph , pamela congratulated herself on finding the men . back home , while donning her costume , she 'd worried about being able to locate them . but since zoltan was the coven master of eastern europe , she 'd decided his home was a good place to start . she 'd been here before to attend a party , so the location was embedded in her psychic memory . she smiled at zoltan , who stood next to the fireplace . she nodded at jack and j.l. , who lounged in nearby chairs , frowning at her . a pile of sheathed swords and knives rested on a coffee table . where was ... the back of her neck prickled as if touched by an icy breeze . or was it the frigid glare of pale blue eyes ? she spun about , her black silk cape rippling through the air . mikhail was leaning against the doorjamb , his arms crossed over his massive chest , his eyes glittering like broken shards of icicles . heat spread like flames throughout her body , causing her face to flush . how could such a cold brute make her feel like she was melting ? a corner of his mouth curled up . arrogant oaf . how dare he assume he was the cause of her blush ? but as annoyed as she was , she could n't help but notice the dimple caused by his half smile . and what a wide , sensuous mouth he had . finely sculpted lips , too . lips that had come so close to kissing her . with a blink , she forced her gaze back to his eyes . he was ogling her again , lingering over every dip and curve of her body . her skin tingled beneath the black spandex , and the costume felt suddenly tighter , constricting her to the point she could scarcely breathe . his eyes met hers , and he slowly smiled . with a flourish of her cape , she turned her back to him . he enjoyed unnerving her . he said something in a foreign language that made zoltan chuckle . it must be hungarian . she had n't thought about it till now , but the oaf 's english was quite good . and he 'd spoken in albanian to a malcontent the night before . he was surprisingly well educated for a barbarian , and that unnerved her even more . she squared her shoulders and adjusted her utility belt . `` pray tell , where will our mission take us tonight ? '' `` we 're waiting for a report to come in from dubrovnik , '' zoltan replied . `` we believe the malcontents are hiding a group of human captives in a warehouse near the docks . we need to rescue them before they 're loaded onto a ship . '' a lump of alarm rose in her throat , and she swallowed hard . this mission could easily turn violent . but was n't this what she had trained for ? tonight , she would prove she was no coward . when her companions needed her , she would not turn tail and run . `` as soon as we get the call , we 're leaving , '' zoltan continued , then gave her a pointed look . `` and you will not be coming with us . '' i 'm part of the team . '' `` no , milady , you are not , '' jack said softly . `` you do n't work for mackay s and i , '' j.l .

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`` i 'm a free agent , '' she insisted . `` i 'm here to help you , and i will not be dismissed ! '' `` lady pamela . '' zoltan gave her an exasperated look . `` we only wish to keep you safe . '' `` your presence could endanger us all . '' jack stood and selected a sword from the coffee table . `` if we 're forced to protect you- '' `` i can take care of myself . '' `` i am up to the challenge . '' a deep voice spoke behind her , and she pivoted to face him . mikhail walked toward her , watching her with a predatory gleam in his eyes . `` if i remember correctly , you frighten very easily . '' her heart sped up , pounding in her chest . `` are you certain you wo n't ... disappoint ? '' was he alluding to their almost kiss ? `` i will not abandon my teammates . '' he focused on her br**sts , which made her even more breathless and tingly . `` you 're afraid . i can hear your heart racing . '' `` that 's not fear ! it's- '' good heavens ! she stopped herself in the nick of time . his eyes met hers in a flash , and the intensity of his look took her breath away . he tilted his head , searching her face . she jumped when a phone rang . `` that should be my informant . '' zoltan pulled a cell phone from his jacket pocket , while jack and j.l . quickly armed themselves . `` i 'll turn on the speakerphone , so we can teleport to his voice . '' pamela faced him , mentally steeling her nerves for battle . the phone rang again , and zoltan frowned at her . `` mikhail , get her out of here . i 'll call you in sixty seconds , so you can join us . '' pamela gasped when mikhail grabbed her from behind . before she could react , everything went black . as soon as she materialized , she jumped into action . a sharp jab in his ribs with her right elbow as she spun to face him , then a left punch in the- '' ouch ! '' the man 's stomach was like a slab of concrete . before he could remove her glove , she yanked her hand away . balling her fists , she bounced back on the balls of her feet , then aimed a quick roundhouse kick at his chest . he nabbed her ankle and tugged , making her lose her balance . as she started to fall , he grabbed her and pulled her hard against him . she caught her breath , her nose pressed against his chest . he smelled surprisingly clean for a barbarian . as she splayed her hands against his stomach , preparing to shove him away , she realized he was n't as smooth and cold as a concrete slab . he was warm and rippled . with muscles . he held her tight , his arms banded around her shoulders . she resisted an urge to snuggle against him . it was tempting , so tempting . what if he was n't a barbarian after all ? `` what did you say to zoltan that he found so amusing ? '' a corner of mikhail 's mouth lifted , causing the dimple to reappear . his left hand slid beneath her cape and down her spine to her utility belt . `` i was admiring you from ... behind . '' his hand curved around her rump . when she attempted to push away , his hand flexed on her buttock , pulling her closer . how could she have ever doubted he was a barbarian ? if only she could slap that amused look off his face , but both her arms were pinned against his chest . she stomped her boot on his foot . he merely looked annoyed . `` do i need to tie you to the bedpost ? '' `` you would n't dare-bedpost ? '' she glanced over her shoulder and flinched . a massive , canopy bed dominated a room filled with bookcases and tables and large leather chairs . `` you-you brought me to your bedroom ? '' `` this is the cellar of my hunting lodge . '' she glanced at the huge bed again . of course it was huge . `` this is highly inappropriate . '' `` i had to take you somewhere . '' `` you should have taken me to my bedroom . '' i meant my home . she scanned the room once more . this was a hunting lodge ? it was as well furnished as her townhouse . and he certainly owned a great number of books ... for a barbarian . `` if i knew the way to your home , i would have taken you there . you should go there now . '' and give up on her dream ? you 're going home , where you 'll be safe . '' `` i will not take the coward 's way out . '' his eyes hardened like ice as he stepped toward her . `` then you 'd better be brave because if you 're still here when i return , i will tie you to the bedpost .

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after i strip you- '' his phone rang . her heart thundered in her ears so loud , she could n't hear him answer the phone . he would strip her ? and tie her to the bedpost ? she jumped when she realized he was talking to her . `` the guys need me . the guys were in need ? she vanished and materialized silently behind mikhail . `` okay , she 's gone , '' he said into the phone . she leaped on his back just before he disappeared . as soon as mikhail materialized , he pried away the hands that were gripped around his neck . she was the most stubborn , disobedient woman he 'd ever met . he should have tied her . and stripped her . she would n't have pulled this stunt if she were nak*d. but then he would n't have answered the phone ... `` merda , '' jack whispered . he gritted his teeth as he turned to glare at pam , who stood behind him with a defiant look on her face . `` you little- '' his anger froze when he spotted several dozen armed malcontents streaming through the double doors of the warehouse , headed straight toward him and his companions . a quick scan of their surroundings confirmed the gravity of the situation . they were blocked on three sides by heavy metal containers . they could fight or flee . zoltan , jack , and j.l . had their swords drawn , ready to fight , but pamela 's sudden appearance was making them hesitate . mikhail noticed a second-floor balcony to the right . he grabbed pam and teleported her onto the balcony . as soon as they materialized , she hit him on the chest and opened her mouth to berate him . he clapped a hand over her mouth and turned her so she could see the men below . `` i did n't take you away , '' he whispered . `` stay here , stay hidden , and keep out of trouble . '' he unsheathed his broadsword and teleported quietly behind the group of malcontents . with a war cry , he attacked from the rear . charged from the other end . the warehouse echoed with the clanging of swords and screams of the wounded . wounded ? mikhail tended to kill the enemy so quickly , there was no time for a scream . and he 'd learned from experience never to leave wounded in his wake , for they could rally and attack from the rear . the screams appeared to be coming from the middle of the malcontent pack . he spotted flashes of silver metal streaking down from the balcony . it was pam ! she was hurling ninja stars down at the malcontents . the crazed woman ! it was only a matter of time before one of the malcontents teleported up there to terminate her actions . by terminating her . with another war cry , he accelerated his attack , lopping off heads at vampire speed . he needed to keep the malcontents focused on him , so they would forget the wild woman on the balcony . when less than a dozen malcontents remained , his worst fear happened . one of them vanished and reappeared on the balcony . mikhail 's heart lurched when he saw the malcontent 's sword slash down at pam . she dodged the blow , then jumped back and readied her sword . mikhail teleported beside her . he shoved her behind him and lunged forward to attack the malcontent . he jabbed him in the heart , dusting him , then heard an ominous crash behind him . he spun about to find that another malcontent had attempted to stab him in the back . pam had deflected the blow , but it had taken both her hands to wield her sword and all her strength to knock aside the thrust meant for him . the malcontent took instant advantage and sliced her left arm with his knife . with a cry , she fell to her knees . mikhail beheaded the malcontent , then grabbed her as she crumpled on the floor . he gasped as he slapped a hand over her wound . blood seeped between his fingers . `` why could n't you stay hidden like i asked you ? '' her face paled to a deathly white . `` i-i will not abandon my teammates . '' crazy , foolish ... beautiful woman . the pain clouding her lavender-blue eyes struck a blow to his heart more sharp than any sword . if it took an eternity , he 'd make sure she was never injured again . and love her . and if it made him vulnerable , so be it . he would not give her up . a quick glance below assured him that his companions were close to winning the battle . they would n't miss him . he gathered her close to his chest . chapter five pamela snuggled deeper under her pink satin coverlet , her mind drifting in a foggy haze . three hours had passed since she 'd been wounded , but thanks to mikhail 's doctoring and a whole bottle of blardonnay , she was feeling no pain .

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with a smile , she remembered the look on his face when he 'd taken care of her . the furrowed brow , the tortured eyes , as if her pain hurt him more than her . he 'd teleported them to the cellar of his hunting lodge , then taken her up the stairs to the kitchen . after setting her in a chair next to the table , he 'd poured her a glass of blardonnay . you 've lost too much blood . '' she drank the mixture of synthetic blood and chardonnay , then removed her gloves and pulled the cap off her head while he covered the table with an impressive array of medical supplies . `` from dr. lee . he 's too far away in texas for me to see him whenever i get injured , so he taught me the basics . '' `` i ca n't imagine anyone 's managing to wound you . '' `` minor cuts and scrapes . '' with an apology for destroying her clothes , he used scissors to cut through the spandex at her shoulder before easing the sleeve off her arm . he apologized again while cleaning her wound , wincing when the sting made her gasp . she tried not to think about the pain , and so took advantage of the chance to study him up close . even though his hair was a golden blond , his eyebrows were brown , and his eyelashes dark and thick . he was remarkably handsome ... for a barbarian . and gentle . it would be so easy to fall for him . she gulped down the rest of her blardonnay . he filled a syringe . `` this is a painkiller . '' `` should i have that when i 'm drinking wine ? '' `` i 'd rather see you tipsy than in pain . '' he gave her the shot , then applied a row of butterfly bandages along her wound . `` these will keep it closed till it can heal during your death-sleep . you might end up with a small scar . '' he 'd looked at her then , his icy blue eyes glimmering with pain like fractured icicles . `` it is not all right . if the wound had been deeper- '' `` i 'm fine . '' if i had known how beautiful you were inside , i would have never ... '' his voice drifted off as he wrapped her upper arm with a thick bandage . frowning , he fastened the bandage . `` i wasted so much time . '' `` it will be different now . '' was her mind already befuddled ? she was n't following him . `` what will be different ? '' `` you were injured trying to protect me . do n't ever doubt your bravery again . '' he thought she was brave . and beautiful inside . `` you protected me , too . '' the corner of his mouth lifted , revealing his dimple , and she thought she might melt . `` you should go home now , so you can rest , and i can return to the guys . they might need me . '' they 'd left the other guys in the middle of their mission . she eased to her feet , and the room swirled . `` i-i 'm a bit woozy . '' he caught her when she stumbled . `` but you 'll have to let me into your mind for a few seconds , so i 'll know the way . '' into her mind ? vamps dove into the minds of mortals whenever they wanted to , without any hesitation , but they tended to be much more protective of their own mental privacy . no vampire wanted to be controlled by another . normally , they only lowered their mental defenses to have vampire sex . and even then , they tended to keep all their secrets and past torments locked away . no one wanted to reveal a weakness that might later be used against them . a mind meld with mikhail . it was a chance to see inside him . he cradled her against his chest , leaning his head forward till it touched hers . she opened her mind , and he slipped inside with a gentle , persistent strength , burrowing straight through her thoughts to the location of her bedroom . he was quick and efficient , his mind well-ordered and disciplined . he was holding back , she realized , making sure he did n't overpower her , but even the strength in his restraint was impressive . in those few seconds before he teleported her , she searched his mind , digging past the structured intelligence to see what lay beneath . a deep sadness . past that , a swirl of strong emotion , then a shocking clarity as he revealed his feelings . he 'd loved her for almost two hundred years . as soon as they arrived in her bedroom , he exited her mind and placed her on her bed . still stunned , she stared up at him , speechless . he strode to the door and opened it to call her friends , so they could take care of her . they rushed in , gawking at him and fussing over her . she hardly heard them , her thoughts still reeling from the mind meld . and he 'd wanted her to know .

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he leaned over her , kissing her brow once again before teleporting away . now , three hours later , it still dominated her thoughts . mikhail kirillov was not a barbarian . she stretched under the pink coverlet and glanced at the empty bottle of blardonnay on her bedside table . cora lee had insisted she drink the whole thing . she was fuzzy-headed , but her mind still functioned enough to recall the strength of his passion . `` mikhail , '' she whispered . the door opened , and cora lee entered with another bottle of blardonnay . she set the bottle next to the empty one . and i 'm hopelessly attracted to mikhail . cora lee perched on the edge of the bed . `` you gave us the biggest fright . when we saw that huge man in your bedroom ... '' she pressed a hand to her chest . `` are you sure he treated your wound properly ? do you want a real doctor ? '' he took very good care of me . '' and i think i care for him , too . `` land sakes . '' cora lee waved a hand in front of her face . `` i do declare that man simply oozes with virility . the way he kissed you . and looked at you . i do n't know if he wants to worship you or devour you . both , i suppose . '' pam gulped . good heavens , i think i might love him . her heart was yearning to see him , simply to talk to him or be in the same room with him . her short glimpse into his mind had revealed a deep , dark pit of sadness . there was a tragedy in his past , and she wanted to be the one to console him . was n't that the beginning of love ? and if more happened ... her heartbeat quickened . `` i-i think i want to be with him . '' cora lee 's eyes lit up . `` vampire sex ? oh , gracious me . i have a feeling he would be very ... adept . '' `` i believe so , too . '' cora lee glanced at the clock on pamela 's bedside table . `` it should be five in moscow . '' and still dark . she could teleport to his hunting lodge . as soon as mikhail turned off the water in the shower , he heard a noise in the bedroom next door . he stepped silently from the shower stall and picked up the battle-axe he 'd left on top of the laundry hamper . as far as he knew , no malcontent knew where his hunting lodge was located . a soft voice called from the bedroom . her eyes instantly widened , and he realized he most likely looked like the brute she thought he was . his hair was loose and wet , his body still dripping , and his groin hidden behind a battle-axe still stained with blood from the recent battle . she turned to face a bookcase , her cheeks flushed . `` did you need more painkiller ? '' she fiddled with the sash at her waist . `` if this is a bad time , i could come back- '' `` no . '' some sort of night robe ? he was suddenly glad the battle-axe was concealing his ever-growing reaction . when she nodded , he closed the door . the sun would rise in about forty minutes . her visit would have to be quick ... unless she was intending to stay here for her death-sleep . he toweled off and grabbed a pair of jeans . no , too tight . his groin was already swollen . he pulled on a pair of flannel pants . grabbing his towel , he stepped into his bedroom . she 'd found his treasure box and was peering through the glass lid . his heart stilled . out of all the books and mementos on his bookcase shelves , she 'd zeroed in on the one thing that meant the most to him . had she glimpsed it in his thoughts for the brief time their minds had been connected ? he pulled his hair over his shoulder and dried it with the towel . with a start , she put the box back on the shelf . he tossed the towel into the bathroom . `` i 've managed to preserve those flowers for over six hundred years . '' her gaze drifted over his bare chest , then shifted back to the dried flowers in the box . `` they must be very important to you . '' he approached slowly . `` my daughter picked them for me . she died that night . '' `` the color has faded , but the flowers were a beautiful shade of lavender blue . '' `` the same color as your eyes . '' `` i remind you of losing your daughter ? '' `` you remind me of the most joyful days of my life . '' `` can you ... tell me about her ? he touched the glass cover on the box , tracing the outline of the stems and flowers . `` she was bright and beautiful . blond with blue eyes . '' `` like you , '' pam whispered . along with my wife . '' pam gasped and touched his arm .

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4361], ["gasps", 4361], ["gasped", 4361], ["arm", 4381]]

with a grimace , he stepped back . `` do n't waste any sympathy for my wife . she invited the vampires in . she wanted them to transform her , so she could stay young and beautiful for all time . '' he turned away from pam 's shocked face and paced across the room . `` when the vampires invaded our house , they attacked me and tied me up . i was one mortal against ten vampires . i could n't defeat them . '' he twisted his hair , wrapping it around his fist . `` i could n't protect my daughter . they fed on her , drained her dry . she was only six years old . '' pam approached him , her eyes glistening with pink tears . `` my wife had made a deal with them . she sacrificed our daughter , an innocent child , in exchange for eternal life . but the vampires double-crossed her and laughed over her corpse . then they told me to enjoy my pain for the rest of my measly life . '' `` i do n't know how a mother could do that . '' `` i blamed myself for centuries . i should have seen the evil in her . i should have taken my daughter somewhere safe . '' `` you must n't blame yourself . '' you 've been blaming yourself for past mistakes . '' she nodded with a resigned look . `` i spent three years hunting the vampires , but eventually i realized i could n't compete with them as a mortal . '' pam grimaced . `` so you became one of the creatures you hated ? '' `` it was the only way to avenge my daughter . '' and i 've managed to kill a lot of bad vampires in the last six hundred years . that 's a good thing , right ? '' her tear-filled eyes regarded him with tenderness . `` i thought i was a huge brute . '' a tear tumbled down her cheek , and he caught it with his thumb . he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers . she sighed sweetly against him , a sign of surrender , so he gathered her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly . by the time he was done , she was clinging to him and breathless . `` mikhail , '' she whispered , leaning against his chest . he rubbed a hand down her back . no undergarments that he could feel . was she nak*d beneath her nightclothes ? his groin twitched . `` pam , i want you . '' you-you mean , tonight ? '' we have less than thirty minutes , but- '' `` oh , that 's fine . '' `` ten minutes is usually quite enough for me . '' ten hours could hardly suffice . not when he 'd wanted her for almost two hundred years . she pressed a hand to her chest and blushed . `` i daresay this is rather exciting . '' his vision turned pink . `` we have n't actually started yet , but i appreciate the enthusiasm . '' her eyes widened at the sight of his eyes , now red and glowing . `` do you mind if i make myself comfortable on your bed ? '' and if you could retire to another room- perhaps upstairs ? '' `` i prefer to be alone . '' his vision popped back to normal . `` i suppose i 'll have to explain . you see , i ... '' she blushed . `` this is rather embarrassing , but i do n't like anyone to see me when i reach that ... certain moment . i have an unfortunate tendency to thrash about . '' thrash ? '' `` in a most unseemly manner . '' she ducked her head , her blush deepening . `` i want to see that . '' just because we 're hav**g s*x , it does n't mean you can invade my privacy ! '' she wanted to have sex in two different rooms ? `` are you talking about vampire sex ? '' we 're vampires , are n't we ? '' `` we 're a man and a woman . '' `` but surely you agree that vampire sex is the only dignified way- '' `` to hell with dignity . i want you nak*d. with me . '' `` but-but mortal sex is so ... so ... '' `` barbaric ? '' `` invasive . '' `` you-you would expect to touch me . '' `` that 's only the beginning . '' `` i plan to caress you and kiss you and taste you all over . i want to hear you moan and scream . i want to see your face when you cli**x . '' his mouth curled up . `` and i damn well want to see you thrash about . '' he gathered her into his arms and kissed her brow . `` this is so much more than i expected . '' she splayed her hands on his chest . `` i would be so ... she gazed at him in wonder . `` you 're so fierce . how could i possibly make you vulnerable ? '' `` pam , you have my heart . '' `` oh , mikhail . ''

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when she nodded , he swept her up in his arms and carried her to his bed . chapter six `` i have n't done it like this in ages , '' pamela whispered , as he untied the sash on her silk wrapper . mikhail peeled back the wrapper to reveal the sheer nightgown she 'd worn underneath . `` i can see through this . '' he brushed his fingers over a nipple . she gasped , and her skin pebbled beneath the sheer fabric . `` naughty woman , i think you came here to seduce me . '' she had , but with vampire sex in mind . she was getting more than she had bargained for . her breath caught when he unbuttoned her nightgown with vampire speed . `` i wish we could spend hours on this , but we 're short on time . '' he lifted her into a sitting position . even so , she felt extremely self-conscious when he slipped her wrapper and nightgown off her shoulders . he was very careful with her wounded arm , but it hardly registered . she could only think that her bare br**sts were now exposed to his red and glowing eyes . no one had seen her nak*d since her late husband two hundred years ago . and no one had confessed to loving her , either , in all that time . `` i-i saw how you felt when our minds were connected . '' would he say the words out loud ? she would feel much more at ease if he did . he said nothing , only pushed her back onto the bed and tugged her clothes down her h*ps and legs . she covered her eyes , imagining his glowing eyes examining every inch of her body . would he invade her without warning , like max had done ? and then after a few uncomfortable thrusts , it would all be over . for the first time , she wondered if her late husband had been a selfish lover . she 'd been completely innocent up to the wedding , so she 'd had no one to compare him to . she only knew that in recent years , she 'd enjoyed vampire sex more than anything he had done . she peeked between her fingers and found mikhail stretched out beside her , studying her face . his cheek dimpled . `` why are you hiding ? do n't you know how beautiful you are ? '' `` i feel so exposed . '' `` and i love you more than ever . '' she touched his face , and blond whiskers tickled her fingertips . `` i never knew you felt that way . why did you keep it a secret ? '' `` you 're so beautiful , i assumed you were selfish and vain like my late wife . '' `` you should slap me for being a fool . i lost so much time when i could have been loving you . '' she traced the outline of his strong jaw , then brushed a finger over his beautifully sculpted lips . `` we can still have centuries together . '' the red in his eyes darkened . for once i have claimed you , i will not give you up . '' her heart felt like it would burst with longing . he kissed her tenderly and thoroughly till she grew comfortably relaxed with him , warm and pliant . then his hands began to roam . the comfortable feeling quickly flamed into a fiery passion that sizzled through her veins , making her hot and frantic . he was true to his word , kissing and tasting her all over . she moaned as he suckled on her br**sts , gasped when his fingers discovered the wet heat between her legs . he did things with his fingers she had never imagined . soon she was thrashing about and not even caring . and when he burrowed his head between her legs , she cried out in shock . how ... wonderfully wild . she writhed beneath him till she shattered with the strongest cli**x she 'd ever experienced . she was still pulsating with aftershocks when she felt the first tug of death-sleep . the sun was rising , and they were running out of time . `` mikhail , '' she panted , reaching for him . he 'd spent all their time pleasuring her . how could she not love such a dear man ? `` damn sun . '' he ripped off his pants and settled between her legs . but even as fierce and powerful as he was , he could n't keep the sun from rising . another tug of death-sleep pulled at her . he collapsed beside her and pulled her into his arms , his erection pressed against her stomach . `` tomorrow , you will be mine . '' a sharp pain squeezed her chest as death-sleep claimed her . tomorrow , she thought , as she fell into darkness . they both jolted awake at the same time . pam stared into his face , only inches away , and the enormity of her actions stole her breath away . she 'd given herself to a man she hardly knew . true , the sex had been beyond her wildest imaginings , but she 'd done more than have sex . she 'd given him her heart . his mouth curled up as his eyes turned red .

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`` shall we pick up where we left off ? '' with a gasp , she felt his manhood swelling against her belly . `` i-i should eat first . i 'm quite peckish when i awaken . '' `` then bite me . '' he pulled his hair over one shoulder to expose his neck . she 'd never bitten a vampire before . not even her late husband . and mikhail was six hundred years old . no doubt his blood would be extremely rich and powerful . it was shocking that he 'd even offer it to her . what a sweet and generous man he was . no wonder she 'd fallen for him so quickly . still , it was frightening to think how vulnerable she was now . `` don't-do n't you have some bottles in your fridge ? '' he tickled her br**sts with the tail end of his hair . `` but i want to keep you in bed all night . '' `` do n't we have a mission to go on ? '' `` we 'll take the night off . '' he kissed her mouth , then trailed kisses down her neck to her br**sts . she shivered when he drew a nipple into his mouth . how could she resist such a man ? but if he claimed her , he would never let her go . a frisson of panic skittered through her . mikhail might have waited two hundred years for this , but for her , it had only been a few nights . `` i-i should go home to ... freshen up . '' `` it 's still daylight there . '' he shifted to the other breast . it would be a few hours before she could teleport to london . `` i should have brought my costume with me . '' `` it 's missing a sleeve . '' he nibbled a path to her belly button . `` i have a spare . '' `` a spare costume . and another box of ninja stars . '' she gasped as a hunger pain cramped her stomach . `` i do n't want to weaken you before our mission . '' `` there is no mission . '' `` you mean you finished destroying the human-trafficking ring last night ? '' `` no , i mean you wo n't be doing any more missions . '' another hunger pain seized her , doubling her over . he jumped out of bed , and returned a few seconds later with a bottle of blardonnay and two glasses . he filled a glass and handed it to her . she guzzled it down fast . he refilled her glass . she nodded and drank some more . as the pain subsided , she let her gaze wander over him . she 'd been too overwhelmed with passion the night before to get a good look at him . he was beautiful , golden and muscular . he drank from his glass , his head tilted back , his long hair loose down his back . she stroked a hand down his hair , and a wave of desire swept over her . it would be so easy , so tempting to fall back against the pillows and let him make love to her . but he 'd said she would n't be going on any more missions . he set his empty glass on the bedside table , then reached for her . `` i 'm afraid we were about to quarrel . '' `` i thought we were going to make love . '' he leaned toward her to kiss her . she stopped him with a palm against his chest . `` you said i could n't go on any more missions . '' he brushed her hair over her shoulders . `` you 're not trained well enough for battle . '' i studied at the premier fencing academy in london . and i took classes three nights every week at a martial-arts- '' `` you 're not ready . you were wounded last night . '' his hand skimmed over her bandage . `` there 's no need for you to risk yourself . '' `` there is a need . i explained it to you before . you wanted to prove that you would n't abandon your friends . you showed us how brave you are . '' `` once is n't enough ! i do n't intend to scurry back to my parlor and embroider handkerchiefs for another hundred years . this is the new me-vampwoman ! '' his jaw shifted . `` the new you will end up getting killed . '' the other women fight evil , so i can , too . jack lets lara help out . olivia assists robby . and emma does things , too . '' `` lara was a police officer ; olivia was with the fbi ; and emma was with the cia . they have years of training . if you want to go about this safely , you will join mackay s and i and get the training you need . but even then , if you 're not ready for battle , you will not be allowed to fight . i know for a fact that lara and olivia do not engage in vampire battles . they work more in the area of investigation . '' with a sigh , pam reached for her wrapper .

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`` i did apply at mackay s and i . they turned me down . '' mikhail sat back . she slipped on the wrapper . `` that 's when i decided to be a free agent and take care of my own training . i suppose if you wo n't let me fight with you , i 'll have to go solo . '' `` i 'm determined . '' `` but i can not bear for you to be injured . the last time i lost someone i love , it nearly killed me . '' `` i 'm really sorry about your daughter , but i ca n't give up my dream and do nothing for the rest of my life . i thought you understood how important this is to me . '' `` i thought you understood how important you are to me . you have my heart . '' `` i did n't ask for it ! '' oh god , she should n't have blurted that out . he had instantly flinched and let go of her . he climbed out of bed , his face harsh and his eyes cold . `` my apologies for burdening you with something you do not want . '' he stalked off to the bathroom and shut the door . her chest seized with a sudden pain . she only wanted go on missions with him . she wanted to prove herself strong and brave . instead , she 'd proven herself a terrible fool . apologize and tell him she loved him ? she must love him for this to hurt so horribly . she slipped out of bed , ready to dash to the bathroom and confess her love . would she be expected to give up her plans ? she wandered to the bathroom and knocked on the door . `` can we ... she opened the door , and the room was empty . he must have thrown on some clothes and teleported away . he was probably at zoltan 's , getting ready for the next mission . she was tempted to follow , but how could she show up there , wearing nothing but a thin wrapper ? besides , she did n't know what to say . he was n't likely to back down , and she did n't want to give up her dream . they were at an impasse , and she did n't know how to fix it . all she knew was that she loved him . she wanted an eternity with him . but she might have discovered it too late . chapter seven a week later ... `` have a seat . '' angus mackay motioned to an armchair in the parlor of his london townhouse . pamela sat and wedged her small handbag into the chair next to her . after receiving a brief phone call and invitation from angus 's wife twenty minutes earlier , she 'd quickly dressed in a modern , professional-looking suit designed by jean-luc echarpe . she was n't sure what angus and emma wanted , but since they were the owners of mackay security and investigation , and he was coven master of the british isles , she wanted to look her best . angus paced across the parlor , his blue-and-green-plaid kilt swishing about his knees . `` i hear ye 've been busy of late , helping the lads in albania . '' so this was the purpose for her sudden invitation . the men must have complained about her interference with their mission , and angus was going to berate her over it . she gripped her hands together . was mikhail behind this ? was this how he intended to keep her safe at home and hopelessly bored for the next few centuries ? angus stopped pacing and frowned at her . `` i heard ye were injured in battle . are ye all right now ? '' pamela shifted in her chair . `` how are you and emma ? '' `` we 're very well . '' emma strode into the room , carrying a tray . `` would you like a cup of hot chocolood ? '' while emma poured two cups from a teapot , angus helped himself to a glass of blissky at the sidebar . emma passed her a cup , then sat near her on the settee . `` i 'm sure you 're wondering why we invited you here . '' pamela sipped some chocolood , then set her cup down before her trembling hands could betray her . angus plunked his glass of blissky on the coffee table , then sat next to his wife . `` we received a detailed report on your recent activities . '' `` vampwoman , ye call yerself ? '' heat invaded her cheeks . she 'd thought her idea excellent for the past six months , but now she feared others would see it as an irresponsible prank . she steeled herself for the berating soon to begin . `` i 'm afraid we made a mistake not hiring you before , '' emma said with an apologetic smile . `` we did n't realize how determined you are . '' pamela blinked . she was n't in trouble ?

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angus leaned forward , his elbows resting on his knees . `` we 'd like to hire you now if ye 're still interested . '' `` of course , we doona think ye 're properly trained for battle , '' angus continued . `` but we will train you , '' emma added . `` vigorously . pamela snapped her mouth shut and nodded . she was going to work for mackay s and i ! emma took a sip from her cup of chocolood . `` you worked as a bartender at vanda 's club in new york , correct ? '' `` how do ye feel about spying ? '' pamela 's heart skipped a beat , but she sat up straighter . `` let me explain the plan first . the malcontents are in disarray , with casimir and corky gone . no clear leader has surfaced , and information is scarce . we know of a nightclub in moscow they like to frequent , so there 's a good chance we could gain valuable information there . '' did they expect her to work in moscow ? `` it 's a tragic place . '' `` the mortals who go there are enthralled to the point that they enjoy being fed on . eventually , they run out of blood and are cast aside like empty milk jugs . and regrettably , there are more mortals ready to take their place . you would have to witness that but do nothing to help them , or your cover would be blown . then you would be in serious trouble . '' `` ye would work at the bar , serving the puir mortals , and listening in on the malcontents , '' angus said . pamela slumped . i do n't know any russian . '' `` that 's why you 're perfect for the job . '' emma gave her an encouraging smile . `` the malcontents will feel free to discuss their affairs in front of you . '' `` they will most likely test you to make sure ye doona understand them , '' angus warned her . `` they might say some verra nasty things to you to see if ye react . '' `` just ignore them and go about your job , serving the mortals , '' emma said . `` you 'll be wired , so their conversations will be heard by our russian operative . '' pamela 's heart lurched . `` aye , '' angus replied . `` he 'll be yer partner . '' `` he 'll never agree to it . he does n't want me doing anything dangerous . '' emma reached over and touched her arm . `` this was mikhail 's idea . he 's the one who convinced us to hire you . '' pamela sat back , stunned . mikhail was behind this ? `` he 'll be listening in while you 're at work , '' emma added . `` if there 's an emergency situation , he can teleport to you instantly . '' angus stood . `` what do ye say , lass ? do ye want the job ? '' `` i ... '' her heart thundered in her ears . a job with mikhail ? night after night ? `` perhaps you would like to discuss the matter with him first ? '' she glanced at the entrance to the parlor just as his large frame filled the open doorway . her heart clenched with longing . how many tears had she shed the past week , believing she 'd lost him forever ? even now , her eyes filled with tears , and she squeezed them shut . this was not the time to fall apart . she needed to show angus and emma how strong she could be . taking a deep breath , she opened her eyes and eased to her feet . mikhail strode into the room , his eyes focused on her with an intensity that made her skin prickle with gooseflesh . emma grabbed her husband 's arm and pulled him toward the entrance . `` we should give them some privacy . '' `` they 're staring at each other something fierce , '' angus whispered . emma herded him through the door and shut it . pamela drew in a shaky breath . over the past week , she 'd envisioned meeting mikhail many times . sometimes , she imagined herself fussing at him and taking a tough stance . other times , she would confess her love and throw herself into his arms . but far too often , she had burst into tears for fear he would never want to see her again . he was here , and she did n't know what to say . dear mikhail . no false flattery from him , just the blunt truth . it was one of many things she loved about him . he was thinner , too . his cheekbones and the line of his jaw were sharper , and his eyes had a haunted look about them . `` i did n't realize you were in london . '' `` i arrived an hour ago to present the plan to angus . he told you about it ? '' `` he said we would be ... business partners . '' a start for what ?

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`` i suppose i might need to live closer to the bar where i 'll be working . '' `` i have a townhouse in moscow . you 're welcome to live there . '' `` there 's a spare bedroom . '' `` then this is a ... business proposition ? '' you made it clear you did n't want me doing anything dangerous , but now you've- '' `` you do n't know why ? '' i 'm trying desperately to get you back into my life . i 'm so desperate i 'm willing to put you in a dangerous situation that will scare the hell out of me every night . and i 'm willing to endure that torture just so you 'll be near me . '' `` mikhail- '' `` i know i rushed you . i 've been in love with you for almost two hundred years , but it was new for you . i should have courted you , waited for you . '' he slashed the air angrily with his hand . `` the wait is over . his eyes widened , then he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms . `` oh , god , pam . i thought i 'd messed everything up . '' `` no , i messed up . '' i should have never let you go . '' `` i did n't realize how much i loved you till i had lost you . '' `` we ca n't let the malcontents know you 're with me . it would blow your cover . so we 'll have to keep our marriage a secret . '' `` i keep going too fast . we 'll take it slower this time . '' `` i 'll beat you up if you stick me in that spare bedroom . i can do it , you know . i 'm vampwoman . '' with a laugh , he hugged her tight . `` you 're my woman . '' a forever love pamela palmer chapter one `` catch it , catch it , catch it , yes ! '' elizabeth bryant jumped from her seat as the washington redskins scored on a beautiful touchdown pass in the last ten seconds of the game to win . `` hail to the redskins ! '' she sang at the top of her lungs , joining her friends . at the skins ' win , high fives exploded around the small apartment living room , followed by several victory kisses between her girlfriends and their husbands and fiances . elizabeth 's date , tim , grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close , laying one on her . she stiffened before she could catch herself , then forced herself to relax and kiss him back . it was n't the first time they 'd kissed-she 'd been dating him for about a month , but the tender he-man assault was just too much like something lukas would have done . she did n't appreciate the attempt or the reminder . she 'd belonged in lukas 's arms . she did n't belong in tim 's . and the thought made her chest ache . pulling away , she made a quick excuse and headed for the kitchen . damn you , lukas olsson . why ca n't i forget you ? and she needed to forget him . two years ago , he 'd left her , suddenly , without so much as a good-bye . she should be completely over him by now . she ought to hate him . the trouble was , deep inside , the flicker of hope that he 'd someday return refused to die . because lukas olsson had been full of secrets . when she 'd asked what he did for a living , he 'd only ever given her vague answers-the kind of answers top secret types always offered in this town . not only was washington , d.c. , overrun by politicians ; it was crawling with spies . in the eight months she and lukas had dated , she 'd only ever seen him late at night . and while , logically , she knew that that probably meant he 'd had another girlfriend , or even a wife , hidden away somewhere , and that he 'd left her at the risk of getting caught , she could n't let go of the hope that he 'd been sent on some last-minute top secret assignment that demanded communication silence , a mission that was taking longer than he 'd expected . and that someday he 'd waltz back into her life , sweep her into his arms , and kiss her senseless . but with each passing month , it became harder to hold on to that hope . the likelihood that their relationship had never meant as much to him as it had to her became greater and greater . in all probability , lukas had taken the coward 's way out and disappeared rather than facing her with that truth . logic said that he was gone and was n't coming back , and the sooner she accepted that and forgot about him , the happier she 'd be . but the heart was a hopelessly illogical organ . as she entered the kitchen , steph caught up with her , her eyes at once sympathetic and a little frustrated .

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`` i thought you liked this one , '' she whispered . `` tim 's a great guy . '' `` but he 's not lukas . '' steph 's warm fingers closed around her forearm . `` sweetheart , no one is ever going to be lukas . '' elizabeth 's lips twisted ruefully . there would only ever be one lukas olsson . with the blond hair and blue eyes of his nordic ancestors and the build of a linebacker ... or viking marauder ... lukas had been gorgeous in a powerful , masculine , wholly uncivilized way . and that smile of his ... oh , that smile could whip an entire roomful of women into a frenzy of delight or jealousy , depending on who was on the receiving end . `` there 's no spark with tim , and i ca n't keep pretending there is . '' and , heaven help her , there 'd been sparks with lukas . fireworks bright enough to light up the night sky . she 'd thought he adored her . he 'd acted as if he adored her , as if he 'd been every bit as much in love with her as she 'd been with him , even if they 'd never actually said the words . they 'd dated , made love , and spent every night together for almost eight months . she knew he 'd cared for her , at least a little bit . no man was that good an actor for that long . but he obviously had n't cared enough . releasing a hard sigh , she grabbed a corona and the bottle opener . steph watched her open her beer , her expression soft . `` i ca n't believe i 'm going to say this , but there 's more to life than sparks , sweetie . tim 's nice , he 's good-looking , and he 's a lawyer . and let 's face it , a lawyer 's salary would go a long way toward balancing your teacher 's pay . '' but as tim walked her back to her apartment an hour later , elizabeth knew she could n't see him again . they 'd dated a month , and she 'd put off hav**g s*x with him as long as she could . she 'd already learned from experience that there was nothing lonelier in the world than sharing that ultimate intimacy with the wrong man when she knew there was a right one . even if , in all probability , the right one was gone from her life for good . when tim tried to take her hand , she feigned ignorance , and a chill she did n't feel , and crossed her arms instead . at the base of the stairs to her apartment building , she turned to him . wry disappointment twisted his expression . `` this is n't working , is it ? '' i like you , tim , but ... '' he nodded . giving in to impulse , she kissed his cheek . `` you 're going to be a great catch for the right woman . i 'm sorry she ca n't be me . '' an hour later , ready for bed , elizabeth eyed the drawer of her bedside table . do n't touch it , she urged herself . leave it alone and go to sleep . but the temptation was just too great , and she lifted out the framed picture that steph had snapped the weekend before lukas disappeared . with a beer in one hand , he 'd pulled elizabeth against him in that way that screamed mine . she 'd looked up , laughing . and the expression on his face as he 'd grinned down at her had been so full of adoration . how could he have left her without a single word ? `` damn you , lukas olsson . '' as she stared at his beloved face , her heart squeezed , tears burning her eyes . `` why do i still miss you so much ? '' she 'd found that most wonderful and elusive of treasures-a forever love . then lost it , lost him , in a haze of mystery , questions , and uncertainty . despite that , if she had it to do over , she would n't change a thing . knowing lukas , loving him , even for that short time , was worth all the doubts and misery and loneliness that had followed . a loneliness , she feared , that might well last a lifetime . chapter two steph was waiting in front of elizabeth 's apartment the next morning , two starbucks lattes in her hands . the september morning was just cool enough to hint at autumn 's impending arrival , the sun bright , the sky a brilliant cobalt . elizabeth 's cotton cardigan felt good , though by the time school was out , she would n't need it . with a grin , she adjusted her purse on her shoulder and took one of the lattes . `` you are the best friend , evah . '' steph laughed as the two started down wisconsin avenue nw toward georgetown and adams middle school , where steph taught music and elizabeth math .

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the weather was lovely , the road narrow and tree-lined , the architecture quaint , filling her with pleasure despite the heavy traffic and morning crush . `` i figured the morning after a breakup deserved something special . '' `` and how do you know tim and i broke up ? '' elizabeth asked primly . steph always knew what elizabeth was going to do before she did it . `` the writing was on the wall . you did break up with him , did n't you ? '' they walked side by side , past the naval observatory , the sidewalk crowded with people heading to work , or looking for coffee , or just meandering with a dog on a leash . steph asked . `` i 'm thinking about checking out the new health club . we can ogle the hotties together . '' `` yeah , but i 'm not dead , girlie . garrett does n't mind in the least if i work myself into a lather . not as long as i come to him for relief . '' with a smile , elizabeth took a bracing sip of hot latte goodness . hazelnut , just the way she loved it . `` i 'm up for a workout as long as you do n't try to fix me up with anyone . '' before steph could profess innocence of any such plan , elizabeth continued , `` i did n't have time to check the news this morning . anything interesting that i missed ? '' steph sobered . `` another person 's gone missing , this one down by the navy yard . he was on his way to a nats game , and his friends say he just disappeared . which is impossible , of course . '' `` what does that make , now ? fifteen , sixteen ? '' people all over the city had disappeared over the past few months , some in broad daylight . some purportedly into thin air . the most popular theories are space-alien abductions , or the rapture , though if it 's the latter , it 's taking forever and leaving most of the superreligious behind . garrett 's worried , but i keep reminding him that nineteen out of well over a million means my odds of being snatched are small enough to be approaching zero . '' `` you sound like the math teacher . '' still , i feel bad for the families left wondering where they went . '' she had a sense of what that felt like , the void a missing loved one created in one 's life . the never knowing where they 'd gone or why , or if they were ever coming back . it had crossed her mind that lukas 's disappearance might be related though it seemed unlikely , given that the spate of disappearances had started only a couple of months ago . `` so share the deets on the health club , '' elizabeth said , steering the conversation to a less depressing topic . `` they 've got a grand opening special ... '' as steph talked , and they walked the mile to school past colorful georgetown row-house shops , elizabeth sipped her latte and drank in the sights and sounds of the hectic morning rush , consciously embracing all that she loved about her life . and there was much to love-her friends and family , her math kids , the teaching itself , and the constant , familiar bustle of the city she 'd grown up in . for eight months , she 'd been more than just happy . she 'd felt ... complete ... as if her world and her life had finally snapped into full , brilliant focus . though , if she were honest , that brilliant focus had always suffered more than a handful of shadows . shadows in the form of lukas 's secrets . she 'd never called him on his unwillingness to share more about himself , hoping that eventually he 'd trust her with the truth . instead , he 'd left without a word . and she 'd never quite be the same again . not with her heart now missing an elemental piece . if she was lucky , someday another man ... the right man ... would come along and fill the hole lukas had left . but deep inside , her heart stubbornly insisted that lukas olsson was the only right man for her . as they reached p street , the crosswalk flashed with the red-handed `` wait '' sign , and elizabeth took another sip of coffee . steph had a way of shifting conversational directions on a dime , and they were now talking about the new fall television season . `` you 've got to see it , '' steph enthused about yet another amateur singing hour . `` i 'll set it to record on my dvr when i get home . '' the light changed to `` walk , '' and they started forward again . but halfway across p street , a cool draft of air shivered over elizabeth 's skin . and with her next step , the lights went out . chapter three elizabeth froze . her pulse took flight as the darkness , the silence , pressed in all around her . hear ... nothing . a second ago , she 'd been walking across p street beside steph in the bright sunshine .

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was she having a seizure , or a stroke ? good grief , had she ... died ? not unless her latte had traveled with her . her starbucks cup remained clasped warm in her hand . `` steph ? '' her voice cracked with fear . out of the corner of her eye , something coalesced from the darkness . slowly , a landscape began to materialize around her . no , no , it was just her eyes beginning to adjust to a dark that was not , as she 'd first thought , complete-the dark of a dangerously stormy day . or dusk . all around her stood buildings . not the buildings that should be here but something entirely different-small houses and large , a general store , a ... stable ? it looked like a ghost town from a bygone era , deserted . trees rose among the buildings and houses , as if trying to reclaim forest once stolen by the town . but the trees were winter bare , twisted , some half-disintegrated , as if they , too , had been left to die . a chill skated over her skin , part shock , part true chill , for the air was much cooler here than it had been in ... the place she belonged . how in the name of all that 's holy did i get here ? it smelled different-woodsy in a dry , aged way , and dusty . dust overlaid with decay . clutching her starbucks cup with both hands , she turned around slowly , her heart trying to break its way out of her chest . `` i have to get to class , '' she murmured , as if whatever mysterious hand had plucked her out of her life would say , `` oh , sorry . of course i 'll send you back . '' a sound caught her ear , blasting through the panic pounding at her eardrums . a man 's scream . maybe it 's hell . her heart thudded so hard , her entire body began to quake . she felt light-headed , dizzy . you ca n't pass out . another sound broke through , the dull clip-clop of horses . multiple horses , much closer than the scream . were the ghosts of this place coming for her ? if so , she 'd be the one screaming soon . the warmth seeping into her now-shaking hands reminded her that she still held her latte . gripping the precious cup , she sipped gingerly , relishing the tasty slide of warmth down her throat . the familiar taste grounded her , if only a little , reminding her of steph , of their walk , of their discussion ... the nineteen missing . i 'm number twenty . her face turned to ice . her head began to pound as one thought broke free of the dozens swirling inside . if lukas finally came back , he would n't find her . now she was the one who 'd disappeared . `` no , '' she breathed , her mind turning to steel . there had to be a way back home . and she had to find it . chapter four elizabeth took another bracing sip of her quickly cooling coffee , then started forward . no good could come of standing in the middle of the street , especially with the sound of the horses drawing nearer . instinct urged her to find a place to hide until she saw what manner of people ... or creatures ... rode those horses . she had no idea what this place was . the streets were laid out just the same as georgetown 's , but the buildings were all wrong . they appeared not only decrepit but old . as if the buildings she knew had been replaced with their predecessors . or as if they 'd never replaced their predecessors at all . as she neared the sidewalk , another thought occurred to her . if she was one of the missing , where were the others ? were they the ones on horseback ? or the ones screaming ? the sound of the horses grew louder , and she stepped up her pace , running toward the nearest door , praying it offered sanctuary and not greater danger . but when she reached for the knob , she found it locked tight . glancing at the windows , she shied away . they 'd been shattered , leaving deadly , jagged edges like razor-sharp teeth ready to devour anyone foolish enough to try to climb through . she 'd have to hide behind the house instead . but as she retraced her steps to the sidewalk , three horses and their riders turned onto the street . worse , they clearly saw her , for they rode straight toward her , closing the distance fast , the beasts ' hooves kicking up dust in the twilight air . her primal self screamed at her to run . her logical mind scoffed at the notion . she did n't stand a snowball 's chance in hell of outrunning them . not only were there three of them , on horseback , but they knew where they were . and she did n't have a clue . sometimes , the best defense was a good offense . sometimes , it was the only defense .

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swallowing hard , she crossed her arms over her chest , careful not to spill her coffee , and waited for their arrival as if they were three young students late to class , and not ... whatever they really were . the men slowed their mounts to a walk as they reached her , fanning out around her as they pulled up , eyeing her with smiles and speculation that made her skin crawl . at least it was nice to know her instincts ... the ones that had told her to run ... had probably been correct . if only she 'd stood a chance of getting away . taking a studiously nonchalant sip of her coffee with a badly shaking hand , she studied them , trying to hide just how scared she really was . two of the men were dressed alike in what appeared , in the low light , to be tan pants and long-sleeved black shirts with tight cuffs and billowing sleeves , reminding her of pirate garb from some old movie . adding to that image were the swords strapped to their waists . but other than their garb and weapons , those two looked nothing alike . one had skin as black as night , his hair hanging long around a face pierced in more than a dozen places-through the eyebrows , the nose , the lip . a face devoid of softness , devoid of humanity . the other 's skin appeared pale as moonlight though most was hidden beneath a full , bushy , black beard . the third rider ... holy cow . his hair glowed . glowed like a black opal . he appeared considerably younger than the other two , maybe no more than early twenties , and he , at least , watched her with something approaching sympathy . which meant she probably needed it . `` you 're a pretty one , '' the dark-skinned swordsmen said , then suddenly ... literally ... disappeared off his horse . before her jaw could drop , he reappeared an arm 's length in front of her . elizabeth jumped back with a squeak , nearly dropping her latte . her entire body began to quake . the man threw his head back with a look of such pleasure that she wondered what kind of drug he was on . or what he was imagining doing to her . her breath lodged in her throat , and she started to back away . the nicker of a horse at her back reminded her there were three of them , and she was going nowhere . `` i think i 'll claim you for my own , pretty one , '' the male in front of her said , his head straightening , dark lashes sweeping up to reveal ... the starbucks finally slipped through her fingers , but she barely noticed , barely heard the splat or felt the splash of liquid against her pant legs as she stared at his eyes ... dark eyes now centered with a perfect white circle , a white pupil . her shock apparently pleased him , for he grinned , revealing long , sharp incisors . her breath left her altogether . she gasped , her voice quavering like a twelve-year-old boy 's in the presence of a twelve-year-old girl . the man 's smile widened , his look of pleasure deepening , his fangs growing longer still . `` i 'm your new master , pretty one . and this place ? washington , v.c . vamp city . '' chapter five `` vamp ... elizabeth stared at the man with the white-pupiled eyes . and the fangs . `` as in vampire ? '' her voice shot up , nearly to a squeak . vampires are n't real . everyone knows they 're not real . suddenly , an arm snaked around her from behind , pinning her back against a hard chest . the brush of beard against her hair told her which of the other two had her . elizabeth struggled against his iron hold , his arm pressing so hard against her shoulders she gasped with pain . the pierced man 's white-pupiled eyes lit with fury . `` i say she is n't , '' the man at her back growled . `` but i 'm willing to share . let me take the first bite . '' elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face and was almost glad for the arm restraining her because without it , she feared her knees were going to fail her . the hoofbeats of another horse caught her attention . the voice , not the youth 's , called from a short distance . a voice that sounded wonderfully , achingly familiar , as if she 'd conjured it up in this desperate moment . a tiny flare of hope had her head snapping up as the fourth horseman approached , deep in the twilight shadows . all she could make out was a form big enough and broad-shouldered enough to be lukas 's . as he drew closer , she could tell the hair was a little longer , in need of a haircut . logic told her it was n't he , it could n't be . her agitated mind was merely attempting to overlay his image on the male who approached , the image of a savior . it was n't lukas . but as he drew closer , and she finally saw the strong jaw and high cheekbones of the face that had haunted her for two years , her knees gave way .

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`` lukas , '' she gasped . he was dressed in a black shirt and tan pants , the same as the other pair , two swords strapped to his back , their hilts rising from behind his shoulders like wings . the man she loved pulled his horse to a stop beside the male with the pierced face and stared at her with an expression she 'd never seen , his mouth hard , his eyes at once cool as frost and angry as hell . her heart began to shatter . `` i 've been searching for you , elizabeth , '' he snapped . her eyes narrowed with confusion . `` no way , '' the male at her back exclaimed , tightening his hold on her until she cried out with the pain shooting through her chest and shoulders . `` you 're not claiming her , lukas . she came in on the sunbeam , and do n't try to deny it-she 's got starbucks . she did n't get that in vamp city . '' `` she was my slave in the real world , '' lukas said smoothly . slave ? `` i expected her to find her way to me before this . '' `` she 's not your slave . '' `` she knows my name , does n't she ? '' his expression was so hard . cold blue eyes pinned her . she stared at him , her heart thundering . yes , she 'd been his . the old lukas 's . the words came out unbidden , as raw as the pain in her heart . for a swift second , she thought she saw that pain mirrored in his eyes , but a moment later , he stared at her once more through hard , blue crystals . `` yes , master , '' he snapped . this was not the man she knew . yet at the very first sight of him , her heart had begun , very slowly , to unfurl , to blossom , and it continued to do so . her heart was an idiot . `` i saw her first , '' the pierced male grumbled . `` i should at least get a taste of her . '' lukas swung down off his horse far slower than the bearded man had , his movements deliberate , threatening . and she did n't think the show was for her . lukas 's gaze pinned the man at her back . `` no one touches what is mine . '' in the blink of an eye , the arm across her shoulders disappeared . in the blink of another , lukas was beside her , his hand gripping her upper arm . either she was suffering some kind of head trauma , or they were moving too damned fast . her head felt suddenly full of helium , and she began to sway . lukas swept her up as if she weighed nothing , and she grabbed at her purse as it slipped off her shoulder . he strode to his horse , deposited her on its back , and swung up behind her . as his arm slipped around her waist , as he pulled her back against the chest she 'd once loved so much , she finally found herself in the one place she 'd longed to be for two years . once more in lukas 's arms . but instead of the joyous reunion she 'd imagined , she was shaking with shock . lukas olsson was not the man she 'd thought he was . she was n't certain he was a man at all . chapter six `` back to our search , '' lukas commanded , as if he was the leader of this bunch . `` we do n't want to be anywhere near this block if the sunbeam breaks through again . '' the two males who 'd threatened her mounted , and the four horsemen started down the road , lukas in front , elizabeth snug against his chest . she was so confused , her mind a tangle of conflicting emotions . she was furious , and hurt , and terrified . and yet her heart refused to be silent as it rejoiced that she 'd found lukas at last . part of her wanted to turn around and kiss him senseless ; another part wanted to punch him in the mouth . and the biggest part wanted to leap off the horse and run like crazy . the arm pinning her ensured she did none of those things . all she could do was pray that the man she 'd fallen in love with-the kind , loving lukas who 'd been so good to her-had n't been a complete lie , that he was still in there somewhere . whatever soft feelings he might have once felt toward her might be her only chance of survival . `` do you really think we 're going to find the sorceress all the way out here ? '' pierced-face grumbled . `` we 're in f**king nowhere georgetown . no one 's lived here in decades . '' so they really were in georgetown ? in what dimension ? `` which would make it the perfect place to hide , '' the bearded one countered . `` we 've already flushed a dozen runaways out of hiding . we could still get lucky . ''

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the lurid tone in his voice sent another chill down elizabeth 's spine . they took a right on ... m street ? it would be m street if this really were georgetown . the streets were definitely laid out the same , but the buildings were n't right . what happened to the colorful row houses that were the hallmark of georgetown ? she stared around in consternation . they rode another block before lukas pulled up . he dismounted , then turned to her , his back to his companions . as his gaze caught hers , emotion flared in those once-beloved blue eyes-anger and dismay , and something more . something that gave her hope that the man she 'd loved was n't entirely gone . her breath turned shallow . breaking eye contact , he pulled her off the horse and set her on her feet beside him . `` give me your purse . '' when she did , he stuffed it into one of his saddlebags . `` spread out , '' lukas commanded . the two older males each headed for a different deserted , crumbling house along the street . the kid with the glowing hair accompanied the pierced one . lukas took her wrist as if she were a difficult student in need of a chat with the principal and led her across the street toward what appeared to have been some kind of general store . once upon a time , he 'd have taken her hand , lacing his cool fingers between hers . the thought flared with new meaning , with fresh understanding . he 'd always been cool to the touch-his hands , his face , even his body , though he 'd always assured her he did n't feel cold . no wonder he 'd only ever come to her after dark . vampires could n't handle sunlight . memories continued to cascade through her mind-the way he was always gone by morning . the marks on her neck ... her fingers rose , her flesh going cold , as she remembered how she 'd often ... always ? ... awakened with a couple of red spots on the side of her neck when she was dating him . they usually faded by noon , then reappeared the next morning . she 'd never figured out what they were . then lukas had disappeared and , with him , the spots . bite marks ? lukas tried to open the door , but it was locked . without a moment 's hesitation , he lifted a foot and kicked in the door as if it were made of cardboard . he ushered her into a room that , in the dim light , did appear to have once been a store though the goods had long since been removed . none too gently , lukas pulled her around the corner and pushed her back against the wall , staring down at her with a look as different from the one he 'd given her on the street as a look could be . the coldness , the hardness , fell away like a mask . the longing in his expression almost brought tears to her eyes , and suddenly he was kissing her as if it had been hours since he 'd last seen her and not two years , as if they 'd met one another at the theater and not this ... this godforsaken place . as if he were n't a vampire . turning her head , elizabeth broke the kiss . cool , gentle fingers gripped her chin , turning her back to face him . `` you know me , lizzy . `` you 're a vampire ! '' did she really say that out loud ? `` when , lukas ? when did you become a vampire ? '' her head dropped back against the wall with a thud . `` the least you could do is laugh at me and tell me there 's no such thing . '' cool fingers slid into her hair , caressing her scalp . `` i 'm sorry , lizzy-mine . you should never have found out this way . i never wanted you to know at all . '' she pushed away from the wall , from him , her mind awhirl . he 'd been turned centuries ago . all this time , she 'd thought he was human . she 'd thought he was falling in love with her , as she 'd fallen in love with him . reaching out blindly , she touched his arm , felt his hand close around hers , and she snatched it back , pulling away . `` you bit me . when we were dating , you bit me . '' she turned back to him slowly , his face faintly illuminated in the twilight from the back window . he smiled , but in his eyes she saw only regret . `` your blood was sweet . and you loved it , lizzy girl . you came and came and came when i sucked on your neck like that . '' speechless , she stared at him . her cheeks turned to flame . `` why do n't i remember any of it ? '' only the ones that would damn me . '' his eyes pleaded with her to understand . `` i never hurt you . i would never hurt you , my lizzy . '' he reached for her , but she jerked her hands out of his reach and stepped back . i 'm not your lizzy .

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the heat in her cheeks deepened , not from embarrassment now but from utter humiliation . she 'd thought he loved her , when all she 'd been to him was food . at the sound of footsteps outside , lukas moved between her and the door . the pierced one poked his head in through the doorway . lukas scowled . `` you have your own slave . '' `` i 've been sharing with you . i think it 's time you returned the favor . '' `` and i think you should get back to work . '' lukas turned and started walking toward the stairs . `` come , elizabeth , '' he snapped , holding out a hand for her . she glanced at the hungry eyes of the other vampire and flew to lukas 's side , sliding her hand into his , gladly . his cool fingers closed around hers , and he led her up the stairs , warning her to watch her step . as one of the stairs splintered and crumbled beneath her foot , he pulled her clear as if she weighed nothing . finally , at the top of the stairs , he released her hand . then he disappeared , or moved away from her so quickly that he might as well have . she sensed rather than saw him dart in and out of the upstairs rooms . and then he was back at her side , his strong hand once more closing protectively around her own . `` you 're looking for a woman ? '' elizabeth asked , as they started back down the treacherous steps . or evidence that anyone 's been hiding here . '' pierced-face was waiting for them when they returned to the shop level , his pupils white as snow , his fangs elongated as he watched her hungrily , making chills race over her skin . `` have you told her the way of things around here , lukas ? '' `` does she know that we do n't just need blood to survive , but various emotions ? have you warned her that butch is a pain-feeder , that he 's watching her , waiting for the chance to snatch her away from you and hurt her ? '' `` he 's not going to touch her , '' lukas growled . but pierced-face continued as if lukas had n't spoken . `` my guess is he 'll rape her and probably sodomize her . but he might go the quick route and just yank out a couple of her fingernails . '' elizabeth 's blood turned to ice . pierced-face threw back his head in delight . lukas 's grip on her arm tightened . `` ignore him , elizabeth . the a**hole is a fear-feeder , determined to scare you . butch wo n't touch you . '' his voice rose , turning hard as granite . `` neither of them will if they want to live . '' pierced-face grinned . his words had hit their mark , and they all knew it . `` come , '' lukas said , tugging her past the prick and out the door . elizabeth 's grip on lukas 's hand tightened . lukas might be a vampire who 'd fed on her without her knowledge , but she still trusted him a thousand times more than she did his companions . as they walked toward the next building , a small house , pierced-face remained close behind them , apparently hoping to scare her again . her mouth tightened in annoyance even as her spine tingled and crawled as if , at any moment , she might feel a knife plunge between her shoulder blades . or fangs sink into her neck from behind . she fought the scaremongering , struggling not to succumb . hardening her jaw , she glanced at lukas . `` do vampires really feed off emotions ? '' he met her gaze , his blue eyes touching something deep inside her even in that brief and hooded look . `` emoras do . we 're just one race of vampires , but we 're the predominant race in vamp city . '' `` do you have any idea how much this is twisting my mind ? '' his hand squeezed hers gently . `` what emotion do you need ? '' meeting her gaze , his mouth tightened , then turned rueful . `` your own or others ' ? '' `` mostly others ' . '' `` i fed well from yours . '' her breath stuttered , the thought incredibly ... hot . no wonder he 'd lavished such sweet attention on her body . she 'd thought him the kindest , most thoughtful lover any woman had ever had . he 'd loved to make her come-before he entered her , while he was inside her , over and over and over . then yet again when they lay close and sated and complete . he 'd told her he got as much pleasure from her orgasms as she did . apparently , that was , quite literally , true . she pulled her hand from his , her stomach clenching with yet another spasm of betrayal . he had n't brought her to orgasm for her . he had n't done it to make her happy .

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he 'd done it for the simple , cold reason that he 'd needed to eat . `` you used me , '' she said , her tone flat . `` you were my slave , elizabeth , '' he said coolly . `` even if you did n't know it . '' her jaw clenched shut . as they reached the crumbling front walk of the house , pierced-face spoke . `` just wait until he gets you back to the stronghold , elizabeth . just wait until all those pain-feeders get their fangs ... and cocks ... and knives ... into you . '' lukas released her and whirled , his sword suddenly free of its sheath . before i cut off your idiot head . '' `` she 's not as fearful as many new arrivals , but she 's been a sweet little snack . '' as lukas led her up the rotting steps , he said quietly , `` i never used you . i never enslaved you . i ... '' he did n't finish , and she wondered what he 'd almost said . all that matters is that no one realize that i have feelings for you , lizzy , or we 're both going to suffer . '' as he led her inside the old house , and they were finally alone , she turned to him . do you really have feelings for me ? '' with a sound of misery , he pulled her into his arms , tight against his chest . `` you have no idea , woman . you 've no idea how i 've suffered not being able to return to you , knowing you thought i 'd abandoned you . '' he pulled back , cupped her face in his hands . `` i have thought of you , missed you , every minute of every hour of every day for two solid , miserable years , lizzy-mine . yes , i have feelings for you . '' as he kissed her softly , tenderly , his words slowly soaked into her mind , her heart , her soul , like a warm , summer rain on parched earth . her heart said yes . her mind insisted on reserving judgment . finally , he pulled back and took her hand . and it 's critically important . '' as they began to search the fully furnished , if decrepit house , she glanced at him . `` this sorceress you 're looking for . `` because she 's the only one who can save us . '' `` in 1870 , a powerful wizard created vamp city , an exact duplicate of a portion of washington , d.c. at that time . it was billed as a vampire utopia , a place where the sun never shone and where vampires were free not only to come and go as we wished but to bring in humans for whatever purposes we desired . an arena was built for games to be played only by vampires , where we were free to use all of our skills , all of our strengths , without fear of discovery by the far-too-prevalent humans . and for 140 years , it has been that-utopia . until two years ago , when the magic started to fail . those of us within vamp city at that moment became trapped here . '' `` that 's why you never came back . '' he pulled her against him , kissing her hair . then he stopped and turned her to face him , his hands gripping her shoulders , then cupping her cheeks , a plea in his eyes . `` i never would have left you willingly . there are millions who can provide me sustenance of the body , my lizzy . it is you alone who feeds my soul . '' the pain in his voice soaked into her heart , nourishing the song there that had already begun , once more , to sing . `` when the sorceress is found , will you be free ? '' we hope that she 'll be able to renew the magic and save vamp city . '' `` those of us trapped are tied to the magic . if the magic dies ... '' he shrugged . but she heard his unsaid words , and they ripped the heart right out of her chest . if the sorceress failed to renew the magic , lukas 's immortal life was over . chapter seven elizabeth accompanied lukas back outside , her hand firmly tucked in his . for two years , she 'd ached , mourned , railed at lukas for leaving her without a word of explanation . she 'd felt humiliated , angry , and sad . at times she 'd even wondered if he 'd died , and no one had known to contact her . now she 'd found him gloriously alive . or , at least , thoroughly undead . and he claimed he 'd never stopped caring about her , that he 'd been unable to return to her . that he was trapped and in danger of dying , this time for real . worse , she did n't know what to feel . her heart sang at his nearness , at his touch , as it always had . and it trembled now with fear that he might once more be ripped from her life , this time for good . but , my god , he was a vampire .

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a bloodsucker who 'd fed on her the entire time they 'd been dating , then wiped her mind clean of the memory each time . and he 'd not only fed on her blood but on the pleasure she 'd found in his arms . he 'd used her in the most despicable of ways . yet he claimed he cared . that he 'd always cared . what on earth was she supposed to believe ? `` we have to get you out of here , '' he said quietly , as they left the house and started toward the next one on the street . `` tell me what you remember . she glanced at him , her heart melting a little more at the beauty of his face and the intensity in his eyes . `` i was walking to school with steph . between one step and the next , right in the middle of p street , everything changed . i heard the sound of horses , then your friends came riding around the corner . and then you , '' she added softly . his mouth turned grim . `` you came in on the sunbeam . the sunbeams are the places where the real world is breaking through . as the magic crumbles , the real world breaks through more and more often and in more and more places . every now and then , a human will slide into vamp city through one of those breaks between the worlds . how , we do n't know . most ca n't . most pass unaffected through the breaks and never sense them at all . '' but you have to promise me something . '' `` if i get you out of here , you must never return to the area of d.c. overlaid by vamp city , or you could walk right back in again through another sunbeam . '' `` how will i know where that is ? '' `` i can give you some directions . your apartment is safe . it 's just outside . your school , unfortunately , is just inside . you ca n't go back to adams middle as long as the worlds are bleeding through this way . not until the magic is renewed . '' `` but i ... '' she stopped , swallowing her automatic objection that she had to get back to school . first , she had to get home . the rumble of a vehicle engine sounded in the distance , cutting through the unnatural stillness of this world , surprising her . the sound was so ... anachronistic . `` you have cars here ? '' lukas stopped at the base of the front steps . at the sound , he 'd tensed . he changed directions , heading back toward the street . `` suvs are the only ones that can manage what pass for roads in this place . most of us ride horses . '' as they started down the street the way they 'd come , elizabeth listened to the approaching vehicle . there were so few sounds in this place . `` i have n't seen a single bird , '' she mused . `` or heard one . not even any insects . '' `` when the sorcerer created vamp city , he duplicated the physical aspects of d.c. , but nothing living conveyed . no plants , no animals . the only creatures here are the ones we 've brought in . horses , humans , and a handful of cats and dogs . all foodstuffs and supplies have to be brought in from the real world . '' lukas and elizabeth joined lukas 's companions as they converged in the middle of the street . `` we 're about to get company , '' lukas said . from the tense looks on the faces of the vampires , she could tell that was n't a good thing . `` ricky , take elizabeth and hide in one of the houses . `` that 's my slave you 're ordering , '' pierced-face commented . `` there will be a price for his services . '' elizabeth shuddered before she could stop herself , knowing her fear would only please him . maybe even her body . `` you 're not touching her , '' lukas replied evenly . `` but if you want my attention on the fight , and not on guarding what is mine , ricky must protect her . '' pierced-faced watched him , his displeasure evident . but , finally , he nodded . `` we 'll discuss payment later . '' he turned to the kid with the glowing hair . `` take her and hide in that house , '' he said , pointing to the one they stood in front of . ricky motioned to her with his head and started toward the front steps . lukas stepped in front of her , blocking her view of the other men , hiding his own expression from his companions . `` if you 're in danger , scream . was she really telling a vampire to be careful in a fight ? lukas 's beautiful eyes crinkled at the corners , warming to the blue of a summer sky . but as she hurried past the other two vampires , she felt their gazes following her , thick as tar . they made her skin crawl , both of them . if anything happened to lukas , she was going to have to run .

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ricky waited for her in the doorway of the house she and lukas had already inspected . when she stepped inside , he closed the door and headed for the dimly lit stairs . `` we 'll get a better view from an upper window . '' `` watch the rotted step , '' she warned . she followed him up the stairs and to one of the windows looking down on the street below . his tone was hard and not particularly nice . `` yes , i 'm human . after a couple of years in this place , the magic turns humans immortal , and our hair starts to glow . they call us slavas . once we become a slava , we can never go home . '' his tone was too matter-of-fact . as if he 'd long ago gotten over it . `` almost eighty years . '' her eyes widened , her jaw dropped . no wonder he was over it . he 'd have nothing , and no one , to go back to . as she watched out the window , she saw the vehicle , a black cadillac escalade , pull into view , trailed by a cloud of dust . the moment it came to a stop , four males alighted with inhuman speed and grace . the one in front curled his lip . `` york scum . this is gonzaga territory . '' pierced-face scoffed . `` does cristoff gonzaga attempt to claim all of the nod , now ? we 're nowhere near gonzaga lands , and you know it . '' the gonzaga vamp pulled his sword . `` as long as we 're searching for the sorceress , wherever we choose to search is ours . '' `` and what if we find her first ? '' the bearded one , butch , drawled . the gonzaga vamp scoffed . `` and what good will she do any of us in your hands ? cristoff is the only one who possesses the ritual to renew the magic . without it , she 's useless . '' `` you do n't know that , '' pierced-face said . a second gonzaga vampire pulled his sword . `` be on your way , scum . or would you rather die here ? '' lukas 's companions drew their swords . lukas drew two . elizabeth caught her breath , glancing at ricky . `` are they really going to try to kill one another ? '' the york and gonzaga kovenas are enemies . '' even as he spoke , the seven vampires all but disappeared , flying at one another so quickly that she lost sight of them . only lukas took on two opponents at once , swinging his swords in an incredible display of strength and dexterity . she 'd often thought he should have been a viking . now she wondered if he 'd actually been one . her fingers gripped the window frame , her breath turning unsteady . watching him fight was at once terrifying and thrilling . lukas , dammit , you 'd better not die . `` if this battle turns against us , i suggest you run , '' ricky said beside her . if lukas and his friends died . `` do you think the other vamps will find us up here ? '' `` if any of them are fear-feeders , i guarantee they will . '' the thought chilled . `` where would i run to ? '' he made a sound of amusement as if it was all a joke . a sick one , but a joke . `` there 's no escaping this place . once you 're brought to vamp city , you 're here for life . for most people , that 's not very long . for a few of us , it 's very long indeed . maybe you 'll get lucky . the very last place you want to be taken is to cristoff gonzaga 's castle . he 's a pain-feeder of the worst kind . '' as her gaze remained glued on lukas 's faster-than-lightning moves , a yell turned her attention briefly to the other two battles . she watched as pierced-face 's head rolled from his body and hit the dirt with a thud . elizabeth gasped , clutching the window frame . `` well , hell , '' ricky muttered . `` he was my master . sorry , chickadee , you 're on your own . without a backward glance , he darted out of the room . for one pregnant moment , elizabeth wondered if she should follow him . not as long as lukas was still alive . her pulse racing with fear for lukas as much as herself , she turned back to the window just as a second head rolled , this one belonging to one of lukas 's opponents . the battle was now three against two , but lukas once more battled two at once . how long could he keep that up ? in the street , the remains of the two dead vampires exploded suddenly , one after the other , raining down around the fighting vamps like ash , leaving nothing visible behind .

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and then a third head rolled as butch took down his opponent , at last , leaving only lukas fighting two gonzaga vamps . elizabeth expected butch to go help lukas . instead , he disappeared . had he run ? the coward ! but a moment later , she knew exactly where he 'd gone when she felt a strong , unwelcome arm grab her from behind and yank her away from the window , that bushy beard scraping against her temple . `` why are n't you helping him ? '' he struck , his fangs impaling her neck like two red-hot spikes . chapter eight elizabeth gasped , struggling against the vampire 's iron hold , moaning with a pain far worse than any she 'd ever known . her vision began to waver , her stomach started to roll . lifting her foot , she drove her heel back into her attacker 's knee , but he did n't even grunt . with her arms pinned to her sides , she was helpless . and he was draining her blood ! god , so much pain . tears ran down her cheeks , tears of agony , of fury , and of frustration that she could n't do a thing to stop him . `` lukas . '' she tried to scream his name , but the word came out as little more than a gasp , her vocal cords all but immobilized . the vampire released her suddenly with a furious growl , the fire in her neck increasing tenfold as she felt her flesh rip . she cried out , stumbled forward , then turned to find not one vampire but two in the room with her . the one who 'd bitten her . and lukas . she sank back against the window with relief . lukas looked like a berserker of old as he stared at his companion , his eyes burning with rage , the sword at his side dripping with blood . `` i just wanted a taste . '' butch lifted his hands like a kid caught swiping a cookie off a classmate 's lunch tray . lukas blurred . his sword whistled . a second later , the bearded one 's head rolled with a thud to the floor . elizabeth 's legs gave way , and she slid down the window until she was crouched low , shaking , a warm stream of blood running down her throat . lukas whirled toward her . his eyes dark with concern , he started forward , wiping off his sword and sheathing it . the words were but a whisper . still in so much pain . `` you 're in shock , sweetheart . '' he reached for her slowly , his voice low and soothing . you know i wo n't hurt you , lizzy-mine , but i have to do something before you lose too much blood . '' she started to list sideways , and he caught her , sweeping her into his arms and pulling her tight against the hard body that she 'd once known so well . the smell of battle clung to him , but beneath it was the familiar and beloved scent of lukas , and she sank against him , curling her arm around his neck . she held on tight as he carried her downstairs and laid her on the leather sofa . as she looked up at him , he stroked the hair back from her face with a featherlight touch , his eyes pained . `` i wo n't hurt you , '' he murmured , sinking to his knees on the floor beside her . `` i promise , sweetheart . '' then he dipped his head to her bleeding neck . she stiffened , tried to push him away , but like the other vampire , he was impossible to move . she went rigid in anticipation of more pain , but she felt only the tickle of his soft hair against her jaw and a featherlight brush of lips . and then the strange sensation of tugging , of pulling . had he bitten her ? she 'd felt no hot , stabbing spikes this time . no stabbing at all . little by little , the pain began to lessen , then ebb . with the realization that lukas had bitten her without hurting her , as he 'd promised , the tension began to leave her body , only to be replaced , moments later , by a tension of another kind . an erotic , intense , pleasure began to build low inside her . she gasped , her voice normal once more . he did n't answer , and how could he when his mouth was fastened to her neck ? but his hand lifted to stroke her hair , his touch calming her , as his bite stole the last of the pain and filled her only with a pleasure that made her gasp , that made her body hot and restless . `` lukas , stop . '' she tugged at his head . slowly , he did , lifting his head , looking at her behind a monster 's mask . his pupils had turned stark white , his incisors had lengthened and thickened and sharpened to fine points . and they were covered in blood . lifting her hand , she felt the stickiness along her neck , but her fingers encountered only sores , not the open flesh wounds she knew should be there .

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she asked quietly , this time reaching for him , touching his jaw . he turned back to her , his eyes once more normal , but guarded . his mouth was closed , his fangs no longer visible , if they were still elongated at all . `` i 've initiated your healing , '' he said simply , and she saw that his fangs were about half the size they 'd been before . `` vampire saliva contains healing properties that rush into your bloodstream with my bite . '' pressing her hand against his cool cheek , she shuddered . his eyes warmed slowly , his mouth softening to something close to a smile . `` you mean the world to me , lizzy . i hate that you were brought here . pulling her close , he pressed his cheek to her hair . `` but i 've missed you so much . '' his words were filled with such pain , such a depth of longing , mirroring the misery she 'd lived with these past two years . it did n't matter what he was or how he fed . he was her lukas . snaking her arms around his neck , she buried her face against him . i thought ... '' her voice cracked , and he pulled her tighter , stroking her hair . `` you thought i 'd left you . that i 'd walked away . never , lizzy-mine . slowly , he pulled back until she could see his face . he ran his thumb along her cheekbone . `` if there had been any way to return to you , i would have . '' the depth of emotion in his eyes rocked her , filling her heart until she thought it might overflow . deep inside , i could never accept that you 'd intentionally left me without even saying good-bye . '' his cool palm stroked her cheek . `` a hundred times i thought about sending word to you . but i could think of no logical reason for my staying away without telling you a truth that would be impossible for you to believe . all along , we 've held out hope for a sorcerer or sorceress who would save us . i told myself that once i was free , once i knew my life would not end here , i 'd find you and try to make it up to you . '' `` how could you get word to me if you 're trapped here ? '' `` not all vampires are trapped within vamp city . some can still come and go as they please . i have a friend , micah , whom i would have trusted to give you a message . he 's the only one i trust to get you safely out of here if i can get word to him . '' he kissed her softly , passionately , then pulled back , his eyes shining with so much emotion , the same emotion that pulsed inside her . `` i want you safe , lizzy-mine . i love you , '' he said tenderly , his eyes aglow . the words she 'd waited so long to hear . tears sprang to her own eyes . `` i love you , too , lukas . i have almost from the beginning . '' `` i know , '' he whispered against her lips . `` the way you used to light up when you saw me warmed me in a way nothing and no one has in centuries . i tried to harden my heart against your sweetness , not wanting you to know of my world or the sordidness of it . but i failed , lizzy . i failed within days of meeting you and fell head over heels in love with you . '' tears began to leak out of the corners of her eyes , her chest so full she thought it would burst . she buried her fingers in his hair , pulled his mouth back to hers , and kissed him deeply , drowning in his taste , in his scent , in the sheer joy of his love . her hands slid down to his massive shoulders , to the hard muscle that played along their sculpted breadth . he pulled back , a smile playing at his mouth , then sat up and pulled the black shirt over his head , revealing the most beautiful male chest ever made . as her fingers found his abs and began an upward slide , luxuriating in the feel of the hard planes beneath her palms , his own fingers found the buttons of her blouse and began unbuttoning it with slow deliberation , as if he savored every new glimpse of her skin . when he had her shirt undone , he parted it slowly , his gaze intent as he reached for the front clasp of her bra and flicked it open . with cool fingers , he parted the cups , freeing her to his gaze . his eyes feasted . `` i 've missed you so much , '' he breathed , reaching for her , claiming her br**sts with his fingers , his palms , and , finally , his mouth . cool lips closed over one taut nipple and he sucked her fully into his mouth making her moan and arch with pleasure . her hands slid once more into his hair , and she held him close , loving the feel of him in her arms again . loving him , fangs and all .

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he lifted slowly , licking across her nipple , tightening things low inside her body . his gaze flicked up to meet hers . `` when you bite me , do you ever hurt me ? '' `` then promise me something . `` do n't enthrall me anymore . do n't take my memories , again . not unless i ask you to . he leaned up , kissing her mouth thoroughly before pulling back . `` i promise , elizabeth . no more secrets between us . '' his eyes turned tender , a boyish smile lifting his mouth as his expression took on a look of wonder . `` i was so afraid for you to learn the truth . '' `` that you 're a vampire ? '' `` it 's not an easy thing to overlook . '' lifting a hand , she stroked his beloved cheek . `` you 're still my lukas . '' `` lukas , do you ever ... her cheeks began to heat , making him smile . `` do you ever bite me ... places other than my neck ? '' his eyes warmed , heated . `` i have n't , no , though i 've wanted to . i would n't engage in that kind of intimacy with you when you were n't fully aware . '' `` but you still drank from me . '' i brought us both incredible pleasure . '' `` why did n't your bite hurt me , when butch 's fangs ... '' she shuddered . `` they burned , lukas . `` he 's ... he was a pain-feeder . it was his gift to cause pain with his bite . my gift is to offer only pleasure with mine . '' `` perhaps we can take it one step at a time since this is all so new to me . '' `` we 'll take it however you wish , lizzy-mine . '' his fingers went to the button of her pants . `` but i need to taste you again , if only with my tongue . as he tugged off her shoes , she shrugged off her shirt and bra , then watched as he slid her pants down over her h*ps and legs , pulling them off , leaving her in nothing but a pair of silky black panties . a growl of need rumbled in his throat , the corners of his mouth lifting as he shot her a look of pure masculine approval . his blue eyes flashing with white heat , he held her gaze as he dipped his head between her legs , then licked her right through the silk . his rough tongue made her arch with pleasure . `` oh , lukas , how i 've missed you , too . '' with a low laugh , he slid one finger beneath the edge of her panties , pulling the crotch aside , then laved her bare flesh with his tongue , making her cry out with joy . he was teasing her , playing with her , and , as she watched him , his eyes once more began to turn white where his pupils should be black . `` why are your eyes changing ? '' his lashes swept down . `` do n't , lukas . he looked up again , worry in that beautiful face . `` i 'm a pleasure-feeder though no one 's pleasure has ever pleased me more than yours . when i taste it , the need inside of me , the hunger , awakens . and that 's when my eyes change . '' `` and your fangs lengthen ? '' `` not always at the same time , but soon , yes . '' his expression turned achingly tender . `` i will never hurt you , lizzy . then she gasped again as his hand moved , his finger sliding deep inside her . oh , lukas . '' tired of the game , he pulled her panties down and off , then eased her legs apart , eyeing her with a hunger that stole her breath . his face lowered , his mouth kissing her , licking her , sucking at the core of her pleasure until she was rocking against him , gasping , her head thrown back . his hands caressed her hips , her thighs , as the pleasure mounted , as her body tightened , rising , rising . the orgasm broke over her , shattering in its brilliance , her body clenching and contracting deep , deep inside in a glorious explosion of joy . and then his mouth was on her abdomen , rising to suckle her breast . `` inside , lukas , '' she gasped , still riding the aftershocks . when he lifted his head , his pupils were still white , his fangs long and sharp , though she 'd felt no prick , no pain . but those inhuman eyes gleamed with love , and she was n't even the slightest bit afraid . `` did you bite my breast ? '' you 'll know when i do . '' pulling away , he stood beside the sofa , unbuckled his belt , then removed his boots and socks , and pushed his pants down over lean , hard hips , revealing white jockey shorts that barely held his massive erection . her thighs dampened , a low moan escaping her throat as he pushed down his shorts and that erection sprang free .

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it was huge , straight , thick , and gorgeous . oh how she 'd missed this man . lowering himself over her , his bare chest brushing the tips of her br**sts , he slowly positioned his big body until the tip of him pressed at her slick gates . resting on his elbows , staring into her eyes , he slid firmly , yet gently inside her . his eyes nearly rolled back into his head . her own almost did the same as the thickness of him stretched her , claimed her , thrilled her . her breath left on a groan as he pulled most of the way out , then slid in again and again , setting up a gradually escalating rhythm until he was pounding into her , and she was thrusting against him , needing him deeper , deeper . fingers in his hair , she watched him , loved him . `` give me your neck , lizzy-mine . '' his words shivered through her on a thrill of danger , but she did n't hesitate . the dark thought rose that if she were going to die , this was the way she wanted to go . she tipped her head sideways , giving him access , then tensed ever so slightly as his head dipped , as his lips kissed her neck , as his fangs sank into her flesh . as he 'd promised , she felt no pain at all , just a weird and wonderful sensation of ... connection . and then his lips closed onto her skin and he sucked , pulled , and she cried out with the incredible erotic pleasure . how she felt it there , she could n't begin to guess , but with every pull of his mouth , she felt the tug more strongly between her legs . again and again he sucked , and she cried out , her body rising , climbing , preparing to shatter all over again . he rode the crest with her , driving into her harder and harder , his body straining toward that ultimate release . and , suddenly , they were flying together , soaring , shattering , then floating slowly and blissfully back down to earth . lukas lifted his head , then managed to roll them over on the sofa until he was on the bottom , and she was lying atop him , cradled in his arms , her head tucked against his chin . i never imagined anything so wonderful . '' as she stroked his chest , she wondered how this male could be real . and how , even if he lived , they could ever have a life together , coming as they did , from such totally different worlds . chapter nine lukas stroked the warm , silken back of the beauty in his arms , the precious darling of a woman who 'd stolen his heart the first time she 'd smiled at him . sweet and beautiful , his lizzy . never had he known anyone so full of life , so full of love . `` you are mine , '' he said quietly , wonder in his voice that she could love him at all , let alone after he 'd revealed himself completely-his fangs , his eyes , his need for blood . lifting up , she propped her forearms on his chest and met his gaze , softness glowing in her lovely brown eyes . `` as you 're mine , lukas olsson . since you ca n't leave here , neither will i . '' his heart clutched . his hands slid down her back to her buttocks , reveling in the feel of her soft curves , then up again . `` you must go , lizzy-mine . you are n't safe here , and i ca n't keep you so . too many vampires within vamp city have lost hold of their consciences . too many want only to feed off your fear or your pain . and if i try to protect you and fail , too many will enjoy hurting you just to get at me . i 've never been a fan of the kovena to which i 've been forced to pledge allegiance , and many know it . '' he reached for her hand , pulled it to his mouth , and kissed it . `` somehow , i will find a way to set you free , then you must go . that stubborn light ignited in her eyes , and as much as he wished it hadn't-not over this-he loved that she treated him no differently than she ever had , even knowing what he was . `` i wo n't be separated from you again , '' she insisted . he gripped the back of her head and lifted his own , kissing her . when he pulled back , he found tears in her eyes , and they were almost more than he could bear . `` i would give anything to keep you by my side , lizzy-mine , but my mission is to hunt for the sorceress , to find her before cristoff gonzaga 's vamps do . my master 's own liege wishes to control the power , and , at the moment , the sorceress is that power . '' she nestled against him again , her cheek pressed against his heart . he stroked her hair , his heart melting . `` vampires do n't sleep , lizzy .

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4411]]

we work day and night , hunt day and night . i have n't stopped in more than a week . what would i do with you ? '' his fingers weaved into her silken hair . `` i would have to hide you , but then i would n't be able to protect you . and there are far too many here who would do you harm . '' he placed a kiss against her hair . `` you have to go back to the real world . then i want you to leave washington and not come back until i contact you . '' her head popped back up as she frowned at him . `` you said i needed to stay out of the vamp city area . not all of d.c. '' `` i know . but you 'd be safest far away from both washingtons . outside the vamp city area , you wo n't accidentally walk in through a sunbeam again , but there are still those who hunt humans to sell at the slave auction . you 'd be safest away from here . '' he held her gaze , willing her to hear the truth of his heart . `` i could n't bear it if anything happened to you , sweetheart . her gaze turning pained , she tucked her precious head once more beneath his chin , then plucked gently at his nipple with her fingers , making him smile even as he stifled a groan . his body began to stir all over again , but hers was softening in that way it always did when she was tired and ready for sleep . `` you have to come back to me , lukas , '' she said quietly . `` that is my only life 's goal , sweetheart . '' her hand stilled , tucking beneath her chin . peace enveloped him , a peace he 'd never known in vamp city . a peace woven with steely resolve to keep her safe . love pulsed inside him as he held her , stroking her back , listening to her precious heartbeat . if it was the last gift he gave her , if it was the last good thing he did in this too-long life of his , he would see this woman safely out of vamp city once and for all . even if he could never follow . chapter ten several hours later , elizabeth rode nestled against lukas 's chest through a dimly lit forest on their way to meet someone . a vampire named arturo . lukas 's arm curled around her waist , his thumb gently stroking the underside of her breast . the ride itself was n't particularly comfortable , but there was no place she 'd rather be than here , with lukas . the thought of saying good-bye to him again filled her with an aching misery . forcing her mind on other things , she studied the twisted , gnarled trunks of the trees all around them , trees totally lacking in foliage despite the fact that it was only early september . `` the trees look dead , '' she murmured . `` they are dead . they grow that way . '' `` magic , dearest , '' he said , giving her waist a gentle squeeze . the evidence of it continually boggled her mind . and yet this world 's very existence was the greatest evidence that it did . she was glad to be getting the opportunity to see a little more of vamp city before she left . assuming lukas could really get her out of here . as badly as she did n't want to leave him , neither did she want to make his existence an ordeal , as she could if he were forced to constantly try to hide her . he needed to be able to concentrate on finding the sorceress who would save him so that he could come back to her . a couple of hours ago , they 'd left georgetown , stopping at a small house in foggy bottom that , for a change , had been occupied . lukas had bought a small loaf of freshly baked bread and ... of all things ... a cold can of root beer from the owner . then he 'd given the man a hefty amount of cash to deliver a message . afterward , they 'd headed back toward georgetown , this time riding down to the potomac , where they 'd dismounted and wandered around the fascinating ruins of the nineteenth-century waterfront while she devoured the bread and washed it down with the root beer . mounting again , they 'd headed into the woods just north of georgetown , where they 'd been watching ... and waiting ... ever since . arturo was apparently a friend of micah 's , the vampire lukas trusted to help her . unfortunately , arturo lived somewhere lukas could n't take her . and without cell phones , hand-carried messages were the only form of communication , as unreliable as they might be . arturo might never show up . for all she knew , they might have to wait for him for days . the sound of a vehicle , a jeep , if she was n't mistaken , carried faintly on the breeze .

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he lifted her onto the horse and mounted behind her but stayed within the questionable shelter of the trees . down one of the streets , elizabeth caught a glimpse of what looked like a jeep wrangler . moments later , it came fully into view . yellow , she thought , though it was impossible to tell for sure with so little light . as the jeep came to a stop , lukas urged the horse forward . the driver cut the engine and alighted , walking toward them with long , confident strides . he had the look of the mediterranean-his hair and eyes dark . with a name like arturo , he was certainly italian . `` lukas , '' he said . arturo dipped his head . `` you claimed it was urgent ? '' lukas tensed slightly . `` i need to get a message to micah . i 'm in need of his assistance . '' arturo looked at him for a long moment , then began to smile . `` forgive me , arturo , but you are one of cristoff gonzaga 's most trusted . the favor i would ask of micah is a task i can only entrust to one i 've worked with many , many times . '' arturo watched him for several moments more , then dipped his head , as if conceding the point . `` what do you want micah to know ? '' `` i need him to meet me at the boundary circle . arturo 's gaze flicked to her , his eyes narrowing in speculation . `` be at the rock creek entrance at midnight . micah will be there . '' with that , lukas turned the horse and headed back into the dead woods . `` he 's gonzaga , '' elizabeth said with disbelief . but i do trust micah , who is also gonzaga . arturo 's the only one who might be able to get word to him . '' `` so this could all go south . '' `` it could , yes . but micah 's our one chance . '' and if arturo did n't come through ? what if he betrayed lukas and sent more gonzaga vampires to kill him , instead ? `` i do n't like this plan , '' she whispered . lukas kissed her hair . the thought of going with any vampire who was n't lukas made her queasy . but apparently only a vampire could set her free . and micah was the one lukas trusted . her bigger fear was that in his determination to see her safe , lukas was risking his own life . chapter eleven `` it 's getting darker . '' elizabeth peered into the woods around her , barely able to see the shapes any longer . `` either that , or my eyesight 's going . '' `` night is upon us . '' `` then i 'll really be in the dark . '' lukas pressed a kiss to her hair , his arm around her as they rode the horse . `` once the moon rises , you 'll be able to see . for now , though , i 'm taking you someplace where i can get you a decent meal and a soft , warm bed with clean linens . `` then you just described heaven . and where is this miraculous place ? '' `` it 's in the cleveland park area . though in v.c. , it 's still country . the house is owned by a couple of vampire friends of mine , neither of whom are likely home . their slavas will feed us and give us a room where we can pass the evening . '' both vampires and slavas . unfortunately , they 're all as stuck in this place as i am . '' through the trees , elizabeth thought she saw lights . soon , a house became visible through the night 's shadows , an old-style two-story farmhouse with a wide , wraparound porch . the flicker of candlelight or hearth flames were visible through several of the windows . pulling up in front , lukas dismounted and tied up the horse , then he swung elizabeth down and led her up the steps to the shadowy porch . he rapped on the front door , and , several moments later , a woman appeared . `` lukas , welcome ! '' an attractive woman of perhaps forty stepped back and let them in . `` the masters are out . her hair , while blond , glowed with that same shimmery shine that ricky 's had . lukas smiled at the woman fondly even as he curled his arm around elizabeth 's shoulders and pulled her close . `` cyn , this is elizabeth . she 's newly arrived to v.c. , human , hungry , and in need of a soft bed for a few hours . '' cyn 's expression turned sad and sympathetic . `` i 'm sorry you got caught here . '' her gaze swung back to lukas . `` would you like her to eat with me , or shall i bring a tray to her room ? '' her knowing look said she knew exactly what lukas was about .

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`` a tray to her room would be preferable . '' cyn smiled . `` i 'll give you the back room to the left of the stairs . it 's the only one ready for company . '' elizabeth looked around with interest . the house was actually very nicely furnished if a bit old-fashioned-150 years old-fashioned . the living room sported a wide , blazing hearth with a beautifully carved mantel , a velvet sofa , and a couple of chairs . a writing desk sat against one wall , and against the other ... elizabeth laughed . `` a foosball table ? '' lukas snorted . `` you have n't time-traveled , woman though it might feel that way . '' cyn chuckled . the majority of the vamps in this city have n't left in decades . some not since 1870 . there are n't that many of you who feel comfortable in the twenty-first century , lukas . '' `` go on upstairs , '' cyn said cheerily . `` i 'll bring your tray . one meal or two , lukas ? '' cyn 's smile turned knowing again , and she turned away . as lukas led her up the stairs , elizabeth eyed him curiously . `` i did n't think to offer you some of my bread earlier . but you eat food , do n't you ? when we were dating , i was always feeding you , or you were taking me out to dinner . '' she looked at him with confusion . `` i thought vampires only drank blood . '' `` i do n't need food to survive , but i 've always enjoyed it . '' he took the hand he held , lifting her wrist to his mouth and slid his tongue along the veins there . `` not for food , '' he said huskily . and not from fear . `` but you 'll eat first , '' he murmured , placing a kiss on her sensitive wrist before lowering her hand . `` then we 'll see to ... my appetites . '' `` i 'm beginning to realize just how much i do n't know about you . '' as they reached the top of the stairs , he turned left toward an open doorway . a hundred things . when were you turned ? '' he ushered her into a small , if neatly furnished , room that looked as if it could have been modeled after one in her great-grandmother 's house . a double-spindled bed sat in the middle of the room covered in a colorful , patchwork quilt . small throw rugs lay scattered across the hardwood floors , while calico valances hung atop windows that appeared ... `` are the windows painted ? '' many have taken to painting the windows black or boarding them up in case a sunbeam breaks through outside . '' he lifted a brow , a smile hovering at the corners of his mouth as he sat beside her . she broke into a full smile . `` are you avoiding telling me how old you are ? '' the funny look he gave her made her laugh , and she nudged him with her shoulder . `` give it up , old man . with a pained sigh , he took her hand and started playing with her fingers . `` i was born in sweden . the best i can figure , since we did n't keep track of time the way people did in the roman lands , it was around the tenth century . '' `` a.d. ? '' `` yes , a.d . `` you 're ... '' the breath escaped her lungs on a whoosh . `` you 're a thousand years old . `` and here i thought you were close to my age . were you a viking ? i 've always thought you 'd have made a wonderful viking . '' he curled his arm around her neck and pulled her close . i was only a hunter , my tribe nomadic . '' `` have you had many wives ? '' she asked quietly , not really wanting to know . none in the past few centuries . vampires make lousy wives-i 'd never take one as my mate-and wedding a human is complicated and difficult , requiring tremendous amounts of subterfuge . and they die , '' he added quietly , the pain in those last three words radiating out , sucking the laughter out of the room . he rested his cheek against her hair . the impossibility of their sharing a future hit her fully for the first time . she would age , grow old , and die . and , assuming vamp city was saved , he never would . they 'd have two or three decades together before she started looking like his mother . unless ... `` you could turn me . '' the words were out of her mouth before she even gave them any thought . lukas straightened , turning her to face him , his hands firm on her shoulders , his eyes suddenly deathly serious . `` i love you , elizabeth bryant . more than i 've ever loved another . '' she heard the great big but hanging like a noose at the end of his words .

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`` lukas ... '' she said miserably . the last thing she wanted was to force him to try to explain that while he might have feelings for her now , they would n't last . `` i 'm serious , lizzy . i have loved before , do n't get me wrong . or i thought i had . but with you ... '' he shook his head . `` with you , it 's different . it 's as if i 've always known you . it 's as if you were made just for me . there is nothing i want more than to keep you close to me . '' i heard the but , lukas . `` sweetheart , there is no but concerning my love for you . the problem is , turning a human is extremely dangerous . most do n't survive . '' `` and for some reason , the women who do survive often lose their souls in the process . or they act like they have . '' he gripped her face in both hands , tipping his forehead against hers . `` if i were to try to turn you , i would lose you , lizzy-mine . either in death , or by turning you into a woman incapable of love . i would kill the you i love , either way , and i ca n't do that to you , or to the people who love you . he pulled back to where he could see her clearly , his hands still cupping her face . `` i 'd rather know that you 're living your life as you should be than to know i destroyed the most beautiful soul i 've ever encountered . '' `` will you share my life with me ? at least until i start to get too old ? '' his expression turned pained , and yet unbearably tender . `` i ca n't give you children , lizzy . i ca n't go near sunlight , not even daylight . that means no picnics , no trips to the beach , no running errands together , or going out to lunch . you 've seen the kind of life i have to give you . you lived it for eight months , seeing me only at night . that will never change and it will never be enough . '' she stared into those sad , beloved eyes . `` without you , my heart stops singing . my soul goes silent . my world is more colorless than vamp city . i would rather live my days alone than my life alone , lukas . i know i 'll turn old someday . just give me the years you can , please ? '' `` if you truly want me , i will give you all the years of your life , lizzy-mine . without you , my life is meaningless . '' cyn 's footsteps sounded on the wood stairs . lukas kissed elizabeth softly , then rose and met cyn at the bedroom door , taking the tray from her . elizabeth joined him , and cyn smiled at her . `` if you 're still hungry when you 're done with this , i 'm happy to fix you something else . '' `` thank you , cyn . '' lukas set the tray on the desk and pulled out the chair for elizabeth . cyn had prepared a large bowl of hot beef stew with carrots and potatoes , blueberry muffins , and a small pot of butter . a pitcher of cold water completed the meal . `` look good ? '' lukas asked , relaxing back against the wall . `` it looks delicious . '' she devoured the meal in no time , and when she was done , lukas pulled out her chair for her , turned her to face him , and began undressing her . `` it 's my turn to feast , '' he said huskily . chapter twelve elizabeth reached for lukas as he reached for her , each unbuttoning the other 's shirt , pulling it from the waistband , pushing it off the other 's shoulders . `` the door , '' elizabeth said on a laugh . lukas pressed a hot , lingering kiss to her bare shoulder , then moved away to shut the door . on his way back to her , he pulled his arms out of his sleeves and tossed the shirt on the back of the desk chair . she did the same with hers , and they came together , chest to chest , his arms curling around her waist , hers around his neck , as their mouths found one another 's , tasting , licking , stroking . the kiss turned hot , his taste nectar , the feel of his cool , hard body , like heaven . he smelled of winter nights and warm fires , and never , never did she want to be parted from this man . how was she ever going to return to being alone ? lukas pulled back , his gaze soft and sad , as if he 'd felt the change in her mood , as if he shared it . `` we 'll be together again , lizzy-mine . `` you ca n't promise that . you have no idea what will happen . ''

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he swept her into his arms and deposited her on the bed , following her down , lying halfway over her , his face inches from her own . in the glow of the lamplight , his eyes gleamed with soft blue fire . `` then i 'm going to willfully ignore that fact for now . i 'm going to believe that nothing will keep us apart . i 'm going to love you tonight . and in a few weeks , after the equinox , after the sorceress has renewed the magic of vamp city and those of us trapped are free to leave again , i 'll come to you and crawl into your bed , and i will love you again . for the rest of your life . '' she lifted her hands , framing his beloved face . `` now love me , my vampire . he smiled the sweetest , sexiest of smiles and dipped his head to her neck , licking and kissing his way slowly up her throat while his hand slid down her chest , cupping one breast , then the other , caressing , tweaking , then moving down , his palm sliding over her abdomen to the waistband of her pants . and all the while , he rained kisses over her jaw , her cheek , her forehead , her nose . `` lukas , '' she sighed , stroking his shoulders , his neck . the play of muscles beneath her hands delighted her . his fingers , deft as ever , unbuttoned her pants , unzipped the short fly , then burrowed beneath the waistband of her panties , sliding down into her dampness , into her body . with a gasp , she arched into his touch , driving his finger deeper . `` come for me , baby , '' he whispered against her temple , as his finger stroked in and out , his thumb flicking her clitoris . `` bite me , lukas . it felt so good . '' he rose over her slowly , his gaze catching hers , his eyes already white-centered , his fangs elongating as she watched . and all she felt at the sight was a thrill of excitement and anticipation . tipping her head to the side , she gave him access to her throat . his eyes crinkling at the corners , he dipped his head , kissed her neck , and sank his fangs into her flesh . as he took the first pull , she cried out at the pleasure , shocked by the orgasm that was already beginning to build low inside her . as his finger moved in and out , his thumb working its magic , his mouth pulling at her neck , she exploded in a fiery shudder of intense , wonderful , pleasure . as she floated back to earth , lukas removed the rest of her clothes and his own . opening her arms and her thighs , she welcomed him to her . `` love me , lukas . '' `` always , lizzy-mine . '' then he slid into her body , and she rose to meet him as they came together , one , driving each other up , gasping and straining and loving , until release broke over them in a brilliant fragmenting , a blinding blaze of ecstasy , a rapture beyond comprehension . finally , they lay together in a tangle of sheets and limbs , exhausted , replete , and thoroughly loved . tucked tight against lukas 's chest , elizabeth drifted toward sleep . this was the only place in the world that she wanted to be . and it was the one place she could n't stay . chapter thirteen elizabeth woke to the stroke of cool fingers along her cheek , followed by a soft , sweet kiss . `` wake up , lizzy-mine . she rose groggily , and dressed , lukas helping her . he was already fully clothed and wide-awake . then again , by his own admission , he never slept . `` will it take long to get there ? '' she asked , putting on her shoes . but his tone held a grim note she did n't like . his jaw tensed , but he met her gaze . `` there are dangers in vamp city . as you 've seen . '' `` and the place we 're going is dangerous ? '' `` every place is potentially dangerous . less so nearest the outer boundary of the city , but in recent weeks , wolves have been spotted even there . '' i thought there were no animals in vamp city that you did n't bring in . '' `` oh , that does n't sound good . '' when she was fully dressed , he ushered her downstairs and out the back door . cyn was nowhere to be seen , but given that it was midnight , she was probably in bed . lukas lifted elizabeth onto the horse , swung up behind her , then headed out across the open ground to the trees beyond . the night was dark , but the moon was bright and illuminated the landscape nicely , turning the dead trees white . they rode in silence for a time , the knowledge that they were about to part again thick between them . `` lizzy , i have money , '' lukas said out of the blue . `` that was n't a random comment , woman .

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i 'm telling you i can support you since you ca n't return to your school . and with extra money , you can afford to leave . fly to hawaii or something . get out of d.c. , sweetheart , please ? `` my parents moved to florida a few years ago . i can go visit them . '' then later , if i do n't get out ... '' `` you will . '' `` over the centuries , i 've accumulated far more wealth than i could spend in a dozen human lifetimes . and if i ca n't use it , it 's yours , sweetheart . micah can access it and give you all you need . all you will ever need . '' money , more than she could ever spend . the thought offered her a measure of comfort but little more . because without lukas , she would have nothing that mattered . `` if i need money , i 'll let micah know . '' lukas released a less-than-happy breath . they continued in silence , lukas 's arm tight around her waist , his breath teasing her hair . finally , he said , `` the boundary circle is just ahead . '' oddly , the moonlight only extended another thirty or forty yards , then darkness enveloped the land . `` the shadows ? is that where the world ends ? this world ? '' they 're not shadows . it 's a wall of magic . until two years ago , i could walk right through it and find myself in the real world . '' `` you had to be careful to do that only at night . '' `` you 'd be right about that . '' his arm tightened across her middle , his body turning suddenly rigid . and i do n't mean micah . '' she looked right and saw nothing , but when she glanced left , she saw them . three massive , hulking beasts stalking them like prey . chapter fourteen elizabeth stared at the hulking werewolves , her heart beginning to pound . as she watched , one of them began to slowly change shape . moments later , where the wolf had been , now stood a large , very nak*d man . with his hair long and unkempt , his beard full and scraggly , she suspected he did n't spend much time human . `` give us the woman , and we 'll let you pass , vampire . '' elizabeth 's heart stuttered . `` you come near us , and i 'll kill you , wolf , '' lukas countered . `` i 'll kill you all . '' `` you can try , '' the werewolf said grimly . `` but we 're hungry . and we will eat tonight . '' elizabeth 's mind seized . `` eat ? they eat people ? '' `` when they 're starving , they 'll eat anything that moves . hold on to the reins , lizzy . '' he thrust them into her hands . `` lukas , i do n't ride . '' i 'm staying right here , but i need room to swing my swords . just hold the reins , lean forward , and hug the horse tight . and whatever you do , keep your head down . '' as she walked her hands forward up the horse 's maned neck , lukas gripped her waist until she was fully prone . she did as he said , clutched the reins and hugged the horse tight , its coarse mane scratching her cheek and tickling her nose . the horsey smell overpowered her senses . behind her , she heard the metallic swoosh of lukas 's swords breaking free of their scabbards . out of the corner of her eye she caught the gleam of a blade rising high , ready to cut down the nearest foe . a moment later , one of the wolves leaped . as the horse shied , elizabeth gasped and tightened her grip . `` easy , horse . easy boy . another flash of gleaming silver , another whistle of steel as lukas swung , catching the beast in the face , knocking it back . but while the wolf whined and growled , it only lunged again . over her head , lukas 's blades sang , whipping back and forth faster than her eye could track . she heard a beast 's howl of pain , another 's growl of fury . yet still they attacked . and , somehow , lukas managed to keep his horse from bolting . over and over , the blades whistled . her muscles tensed , quivering , as she half expected , at any moment , to feel teeth sinking into her flesh . it was terrible being able to see only one direction , not knowing if she was about to be attacked from the other . but lukas continued to fight them , and all she could do was hold on to the horse and trust lukas to keep her safe . `` here , fido ! '' a male voice called from a short distance away . a hand landed lightly on elizabeth 's back , and she jumped .

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`` stay on the animal , '' lukas said behind her . `` but you can sit up . she felt him dismount . her pulse still racing , elizabeth rose slowly , finally able to rub her nose and scratch the itch . as she gazed around warily , she saw one wolf lying dead on the ground nearby . the other two were still fighting , leaping at lukas and another man , the one who 'd made the fido quip , she assumed . a male lukas clearly trusted . a wolf leaped at lukas , jaws open wide as if it meant to bite off lukas 's head . her breath caught as she watched her vampire strike as if in slow motion , his blades swinging as one . in fascinated horror , she watched as that furred head flew up into the air , separated from its body . lukas turned toward the other vampire just as the third werewolf , too , lost its head . a moment later , lukas was at her side , his eyes full of concern . he reached for her and pulled her down , then pulled her purse out of his saddlebag and handed it to her . once she 'd slung it over her shoulder , he pulled her against his side and led her to the stranger . `` this is micah , '' he told her . micah was a big man , though not as big as lukas . he was nice enough looking except for the scar on his cheek , but his eyes were kind , if a bit surprised . `` elizabeth wandered in on a sunbeam , '' lukas told him . `` fortunately , i was nearby . '' `` i 'll take her home . '' `` i owe you , micah . show her the boundary , if you would , so she can steer clear of it until this is over . and transfer a healthy chunk of my funds into her account . if the sorceress is not found , transfer all of it . '' micah did n't seem the least bit surprised by the directive . `` thank you , lukas , '' she said quietly . he certainly did n't need to give her his money , but he clearly intended to do it anyway . and she 'd be lying if she said she was n't grateful . `` i 'll give you two a few minutes to say good-bye , then we 'll leave . '' micah smiled at her , his eyes soft with sympathy . this was it , the moment she 'd been dreading . turning to lukas , she felt as if her heart were being ripped from her chest all over again . their gazes collided , misery thick between them . he cupped her face with one hand , his eyes wells of pain . but i want you safe . '' holding her face in both hands , he pressed his forehead to hers . `` if i do n't come back , live for me , lizzy . you are my heart , the only heart that has beat firmly and fully in my chest for more than a thousand years . '' tears began to run down her cheeks . `` i love you , lukas olsson . '' he pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly , thoroughly , stroking her hair , her back , her head , as she drank of his cool winter taste and immersed herself in his strength , his scent , the feel of his arms around her . when he finally pulled away , she stroked the hair at the nape of his neck . `` nor i you , my love . nor i you . i love you , lizzy-mine . '' he kissed her softly , sweetly . `` come back to me , my lukas . '' he nodded , but made no promises . finally , pulling her against his side , he led her to where micah waited . micah held out his hand to her , and lukas let her go . elizabeth shuddered with the need to cling to him . instead , she slid free of his hold , turning to meet his gaze one last time . `` i love you , '' he whispered back , a gleam of moisture in his eyes . turning away , she placed her hand in micah 's . the vampire led her forward three steps , four , five . her skin felt queer , trembly . and suddenly noise and light exploded all around her . someone growled , and micah pulled her out of the way of a couple of youths they 'd nearly run into . she looked around , the sounds of the normal world a shock . welcome , and yet ... micah tugged on her hand , and she followed him to a black sedan parked nearby . he handed her into the passenger side before sliding into the driver 's seat . `` do you think the sorceress will be found ? '' she asked , as he pulled into traffic . `` she 'll be found . he glanced at her , his expression rueful . `` unfortunately , the sorceress has very little magic .

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4067], ["glanced", 4067], ["expression", 4091], ["rueful", 4098], ["unfortunately", 4117], ["little", 4149], ["magic", 4155]]

her name is quinn lennox , she 's about your age , and she did n't know she was a sorceress until a couple of weeks ago . whether or not she 'll actually be able to save vamp city is very much up in the air . '' but i think it 's best that you know the truth . i have friends who are doing all they can to save v.c. , but the only thing most of us can do is hope . '' with her heart so heavy , it was minutes before elizabeth realized that micah was heading straight for her apartment building . and he 'd never asked her how to get there . he glanced at her with a small smile . `` lukas may not have been free to come to you , but that does n't mean he forgot about you these past two years . '' `` he told you to watch me ? '' `` he asked me to keep an eye on you-to watch over you and let him know how you were doing . '' `` you 're not trapped by the failing magic . '' i was n't in vamp city the night the magic began to fail . i can still come and go as i always could . like lukas and the other vamps used to be able to . '' `` i wanted to run off your dates , but lukas would n't let me . he did n't want you to be alone , especially if he could never return to you . '' `` if there 'd been a bad one , you would n't have seen him again . but you have good taste in men , elizabeth . they were all good guys . just not the right ones for you . '' most i just kept an eye on . '' she sank back against the seat , raking a hand through her hair . `` my very own vampire guardian angel . '' shaking her head , she returned his smile , feeling a bit dazed . `` maybe instead of spying on me , you could come by for dinner sometime . food dinner . human-food dinner . '' he could bring her news of lukas and of the hunt for the sorceress . a short while later , micah double-parked in front of her apartment building , escorted her upstairs to satisfy himself that her apartment was secure , and to show her on a map precisely where the boundary circle lay . then he said good-bye . alone , elizabeth took a long shower , then pulled on her pajamas , marveling that she 'd been gone less than twenty-four hours . steph ... poor steph . she was sure to think elizabeth had joined the ranks of the missing . her friend would n't be sleeping tonight , she knew that . steph answered her call on the first ring . `` oh my god , elizabeth . `` you disappeared ! you were there , then you disappeared . `` it 's a long story , and i 'll tell you everything tomorrow . i saw lukas , '' she added softly . `` he loves me , steph . '' `` i 'm just so glad you 're safe . you 're home ? are you going back to class tomorrow ? '' `` yes , i 'm at my apartment . no , i 'm not going back to school for a little while . long story , like i said . come over as soon as class is over tomorrow . '' i 'm coming over now . you do n't have to tell me a thing tonight if you do n't feel like it , but i have to see you . i have to see for myself that you 're okay . '' her heart full , yet heavy , elizabeth set down her phone and reached into her nightstand drawer to pull out the picture of her and lukas . the love that shone in his eyes as he smiled at her wrapped around her all over again , filling her with warmth and longing and warm certainty . with her fingertip , she traced his beloved likeness . `` come back to me , my warrior . my vampire . '' the tears slipped down her cheeks . she gazed at lukas 's face until the doorbell rang , then she slipped the picture back into the drawer and prayed that someday soon he found his way back to her arms . first dates are hell a those who wander story amanda arista chapter one valiance walked up behind the prima as she lounged at her favorite table . there were six ways he could attack her while her back was to the main entrance of the coffee shop . the space hummed , pulsed with life . even under the coffee 's aroma and the espresso-soaked floors , he could smell the life of this place , the life of every person in here . this was a test of some sort . prima violet was famous for them , pushing everyone the extra step to make them better . scheduling his monthly meeting here instead of in his own place of business was a test . her directive to be unarmed was a test . and judging by the uncomfortable nak*dness between his shoulder blades and the pressure of the others ' energy , he was n't going to pass this one .

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but he could at least teach her something . make her better . finding the ebb and flow of the life around him , he moved toward her , in sync with the others in the cafe . their heavy steps along the wooden floor covered the sound of his boots as he slid up behind her . he was n't going to ignore the irony of stalking a were-panther . valiance knelt slowly and whispered in her ear . `` you could be dead . '' the tall woman jumped in her seat and turned around almost as fast as he could blink . then she laughed as she smiled down at him . `` you really should n't stalk people like that , val . '' `` you really should n't sit with your back to the door . '' prima violet pointed to the amulet above the door . `` most powerful charm in existence . nothing bad is getting through these doors , val . her faith was going to be her downfall , but he would fall with her for the faith she had put in him . `` you still should n't make a habit of it . '' `` lesson learned , solider boy . valiance slid into the seat across from her , folding his hands on the table between them . from this vantage point , he could see everything . at least one of them should be on the offensive , no matter how protected the prima thought she was . better a thousand times safe than once dead . the prima finished a text message and put the phone on the table . she swept her dark hair over her shoulder and settled her content moss green eyes on him . `` so how is my favorite vampire this evening ? '' his gaze darted to the surrounding tables to see if anyone heard her . the cafe had become the primary haunt of the wandering community , the magical taking refuge in the haven the prima had created , but he still was n't used to the openness . he 'd spent a hundred and sixty-seven years trying to hide what he was from everyone , other wanderers included . violet was the only one in the pack who had reached out to him , who took a moment to realize that he was n't the monster from the movies . `` i am fine , prima . '' `` you rolled around in ghoul guts with me . you can call me violet . '' she leaned forward on the table . `` and you 're not fine . you 're pale , gaunt even . have you been feeding ? '' he nodded again , keeping his eyes to the table between them . he bounced his leg to relieve some of the pressure down his unprotected back . `` valiance , look at me . '' for a moment , her burnt magnolia scent , laced with pure concern , swirled around him like a warm , spring breeze . he drew his gaze up to clear eyes practically glowing with power and licked his suddenly dry lips . and remember my policy on honesty . valiance nodded . they do n't remember anything . '' valiance adjusted in the seat , knowing it was n't the seat that was uncomfortable . life is very ... quiet , '' he finally said . his prima smirked . `` i do n't understand that word . what is this quiet that you speak of ? '' the smile crawled slowly across his mouth until he was smiling with her . the prima 's infectious humor . some days it was more powerful than the panther that lived within her . prima jordan was rarely alone , constantly bombarded by her pack mates . if it was n't the minutiae of their everyday lives , it was the demon last august that had to be beheaded or the invasion of imps that swarmed dallas until they were netted and sent back through the veil . she always called him in for the fight , but after all the action , she went home to a full house , and he went back to an empty apartment . violet reached across the table and rested her hand over his knotted fingers . the action startled him , and his entire body tensed . in the connection , he could feel her power and the slow rhythm of her heart . it was strong , steady , and echoed in the vastness of the energy undulating around them . violet only tightened her grip with his flinch of protest . `` i ca n't even begin to imagine how hard it was for you after your clade up and left you . but now , you 've got to be brave again . '' valiance looked up . for a moment , his heart raced with the thought of battle . a purpose for him and his blade . something to draw him away from the stillness of his life . `` no , but good one . you 've got to start living . get out of the shop , get an assistant . take up quilting . hell , take a vacation and come back to tell me what it 's like . '' this entire evening was a test . a test to see if he was capable of rejoining the human race or , at least , walking beside them again .

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she leaned back in her chair , her hand and her power retreating . `` do anything new lately that did n't involve sneaking up on people ? '' the monotony of his life flashed through his mind in a matter of moments . `` bought some sheets ? '' she raised her dark eyebrow sharply . `` that was your big adventure ? you 're killing me , val . i expected romance , intrigue , danger . '' she leaned forward again and lowered her voice . that 's got to get you into some trouble . hell , being so blasted good-looking should get you into trouble . '' `` i thought you wanted us to stay out of trouble . '' `` no , i want you to stay out of danger . living life comes with trouble . '' life was uncomfortable , like a wool sweater he had n't gotten used to wearing . but there was one softer moment he could remember , where it did n't feel like life was trying to suffocate him . `` there was this girl . '' violet 's energy sizzled around them , and she smiled . `` girls are always trouble . '' valiance shook his head . `` if you mentioned it to me , she was something . tall and exotic ? i bet she 's a redhead with legs for days . '' she leaned forward , her chin in her hands . valiance could n't believe he was about to tell this to his leader , the one he followed into battle . but frankly , he did n't have anyone else to talk to about the girl . maybe if he talked about her , she would n't keep circling around in his head . `` complete opposite . the girl who sold me the sheets . brown eyes . '' `` esme . '' saying her name out loud only coalesced all the thoughts of her into something bigger and brighter . `` list three reasons you did n't ask her out right then . '' the first one screamed through his brain every time he thought about the petite brunette : she was human , fragile and human . valiance leaned back in his chair , letting his hands drop to his lap . he pinched the flesh on his ring finger and watched the near-bloodless skin slowly smooth out . you 're my prima , for christ 's sake . you should n't be worried about my personal problems . '' violet sat up straight in her chair . `` valiance no-last-name , my entire job is to make sure you choose your own problems , and they do n't come after you . you do n't need me like the others do . i still ca n't figure why you do n't have a clade of your own . so if you need me to be an ear so you can talk about a girl , i 'm right here . and if you need chaz to hunt her down , i can lend him to you for an evening . '' his eyes flicked up to his prima , and she was smiling . in the past six months , he 'd learned she meant every word she said , after you got through the violet-speak . frankly , she was the closest thing to a friend he had in dallas since his clade brothers left him there . left him because he took a stand for their future in dallas . left him because he showed an ounce of spine in a moment of crisis . he looked down at his hands in his lap only to find his fists , white and bloodless . `` will we see you at the full moon ? '' he wriggled his fingers to get the little blood left in him flowing again . `` are you going to hassle me about dating ? '' do you want to go to the full moon ? you can bring your sword . i 've been practicing a little . might give you a run for your money this time . '' he actually had to think about the question . did he want to go ? sitting on a porch being lonely around other wanderers did n't really seem like a great way to spend a weekend . he knew they saw him as the worst of their kind , something that stole the life they fought for . alone with his thoughts , he saw himself like that most days . but if he did n't go to the full moon , he knew violet would just drag him someplace else . `` i need to return chaz 's whetstone . '' just as he thought she was going to hound him more about his current activities , her phone began to vibrate . she grabbed the dancing device , looked at the screen , and rolled her eyes . as she rose , she answered the line but did n't talk . valiance stood with her . he knew his manners were outdated for this century , but there were certain habits he could not break . stand when a lady enters and exits . always carry a handkerchief , and be on time . she almost looked him straight in the eyes . `` do n't make me worry about you , valiance . ''

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["habit", 4133], ["habiting", 4133], ["habits", 4133], ["broke", 4152], ["break", 4152], ["lady", 4172], ["enter", 4179], ["enters", 4179], ["exit", 4189], ["exited", 4189], ["exits", 4189], ["carry", 4204], ["handkerchief", 4219], ["handkerchiefs", 4219], ["almost", 4249], ["worry", 4307], ["worried", 4307]]

violet just winked at him as she left the coffee shop , taking the next caller in a long line of people who needed her help . he sighed and sat back down at the table . his prima had just told him to `` get a life . '' i 'm looking for esme ? '' it started on the back of her head and shimmered down her spine . she 'd never heard that before . she looked up from her work of stocking the pillowcase wall and saw the back of a man talking to her manager . he was a million feet tall , with hair that , under the fluorescent lights , looked like the inside of a down comforter . `` esme ? '' her manager asked . his voice was deep , smooth , and not from around here . `` short , slender , biggest brown eyes you 've ever seen . '' `` oh , you mean hannah jane up in juniors . '' `` why would i shop in juniors ? no , she works in housewares , and her name is esme . it 's on the receipt . '' she dusted her hands off on the apron and put the box cutter in her pocket . slowly , she made her way around to the back of the register , careful to keep behind the display of as seen on tv products until she got a look at him . it only took one glimpse of him running his fingers through his hair before she recognized who it was . black damask sheets . seven-hundred-count . credit card . his hand had trembled as he handed her the card . as she rounded the display , her manager sighed . do you know someone named esme ? '' `` i 'm esme . '' her manager sighed and walked away , which left her in the very keen sight of the man with the black sheets . the words did n't feel natural coming out of her mouth . she rarely had to speak at work , let alone help a customer . it 's why she worked in housewares , the only department without a monthly sales quota for its workers . his broad shoulders relaxed , but he did n't smile . `` i was in here a couple of days ago , and you helped me pick out a sheet set . '' `` seven-hundred-count egyptian cotton in black with a damask stripe . '' there was a twinge at his mouth . `` you 've got a great memory . '' `` it was my only sale this month . '' she finally saw a white plastic bag hanging around his wrist . `` did you need to return them ? '' actually , i 'd like another . '' she walked him over to the exact same spot they had stood last week . she felt stalked , like a dark cloud just before a storm was following her . it only intensified when she turned to him at the display and found that the storm was in his dark blue eyes . she really was n't sure what happened next . she did n't really do the customer thing , except at christmastime when everyone was looking for the electric blankets , and that was mostly pointing like a game-show host , like she was doing now . god , she had actually said that out loud . she tucked her hair behind her ear and waited , staring down at his unusually shiny black shoes . come to notice it , he was a little dressed up for sheet shopping . `` thank you , '' he said as he took another set , exactly the same . in his smooth movement , she was flooded with the smell of him , a musky cologne with undernotes of downy , but there was a darker twang to it . something familiar tickled her nose . as he inspected the plastic package , she looked up at him . his tired blue eyes , his pale skin . but even her caramel skin looked peaked under these lights . `` did you need the matching comforter ? it 's on sale . '' wow , maybe she was cut out for this sales thing . she walked him over to the wall of comforters . `` the store brand is pretty nice . comes with a bed skirt . '' `` never really understood the need for a bed skirt . '' `` my abuelita believes it keeps the dust bunnies from nesting . '' it was a deep laugh , short but honest . `` we have pillows , too . '' `` i think i 'm good on pillows . i have to walk home . '' no one walks in dallas . '' `` i enjoy the exercise . '' even under his black trench , she could see the broad expanse of his chest and how his buttons strained when he 'd reached for the sheets . given the wrinkled shirt under her dusty apron , she looked like she did n't shower . but then again , until him , no one had noticed her . `` can i help you find anything else ? '' he opened his mouth but closed it again and shook his head . `` then the cash register is this way . '' as she walked him back to the register , she felt it , that pressure in the back of her head .

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1513], ["word", 1558], ["words", 1558], ["feel", 1571], ["natural", 1579], ["come", 1586], ["coming", 1586], ["mouth", 1603], ["mouthed", 1603], ["rarely", 1616], ["speak", 1629], ["spoken", 1629], ["let", 1643], ["lets", 1643], ["alone", 1649], ["customer", 1665], ["work", 1688], ["wrought", 1688], ["worked", 1688], ["department", 1724], ["without", 1732], ["monthly", 1742], ["sale", 1748], ["sales", 1748], ["quota", 1754], ["workers", 1770], ["broad", 1782], ["broads", 1782], ["shoulder", 1792], ["shouldered", 1792], ["shoulders", 1792], ["relax", 1800], ["relaxed", 1800], ["smile", 1823], ["couple", 1851], ["day", 1859], ["days", 1859], ["ago", 1863], ["help", 1880], ["helpest", 1880], ["helped", 1880], ["pick", 1888], ["sheet", 1900], ["set", 1904], ["egyptian", 1941], ["egyptians", 1941], ["cotton", 1948], ["stripe", 1978], ["twinge", 2002], ["great", 2040], ["memory", 2047], ["memories", 2047], ["sale", 2075], ["month", 2086], ["finally", 2103], ["white", 2115], ["plastic", 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she wondered if all girls got this when they were being followed , like she could feel him looking at her , watching her messy ponytail bob back and forth . and he just kept looking at her , and she just kept smiling like an idiot as she rang up the bed set . `` total is seventy-three ninety six . '' `` that is a good sale . '' he handed her the credit card again , and again , his hand trembled . this time she paid attention to the name . val lance . very knightly . she ran the card and handed it back to him . their fingers brushed for a second , and his fingers were cold , like touching an ice cube . she snapped her hand back . `` sorry about that , '' he apologized as he put his card back in his wallet and his wallet in his coat pocket , not in the back pocket like most boys these days . `` i really should start wearing gloves . '' `` we have gloves in men 's wear . '' she blushed when she realized that she had n't talked so much in ages . she was like a babbling brook under his intense gaze . esme pulled her hair behind her ear and slipped his purchases into the handled paper bag . `` i came to get your number . '' the statement spilled out of his mouth like a gangly kid in a foot race . her jaw dropped as her brain contemplated the possible answers to `` why ? '' `` to ask you out for coffee ? '' excited goose bumps trickled down her arm . `` why do you need my number to do that ? he laughed that one short laugh and let out a long breath . `` would you do me the honor of having coffee with me ? '' she looked up at him and into those tired blue eyes . older than her abuelita 's , but she felt seen . for the first time in a long time , she felt like she was a normal girl . that should be something , right ? even if it was just a cup of coffee before he realized how completely boring she was , and he forgot her like everyone else did . he smiled , and something glowed within him . it was a wide smile that completely changed the dynamic of his features . it lit up his eyes and chased away the storm clouds . may i have your number so we can set up a time ? '' `` actually , i do n't have a phone . '' `` no one remembers to call me . '' she wanted to giggle but fought the light , fluttering feelings in her stomach . she knew exactly where to meet . one of her favorite places in dallas , where the baristas never forgot her order . `` there 's this coffee shop off oaklawn . big black cat in the window ? '' she watched as what little blood colored his cheeks faded , and his adam 's apple bobbed slowly . `` i sort of know the owner . '' i love that place . '' she let one excited smile slip . `` thursday night ? '' `` so thursday . i 'm esme , by the way . '' `` val , '' he said . as his cool hand slipped into hers , she shivered again , this time with excitement as the hair prickled on the back of her neck . he squeezed gently , then pulled away . `` see you on thursday , esme . '' she stayed behind the counter for at least fifteen minutes after watching him walk away . did someone seriously just ask her out on a date ? and not just a someone . a tall , viking-looking thing who should be wielding a sword and not sipping coffee . esme smiled . her first date . her abuelita was going to be so proud . and she might just go upstairs and visit hannah jane in juniors to find something to wear . chapter two up until that moment , valiance was convinced vampires did n't sweat . one hundred and sixty-seven years old , and he was as nervous as a long-tailed cat . violet would appreciate that . violet wound be proud of this whole endeavor , no matter how badly it ended . he wiped his palms on the legs of his jeans before he took a deep breath and pulled open the door . the smell of humans hit him hard in the gut . he should have fed . he 'd thought about it , but there was an echo within him whispering he should n't pulse with someone else 's blood , someone else 's life , on his date with esme . some very old-fashioned part of him wanted him to be pure for this . like he could ever be pure again . he had the lives of a thousand people running through his veins . one more should n't have mattered . but it did tonight . his nose twitched with the soft scent of baby powder and flowers . his gaze was drawn to the front window , where esme was sitting in the window seat , watching him with doe-like eyes . she stood and smoothed her green skirt over her dark leggings and pulled at her jacket . her rose sweater reminded him of just that , a flower , with her soft scent and delicate features . esme met him halfway to the register .

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her eyes fluttered somewhere around his elbow as she pulled her dark hair behind her ear . he led her over to the register . `` what 's your usual ? '' `` the mexican mocha . it 's got this kick like abuelita makes . '' valiance turned to the manager . bastian was one of the few humans in dallas who knew of the wanderer community and happily served them coffees and cookies . it struck valiance that this might be the first time he 'd ordered anything here . `` two mexican mochas . '' bastian raised his eyebrow at the order . valiance pressed his lips together in a tight smile . the manager shrugged and rang up their coffees . `` it will be a moment . i 'm a little behind on orders . '' bastian laughed as he went to make their drinks . `` do n't i wish . '' valiance saw an instant of sadness cross her eyes , and a metal hook pierced his heart . he needed to change the subject quickly . `` you talk about your grandmother a lot . '' `` i live with her . '' esme dropped her face into her hands , and the flower scent around her increased as she blushed . `` i was n't going to tell you that . now i look pathetic . a twenty-two-year-old still living at home . '' valiance chuckled . `` families should live together . '' she peeked out from between two fingers . from that moment on , he was sunk . she spun the porcelain cup in its saucer as she talked about her college literature courses and how the poetry class she was taking now was her last before she graduated though she did n't know what she could do with her degree . she talked about her incredibly large family and how she had to live with her grandmother to get any peace because everyone in her family was loud and in each other 's business . she talked about how he was the first customer who ever asked for her again . you 're going to think i 'm even more pathetic . '' `` i 'm not going to think you 're pathetic . '' `` can you tell i do n't talk to people much ? '' `` probably more than i do . '' `` so now we 're going to play who 's more pathetic ? '' `` i 'd win . i work in a storefront alone , selling things online . the only person i talked to this week was the mailman . she smiled up at him , her sparkling brown eyes , her rosy lips , her sharp chin . the only thing that could have pulled him away from that moment was the spike of icy energy that rammed down his spine and made him jerk . the cafe was suddenly less illuminated than it had been a moment earlier , a grim shadow quickly cast over his evening . his hand moved to his neck and inside the collar of his jacket . he brushed the familiar hilt just to make sure . he 'd tried to leave the house without his sword , but it had been his only companion through all this . and , frankly , he felt nak*d without it . you went all stony . '' `` did it get cold in here ? '' she rubbed her hands up and down the arms of her jacket . `` more than just cold , '' he said as he scanned the front windows of the shop . it was never cold here , part of the spell the prima had put on the place . `` in the lot out back . '' she did n't question him . she just grabbed her bag and put it across her chest , taking one last drag of the mocha before he escorted toward the rear of the cafe . `` are we allowed back here ? '' she whispered as he ushered her through the storage room . `` i know the owner , remember ? '' he guided her through the dark and toward the glow of moonlight from the back door window . his senses heightened by the fear creeping down his back , he was completely lost in the smell of her hair , the flowers , and her warmth as it pushed against him in the darkness . he knew right then that she was too good for him . too pure . what was he thinking even talking to her ? valiance reached around her to push open the back door , and they broke out into the cold night . he asked as he reached into his front pocket to get his cell phone . `` the ... '' esme sucked the words back in with a gasp as a dark figure swooped down and skittered in the gravel before them . valiance pulled her behind him . he inhaled sharply as she buried her face between his shoulder blades , pressing the long , hard edge of iron against his spine . the darkness faded around the figure , and his clade brother mondrian 's violently blue eyes smiled at him . `` nice to see you again , valiance . '' six months of loneliness hit valiance like a load of bricks in the pit of his stomach . mondrian ran his fingers through his long brown hair , then pulled at the cuffs of his black leather jacket .

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`` a little hospitality , for starters . '' `` what do you want , mondrian ? '' valiance repeated . mondrian spread his hands out . `` just to talk , older brother . '' slowly , valiance pressed his cell phone into esme 's leg . her hand wrapped around the phone , catching his fingers in hers for a moment . the thrill of it jumped up his arm and made him stand straighter . mondrian 's rage twisted his usually perfect face . `` you think you 're too good for your clade now ? that shifter bitch tell you that ? '' mondrian 's first emotion was n't anger . his brother would have tried charm first , seduction . swung around to flattery before resorting to anger . this was n't a hospitality visit , and the knowledge grated on valiance 's nerves , setting everything on edge . valiance 's power spiked around him , and the magic enhanced him . his muscles readied , his vision focused , and his fangs pressed down on his lower lip . `` you do not talk about the prima like that . '' `` you ca n't tell me you 've actually gone native ? '' `` going to make this harder than planned . '' a shadow swooped down and plowed into valiance . he slammed against the pavement , the wind knocked from his lungs . the figure was gone as quickly as it attacked . valiance 's only thought was that esme was exposed and defenseless against them as she stood frozen . he sat up too quickly , and black spots swarmed in his vision . his hoarse voice must have made something click within her , because she ran off into the night . when mondrian did n't blink , valiance scoured the darkness around the parking lot , looking for others , waiting for the next attack . the shadow swooped again , but this time he was ready . his hand reached behind his head and pulled out his sword . when the figure hit him , he rolled and grabbed the material on the man 's chest . he slammed him down to the gravel and had his sword to his throat in less than a breath . `` finnegan ? '' valiance dropped the man 's shirt , and both were on their feet in the blink of an eye . his muscles rejoiced at the feeling of his sword in his hand , at the use of his speed again , but his heart sank at seeing another one of his brethren on what now had to be a mission from andrin , the leader of his former clade . `` brothers do n't attack brothers in the darkness . '' mondrian just smiled , and valiance remembered everything the two of them had done together . every war . every woman . his stomach churned as he remembered the carousing , the drinking , and , most of all , the camaraderie he had desperately missed in the past six months . valiance 's gaze bounced between the men . there were three ways out of this . none left him unscathed , but esme would be safe . `` you left me here , mondrian . that 's not a very brotherly thing to do . '' `` andrin ordered us to leave . it was n't our fight . '' `` prima jordan was fighting for all of us . fighting to make sure we could still have something to fight for . '' finnegan snickered . `` he really did drink the kool-aid . '' valiance heard the rumble of an engine , and mondrian began to turn his head . valiance flicked the tip of his sword and pressed it to mondrian 's chest . `` andrin was a coward , running from the fight . i will not align with cowards or those who follow them . '' mondrian looked down at the blade against his jacket and shook his head . you 're in the compromised position here . '' a yellow volkswagen bug revved its engine and flew out of the parking lot . a weight lifted off valiance 's shoulders as he saw esme 's features in the window , her knuckles glowing white on the steering wheel . but he also knew he was watching his last chance for any sort of normal relationship drive terrified into the night . mondrian brushed away the tip of valiance 's sword and continued with his speech . `` andrin wants you back . he 's gotten us into trouble , and he needs his warrior prince . '' `` why are n't you good enough ? '' valiance tested the weight of his sword in his hand . she was perfect , had always been perfect . he could hear mondrian 's teeth grind across the space between them . `` i 've pledged my allegiance to dallas and to the prima . i will not break my word for a coward . '' `` you sound like you 're still in the eighteen hundreds , val . back when you were still thomas valmont , son of an aristocrat . your perspective needs to change . it 's not about honor and codes now .

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["waitest", 1631], ["waiting", 1631], ["next", 1644], ["attack", 1651], ["time", 1694], ["ready", 1707], ["reach", 1726], ["reached", 1726], ["behind", 1733], ["head", 1742], ["pull", 1753], ["pulled", 1753], ["sword", 1767], ["hit", 1789], ["roll", 1805], ["rolled", 1805], ["grab", 1817], ["grabbed", 1817], ["material", 1830], ["man", 1841], ["mans", 1841], ["manned", 1841], ["chest", 1850], ["gravel", 1886], ["throat", 1918], ["less", 1926], ["breath", 1940], ["breathest", 1940], ["drop", 1976], ["dropped", 1976], ["shirt", 1993], ["foot", 2023], ["feet", 2023], ["eye", 2046], ["eyed", 2046], ["rejoice", 2069], ["rejoiced", 2069], ["feeling", 2084], ["use", 2122], ["speed", 2135], ["speeding", 2135], ["heart", 2157], ["sank", 2162], ["sink", 2162], ["see", 2172], ["seeing", 2172], ["another", 2180], ["brother", 2200], ["brethren", 2200], ["mission", 2232], ["leader", 2257], ["former", 2271], ["brother", 2291], ["brethren", 2291], ["brothers", 2291], ["smile", 2356], ["smiled", 2356], ["remember", 2382], ["rememberest", 2382], ["remembered", 2382], ["two", 2401], ["twos", 2401], ["together", 2427], ["every", 2435], ["war", 2439], ["woman", 2453], ["womans", 2453], ["stomach", 2467], ["stomachs", 2467], ["stomaching", 2467], ["churn", 2475], ["churns", 2475], ["churned", 2475], ["camaraderie", 2559], ["desperately", 2578], ["miss", 2585], ["missed", 2585], ["past", 2597], ["six", 2601], ["month", 2608], ["months", 2608], ["gaze", 2627], ["gazes", 2627], ["bounce", 2635], ["bounced", 2635], ["man", 2651], ["mans", 2651], ["manned", 2651], ["men", 2651], ["three", 2670], ["way", 2675], ["ways", 2675], ["none", 2694], ["left", 2699], ["leave", 2699], ["unscathed", 2713], ["safe", 2738], ["safes", 2738], ["safed", 2738], ["brotherly", 2802], ["thing", 2808], ["order", 2837], ["orderest", 2837], ["ordered", 2837], ["left", 2849], ["leave", 2849], ["fight", 2872], ["fightest", 2872], ["jordan", 2893], ["fight", 2906], ["fightest", 2906], ["sure", 2944], ["still", 2959], ["snicker", 3011], ["snickered", 3011], ["really", 3026], ["drank", 3036], ["drink", 3036], ["drinking", 3036], ["kool", 3045], ["aid", 3049], ["aids", 3049], ["hear", 3069], ["hears", 3069], ["heard", 3069], ["rumble", 3080], ["rumbles", 3080], ["engine", 3093], ["begin", 3114], ["began", 3114], ["turn", 3122], ["flick", 3150], ["flickest", 3150], ["flicked", 3150], ["tip", 3158], ["coward", 3232], ["run", 3242], ["running", 3242], ["align", 3276], ["coward", 3289], ["cowards", 3289], ["follow", 3309], ["look", 3335], ["looked", 3335], ["blade", 3353], ["jacket", 3372], ["jacketed", 3372], ["shake", 3382], ["shook", 3382], ["position", 3429], ["yellow", 3448], ["volkswagen", 3459], ["bug", 3463], ["bugged", 3463], ["rev", 3470], ["revs", 3470], ["revved", 3470], ["fly", 3490], ["flys", 3490], ["flew", 3490], ["weight", 3524], ["weighted", 3524], ["weightest", 3524], ["lift", 3531], ["lifted", 3531], ["shoulder", 3557], ["shouldered", 3557], ["shoulders", 3557], ["see", 3567], ["saw", 3567], ["feature", 3584], ["features", 3584], ["window", 3598], ["windows", 3598], ["knuckle", 3613], ["knuckles", 3613], ["knuckling", 3613], ["glow", 3621], ["glowest", 3621], ["glowing", 3621], ["white", 3627], ["steering", 3643], ["wheel", 3649], ["wheeled", 3649], ["also", 3663], ["know", 3668], ["knowest", 3668], ["knew", 3668], ["watch", 3684], ["watching", 3684], ["last", 3693], ["chance", 3700], ["chanced", 3700], ["chancing", 3700], ["sort", 3713], ["normal", 3723], ["relationship", 3736], ["drive", 3742], ["terrify", 3752], ["terrified", 3752], ["brush", 3786], ["brushest", 3786], ["brushed", 3786], ["away", 3791], ["continue", 3834], ["continued", 3834], ["speech", 3850], ["back", 3877], ["get", 3892], ["gotten", 3892], ["trouble", 3908], ["troubling", 3908], ["need", 3923], ["needest", 3923], ["needs", 3923], ["warrior", 3935], ["prince", 3942], ["enough", 3978], ["test", 3999], ["tested", 3999], ["always", 4066], ["hear", 4095], ["hears", 4095], ["tooth", 4113], ["teeth", 4113], ["grind", 4119], ["across", 4126], ["space", 4136], ["spaced", 4136], ["spacing", 4136], ["pledge", 4168], ["pledged", 4168], ["allegiance", 4182], ["broke", 4228], ["break", 4228], ["word", 4236], ["sound", 4267], ["eighteen", 4302], ["eighteens", 4302], ["hundred", 4311], ["hundreds", 4311], ["val", 4317], ["thomas", 4351], ["son", 4365], ["aristocrat", 4382], ["aristocrats", 4382], ["perspective", 4401], ["change", 4417], ["honor", 4441], ["code", 4451], ["codes", 4451]]

it 's about survival and us against them . '' `` you never had honor and codes , mondrian . mondrian had always been faster . at least that part of him remained the same . mondrian slammed valiance against the brick wall so hard he was sure they 'd shaken the foundation of the coffee shop . mondrian 's breath was fresh with blood , but there was something else beneath the metallic scent . `` are you drinking from andrin ? '' the words themselves left a sour taste in valiance 's mouth . `` he shares his power with us . '' valiance strengthened his jaw against the fresh pain in his head . `` it 's a way to control you . you know that , mon . we 've seen this frantic power grab before . next , he 'll start trying to bond new vampires to the clade . '' mondrian 's face did n't betray him , but his teal eyes did . the look told valiance that his former leader had already started hunting for purebloods with the vampire potential . once andrin bit them , and their power had been solidified , they 'd be his clade brothers forever . like emilio had bitten valiance , and valiance had bitten mondrian . valiance dropped to the ground and swept mondrian 's legs out from under him . the boy never could predict a leg sweep . the younger vampire bounced against the concrete like a child 's play ball and came at valiance again , but val 's sword was faster . the iron blade pressed into the hollow of mondrian 's throat . `` i will not go . '' something happened to mondrian . he shivered , from top to toe . `` you will rejoin your clade . '' it was n't mondrian 's voice . mondrian had been born in the americas , like valiance . this voice was deeper and had the lilt of an irishman in it . full possession . it was worse than valiance thought . andrin 's energy coursed through mondrian . valiance could n't believe what he saw . his best friend reduced to the point that another could possess him . it both fueled him and disgusted him . `` i will not live under the tyranny of a coward . '' `` then you will die under one . '' when esme realized she could barely see where she was driving , she pulled into the parking lot of a brightly lit convenient store and tried to get her brain to stop yelling at her . of course , he 's a monster , and you were just about to be one of those girls in the movies who gets eaten . why would a guy like him even notice you in the first place unless it was for dinner ? maybe there is a reason your parents gave up on you . her brain went a little numb after the last thought . the following tears were hot and thick , and she sobbed for a good ten minutes before her tear ducts ran dry . she shuddered through a deep breath . he saw her , and he had told her to run when those other things showed up . esme looked over at the cell phone in her passenger seat . why 'd he given her the phone ? because he knew she did n't have one . what kind of a monster gives you a phone so you can call for help ? her hand still shaking , she reached out to take the phone . the simple flip model jumped to life when she opened it . did she call 9-1-1 ? these things moved faster than she could see . what were the cops supposed to do about that ? did she call his family ? she 'd heard them say brothers . maybe they were looking for his brother ? not used to the phone 's buttons , she pressed a few and ended up opening his contacts list . his extremely short contacts list . she 'd heard that name before . the coffee shop , as a whisper in the air . he 'd said he knew the owner . was that his only contact ? taking in another breath , she made a decision . call this person . let them know val was in trouble , then race home and never leave her abuelita 's couch ever again . that was all she owed him for the coffee . the phone rang a few times before a woman answered . how 'd the date go ? '' esme did n't exactly know what to say , so she was honest . is this esme ? '' how did this woman know who she was ? `` val was attacked at the coffee shop . `` my coffee shop . nothing can get into the coffee shop . '' `` behind it . i do n't know what those guys were , but he 's in trouble . '' `` two , that i saw . i hightailed it out of there pretty fast . '' the woman actually laughed . `` thank you , esme . you may have just saved his life . '' esme closed the phone . did she want to save his life ? would he try to eat her now ?

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1778], ["coursed", 1778], ["believe", 1824], ["see", 1836], ["saw", 1836], ["good", 1847], ["best", 1847], ["friend", 1854], ["reduce", 1862], ["reduced", 1862], ["point", 1875], ["another", 1888], ["possess", 1902], ["possesses", 1902], ["fuel", 1923], ["fueled", 1923], ["disgust", 1941], ["disgusted", 1941], ["live", 1966], ["tyranny", 1984], ["coward", 1996], ["die", 2022], ["realize", 2056], ["realized", 2056], ["barely", 2073], ["see", 2077], ["drive", 2099], ["driving", 2099], ["pull", 2112], ["pulled", 2112], ["parking", 2129], ["lot", 2133], ["brightly", 2147], ["lit", 2151], ["light", 2151], ["convenient", 2162], ["store", 2168], ["try", 2178], ["tryed", 2178], ["tried", 2178], ["get", 2185], ["brain", 2195], ["brained", 2195], ["braining", 2195], ["stop", 2203], ["yell", 2211], ["yelling", 2211], ["course", 2230], ["monster", 2248], ["girl", 2299], ["girls", 2299], ["movie", 2313], ["movies", 2313], ["get", 2322], ["gets", 2322], ["eat", 2328], ["eaten", 2328], ["guy", 2346], ["even", 2360], ["evens", 2360], ["notice", 2367], ["first", 2384], ["firstest", 2384], ["place", 2390], ["unless", 2397], ["unlesss", 2397], ["dinner", 2415], ["maybe", 2423], ["reason", 2441], ["reasonest", 2441], ["parent", 2454], ["parents", 2454], ["give", 2459], ["gave", 2459], ["go", 2486], ["goest", 2486], ["went", 2486], ["little", 2495], ["numb", 2500], ["numbs", 2500], ["numbed", 2500], ["numbest", 2500], ["last", 2515], ["follow", 2539], ["following", 2539], ["tear", 2545], ["teared", 2545], ["tears", 2545], ["hot", 2554], ["thick", 2564], ["thickest", 2564], ["sob", 2581], ["sobs", 2581], ["sobbed", 2581], ["good", 2592], ["ten", 2596], ["minute", 2604], ["minutes", 2604], ["tear", 2620], ["teared", 2620], ["duct", 2626], ["ducts", 2626], ["run", 2630], ["ran", 2630], ["dry", 2634], ["drier", 2634], ["drying", 2634], ["shudder", 2650], ["shuddering", 2650], ["shudderest", 2650], ["shuddered", 2650], ["deep", 2665], ["deeply", 2665], ["run", 2714], ["thing", 2738], ["things", 2738], ["show", 2745], ["showed", 2745], ["look", 2762], ["looked", 2762], ["cell", 2779], ["phone", 2785], ["passenger", 2802], ["seat", 2807], ["give", 2825], ["given", 2825], ["know", 2857], ["knowest", 2857], ["knew", 2857], ["kind", 2890], ["give", 2909], ["gives", 2909], ["call", 2937], ["help", 2946], ["helpest", 2946], ["hand", 2957], ["still", 2963], ["shake", 2971], ["shaking", 2971], ["reach", 2985], ["reached", 2985], ["take", 2997], ["simple", 3020], ["simplest", 3020], ["flip", 3025], ["flipping", 3025], ["model", 3031], ["jump", 3038], ["jumps", 3038], ["jumped", 3038], ["life", 3046], ["lifes", 3046], ["open", 3062], ["opened", 3062], ["move", 3107], ["moved", 3107], ["cop", 3154], ["copest", 3154], ["copped", 3154], ["cops", 3154], ["suppose", 3163], ["supposed", 3163], ["family", 3206], ["hear", 3221], ["hears", 3221], ["heard", 3221], ["say", 3230], ["sayest", 3230], ["look", 3265], ["looking", 3265], ["brother", 3281], ["brethren", 3281], ["use", 3292], 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she did n't know , but she started up her car and wished she 'd just stayed hidden down in housewares . chapter three mondrian slammed valiance 's face against the car door and val heard his jaw crack . that was going to hurt in the morning . if there was a morning . mondrian turned him around and buried his nose into val 's shirt and inhaled deeply . `` you 've got a girl on you . '' `` why you chasing dames the old-fashioned way ? '' finnegan asked as he swung valiance 's sword around . `` just sway them . valiance ground his teeth together , and his vision was lost for a moment in the spinning pain of his broken jaw and his concussed brain . `` oh , i think he likes this one . '' mondrian dropped valiance 's shirt , and val slid down the car , landing hard on his ass . he felt a rib shift like it really should n't have shifted , and his sword arm , ripped from its socket , dangled loosely at his side . `` is that why you wo n't come back with us ? '' mondrian asked . we can find her , you know . see if she 's right for the bleeding . '' `` never , '' valiance growled as he pushed himself up to his feet . mondrian let him . valiance knew he was being played with . after the possession had faded , mondrian was just enjoying kicking valiance 's ass on principle for all the times he had had to rein mondrian in , keep him from crossing a line valiance knew did n't even exist for him anymore . `` is she pretty , at least ? tall , dark , and exotic . like that jolie woman ? '' `` she 's totally one of us , '' finnegan pitched in as he spun valiance 's sword around like a parade rifle . valiance looked from one to the other . they did n't see esme . she 'd been right there , and they had n't seen her . how could they not have seen her ? the sudden realization ripped a gasp from him . it was n't just her quaint manner . she might actually be invisible to some people . valiance chuckled at the sheer cosmic joke of it all . that he could see invisible girls . next thing he would discover was that she was a ghost who had died in a tragic pillow avalanche . sounded about par for this year . `` going to share the joke ? '' finnegan was at his throat in a blink , the sharp edge of val 's own blade pressed into his sensitive skin . we like a good joke . '' the smell of burnt magnolias filled the parking lot . `` then you 're going to think that i 'm hilarious . '' valiance had never been more relieved to smell prima jordan . he swore in that moment he would never make a long-tailed cat joke for the rest of his long life . she sauntered through the parking lot . when she was within striking distance , she studied both men . `` these those clade brothers you keep talking about ? '' `` every family has its fights , '' mondrian said , leaving valiance for a moment . `` stay out of this one . '' `` not impressed , val . '' mondrian was fast as he charged her , but violet 's reactions were faster . something like pride swelled within valiance as he watched violet throw mondrian across the parking lot . maybe he had taught her something in their sparring sessions . she took a moment to recover valiance from the ground . `` so , night going well ? '' valiance took her offered hand and got to his feet . his ears were ringing courtesy of the last slam into the car . `` i do n't think your phrase friggin ' peachy has ever really made sense until now . '' finnegan and mondrian did n't give them time to organize a proper strategy . mondrian went for valiance 's throat , teeth out and ready for blood . valiance was ready for him . he knew every move mondrian would throw at him , every just-off-center punch and the way he favored his left claw to his right . even after a harsh blow to the ribs , val felt a smile cross his lips . `` please share the joke , brother . '' mondrian landed a fast backhand across valiance 's jaw but could n't shake the smile . `` you 're too predictable . `` predictable ? '' `` even down to your taste in clothes . must everything be black ? '' `` brings out my- '' valiance landed a hard right hook on mondrian 's jaw , reveling in the sound of the contact that echoed off the brick building . blood trickled out of the corner of mondrian 's mouth , and he wiped it with the back of his hand . `` so you 're really not going to consider coming back to us ? '' there was a shimmer in the air , and violet 's panther made a black streak across the parking lot after finnegan .

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["push", 1099], ["pushed", 1099], ["foot", 1122], ["feet", 1122], ["let", 1137], ["lets", 1137], ["know", 1157], ["knowest", 1157], ["knew", 1157], ["play", 1177], ["playest", 1177], ["played", 1177], ["possession", 1205], ["fade", 1215], ["faded", 1215], ["enjoy", 1244], ["enjoyed", 1244], ["enjoying", 1244], ["kick", 1252], ["kicking", 1252], ["principle", 1281], ["time", 1299], ["times", 1299], ["rein", 1318], ["keep", 1337], ["keepest", 1337], ["cross", 1355], ["crossing", 1355], ["line", 1362], ["even", 1389], ["evens", 1389], ["exist", 1395], ["existest", 1395], ["anymore", 1411], ["pretty", 1430], ["prettiest", 1430], ["least", 1441], ["leastest", 1441], ["tall", 1448], ["dark", 1455], ["exotic", 1468], ["woman", 1492], ["womans", 1492], ["totally", 1515], ["pitch", 1547], ["pitched", 1547], ["spin", 1561], ["spun", 1561], ["parade", 1600], ["rifle", 1606], ["look", 1624], ["looked", 1624], ["see", 1720], ["seen", 1720], ["sudden", 1772], ["realization", 1784], ["gasp", 1798], ["gasps", 1798], ["quaint", 1836], ["manner", 1843], ["manners", 1843], ["may", 1855], ["mays", 1855], ["mayest", 1855], ["might", 1855], ["invisible", 1877], ["people", 1892], ["chuckle", 1912], ["chuckled", 1912], ["sheer", 1925], ["sheering", 1925], ["cosmic", 1932], ["joke", 1937], ["jokes", 1937], ["girl", 1983], ["girls", 1983], ["next", 1990], ["thing", 1996], ["discover", 2014], ["ghost", 2039], ["die", 2052], ["died", 2052], ["tragic", 2064], ["pillow", 2071], ["avalanche", 2081], ["avalanches", 2081], ["sound", 2091], ["sounded", 2091], ["par", 2101], ["year", 2115], ["share", 2135], ["throat", 2176], ["blink", 2187], ["blinked", 2187], ["sharp", 2199], ["sharps", 2199], ["edge", 2204], ["edges", 2204], ["blade", 2224], ["press", 2232], ["pressed", 2232], ["sensitive", 2251], ["skin", 2256], ["good", 2273], ["smelt", 2293], ["smell", 2293], ["smellest", 2293], ["burn", 2302], ["burns", 2302], ["burnt", 2302], ["magnolia", 2312], ["magnolias", 2312], ["fill", 2319], ["fills", 2319], ["filled", 2319], ["parking", 2331], ["lot", 2335], ["hilarious", 2388], ["prima", 2446], ["jordan", 2453], ["swear", 2464], ["sweared", 2464], ["long", 2506], ["longs", 2506], ["tail", 2513], ["tailed", 2513], ["cat", 2517], ["rest", 2535], ["life", 2552], ["lifes", 2552], ["saunter", 2568], ["sauntered", 2568], ["within", 2614], ["strike", 2623], ["striking", 2623], ["distance", 2632], ["distancing", 2632], ["study", 2646], ["studied", 2646], ["man", 2655], ["mans", 2655], ["manned", 2655], ["men", 2655], ["brother", 2687], ["brethren", 2687], ["brothers", 2687], ["talk", 2704], ["talking", 2704], ["every", 2724], ["family", 2731], ["fight", 2746], ["fightest", 2746], ["fights", 2746], ["say", 2765], ["sayest", 2765], ["said", 2765], ["left", 2775], ["leave", 2775], ["leaving", 2775], ["stay", 2807], ["fast", 2874], ["charge", 2888], ["charged", 2888], ["violet", 2905], ["reaction", 2918], ["reactions", 2918], ["fast", 2930], ["pride", 2953], ["swell", 2961], ["swells", 2961], ["swollen", 2961], ["swellest", 2961], ["swelled", 2961], ["watch", 2991], ["watched", 2991], ["throw", 3004], ["across", 3020], ["maybe", 3044], ["teach", 3058], ["taught", 3058], ["session", 3099], ["sessions", 3099], ["take", 3110], ["took", 3110], ["recover", 3130], ["night", 3171], ["well", 3182], ["wells", 3182], ["offer", 3213], ["offered", 3213], ["hand", 3218], ["ear", 3249], ["ears", 3249], ["rang", 3262], ["rung", 3262], ["ring", 3262], ["ringing", 3262], ["courtesy", 3271], ["last", 3283], ["slam", 3288], ["phrase", 3333], ["phrasing", 3333], ["friggin", 3341], ["peachy", 3350], ["ever", 3359], ["everest", 3359], ["sense", 3377], ["give", 3427], ["time", 3437], ["organize", 3449], ["proper", 3458], ["strategy", 3467], ["go", 3483], ["goest", 3483], ["went", 3483], ["ready", 3528], ["blood", 3538], ["bloods", 3538], ["blooded", 3538], ["move", 3588], ["center", 3640], ["punch", 3646], ["punching", 3646], ["favor", 3669], ["favorest", 3669], ["favored", 3669], ["left", 3678], ["claw", 3683], ["harsh", 3717], ["blow", 3722], ["blew", 3722], ["blowest", 3722], ["rib", 3734], ["ribs", 3734], ["smile", 3753], ["cross", 3759], ["crossing", 3759], ["lip", 3768], ["lipped", 3768], ["lips", 3768], ["please", 3780], ["brother", 3805], ["brethren", 3805], ["land", 3826], ["landed", 3826], ["backhand", 3842], ["backhanded", 3842], ["shake", 3885], ["predictable", 3924], ["taste", 3973], ["clad", 3984], ["clothe", 3984], ["clothes", 3984], ["must", 3991], ["musts", 3991], ["everything", 4002], ["black", 4011], ["bring", 4026], ["brings", 4026], ["hook", 4071], ["revel", 4101], ["reveling", 4101], ["revelling", 4101], ["sound", 4114], ["contact", 4129], ["echo", 4141], ["echoed", 4141], ["brick", 4155], ["build", 4164], ["building", 4164], ["trickle", 4181], ["trickled", 4181], ["corner", 4199], ["mouth", 4220], ["mouthed", 4220], ["wipe", 4235], ["wiped", 4235], ["consider", 4309], ["come", 4316], ["coming", 4316], ["shimmer", 4352], ["shimmering", 4352], ["air", 4363], ["airs", 4363], ["airing", 4363], ["panther", 4387], ["panthers", 4387], ["streak", 4407], ["streaks", 4407], ["streaked", 4407]]

the young vampire ran in panic , dropping valiance 's sword as he fled . the two vampires saw the sword at the same time , but valiance was faster this time . they slid across the parking lot , but valiance felt the familiar thrum in his fingertips as touched the metal . he curled his fingers around his sword , and she felt amazing in his hand . `` are you forgetting i have one of those , too ? '' mondrian pulled his own blade out from its sheath . `` mine 's bigger . '' valiance winked before he swung the sword in the first of a dozen attacks . he was n't as strong with his left arm , but mondrian had n't trained any more than what valiance had put him through the past seventy years . valiance had never stopped practicing . even violet had taken up swordplay and had the speed to be a challenge for valiance . she had made him better . mondrian had only slowed him down , made him wait for his younger brother to play catch-up . valiance was tired of waiting . he wanted this done . he hated that he 'd been in limbo for six months , and the one night he decided to try to get back on the horse , they showed up . with every angry thought , valiance 's blade lashed out . for every word he could n't say , his iron spoke for him . until mondrian was pressed against the wall , unarmed , bleeding , and smelling of fear . valiance took in a deep breath of his scent though he did n't need a reminder of mondrian 's smell . iron sliced through flesh with a sickening sucking sound that made valiance turn away from his brother just in time to see finnegan 's head roll under a parked car . violet , in human form , stood over the body , weapon hanging at her side . valiance was frozen by the feeling of his clade brother as he died . a cold chill ran over his skin despite his battle-charged heat . it was like spiderwebs drawn across his chest as finnegan 's energy was released back into the earth . mondrian obviously did n't have the same reaction . he grabbed valiance 's wrist and wrenched his injured arm outward and spun under it . the tendons in valiance 's shoulder ripped around the dislocated shoulder . the pain numbed his hand and screeched into his ear . mondrian rammed his knee into valiance 's torso , then was gone , like the air in valiance 's lungs . `` crap , '' violet said as she dropped the sword and went to help valiance up . the power of her panther still ebbed around her , and the heat of her pressed against his injured body . as they shuffled over to the dead body , he might have held on to her shoulder longer than he needed just to have her soothing power close to him . `` i did n't mean to ... '' violet said as she stood over the headless vampire . `` i think you taught me a little too well . '' you did n't mean to chop his head off . '' pain flared from his right knee to his left ribs to his right shoulder to his left jaw . he was a zigzag of pain . thinking in a straight line was nearly impossible . `` well ... '' violet turned to him . `` want me to fix that arm ? '' `` you a medic now , too ? '' `` no , just accident-prone . i 've had to do it enough times that i 'm an expert . take off your jacket . '' there really was no saying `` no '' to her , so he slipped off his jacket carefully . his new dress shirt was shredded , blood drying in long lines across his chest . he had the thought that more blood was on the outside than on the in . he could feel the heat of her hands through his shirt , she walked her fingers down his shoulder blade . carefully , she took his wrist and brought his arm up to a right angle . `` we probably need to talk about something happy because this usually hurts . '' `` andrin 's using his blood to possess the clade . '' `` that 's your idea of happy ? '' she carefully rotated his arm outward , and every inch she moved it made his head swim in pain . she could relocate it , but the ligaments would still need time to mend . she kept moving his arm , her fingers at his back to gauge the process . `` it 's not like it is in the movies , you know . that dramatic pop as the hero slams his shoulder back into place . this is n't going to work if you 're tense . '' he knew she was talking to keep his mind occupied , keep it from focusing on the pain , on the betrayal of his clade . his failure to his brothers . she was kind of great like that . violet kept cranking his arm back and forth , but he could n't relax with her touching him .

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530], ["firstest", 530], ["dozen", 541], ["attack", 549], ["attacks", 549], ["strong", 572], ["left", 586], ["arm", 590], ["train", 621], ["trained", 621], ["put", 657], ["past", 678], ["seventy", 686], ["year", 692], ["years", 692], ["never", 713], ["stop", 721], ["stopped", 721], ["practice", 732], ["practicing", 732], ["even", 739], ["evens", 739], ["violet", 746], ["take", 756], ["taken", 756], ["swordplay", 769], ["speed", 787], ["speeding", 787], ["challenge", 805], ["well", 844], ["wells", 844], ["slow", 871], ["slowed", 871], ["wait", 896], ["waitest", 896], ["young", 912], ["youngest", 912], ["brother", 920], ["brethren", 920], ["play", 928], ["playest", 928], ["catch", 934], ["catched", 934], ["catches", 934], ["tired", 958], ["wait", 969], ["waitest", 969], ["waiting", 969], ["hate", 1002], ["hateed", 1002], ["hated", 1002], ["limbo", 1027], ["six", 1035], ["month", 1042], ["months", 1042], ["night", 1062], ["decide", 1073], ["decided", 1073], ["try", 1080], ["tryed", 1080], ["get", 1087], ["back", 1092], ["horse", 1105], ["horsed", 1105], ["show", 1119], ["showed", 1119], ["every", 1135], ["angry", 1141], ["thought", 1149], ["lash", 1176], ["lashed", 1176], ["word", 1197], ["say", 1214], ["sayest", 1214], ["iron", 1225], ["speak", 1231], ["spoken", 1231], ["spoke", 1231], ["press", 1268], ["pressed", 1268], ["wall", 1285], ["bleed", 1306], ["bleeding", 1306], ["fear", 1329], ["fearest", 1329], ["take", 1345], ["took", 1345], ["deep", 1355], ["deeply", 1355], ["breath", 1362], ["breathest", 1362], ["scent", 1375], ["scentest", 1375], ["though", 1382], ["need", 1398], ["needest", 1398], ["reminder", 1409], ["smelt", 1430], ["smell", 1430], ["smellest", 1430], ["slice", 1444], ["sliced", 1444], ["flesh", 1458], ["fleshest", 1458], ["sound", 1489], ["turn", 1513], ["away", 1518], ["see", 1555], ["head", 1572], ["roll", 1577], ["park", 1592], ["parks", 1592], ["parked", 1592], ["car", 1596], ["human", 1616], ["form", 1621], ["formest", 1621], ["stand", 1629], ["stood", 1629], ["standest", 1629], ["body", 1643], ["bodied", 1643], ["weapon", 1652], ["hang", 1660], ["hung", 1660], ["hangs", 1660], ["hanging", 1660], ["side", 1672], ["sidest", 1672], ["froze", 1694], ["freeze", 1694], ["frozen", 1694], ["freezing", 1694], ["feeling", 1709], ["clade", 1722], ["die", 1741], ["died", 1741], ["cold", 1750], ["chill", 1756], ["chills", 1756], ["chilling", 1756], ["skin", 1774], ["despite", 1782], ["battle", 1793], ["charge", 1801], ["charged", 1801], ["heat", 1806], ["heats", 1806], ["heated", 1806], ["like", 1820], ["draw", 1837], ["drawn", 1837], ["draws", 1837], ["chest", 1854], ["energy", 1876], ["release", 1889], ["released", 1889], ["earth", 1909], ["earths", 1909], ["earthest", 1909], ["obviously", 1930], ["reaction", 1961], ["grab", 1974], ["grabbed", 1974], ["wrist", 1992], ["wrench", 2005], ["outward", 2029], ["spin", 2038], ["spun", 2038], ["tendon", 2061], ["tendons", 2061], ["shoulder", 2085], ["shouldered", 2085], ["rip", 2092], ["ripped", 2092], ["dislocate", 2114], ["dislocated", 2114], ["pain", 2134], ["numb", 2141], ["numbs", 2141], ["numbed", 2141], ["numbest", 2141], ["screech", 2164], ["screeched", 2164], ["ear", 2177], ["ram", 2195], ["rams", 2195], ["rammed", 2195], ["knee", 2204], ["torso", 2227], ["torsos", 2227], ["go", 2243], ["goest", 2243], ["gone", 2243], ["air", 2258], ["airs", 2258], ["airing", 2258], ["lung", 2279], ["lungs", 2279], ["crap", 2289], ["crapped", 2289], ["say", 2306], ["sayest", 2306], ["said", 2306], ["drop", 2321], ["dropped", 2321], ["go", 2340], ["goest", 2340], ["went", 2340], ["help", 2348], ["helpest", 2348], ["power", 2372], ["panther", 2387], ["panthers", 2387], ["still", 2393], ["ebb", 2399], ["ebbest", 2399], ["ebbed", 2399], ["shuffle", 2484], ["shuffling", 2484], ["shuffled", 2484], ["dead", 2501], ["may", 2517], ["mays", 2517], ["mayest", 2517], ["might", 2517], ["hold", 2527], ["held", 2527], ["long", 2553], ["longs", 2553], ["need", 2568], ["needest", 2568], ["needed", 2568], ["soothe", 2594], ["soothes", 2594], ["soothing", 2594], ["close", 2606], ["mean", 2633], ["meanest", 2633], ["headless", 2686], ["think", 2707], ["thinkest", 2707], ["teach", 2718], ["taught", 2718], ["little", 2730], ["well", 2739], ["wells", 2739], ["chop", 2769], ["flare", 2799], ["flared", 2799], ["right", 2814], ["rightest", 2814], ["rib", 2836], ["ribs", 2836], ["jaw", 2874], ["jaws", 2874], ["jawed", 2874], ["jawest", 2874], ["zigzag", 2892], ["zigzagged", 2892], ["zigzagging", 2892], ["think", 2911], ["thinkest", 2911], ["thinking", 2911], ["straight", 2925], ["line", 2930], ["nearly", 2941], ["impossible", 2952], ["turn", 2983], ["turned", 2983], ["fix", 3010], ["fixes", 3010], ["medic", 3039], ["accident", 3076], ["prone", 3082], ["enough", 3110], ["time", 3116], ["times", 3116], ["expert", 3136], ["take", 3143], ["jacket", 3159], ["jacketed", 3159], ["really", 3177], ["say", 3191], ["sayest", 3191], ["saying", 3191], ["slip", 3223], ["slipped", 3223], ["carefully", 3248], ["new", 3258], ["dress", 3264], ["dressest", 3264], ["shirt", 3270], ["shred", 3283], ["shredded", 3283], ["blood", 3291], ["bloods", 3291], ["blooded", 3291], ["long", 3306], ["longs", 3306], ["line", 3312], ["lines", 3312], ["outside", 3385], ["feel", 3416], ["hand", 3438], ["hands", 3438], ["walk", 3469], ["walked", 3469], ["bring", 3550], ["brought", 3550], ["angle", 3578], ["probably", 3595], ["talk", 3608], ["happy", 3630], ["usually", 3651], ["hurt", 3657], ["hurts", 3657], ["hurting", 3657], ["use", 3681], ["using", 3681], ["possess", 3702], ["possesses", 3702], ["idea", 3738], ["rotate", 3774], ["rotated", 3774], ["inch", 3807], ["move", 3817], ["moved", 3817], ["swim", 3839], ["swiming", 3839], ["relocate", 3868], ["relocates", 3868], ["ligament", 3891], ["ligaments", 3891], ["mend", 3921], ["mended", 3921], ["keep", 3932], ["keepest", 3932], ["kept", 3932], ["move", 3939], ["moving", 3939], ["gauge", 3982], ["process", 3994], ["movie", 4034], ["movies", 4034], ["know", 4045], ["knowest", 4045], ["dramatic", 4061], ["pop", 4065], ["hero", 4077], ["heros", 4077], ["slam", 4083], ["place", 4112], ["go", 4132], ["goest", 4132], ["going", 4132], ["work", 4140], ["wrought", 4140], ["tense", 4157], ["know", 4170], ["knowest", 4170], ["knew", 4170], ["talk", 4186], ["talking", 4186], ["keep", 4194], ["keepest", 4194], ["mind", 4203], ["minding", 4203], ["occupy", 4212], ["occupied", 4212], ["focus", 4236], ["focusing", 4236], ["betrayal", 4266], ["betrayals", 4266], ["failure", 4293], ["brother", 4309], ["brethren", 4309], ["brothers", 4309], ["kind", 4324], ["great", 4333], ["crank", 4366], ["cranks", 4366], ["cranked", 4366], ["cranking", 4366], ["forth", 4389], ["relax", 4414], ["relaxed", 4414], ["touch", 4432], ["touching", 4432]]

it had n't been that long since he 'd been with a woman , but he was definitely affected by the heat of panther power against his side . it reminded him of esme , her soft warmth that smelled like flowers . the thought of her relaxed him for a moment , and violet hit him like linebacker in the shoulder . a pop echoed through the parking lot , and valiance grabbed his shoulder as he jerked away from violet . `` finally got you to relax enough . '' valiance bent over and let the pain consume him for a second before it settled into a dull throb . he stood and slowly rotated his arm . he 'd be better by morning , providing he got something to eat . `` your girl called me . told me you needed help . '' she pulled out her phone and began texting . `` she 's not my ... '' valiance stood quickly as the pain cleared his head , and his thoughts resumed in a straighter line than before . `` mondrian said he 'd go after her , and she might be special . '' violet looked up from her glowing phone with a raised eyebrow . `` like wandering special ? '' but i would n't put it past mondrian to go after her just to get me to come with him . he never could disobey an order . '' `` sounds like there 's a story . '' valiance looked across the dark and empty parking lot . `` we went through three wars together , and we got the job done . mondrian was ... overzealous on occasion . '' `` when the cause was right . never dull a good blade on an evil purpose . the purpose and the sword will betray you . '' `` sound advice . '' violet 's phone buzzed in her hands . `` the cleaners are on their way to get rid of the body . '' `` tell them to box and burn the head . '' `` afraid he 'll come back ? 'cause i do n't think he 's coming back . '' valiance sighed but still relinquished a small smile at her ability to bring levity to every situation . `` it is a show of respect , '' he explained . `` now you need to find esme . this , this is all you , honey . '' violet started toward the back of the coffee shop . `` i got you out of the trouble that came to you . you have to get out of the trouble that you caused yourself . '' she threw open the back door , and valiance had to lengthen his stride to follow her . there 's a potential innocent about to get attacked by a vampire . '' they hit the bright lights of the coffee shop , and valiance flinched and blinked away his enhanced vision . the light hurt his eyes , and the scent of blood on the both of them overwhelmed him . he probably looked like death , yet the few customers just looked at him , then went back to their reading . maybe this is what esme felt like all the time ? valiance 's feet stopped as violet leaned against the counter casually , like a waiting customer . six months was n't enough to completely decode her . he had no sympathy for her husband . `` is this one of those tests ? you 're forcing me to grow up somehow . listen , i 'm a full century older than you . i 'm grown . you need to stop being childish and go help a wanderer . '' i know her name , and that 's about it . i do n't know what she looks like , what she smells like . how am i supposed to help her ? '' bastian slid a hot cup of coffee across the pickup area , and violet sipped it . there was a shimmer in her energy as the hot liquid touched her lips and a glimmer in her eye as she looked back at valiance , waiting . esme threw open the door of the little house , and the walls shook . `` my goodness , child , no need for- '' esme threw her arms around her grandmother 's neck and knocked the words from her as esme began to sob . she took in a deep , safe breath of her grandmother 's baby-powder scent and tried to focus on that one thing instead of the fifty-seven other things running through her head . her grandmother stroked her hair and cooed in spanish . `` it 's okay , little bird . it 's okay , palomita . esme let herself be led to the couch and dropped down into the well-worn cushions . the flight response had left her body tired and her bones aching . her grandmother locked the door and kicked down the ash branch that always rested in front of it . within minutes , esme 's hands were wrapped around a cup of hot chocolate with a bit of her grandmother 's special spice . one sip , and she immediately calmed down , her mind seemed to focus , and the fear of monsters ' chasing her subsided . her grandmother sat next to her , her knees creaking all the way down . `` what happened , little bird ? '' the words flew out of her mouth so fast esme did n't have time to filter out any of the crazy .

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`` this guy asked me for coffee and i met him at the same place i always go , and then he got this stony look and said we had to go and i thought he was just ending the date early because i 'm not the most interesting person in the world . when he walked me to my car , this guy , like , attacked him , but it was like he could n't see me and then he gave me his phone and then this shadow thing knocked him down and he told me to run . so i did and then i called his sister or something and she knew who i was and then i drove home because i got the distinct feeling they wanted to eat me . '' esme watched her grandmother process the information , too calm for esme 's liking . her grandmother stirred her cocoa . `` you had a date ? '' `` that 's the part of the story you 're paying attention to ? these things were monsters . they moved too fast . he moved too fast , and he had a freaking sword down his back . '' `` iron or silver . '' `` was the blade shiny silver or a dull gray ? '' fear crept across esme 's skin despite the hot drink in her hands . she did n't need to think about it . the image of his pulling the blade out of his coat like a sinister magic trick was burned into her retinas . not like the ones in the movies . '' her grandmother let out a long breath and muttered something in spanish esme did n't catch . `` drink your cocoa , palomita . '' esme did as she was told . she relaxed again , swirling the spicy flavor around in her mouth before swallowing . her grandmother 's eyes focused sharply on esme . `` the others did n't see you ? '' `` looked right past me , like i was n't even there . but everyone looks past me . except val . '' that thought kept dancing around her brain . but saying it out loud made the thought even more real and even more frightening . `` good to know the magic is still there . i was afraid the spell had worn off . '' esme realized she was about to freak out and took the precaution of putting her hot cocoa on the coffee table . abuelita , what are you talking about ? '' `` it 's all real , my little bird . all the fairy tales i told you . esme 's thoughts stopped . she just stared into her grandmother 's brown eyes , which had always held all the answers before . `` the chupacabra , la llorona , the skin-walkers , all real . and all alive and well in dallas . '' the flight response was back and in double force . esme leapt off the couch and started to pace . her mary janes echoed off the wood floors . `` our blood is very faint . the magic only surfaces once a generation . skipped your mother entirely. `` esme stopped before her grandmother . `` are you trying to tell me you 're a witch ? i 'm a witch ? '' `` fairy actually . '' esme laughed . a furrow formed between her grandmother 's brow , nestled between her other wrinkles there , and she rose from the couch . `` i would never lie about this , palomita . not that you 've been seen by one . '' `` seen ? '' esme 's entire life flashed before her eyes . everyone ignored her ; she slipped by in every class because the teacher never called on her . she was ignored in movie lines . she 'd started wearing steel-toed boots at work because people stepped on her feet so often . everything clicked in her head . `` i 'm invisible . '' `` no , my little dove . you burn too brightly . the magic keeps you hidden from those who would take your light . take another sip of your cocoa . '' esme looked down at the table . that clicked , too . `` the spice . have you been drugging me all these years ? '' `` do n't be ridiculous , esme . it 's just nutmeg , cayenne , and maybe some ground poppy seed . '' he grandmother did n't meet her eyes , suddenly very interested in the rug beneath them . you 've been using magic on me . '' `` it 's nothing , just a bit of garden magic , palomita . it 's part of our heritage . '' her grandmother grabbed her shoulders and poked a stubby fingernail into esme 's chest . `` you need to listen to me if you 've got vampires after you . '' esme 's knees gave , and her grandmother pushed her toward the chair , where she landed with a jarring bounce . `` iron blade . if it were silver , i would have said shifter . '' `` i just went on a date with a vampire . '' even when she said the words out loud , they did n't feel real . did n't jibe with what she knew of vampires . he 'd been kind , and opened the door for her , paid for coffee . but he did n't drink it . he 'd just spun it as they talked , as he watched her talk .

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and he 'd probably just opened the door for her to see the long line of her neck in the moonlight . see what his next meal was going to look like . `` but he saw you , '' her grandmother said . `` yeah , probably as dinner . '' esme pinched the flesh of her pinky , the pain focusing her thoughts as the tip turned bright pink with blood . he saw through the magic . you said the others did n't . '' `` his intentions are good , esme . '' esme huffed . `` well , his intentions can stay on his side of town . '' she rose and brushed past her grandmother as she grabbed her bag and went back to her room and made a spectacular show of slamming her door . she was going to have to find a new place to work , a new coffee shop , and maybe a new life altogether . chapter four `` he 's here . '' valiance could smell his blood on the wind . mondrian had always been good at tracking , but valiance had never fully appreciated his brother 's skills until his scent stopped right outside a house with a magical border around it a mile thick . the white stones around esme 's house glowed in the moonlight , creating a boundary around the property valiance was sure he could n't even get through . violet crouched beside him . `` think we just confirmed your girl is family . '' `` she 's not my ... '' valiance dropped it . violet was n't going to stop , and he did n't have the breath to waste . valiance had to shift his weight to accommodate the fire burning down his injured leg . and then you can see if she 's okay tomorrow morning . '' `` that 's not the valiance i saw stand up against his clade source . '' valiance clenched his jaw , and the entire back of his head lit up like a lightning storm , all bright lights and pain . his jaw was still throbbing though he 'd set it himself on the way over here . the blood from the crack on the back of his head was dried now and made the leather of his sheath itchy . violet winced for him . it 's why you 're not healing . not enough of your own power to heal yourself . violet finally shut up for two seconds , so he could think . mondrian would n't be able to get through that border , especially if his intentions were to hurt esme . but even if valiance was right and mondrian could n't see esme , he might be able to see her grandmother . valiance might be able to make it through the border . make sure they were okay . but if esme had seen three seconds of what happened in the parking lot , she was never going speak to him again , let alone invite him in to wait out the night against another vampire . his head dropped down to his chest . his true colors had shown through , and she 'd seen them and ran . `` i smell pity , '' violet said . `` you smell a man realizing he should have stayed in the shop . '' smells a little like rotten milk . '' `` were you always so campy ? '' he looked over at his prima . but i 'm right . '' violet jumped and reached for the glowing cell phone in her back pocket . `` just when things were getting good . '' she sighed as sat down on the cold ground . i 'm kinda in the middle of something , nash . oh , well talk about burying the lead . violet hung up the phone , and her energy danced around her . valiance snapped . `` kandice just went into labor a month early . `` you 've got a hostile vampire hunting innocents in the city . '' violet patted him on the back . `` and i 've got my best riko on the case . '' `` riko ? that 's a shifter title . '' violet ran her fingers through her long hair as she pulled it back into a ponytail . she slipped off her tennis shoes and shoved them in her messenger bag . the words are pretty . `` accept what ? '' `` the rules and responsibilities of being the warrior and the protector of the pack ? '' she zipped up her jacket against the cold wind . she dropped her personal borders , and her power sizzled around them . valiance knew you did n't say `` no '' to violet , and even if you did , it did n't stay a `` no . '' from what i 've heard , there 's a vampire going around and attacking innocents . call tucker if you ca n't handle it . '' violet winked . in a blur of black and a whirl of energy , her panther form streaked down the street in the direction of downtown before valiance could even manage a protest . he clenched his jaw , and the pain flared again . `` i do n't have my cell phone , '' he finally said to the wind . `` told you she was n't worth it . ''

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mondrian appeared in the street before valiance , his hands casually in his pockets . valiance rose . the slick red over mondrian 's lips was unmistakable , even in the dim glow from the streetlights . he 'd gotten a chance to feed . it was like hitting a reset button on the evening . he 'd be faster now , stronger than valiance who barely had anything , power or blood , left . `` the prima trusts us to clean up our own messes . '' anger made the angles along mondrian 's face sharper , uglier . a mess to clean up ? '' valiance walked out onto the street , hiding the wince of every step . `` destroyed my evening . '' mondrian looked at the small house . `` so your girl is special ? '' `` and you 're going to kill me , your own brother , to protect her ? '' the honesty rang through valiance and made the sword on his back hum with anticipation . valiance saw another figure in the darkness . and completely under the sway . he recognized the glassy eyes of the woman as she stumbled this way and that . like a marionette on strings , she danced how mondrian wanted her to dance . valiance did n't have time to get her before she fell to her knees beside the white stone periphery of the house , her teeth snapping against each other as she dropped . where a vampire could n't touch the protective border , an innocent human would have no problem pulling a stone out of place to break the spell . he ran for her , but mondrian met him in the middle of the street . his brother slammed against him with the force of a semitruck , and they flew down the street . valiance landed hard on the pavement , with his brother on top of him , and they rolled , both struggling for the upper hand . there was a distinct clap of flesh meeting something solid , but it did n't come from him . valiance looked over from his position beneath mondrian to see an old woman with a baseball bat standing over the limp body of the puppet woman . it had to be esme 's grandmother , the abuelita she spoke so lovingly about , wielding the bat like babe ruth himself . the older woman 's courage gave valiance the kick he needed . he threw mondrian over his head and jumped to his feet . he used the last of his energy to enhance himself , heal his leg , and give his muscles the strength they needed to wield his sword . `` keep the circle , '' he called out to the old woman . the woman yelled something back at him . but he missed it when his eyes landed on esme standing in the doorway of their small house . the entire world stopped for a moment , and he was caught up in the sight of her . her dark hair unbound , her cheeks flushed , she glowed in the doorway of her home with her tear-filled eyes . he heard mondrian 's sword sing as it cut through the air behind him . valiance ducked and felt the wind of the attack against his hair . valiance swung his arm back hard , and mondrian 's ribs cracked under his blow . he turned around sharply and swept mondrian 's legs out from underneath him . the other vampire bounced against the concrete like a rubber ball . valiance caught his shirt in his fist and threw him at the protective spell . mondrian slammed against the magical border and sizzled and seized within the white energy before being thrown across the street into a car . there was no alarm , just mondrian 's long groan . valiance tried not to smile , but it was the first break he 'd gotten all evening . he turned back to the house , where esme and her grandmother were together on the porch . he walked over to the edge of the white stones but did n't dare step across . he looked at esme . `` no problem here , '' her grandmother said , her grip still tight on the bat . i 'll be right- '' mondrian 's boot landed square between valiance 's shoulders , and he flew forward through the white-stone protective spell and landed hard on the frozen ground of her front yard . mondrian 's hand clamped down on valiance 's ankle and raked him back along the ground . as valiance struggled to stop , he felt the protection spell break around him as he pulled a white stone from its place , like the pop of an electrical transformer . mondrian ripped him from the ground and threw valiance into the same car that had broken his own fall . valiance let gravity take him and slid down to the pavement . he could n't feel his legs for a moment and fell forward to his knees , seeing nothing but stars . he leaned back against the car and shook the celestial array from his vision . he had to blink a few times for his sight to focus . mondrian was already on the porch .

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4237], ["let", 4252], ["lets", 4252], ["gravity", 4260], ["take", 4265], ["slid", 4278], ["feel", 4319], ["see", 4380], ["seeing", 4380], ["nothing", 4388], ["star", 4398], ["starred", 4398], ["stars", 4398], ["lean", 4410], ["leans", 4410], ["leaned", 4410], ["shake", 4441], ["shook", 4441], ["celestial", 4455], ["array", 4461], ["arrayed", 4461], ["vision", 4477], ["blink", 4495], ["blinked", 4495], ["time", 4507], ["times", 4507], ["focus", 4530], ["already", 4553]]

he grabbed esme 's grandmother and locked an arm around her neck , swinging her petite frame around like a rag doll . he was less than a foot away from esme , who had plastered herself against the outside wall next to the door . his brother did n't need to yell ; the wind carried his threats fine enough . `` bet she never goes out with you again if you let her grandmother die . '' mondrian cloaked him and her grandmother in darkness and blurred away into the night . valiance tried to push himself up against the car , but the power was gone . he fell to the concrete . everything hurt , but it was n't over . he might not have his unnatural strength , but he was still breathing . he would n't stop fighting until he stopped breathing . slowly , he pushed himself up to his feet and stumbled to the edge of the yard . he carefully put the stone he 'd dragged out of alignment back into place . he looked up to see esme still standing on the porch , like a frightened statue , only her wide eyes following him across the yard . `` do you know where the locking stone is ? '' he started to walk the periphery . he did n't know much about this kind of magic , but he knew the locking stone needed to be recharged if the border was going to go up . esme did n't answer , just watched him . fairy magic was n't foreign to him ; he was one , for christ 's sake . the glamour , the seeing of the unseen . the taking and giving of natural magic . granted , he was the darker distant cousin of what normal people thought as fey , but the same principles applied . too bad he 'd never dabbled too much in garden magic . it could have been his raw state , but as he passed the corner stone in the yard , a power sort of tickled at his ankle . well , it was supposed to be a kneel , but really he fell forward , landing next to a larger than average white stone half-buried in the yard . he put his hand on the stone , and it was warm . a normal fae could probably just push power into the stone , but he was a vampire . it had to be blood with him . he looked down at his hand to find a small trickle seeping from a wound on his knuckles . he smeared it against the stone . the periphery jumped back to life , like plugging back in a line of christmas lights . he did have it in him . he had to take a deep breath before he pushed himself to his feet . when he did , esme was standing right next to him . the spell between them did n't prevent him from smelling the flowers in her hair or seeing the bright sparkle in her eyes from the fearful tears that stayed wavering on the edge . but i will get her back . '' esme looked him over from head to toe . `` she did n't tell me much except that you 're a ... '' valiance cringed . he did n't want her to say the word ; it would kill everything within him to hear the disdain in her voice . `` that you can see me because you 're a good guy . '' valiance felt like he could breathe again . and someone 's going to notice that car . '' `` we need to find your grandmother . '' `` abuelita is strong , apparently stronger than i ever gave her credit for . you need help before you go and get yourself flattened . she took him into the kitchen , but when she flipped on the light , he flipped it off right behind her . it left the only light in the small room the glow from the stove top and the moonlight that filtered in from the small window . fear sizzled down her spine as she went to the far side of the room to get the first-aid kit . however , all the fear turned to a kind of strange excitement as she watched him gingerly take off his jacket and his shredded dress shirt , exposing the sword running down the length of his back . his shoulders were broader than any man 's she 'd ever seen , and the handle of the sword seemed to wink at her in the moonlight streaming in from the windows . he slowly walked across the kitchen to the sink and began to wash his hands . she grabbed a few towels for him and quickly set them beside him before scurrying back to her place at the end of the counter . she could see pain in his eyes as he moved . he slowly dried his hands . he wetted the towel and held it to his face , wiping off some of the dried blood and sweat . he drew in a tired breath before he spoke , his voice low , soft . `` do you still have my phone ? i think i need to call for help . '' esme had to think . the encounter already seemed like a lifetime ago . she scooted around him quickly and dashed into her room to find it .

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493], ["car", 520], ["power", 536], ["go", 545], ["goest", 545], ["gone", 545], ["fall", 555], ["falls", 555], ["fell", 555], ["concrete", 571], ["everything", 584], ["hurt", 589], ["hurts", 589], ["hurting", 589], ["may", 622], ["mays", 622], ["mayest", 622], ["might", 622], ["unnatural", 645], ["strength", 654], ["still", 673], ["breathes", 683], ["stop", 703], ["fight", 712], ["fightest", 712], ["stop", 729], ["stopped", 729], ["slowly", 748], ["push", 760], ["pushed", 760], ["foot", 783], ["feet", 783], ["stumble", 796], ["stumbled", 796], ["edge", 808], ["edges", 808], ["yard", 820], ["yards", 820], ["carefully", 835], ["put", 839], ["stone", 849], ["stoning", 849], ["drag", 863], ["dragged", 863], ["alignment", 880], ["back", 885], ["place", 896], ["look", 908], ["looked", 908], ["see", 918], ["stand", 938], ["stood", 938], ["standest", 938], ["standing", 938], ["porch", 951], ["statue", 978], ["wide", 994], ["eye", 999], ["eyed", 999], ["eyes", 999], ["follow", 1009], ["following", 1009], ["across", 1020], ["know", 1046], ["knowest", 1046], ["lock", 1064], ["locking", 1064], ["start", 1089], ["started", 1089], ["walk", 1097], ["periphery", 1111], ["much", 1134], ["kind", 1150], ["magic", 1159], ["know", 1173], ["knowest", 1173], ["knew", 1173], ["need", 1198], ["needest", 1198], ["needed", 1198], ["recharge", 1214], ["recharged", 1214], ["border", 1228], ["bordering", 1228], ["go", 1238], ["goest", 1238], ["going", 1238], ["go", 1244], ["goest", 1244], ["answer", 1269], ["answeres", 1269], ["answerest", 1269], ["watch", 1284], ["watched", 1284], ["fairy", 1296], ["fairys", 1296], ["foreign", 1318], ["christ", 1351], ["sake", 1359], ["sakes", 1359], ["glamour", 1373], ["unseen", 1400], ["taking", 1413], ["natural", 1435], ["grant", 1451], ["grantest", 1451], ["granted", 1451], ["distant", 1479], ["cousin", 1486], ["normal", 1501], ["people", 1508], ["think", 1516], ["thinkest", 1516], ["thought", 1516], ["fey", 1523], ["principle", 1549], ["principles", 1549], ["apply", 1557], ["applyed", 1557], ["applied", 1557], ["bad", 1567], ["dabble", 1587], ["dabbles", 1587], ["dabbled", 1587], ["garden", 1606], ["gardens", 1606], ["gardened", 1606], ["raw", 1641], ["state", 1647], ["pass", 1666], ["passed", 1666], ["corner", 1677], ["sort", 1710], ["tickle", 1721], ["tickling", 1721], ["tickled", 1721], ["ankle", 1734], ["well", 1741], ["wells", 1741], ["suppose", 1759], ["supposed", 1759], ["kneel", 1773], ["kneels", 1773], ["kneeled", 1773], ["really", 1786], ["forward", 1802], ["forwarding", 1802], ["forwardest", 1802], ["land", 1812], ["large", 1829], ["larger", 1829], ["average", 1842], ["white", 1848], ["half", 1859], ["bury", 1866], ["burying", 1866], ["buried", 1866], ["hand", 1896], ["warm", 1927], ["fae", 1942], ["probably", 1957], ["vampire", 2011], ["blood", 2032], ["bloods", 2032], ["blooded", 2032], ["find", 2078], ["small", 2086], ["trickle", 2094], ["seep", 2102], ["seeping", 2102], ["wind", 2115], ["wound", 2115], ["wounding", 2115], ["knuckle", 2131], ["knuckles", 2131], ["knuckling", 2131], ["smear", 2144], ["smearing", 2144], ["smeared", 2144], ["jump", 2188], ["jumps", 2188], ["jumped", 2188], ["life", 2201], ["lifes", 2201], ["plug", 2217], ["plugging", 2217], ["line", 2232], ["lit", 2252], ["light", 2252], ["lights", 2252], ["take", 2293], ["deep", 2300], ["deeply", 2300], ["breath", 2307], ["breathest", 2307], ["right", 2384], ["rightest", 2384], ["spell", 2408], ["spelt", 2408], ["prevent", 2437], ["preventest", 2437], ["smelt", 2455], ["smell", 2455], ["smellest", 2455], ["smelling", 2455], ["flower", 2467], ["flowers", 2467], ["hair", 2479], ["see", 2489], ["seeing", 2489], ["bright", 2500], ["brights", 2500], ["sparkle", 2508], ["fearful", 2537], ["tear", 2543], ["teared", 2543], ["tears", 2543], ["stay", 2555], ["stayed", 2555], ["waver", 2564], ["wavering", 2564], ["get", 2593], ["head", 2638], ["toe", 2645], ["toeing", 2645], ["tell", 2667], ["except", 2682], ["cringe", 2721], ["cringing", 2721], ["say", 2750], ["sayest", 2750], ["word", 2759], ["kill", 2775], ["within", 2793], ["hear", 2805], ["hears", 2805], ["disdain", 2817], ["disdainest", 2817], ["voice", 2830], ["good", 2878], ["guy", 2882], ["feel", 2901], ["felt", 2901], ["breathes", 2923], ["notice", 2962], ["strong", 3039], ["apparently", 3052], ["strong", 3061], ["ever", 3073], ["everest", 3073], ["give", 3078], ["gave", 3078], ["credit", 3089], ["help", 3109], ["helpest", 3109], ["take", 3161], ["took", 3161], ["kitchen", 3182], ["kitchens", 3182], ["flip", 3205], ["flipping", 3205], ["flipped", 3205], ["lit", 3218], ["light", 3218], ["behind", 3251], ["left", 3265], ["leave", 3265], ["room", 3298], ["roomed", 3298], ["glow", 3307], ["glowest", 3307], ["stove", 3322], ["top", 3326], ["moonlight", 3344], ["moonlights", 3344], ["moonlighted", 3344], ["filter", 3358], ["filterest", 3358], ["filtered", 3358], ["window", 3383], ["windows", 3383], ["fear", 3390], ["fearest", 3390], ["sizzle", 3398], ["sizzles", 3398], ["sizzled", 3398], ["spine", 3413], ["go", 3425], ["goest", 3425], ["went", 3425], ["far", 3436], ["side", 3441], ["sidest", 3441], ["first", 3470], ["firstest", 3470], ["aid", 3474], ["aids", 3474], ["kit", 3478], ["however", 3488], ["turn", 3510], ["turned", 3510], ["strange", 3531], ["excitement", 3542], ["gingerly", 3570], ["jacket", 3590], ["jacketed", 3590], ["dress", 3613], ["dressest", 3613], ["shirt", 3619], ["expose", 3630], ["exposing", 3630], ["sword", 3640], ["run", 3648], ["running", 3648], ["length", 3664], ["shoulder", 3692], ["shouldered", 3692], ["shoulders", 3692], ["broad", 3705], ["broads", 3705], ["man", 3718], ["mans", 3718], ["manned", 3718], ["see", 3738], ["seen", 3738], ["handle", 3755], ["seem", 3775], ["seeming", 3775], ["seemed", 3775], ["wink", 3783], ["winks", 3783], ["winkest", 3783], ["streaming", 3817], ["window", 3837], ["windows", 3837], ["walk", 3856], ["walked", 3856], ["sank", 3887], ["sink", 3887], ["begin", 3897], ["began", 3897], ["wash", 3905], ["hand", 3915], ["hands", 3915], ["towel", 3942], ["towels", 3942], ["toweled", 3942], ["towelled", 3942], ["quickly", 3962], ["set", 3966], ["beside", 3978], ["scurry", 3999], ["scurrying", 3999], ["end", 4028], ["ends", 4028], ["endest", 4028], ["counter", 4043], ["pain", 4064], ["move", 4088], ["moved", 4088], ["dry", 4106], ["drier", 4106], ["drying", 4106], ["dried", 4106], ["wet", 4128], ["wetted", 4128], ["towel", 4138], ["towels", 4138], ["toweled", 4138], ["towelled", 4138], ["hold", 4147], ["held", 4147], ["face", 4162], ["wipe", 4171], ["wiping", 4171], ["sweat", 4209], ["draw", 4219], ["drawn", 4219], ["draws", 4219], ["drew", 4219], ["tired", 4230], ["speak", 4253], ["spoken", 4253], ["spoke", 4253], ["low", 4269], ["lowed", 4269], ["soft", 4276], ["phone", 4308], ["think", 4318], ["thinkest", 4318], ["call", 4333], ["encounter", 4381], ["already", 4389], ["lifetime", 4412], ["ago", 4416], ["scoot", 4430], ["dash", 4460], ["dashed", 4460]]

the foreign phone was easy to find in her familiar purse , and she slipped back into the kitchen swiftly , setting the phone between them on the counter . valiance took it and popped it open . he hit a few buttons and growled as he put the phone to his ear . at least , it sounded like a growl . esme gulped . `` so no backup ? '' valiance turned around and leaned against the kitchen counter . `` you 've said that too many times . '' valiance turned his blue eyes to hers . `` i am sorry , esme . i never meant to ... '' her spine stiffened , and the words that came out of her were hers but from someplace within her she was n't familiar with yet , someplace jarred loose from this evening 's activities . `` it 's too early in the evening for apologies . what do you need to get her back ? '' valiance sighed . he walked over to the table and sat down , looking much smaller than he had just moments ago as he put his bruised face into his hands . he was less than two feet away , and she swore that every cell within her pulled toward him , pulled toward the fragility draped across his shoulders . the decision solidified within her as she spoke words that were hers but not hers . her voice was barely a whisper across the kitchen . his steel blue eyes were grayer now , as if the color had drained out of them , along with his blood , as he looked up at her . `` you do n't know ... '' `` i do . '' her voice was stronger as she reached for the unused first-aid kit . she cut an appropriate-sized piece of gauze . `` i mean i think i know what you need . abuelita told me stories about people like you . you need blood to heal , and i ca n't find my abuelita without you . '' she ripped off four pieces of tape and dangled them over the edge of the kitchen counter . then she rolled up the sleeve of her jacket and held out her arm . `` i trust her , and the only thing she said to me tonight that made any sense was that you would n't be able to see me if you really wanted to hurt me . '' his cool fingers reached out and slid around the inside of her wrist , just holding it gently . goose bumps shot up her arm , and she gulped . `` i made a promise to myself that i ... '' he was so exhausted , he could n't finish the sentence . `` i 've never had to make promises to myself . i 've never had anything this horrible ever happen before . '' he looked down at her pale wrist as he stroked it with his finger . `` you think i 'm horrible . '' she took in a deep breath , trying to calm the stammering of her heart . her words might be brave , but her body was still catching on to the idea . but as far as first dates go , i 'm sure this is up there with the worst ever . '' `` it was selfish of me . i just wanted to have a pleasant evening with a pretty girl . '' his words caused a flutter in her stomach . she tried to convince herself he would say anything right now to get blood , but she could n't believe it . especially after he looked up at her , his skin paper white in the dim light . the heavy look in his eyes made her forget about the press of sharp white on his lower lip . `` esme , i ... '' she cut him off . `` i did nothing , valiance . '' the name those men had called him fit better as she said it out loud . it was more him than the abbreviation . even more regal than the name on his credit card . esme went on . `` he was three feet away from me , and i froze . i could n't even move until after he 'd already taken her . i failed in my first attempt at bravery . i will not fail in my second . i will not fail her . '' his hand tightened on her wrist , and he pulled her down the edge of the counter until she stood before him . her pulse raced in her ears as he leaned forward , his forehead almost resting against her br**sts as he pulled something off the counter behind her . he pressed that something into her right hand as he pulled away . she looked down at the silver knife . `` will this really do any damage ? '' `` it 's sharp enough to ensure i stop . '' esme curled her fingers around the handle though she was n't sure she could use it on him . his eyes trailed down to her tender wrist , still in his hand , as he sat back down on the chair before her . `` i promise this will not hurt much . '' when his lips touched her arm , heat flew up her wrist and burned into her core . she barely felt the slice of his teeth against her skin . she was more focused on the other hand he slid around her waist , pulling her closer to him , keeping her still . his tongue began to coax out the blood , undulating slowly against her skin .

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["spine", 532], ["stiffen", 542], ["stiffens", 542], ["stiffened", 542], ["word", 558], ["words", 558], ["come", 568], ["came", 568], ["someplace", 608], ["within", 615], ["yet", 649], ["jar", 668], ["jared", 668], ["jarred", 668], ["jarring", 668], ["loose", 674], ["looser", 674], ["evening", 692], ["activity", 706], ["activities", 706], ["early", 727], ["apology", 756], ["apologies", 756], ["need", 775], ["needest", 775], ["get", 782], ["sigh", 812], ["sighest", 812], ["sighed", 812], ["walk", 824], ["walked", 824], ["table", 842], ["tabled", 842], ["tabling", 842], ["sat", 850], ["sit", 850], ["look", 865], ["looking", 865], ["much", 870], ["small", 878], ["moment", 903], ["moments", 903], ["ago", 907], ["bruise", 929], ["bruised", 929], ["face", 934], ["hand", 949], ["hands", 949], ["less", 963], ["two", 972], ["twos", 972], ["foot", 977], ["feet", 977], ["away", 982], ["swear", 998], ["sweared", 998], ["every", 1009], ["cell", 1014], ["pull", 1032], ["pulled", 1032], ["toward", 1039], ["fragility", 1073], ["drape", 1080], ["drapes", 1080], ["draped", 1080], ["across", 1087], ["shoulder", 1101], ["shouldered", 1101], ["shoulders", 1101], ["decision", 1116], ["solidify", 1127], ["solidified", 1127], ["speak", 1151], ["spoken", 1151], ["spoke", 1151], ["voice", 1197], ["barely", 1208], ["whisper", 1218], ["steel", 1249], ["color", 1293], ["drain", 1305], ["drained", 1305], ["along", 1325], ["blood", 1340], ["bloods", 1340], ["blooded", 1340], ["look", 1355], ["looked", 1355], ["know", 1386], ["knowest", 1386], ["strong", 1429], ["reach", 1444], ["reached", 1444], ["unused", 1459], ["first", 1465], ["firstest", 1465], ["aid", 1469], ["aids", 1469], ["kit", 1473], ["cut", 1483], ["appropriate", 1498], ["appropriates", 1498], ["sized", 1504], ["piece", 1510], ["pieced", 1510], ["gauze", 1519], ["gauzes", 1519], ["mean", 1531], ["meanest", 1531], ["think", 1539], ["thinkest", 1539], ["tell", 1576], ["told", 1576], ["story", 1587], ["stories", 1587], ["people", 1600], ["heal", 1634], ["healest", 1634], ["ca", 1645], ["cas", 1645], ["without", 1674], ["rip", 1694], ["ripped", 1694], ["four", 1703], ["piece", 1710], ["pieced", 1710], ["pieces", 1710], ["tape", 1718], ["dangle", 1730], ["dangled", 1730], ["edge", 1749], ["edges", 1749], ["roll", 1790], ["rolled", 1790], ["sleeve", 1804], ["sleeving", 1804], ["jacket", 1818], ["jacketed", 1818], ["hold", 1827], ["held", 1827], ["arm", 1839], ["trust", 1852], ["thing", 1877], ["tonight", 1900], ["sense", 1920], ["able", 1951], ["abled", 1951], ["see", 1958], ["really", 1975], ["hurt", 1990], ["hurts", 1990], ["hurting", 1990], ["cool", 2007], ["finger", 2015], ["fingers", 2015], ["slid", 2036], ["inside", 2054], ["wrist", 2067], ["hold", 2082], ["holding", 2082], ["gently", 2092], ["goose", 2100], ["bump", 2106], ["bumpest", 2106], ["bumps", 2106], ["shoot", 2111], ["shooted", 2111], ["shot", 2111], ["promise", 2161], ["finish", 2227], ["sentence", 2240], ["promise", 2278], ["promises", 2278], ["anything", 2315], ["horrible", 2329], ["ever", 2334], ["everest", 2334], ["happen", 2341], ["pale", 2380], ["stroke", 2400], ["stroked", 2400], ["finger", 2419], ["deep", 2472], ["deeply", 2472], ["breath", 2479], ["breathest", 2479], ["try", 2488], ["tryed", 2488], ["trying", 2488], ["calm", 2496], ["calms", 2496], ["heart", 2524], ["may", 2542], ["mays", 2542], ["mayest", 2542], ["might", 2542], ["brave", 2551], ["body", 2566], ["bodied", 2566], ["still", 2576], ["catch", 2585], ["catched", 2585], ["catches", 2585], ["catching", 2585], ["idea", 2600], ["far", 2613], ["date", 2628], ["dates", 2628], ["go", 2631], ["goest", 2631], ["sure", 2643], ["bad", 2675], ["worst", 2675], ["selfish", 2703], ["selfishest", 2703], ["pleasant", 2744], ["pretty", 2766], ["prettiest", 2766], ["girl", 2771], ["cause", 2793], ["caused", 2793], ["flutter", 2803], ["fluttering", 2803], ["stomach", 2818], ["stomachs", 2818], ["stomaching", 2818], ["try", 2830], ["tryed", 2830], ["tried", 2830], 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not that he needed to work much , her stammering heart was rushing blood to all her extremities and warming every part of her . she leaned back against the cabinets , and her eyes fluttered shut . immediately , her thoughts traveled to what else he could do with that tongue , where else it might have the same flushing effect . he gripped her waist tighter , and the pressure on her arm increased . she gasped as she felt a stronger pull of blood out of her veins . `` val , '' she said softly . when his fingers began to dig into her arm , she gasped , and cool fear fought the intense heat that had spread throughout her . `` val , '' she repeated . she tried to pull her arm back , but his grip was too strong . `` valiance , '' she cried out . he was standing above her in less than a blink . his eyes were livid blue with blown pupils , and his mouth was stained red . his body pressed her against the counter , and she was awash in the smell of blood and sweat . the monster was here , and still hungry . but just as fast as he had risen , esme had the knife to his throat . the flash of the silver blade dug into the pale skin , and her eyes steadily gazed into his dark pools . her heartbeat steadied , and she let out a long breath . that other part , that braver part , saved her and settled in for the evening . `` sit , '' she ordered . valiance did as he was told , and the moment he was in the chair , he looked away . esme looked down at her wrist to see nothing more than an inch-long slice on her lower forearm . it was n't like the movies at all , probably would n't even scar , but then again , she did n't need anything to remind her of what happened tonight . she grabbed the bandage and taped up the small wound , keeping her fist to her chest to stop any bleeding . he was looking down , away , his neck exposed . she watched the fair flesh come back together at his cheek , mend itself until it was a bruised reminder of what had happened earlier . esme could n't believe the magic before her eyes . that a little bit of her blood could do all that wonder . maybe she really was something special . `` valiance ? '' she kept her voice soft as she reached out to his shoulder . he asked , still looking away from her . `` you were the one pulverized . '' `` please , esme . '' when he looked up at her , she 'd never felt so seen . his blue eyes glowed with power , and everything about him was perfect . the bruises on his cheeks were gone . he looked rested , flushed even . his cheekbones could cut leather , and his lips were the most perfect shade of rose . he still was n't as beautiful as when he had smiled at her in the coffee shop the first time . `` i 'm fine , '' she finally managed . he stood and strode across the kitchen to a darker corner . `` it 's part of the blood , part of the glamour . it attracts , and i feed . `` the power makes you pretty ? '' `` it makes me attractive , so i can feed . '' he licked his lips of any red still left there . `` and you 're fey , right ? i was n't really sure . '' esme grew colder as she thought about the why of his perfection and that he was tasting the magic in her blood . `` but you 're faster , stronger , too . i mean , i saw you fight that other vampire , and you were- '' `` some days , the other perks are n't worth it . '' she tried to lighten the mood , get the conversation going again because the guilt that shaded his eyes struck a pain through her heart , and the last thing she needed right now was a sullen vampire on her hands . `` did you know that to her family and friends , emily dickinson was more known for her gardening than her writing , and she would send bouquets to her friends with poems attached ? '' valiance frowned , but his expression slowly turned into a smile . `` you really do like that poetry class you 're taking . '' she smiled , relieved , and started packing up the first-aid kit . `` i just relate to them . all the great ones looked in from the outside . we loners have to stick together . '' she thought she heard him chuckle from the other side of the kitchen . valiance looked down at his hands , his long fingers , and turned them over to inspect them . he rubbed his chin and tested it . `` i should be able to track him down now . he 's not a strategist , so he 'll go where he feels safe . '' `` what will he do with my abuelita ? '' he 's still trying to get me to go with him . '' `` what about kidnapping my abuelita will convince you to go with him ? '' just managed to piss me off really . you do n't touch grandmothers .

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they are universally off-limits in the rules of engagement . '' `` rules of engagement ? you sound like one of those old generals in a civil war movie . '' `` i was one of those generals in the civil war . '' that meant he was old . like really old . she let the fear wash over her again before she took a deep breath and just integrated it with what she knew about him . he opened doors , he drank blood , he fought to protect her , and he was older than her grandmother . it was more interesting than her list of traits : inviso-girl . esme put away the first-aid kit and rolled down her sleeve . `` she 's my grandmother . do n't exactly know what i can do as the invisible girl , but i 'm going with you . '' valiance stepped out of the darkness and into the light from the stove . gold fell across his perfect features , and her breath caught in her throat as he continued toward her . even his voice was smoother now , deeper , softer . `` i want you to be sure about this , esme . once you 've seen violence , seen evil , it changes you , and i do n't want to be the reason you see the world a little darker . '' esme 's skin flushed with his words and with his scent as it beat around them both . `` that thing called you valiance , but it 's not the name on your credit card . valiance licked his lower lip . `` valiance sounds made up . '' esme looked up and tried to fight a smile . `` my clade source emilio , the one who made me , renamed us into our new life . one word to describe us . '' `` and yours was valiance ? '' `` warrior prince , he used to call me . '' esme knew that no other name could suit him . `` like the fairy tale ? '' `` i 'm not a fairy tale . '' `` i 'm not saying you are , '' she said quickly . `` i 'm simply saying that it 's like a fairy tale . like everything else that 's come true tonight . and if vampires and fairies can be real , then i think we have a good chance of getting my abuelita back . '' valiance watched her for a long moment , then went to get his jacket from the kitchen chair . his movements were fluid , smooth , not the jerky pain from before . `` there are three places he might go . the apartment , the shop , or this warehouse off industrial . '' `` we need more of a plan than just knocking on the door . '' `` what if i knock ? '' where would an insane plan like that come from ? esme licked her lips . `` what if i knock , he does n't see me , and i sneak in ? distract him somehow ? '' valiance thought . it took him a long time , and esme was suddenly nervous . what did she know about covert ops and rescue missions ? it was probably a ridiculous idea that might lead straight to her death . or worse , her grandmother 's . slowly , a smile spread across his lips . `` i do n't think you 're the same girl i asked out for coffee . '' `` i 've been through a lot this evening . i 'm not the same girl i was five minutes ago . i woke up this morning a normal human girl with low self-esteem , and now i 'm some fairy who 's invisible to bad guys . who knows what i might be by dawn ? '' that one deep laugh as he looked at her . `` is that why you walk everywhere ? you ca n't drive a car . '' `` over a hundred and fifty years old , and i still ca n't get the hang of it . '' `` but you have a cell phone ? '' `` i like texting . '' chapter five valiance was having a hard time sitting still in the front seat of her car . the power , the energy that flowed through him , was like nothing he 'd ever had before . the little bit of blood that he had taken had given him more power than he 'd had in a decade . everything smelled sweeter , everything felt softer . his muscles tingled anxiously , waiting for action again . not only was she a fairy , but she was powerful one . when his cell phone rang , he jumped in the passenger seat , and esme swerved . valiance looked at the caller id and put it on speakerphone . `` talk quick . phone 's almost dead . '' `` he took esme 's grandmother . we 're hunting him down . '' `` i 'd volunteer to send chaz , but there 's a swarm of ghouls tearing up some butcher shop in oak cliff . '' `` so your night is going well ? '' `` never a dull moment . how 's your girl holding up ? '' valiance looked over at the driver 's seat . he wanted to say esme was the most luminous thing he had ever seen .

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but it was only a first date . maybe all first dates were like this , minus the kidnapping and bloodletting . esme beat him to it . `` we are going to get my grandmother back , then you and i are going to discuss getting me a job at the coffee shop . '' the phone line was quiet for a moment . `` well , bastian is really the manager there . '' `` i 'm tired of folding towels , and i 'm sure the owner could put in a good word for me . '' `` val , take me off speaker . '' valiance did as he was told , prepared to get an earful . instead , violet only said . `` keep her , please . you do n't meet a girl every day who can just fall into violence and still be confident enough to backtalk the prima of a city . '' `` she does n't know- '' `` keep her . sounds like you 've got some pretty good backup . but if you really need help , send up a flare , and i 'll be there . '' valiance hung up but looked down at the phone in his hand . `` what did n't i know ? '' valiance licked his lips as he prepared his words . `` violet 's not just a coffee-shop owner . she 's the most powerful wanderer in the region . possibly in the country . '' `` you just told her she needed to get you a job . '' valiance smiled . `` you 're just nothing that i 've seen before . '' `` i 'm nothing anyone has ever seen before apparently . '' esme flashed him a smile as she continued down the highway . esme parked along the curb . it was an older neighborhood she had never been to before . just another example of her universe expanding this evening . `` welcome to my second home , '' valiance said as he pointed to the shop across the street . emilio 's antiques was a restored home in a long line of restored homes turned into shopfronts . if this looked like a normal shop , she wondered how many other places her grandmother had dragged her to were also run by things that went bump in the night . suddenly , valiance turned to stone in the passenger seat next to her . she whispered , as if mondrian could hear them . `` yes , '' valiance said . `` i was n't able to feel him like this before . forgot how much of an effect we have on each other . '' `` which means he knows we 're here , too . so much for the element of surprise . '' can you feel me in your head since i 'm supposed to be magical or something ? '' `` my head 's a little funny around you anyway . '' esme bit her lower lip and suddenly found the edge of her jacket very interesting . this was now officially the worst best date ever . valiance turned to her in the car . it was a bit comical , his long legs twisted up in the front of her vw , as he reached down by his boot to unlace a bowie knife from his calf . `` when we get in there , your only goal needs to be getting your abuelita out of there . '' the skin tightened along her shoulders as his perfect accent caressed the familiar word . `` you 're going to knock on the door . '' you knock on the front door , and i 'll go in through the back door . '' `` and if he 's got both covered somehow ? '' `` you hide . now take this . '' he shoved the leather-sheathed knife at her . `` he will get violent . ultimately , he wants me to come back with him- '' `` which means he does n't care about me and abuelita . '' `` so we protect ourselves and leave you to the wolf ? '' valiance looked into her eyes . `` i do n't want you to survive . i want you to live with all your parts in place . i 'm not leaving you in there like a coward . if i 've discovered anything about myself in the past four hours , it 's that i am not a coward . '' valiance blurred before her , and his lips were upon hers before she could finish her thought . his lips were warm but hesitant . he slid his hand up to hold her jaw but did n't deepen the embrace . her body hummed like a fluorescent bulb . energy danced along her skin with the novelty of being kissed in the front seat of her car like a high schooler , something she had n't actually had done as a high schooler . she kissed him back , taking in more of his soft lips , tasting the slight copper of him . she burned the taste of him into her brain , the warmth that pulsed against her . their warmth , she thought again . her bravery had brought him back to life . he was the one who pulled away , and when he did , she knew he was different , changed from the moment before to the moment after .

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everything she 'd ever read about warriors flashed through her mind , and she had half a notion to give him a token as he went off to war . valiance licked his lips , leaving them shiny in the moonlight and completely distracting . `` you knock on the front door . i 'll go in through the back , and we 'll meet in the middle . '' esme looked ahead and tried to focus on the plan . knock on the door and sneak in . but as she shifted in the seat again , his arm brushed against hers , and all she could think of was his lips on hers and how she wanted to do that again . she could feel his breath on her neck . she gulped as she stared at the steering wheel . `` i think you 're glowing . '' she looked down at her hands , held out before her . they looked like her hands , all normal and small . `` i think you might be seeing things . '' he turned the rearview mirror toward her , and she could see what he had seen . like someone had sprinkled her with candlelight , there was a slight illumination to her skin . and there was a sparkle in her eyes that was n't normally there . her gaze snapped over to valiance . valiance shrugged and put the rearview back where it had been . `` i only know one fairy . '' `` and does she glow ? '' `` only when she 's happy . '' esme looked away but fought the urge to bury her hands in her face . `` so much for being dark and exotic and not pathetic at all . '' `` dark and exotic has nothing on you . '' esme tried to bite back the smile that accompanied the butterflies in her stomach . she did n't think that one human could feel so much in one moment . fear for her grandmother , embarrassed that he could see right through her , and complete admiration for the man in the seat next to her . but then again , she was n't all human , so maybe this was just par for the course . he hurried out of the car and swooped around to the driver 's side to open her door for her . he offered his hand to help her out . she knew that she should n't be smiling , but she did as she slid her hand into his . it was warm , soft , and gave her just enough support as she exited . it was a horribly outdated gesture , but effective . it gave esme the distinct feeling that this was still a date . there might still be some hope , providing they survived the night . chapter six valiance stilled himself at the back of the building and drew the darkness around him . it was an old talent he had n't used in a while and the power , the glamour , was hard to hold . he locked his eyes on esme . she 'd taken a position at the front of the building and was leaning against the wall , her head against the brickwork as she prayed . he watched her cross herself and close her eyes . her rose lips muttered a prayer for the first time in a century , valiance prayed , too . it was n't to god or anything . it was just to the wind and the dirt . he did n't know any blessings or anything . he kept it simple . keep esme safe . if you gave her this power , then keep her safe so she can learn how to use it . the wind carried esme 's floral scent to him , and for a moment , he thought maybe the wind had heard him . maybe the wind was at their back . maybe the earth was a fan of grandmothers as well . esme let out a long breath and fluttered her eyes open to look back at him . despite his cloak of darkness , esme waved and gave him a thumbs-up . with a soft smile , she slipped around the front of the building . she was going to be something amazing , and every ounce of him wanted to be there when it happened . valiance squared his shoulders and turned the hilt of his sword over in his hand before finding a grip . he walked softly up to the back door and surveyed it . carefully , he reached out and touched the door handle . no electrical charge . not iron . no precautions . did mondrian want to get caught ? was a part of him asking valiance to kill him to get it over with ? there was only one way this was going to play out . he closed his eyes and listened , with a capital `` l , '' for esme to knock on the front door . the sharp rap on the door echoed through the building . valiance counted to ten before he turned the knob and pulled open the door . the explosion lifted him up and off the ground . the flames burned his jacket , and his fair eyebrows were forfeit . the chain-link fence at the back of the property cradled him like a wiry catcher 's mitt , and he rolled forward onto the ground . he landed on his knees , and his lungs smoldered as he tried to catch his breath . mondrian was n't going to give valiance those brief seconds to recoup .

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he charged toward valiance , his sword slashing out before him . valiance had moments to flatten himself against the ground to avoid the edge of the blade . valiance grabbed mondrian 's leg and jerked him to the ground . mondrian crashed , and his sword was knocked out of his hand . valiance shook the ringing from his ears before he went on the offensive . he jumped to his feet and darted to where his own sword rested in the long grass . the sword vibrated in his hand as if agreeing to his purpose . it took valiance one thought , one flash of a second to let his power consume him , let his energy enhance everything about him , heal his burns , and adjust his eyes to the dim lighting in the yard . the thought that this energy was esme 's fueled him further ; that he was doing this for her made him stronger mondrian still searched for his sword . `` did n't peg you to come alone . thought you 'd have that p**sy prima of yours . '' valiance waited . his brother might have taken the wrong path , but he still deserved an honorable death . you always get mean when you stall . '' i 've got 'til dawn to convince you to come home . '' `` my home is here . '' `` our place in atlanta is amazing . the old family seat , valiance . it really would be thomas valmont coming home . '' the memories were so far gone that valiance 's mind fogged trying to recall them . for a moment , he saw himself happy . he saw himself with his family , with his grandmere on the porch , her soft sweet smile as she hummed into her needlepoint . valiance shook the memory from his head . his grandmere was dead . the house had been burned in one bout of violence or another . there was no home for him there anymore because there was no family there anymore . he was n't thomas valmont anymore . just as valiance was about to say that , mondrian slammed into him . valiance doubled over the man 's shoulder and rammed the hilt of his sword into mondrian 's spine . the man cried out and crumpled beneath him . valiance kept hold of his sword as the fight became a twisted mesh of swinging arms and wrestling legs . once they regained their footing , valiance always had the upper hand ; his sword did not fail him . mondrian 's grunts punctuated the heavy staccato of metal on metal . valiance spun mondrian 's sword off into the darkness , only adding fire to his fury . as mondrian set up for another attack , valiance watched as his friend , his brother , disappeared and was replaced by a monster . valiance would mourn later , only after he 'd put him out of his misery . valiance cried out into the darkness as he ran at the man . there was another exchange of blows . this demon was fast , but valiance was smart . he tasted blood , smelled blood , but his energy , her power , was a fire that ran through him . the sound of a car door distracted valiance for a moment , and in that one moment , mondrian pinned him to the ground . his lips were pulled away from his sharpened teeth , and his eyes burned with a dark fire . a kind of dark valiance had n't seen since , well , since the demon he and violet had taken out six months ago . until violet , he had never known true darkness . until esme , he 'd never known true light . `` i will never go back . '' mondrian 's master spoke . `` what have you got that 's worth dying for ? '' for the first time , he was honest with his brother , and the wind and the stars that shone down on him . hope in her . hope in his city . hope that someday he could be that man . `` pfft , '' the master said . `` hope is a city in arkansas . '' `` hope is a thing with feathers . '' mondrian 's blade flashed above them . the sword made a sickening thud as it sank into the back of mondrian 's neck . the man reared up and spun on his invisible attacker . esme screamed and ran . valiance jumped to his feet . he grabbed the handle of the sword and pulled it out of mondrian 's neck . the force pushed mondrian off balance , but he still stumbled in esme 's general direction , his claws lashing out into the night , his head dangling by his windpipe . using gravity and the sheer need for this to be over , valiance swung the blade over his head to deliver the last strong blow to mondrian 's neck . blood sprayed the small yard as mondrian 's body fell lifeless to the ground . his head rolled but found a resting place in a soft patch of weeds . valiance 's chest heaved as his heart raced .

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his arm dangled at his side as he looked at the still body . for the second time that night , he found himself praying . take his energy back into the earth and remember him , remember what he was . that 's when esme started screaming . valiance dropped his sword and rushed to her . esme burrowed her face into his chest and shook . he wrapped his arms around her and felt every ounce of his fight response seep away , replaced by a warm pulse , her pulse . it was only when he realized he 'd synced to her heartbeat that he let her go . her fingers were wound tightly in his cotton shirt , so he could n't go far . `` please , esme . her wide brown eyes were not filled with tears , but her body still shook . `` i just killed someone . '' `` technically , you just injured him really bad . '' a strand of her dark hair fell across her forehead and caught in her lashes . valiance reached up and pushed the errant strand of hair behind her ear . he 'd been wanting to do that all night . esme frowned slightly . `` and i did it to protect you . '' esme smiled , then her entire body shook . `` where is your abuelita ? '' `` in the car with the bowie knife . she told me i needed to rescue you . '' `` it seems you have . '' esme closed her eyes and took in a long breath as she rested her head on his chest . valiance 's eyes closed as he reveled in the heat of her , the pulse of her , so close and so unafraid of him . this was a quiet he could get used to . slowly , the shaking stopped . `` it 's grass . '' `` i was just rolling around in it . '' `` no , the deeper smell . i thought it was just a cologne or something , but that 's the real you . the underneath you . a vampire that smells like fresh-cut grass . '' valiance could n't stop smiling ; his cheeks were beginning to ache with it . `` i guess i do n't notice it . '' `` what do i smell like ? my deeper smell . '' he knew part of this was the trauma talking . he took the opportunity to run his arm around her shoulders and begin to nudge her slowly toward the front of the house . `` wildflowers . sun-warmed wildflowers . '' they cleared the backyard , and esme 's fingers finally unfurled from his shirt . `` i guess for a fairy , smelling like flowers is n't very original . '' esme pulled away from him and seemed steady enough to walk on her own . `` i can with all honesty say that i 've never heard someone quote emily dickinson before delivering a deathblow . '' esme stopped and put her face in her hands . valiance 's stomach tied up in knots . esme started to softly chuckle . `` no , '' she said as she dropped her hands from her face and shrugged . `` i guess that 's what i do in times of action . something else i learned about myself today . '' `` so what 's the grand total ? '' they stopped by esme 's car . valiance gave a small wave to her grandmother , who sat in the front seat with the knife clearly displayed . esme counted the newly learned facts on her fingers . `` i 'm invisible to bad guys . i 'm a fairy . and i quote poetry when i fight . what have you learned today ? '' valiance took in a deep breath . there was a dead body in the backyard that the cleaners would need to dispose of , and he was pretty sure he should call their contact in the police force because an explosion would catch someone 's attention , even in this neighborhood . but none of that seemed to matter . `` this was probably the worst best date ever . or the best worst date ever . '' a blush spread across esme 's cheeks , and her floral scent filled the air around him and seemed to seep into him . i 've been told all first dates are hell . '' valiance found his hands shaking as he asked the question , so he jammed them in his pockets . `` is it too early to ask for a second ? '' esme looked down at her hands . he saw the blood crusted in her fingernails , the crimson spray across her shirt . the moonlight caught the white bandage at her wrist , and again , he felt his palms begin to itch with nerves . but when she looked up , and those wide brown eyes caught his , the hope that he had spoken about earlier seemed to flutter through him . `` sure beats folding towels on a saturday night . '' blood and water kim falconer chapter one 6:12 p.m. sunday , april 15 , 1906 stellan shot toward the ferry , his nak*d body gliding through the water just under the waves .

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he swam over sharks and knobble-backed sturgeons , while above , the setting sun turned everything to gold . brilliant clouds were mirrored on the glassy surface . beautiful ... but worrisome . there would be dozens of passengers on the observation deck tonight . dozens of deaths . the more the merrier , salila said , her voice rippling through his mind . she was n't too far behind him . he swam harder . the ferry was heading southwest and coming up on goat island , a rock in the middle of the bay . listen to me , salila . oh , but i do ! the paddle wheel churned through the waves . it rose over the hum of the steam engine and the distant siren sounds of whales traveling slowly along the coast . stellan was tempted to break the surface when he reached the bay city ferry , but the sun , and better judgment , kept him beneath the waves . he dove , skimmed the hull , and came up on the port side , sticking to the shadows . in a leap , stellan grabbed the lifesaver netting and climbed until he could see the main deck . people were chatting in small groups , gazing at the horizon , taking in the last rays of the sun . stellan counted them , sweeping his eye across the deck , up to the wheelhouse , and down the other side before stopping short . the fine hairs on the back of his neck stood on end . a woman walked toward the starboard railing , her breathtaking figure radiant in the light . the wind danced in her floor-length skirt , revealing the outline of long , slender legs . fine lace pulled tight across her lower back , accentuating the curve from h*ps to br**sts . stellan felt a pounding in his chest . everything else was falling away , his vision a vignette with only the center , only her , in bright clarity . she was like living fire , or was that the sunset ? what are you playing with , my lady ? she seemed inordinately preoccupied with a small wooden box mounted on stilts . he watched , fascinated . ah , a camera ... is n't she lovely ? salila cut into his mind . he growled deep and twisted around , his dark hair trailing over his shoulders and down his broad back as he tried to spot the mar woman in the water . that 's not what teern says . she surfaced and disappeared again . stellan 's eyes went back to the deck . the object of his attention was sliding a glass plate into the camera . quickly , she ducked under a black hood , and the whole thing flashed like a shooting star . a photographer ! the thought would have made him smile if he were n't so busy working out how to save her life . the sun dropped into the sea , and the belated fog began to rise . a mar fog . it was salila 's shroud against detection . stellan tore his eyes away from the woman long enough to dive back in and swim to the prow . the ferry chugged on , but the sound of the whales vanished . they tended toward silence when the mar were hunting . the waves beat against his back as he clung directly underneath the main deck . he could n't see her anymore , but he could hear . `` there 's enough light for one more shot . '' she 's optimistic . `` put your cape on and come inside , miss ralston ! it 's gone quite cold and will be pitch-dark before we dock . you 'll catch your death ... '' he hoped she would heed the warning . it would be the death of all those left chatting under the stars if salila and the others had their way . `` angelina ralston ! '' the well-dressed matron beside her continued . angelina ... stellan licked salt water off his lips . her hair was auburn red and reminded him of autumn trees along the atlantic coast . her eyes were dark like egyptian onyx , and her lips full , inviting . she wore a long-sleeved ivory dress with pearl buttons that ran from her slender waist , between her round br**sts to her high , lace collar . on her head was a matching hat , cocked up on one side . stellan 's throat went completely dry when she spoke . `` mrs. blackwell , i am comforted by your concern . '' she donned a forest green cape that hung to her black leather boots . `` i assure you , though , i 'm not the slightest bit cold . '' she lowered her sweet voice . `` the sea is mesmerizing , and the vista like warm embers . look how the pale evening light dances across the rising mist . if only i had a camera that could make sense of these subtleties ... this other world . '' `` very poetic , i 'm sure ... '' mrs. blackwell huffed . `` ah , but light is poetry , '' angelina said to herself .

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["pearl", 3689], ["pearlest", 3689], ["button", 3697], ["buttoning", 3697], ["buttons", 3697], ["run", 3706], ["ran", 3706], ["waist", 3729], ["round", 3749], ["high", 3769], ["collar", 3783], ["collared", 3783], ["head", 3797], ["matching", 3812], ["hat", 3816], ["hatting", 3816], ["cock", 3825], ["cockest", 3825], ["cocked", 3825], ["throat", 3860], ["completely", 3876], ["dry", 3880], ["drier", 3880], ["drying", 3880], ["speak", 3895], ["spoken", 3895], ["spoke", 3895], ["mrs", 3904], ["comfort", 3932], ["comforted", 3932], ["concern", 3948], ["concerned", 3948], ["concernest", 3948], ["forest", 3973], ["green", 3979], ["greens", 3979], ["hang", 3994], ["hung", 3994], ["hangs", 3994], ["leather", 4015], ["boot", 4021], ["boots", 4021], ["assure", 4035], ["though", 4048], ["slight", 4073], ["slightest", 4073], ["bit", 4077], ["bits", 4077], ["lowers", 4099], ["lowerest", 4099], ["lowered", 4099], ["sweet", 4109], ["mesmerize", 4143], ["mesmerizes", 4143], ["vista", 4159], ["vistas", 4159], ["warm", 4169], ["ember", 4176], ["embers", 4176], ["look", 4183], ["pale", 4196], ["evening", 4204], ["dance", 4217], ["dances", 4217], ["rise", 4235], ["risen", 4235], ["rising", 4235], ["mist", 4240], ["sense", 4287], ["subtlety", 4307], ["subtleties", 4307], ["world", 4328], ["poetic", 4348], ["sure", 4360], ["poetry", 4419]]

then louder , over the chatter of the other passengers , `` there 's too much to experience on deck , mrs. blackwell . i ca n't bear to walk away from the sensations . '' `` miss ralston ! now i must insist you retreat to the safety of the cabin . your father would n't have you lingering in 'sensations ' of any kind , i am sure . '' `` fortunately , father is not here , '' angelina whispered . `` i 'm a hunter of light , mrs. blackwell . i put my consciousness upon its reflection , watching , waiting to capture what i can . '' stellan 's eyes widened as he listened . `` life is n't all about photographs , miss ralston . '' `` it is this evening . father 's instructed me to record the seascape . '' `` yes , for the bridge ... '' `` bridges . '' angelina emphasized the plural . `` one along this ferry route , from oakland mole to market street landing , and the other ... '' `` across the golden gate , i know ! '' mrs. blackwell sighed . `` the esteemed mr. ralston , and my son , your fiance '' -she exaggerated each syllable of that last word- '' speak of nothing else . '' `` then perhaps you 'll appreciate ... '' `` i appreciate nothing in this damp , cold fog and endless sloshing of water all around . `` yes , i 've heard about your proclivity toward swimming . '' the older woman fussed with her coat buttons , doing them up to her chin . `` i 'm going inside , and you are to follow directly . i 'll not have you out here unattended . '' angelina kept her eyes on the sea , making no move to leave . the matron turned to a man who stood a small distance away with his hands clasped behind his back . `` assist her , gerald . '' `` i can manage myself , thank you , '' angelina said . she turned to the man . `` could you please see mrs. blackwell safely inside . '' `` what will my son think if i allow his fiancee to catch a chill ? '' mrs. blackwell said over her shoulder while being escorted to the doors . `` i 'm sure he will think nothing unkind of you , mrs . the woman snorted at that and disappeared into the cabin . stellan struggled with conflicting desires as he watched angelina lean against the railing . there were other people still on the deck . salila would act soon . you should be helping us ! i think you do fine without me . we are mar , stellan . have your forgotten your own nature in all these centuries ? but your way is ... that of the ancients ! we do n't even know who they were ! a master race from the sunken continent ? remnants of children sacrificed to the sea ? we 've lost our history , salila . but not our traditions ! her voice stung . we need human blood to rise from the tombs . we need it to walk on land . we do n't need so much that they die ! i 've found ... a better way ? what 's teern think of your big idea ? stellan did n't have an answer for that . he 'd yet to discuss it with their leader . you might want to move away from the bow , brother . salila 's warning shot into his mind . there 's going to be a little spill . the bay city ferry had two ballast tanks with a thirty-ton capacity each . if one malfunctioned , the nose of the vessel would momentarily dip , and any passengers on deck would slip right down into the sea . salila was very good at making things malfunction . the ferry lurched , and mar began to tear up the side of the vessel , splintering the hull in their race to the top . the prow smashed nose first into the swell , and the main deck , moments ago a stately , horizontal surface , upended . people lost their footing , all but angelina . she gripped the railing with both hands and held fast . salila made to jump at her , but stellan caught the mar woman by the ankle , a bone-crushing hold . she spun and snarled . what 's wrong with you ! with a disgusted look , she kicked free and dove , hitting the water , where people were splashing and waving . angelina screamed , her grip nearly gone . stellan threw himself into motion , ripping apart the railing in his vertical ascent . as he launched toward her , the bow of the ferry bounced back up , tossing passengers into the sky , angelina among them . stellan 's collision course ended with a resounding thud , his chest slamming into the woman as his arms encircled her . thousands of sparkling water drops sprayed out from their impact . streams arced from his long hair , reaching toward her face . the sounds of the paddle wheel and engine , the screams of drowning humans , and the clang of bells faded into the background .

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but suddenly there was only this young woman , this angel , in his arms . the scent of her filled his nostrils , her warmth turning his head light as air . angelina 's heart pounded hard against his bare chest as she clung to him . her eyes were shut tight , and she was still screaming as they began to fall . `` angelina ! '' her lids flew open , and she stared straight at him . stellan could n't breathe . seeing her , holding her ... it felt like sunshine , open fields , and a fullness of heart he 'd never known . she pierced him with her beautiful , dark gaze , a weapon more potent than anything imaginable . they held each other tight , speechless , until , like a stone , they plunged into the sea . a cacophony of sound rushed by , punctuated by the snap and flare of misshapen voices . comprehension was futile . when she managed to grasp hold of anything , it disintegrated into blind , meaningless noise . then darkness settled , calm until a whoosh of air inflated her chest . heat rolled over her skin . pain registered , then a heartbeat , pounding , earsplitting . she sucked in the air , hungry for more . pins and needles shot down every nerve . pressure built , and angelina 's eyes flew open . the question echoed off luminous walls . a figure hovered close by . his hair was long , and water dripped from the ends onto her exposed neck . for a moment , she could see the contours of his face . then they blurred into memory , a strong jaw , full lips . a man planting his mouth over her own , breathing life back into her body . his shoulders , beautifully curved as he leaned in , were marble white ... then the shouting started . `` what in the dead bone 's deep did you bring her here for ? `` she would have drowned otherwise ! '' the words tumbled together , mixing with the incessant ring of high-pitched water drops and rolling waves that surged up and down the walls of her reasoning . a shadow streaked into view and was immediately banished . angelina licked the salty tang of the sea from her lips . it tasted like blood . protect her if you want . but teern will never let her live , now that she 's seen you . '' `` she wo n't remember ! '' angelina 's head throbbed . water splashed over her face , and a deep , commanding energy slammed her . `` you have interfered with the hunt , again ! '' `` teern , forget what salila says . the girl can be useful . '' `` she knows about the bridge . '' bridges , angelina thought . she managed to lift herself up on her elbows . a hand pressed ever so gently on her bosom . it replaced the swirling void with warmth . she closed her eyes and drifted away . `` i can take the human girl back . learn more of their plans . '' a single word taunted her . angelina fought against the confusion as she was swept up in strong arms . the rush of cold air forced her eyes wide open . into them stared two jewels , gray-green like the sea . chapter two 04:12 p.m. monday , april 16 , 1906 something terrible had happened , angelina was sure of it , but for the life of her she could n't recall what . sun shone onto her face , and she could hear waves pounding the sand . buoys clanged , or was that the sound of cable cars ? her fingers traced across the sand . `` you 're safe , miss . '' she opened her eyes to find a gentleman bending over her . he reminded her of someone , and she wondered at herself for imagining smooth marble skin beneath his white , high-collared shirt . he wore ferndale striped trousers , a gray-green vest that matched his eyes , black silk puff tie , black riding boots , and a tweed frock coat . his face was ... beautiful , and his long , wavy hair was secured at the nape of his neck . she studied him until the sun 's glare made her look down . he must have been wading in the surf , for his trouser cuffs and boots were soaked . with his help , she sat up . her clothes were wet and utterly disheveled . she touched the top of her head . `` my hair 's come down , '' she said , her mouth feeling like it was stuffed with cotton . `` i was returning from oakland with mrs. blackwell , taking photographs for my father . '' `` on the bay city ferry ? '' her hands went to her mouth `` there was an accident ! people went overboard ! '' `` my fiance 's mother , mrs. blackwell ! gerald , our manservant ! `` the event was in the papers this morning , miss . no mention of names , but seven people were still unaccounted for . '' `` and i must be one of them . '' she buried her face in her hands and exhaled long and slow .

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`` this is terrible ! '' with another deep breath , she looked up . `` but you saved me ? pulled me from the sea ? '' `` from the surf , '' he said . his voice was warm and rich . `` you washed up on a raft of driftwood . i spotted you from the wharf . '' he pointed to the pilings near the water channel . she took in the industrial waterfront , with its warehouses and longshoremen working the docks . facing west was a sign reading pier 42 . `` china basin ? '' she stared at him , her mouth open . angelina did n't remember hitting the water or swimming to the driftwood , or anything else past hanging on to the railing for dear life when her tripod went over . `` my camera ! '' she looked about as if it might appear beside her . `` no sign of that , i 'm afraid . '' he helped her to stand . `` please let me introduce myself . i 'm stellan fletcher . '' he shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders . `` is your home far away ? '' `` pacific heights . '' her mind was in a whirl . stellan . she turned the name over with her tongue . she could n't detect an accent . `` mr. fletcher , '' she offered her hand . `` i 'm angelina ralston and deeply in your debt . '' `` you must n't mention it . '' their eyes met , and chills went down her spine . for a moment , she thought her knees would give way . `` this is a most peculiar event , mr. fletcher , but i do think you 've saved my life . that is worth more than a passing mention . '' he gave a small bow . angelina smiled and brought her hand to her neck . it was wet even though her lace collar was beginning to dry in the breeze . her fingers came away bloody . `` i must get home . '' `` and avoid the press if at all possible . '' `` i will find a cabdriver and escort you . '' he pointed toward the docks . `` it 's not far to king street if you can manage . '' angelina allowed him to take her elbow and lead her up the sandy dune to the pier and on toward the bustle of the city . she sat on a bench while he hailed a taxi . inside , she sat for a moment with her eyes closed . `` fillmore and washington street . '' stellan repeated the location to the driver and climbed in the other side . with a chug and backfire , they were off , swerving through the traffic . the cab was a model a ford that had seen heavy use . it moved at a snail 's pace , which was fortunate considering the reckless driving on market street . stages , hack carts , donkey traps , and cable cars vied for right of way along with what angelina thought were far too many pedestrians . they bumped over the tracks , veering out of the way of oncoming cable cars just in time . the noise jarred her mind . out the dusty window , the angle of the light was severe . she stuck her head out from under the canopy before stellan could answer . captivated by the light , she watched it cross the tall buildings , glinting off windows , forcing shadows to lengthen . `` nearly sunset , '' he said . `` it 's been twenty-four hours ? '' `` since the accident ? i believe so . '' angelina pulled her head in , suddenly thinking of her hatless appearance and her wild hair blowing in the breeze . `` i suppose it 's a miracle i survived . '' the smell of city refuse , horse manure , engine oil , and bricks wafted in . it jolted her back to the present , reminding her there was a strange man , her rescuer , sitting quite close . automatic manners took over . before he could answer , the driver slammed on the brakes and pounded the horn . a man on a wheel , one of those bicycles she 'd been wanting to try , much to her family 's vexation , had nearly plowed into them . stellan stared after the contraption . `` i 'm a visitor . '' the way he looked at the world going by , she was sure he was glad of that . `` that hardly pinpoints it , mr. fletcher , '' she said , and pressed her forehead into her hand . it was getting more and more difficult to keep up the social niceties . `` i 'll tell you my full life story if you like , but perhaps for now you 'd rather rest . '' angelina closed her eyes . please rouse me when we reach fillmore and washington . '' nothing 's changed , stellan thought . he did n't want to breathe . the air was foul , the land dust dry , and the crowds of humans , more visible than ever in daylight , smelled acrid . san francisco had no order , no symmetry .

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there certainly had been no improvement to the system of traffic since his last visit . people crossed at any and every point , as did riders trotting into view from behind wagons or blind corners . he 'd witnessed three near calamities since they started and it had only been a matter of minutes . at that point , stellan wondered if his whole plan seem mad . but when he looked over at angelina , resting quietly , with her hands in her lap and her eyes closed , her long hair falling in tangles over her shoulders to brush the seat of the car , he knew he 'd made the only possible choice . he drank her in until the driver dropped speed and shifted into low gear . they were moving away from the business district , driving nearly straight uphill . upon reaching the top , they turned again and descended a short way , pulling over to the curb . stellan placed his hand lightly on angelina 's shoulder . `` miss ralston ? '' she straightened and attempted to put her clothes in better order . you must see the view . '' stellan got out to get her door , but she was already climbing out . she pointed toward the sea . the homes lining the hilly street were grand , but the vista took his breath away . he could see all the way to the marina . beyond that was the golden gate channel , turning red with the sinking sun . and beneath it ... ah , beneath it lay the sheltering tombs . `` the light is extraordinary . '' angelina tilted her head . `` are you an artist ? '' she raised her brows but did n't reply . for a few moments they stood side by side , watching the sun go down . it was a rare sight for stellan , considering what it took for his kind to tolerate the day . he glanced at her neck and frowned . hopefully , no harm would come of his choice . the driver stepped up , dusting off his cap and clearing his throat . stellan pulled a fine leather wallet from his breast pocket and paid . `` mr. fletcher , i will not be any more of an inconvenience . '' `` it is no trouble , i assure you . '' `` shall we face the family then ? '' he offered to support her , but she kept a slight distance between them . `` i 'm rattled , mr. fletcher , i 'll admit , but i 'm not an invalid . i only hope the news is that all have been as lucky as i to survive . '' angelina led the way up wide steps that began at the sidewalk . they were lined with an ivory , wrought-iron fence . wandering roses grew over the metal , their vines following the contours of every loop and curlicue , dotting them with apricot and yellow blossoms . he asked as he tilted his head to take in the three-story mansion . `` it 's my father 's . '' `` he designed it when he and my mother first married . '' `` your father is an architect ? '' stellan looked at her sidewise . `` he 's planned my life from birth to grave . '' `` but it is a lovely house . '' stellan felt obliged to make some show of actually looking at the building and not her . `` marvelous rooftops . copper cupolas ? '' `` yes , capping the turrets and oriels , too . '' `` wonderful bay windows . '' `` my favorite is on the south wall . the stained glass is from italy . his face actually hurt from how much he 'd been doing that today . `` i anticipate viewing it with pleasure , miss ralston . '' angelina laughed , and he felt heat rush through his body . `` i think you really are an artist , mr. fletcher , a quite famous one perhaps , who is keeping his identity a secret . '' he wanted to say he had no secrets , but instead , he winked at her . in moments , they reached the entranceway , where pillars and arches supported the high ceiling . from the beams , hanging baskets overflowed with ferns and colorful flowers . `` your home is extraordinary , miss ralston . '' `` i must warn you about my family ... '' for a moment she was close enough for him to catch the pulse of her heart . it was so distracting , he did n't immediately register the front door 's opening and the voices ' exclaiming in surprise . soon shouts and a rush of people crowded the entrance , all talking at once . angelina was whisked inside , and stellan followed , for the moment forgotten . call for the physician ! '' a booming voice commanded . `` and send word to the blackwells this instant ! '' he pointed his finger at angelina . `` twenty-four hours , young woman ! that 's how long you 've been gone without a word ! nearly ruined our new connections . your fiance was ready to cut all ties . he thought you were dead ! '' she went red in the face . `` my sincere apologies , father . ''

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the family closed in , assaulting angelina with questions . `` what were you thinking , not doing as mrs. blackwell asked ? '' `` have you no concern for your own future ? '' `` you look like something the tide washed in ! '' `` i feel like something the tide washed in , '' she managed to say . `` but i 'm alive and well , and it 's a relief to know that mrs. blackwell and gerald are , too . '' her eyes went to the servant . `` of course they are , '' her father yelled . `` they went inside the cabin , where passengers ought to be . '' `` how did you manage to get home ? '' `` we have mr. fletcher to thank for that . '' stellan felt the entire gathering turn to him . `` it was no trouble , '' he said , his eyes still on angelina . she returned his gaze and mouthed the words `` thank you , '' as several women led her up the stairs . `` he pulled me from the surf , '' she said before disappearing into a room . stellan sagged for a moment as if released from a spell . one of the women , her mother , he guessed , from her age , called down the stairs . `` do n't just stand there , mr. ralston . see to this man who 's found our daughter . '' she called to a maid . `` hot water for the bath ! where is that physician ? '' mr. ralston stepped forward and extended his hand as he introduced himself . `` the ferry situation is appalling ! what we need is a bridge . '' `` my thought exactly , '' stellan lied . `` you 'll dine with us , at the least . are you visiting the city ? '' `` for a few days ... '' `` you 'll stay here ! `` thank you , mr. ralston . that will be a pleasure . '' angelina was in her own bed , freshly bathed , with the comforter pulled up to her chin . the elderly physician , dr. medleys , had poked and prodded her from toe to tonsils while he mumbled questions to himself , supplying his own , unintelligible answers . eventually , he gave her a clean bill of health , dressed her neck wound , an injury she could have received when falling over the broken railing , and told her mother to feed her a simple meal and let her sleep . angelina got the meal , a small portion of fish broth and a piece of sourdough bread , no butter . she also took a few moments to dash off notes to several friends who would be frantic by the news of her disappearance , but even with that accomplished , her mother seemed reluctant to let her rest . `` you did well , angelina , keeping your counsel in front of dr. medleys . he 's competent , of course , but he does n't need to hear the details . you know how word gets around . '' `` i was n't keeping my counsel , mother . i truly ca n't remember what happened . '' until i opened my eyes and saw mr. fletcher standing on the shore ... she sighed into her pillow . mrs. ralston proceeded to test her memory by asking her everything she could think of , from `` when did you know you would fall '' and `` are n't we blessed you 're such a strong swimmer '' to `` who would have thought that a useful skill ? '' she was n't quite through scolding her , though . `` mrs. blackwell assured me you 'd been asked several times to vacate the deck ... '' `` and she suffered no injury ? '' angelina cut in , hoping to change the topic . `` a nasty bruise on the arm and an attack on her nervous system are all . she was seated inside . '' and did all survive ? '' mrs. ralston shook her head . `` sadly , no , '' she said , then started talking about the tea she 'd had to cancel on angelina 's account . angelina closed her eyes to feign sleep , deepening her breathing until she heard footsteps brushing over the rug . there was a pause at the door , then it clicked shut . she peeked to make sure a maid was n't stationed in her bedside rocker . finally alone , angelina felt free to contemplate recent events . her mind went out to those lost though she could n't picture any of the others who 'd stayed on deck . then slowly she felt pulled toward the young man who had found her , stellan fletcher . what incredible happenstance to put him in her path at just such a moment . or put me in his path is more likely . with that thought , her lids closed softly , and angelina drifted away . the house was deadly silent , but angelina felt another presence in her room . the door had n't opened , and there were no footsteps approaching the bed .

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still , something had roused her , like a warm mist rising between the cracks in the floorboards . she opened her eyes and startled . stellan ? pleased do n't be alarmed , angelina . if you can forgive the intrusion , i was only hoping to see that you were recovered from the ordeal . part of her thought it was beyond forward to be making such a private inquiry . and at this hour ! another part thought the gesture was both sincere and endearing . while she tried to focus on the outlines of his face , he took her hand and lifted it to his lips . my beautiful angelina . the kiss on her hand lingered , causing sensations to spread throughout her body . the next thing she knew , he was embracing her , his mouth kissing her lips once , very tenderly , then moving to her neck . a pleasurable sound escaped before she could contain it . just a few drops ... he whispered . her lids became heavy , and she had the distinct sense of falling into the sea . chapter three 6:00 a.m. tuesday , april 17 , 1906 angelina sat bolt upright , gasping for air . she checked the scream about to escape her lips and took in the room . she was alone , the dawnlight tinting the bay windows rosy red . slowly , her hand went to her throat . the dressing was in place , but her satin gown had slipped off one shoulder . her hair had escaped its braid and was damp with sweat . she sat there , in the middle of the bed , trying to make sense of it all . her face was flushed , but the images in her mind were fading fast . whatever it was , it had made her feel good ... to the core . she got up and filled her washbasin with water from the pitcher . after a wash , jeanie came in to help her dress . breakfast was served early at the ralstons ' , and no doubt mason blackwell would call to see that she had indeed survived . and discuss the latest engineering developments with her father . mason ... the engagement had not been her idea . mr. ralston simply announced one day that it was time for her to do her duty to the family . `` i was n't aware of such obligations , '' she 'd said . `` then i 'm glad to have enlightened you , daughter , '' he 'd answered back . mason blackwell was a young architect in the ralston firm , and not without independent means . `` it 's a logical choice , '' her father had insisted . `` hardly the best motivation for marriage ! '' he 'd dismissed that outright . `` what else would you base your choice on ? '' shortly after that conversation , mr. blackwell came to call . angelina thought him too much like her father , but both families were congratulating them before she got the first protest out . `` think it through , '' her mother had said in private . `` you 're twenty-seven and have yet to accept any prospects . enough is enough ! '' `` i have n't accepted any because none have shown the least interest in my art , or my philosophies . '' why on earth would you want them to ? '' angelina thought of her photographs hanging in new york galleries and being purchased for publication in the yellow ribbon , a statewide suffrage newspaper . how could she wed someone who did n't recognize her creative goals or respect her politics ? the families were pressuring them to set a date , her mother hoping for june ! it did n't give her much time to figure a way out . i must make a stand ! angelina held on to the thought , as well as the back of a chair , while jeanie laced up her corset . it was yellow satin with white ribbing , made from the latest pattern out of paris , la mode illustree . thank you , cousin emily . yesterday , her corset strings had come completely loosened in the accident , and the freedom of that sensation was hard not to long for . jeanie helped her slip on a pale rose tea dress and buttoned it up the back . her hair was untangled , put up , then on went the matching hat , with its trail of paper roses on one side . `` lovely , '' jeanie said , as mrs. ralston pushed into the room . `` a great improvement over yesterday 's appearance ! '' her mother confirmed . angelina cleared her throat . `` is mr. fletcher at the table ? '' where else would a young man be ? though his appetite for conversation seems bigger than his stomach . '' `` he 's as obsessed with the golden gate as misters ralston and blackwell . i suspect he 's an architect or an engineer . how many men of such persuasion can fit into my house ? '' `` three at least , it seems . '' angelina turned from the mirror . her mother narrowed her eyes . `` you 're positively glowing , child . are you sure you 're not fevered ? how 's your appetite ?

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`` i could eat a horse , '' she said , making jeanie smile and her mother gasp . angelina headed downstairs , leaving them to follow . stellan glanced now and then at mason blackwell . the human was unimpressive , as far as he was concerned . stocky build but leaning toward portly , a weak jaw , and hairline receding like a full-moon tide . none of this would matter if he had heart . strength of spirit . reverence for angelina . so far , these attributes had not been displayed . blackwell had barely asked after her , making stellan 's opinion of the man fall even lower . utterly unworthy . stellan ... he startled , turning his gaze to the dining-room entrance . now i 'm imagining her voice in my head ? moments later , angelina appeared in the doorway , her eyes going to stellan 's and resting there . `` miss ralston , '' he said , and stood . `` and , mrs. ralston , '' he added , as her mother came straight in and sat down . the other men finally rose as well . mr. ralston gave his daughter a cursory look . `` i trust you 're fully recovered and have written formal apologies to mrs. blackwell and her son ? '' he indicated mason , who stood next to him . angelina seemed unable to respond . mr. ralston sat back down , leaving stellan to pull her chair out , seating her next to him . it put her directly across from mason , who was still standing . when the other man spoke , stellan had to contain the low growl threatening to escape his lips . `` dear angelina . '' blackwell spoke as if reciting a passage . `` it was such a relief to hear of your safe return . mother is still recovering from the shock of it all , of course . '' somehow , he managed to make it sound as if it were angelina 's fault . `` a harrowing experience , i am sure , but all 's well that ends well . '' he smiled briefly , then sat back down to his morning paper . `` thank you , mr. blackwell , for your , and mrs. blackwell 's concern for my welfare . '' she kept her hands in her lap as her breakfast was served : two fried eggs , bacon , and toast with blueberry jam . along with it came a silver tray with a mountain of envelopes . `` i can see my recovery is an utter relief to some . thank heavens . '' the paper rustled . she did n't reply , but stellan thought the san francisco call might ignite from her look alone . he turned to her slightly . `` do you feel completely yourself today ? '' `` i feel more myself than i ever have in my life . i might go so far as to say a new self is emerging . '' she focused on her breakfast , attacking it with knife and fork , taking large bites of egg followed by the toast . after washing it down with tea , she said to the table , `` i seem to be ravenous . '' i , too ... her head jerked up , eyes on stellan 's . `` it 's ... a beautiful day . '' he tried to cover his shock . `` sunny again . i 'd always thought your city was filled with fog . '' `` not always , sir , '' she said softly . blackwell , ignorant of the small exchange , interrupted by reading aloud from the morning paper . `` dockworker found in the early hours of the morning , drowned . '' `` a careless man , no doubt , '' mrs. ralston said . `` falling down on the job . '' `` quite careless , i agree . he also managed to have his throat torn out . '' blackwell read on . `` second man found in such a state in as many days ... '' `` sharks ? '' stellan asked in a level voice . `` do n't they usually take the whole torso ? '' mr. ralston asked , his paper lowering as he took a sip of tea . `` mr. ralston , please . how morbid , '' angelina 's mother said . `` it 's a scientific fact . sharks feed in a kind of frenzy , dismembering ... '' `` enough ! '' mrs. ralston snapped . `` our daughter was only just fished from the very same bay . please do n't conjure such frightful images . '' `` i ca n't imagine miss ralston being too distraught , '' blackwell said from behind his paper . `` knowing her , she 'd want to photograph the scene . '' mrs. ralston did n't approve of that statement either . `` only if the light was good , '' angelina said . but her hand went to her neck . stellan watched as a drop of blood escaped the confines of the dressing and trickled toward her collarbone . quickly , stellan handed her his napkin .

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she blotted up the drops and secured the dressing tighter . it took her a moment to recover , but when she did , she squared her shoulders and addressed mr. ralston 's paper . `` father , i must prevail on your generosity . my camera was lost ... '' `` negligent of you , '' he said . `` i hope you learned from the experience . '' but if i am to photograph the shores ... '' `` i see . '' he dismissed her with a wave . `` procure the camera . i need those images by next week . '' i shall be about it today . '' mrs. ralston said . `` is n't that a little soon to be traipsing about the emporium ? '' `` i 'm fine , mother . '' `` you 'll not go out alone . '' `` i am perfectly capable of ... '' `` i will escort her , '' stellan said . `` if that suits you , miss ralston . '' `` thank you , mr. fletcher . i know you have an interest in the arts . your presence would be helpful . '' her voice was even , but she was blushing . `` if there are no objections ? '' stellan said to the other men in the room . slowly mason put the paper down and folded it in thirds . `` none from me . '' he turned to mr. ralston . `` we 're going over the designs with the steelmaker today , are n't we ? '' in moments , ralston and blackwell were in deep conversation , angelina 's shopping expedition forgotten . `` it 's settled then , '' angelina said . she dabbed the corners of her mouth and stole a look at stellan . mrs. ralston did n't miss it . `` you 'll not go out with this young gentleman unattended , angelina , '' she said . `` mr. blackwell may condone it , but i do not . think of the press ... '' `` gerald will drive us , '' angelina cut in . `` but really , mother , it 's the twentieth century . women are ... '' `` as capable as men , yes , i know . emancipated whatnot . take gerald to chaperone . that would suffice . '' mrs. ralston knit her brows . `` be back by dinner . six o'clock sharp . '' angelina was beaming . the emporium on the corner of market and fifth , two blocks down from the call building , was one of her favorite stores . it had everything from garden tools to lingerie , hot coffee , books and sheet music , furniture , horse harnesses , and china teacups . most important , it catered to the arts , with a section of brushes , paints , and canvases , stage props , costumes , and the latest in photographic equipment . she smiled as she led the way up to the second floor and toward the back corner , where the scent of linseed oil , fine leather , and boar bristles was welcoming . as soon as the shopkeeper spotted her party , he gave a frantic wave . what a comforting sight . i read all about it in the papers ! are you quite alright ? '' `` mr. higgins , thank you . i 'm fine , but my camera was lost . i must replace everything . '' `` such a relief to see you alive and well , '' he said . `` gave us all a shock . '' he hefted a thick catalog and opened to a bookmarked section . `` i can order in exactly what you had before , but you might like to consider some new innovations . `` a plastigmat lens , for example ... '' angelina was lost for some time in the catalog . the plate series d was an improvement , indeed , and it sported a price tag to match . `` ninety-seven dollars and fifty cents ? '' `` plus shipping , but you get what you pay for , as i am sure mr. ralston knows . it 's superior quality . aluminum body , nickel frame , mahogany inserts , and fine leather cover . two tripod sockets . '' he tapped the picture . `` nothing surpasses eastman kodak , and a woman of your talent deserves the best . '' a woman of my means can afford the best , i 'm sure you mean to say . stellan , who was studying the photographs along the far wall , chuckled . `` how soon will it arrive ? '' `` the tripod is in stock . the rest will be sent as soon as i telegraph the order through . call back late next week . we should have it by then . '' `` i 'm afraid so , unless you 'd like to rent in the interim ? a similar setup for , say one dollar a day , with your tripod and plates ? '' she signed the various documents mr. higgins pushed in front of her and nearly jumped out of her skin when stellan appeared at her side as if from nowhere .

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`` you 've found what you were looking for ? '' `` i believe i have , but you must see something over here . '' she stopped herself from taking his hand . angelina went to the visual arts display and looked on as he studied the range of oil paints , tube upon tube , mounted in fans of colors on the wall . he leaned in very close and motioned her to do the same . `` look at the subtle shifts . from yellow ochre to sienna to gold . like the sun . '' she quivered , wondering if he could hear her heart pound . `` i love the names , '' she whispered . `` terra rosa , prussian green , quinacridone magenta ... '' `` these are the colors of daylight , but your photographs are of the night , the shades of gray . '' `` i capture the truth of light , '' she said . `` what is seen in the absence of color . '' you would love my world then ... he stared at her blankly , and in her nervousness , she reached out to touch the indigo tube at the exact same moment he did . their hands collided and seemed to entwine of their own accord . `` pardon me ... '' gerald cleared his throat behind them , and they both straightened . `` are you ready to proceed , miss ralston ? '' she looked to stellan . `` join me for late lunch ? the clam chowder on fisherman 's wharf is beyond superb . '' gerald frowned but hoisted the camera gear and followed them out of the emporium . fisherman 's wharf was across town , across being a misnomer . they drove up steep inclines , streets rattling with cable cars and all manner of traffic , and down such severe slopes that if the brakes failed , there would be no saving them . angelina let it all rush by as she sat in the backseat , chatting with stellan . `` do you want to stop in chinatown ? '' she said , her face lighting up . `` it would make an exotic background for a portrait of you , mr. fletcher . i shall try the camera today . '' `` is chinatown wise , miss ralston ? '' gerald said from the driver 's seat . he made no apology for eavesdropping . `` the quarantine has only just been lifted . '' `` i suspect that affair was motivated more by politics than good medical practice , a heinously racist move by governor gage . '' `` as you say , miss ralston . '' she glared at the back of gerald 's head . stellan spoke before she could say more . `` i agree he 's not taking his custodianship seriously , at least not in favor of american-chinese civil rights . '' she nodded to stellan . `` far from helping , it appears gage is thwarting all advancements . '' `` still , is it wise ? '' gerald let his protest hang . as they crested telegraph hill , she gazed out at the east bay . the fog 's rolling in anyway . '' `` it will be a cloud sea about us , '' stellan said . `` we 'll take photos here then . '' she gestured out the window . `` while we still have the sunlight . '' `` i will capture you yet , mr . stellan smiled . `` are you shy of being photographed ? '' `` not by you . '' gerald parked the ford , and he and stellan made to unload the newly rented camera gear . angelina elbowed in before they could get very far . `` i 've got it , '' she said to both men . `` i need no assistance , thank you . '' stellan was captivated as angelina moved here and there , testing the light , feeling the wind . she chose a gnarled old oak as the backdrop and had him stand beside it , his hand resting on the trunk . the light dappled through the branches like ripples in a tide pool . the touch of the wood was solid as reef . `` you like trees ? '' angelina approached him to straighten the fall of his coat . `` i like all living things . '' `` what a splendid and unusual response . are you a humanitarian ? '' `` you could say so , yes . '' he was lost in her dark eyes and the gentle floral scent that rose from her body . he memorized her every movement , comment , and instruction , letting her fill his mind completely . `` with the coat over your shoulder , i think . '' can you hold that ? '' he did n't answer but instead studied the tree with its twisting branches that reached for the sky , dark arms against the glimpse of blue . `` you 're a very good subject , '' she said , sliding in a glass plate . she had him strike different poses until gerald pulled out his pocket watch and cleared his throat , a practice that was beginning to make stellan 's upper lip twitch .

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