EMBRACETHEDARK

TheBloodRoseNovellaSeries#1

By

CarisRoane

EMBRACETHEDARK

ByCarisRoane

Copyright©2012byCarisRoane

Allrightsreserved.NopartofthiseBookmaybereproducedinwholeorinpart,scanned,photocopied,
recorded,distributedinanyprintedorelectronicform,orreproducedinanymannerwhatsoever,orby
any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without express written
permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and
reviews.

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor'simagination
orareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locales,orpersonslivingordeadisentirely
coincidental.

FormattingandcoverbyBellaMediaManagement.

FirstEditioneBook

eISBN:978-1-937515-70-6

DEARREADER

EMBRACETHEDARKishereatlast:Novella#1oftheBloodRoseNovellaSeries!
Many of you know me from my Guardians of Ascension series, published by St. Martin’s Press,

beginninginJanuaryof2011withASCENSION.

For some time now, I’ve wanted to write a novella series to help fill in the months between the

releasesofmyfull-lengthnovels.BecauseIhavealong-standingloveaffairwithvampires,Idecidedto
continuewithmyfavoritefangedcreaturesandtothatendcreatedmyBloodRoseNovellaSeries.This
time, however, I added several different species to a world I’ve called the Nine Realms of North
America.

Ofcourse,vampiresstillendupontop!
Governingeachrealmisa‘mastyr’vampire,anuber-powerfulvampirewithsufficientpreternatural

abilitytodefeatthelong-standingenemyofrealm-folk:thedeadlyInvictuswraith-pairs.

Ourbeleagueredmastyrvampiresalsosufferfromchronicbloodstarvationandcanonlybesatedby

aphenomenoncalledabloodrose.

Each realm exists in a parallel plane to a major city in North America and the first novella,

EMBRACETHEDARK,takesustoFlagstaff,Arizonawheremyheroandheroinecrosspaths.

Ihopeyouenjoythisnewtakeonparanormallore.
EMBRACETHEDARKisanovellaof45,000words,whichisanapproximatepaperbacklength

of135pages.

Formoreinformationabouttheseries,visitmeat:

www.CarisRoane.com

ForlotsofFacebookfun,youcanfindmepostingfrequentlyonmywall.Ialsoencouragemyfansto

post,sothere’slotsofsharingofmusicandpicsofallkinds.Facebooksearch:CarisRoane

Prior to writing sensual paranormal romance, I wrote sweet Regency Romance for Kensington

Publishing Corp., and was fortunate to publish almost 50 Regency novels and novellas during that time
under the pseudonym, Valerie King. In 2005, Romantic Times Magazine honored me with a Career
AchievementAwardinRegencyRomance.YoucanlearnmoreaboutmyRegencyworkat:

ValerieKing-

romance.com

.

I’vebeenblessedtowriteromancealltheseyears.
Ihopeyouenjoy,EMBRACETHEDARK!

Blessings,
CarisRoane

ChapterOne

MastyrVampireGerrod,ofMerhaineRealm,liftedahandtowardthehuman,Abigail,thenletitfall

away.Shestoodwithherbacktohim,ignoringhim,delightingintheweddingfestivities,laughingoften.

SweetGoddess,evenherlaughterspikedhisblood-need,whichcausedotherneedstoriseaswell.

Hisdesireforherwasneverfarawayanddeepenednow,echoingthrougheachcellofhisvampirebody,
stiffeningmusclesandotherparts,beggingforsustenance,allkinds.

He should have been beyond such madness. He was three-hundred-years-old, for the Goddess’s

sake.ButeversinceAbigailKirklandhadmadeherpresenceknownandfeltinMerhaine,he’dbeenheld
hostagebyeventhescentofher.

Likecrushedrosemary.
He breathed in, his nostrils flaring. A full sliver of heaven in that delicate scent, with just enough

womanbeneathtorobhimofrationalthought.

Andsheahuman.
Heflexedhisbiceps:hewasthatmad.Hehadtoworknottolethisfangsdescend,elseeverything

hefeltwouldbeondisplayforeventhelesserfolktoknowandunderstand.Hewouldn’tletherhumiliate
him.

Thismadnesswasmaddening.
Hestoodbehindher,andalittleofftoherrightside.Hecouldalmostseeherprofile.Sheknewhe

wasthere,butshewasignoringhim.Shehadtoldhimthathistemperirkedherandshewishedhewould
besilent.

He could have her killed for saying such a thing to him, he, the Mastyr Vampire of the Merhaine

Realm,oneoftheNineRealmsofNorthAmerica.Didshenotunderstandthatheruledthisrealm?

He should walk away. There were many at the wedding reception expecting his attention, several

mayors,councilmembers.

Yethecouldn’tdososinceapparentlyhisleatherbootshadrootedtotheearth.Whatpowerwasthis

sheheldoverhim?Hehadneverunderstood,notintheentireyearhe’dknownher.

Asthebestmanspokeintothemicanddeliveredaslightlyslurredtoasttothegroom,Gerrod’sgaze

rovedAbigail,hishungerincreasing.Herbareshoulderstemptedhim,calledtohim,beggedforhislips,
hisfingers,thefulllengthofhistongue.Hisnostrilsflaredalittlemore.Hergown,asoftcream,revealed
a portion of her fair back, a large window of skin that set his jaw to trembling. Her long red hair was
curled and pulled forward to dangle over her shoulder in beautiful layers over one breast. She had
extraordinaryeyes,abeautifullightgreen.Hecouldn’trememberthelasttimehe’dbeensotakenwitha
woman.

May the heavens help him. Abigail had teased his mating frequency into a frenzy and he was

overwrought. Yet he could do nothing about it. The damn woman was human. He would no more give
himselftosucharidiculouscreaturethanhewouldbringforestgremlinsintohisbed.

He’dbedamnedfirst.
Hefeltadifferentfrequencyresonate,awarningwithinhismind.Derek’svoicetelepathedalonghis

Guardsmanlane.We’vegotInvictussigninthesoutheast.

Invictus.Nottonight.Damnandhellandback.Theenemywasabroad.
Gerrodtelepathed.Areyousure?
Theredwindisblowing.
Therewereonlyahandfulwhocoulddetectthetelltaleredwind,heandhiscastleGuard.Several

ontheSidheCouncilhadsufficientpoweraswellashisconstantmostcherishedadvisor,Vojalie.Some
saidtheredwindwasmadeofbloodthattheInvictussweatedwhentheytooktotheair.Vampiresmight

have needed blood to live, but the Invictus took blood to sustain their unnatural bonds and didn’t care
whattheyleftbehind,lifeordeath.

GerrodturnedawayfromAbigailslightly.Canyoucontain?heasked.
I’llneedassistance.I’vecountedeleveninthebreach.
TheInvictuscamefromthewastelandsinthesouth,theplacetheypreferredtoliveonceeachvile

coupleinvokedthepervertedritualsthatcreatedtheirkind.Anycombinationofrealmspeciewoulddo,
solongasoneofthepairwasawraith:Vampire,faerie,elf,troll,shifter,itdidn’tmatter.Therewerefew
truewraithsleft,thosethatadheredtosimplethingsliketruthandcivility,justiceandthelaw.Butthey
werealwayslookeduponwithsuspicion,whichcouldn’tbehelpedatthislatehour.

TheInvictuskilledwithoutconscience,withoutreasonandusuallyinasadisticmanner.
Theywereascourgetobefearedandtobeslaughtered.
OnceawraithtookanInvictusmate,thecouplewassealedintoasymbioticrelationshipthattended

tobreakdowngoodnessandgiverisetoallthatwasbad.Thieverywaspreferredtohardwork.Killing
tothesupportandnurturingoflife.Insularfrenziedhedonismtothesacrificesofmarriageandfamily.

WhentheInvictustookblood,therealm-folkscreamedatthedraining,nopleasure,allpain.Nordid

the Invictus discern, all blood was acceptable. Specie, age, gender, none of it mattered. Just the living,
that’salltheInvictusneeded.

Howfaraway?Gerrodasked.Theweddingisstillmid-reception.
Gerrod’sgazesweptinthedirectionofthebrideandgroom,along-awaitedfaewedding.Theywere

fair of face, this couple, and toasting each other with bubbling cider. She was already with child, a
traditionamongtheMerhainefaeries.Achildwasapromiseofablessedunionbetweensoulsfavoredby
theGoddess.Gillet,thegroom,hadservedonhiscastlestaffforthelastcentury.Hehadwaitedalong
timeforhisbride.

NowtheInvictus,tonightofallnights.Why?Wasthereareason?Hadthefestivitiesdrawnthem?

Everymediaoutletacrosstherealmhadmadeafussoverthecouple.TheHollowCountyEnquirerhad
carried a daily piece on every aspect of the couple: The announcement of the forthcoming birth, the
betrothal,andweddingpreparations.

EventheInvictuswouldhaveknownofthewedding.ManyMerhainenotableswereinattendanceas

well,severalcitymayorsandcouncilmembers.

Another team member, Jason, telepathed the battle frequency. The southeastern sector is clear

tonight.Gerrod,shallIjoinDerek?

Yes,Gerrodpathed.Restoftheteam,report?Aworldofpathwaysandfrequencieshadtremendous

advantages. Long distance communication with those powerful enough to telepath, was a tremendous
blessing.AllGuardsoftheRealmcouldpath.

TheInvictuswereruthlesscombatantsandneverfoughtwithanythingresemblingdecencyorhonor.

A decade ago, Gerrod had lost a valiant vampire Guardsman when an Invictus wraith threw a jug of
gasolineonhimandsethimonfire,laughingallthewhile.

Inthepoorersouthernregions,drugaddictsandprostitutes,eveninhisrealm,oftenwentmissing,

nevertobeseenagain.

Training had become more rigorous because of the increasing activity. Each Guard now knew to

anticipate the unexpected, and training camps had been established for the purpose of evaluating any
youngvampire,fae,troll,shifter,orelf,whowantedtotryforGuardstatus,maleorfemale.Theeffort
had brought some talent into the castle Guard. Muscle for muscle, however, vampires still had the
advantageoverotherrealm-folksothatmostGuardsmenwerevampires.

One by one, the remaining five Guardsmen gave an all clear for the rest of the realm, at least for

now.Yethefeltuneasy.Heliftedhischinandissuedtheorders,AllexceptJason,joinDereknow.Jason,
come to the castle grounds and patrol here but keep a low profile. And Jason, have the head of the

patrolsgettherestoftheGuardouttonight,emergencylevels.

Done.
His sense of uneasiness grew. At least his men had speed. They could lock onto their traveling

frequenciesbetterthanallrealm-folk.ThoughJasonwasoverahundredmilesaway,hewouldarrivein
lessthantwentyminutes.Nothalf-damnbad.

His gaze never stopped moving over the crowd, or into the forest, or even high into the night sky

whichwasclear,star-studded,andjustacircleofdarksurroundedbythetipsofponderosapinetrees.

He loved the forest and the dark. Each realm had some manner of forest and dense woodland

attached. Vampires needed a place to shelter if caught outside during the day. Tree canopies were
necessarytothosewhohaddifficultytoleratingsunlight.

Evenfaeriesandelvesdidn’ttoleratesunlightwell.Therealmworldwas,forthemostpart,aworld

ofthenightandofthedark.

Heshiftedhisgazetoeye-levelandboredhisvisiondeepbetweenthetrees,huntingforthepeculiar

red-windInvictussign.

SweetGoddess,buthislandwasintrouble,asalltheNineRealmsofNorthAmericawere,ifthe

Invictusengagedinyetanotheruprising.

Atleastfornow,theweddingpartywassafeandhecouldshareinthejoyofGilletandhiswoman.
Abigailchuckledoncemore,whichbroughtGerrod’sattentionsharplybacktothewomanwhohad

beentormentinghimforanentireyear.Herlaughterglidedoverhisnerveslikeafineoil,whichsimply
senthistemperintothetopofhisheadalloveragain.Whydidthehumanhavetobehereandwhy,byall
thatwasworthyinhisworld,didhehavetobedrawntoher?

Hecastaboutforthesourceofherlaughter.Shelookedofftotherightsohefollowedhergaze.One

ofthetrollshadimbibedfartoomuchweddingpunchandwaslistingabout.Hehadalreadybumpedinto
a few of the guests. Next he jostled a large vampire, who in turn picked him up by the lapels of his
lavendersilkcoat,andglaredatthetrollfacetoface.Theweddingguestsdrewacombinedgasp.

Vampireswerenotknownfortheirsweettempers.Fuckingunderstatementthat.
Butthetrollsmiledsloppilyandkissedthevampireonthenose.Thevampiregrimaced,calledouta

loudgrowling‘ack’,spatofftohisleftside,butreleasedthetroll.Theguestsbreathedagainandmany
chuckled,especiallyAbigail,asthetrollturnedandshambledaway.

Byalltheelf-lords,thedamnedwomanlaughedtoomuch.
Morethananything,hewishedhehadneverheardofAbigailofFlagstaff,amerehuman,abakery

owner,thelatterbeingthewhyofherpresenceinhisrealm.

HehadopposedtheMerhaineCouncilapprovingherpartnershipwithaelftoopenabakeryinthe

nearby county of Hollow, one of Merhaine’s seven counties. He had believed from the first it was a
mistake. However, and this for reasons he could not explain, Abigail was a favorite among realm-folk.
Shehadbeenprovidingthesweet-lovingtrolls,faeries,andelvesofhisrealmwithcupcakes—forallthe
Nine Realms, cupcakes!—for well over a year. His castle even had a standing weekly order with her
Flagstaffenterprise,aplacecalledJustTooSweet!Yes,withanexclamationpoint.

Andnowhefeltlikespitting.
Someofthecouncilwerelookingtoexpandintothehumanworldaswell,whichhebelievedtobea

mistake of enormous proportions. Some of the drugs of the human world had already infected the less
prosperousportionsofhisrealm.Didn’thisrealmhaveenoughtroublemanagingtheconstantthreatofthe
Invictus?

And yet, as he sniffed the breeze that flowed over the woman’s long red tresses, he could scent

rosemaryagain,andheknewexactlywhatherskinwouldtastelikebeneathhistongue.Hisbodyreacted,
sharpening, hardening, shuddering, until he was once more grateful for the long leather coat of his
Guardsmanuniform,andthesnugbuckledleatherpantsthatheldallhisabsurdfirmnesswellinplace.

Thewomanbedamned.
His gaze shifted back to the drunken troll, who now listed sideways and fell into the three-tiered

sage-and-honeyweddingcake.Thefaebridecriedoutandthegroom’scheeksshowedanangrywashof
red.

Theguests,however,begantolaughandAbigailjoinedthem.
Hewasangryalloveragain.Howdareshelaugh?
Itwastimehetookherdownaslatortwo.

*********

“Youfindourcustomsamusing?”
Abigailturnedslightlyatthealmostgrowlingsound.Thewordswerespokeninadeeplowvoice,

emanating from the vampire Guardsman next to Abigail, the leader of the Merhaine Realm, Mastyr
Vampire Gerrod. Of course, he didn’t exactly stand next to her. He would never deign to do that. God,
forbid, or ‘Goddess’, as he would say. Instead, he stood slightly behind her, a position of power and
controlnodoubt.Shecouldfeelhimfumingbehindher.Someburrhadgottenstuckinsidethosebootsof
his.

Abigail turned a little more and glanced up at him. As always, she felt an almost overwhelming

attractiontoMastyrGerrod.Hewassix-fiveandthoughsheconsideredherselftallforahumanatfive-
eleven,stillshehadtolookup,thoughperhapsnotasfarthiseveningsincesheworefour-inchheels.A
veryslightadvantageagainsthisformidablescowlandheavilymuscledbody.

Thevampirewasstunningandferocious.Becauseofthebooksshe’dread,shehadthoughthiskind

would be pale-skinned from lack of blood, an un-beating heart, and the inability to get a decent tan
becauseofanintoleranceforsunlight.ButtheworldoftheRealmproducedvampiresofeverypossible
hue, from the deepest browns and blacks to almost pure white. The solar disability and the persistent
blood-needshadnothingtodowithskin-tone.

HisGuarduniformdidnothelpatall.Themanlookedlikeafiercepiratewithasoftmaroonwoven

shirt, topped by a thick black calf-length leather coat. The coat wasn’t exactly a coat because it didn’t
havesleeves,justathickpadofverysoftleatherattheshouldersthatdescendedintwopanelsthathung
openinthefront.

Ablackleathershoulderstrapcrossedoverhischest,andangledtohiswaist,undoubtedlyathrow-

back to times when swords were used. No swords now, just the power that a Guardsman could gather
throughhisbattlingfrequencyandsendoutwardthroughhisarms,hands,andchest,tightbeamsofkilling
energy. Black leather pants and silver-buckled top boots finished off the uniform that had most women
doingdoubleandtripletakes.

Gerrod was magnificent, well-built with broad shoulders, as all the fighting Guardsmen were, his

skinanexquisitegoldencolor.Heheldhimselfinaproudmanner,asbefittedhisleadershipstatus.Even
nowhisarmswerecrossedoverhischestashegloweredather.

He had long black hair that flowed away from strong features. His cheeks were pronounced and

sharp, his jaw-line angled, his lips full and sensual. But it was his eyes that tore at her, that made his
presencealmostunbearable.Theyweretheclearblueofasummermountainsky,soclearthatoftenwhen
shelookedathim,shefeltasthoughshewaslookingbackintimeandforwardallatonce.

Ofcoursethatheaffectedherinsuchawaythatsheoftenwantedtosimplyshedherclothesandfall

downonherback,tickedheroff.ThankGodshewasmadeofsternerstuff,becausealltheseunhelpful
reactionsstrengthenedherintentiontokeepthevampireatbay.

Besides,hewassuchapainintheass,likenow.Sotypical.He’dbeenstandingbehindher,forever.

Andwhenhefinallydidspeaktoher,heusedthatwretched,oh-so-familiarhostiletoneofhis,thistimeto

challengeherbecauseshe’dbeenlaughing.

“YouthinkI’mlaughingatyourcustoms?”shereturned.
“Andwhatelsewouldyoubelaughingat,MistressAbigail?”Hiswordswerehard,astheyusually

werewhenhespoketoher.She’datleastgrownaccustomedtothat.Butbecauseshesensedthatheeither
dislikedherordisapprovedofher,orboth,shesimplydidn’tknowwhyhestayedanywherenearher,like
now.

Sheliftedherchin.“IwouldneverlaughatMerhainecustoms.ImightdisagreewiththembecauseI

findsometobeabhorrenttothestatusofwomeninyourculture,butIwouldneverlaugh.”

“Iheardyoulaughing.”
She chuckled again but shook her head. She moved back to stand beside him. She wasn’t going to

continuethisconversationstaggeredastheywere,likestair-steps.

“MastyrGerrod,”shesaid,loweringhervoice.“Ifoundtheweddingceremony,includingtheway

theirarmswereboundwithavine,charming,poignant,evenmoving.Ilaughedjustnowbecauseatroll
fellintoaweddingcake.Comeon.Thatwasfunny.”

Hegruntedhisdisapproval.
At that, she turned to face him fully. She was exasperated to say the least. “You know, you really

needtolightenup.”

Heglanceddownather.“Ihavenoideawhatthatmeans.Ihaveheardtheexpressiontimeandagain,

butitmakesnosensetome.”

“It just means not to take everything so seriously.” She waved a hand in the direction of the now

smashedweddingcake.“Thetrollisdrunk,thataloneisfunny.Wouldn’tyouagree?He’sstillwobbling
around and he has a streak of frosting now between the second and third ridges of his forehead.” She
glanced over her shoulder then back. “And now his wife is beating him over the head with their son’s
teddy-shifter-bear.Comeon.Eventhebrideissmilingnowandit’shercakethatthetrollruined.”

Gerrod’slipstwitched,andtherightsideofhislipsalmostcurvedcreatingafaint,lop-sidedsmile.

Butthatwaswhenshemadehermistake.“Yeah,likethat.Smile.Lightenup.” She poked his arm with
twofingers,intentonteasinghimalittlemore.

Butthemomentshemadephysicalcontactwithhim,theveryfirsteverinheryear-longacquaintance

withhim,somethingverystrangehappened.Shefeltoddwavesrollingtowardher,wavesthatfeltlike
fingersglidingoverherskin,exploringher,savoringher.

Shelookedupmeetinghisgaze.Nowheturnedfullytowardhersothattheywerefacetoface.Her

lipswerepartedbecauseshewashavingtroubledragginginair.Whyhiswere,onlyhecouldspeakto
that.

Touching a mastyr vampire wasn’t precisely forbidden, but Gerrod had always kept his distance.

Thiswassomethingshe’dnoticedfromthefirstdayshe’dmethim,thatassoonasshewaswithintwo
feet of him, he stepped away another foot. She had thought it an annoying habit, a sure sign of his
continueddisapproval.Butrightnow,becauseshe’dtouchedhim,shewasn’tsosure.

Abigail’s heart began to race. She’d had many concerns about entering into business with a elf

partnerandopeningabakerydeepintoMerhaineterritory.Butrightnowsherealizedthiswasthereal
danger she faced, that the vampire Mastyr Gerrod, ruler of Merhaine, affected her as though she was
alwayswithinahair’sbreadthoftumblingintobedwithhim.

She knew the danger the terrible Invictus presented, she even understood that there were factions

amongtherealm-folkwhodidn’twanthumansinMerhaineandwoulddowhatevertheycouldtogetrid
of her and her kind. Yes, these things worried her very much. But as she looked into Gerrod’s intense
blueeyes,shefinallyunderstoodthetruesourceofeveryreticenceshe’dexperiencedsinceshe’dcometo
thisrealm:Dammit,shehadthehotsforafrigginvampire.

Shedesiredhimwithaneedthatseemedtoburnthroughherandtouchinghimjustnow,broughtall

thatneedrushingtothesurfaceyetagain.

His gaze shifted from her eyes to her lips and even to her breasts. She could feel the sudden

hardeningofhernipplesastheneedspread.Howmanytimeshadshewonderedifhewasdoingthisto
her,usingvampirepowers.Buttherealm-folksheknewhadassuredherthatvampires,howevermuchthe
Earth-basedmythssaidotherwise,didn’thavethepowertoenthrall.

Thefaepopulationcould,butnotvampires.
Verystrange,thisrealmworld.
So what was this she felt, this deep desire for Gerrod and why, when he looked at her with his

eyelidsheavy,hislipsparted,hisnostrilsflaring,didshewanttotakehishand,leadhimdeepintothe
forest,andbeghimtohavehiswaywithher.Whatwasthisneed?

Hesteppedcloserandthoughhewasfrowningheavilylikehistemperwasreadytotakeoffthetop

of his head, he actually touched her, sliding his hand over her arm. Once again, she felt those strange
wavesemanatingfromhimandherdesireincreasedalmosttoapainfulstage.

Whatisthat?Hermindcried.
Butheleanedclosenowandstaredharder,peeringintohereyes.Whatdidyousay?
Sheglancedathislips.Theyhadn’tmoved.Telepathy?No,oh,Godno.Thiscouldn’tbehappening,

wasn’thappening.SheknewmanyinMerhainecouldcommunicatethroughtelepathicfrequencies,pathing
waswhattheycalledit.

Couldshe?
Thiscouldn’tbehappening,couldn’tbetrue.Shestaredintohiseyes,horrified,yetshehadtoknow

thetruth.So,oncemoresheaimedherthoughtscarefully,IwantedtoknowwhatIwasfeelingfromyour
hand.Itfeltlikewavesflowingoutofyouandintome.

The thought of it, the presence of it, the feel of it beating into her body, brought desire hurtling

throughher.Sheplantedherhandonhischest.Thewavespoundedthroughhernow,engulfingher.

Helookedsoangryandhisgriponherarmbecamepainful.Thiscan’tbehappening.Youcan’tfeel

thesewavesandyoucan’tbereachingmetelepathically.It’s.Not.Possible.

Gerrod,whatareyoudoingtome?Andplease,youarehurtingmyarm.Vampireswerestrong.
The pressure diminished but his expression hardened. You are speaking to me telepathically and

you are experiencing my personal frequency, my realm vibration. No one can do that except when I
allowit,butyouaccesseditfreely.Andyouare…human.Thiscannotnotbehappening.

Shewasstrugglingtobreathe.Buthistouch,andtheflowingwaves,hadhertrapped.Shestrained

towardhim,buthekeptagriponherarm,holdingherawayfromhim.Hesqueezedhiseyesshut.Thisis
impossible.Youcan’tbewhatyouseemtobe.Youcan’tbe.You’rehuman.Thisisunacceptable.

Abigailslidherhanduphischestandreachedhismouth.Sheranherthumboverhislips.
Howinappropriateandthankgoodnesstheywerestandingatthebackofthecrowd.Inthedistance,

shecouldhearanothergroomsmanmakingatoast.Thoughitwasnighttime,thefloodlightslitmostlythe
band,thebridaltable,andthedancefloor.Thisfarback,shestoodintheshadows.

Timecametoaswiftstumblinghalt.
Abigail looked at Gerrod as if for the first time. She felt a call so deep in her soul, driving her

towardhim,thattonotrespond,nottosay‘yes’,feltlikeacrimeforwhichshewouldbepunishedifshe
didn’tobey.Sheneededthisvampire,cravedhim.Forthefirsttime,herveinbegantoriseinherthroat,
becausethat’stheonlywayshecoulddescribewhatsheexperienced.Sheneededhimtotakeherblood
because that would complete something essential between them, as essential as the nature of a kiss, as
criticalasthefulfillmentoflovemaking.

Yet,shewashumananddidn’ttrulybelongintherealmworld.ShebelongedinFlagstaff,thenearest

accesspointtotheMerhaineRealm.

The tip of his tongue teased her thumb. You taste of the sweetest herbs. Dear Goddess, please

forgiveme.

Beforesheknewwhathemeantbysendingthatparticularmessage,hetookholdofherarm,swung

herinthedirectionoftheforest,andledhertwentyyardsintothedark,agooddistancefromthecrowd
thatnowapplauded.Musicbeganatthesametime,alivelyfolksongmadefordancing.

Hedraggedherbehindatreeandhauledherintohisarms.
Shefellagainsthim,limp,herbodyinfullsurrenderandnotcaringthatthiswassoinappropriate

anddoomedtocauseallkindsofproblems.

For some strange reason as she stared up at him, though the forest was dark, his face was lit in a

glow.Vampiremagic?Hewasincrediblybeautiful,hisblackbrowsthickandarched,hisclearblueeyes
thicklyfringed,hisnosestraight,hislipsfull,hischeekspronounced.

Heleanedclose,hislipstremblingoverhers.
“DoIhavepermissiontokissyou?”
God,yes.
“Yes,”shewhispered,pantingagainsthim,herfingersgraspingthesoftclothofhislooseGuard’s

shirt.Shedugdeeperuntilherfingersfoundpurchaseinthehardmusclesofhisarms.Hislipstouched
hersandthepreviouswavesbegantoflow,heaviernow.

Shepartedherlipsandhistongueenteredher,piercingher,plunginginandout.
Sheconnectedherhipslowandfeltthelongropeofhim.Herkneesweakenedfurther.
She suckled his tongue and he groaned again. The waves came faster now and seemed to pluck at

everypartofherbodyatonce.Shewantedtofallontheground,butingentlestagesheeasedback.Butby
thenshewasinagonyandbreathedhard.Shepressedherforeheadintohisshoulder.

Whatishappening?sheasked.
I fear it is something that will alter your life forever, unless you are wise, and choose to leave

Merhaine.Youwouldbewise,Abigail,nottocomebackandI’mbeggingyoutodojustthat.Youare
notrealm.Youdon’tunderstandourcustoms.Mypeoplewouldhavegreatdifficultyacceptingyou.

But beyond that, the Invictus have grown active again. A polite euphemism for death and

destruction.

Shedrewback,butinherheelstheunevengroundputheroff-balance.Shestartedtofall.
Hecaughther,rightingher,thenheldhersteady.
“Justtellmeonething,”shesaid.“Whatarethewavesthatyousendthroughmybody.Theyalmost

undome.I…thatis…youcouldhave…Iwouldn’thaveobjected.”

Shemethisgazebutshewasblushing.
Asoftstrangegrowllefthislips.Sovampiresgrowledatsuchmoments.Hewasn’thuman,butwhy

didn’t that seem to matter to her? And why could she speak with him mind to mind? She should have
cared,itshouldhavebeenparamount.Andherveinstillthrobbed,beggingforhimtotakeherverylife-
force.

“Iswearyou’veenthralledme,”hesaid,adeepfurrownowbetweenhisbrows.“Thismustbeyour

doing,Abigail.Itwastherefromthefirst.”

“Gerrodareyousayingthatyou’vebeenattractedtomesincethatfirstday?”
“Iwon’tdenyit.”
“Ithoughtyoudisapprovedofme.”
“I’mfrustrated,evendistressed,thatI’mdrawntoyou,averydifferentthing.”
Sheputherfingerinthefurrowbetweenhisbrowsandrubbed.Heletloosewithasigh,closinghis

eyes.Sheadded,“You’reworriedallthetime.”

“Yes.”Hisvoicewasalwayslittlemorethanadeep,gravellygrowl.
“OneofthefaetoldmethatthereareamillionrealminMerhaine.Isthistrue?”
Henodded.

“Youhavechargeofamillionsoulsthen?”
“Ido.”
“Nowonderyourarelylaugh.”Shehadmeanttoteasehimbutwhenhedidn’tevensmile,whenhe

lookedawayfromher,shefinallyunderstoodhismostessentialself.Hewasresponsibleandheputthose
responsibilitiesaboveeverythingelseinhislifeincludinghisownhappiness.

“Nowonderyourpeoplethrive,”shesaid.
Hisgazesnappedbacktoher.“Whydoyousaythat?”Againthatdeepfurrowappeared.
“You’velaidyourlifedownforyourpeople,nodoubtfordecades.Whywouldn’ttheythrive?But

whatofyou,Gerrod?Whatofyourownhappiness?”

Hestareddownatherwithastunnedlookinhiseyeasthoughshehadaskedsomethingneverheard

ofbefore.Thenhejustlookedconfused.Butasotherthoughtsintruded,hisfacehardened.Helookedlike
avampirewhohadbeenstandinginastrongwindforaverylongtime,centuriesperhaps.

“Weshouldgetback.”
She nodded. The moment had passed. The only understanding that had been reached was that she

desired him and he desired her, and that the realm world had no place for a human female in a mastyr
vampire’slife.

Asheturnedtoofferhisarm,however,astrangekeeningsoundbrokethroughtheforest,asoundthat

seemedtocomefromeverywhereandnowhereatonce.

Abigail turned toward the sound and watched as a red mist moved between the trees toward the

reception.

“Redwind,”shewhispered.
Hisgazeshottoheroncemore.“Youcanseethat?”
Shenodded.
Heturnedbackaswell.“TheInvictusarehere.DearGoddesshelpusthisnight.”

*********

“Iwillpathyou,”Gerrodsaid.“It’sthefastestway.Doyoutrustme?”
Sheblinkedasthoughsurprised.“Yes,ofcourse.”
He didn’t exactly have time to explain. He slid his arm around her waist, dragged her against his

side,liftedheroffherfeet,andspedbacktothereception.

Herhandclutchedhissoftshirt,butotherthanasmall,‘oh,’shedidn’tofferasingleprotest.
Fivesecondslater,hetookhertoAugustus.“TheInvictusarecoming.Seetoeveryone.”
“Yes,Mastyr.”
HeturnedtoAbigail.“GowithGus.”
Shenoddedinseveralquickbobsofherhead.
He looked around, still holding her hand. There were at least three hundred realm-folk at the

festivities,includingthecaterersandmusicians.

HetelepathedJason.Howfarawayareyou?
Sevenminutes.
Hurry.We’vegotInvictussign.
HelookeddownatAbigail’shandnotunderstandingwhyhewassodamnreluctanttoletitgo.He

methergazeandsawinhereyessomuchcompassionthathehadtolookaway.

Finally,hereleasedherhand.“GotothecastlewithGus.Goquickly.”
Again,shedidnothingmorethannodinagreementasthoughsheunderstood.Well,shehadbeenin

and out of Merhaine for a year now and she had numerous realm friends. She would have heard many
timesabouttheInvictus.Shewouldunderstandthetroubletheyfaced.

“Go,”shesaidsoftly.“Dowhatyoudobest.”
Hesearchedhergaze.Satisfiedthatshetrulywasallright,heturnedonhisheelandheadedstraight

forthegroom.Hespokeswiftlytohim.Gillethandedhimthemicrophone.

He faced the people he knew so well. The red wind drew closer, flowing through the trees,

brightening.Hewasalwayssurprisedthatsofewcouldseeit.

“TheInvictusareuponus.Pleasemoveintothecastlewithallduehaste.Stayawayfromtheforest.

Noonewillbesafethere.Iwillcreateashield.”

He heard Gus calling out in a powerful voice, bidding the guests follow him. The wedding party

begantomove,alittleslowatfirst,asthoughstunned.Butsoon,thoseclosesttothecastlewererunning.

Oncethecrowdwaspasthim,hebeganspreadinghispowerofftoeachside,highintheair,wider

and wider, a barrier of protection. The Invictus would not be able to pass, but would be forced to do
battle with him. As he had done for the past century and a half, since he had reached mastyr vampire
status,hegatheredhisbattlingpower.

Andtheretheywere,atleasttwentypowerfulInvictuswraithpairs.Theirmatescametodobattleas

well,somevampires,acoupleoftrolls,severalfae,andoneelf.Butallweresoldiersnow.Mostofthe
realm-folkthathadmadethedecisiontobondwithawraith,sportedspikedhairandgoldloopshanging
from their ears. All were air-borne in a strong form of levitation. Apparently, pairing with a wraith to
formInvictussharpenedallpowers.Bladesofvaryingkindsweretheweaponofchoice.

As though the numerous pairs acted as one, the blades began to spin and then fly toward him. The

massive shield held, deflecting the blades, which made it possible for him to bring his battling power
downhisarms,readyingatthetipsofhisfingers,thefrequencyvibratingstrongly.Oncehewaswarmed
up,thesamepowerwouldalsoflyinscatteredblastsfromhischest,shouldersandarms.

Therealbattlecommencedashereleasedhisfrequencypowerinburstsoffocusedkillingenergy.

He moved his arms and hands swiftly, aiming for the wraiths who had the greater battling skill. The
wraiths,however,hadtheirownfrequencyenergyandbegantoanswerhispowerfulstrikes,sothatsoon
hesawdozensofredstreamsoflightflyingtowardhimagainandagain.

Thoughhisshieldheldandkepthimsafe,eachhitweakenedhiminthedepthsofhisbattleenergy.

Hewouldn’tbeabletodothisforever.

HehopedtohellthatJasonarrivedsoon.

ChapterTwo

Abigailtrottedattheedgeofthecrowd,butsawsomethingstreakofftoherleft.
Sheglancedintotheforestandsawayoungtrollchildsmileanddashbehindatree.Theboywas

playing.

Shedidn’ttakeevenasecondtoassessthesituation,butdidtheonlythingsheknewtodo.Sheran

straightforhimandtriedtotakehishand,buthedrewback.“You’rehuman.I’mnotsupposedtospeakto
humans.”

Heranfartheraway,deeperintotheforest,inthedirectionoftheInvictus.Shecalledtohim,buthe

didn’tstop,notuntilshecalledout,“TheInvictusarehere,littleone.Pleasecometome.”

Atthattheboystoppedandturnedtowardher,hiseyeswide.“Invictus?”
Shenodded.“MastyrGerrodwantseveryoneinthecastle.Now.Cometothecastle.”
Herantowardher,butagain,shesawanotherstreakofmovement.Thistime,however,itwasthe

redwind.“Oh,no.”

Theboyranintoherarmsandstartedtocry.Helookedupandscreamed.Awraithwasclose,maybe

twentyfeetaway.ShecouldfeelGerrod’spower,shecouldevenseeitafewfeetaway.Itwasahuge
wallofshimmeringblueenergy.Butthewraithhadbeenexploringthesamephenomenonandhadfound
theouterreaches,rightwhereshestood.

Gerrod,shepathed.IamwestofyouandIhaveatrollchildwithme.Canyoushiftyourpower

anothertenfeetandcoverus?

Shepulledtheboyagainstatreeandheldhimtight.Shelookeduponcemore.
The wraith was a fierce-looking creature, almost opaque, with small eyes, yellow fangs and dark

lips.Thisone,afemale,wascoveredinredgauze-likestripsoffabric,sewnlooselytogether,butfloating
easilyaroundherlongthinlegs.Shewasbarefootandinflight,whichwasawraith’spreferencemostof
thetime.

Shesmiled,showingredgums.
Gerrod?
I’mtryingAbigail,butI’mbattlingthreeInvictus.CanyoureachapositionwhereIcanseeyou?

ThenI’llknowbetterwhattodo.

Thewraithtauntedher,shiftingbackandforththroughtheair.“Ahumancaughtintheforest.What

amItodo?”Shelaughed,almostacackle.

Abigailliftedherchinandstoodup.Sheknewthiscouldbetheendofherlife,butshehadtodo

something.Stillholdingtheboyagainstherlegs,shemovedafootforwardthenanother.“Whatdoyou
wantwithahuman,wraith?Iamnothingtoyou.”

“Humanbloodtastesquitegood.”Shehissedandbaredherfangsalittlemore.
Gerrod,canyouseemeyet?
No.
Shetookanotherstep,thenanother,eachputtingherclosertothewraith.Acouplemorefeetandshe

wouldreachapooloflightcastbythedistantfloodlightswhichwasalsoinlinewithGerrod’sshield.

“Whydon’tyoubattlethosewhohaveweapons?”Abigailcalledout,hopingtodistractthewraith

intoaconversation.“Orareyoujustacoward,likeallofyourkind?”

Thewraith’sclothingstilledandsheadvancedforward,asAbigailadvanced.Abigailputherfootin

thebeamoflight,thenbroughttheotheroneforward,thetrollstillhiddenintheskirtsofhergown,buthe
weptagainstherleg.He’dseenthewraithandhecouldhearherhiss.

“Foolishhuman.Iwon’tjusttakeyourblood.I’llteareachofyourlimbsoffjustforthepleasureof

it.”

She launched, but at the same time, Gerrod’s voice streaked through her head. I’ve got you. His

powershieldslippedbetweenthemandthewraithcollidedintothatshield,asthoughshe’dstruckabrick
wall.

Abigailheardaterriblecrunchingsound,thewraith’seyesrolled,thensheplummetedtotheground

fallinghard.Shedidn’tmove.

Staywhereyouare.Youwillbesafe.
She dropped to the ground and drew the boy onto her lap, holding him close. Gerrod’s power

wrappedaroundthem.Shecouldseehimnow.Hemovedlikelightninginthedistance,wellabovethe
groundashemadeuseofhislevitationpower.Pulsinglightsflashedfromhisarms,handsandshoulders
inpowerfulstreaks.Eachtime,awraithscreechedandfell,oroneoftheInvictusrealm-folkcriedoutin
painthentoppledover.ThewraithsstillfightingsentrepeatedredstreaksofenergytowardGerrod.Each
one hit his shield which protected him, but even she could see that his shield had holes in it here and
there.

Theflashoflightsgrewquicker.
Then suddenly, another Guard appeared, dropping from high in the sky, to levitate beside Gerrod.

Thelightsflashedfasternowandwithinanotherminute,thelastoftheInvictuslayontheground.

Abigailrose,helpingtheboytoslideoffherlap.Shecouldhearawomanscreaminginthedistance,

callingfor‘Petrus’.

“That’smymama.”
HepulledagainstAbigail’shand,butshedidn’tlethimgo.Instead,shebegantoruninthedirection

ofthecastlewithhim.ButonelastglanceinGerrod’sdirectionrevealedthatalloftheInvictuspairslay
deadinfrontoftheruinedweddingcake.

*********

Gerrodwasbreathinghardandsodamnweak.Hehadusedupatremendousamountofenergy.He’d

never seen so many wraith-pairs before and all well-armed. As his shield had weakened, he’d gotten
nickedacoupleoftimes,nothingseriousbuthewasdamngladJasonhadshownupwhenhedid.

He glanced behind him and saw Abigail running with her hand clasped around a troll boy’s hand.

Untilthatmomenttherealityofherplighthadn’tsunkin.SweetGoddessshecouldhavebeenkilled.

Hebroughthispowershieldbacktowardhim,reabsorbingasmuchoftheenergyaspossible.
Jasonsatdownonthegroundtocatchhisbreath.Gerrodknewhehadpushedhardtogethere.They

hadbothusedupsomeseriousreserves.

Jason looked up at him and pushed his light brown hair off his face. He wiped sweat from his

foreheadwiththewovensleeveofhisshirt.“Thatwasfuckingclose,wasn’tit?”

Gerrodnodded.“Very.Therewerefortyinall.”
“Sweet Goddess. What has happened? How have the Invictus grown in such numbers? Someone

musthavechargeofthem.I’veneverknownthesepairstojointogetherlikethis.”

“Iknow.Ihavethoughttheverysamething.”Gerrodswallowedhard.Hislefthandtrembled,asure

sign that his blood-starvation was reaching a critical point. He should have summoned one of his
doneusestostabilizehimlongbeforetonight,buthehatedtodisturbthewomen.Eachofhisthreedonors
weremarriedtogoodmen.Theactseemeddisloyalandhedespisedhavingtoask.

Though it wouldn’t have mattered. He could have had a dozen doneuses, as some of his fellow

mastyr vampires did, but he would still suffer from starvation. It was the curse of his ‘mastyr’ status.
Though he, like all mastyr vampires, had tried a hundred remedies, the starvation remained. Although,
with so few doneuses, he tended to reach dangerous levels much more often than those mastyrs with
largerblood-harems.

The rest of the Guard began arriving, which helped his spirits since he had no doubt that once the

notablesinattendanceattheweddingreachedhisentrancehall,cell-phoneswouldlightupalertingthe
mediatotheattack.ItwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheTVstationvansandreportersarrived.

Theheadlinesthenextdaywouldbeterrible,nodoubt,buthethoughtitthewisercoursetoletthe

populace know that the Invictus had become active again. Parents would take extra precautions,
neighborhoodwatcheswouldbeonguardagain,andallvolunteerpolicingunitswouldgatherwithcity
entitiestoorganizeforincreasedpatrols.

Inthe meantime, clean-upwas critical. Eachof the Invictus wouldhave to behauled to a morgue,

familiesofanyofthoserealm-folkwhohadpairedwithawraithwouldhavetobenotifiedofthedeath.
Noneofitwasaneasytask.

Gerrodissuedhisorders.AndasJasonnoddedthenreturnedtothebattlefieldtobeginthehorrific

disposal process, Gerrod headed to the castle to confer with those governing officials who had been
present at the wedding. Each would of course have a great deal to say about how the governance of
Merhaineoughttobeconducted.

He repressed a sigh as the weight of rule descended heavily on his shoulders once more. Another

tremor vibrated through his left hand and he made a fist then released it a number of times. He really
didn’twantagroupofMerhainedignitariestoobservehiminthisweakenedstate.

But as he walked up the broad front path to the castle, his thoughts turned to Abigail. His heart

seemed to lumber in his chest. An image flashed through his mind of his fangs buried in her neck.
Whateverthereason,morethanlifeitselfhewantedtoknowwhatherbloodtastedlike,ifitwouldcarry
theflavorofrosemary,thescentthatseemedtobeattachedtoheralways.

Yes,intheyearhe’dknownher,he’dcomeveryclosetoobsessingaboutthedamnhuman.

*********

Anhourlater,AbigailfrownedasGerrodmarchedawayfromher.
HehadsaidverylittletoherexcepttoinsistshereturntoFlagstaffandnottocomebackbecause

Merhainewasnoplaceforahuman.

She hadn’t known exactly what to expect when she saw Gerrod next, but these terse commands

weren’t it. For one thing, she had wanted to thank him for saving her life but he hadn’t given her the
smallestopportunity.

Foranother,shereallywantedtoknowwhatwashappening.
Shemightevenhavedemandedhespeakwithherforamoment,sincehe’dkissedherintheforest,

butshesawthathisshouldersweretightandhishandswereballedintofists.Hewasstrugglingwitha
verydifficultsituation.

Mostoftheguestshaddrivenbacktotheirrespectivehomes,butthecastleentrancehallwasstill

fullofthemoreexaltedcitizensofMerhaine.HemighthavejustbattledfortyInvictus,butnowhehadto
putadifferenthaton,theonethatwouldstrivetoreassuretheworriedmayorsandcouncilmembersof
thevariousMerhainecitiesthatallwouldbewell.

She’d been connected with Merhaine for a year now, increasingly so in the past several months

becauseofthebakerysheandherbusinesspartner,Elena,wereduetoopeninthenextfewweeks.

Merhaine, one of the Nine Realms of North America. She was used to the existence of the realm

world,asmosthumanswere,atleastthosewhowereontheInternetwithanyconsistency.Thediscovery
oftherealmssomethirtyyearsago,beforeshewasevenborn,hadtakenEarthbystormespeciallysince
the parallel nature meant that Realm and Earth cultures shared many things in common, from simple
bondingritualslikemarriagetomuchmorecomplexthingslikelanguage.

English was prevalent throughout the Nine Realms and the now inter-connected planes and the

sharingofhistoryandculturehadevenbroadenedrealm-dialects.

Gerrod,ontheotherhand,wasoverthree-hundred-years-oldsothathisspeechpatternsstillhadn’t

caughtuptothecurrentFlagstaffvernacular.Butshehadseenothermastyrvampiresinterviewedfromall
overtheUnitedStates’plane.Someofthem,likeMastyrEthanoftheBergissonRealm,spokelikemostof
the cops she knew, with a fair sprinkling of Earth-based profanity. How and why the revelation of a
connected parallel plane had occurred at this point in Earth history was not something even the most
brilliantscientistshadyettofigureout.

ButhereRealmwasandbecauseofherbakery,she’dspokentonumeroustrolls,fae,andelvesabout

MastyrGerrod,aboutMerhaine,aboutallthevariousspeciesthatexistedonthisparallelplane.

Trolls were the most helpful, however, being extremely garrulous. In fact, the saying among realm

wasthatifyoukeptasecretlikeatroll,itmeantyouneverkeptasecret,thatyoucouldn’tkeepasecretif
yourlifedependedonit.

“Askme.”
Abigail turned to Augustus who was Gerrod’s Master of the Household. She was alone with him

now,inthehallnotfarfromtheshoutingthathadbegunintheentrancehall.

Gus,ashewasknown,side-steppedlikeachildwhohadtogotothebathroom,butthisshe’dgotten

usedtoaswell.Trollsshowedenthusiasmaswellasmanyotheremotionswiththeirfeet.Giventhatmost
trollshadlovelyfeet,contrarytohumandepictions,shethoughtallthatmovementfascinating.

Gus was five-six, which meant tall for a troll. He was also quite good-looking, with long light

brownhaircombinedstylishlyawayfromhisface.Shehadn’tthoughttrollscouldbehandsomebutinfact
they were like any specie, running the gamut from homely to stunning. Gus ranged at the upper end, his
blueeyesfringedinlonglashes.Thethreeridgesofhisforeheadhadelegantturns.

Yes,muchofMerhainehadbecomeveryfamiliartoher.
His eyes held such a light that despite all that had happened, Abigail smiled. “Yes,” she said,

answeringthequestionhehadn’tasked.“Iwanttoknoweverything.”

He smiled, his eyes now shining like stars. Did a troll love anything better than disseminating

information?Shedidn’tthinkso.Maybenotevenbetterthanhercupcakesandtrollswereknownfortheir
sweet-tooths. This was one reason a troll made an excellent household governor but a very poor
secretary.

Heledthewaytothefarsideofthecastle,wellawayfromtheshoutsnowrollingfromtheentrance

hall, to the northern wing that housed a massive kitchen, an equally long state dining room, and in the
northwest,alovelyfamilybreakfastroomfullofwindows.

BecauseoftheInvictusattack,theblindsweredrawn.Otherwise,sheknewthattheforesthadbeen

illuminatedwithathousandlightsandwasverypretty,anotherreminderthatmuchofMerhainelifewas
livedatnight.

He waved her to a chair by the hearth, in which burned a large log fire and after a few minutes,

returnedwithteaserviceinwhiteandgreenivy.

Becauseshehadcometothecastleoftentochatwithhimwhenshedeliveredherordersfromher

bakery, he knew how she liked her tea. He handed her the cup and saucer, prepared his own, then sat
down.

The tea was redolent of cloves and cardamom. Now what was that novel she had read recently

wheretheheroofthestory,agreatwarrior,hadsmelledofcardamom.Itwassomethinglike‘Ascending’
or ‘Accelerating’, she couldn’t quite remember. She had enjoyed reading that version of vampires. But
howstrangethatnowshewascaughtinherownworldofnotjustvampires,butabouteverychildhood
taleshehadeverheardof.

Gus’s feet manipulated the footstool with the skill of his hundred and thirty years, until he was

perfectly comfortable. All realm-folk were long-lived, which meant that Gus was still fairly young by

Merhainestandards.

Hemethergazeandliftedabrow.
Thiswashercue.Shetookadeepbreath.“Whydidthemastyrdismissme?”
“Ah,thebestquestionfirst.Ilikethat.Hetoldyoutoleavethecastlebecauseheisfeelingtoomuch

for you, and you must trust me in this. I have known Mastyr Gerrod most of my life. You are the only
castlesupplierheeverseeksout.Andthestrangestthingis,heseemstoknowthemomentyouhavecome.
Haveyounotnoticedthatheoftenbringsanentirearmytohelpyouunloadafewboxesofcupcakes?”

“Ithoughtthatwasyourdoing?”
Guschuckled.“Andhealwaysinsistsyoustayfortea,haveyounotnoticedthat?”
“Butheneversitsdownwithme.”
Gus appeared to be very knowledgeable as he nodded his head slowly. “But he hovers. Once you

leave,Ioftenfindhimstandingaboutthegreatroom.”Hegesturedtoashorterhallbehindherthatledto
themassiveroomwhereanannualfaeballwasheld.

Shefrowned.“Hereallydoesthat?”
Gusnodded.“Idon’tthinkthemastyrquiteunderstandshisfeelingsatthispoint.”
Gerrodfelttoomuchforher?Shewantedtoknowmore,butthesubjectseemedtoopersonaltoher,

asthoughGuswassharingprivatethingsGerrodwouldn’twanthertoknowabout.Gusmighthavefew
scruplesaboutsharingeverything,butshedecidedtodrawtheline.

Instead,shetookasipoftea,thenasked,“Hashealwaysbeensotense?”
Gussighed,hisshouldersdrooping.“Always.SinceIhaveknownhim.Hebearstheburdenofthe

entirerealmonhisshoulders.”Hebroughthisteacuptohislipsanddrank.Trollstendedtodrinktheirtea
inheartygulps.

“Butwhyisthat?ImeanIknowthathehasalotofbattlingpowersothathecanfighttheInvictus,

butwhyisn’tthereagovernmentinplacetosupporthim?”

Gussnorted.“HaveyounotbeeninMerhaineayearnow?Doyounotseethegreaterproblem?”
She was afraid to give her opinion. She didn’t know if it was politically correct to speak of the

differencesinthespecies.Therewasalotofintermarriageamongrealm-folk,butitwasstillintherange
oftentofifteenpercent,whichmeantthatamajoritycouldstillbehostileanddisapproving.

“Well,” she began, trying for tact, “I have noticed that fights tend to break out between trolls and

elves,elvesandfae,faeandshifters,shiftersandvampires.Ievenwatchedaforestgremlinstartshouting
atafaewhowastentimeshissize.”

Henoddedseveraltimesslowly.“Thenyouunderstand.Eachfolkbelievestheyarethesmartest,the

best,themostreasonable,thestrongest,theprettiest,younameit.Andtheoldertherealmindividual,the
moreprofoundthebeliefinsuperiority.”

“Oh,yes,Isawafaewomanspitonthegroundinfrontofatroll.Iwaslatertoldshewasoverfive-

hundred-years-old.”

Heshookhishead,pinchinghislipstightlytogether.Hetookanotherdrinkoftea,thethreeridgesof

his forehead folding into a scowl. “We are not a perfect society. And though being long-lived has a
wonderfuladvantage,itisevenhardertoridourworldofitsdeepestprejudices.”

“Likeahumandatingavampire?”
He met her gaze and his forehead relaxed, though a solemn light entered his eye. “Especially a

vampire,nottomentionamastyrvampire.”

“Youwoulddisapprove,then?”Sheleanedforwardandtookanothersip.
“Thirty years ago, yes. Today, I don’t know. I have come to know your kind and you are not as…

well…asignorantasIhadsupposed,orascruel.”

Shewasn’toffended.Howcouldshebe?“Thereisgreatcrueltyinourculture.”
“Butmuchgoodnessaswell.”

Shemethisgazeoncemore.Becauseshewantedtounderstandthepositionofthecastlestaff,and

especiallyGus’stakeonthesubject,shesaid,“Gerrodkissedmethisevening.”

Gus’seyeswentwide.
Shecouldn’thelpbutlaugh.Sheknewhisgossipykindwell,butshealsoknewsomethingelse.He

wasawisetrollandshetrustedhim,sosheadded,“Ikissedhimback.”

His eyes literally moved in a complete circle, as though he was trying to wrap his mind around a

certainthought.Orperhapshewasjustwonderinghowthehellhecouldkeepthisasecret.

Sincehedidn’trespondrightaway,shethoughtshewouldbemoredirectaboutwhatshewantedto

know.“Doyoudisapprove?Isthisaverybadthing?”

Finally,hesethiscupandsaucerbackonthetable,andbidherdothesame.“Comewithme.There

issomethingIwishyoutosee.”

Shewasonherfeetandmovingswiftly.Trollswerefast,thosefeetagain.
Thereturnwalkinthedirectionoftheentrancehalltookatleastacoupleofminutes.Thecastle,as

thedwellingwascalled,wasmorelikeanancientEuropeanchurch,madeofstone,withonlyonelevel,
buthavingseveralextremelytall,andquitebeautiful,vaultedceilings.

Becauseofthegraystone,however,itdefinitelyhadthefeelofacastle,especiallywithseveralsuits

ofarmor,importedfromMedievalEngland,standinglikesentinelsnearseveralofthedoorways.

She thought he meant to take her straight into the entrance hall, where a lot of shouting could be

heard. Instead, he turned into a shallow alcove about twenty feet from the doorway. She frowned,
wonderingwhathewasdoing.Butheshovedthesmalltabletotherightandslidhishanduptheleftside
wall.

She heard a click, then the wall moved inward a few inches. He pushed and gestured for her to

precedehim.

Theroomwaspitchblackbutashadhappenedintheforest,hervisionalteredandchangedandshe

couldactuallyseeasthoughtheroomhadaglow.Wasthissomekindoffaemagic,aspellthathadbeen
castovertheroom?Orwasthissomethingshewasactuallydoing?

Eversinceshe’dcometoMerhaine,smallthingslikethishadbegunhappeningtoher.Shewantedto

askGusaboutit,butheseemedsuddenlytenseandwavedhertothesofathatfacedverystrangelytoward
thewalladjacenttotheentrancehall.

Shesatdown.Hefiddledwiththedrapesthatspannedmostofthewall,pullingthembackslowly.

What a surprise when the entire entrance hall came into view as through a soft haze. She could see
everyoneandwhenGusflippedaswitchofftotheright,shecouldheareveryoneaswell.

Howwasthisdone?
“Don’tworry.Wecan’tbeheardbutIcanseeyourquestion.Howisitdone?”
Shenodded.
He gestured with a sweep of his arm the length of the viewing window. “You know that big

landscapeintheentrancehall?It’spaintedonaveryfinemeshscreen.”

“Oh,Isee.Doyoucomehereoftentoobserve?”
“No,notoften.”
Gerrodhadhisbacktothewall.Heturnedslowlyuntilhewasalmostfacingthepainting.Thenhe

wasinhermind.Abigail?Areyouintheviewingroom?

Shewassostartled,shejerkedinherseat.Shealsofeltasthoughshewasspyingonhim.Yes, I’m

here.Howdidyouknow?

Notsure,justafeeling.Hisbrowpuckered,afamiliarsight.
Gusbroughtmehere,sheexplained.ShouldIleave?Pleasesayno.
Stayifyoulike.You’lllearnanotherreasonwhyIwantyoutoleave.
Therewasmorethanonereason?

Heturnedbackintotheroombutsteppedofftothesideinaverycasualmannersothatshehada

betterviewofwhatwasgoingon.Theroomwasfullofnotables.Sherecognizedthemfromhavingread
thevariousMerhainenewspapers.

But in the middle, beneath a very large round wood chandelier, a fae and an elf, both male, stood

almosttouchingchests.Didsheheargrowls?

“Humansarevermin,”theelfsaid.
“That’sabsurd.Therearegoodhumansandbadhumans.Thebakerisquiteacceptable.Ithinkshe

smilestoomuch,butbeyondthatherintelligenceissufficientandhercupcakesarequitegood,excellent
infact.”

“Here,here,”movedabouttheroom.
Butothersgrumbled.
Abigail wasn’t hearing anything new, perhaps not as vehement as usual, but humans weren’t

universallyaccepted.

Theelfcontinued.“Youallowedthis.Youmadeapushtopassthroughallthepermitsforherbakery

andI’llbetyouabusheloffallapplesthatshe’stheonethatbroughttheInvictustonight.”

Abigailcouldn’thavebeenmoresurprised.Howonearthdidherpresenceatafaeweddingbringon

anattackoftheInvictus?

Gus elbowed her. “Don’t listen to that. There’s always some dimwit in the crowd that will cast

anotherasascapegoatforanybadoccurrence.Afewthousandyearsago,he’dbethesorttothrowhis
ownchildintoavolcanoinhopesofgettingthegodstostoptheneighboringtribefrommarauding.”

“Whatalovelyimage.”
Guslaughed.“Buttrue,no?”
Itwasatthispoint,however,thattheentireassemblyofcivicleadersstartedshouting,makingtheir

pointswithflyinghands.Severaltrollsweredancingontheirfeet,leapingsidetoside,facesred.

AbigailglancedatGerrod,readytoofferatelepathicjoke,butshewasstoppedbythefiercelookon

hisfaceandthewayhishandshadballedup.

“Enough,”heshouted.
Theroomfellsilent.
“Wealmostlostachildtonight,butthankstoMistressAbigail’scourage,theboylives.
“Weneedtostayonpointthatthisrecentincursionwon’tbethelast.Wehavemorecriticalthingsto

resolve than the presence of a bakery in our midst. Please return to your homes and we’ll begin the
processofdevelopingstrategiesandorganizingourcivicvolunteerGuard.I’vebroughtoutalltheGuard
to patrol through the night, but with forty dead, the Invictus won’t hurry back, that much I can promise
you.”

Abigail knew that the Invictus were more of a deadly gang than a marauding army. She also

understood,however,thatwhathappenedtonighthadneverhappenedbefore.

Thecrowdmutteredbutbegantoeasetowardthelargecastledoorinthesoutheasterncornerofthe

room,asthoughtheplugtoadrainhadbeenpulled.

SheglancedbackatGerrodandsawthathislefthandtwitched.Heshookitslightlyandevenrubbed

hishandstogether.Whenhereleasedhishand,andthestrangeshakingcontinued,heshovedhishandinto
thedeeppocketofhisleathers.

“What’swrongwithhishand?”Abigailasked.
“Didyouseesomething?”
“Atwitch.Atremormaybe.”
Gussighed,adeeprushofair.“Thisisn’tgood.Ineedtocontactoneofhisdoneuses.”
Abigailfeltlight-headedsuddenly.Sheknewwhatadoneuse was, a polite French expression that

meant blood donor in Realm terms. She wanted to protest. She felt strangely protective of Gerrod

suddenly.He’dkissedher.Shedidn’twantanotherwoman,nomatterthespecie,offeringupherwristor
herneckoranyotherveinofherbody,totheMastyrofMerhaine.

Thatwasherjob.
Thatwasherjob?
Whatonearthwasshethinking?
Butcertainpiecesofthisweirdpuzzlebegantofallintoplace,howdrawnshewastoGerrod,that

shecouldcommunicatetelepathicallywithhim,thatshecouldaccesshispersonalfrequency.Shecould
no longer deny that she had a serious connection to this man, to this vampire. She didn’t know what it
was, but the thought that he needed to take blood, reminded her of how sluggish her blood always felt,
especially in Merhaine, as though her body had decided all on its own that she needed to be Gerrod’s
doneuse.

She sighed. But what did all of this mean? Could she donate her blood? Part of her shouted a

resoundingyes. But another part was much more sensible and seemed to stand, hands on hips, and say,
Vampires?Really?

Gerrodwasright.SheneededtogohomeandshereallydidneedtorethinktheHollowTreebakery,

especiallywithtonight’shorribleturnofeventsinwhich,thankstoGerrodandhisGuard,nooneatthe
weddingdied.

Herthoughtsturnedtohersister.AbigailhadbeenMegan’scaregiverforthepastnineyears.Well,

tobefairnotexactlynine.Afterall,Meganhadgottenmarriedthreeyearsagotoawonderfulmanand
she’dbirthedtwochildrenintheprocess.

ButshebelievedshewouldalwaysfeelaprofoundsenseofresponsibilitytowardMegan.Hersister

hadbeensicklymostofherlifeandwhentheirparentsdiedthosenineyearsago,Abigailhadbeenable
tokeepthemtogetherasafamilybecauseshe’dbeeneighteen.Lifeinsurancehadpaidoffthehouse,and
hadgiventhemfundstogetthroughtheearlyyears,thenlatertoopenthebakery.Ofcourse,Abigailhad
worked full-time as well, but she had always felt blessed that she and Megan had been able to stay
together.

But Megan hadn’t been well those first four years, in and out of the hospital with breathing

difficulties,achroniccaseofasthmathathadtakenhertotheemergencyroomnumeroustimes.

Much of that was behind Abigail now and in-between, she and her sister had built the bakery

together.TheexpansionintoMerhainehadbeenbecauseoftheirextensivetrollandelfcustomers.Forthe
past three years the castle alone had been a major part of their success, which had led Abigail here,
staringatGerrod’sback,attheconstanttensioninhisshoulders,atthefactthathestillheldhishanddeep
inthepocketofhisbattle-leathers.

“He’salwaysblood-starved,youknow.”
She put a hand to her chest, aware of her laden heart all over again. She had developed a strange

medical condition in which her body produced too much blood. The doctors still didn’t know what to
makeofitbutshehadbecomearegularandwelcomedonortotheFlagstaffbloodbank.

AbigailturnedtowardGus.Herosetohisfeetandlookeddownather.Shecouldbarelymakeout

hisfeatures.“Whyisthat?Whyishealwaysblood-starvedifhehasdonors?”

Gus shrugged. “Something about being a mastyr vampire. They’re all blood-starved in the Nine

Realms,themastyrvampireswhorule.Although,Idon’tknowaboutanyoftheotherContinents.Heeven
hasthreedoneuses,buthehatestousethem.They’reallmarried.Hefeelslikeit’saviolation.”

“Okay, so how long has he been blood-starved? I know he’s three-hundred-years-old. Tell me it

hasn’tbeenthatlong?”

Gusshrugged.“Notsure.Ithinkhereachedmastyrstatusahundredandfiftyyearsago,buttherehad

tohavebeenalongtransition.Ican’tbelievehe’djustsuddenlybestarved.”

“So,whydoesn’thejustgetmoredoneuses,addtohislittleharem,andtakemoreblood?”

Gusjuststaredather.“Well,you’dprobablyhavetoaskhimthat,butIwouldn’t.There’smoreto

blood-taking than I think you or I can understand. I think it’s one reason the vampires hate the Invictus
wraithsasmuchastheydo.”Heturnedtoclosethecurtainsacrossthewidelandscapeatthenowempty
room and flipped off the switch. “Because the victims are unwilling, I’ve heard them call it a blood-
rape.”

“Oh,God.”
“Yes,exactly.”
Thedooropenedandlightfromthehallformedarectangleofyellowonthefloorbehindthecouch

shadedbyGerrod’smassiveshadow.Funny,shealwaysseemedtoforgethowbighewasuntilhestood
inadoorway.Hefilleditfromsidetoside,thetopjambclearinghisheadbyonlyafewinches.

Heheldhislefthandinhisrightnow,andrubbedhiswristbackandforth.“Everythingokay?”
Hisvoicewasadeephole.
“Sure,”shesaid.ButwhatGushadtoldherhadknockedheroutofstride.
She was about to ask to be taken back to Flagstaff, but Gus was before her. “I’m putting Mistress

Abigailinoneoftheguestrooms.”

Gerrodlookedaround.“SheshouldgobacktoFlagstaff.”
“It’salongtripbycarandallthewayeast.IsthereaGuardinthatdirection?Someonewatchingthe

planeaccesspoint?”

Gerrod shook his head. “We have never needed guards at the access before.” He scowled, harder

now.“Verywell.Wecertainlyhaveenoughguestrooms.”

HebackedintothehallandAbigailfollowedhim.
Hestoodasidewatchinghercarefully,veryguarded.Shewantedtosaysomethingtohim,tooffer

somecomfort,butnowordscame.Sincehemadenomovetoinvitehertochat,evenalittle,sheturnedin
thedirectionofthenorthroomsawayfromGerrod.Gushurriedtomoveinfrontofher,leadingtheway.

“I’llbidyougood-night,”Gerrodcalledout.
Abigailstoppedandturnedtowardhim.Bynow,hestoodbesidehislibrarydoor.Sheliftedahand,

still feeling so strange after having heard about his blood-starvation and why hadn’t she known of it?
Although,honestlyitexplainedahelluvalotabouthisperpetualirritability.Menneededtobefed.She
was sure that axiom was as true in the realm world as it was in Flagstaff. Megan’s husband got a lot
louderwhenhisblood-sugarbottomedout.

As she turned back to follow Gus, her thoughts started tumbling around until at last she caught up

withhimandasked,“WhatdoesGerrodusuallydonow,afterabattlelikethis?Doeshegotobed?”

“No,he’llprobablycallforabottleofwhiskey,drinkaboutathirdofit,andpassoutinoneofthe

bigchairsinfrontofthefireintheentrancehall.It’ssortofaritual.”

“Iguesshewoulddeserveatleastthatmuch,”shesaid,butherfootstepsgrewslowerandslower,

untilshestoppedaltogether.

Gusturnedbacktoher,histhreeridgesfloatingupward,questioning.
Herrightshouldernowfacedbackdownthehall.Shecouldseethelightfromthelibraryflickeras

thoughGerrodwalkedbackandforthinfrontofalamp,pacing.

“Iseverythingallright?”Gusasked.
“Justgivemeasec.”Sheheadedbackinthedirectionofthelibrary.Herheartwasslamminginher

chestbecauseshehadneverdoneanythinglikethisinherlife.

When she reached the doorway, she had meant to walk right up to him and ask him a few pointed

questions,butshecouldn’t.Gerrodnowsatinhischair,hiselbowsonthemassivecentraltable,hishead
inhishands.Herockedslowly,backandforthasifingreatpain.

Oh.God.
Somethinginsidehersettledverydeep,maybefallingintothatholethatwashisvoice,ormaybeshe

was just feeling all his pain on some kind of vampire frequency he was emitting right now, she wasn’t
sure.

Butadecisioncametoher,thoughshefeltstronglyithadtobejustforthisnight,thisonenight.
Sheretracedherstepsupthehall,rejoiningGus.
Forthepastyear,shehadseenGerrodinmorethanadozensettings,consolingamotherwhohad

lostason,kissingagrandmotheronhercheek,offeringsternbutsolidadvicetoayoungerGuardsman,
teasingAugustus.Shewonderedifthiswasthetruebasisforherattractiontohim,thatonsomelevelshe
knew the vampire and knew him well. His character showed in everything he did and all that he was,
everywordhespoke,everysofttouchonashoulder,everysympatheticgesture.

Abigailblinked.Shecouldn’tbelieveshewasgoingtodothis,butafterseeingGerrodinashattered

stateinthelibrary,shehadto.Besides,herbloodhadthatthickfeelingagain,almostlumpishassheliked
tothinkofit.Thoughsheneverreallyfeltindangerofaheartattackoranything,shedidfeelapressing
needtogivesomeofitaway.Andrightnowshemightjusthaveasolutionthatdidn’tinvolvedonatingto
thebloodbank.

“Comewithme,Gus.Iwantyoutoshowmetothemastyr’sbedroom.”
Gus’s brows rose almost to his upper ridge. But after staring at her for a long moment, he nodded

veryfirmly,thensaid,“Yes,mistress.Ifyouwillfollowme.”

Onceinhisbedroom,whichsheknewwellfromthetourhe’dgivenhermanymonthsago,shesaid,

“Andwhereisthebathroom?”

Gusledherintoasidechamber,verydeepwithahugecoppertub.Shedrewnear,leanedoverand

pushedthepluginhard.Sheturnedthewateronadjustinguntilthetemperaturewasonthehotside.

“Wherearetheherbshebathesin?”
“Herbs,Mistress?”
“Yes,healways—”Shefelthercheeksgrowwarm.ThatshealwayssmelledGerrod,andthathis

scentremindedheroffreshrainintheforest,wasnotsomethingsheintendedtorevealtoGus.“Thatis,
whereisthesoaphewouldordinarilyuse?”

“Ah.”Hemovedovertotheshowerandbroughtabottleofgel,anambercolor.
Abigailtookitandsniffedthespout.Butitdidn’tsmelllikefreshrain.“Towels?”sheasked.
Asshewatchedthesteamrisefromthecoppertub,shelaughed.“Gus,thereissomethingmore.Do

vampireslikehotwater,Imeanhotlikethis?”

Gus smiled and his smile broadened to a grin. “Very much. Ah, mistress, you have gladdened my

heart.”

“Andnow,thereisonemorethingIshouldlike,thenI’mhopingyouwillsendallthestafftobed.”
He blinked at least four times. Finally, he bowed to her. He actually bowed. Then he said,

“Understood.Andwhatisityou’dlikemetodo?”

“Ishouldlikeaplatteroffruitandcheeseandyourmastyr’sfavoriteGermansweetwine.Nothing

more,orless,mind.”

“Verygood.Verygood,”hesaid.
“Youwillleavetheplatteroutsidethebedroom,inthemastyr’ssittingroom.”
“Yes,yes,ofcourse.”
“AndIamaskingforcompletediscretion.”
Atthat,heblinkedasthoughnotunderstanding.“Discretion?”
Abigailbitbackhersmile.Shecouldn’tthinkwhyshehadbotheredaskingforhisdiscretion.She

mightaswellhaveaskedhimtocutoffhisrightarm.“Well,tryforareducednarrative.”

Hescreweduphislips.
“Oh,verywell.Speakasyouwill.”
“Yes,mistress.”Buthegrinned.

Shesighed.Shehadsetherfeetonthiscourse,andtherewasnothingtobedonenow.Nodoubtby

tomorrowafternoon,whenthestaffroseearlyforthenight,theentirecastlewouldknowshehadspentthe
earlymorninghoursintheMastyr’srooms,thatis,ifGerrodpermittedhertostay.

Abigail waited until the tub was sufficiently full which wasn’t very long. Given Gerrod’s size, he

woulddisplacealotofthewater.Whenshehadturnedthefaucetsoff,shesteeledherselfforwhatshe
hadtodonextandforwhatshewantedtodomorethananythingelseintheworld,Realmorotherwise.

When she reached the doorway of the bedroom, before moving into Gerrod’s private sitting room,

sheremovedherheelsandplacedthembythedoor,welloutoftheway.Shereallydidn’twantGerrod
trippingoverhershoes.

ChapterThree

Gerrodsatatthemaptable,elbowsonthehardwood,hisheadinhishands.Fatiguewasn’ttheonly

thinghefelt,butaterribledespair.Hecouldn’tseemtoputtheimagesoftheattackoutofhismindnor
couldheimaginewhenthismadnesswouldend.

Never,wastheonlythingthatcametomind.
Andhowwashetobear‘never’?
Heheardasoftpaddingoffeetinthehallway,verysoftandunfamiliar.Heliftedhisheadandfelt

thefrequencyofhisbattlepowerbegintocharge,alowvibrationdeepinhisgut.

Hisheartthrummedinhisthroat.
HadtheInvictussomehowbypassedallhissecuritymeasuresandinvadedthecastle?
Butredhairappeared,insteadofredwind,andthesoftclingingcreamgownthatAbigailstillwore

fromthewedding.

Abigail,oh,dearGoddess,no.
“Whyaren’tyouinyourroom?”Thesuddenburstofadrenaline,offearingthatanenemyhadcome

tothecastle,lefthimirritableoncemore.“Youshouldbeinbed,asleep.”

Butshestrolledforward,nowinherbarefeet,asthoughshebelongedinhishouse.“JustthoughtI’d

havealookaround.”

Heturnedawayfromher,fatiguesettlinginhard.Hewantedhiswhiskyandthedeepleatherchairin

frontofthefire.Whiskyalwayseasedthetremorinhishand.He’dhavetosummonadoneuse, but not
tonight.“Didyouleaveyourroomandforgetyourway?Thatpartofthecastleisarabbitwarren.”He
wastryingtobepolitebuthewantedhergonesohewouldn’thavetothinkaboutwhathewantedtodoto
her,whathehadalmostdonetoherearlier.

“No,Ididn’tforgetmyway.”
“Good,that’sgood.Butyoumustbeexhausted.”
“Not so fatigued as you, I’m sure.” He looked up at her at that. She was standing just a few feet

away. The light from the lamp on his desk seemed to enhance her delicate complexion. She was very
beautiful,almostetherealbecauseofherfairskin.

Sheheldoutherhandtohim.“Come.I’vemadesomethingforyou.Ithinkit’swhatyouneed.I’mnot

sure,butIbelieveitwilldo.Willyoutrustme?”

“Thisisastrangesequenceofwordscomingfromyou.”Henarrowedhisgaze.“Alwaystheenigma.

ButIamtootiredtodecipheryourmeaning.”

Shesmiled.Animagedriftedthroughhismind,somethingthatfeltasthoughitcamefromthefuture,

probablyjustafantasy.Butshewasinhisbed,asleeponthepillownexttohim.

Hegavehisheadashake.Itwaslate,hehadbattledtonight,andnowhewasimaginingthings.
She had been a good sport and hadn’t complained once during the attack. She had even saved the

boy.Heowedherthislittlebit,hesupposed,despitehowtiredhewas,toacceptwhateverkindnessshe
hadpreparedforhim.

Herosetohisfeetbutdidn’ttakeherhand.Hefearedtouchingher.Sinceshewasabletoconnect

withhispersonalfrequency,hedidn’twanttoreliveanythingasdangerousaswhathehadsharedwith
herearlierintheforest.

Heswepthishandinthedirectionofthedoorway.“Leadtheway,MistressAbigail.”
Sheturnedandwithoutanyhintofflirtation,beganwalkingdownthelonghall.Shewasgoinginthe

oppositedirectionoftheentrancehall,whichmeanthewouldhavealongtrekbacktogettohiswhisky
andsinkintohisleatherchair.

Buthehadtoldherhewouldobligeherandsohewould.

Heonlysuspectedsomethingwaswrongwhensheledhimnotinthedirectionofanyofthepublic

rooms,oreventowardtheguestsuitesofwhichthereweretwentyonthefarsideofthecastle,butrather
straightdownthehalltohisprivatequarters.

Hestoppedatthetopofthehall.“MistressAbigail,Ibelieveyoumusthavelostyourway.”
Shedidn’tevenpauseinherstepsasshelookedoverhershoulderandsaid,“No,Ididn’t.Come.”
Onshemoved.Hewaitedforalongmomentevenaftershedisappearedintohisprivatesittingroom.

Whichledtohisbedroom.

Hefeltdizzysuddenlybutnotpreciselyfatigued.Infact,hishearthadbegunaseriouspoundingand

all that activity within his chest put his booted feet in motion again. He was certain he shouldn’t be
walkingdownthishall,buthecouldn’tseemtohelphimself.

He didn’t take many women to bed and never at the castle. Far too complicated. The Mastyr of

Merhainecouldn’tallowforexpectationstoariseinanyquarter.

Butthis,ahuman.CouldheengagewithAbigailandnotgetcaughtinadifferentkindofnet?
Hepassedthroughthesittingroom.Whenhereachedtheangleddoorwayofhisbedroom,hepushed

thedoorwideagainstthestonewall.Heglanceddownandsawhermatchingcreamheelssittingside-by-
side,closetogether,verytidy.

Hescannedthebedroombutshewasn’tthere.
Hestoodonthethreshold,staringathisbed,hisdresser,hismassivecloset.Hehadlivedalonehere

forahundredandfiftyyears.Inallthattime,hehadneverbroughtawomanintohisprivaterooms.

HewantedtocallouttoAbigail,totellhertoleaveatonce.Heevenliftedhischin,partedhislips,

butthewordswouldn’tcome.Maybehewasjusttoodamntired.

Hisheartbeathardernowandinthedistanceheheardwatersplashing.
Wasthewomanbathing?Hisbodyresponded,justthinkingthoughtsofAbigailinhiscoppertub.Her

longredhair,herbeautifuleyes,herpaleskin,wouldlookalmostexoticinhistub.

“Gerrod.It’sallright.Cometome.Justthisonce.Nopressure.Nohiddenmotives.Nothing.”Then

hersoftchuckleasthoughshefoundwhatshesaidamusing.

For some reason, perhaps the soft but confident tone of her voice, his boots once more began to

move. Some terrible threshold had been crossed in which his profound need, his fatigue, his despair
overrodehisfearofbeinginvolvedwithAbigail,withthishuman.

Hemovedintothebedroom.Lookingthroughthearchwayintothebathroom,hesawthatshesatona

stool at the lower end of the tub, near the faucet, and she had removed her gown. She wore an
undergarmentthatalsolookedlikeagown,butwiththinstraps.Itcoveredherbreastsandendedather
kneesinalineoflace.

Hisdesireforherrose,despitethefactthatshewasstillessentiallymodestlyclothed.
Essentially.
Ashedrewcloser,hesawthathergown,whichshehadworntothewedding,hungononeofthe

pegstotheleft,oppositethetub.

Hestillhesitated.Shehadpreparedhimabath.Agreatkindness,indeed.
Hechoseinthatmoment,nottooverthinkanyofit,nottohaveanyexpectations,nottotrytotake

charge,nottodoanythingexcepttogivehimselfovertothisstrangehuman.

Hestoodbythesideofthetubandsherosefromherstool.Asshereachedforthethickshoulder

strap,shehesitated.Shelookedupathim.Henodded.

The moment she made contact with the silver buckle, he felt it again, his realm vibration, coming

alivewithhertouch.

Shesnappedthelargesilverbucklethatheldthestraptogether.Shecaughtonesideandslidtherest

offhisback.Sheopenedthecoatwide,thenspreadherfingersoverhisleftpec.Herlipsparted.

“I can feel your vibration,” she said. “It’s powerful and seductive. It strikes me here in a steady

rhythm.”Shelookedbackupathimandremovedherhandfromhischestandputitbetweenherbreasts.

Henodded.“Weareaworldoffrequencies.EvenwhenIbattle,it’safrequencythatItapandI’m

abletodrawenergyfromtheearthandfromtheairandformitintonarrowbeamsthatcandogreatharm.

“Mypersonalfrequencyisaverydifferentthing.Whenyoutouchit,asyoujustdid,it’sasthoughall

thatIam,totheendofeachextremity,beginspulsingtowardthecenterofmybeing.”Helaidahandflat
onhisupperabdomen.“Here.Putyourhandhere.”

She laid her hand against his stomach and her brows rose. “I can feel it all up my arm.” Her lips

werestillpartedasoncemoreshemethisgaze.“It’sverysexual.”

“Itshouldbe.It’scalledthematingfrequency.”
“Well,Iwon’tdenythatitfillsmewithdesire,thewayIfeltintheforestearlier.So,haveallthe

womenyou’veknownenjoyedyourfrequency?”

Shewassmiling,thinkingsheunderstood,butshedidn’t.
Heshookhisheadslowly.“Never.IhavetoallowittohappenandI’veneverwantedtobecauseit

wouldmeanadeeperconnection.ThewomenIhaveknowncouldn’tdowhatyouseemtodosoeasily,to
accessmypersonalvibration,whichmakesyouamysteryIcannotsolve.”

Sheseemedtrulyshocked.“ThenhowthehellcanIdothis?”
“Idonotknow,Abigail.Itworriesme.”
She nodded several times but fell silent. Finally, she said, “Very well, we can’t understand

everything right now but we’ll just have to make the best of it.” Then her smile appeared. His breath
caught.Herealizedhelovedhersmile,thatjustseeingthatbrightdisplayofeventeeth,herexpression
fullofnothingbutgood-will,easedhisheart.

Hisownneedforhergrew.Hewashardbeneathhisleathers,stiffwithdesire.Whowasshethatshe

couldbringforthhisfrequency?

Heremovedthelongleather,sleevelesscoat.Shetookitfromhimandhungitonapegnexttoher

gown,aswellastheshoulderstrap.

She waved him to the stool. He sat down. She drew the rug close and knelt before him. She

unbuckledhisboots,anotherkindness.Sheleanedbackandheslidthemoff,alongwiththethicksocks.
Shetookthemfromhimandsetthembeneathhiscoat.

Heunbuttonedthedozensmallbuttonsthatheldthesoftwovenshirttogether.Hepulledtheshirttails

fromthepantsandletthegarmentslidefromhisshoulders.

Thoughheextendedtheshirttowardher,shestoodstaringathim.Ofcourseshewouldneverhave

seenhimlikethisbeforeandhispecstightenedandswelled,hisshouldersandbicepsflexed.Hedrew
hisstomachintight.Hewaswhatthehumanscalled‘built’,muscledasallGuardsmenwere.

Herpupilshaddilatedandthroughhersliphecouldseethetautbeadsofhernipples.Shesharedhis

desire.

She blinked a couple of times as though clearing her thoughts, then said, “You may remove your

fightingleathers.”Sheknewthatwaswhattheywerecalled.Healmostsmiled.

Hemethergazeashetookthemoff.Hewasnakedashehandedthemtoher.Shefoldedthemupbut

insodoing,someofthedriedblood,andsomenotsodryfromthenickshehadreceived,endeduponher
armsandhands.Fortunately,hehealedquicklyandthevariouscutswerelonggone.

Shegasped,justalittle,thensquaredhershoulders.Shefoldedthepantsandsettledthembesidethe

boots.

When he stood there, now fully aroused in front of a woman he desired, her gaze dipped to his

erection then back to his eyes. She gestured to the tub and smiled. “Get in, Gerrod. And when you can
tolerateit,sinkbeneaththewater.Imeantowashyourhair.”

He was sore from battling and very tired. He was also weak from blood starvation. He stumbled

getting in, but righted himself only to find her hand on his back as if to steady him. The gesture moved

somethinginhisheartandsuddenlyhehurtsodeepthathewishedhergone,wishedhehadnevermether,
wishedshehadkeptherkindnessestoherself.

Howlonghaditbeensincehehadknownsuchattentionandcare?Yes,hispeopleweregoodtohim

andshowedhimmanyrespectfultendergestures.Butheneverletanyonegetthisclosethatafterabattle,
hemightbesoothed.

Hesankintothewater,pullingthewovenclaspfromhishairandletitdroptothestonefloor.“The

temperatureisperfect,”hesaid.Hedidn’tlookatheruntilsheleanedoverandslidherhandsinthewater
as well and began rinsing the blood from her arms. Then she drew close, hovering above his lips. He
leanedupslightly,whichencouragedhersothatshecamedowntohimtherestofthewayandkissedhim,
asoftwarmpressure,andsoverywelcome.

Hesighedwhenshedrewback.“Whyareyoudoingthis?”
“BecauseIhaveseenhowyoucareforyourpeopleandIappreciatewhatyoudo.Ihaveknownyou

longenough,Gerrod,tounderstandthatthereisnoonetocomfortyou.SoIthought,justthisonce,Iwould
dowhatIcould,withnoplaninmindotherthantogiveyouwhatIcanthisdawn,maybetocomfortyou,
ifIcould.Butpleasedon’tworry.Ihavenopurposeotherthanthat,nohopesorintentionforsharinga
futurewithyou.Restassured,thereisnoobligationhereexcepttoenjoythemoment.”

Henodded,closedhiseyesandsankbeneaththewater,asortofbaptism.Whenhecameup,shehad

moved behind him, having taken the stool with her. She washed his hair and it was one of the finest
sensationshehadeverknown,herfingersscrubbinghisscalpandworkingthesoapthroughthedifficult
length.Herinsedbydippingagain,butbeforeshecouldapplyamostnecessarycrèmerinse,heroseup
outofthebathandgesturedtotheshower.“Thisismypreference,butthebathwasperfection.”

She smiled. He began making his way to his shower and turned on all three shower heads. He

steppedinsideandshifted,onlytofind,muchtohisshock,thatshehaddispensedwithherslipandher
braandwasnowsteppingoutofwhatlookedlikeabeautifulblacklacethong.

His body responded once more. Couldn’t be helped on so many levels. He’d been in battle. A

womanwaswhathewanted.

Shedidn’tjoinhimrightaway,however.Instead,shewenttothesinkandwasbusythereforabouta

minute.Curious,hewatchedher,astheverticaljetspoweredagainstthesoremusclesofhisback.She
hadanowdampthonginhandandhungitbetweentwoofthepegsonthewallwherehergownandhis
coathung.

Hischesttightened.Therewasonlyonereasonshewouldhavedoneso,thatshemeanttospendthe

day in his bed. It was such a practical, womanly thing to do, the way a woman who ran a successful
businesswouldalwaysbethinkingonestepahead,whatneededtobedonenext.

Ifhe’dhadanydoubtsaboutthescopeofherintentions,theydisappearedasshemovedtowardthe

shower,herchinhighandhernipplespeaked.

Whatrosetothesurfaceofhismindwassimple.Hehadwantedherfromthefirstmomenthe’dlaid

eyes on her and caught her delicate rosemary scent. He’d wanted her with a fervor that was even now
beyondhiscomprehension.

Hedidn’ttrytohidehowarousedhewas.Buthewasabigmansohesupportedallthatpurposeful

weightasshesteppedinbesidehim.

Hegaveherroomsothatshecoulddipbeneaththespray.Allherprettycurlshadalreadygivenway

tothedifficultiesofthenightandnowhermakeup,too,driftedinthedirectionofthedrain.

He moved away from her and took his time memorizing each curve, the shape of her breasts, the

exact pinkish hue of her areola, that her belly button seemed to collect the water before allowing it to
flowdownherabdomenandintothecreaseofhertenderflesh.Herskinwasmilky,herlegsshapelyand
long.Evenherfeetwereprettyandhehadasuddendesiretokissthem.

Ifhewastohaveonlyonenightwithher,thenhewouldmakethemostofit.

Sheemergedfromthesprayandturned.Sheshampooedherhairandrinsed.Hewatchedthebubbles

floatoverhershouldersanddownherarms.Hebecamefascinatedwithhowherbreastsmovedandwhat
theylookedlikewhensheliftedherarmstosqueezethewaterfromherhair,toshakeherlockswithher
fingerstryingtogetthesoapout.

Whenshewassatisfied,shereachedforthecrèmerinse.Sheappliedittoherhairandonceithad

reachedthetips,sheturnedtohimandsmiled.“You’llhavetobenddownalittle.I’mnotashortwoman,
butyou’redamntall.”

Hesmiled.MyGod,whenwasthelasttimehehadsmiled.Hisheartfeltlighter.Whenhadhisheart

everfeltlighterafterabattle?

He had a sudden profound desire to find some place in the castle to keep her, to chain her up

perhaps,sothatwheneverheneededtofeeltheweightofhisresponsibilitiesliftfromhisshoulders,he
couldgotoherandshewouldmakehimsmile.

Heleanedoverandshepouredthecrèmerinseonhishairandworkeditthrougheverystrandallthe

waytotheendsasshehaddoneherownhair.

Hewantedtotouchher,butshewasallbusiness.Sherinsedherhair,thenwithoutaword,sheleft

the shower. She dried off and wrapped her hair up, then simply padded from the bathroom, her bottom
movinginthemostexoticwayasshedisappearedfromview.

Realizinghecouldnolongerseeher,thatshehadsomehowescapedhistouch,hefeltpanicky,afraid

onsomelevelthatshewouldvanish.Healmoststumbledfromtheshowerandtoweledoff.Hewasstilla
bitdampinpartswhenhewentintothebedroom.

Hepausedonthethreshold.Shewasonthebed,thecoversturnedallthewaybacktothefootboard,

andstillverynaked.Shewaskneelingbutsittingbackonherheels.Infrontofherwasatrayoffruitand
cheeseandtwosmallglassesofwhitewine.

Shehadprovidedhimanelegantfeast.Didsheunderstandwhatshewasdoing?Whatitmeanttoa

mantohaveawomanfeedhim?Ofcourse,shedidownabakery,soperhapsonaveryintuitivelevel,she
understoodhowcriticalitwastoprovidefoodtothecommunity,evenarealmcommunity.

“Please,Gerrod,comeandmakeyourselfcomfortable.Ifyoudon’twanttoeat,youdon’thaveto,

althoughthereareotherthingsbesidesthesefruitsandcheesesthatmightbeequallypalatabletoyou.”

Hehadlivedalongtime.
Hehadhearddoubleentendresineveryformimaginable.
Maybe it was because she was naked, or that she had brought him food to eat, but these words

pleasedhimtonoend,andoncemorebroughthimtoattention.

Hergazefell.Hehadtosupporthimselfashewalked.Hethumbedthetipofhiscockandwatched

hereyeswiden.

“Iwouldfeedyouaswell,Abigail,ifitwouldpleaseyou.”
Hernippleshadbecomehardpebblesoncemoreandaflushcoveredhercheeks.“Iamverytorn,”

shesaid.“Forthesefigslookwonderful.Butontheotherhand,Iwantnothingmorethantobefed.”She
unwoundthetowelfromherdampcurlsandletitfallbehindher.

“Andsoyoushallbe.”Hecrawledacrossthebed,carefulnottodisturbthetray.Hedrewupbeside

heronhisknees.

Sheturnedhershoulderintohimandplantedherhandonhisthigh.Sheleanedjustalittleandparted

herlips.

Hetiltedhispelvisandslippedhiscockintohermouth.Hefedherslowly,oneinchatatime.She

didn’tsuckbutheldhertonguebeneathhimandmovedinalittleeroticripple.Hegroaned.Hepulledout
thenpushedinagainslowly.Hemethergazeasshelookedupathim.

Ifeelyourvibration,shesaid,tappinghistelepathicfrequency.
Howdoesitfeel?

Wonderful.It’smademylipsandtonguetingle.
Her mouth began to close around him and this time when he withdrew she suckled him. His back

archedandhealmostcame.

Hewithdrewandtookaseriesofstrongbreaths.
Shedidn’tmove.Hebelievedsheunderstoodhisdilemma.
“Imagine,”shesaidatlast.
Helookeddownather.“Imaginewhat?”
“Imagine,Ijusthadsomuchtoeat,andyetI’mstillhungry.”
Hechuckled.
“Now,whydon’tyoustretchoutonyoursideandletmefeedyoubitsoffruitandcheese.”
Heendedupcurlinghislargebodyaroundhers.Shetookhertimeandplacedasliceofstrawberry

on his tongue. Then a little jack cheese. Apple and cheddar. Figs and gorgonzola. She handed him his
glassofwine.

Hedrank.
Sheateaswellanddrank.
Hetouchedherwaistandslidhishanddowntocaressherbottom.Shearchedasthoughitgaveher

pleasuresohekepthishandlow.

Whenmoisturecollectedatthetipsandthreatenedtodripdownherback,hewipedatherhair.
Shedidthesameforhim.
Hewassurprisedhowhungryhewas,evenmoresowhentheplateoffoodwasfinallygone.
He stared at the barren grape cluster. He had long-forgotten his wish to sit in his chair and drink

whisky.Thiswasbetter.Hewasfeelingstronger.

He slipped off the bed, and took the tray to the stand near the door. He headed back but almost

stumbled.

She was on her knees now, still on the bed, still very naked, and one hand rubbing between her

thighs.Hergazerakedhisbody.Sohemovedslower,lettingherlook.Heunderstoodwhatthesightofhis
Guardbodycoulddotoawoman,theheavymuscles,hiscockpartiallyerectandgrowing.

Hergazeslippedoverhispecs.Herlipsparted.Theywerenearlyrubyredasshelickedthem.Her

gazefell,droppingdownhisabs.Sheleanedforwardslightlystillfondlingherself.

Itappearedshewasstillhungry.
Heroundedthebedandsheknee-walkedovertotheside.Fortunately,thebedwasn’ttootall,which

meantshedidn’thavefartogo.Sheplantedherhandsonhishipsandloweredherhead.

He was pretty sure that for any man, this was one of the most beautiful sights in the world, in any

world,vampire,fae,troll,elvenorhuman.Yes,anyworld.

Shesuckedhim,lickedhim,swirledhertongue.Hewasuprightnow,hardasarock.Thefoodhad

beenagoodidea.He’dneedednourishmentespeciallysincehisblood-starvationwasreachingacritical
point.Hewouldneedbloodwithintwenty-fourhoursorhewouldbecometooweaktodoanything,even
totakeblood.Thiscouldmeanaquickslidetowarddeathforanyvampire.

Fornow,though,hewassafe,butbarely.
Her hands drifted down the sides of his legs, back up, around his buttocks. She squeezed. He

groaned.

Hecouldn’tbelievethiswashappening,awomaninhisroomafterallthesedecades.Butthiswas

what he’d needed, food and sex, and she’d delivered for no other reason than that she’d perceived his
needandappreciatedwhathedidforhispeople.

Sheleanedbackonherheelsandlookedupathim.“There’ssomethingIwanttotellyou.”
“What’sthat?”Hestrokedhercheek,thumbedthelipsthathadbeensucklinghim.
“I’vebeenseeingadoctorforthepastyear,sinceaboutthetimeIstartedcomingtoMerhaine.”

Hefrowned.“Areyouill?”
“Not exactly. I have a blood condition none of the Arizona specialists can figure out. But I’ve

wonderedifmycomingtoMerhainehashadsomethingtodowithit.”

Hismouthquirked.“So,becauseyou’vebeenaroundvampiresandotherfolkwhoneedandenjoy

thesharingofblood,youthinkyourbloodconditionhassomethingtodowiththat?”

“Maybe.ButforthepastyearI’vehadwhatfeelstomelikelumpishblood.”
Hechuckled.“Whatdoyoumean‘lumpish’?”
“I suppose it’s a strange word choice. Maybe more like sluggish. And my heart would pound as

well. Both sensations, however, made me wonder what was going on, so I got checked out and that’s
whenthedoctorstartedtakingmyblood.”

“Youmeantohaveittested?”
Sheshookherhead.“Todrainmeofexcess.ItwouldseemIcreateexcessbloodforahuman.”
Hejerkedforward.Hecouldn’thaveheardright.“Youproducetoomuchbloodandyourmedical

doctordrainsyouofit?”

Shenodded.“Yes,atcertaintimes,especiallyafterI’vebeentoMerhaine.Anditreallyfeelsthat

wayrightnow.”Shetookhishandandpresseditagainstthecenterofherchestbetweenherbreasts.

Herheartwaspounding.Hefrowned.“Idon’tunderstand.Exactlyhowmuchbloodwouldhetakeat

anygiventime?”Hethoughtmaybeanounceortwo.

Shedrewadeepbreathandsaid,“Apint.”
Hereallycouldn’thaveheardright.Hisballstingledandhiscockgotevenalittleharder.Sheswept

herhairawayfromthesideofherneck.Heweavedonhisfeet.

“I’mthinkingmaybeyoucouldrelievemeofsomeofthatbloodnow.”
Apintofblood,herlumpishblood,herpoundingheart,hisfuckingblood-starvation.
Oh,damnallwraithstohell,heneededthis.“Areyousure?”Hisvoicewashoarselikeithadbeen

shredded.

“Gerrod,isitnormalforaspeciedifferentfromvampirestocreateextrablood?”
Heshookhisheadveryslowly.“I’veneverheardofitbefore.”
Shescootedbackonthebed,thenstretchedout,herdamphairstillshovedawayfromherneck.She

turnedherheadslightly.“Icanfeeltheveinthumpingaway.Gerrod,willyoutryanexperimentwithme?
Willyoutakesomeofmyblood?Iknowyouneedsomerightnow.”

“Gustoldyou.”
“Isawthetremorinyourhand.”
“Shit.”
Shemethisgaze.“Itiswhatitis,andIhaveweirdblood.Wouldyouatleasttry?Mayberightnow

I’mwhatyouneedandIreallythinkyou’rewhatIneed.”Itdidn’thelpthatsheslowlypartedherlegs.

Hechuffedahoarsesound,somethinglikeagrowl,thencrawledoverherbody,lyingbetweenher

legs.“You’vehadexperience?”

Shesmiled.“Ihadaboyfriendafewyearsago.Weenjoyedeachother.Alot.”
Hewasn’tassatisfiedwiththisresponseasperhapsheshouldhavebeen.Hedidn’tliketheideaof

her with another man, any man, ever, not in the past, not in the future. He was being ridiculous since
essentially,basedonwhatshehadsaidtohim,thiswaswhatthehumanscalledaone-nightstand.

She slid her fingers around his cock and squeezed just so. The breath he drew shuddered. “Your

vibrationagain,”shesaid.“Likequickwavesofenergy.It’sjustamazing.Myfingersaretingling.”

“Yes,”hewhispered.Hestaredatherneck.Thehungerthatlivedinhimhadbecomeanoldfriend,

someonehetalkedto,triedtocajoleandoftenpleadedwith.Forthewomantoliethereandbeapromise
thathishungerwouldbesatedbecauseshecarriedextrablood,seemedtheheightofimpossibility.

Buttherewassomethingmore,thevibrationhefeltinhisbodywasstrongernow,akindofhumming

thatwasfastgrowingintoanacheuptheinsidesofhisthighs,aclaimingkindofache,somethinghehad
neverquiteexperiencedbefore,likeheneededtoenterthiswomanandholdherpinnedtohisbed.

Butashelookeddownather,ashelethiscockpushagainstherlowerflesh,thisdidn’tfeelallthat

simple to him. Abigail could make light of this, she could bare her neck, she could talk about having
enjoyed sex, but he understood exactly what she’d done tonight. She’d taken him in hand and offered
herself,evenherblood,fornootherreasonthanthatshehadseenthathestruggledwithlifetonightand
shewantedtoeasehim.

No,thiswasnotsimple.
“You’veshownmeanamazingamountofcompassion,Abigail.Iwillneverforgetthis.”
Heleaneddownandputhislipsonhers.Thetinglingofenergywasstrongernow.Shereleasedhis

cockandslidherarmsaroundhisback,moaningsoftly,herfingersexploringthemusclesofhisshoulders
andarms.Heloweredhimselfontoheranddeepenedthekiss.

She moaned again, a huskier sound this time, but drew back slightly. “All that constant vibration

against my mouth, where your hands touch me, where your legs are connected, even your cock. Oh,
Gerrod,weshouldhavedonethiswhenIfirstcametothecastleandneverstopped.”

Hesmiledashekissedheragain.Shewasright,theenergywaveswereverystrongbetweenthem.

He’dneverknownhismatingfrequencytofeelsoweighted.Usuallyitwasjustafainthum,butthishad
power.

Hermouthwasasensualmoistwellandhesavored,thrustinghistongueslowly,aforeshadowingof

thingstocome,ofthingsto‘enjoy’.

Shesuckledtheendofhistongueandashotofpleasureroseupwithinhisabdomen,tugginghard.

Hethrustharder.Shesuckledharder.

Hedrewbackandchuckled.Itwasallsoenjoyable.He’dforgottenhowwonderfulthiscouldbe.
Shesmiledinreturn.“MyGod,youaresobeautifulwhenyousmile.Itsortofcurvesupononeside

morethantheother.Ahalfsmile.”Shereachedupandkissedthesidethatcurved,thenwithherfingers
playedwithhislips.

“Open,”shewhispered.
He parted his lips and her finger slid inside. He could feel his frequency vibration flow over her

skinas she strokedhis tongue. Hesuckled her finger, hisgaze fixed onhers, those beautiful light-green
eyes.

Oh,thattinglingagain,hervoicewhisperedinsidehishead.
Hereleasedherfinger.“I’mhungry,”hesaid.
Shestartedtosaysomething,butheslidinasinglequickglidedownherbodyandtookhermonsin

hismouthandswipedhistonguethelengthofallhertenderfemaleness.

Her body arched beneath his. “I didn’t think it could get better, but your frequency is working me

everywhere.”Shegroanedthistime.“I’msocloseandwe’vebarelystarted.”

He pushed and licked and sucked. She began to thrash on the bed. He focused the waves of his

poweronallhertenderflesh.Amomentlater,shewasscreamingattheceilingandbuckingagainsthim.
“Oh,God,oh,God,oh,God.”

Hekissedherandlickedher.“More?”heaskedwhenherhipssettledbackintothemattress.
“Yes.”
Herepeatedtheprocess,untilherscreamsoncemoreranguptotherafters.

*********

Abigaillayagainstthesheets,onewiththebed,theroom,therafters,andaboveallGerrod.Hewas

kissingherabdomen,eachvibratingtouchapromiseofmoretocome.

Shestrokedhislongdamphair,savoringtheaftermathoftheorgasms.Howmany?Shemighthave

lostcount.Shefeltbothsatisfiedyetreadyforsomuchmoresincewhathehadjustdonetoherwasmore
appetizerthanmaincourse.Shelongedtofeelhiminsideher,allthatheavyropeofhim.

Shehadn’tbeenwithamaninalongtime.
Henowlickedhernavelanddesireseemedtostreakhigherandloweratthesametime,especially

withthatsensualwaveofenergyasskinmetskin.

Heclimbedupthebed,kissingandsucklinghisway.Hetookasmuchofherbreastinhismouthas

hecouldandsucked.

Shemoaned.Thenhehelditinhismouthandjustrubbedoverthetipwithhisvibratingtongue.The

pleasureofhistouchseemedtopassthroughherinthesamewayasthoughcaughtonallthosewaves.

Shereachedlowandfoundhim,allthatwasmaleandGerrodandsodesirable.
Sherubbedthesoftsensitivecrownandhegroanedheavily.Hereleasedherbreastandclimbeda

littlehigheroverher.Hepushedherhairbackoverhershoulder.

As though she understood, she exposed her neck to him and became aware, as she surrounded her

cockwithherhand,thatherneckwasthrobbing.Shefeltawetnessonherneckfirstandrealizeditwas
hissaliva.Thenshefelthistongue.

Thesamevibrationwasthere.
Abigail,yourskintastessogood,likerosemary.
Rosemary?
Yes.
Shegentlystrokedhimupanddown.Gerrod.You’resobeautiful.
Iloveyourvoiceinmyhead.Hegroanedlouderandbeganlickingherneckandanglingoverher,

preparingtostrike.

Evenyourvoicehasakindofpulsingenergy,shesaidashislipsplayedoverherskin.Hesucked

aboveherveinandastreakofpleasurelikenothingshe’dknownbeforetraveledstraightdownherbody,
intoherwell,andshespasmedhard.

Shefeltdesperatetoexperienceitall.
Hemusthaveknownthepleasurehewasgivingsincehewasavampireofageandexperience.But

the added waves of energy that came with his lips on her neck, his heavy muscular pecs against her
breasts,histhighsagainsthers,wasincredible.

Iwanttobeinsideyou.
Sheheldhimnow,herarmssurroundinghisshoulders.Yes,please,Iwantyouinsideme.
She shifted her hips. She was in agony. She felt the tip of his cock push. She wiggled and helped,

movingarounduntilhewasabletoenterherthrustingforward,pullingback.Shewassowetthatsoonit
wasadreamofmovementandtheinternalvibrationswereso…aaaaahhhh.

Hemovedfaster,alightquickspeedthatnohumanmalecouldhaveaccomplished.
Thevibrationsreachedacrescendoandshecamescreamingalloveragain.
You’re so tight. Oh, dear Goddess. He grunted, holding back, yet continuing to thrust until her

orgasmreceded.Shewasbreathinghardandfeltsowonderfulexceptforonething:Herheartpounded
toohardinherchest.

“Gerrod,youhavetotakemyblood.Now.Myheartisbeatingtoohard.”
He should have warned her, but no doubt the intensity of her request prompted him. He struck her

vein but because she hadn’t known what to expect, she jerked and it hurt worse. Then he withdrew his
fangs and began to suck. She could feel her blood flowing into his mouth and a whole new experience
tookover,akindofeuphoria.

She closed her eyes, and as his hips moved slowly, his cock in and out of her, and as her blood

continuedtoflow,shefeltconnectedinthestrangestwaytoallofcreation,theearth,thesun,theuniverse.

ShewasgivinglifetoGerrod,thatwhichheneededthemosttosurvive.Butitwasanintensephysical
pleasureaswell,asthoughthesucklingatherneckwasconnectedverylowandtuggedandteasedheras
histonguehaddoneearlier.

Heaven.Pureandsimple.
Shefeltwarmandaliveandwitheachdrawherhearteasedandrelaxedandshefeltatpeace.
Thencamesomethingnew,astrengtheningofthesamepleasurebutafocusingaswell.Andnowthe

givingofhersustenanceseemedtoclickintoplacewithhersexuality.Herlowerflesh,sotenderfromthe
recentorgasm,begantoachealloveragain.Heseemedtoknowortounderstandormaybehewasfeeling
thesamewaybecausehismovementsquickened.Shemarveledthathecouldkeephernecksostillwhile
thrustingintoher.

Itwasjustpleasureonpleasureasherbodygrippedhim,asthewavesofenergycausedherfingers

totremblewheresheslidthemoverhisshouldersanddownhisarms.

Whatisthislikeforyou?sheasked.Butshecouldn’timaginethatitcouldpossiblybebetterthan

whatshewasexperiencing.

ChapterFour

Whatwasthislikeforhim?
Oh,dearGoddess…
Heaven,hepathed.
Yes.Evenhervoiceinhismindteasedhimmercilessly.
Gerrod was locked into a strange place as he drew Abigail’s blood into his mouth and down his

throat.Hehadnevertastedanelixirsofine,sofulfilling,sosavoryofrosemary.Hehadbeenavampire
forthree-hundred-years,butinallthattime,drawingbloodhadneverbeensofullofakindofexcitement
andsatisfactionthathecouldn’texplain.

Helosttrackoftime.Hedidn’tknowhowlonghe’dbeensuckling,buthecouldtelltherewasmore

and more and more. She was an infinite supply, at least she felt like that. Even her blood was a tender
sensationinhisstomachasthoughherlifefilledhimnow.

Hishipspistoned.Hewashardandeverythrustvibratedagainsthisskin.Hisballsweretight.He

was ready to release, but he didn’t want to, he didn’t want the moment to end, he didn’t want to stop
drinkingfromher.

Abigailhadbeenrightaboutonething,he’dbeenastarvedvampireforalongtime.Hehadn’ttaken

hisfillintoomanyyearstoremember.

Hebreathedhardthroughhisnose.Heheldherpinnedtohischestandtothebedsothatwhilehis

cockstrokedherdeep,hecouldkeephismouthfixedrightoverthefang-bites.

Gerrod,thisisheaven.
Helovedthatshecouldreachhistelepathicfrequency.Iknow,hereturned.
Iwanttocomeagain,butIdon’t.Iwishthiscouldlastforever.
Hecouldn’thaveagreedmore.Butitwastime,especiallysincehe’dlosttrackofhowmuchhe’d

takenfromher.I’llstopdrinkingnow.

Hedidn’twantto.Hedidn’twanttostop.Butheslowedhishipsandthrustsandreleasedthesealof

hislips.Heexaminedherneckandwasstartledtowatchtheholescloseupalmostimmediatelyandfor
therednesstosimplydisappear.

He knew from a lot of experience to wipe his mouth before he did what he desired more than

anythingtodonext.Afterhe’dpulledthesheetfromitsmooringsandcleanedhisface,heroseupover
her.“AmIpresentable?”

Sheliftedherbrows.“Oh,youmeandoyouhavemybloodonyourchinorlips?NotmuchthatIcan

detect.”

“Good.Itcanbedistressingifyou’renotusedtoit.”
Herexpressionsoftenedandsheliftedahandtohisface,caressinghim.Heleanedintoherpalmand

kissedher.

“Youaresothoughtful,”shesaid.
Heleaneddownandkissedher,savoringherswollenlips,thetasteofhermouth,howshemoaned

ashethrusthistongue.Helovedkissingher.

Oh,thatvibratingtongue.My,God.
He drew back, then rolled his hips and she arched her back, just as he knew she would. She was

rightwithhim,caughtinthesamelevelofpleasure.Evenwherehispelvistouchedhers,hisskinvibrated
againsthers.

Heknewexactlywhathewantedtodoandhebeganaslowsteadydrive,hiscockvibratingdeep

insideher.Heheldhergazeassheplantedherhandsonhisshoulders.Shetriedtomatchhisthrustsbuthe
said,“Allowme.”Thenhesmiled.

Sheliftedherbrowsbutsettledbackagainstthesheetandlethimdothework.Hebegantoincrease

hisspeedandwhenshefinallyunderstoodhisintention,shesaid,“Oh,Gerrod,thisisgoingtofeelvery
good.”

Henodded.Heevensmiledagain.
Hewentfaster.Heheldback,somethinghecoulddobecausehe’dlivedaslongashehad.Allthose

realm-basedwavesofenergystrengthenedthefasterhethrustintoher.

Shearchedandpantednow,rightontheedgeagain.
Gerrod,oh,God,oh,God. He felt her body gripping and tugging at him, preparing. She was very

wetandeachthrustwasasmoothglideinandoutofher.

Faster.
Faster.
Shethrashedherheadbackandforthnow.
Thenhegavehertherealtreatandspedupsothathemovedasonlyavampirecouldmove,witha

lightningspeedthatstrokedherjustright.

Shecamescreamingagain,thevibrationsnearlyaroarnowthroughhisbody.Hecouldn’tholdback

anylonger.Hebegantoreleaseintoher,pleasurestreakingthelengthofhiscockagainandagainashe
came. Ecstasy had a new meaning. He looked down at her, watching her writhe, and still he came, as
thoughhecouldpumpintoherforever.

Finally,hebegantoeasebackandslowhisrhythm.Hisbreathingwaslaboredandbitbybithiships

relaxed.

Afewmomentslatershebegantosettleaswell,andhereyesdidn’trollaroundquitesomuch.
Sogood,hervoicedriftedthroughhishead.
Yes.
He collapsed on her, staying inside her and rubbing his hands over her arms. She moved them

stretchingstraightout.Shekissedhisneckandface.Shekissedhislipsandthankedhim.

Butherecalledthathehadlostasenseofhowmuchbloodhehadtaken.Soheliftedslightlyand

lookedherovercarefully.Herfacehadarosyhue,notevenahintofpaleness,shejustlookedwelland
beautifullyused.“Doyoufeelallright?Areyoudizzyatall?”

“Youlookworried.”
“Iwasn’tcertainhowlongItookfromyourvein.Ijustwanttomakesureyou’reallright.”
Shesmiled.“Myheartfeelsperfectnow.”Shesighedoverandover.
Herelaxedthenkissedherinreturnandlickedherneck,bothsides.Heslidhisfingersthroughhers

andsqueezedbothhandsatthesametime.Shewrappedherlegsaroundthebacksofhisthighs,rubbing
upanddown,lettingherfeetglidedownhislegsthenbackup.

Allthemovementfeltgoodtohishyper-sensitivecock,whichremainedhalferectandcontentinthe

depthofherwell.Hisheartreachedforher,longingforhertostayinhisbedforever.

Ifonlyshecould,butheknewbetter.Fornow,however,hewouldsavorhersoftfairskin,thelight

rosemaryscentofher,thewayshecontinuedtosighandcooinhercontentment.

*********

Thenextafternoon,AbigailawokefeelingmeldedtoGerrod’sbed.Hereyelidswereheavybutnot

inabadway.Shewasjustsodamnsatisfied.

Butmostly,theweightinherchestwasgone.
Sheliftedherfingerstoherneck,wonderingifsomethingofGerrod’sbiteremained,butnothingwas

there. No puncture, swelling, nothing and that made her a little sad. She would have liked a physical
reminderofallthathadhappenedlastnight.

She rolled onto her back and realized that Gerrod wasn’t in bed. She lifted up on her elbows and

listened.Thebathroomwasquietaswellasthesittingroom.

Shewasalone.
Evenso,desireflutteredoverherstomachandracedinlittleshiversstraightdownherthighs.She

achedinthemostwonderfulplacesfromalltheactivitylastnight.

He’d been wonderful, attentive, powerful, controlled. And that speed. She felt her cheeks grow

warmandshetingledalloveragain.Justhowloudhadshescreamedafterall?

She looked up at the tall vaulted ceiling. Wood rafters. The walls were stone. Maybe no one had

heardher.

Fatchance.
She glanced at the bed, all rumpled covers and the sheets really did need to be laundered, which

madehersmile.

Thensheblushedjustthinkingaboutitsincetheentirecastlewouldknowbythelaundryalonewhat

hadgoneoninthisroomforafewhourslastnight.

Oh,God,afewhourslastnight.She’dneverknownsuchpleasure,suchflat-outexcitement.Gerrod’s

frequencywaslikehavingsexspreadthrougheverycellofherbody,overandover.

Butashermindturnedtoherotherconcerns,likehersisterinFlagstaffandElenaatthenewbakery,

she became aware that she ought to be leaving. She had told Gerrod she wouldn’t stay, that she would
return to Flagstaff because of the Invictus outbreak in his realm. But she was torn. She had a bakery to
openinHollowTree.Manyrealm-folkweredependingonherandthejobsthebakerywouldprovide.

She pulled the sheet up to her arm pits, sat up, and hugged her knees. She pondered all that had

happenedontheeveningbefore,theweddingandreception,kissingGerroddeepintheforest,theInvictus
attack, saving the little troll child, and later of course, tending to Gerrod and he to her, and all that
tremendousfeelingofvibrationandwavesofenergy.

ShehadtoldGerrodthiswouldbeonenightonly,butshedidn’twanttoleavethisbed,orhiscastle,

orMerhaine.Forreasonsshecouldn’texplain,shelovedbeinghere.Anditwasn’tjustthatthesexhad
beenmind-blowingandtenderandall-around-wonderful.Shejustlikedbeinghere.

Shefeltathome.
Themoreshethoughtaboutwhattodonext,andwithsomuchgeneralreluctancetoleavethisrealm,

shedecidedattheveryleastshehadtogotothebakeryandtalkwithElena.Perhapstheeveningwould
bringmoreanswersaboutallthatwashappeningtoher.

Withthedecisionmade,shehadonlyoneproblemtocontendwith:Shedidn’thaveanythingtowear

excepttheeveningdressshehadworntotheweddinglastnight.Butthecastlestaffwasawarm,friendly
lotandnodoubtwouldhelpherwithsomethingtowear,atleastuntilshecoulddecidebetterwhetheror
nottoheadbacktoFlagstaff.

Rightnow,somethingdeepinherbonestoldhertostay.

*********

Gerrodsatatthetableinhislibrary,hiselbowsproppeduponthetable,hishandsclaspedtogether,

histhumbsatwar.

Damn,hewasscowling.Hecouldfeelthedeeppinchbetweenhisbrows,thatpermanentlookofhis

asthoughhewasmadattheworld.Shehadsaidthattohimonce,someweeksago,andevenlastnightshe
hadslidherfingeralongthatgroove,tryingtoworkthecreaseout.

Ofcourse,hehadnoideawhyhewasthinkingaboutAbigailrightnow.Heshouldn’tbe.Thesex

hadbeengreatandherblood…oh,dearGoddess,herblood,likeafinewinewithjustahintofrosemary,
somethinghehadnevertastedinthelongexpanseofhisrealmlife.

Hesuckedinadeepbreathandsatbackinhischair.Heneededtomakeroomforasuddenarousal.
Verysoftly,hewhistledtheelegantfolksongthathadplayedduringtheceremony.Heglancedatthe

doorway.Howmanytimeshadhebeenwhistlingthismorning?Itreallywouldn’tdo.Hisstaffwouldtake
noticeandwhisperandsmilebehindhisback.

Hescowledalittlemore.Asiftheyweren’tdoingthatalready.
He’d left his bed, not wanting to leave the woman, the human¸ that which he shouldn’t have been

with in the first place. He was drawn to her fiercely, yet repelled because of her parentage, her
unfortunateDNA.

Human.
Notrealm.
Redhair,fairskinthatgrewflushedanddamp,gentlegreeneyes.Hehadkissedhercheekandlicked

thesweetessenceofher.

Hewantedmore.
Heleanedforwardagain,butthistimeheputhisheadinhishands.
Mustfocus.
Realmintrouble.Invictusmightattackagain,withoutwarning.
HestoodupandwithdrewhisiPhonefromthepocketofhisleatherpants.Hemarveled.Herewasa

phonethatcouldreachbetweentheRealms.EthanhadbroughttheNineRealmsuptoelectronicspeed.
AsMastyrVampireoftheBergissonRealm,hewastheyoungestofallthemastyrs,beingbutthirtyyears
inhismastyrstateandonlyninetyfromhisbirthdate.Sofuckingyoung.Andpowerful.Ethanhadmore
rawpowerthananymastyrGerrodhadeverknown.

Hethumbedthesurfaceandsmiled,alittle,justofftothesideofhismouth.Oh,Goddess,shehad

kissed that side last night. He wondered about his half smile. Maybe that meant something. So many
decadesofcarryingtheweightofsomanylivesonhisshoulders,howevermuchhetreasuredandvalued
eachone,ayethatwasaload-and-a-half,sohalf-damnhimforhishalf-a-damn-smile.

Hechuckledsoftlyandthumbedthefrontofthephone.
Heheardtheringanddrewadeepbreath.Heturnedtowardthedoorwaytohislibrary.WasAbigail

awake?Hadshefeltdesolaterisinginanemptybed?Hehaddespisedthefootstepshetooktoleavethe
room.

Astrongmalevoicehithisear.“Hey,Gerrod.How’sithangin’.”
Helookeddownathiscock.Hewasfuckingupright.
“Ethan.”
“What’sgroovin’,bro.”
Gerrodlaughed.“Groovin’?Isthathowwespeaknow?”
HecouldalmostseeEthanshrug,oneofhisfavoritegestures.“I’mgroovin’,butItakeityou’renot.

What’sgoingoninMerhaine?YougotInvictussign?”

Gerrodtoldhimwhathadhappenedatthewedding.
“Shit.Shit.Shit.”
Yes.Shit.Severalofthemlinkedtogether.
“Andatawedding.”
“Wedidn’tloseanyone.”HealmosttoldEthanhowAbigailsavedthetrollchild,butheswallowed

thewords.Abigailneededtoleave,notbecomepartofhisdialogue,realm-to-realm.“Theonlyoneofthe
Merhaine Guard to engage was Jason. There was Invictus sign in the south, but no battling. Just in the
north-central area near my castle. Ethan, this group was different. There were forty of them and they
seemedorganized.”

“That just doesn’t make sense. The Invictus function in pairs, and packs of maybe six. Never so

many,neverwithastrategy.”

“Youhavejustmadeallmypoints,Ethan.WouldyoucometoMerhaine?Ithinkweshoulddiscuss

thefuture.Wemayneedtoacttogethermorecohesivelyfromthispointforward.”

“You’ll never get all nine mastyrs to do it. We’re too damn independent and ill-tempered.” But he

laughed.

Ethan was right. The mastyr vampires of the Nine Realms had talked of a federation for decades,

especially since the realm world and human world had collided some three decades ago. Permits
travelingeitherdirectionwereextremelylimited,primarilytouniversityprofessorsstudyingrealm-folk,
andtothenearestconnectedtowns.

However, the joint meetings usually ended with at least four of the mastyrs brawling. Some of the

easternrealmleadershadroguishviolenttempers.

Sowhowouldheadsuchafederation,howwoulditoperate,howcoulditbenefitsomanyscattered

anddiverselands?

Andyetsomethinghadtobedone.“Thepoorestpopulationinthesouthlosesrealm-folkquiteoften,

especiallyprostitutesandthoseaddictedtohardsubstances.”

“Drain-and-kills?”
“We’renotfindingbodies.”
Ethansnorted. “You’ve gota big desertout there in theSouthwest, in thehuman lands of Arizona,

NewMexicoandthenorthernreachesofMexico.That’salotofplacetodumprealm-folk.”

“Evenifthatweretrue,whatdoesthatsuggesttoyou?”
“Iseewhatyoumean:ahigherdegreeoforganization.Haveanyofyourpoliticosbeenunhappywith

thepowerstructureinMerhaine,maybemotivatedtoalignwiththeInvictus,createanarmyofthem?”

Atthat,Gerrodlaughedoutright.“Youaremakingajoke,areyounot,Ethan?Iknowofatleastseven

localdignitarieswhocometothetopofmyheadrightnowandallsevenI’dlovetowhiptotheedgeof
therealmandback.”

“HellifIdon’tknowexactlywhatyoumean.Allright.I’llgetmyassoverthere.Givemeanhour.”
“Thankyou.AndEthan?”
“Yeah.”Hespokeinbark-likewords,whichalsoquirkedupthesideofGerrod’smouth.
“You’vebeenagoodfriendandI’mgrateful.”
“Aw,shit,you’llmakemeweeplikealittlegirl.Seeyouinafew.”
Gerrod thumbed his phone. He pursed his lips and whistled once more. This time he kept on

whistling.Ifhisstaffstaredathimandgossipedmorethanusual,rightnowhereallydidn’tcare.

*********

Afterhershower,AbigailputGerrod’srobeon,holdingthesleeveuptohernose.Sheclosedher

eyes,shivering.

Thefabricsmelledrich,warm,erotic,thatlovelyfreshrainscentofhisthatsimplyundidher.
Whoknewvampiressmelledsogood?
Openinghereyes,shecrossedtothepegswherehergownstillhungandcheckedherthong.Itwas

fullydry.

Nowthatshewasupandmoving,herthoughtsturnedtothebakery,whichsheandherMerhaineelf

partnerhaddubbed,JustTwoSweet!Theyboththoughtitwasanawesomeplayonwords.

SonowtherewouldbeJustTooSweet!
AndJustTwoSweet!
Suh-weeet.
Shemovedacrossthebedroomandthroughthesittingroomtothedoor.Thecastlewasalittleold-

fashionedandstillmadeuseofawell-functioningbell-pullsystem.

Shecrossedtheroomandgaveatug.
Afewminuteslater,Gusarrived.ShewasstillsunkinGerrod’smassiveterryrobe,well-covered

whenheknocked.

The troll stood in the doorway, grinning at her and didn’t look like he was going to stop anytime

soon.

“Whatgives?”sheasked,butoh,hercheekswerehotnow.
Hiseyestwinkledashisgrinbroadened.“Themastyriswhistlingthismorning.Helookswell,even

healthy.”

Herhandflewtoherthroat.Nowhercheeksflamed.
Ithadallseemedsonatural,soexciting,soadventurouslastnight,butrightnowshewantedtodie.

AndlikehellGuswasn’tsharingallthisinformationwiththeentirestaffoftwentymixedspecierealm-
folk.

Oh.God.
“Nay,MistressAbigail.Don’thaveevenagremlin’stitofdistress.Tisagreatthingyou’vedone,I

swear it. You’ll have nothing but respect and much appreciation from the castle employees, I promise
you.”

Sheforcedhercolordownanddecidedshe’dhavetogetusedtothisunlessshewantedtosneakout

thesidedoorandhightailitbacktoFlagstaff.

Itwasathought.
Butshe’dalreadymadeherdecision.ShewasgoingtotheMerhainebakery.Thegrandopeninghad

alreadybeenannouncedintheMerhaineStarandtheMayorofHollowTreewouldbeonhandtosprinkle
theceremonialherbs.Atleastthreebabieshadbeenpromisedaswell,tobringanelementoflucktothe
doorstep.

Shesquaredhershoulders.“Ineedsomehelp,Gus.”Shetoldhimofherplanstostayonforatleast

anotherday,whichbroughtanalmostangeliclighttohisfaceasheshiftedbackandforthonhisfeetabout
adozentimes.

“Whateveryouneed,Mistress.Thecastlecangetanythingforyou.”
“Idon’tneedverymuch,justafewtoiletries,someclothes.Iwashopingoneofthefaewomenin

residencecouldprovidemewithashirt,pants,andapairofsandals.”Faefeetwereunusuallylong,but
sandalswouldwork.

HeglanceddownatAbigail’sfeet.“Whatsizeareyou?”
“Asolideight.”
“Oh,that’stoobad.You’rein-betweentrollsandfae.Nowifwehadanelfonstaff,butwedon’t.”

Generally elves despised any work having to do with home maintenance, a fact of realm life that still
didn’tmakesensetoAbigail.

“AndIneedtoborrowabrushandascrunchyifanyofthewomenhavesomethinglikethat.”
“I’llseetoitall.”
AbigailthoughtthiswouldtakesometimesoshespentthenextfewminutessnoopinginGerrod’s

closet.Ofcoursemoreofthatfreshrainscentpouredoverherwhenshepushedthefoldingdoorsaside.
She found that nearly everything he wore was some version of his Guard battle gear. He had at least a
dozenpairsofblackleatherpants,andavarietyoflong,sleevelessblackleathercoats.Gushadoncetold
herthatsomemastyrs,likeEthanofBergissonRealm,oftenworebluejeans,butGerrodwasmucholder
andcontinuedtosportamoreformal,conservativelook.Theshirtswereallmadeofsoftwovenfabric
diedinearth-shadesfromochretomaroontodeepblue-green.

Hehadseveralpairsofbootsaswell,butallweresimilarindesignwithonlyafewsilveraccents

tochangetheoveralleffect.Ratherlikecorporatemenandtheirsuits.

Whensheheardaknockonthedoor,herthoughtswentstraightbacktoGerrod.

Shehurriedover,tryingtostillherridiculouslybeatingheart.
Sheopenedthedoor.
NotGerrod.
Somethingsecond-best,however,waitedforher:Guswithatrayofcoffee,cinnamonraisinbread

andscrambledeggs.“Youarespoilingme,myfriend.”

Buthemerelygrinnedatheroncemore,setthetrayonthedresser,andsaid,“Theleastwecoulddo

for you, mistress.” He then waved a fae woman forward who bore a pile of clothes in her arms and
severalpairsofflip-flopsdanglingfromherfingers.

Hethengesturedwithasweepofhisarmtowardher.“Willthisdo?”
“So much to choose from. How generous you all are. Thank you so much…for everything. Just,

everything.”

Gusmotionedforthewomantolayouttheitemsonthebedandtoplacetheflip-flopsonthefloor.

ShethenhandedAbigailabrushandtherequestedscrunchy,bowedslightlyandleft.

Herhairwasn’talwaysmanageable,havingaslightlyunrulycurl.Butaponytailwouldalwayswork

inanemergency,likenow.

After the fae was gone, Abigail turned to Gus. “Really, my friend, thank you for everything,

especiallyyourwisewordslastnightandforshowingmetheviewingroom.I’llneverforgetthisaslong
asIlive.”Becauseherheartwasfull,shehuggedhim.

Heremovedhimselffromherquickembracewithanotherrapidshufflingoffeet,hiseyessparkling,

hiscolorhigh.

“Oh,mistress,youaretookind.”Nowhewasembarrassed.Hehurriedfromtheroom.
Notetoself:nograbbingandhuggingofthecastlestaff.
Oncedressed,AbigailhadtosteelherselfassheleftGerrod’sprivatesuiteandpassedfromroomto

room.Shewasprettysurethattheentirestaffhadsomehowmadeittheirbusinesstocatchsightofheras
she made her way to the north entrance, where the driver waited to take her to Hollow Tree. She had
neverseensomanyaboutsweepingthefloor,polishingcandelabra,dustingalreadypristinetables.

Shereceivedmoreold-fashionedcurtsiesandgrinsthanshehadexpected,whichbroughtnewheat

tohercheeks.

Once in the car, she finally relaxed and took a deep breath until the driver said, “Good morning,

mistress.Itwaslovelytohearthemastyrwhistling.Verylovelyindeed.Indeed.”

*********

“Well,I’llbedamned,”Ethansaid.“Yougotlaid.”
Gerrodfrowned.HehadnointentionofdiscussingAbigailwithEthan.Thevampirehadawagging

tonguenearlyaslongasGus’s.

“Thankyouforcoming.”
“Justgladyoucame.”Hemovedintotheroominthatlethalmannerofhis.Ethanwasaninchtaller

thanGerrod,withanequivalentlargermassofmuscle.Hewasnotavampiretomeetinablindalley,at
leastnotwithoutafewblade-likeorpreternaturalpowersfullyinhand.

“IvalueAugustustremendously,butheshouldlearnsomerestraint.”
Ethandrewhisbrowintoaknot.“WhatthehelldoesGushavetodowithanything?Oh,Iseewhatit

is.Youthinkyourgossipytrollspilledthebeans.Notso,myfriend.Icanseebyyourstatureyougotwell
andtrulyfuckedlastnight.AnyoneIknow,orneedtoknow?”Hewaggledhisbrows.

With these words, a very odd tightening began deep in Gerrod’s gut. His hands became fists, his

bicepsflexingbeforeheunderstoodwhatwashappening.“YouarenottotroubleMistressAbigail.”

Ethan immediately threw up both hands in the surrender position. “Whoa. Didn’t mean to give

offense.Itakeitshe’ssomeonespecial.”

“No.”Tooquickatthatanswer.Buttosay,‘yes,sheisspecial’,whatwouldthatmean?
HelookedawayfromEthan,glancingatthemapoftheNineRealmslaidoutonhistableandheldat

eachcornerbythemostabsurdcastironscorpionweights.Abigailhadgiventhemtohimforhisbirthday
lastmonth,apeculiarhumantraditionofgivinggiftsontheanniversariesofthedayofone’sbirth.

“What’sgoingon,Gerrod?Iwouldn’thaveteasedyou,beensoindiscreet,ifI’dthoughtitserious.Is

it?Orisitsomethingelse?”Ethanmovedtostandontheothersideofthemassivetablefacinghim.

“Thewomanishuman,”hesaid,thoughitonlycoveredmaybeatenthofhispresentconcerns.
“Holyshit,youhookedupwitha…human?”Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest.
Gerrodmethisgazeandnodded.Ethan’shairwasindisarray.Hehadamassofhoney-browncurls

that always escaped the woven clasps that male vampires used to hold back their long hair. Since the
femalesofhisstafftendedtohangnearmultipledoorwayswhenEthanwasaround,hewascertainthatthe
easylookhadacertainappeal.

Besides,themanwasahandsomedevil,bigsmile,bigteeth,andacertainwayoffixinghisstare

thatcouldunnerveothermalesandweakenthekneesofthefemales.

ButallGerrodsawwastheconcernoffriendship,andforthathevaluedEthanmorethananyofthe

othermastyrvampires.Forallhisrelativeyouth,Ethancouldbetrusted,countedon.

“Idon’twanttospeakofAbigailatthistime.I’mencouraginghertogobacktoFlagstaffwhereshe

livesandnottoreturn.”

“Isshewithoneoftheuniversitiesthatshewasallowedtobehereinthefirstplace?”
“No.She’sopeningabakeryinHollowTreewithanelvenpartner.”
“A bakery? Well that makes sense, I mean, the trolls and fae think sugar was provided by the

Goddessherself.”

“Yes.”Hesmiledalittle.
He grinned. “So, Gerrod of Merhaine in love with a baker.” He smiled then laughed, especially

sinceGerrodhadballeduphishandsoncemore.

Ethansatdowninthetall-backedchairoppositeandchuckled.“Iwon’tteaseyouagain.Now,tell

meoncemoreabouttheInvictusattackandjustwhatyouhaveinmind.”

Gerrodreplayedtheincidentoverinhismind,ignoringthepartsthatinvolvedAbigailsothoroughly,

althoughhedidmentionthatshehelpedsavethetrollboy.

“How?”
“Shepathedtheneedformetoextendmypowerandcoverthem.”
Ethan squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head back and forth. When his eyes popped open, he

said,“Uh,saywhat?”

“Yes,” Gerrod mused. “Abigail, though human, is telepathic. And she can attach my personal

frequency.”

Onebrowrose,butnosmilethistime.“Gerrod,doIneedtopointouttheobvious?”
Gerrodsighed,buthecouldfeelhisscowldeepening“TheansweristhatIdon’tknowwhatsheis,

orwhyahumanwouldhavethesecapabilities.Maybeshe’sthemissinglink.”

“ThecreaturethatconnectsourDNAtohumans.”
“Yes.I’vewondered.”
“Allright.Settingthataside,andthatyouhaveaconundrumtosolveinthishumanfemale,Iwantto

knowmoreaboutwhatyousawwiththeseInvictus,beyondthenumbersandorganization.”

“The organization is what concerns me. Their movements were more coordinated, attacking from

differentdirectionsatonce.”

“Butnomatchforyou.”
“Itwasmoredifficult.Igotnickedafewtimesandonebladegrazedmyarm,leavingbloodonmy

coatandleathers.That’sneverhappenedbefore.”

“Shit.So,insomesense,thiscouldhavebeenatestrun.”
“Atestagainstme?Perhapsitwas.Perhapsagainstallmastyrs.”
“I’veneverknowntheInvictustobesointentonasinglegoal.Whatdoyouthinkisbehindit?”
“Anorganizingforceorperson.Bewary,myfriend.IfsomeonehaschosentomobilizetheInvictus,

andalsofoundawaytogetthemtoworktogether,thenBergissonandalltherealmscouldbeatriskas
well.”EthanwastheMastyrVampireofBergissonRealmthatopenedontoanorthernLouisianacity,in
thesamewaythatMerhainehadanaccesspointatFlagstaffinArizona.

Ethan’s mouth grew tight. “We’ve had increased activity in the west, which as you know is the

locationofthewastelandsofourrealm.”

Gerrodleanedforward.“Haveyounoticedadisappearanceofrealm-folk,ofallspecies,butpoorer,

somewhoserveasprostitutes?”

“Notsure.TheGuardsinthesouthhavebeenscratchingtheirheads.I’llaskforbetterstats.”
“There,yousee.Somestealthisinvolved.ThisisnottypicalInvictusbehavior.”
“Youmustberight.”
A knock sounded and Gus stepped into the room, his shoulders shifted forward. “Sorry to disturb,

mastyrs,butthereisadisturbanceatJustTwoSweet?”

GerrodleanedbackandshiftedinGus’sdirection.“InFlagstaff?”
“No,thatwouldbeJustTooSweet!,T-double-oh.ThisisTwoSweet,asinthenumbertwo.”
Gerrodsmiled.Itwasalittleplayonwords,butagoodonehethought.
“There it is,” Ethan said. “You’re smiling. I’ve known you a long time and I don’t think I’ve ever

seenyousmile.”

Words,ofcourse,thatbroughthisbrowdroppinglowoncemoresothathescowledalloveragain.

“Sotellus,Augustus,whatishappeningatJustTwoSweet.”

“Apparently,MistressAbigailhasbeenyellingattheMerhainepressabouttherightsofallspecies

tobefree,inanyrealm,toconductbusinesshowevertheybelievetheyshoulddesireto,orsomethinglike
that.”

“Areyoutellingmeshedidn’treturntoFlagstaff?”Hope,hisenemynow,blossomedinhischest.

ShewasstillinMerhaine.

“Yes,mastyr.”
“Oh,dearGoddess.”
Ethangrinned. “If shegets the pressworked up, she’ll starta fucking riot.Does she know women

barelyhavethevotehere?”

“Ihaven’tsaidanything.Isuggestifyouchoosetocomewithme,you’llkeepyourtongueaswell.”
ButEthanmerelylaughed,notthemosthopefulsound.
Thenextfewminuteswerespentgettingthecarandonetauntingvampireorganizedenoughtotaketo

theroad.

Fifteenminuteslater,andwithintwentyyardsofthebakery,Gerrodhadhisdriverstopthecar.He

saw Abigail across the street from the bakery, confronting a crowd of reporters. Something inside him
twistedintoaknotandheldfast.Shelookedsodifferent,yetthesame,andabsurdlywonderful.

Sheworeatanktopinpurple,alightgreensweaterthatbarelyreachedherwaist,andjeans.Onher

feetwereflip-flops,muchtoolarge.Herhairwasinaponytailandtheabsenceofmakeupmadeherlook
muchyoungerthanlastnight.

Stillthismoreyouthfullookmadehimwanttojumpfromthecarandhaulhertosafetyeventhough

heknewshewasn’tinanyrealdanger.Thepresscouldbeobnoxiousbutneverabusive.

His heart started pounding as though it knew what it wanted and his personal frequency began a

dreadfulkindofwailthathehadn’tfeltbeforeorwashehearingit?

Thisisridiculous.
Ashelookedherupanddown,however,herealizedshemusthaveborrowedclothesfromhisstaff.

Somehowthatmadehermorerealinhislifeandhisheartsetupanewkindofracket.

Howcalmsheappeared,gesturingtothecrowdofreporterswithherhands.Herbackwasstraight

althoughherneckarchedforward.

Ethanrolleddownthewindow.“Ican’thearwhatshe’ssayingbutthetoneofhervoicesoundsvery

passionate.”

Gerrodhadgrownsingle-mindedandhadonlyonerealthought,thatshehadbeenverypassionate

lastnight.

Andhewishedlikehellhecoulddoitalloveragain.

ChapterFive

“AreyoudatingtheMastyrofMerhaine?”oneofthereporterscalledout.
Thisquestion,whichAbigaildecidedwouldbethelastoftheinterview,startledherandapparently

everyoneelsebecausethecrowdfellsilent.ShethoughtofAugustusandhistrollish,efficient,butvery
gossipyself.Hadthenewsspreadsofastabouteventslastnight?

Eveninghaddescendedbutatleasttwostandsofbrightfloodlightskeptherblinking.
“AmIdatingtheMasterofMerhaine?”sheasked.“Idon’tseewhatthathastodowithmyrightsto

openthebakeryinHollowTree,abusinessthatthegoodCityCouncilapprovedwithavoteoffive-to-
two?Ifyouhavecomplaints,youshouldseekoutthecouncilmembers,notmeormywonderfulbusiness
partner,ElenaGoshanne.Andnow,wehavesomeinvoicestoreview.”

She turned her back on the crowd of microphones and reporters and flashing cameras. Really, the

news in Merhaine must be thin today if the press corps had turned out to hassle two women intent on
sellingcupcakestorealm-folk.Surely,allthesereportersshouldbedoingsomeheavyinvestigativework
onthelatestInvictusattack.

Shewatchedfortrafficandwhenshesawanopening,shestartedtocross.Sheglancedupthestreet

andrecognizedacastlecarinthedistance,abigblackcar,acarmeanttoholdGuard-sizebodies.Her
heartaddedafewextrabeats,butshekeptwalking.IfGerrodwasinthere,shedidn’twantthepressto
know.Thattheyhadevenaskedaboutwhetherornotshewas‘dating’him,couldn’tbeagoodthing.What
arumor-millMerhainewas,feeding,nayfeastingoneverymorselofgossiphoweverinsignificant.

Shewentinsidetheshop.ItwasmodeledontheoneinFlagstaff,justbiggersincetherewerealotof

sweet-toothsintherealmpantingforJustTwoSweet!toopen.

Two dozen round tables in stainless steel were scattered at the front of the shop, then wrapped

aroundtotherightsideofthebakery.Thefarrightwallhousedalongrowofredbooths.Ateachtable
were stainless steel chairs and red leather upholstered seats, both types of seating comfortable yet not
necessarilydesignedtokeepanyonetalkingforhours.

Thebakerywasnotacoffeeshopbuthadaself-servecounterforbakedgoodsandanotherbarfor

coffee and tea. All the baking would be done by a well-trained staff in the back behind stainless steel
swingingdoors,everythingtocode.Yep,therewaseven‘code’inMerhaine.

Ofcourselargerorderswouldbehandledseparately.
Shedidn’tfindElenaatfirst,buteventuallytrackedherdowninthestoreroomsittingonthefloor.

“What’sgoingon?”

Elenaputherhandtoherchest.“I…Idon’tlikehavingthereportersshoutinglikethat.”
Abigail shrugged. “They have to shout because it’s their job to get the story. If they don’t, the

managersoftheTimes,ortheMerhaineStar,ortheHollowCountyEnquirerwillfirethem.”

“Youmustdothisalotthen.”
Abigaillaughed.“Never.WhenweannouncedthegrandopeningofJustTooSweet,wehadthirtyof

ourfriendsshowup,halfadozenpeoplefromoffthestreet,andnotasinglereporterinsight.No,thisis
allaboutmebeinghuman.Youknowitis.”

“Isupposeso.”
Elenatuggedatherrightear,thenslippedherfingeruptheoutergrooveallthewayintothenarrow,

pointed cap. She was an elf, and had elegant ears which she had pierced a couple of times. Tiny stars
dangledfromsilverloops.

Abigailcouldseeshewasdistressed,soshesatdownbesideheronthefloorofthestoreroomand

tookherhand.Ofalltherealm-folk,theelvenpopulationwasmoreequivalentinsizetohumans,contrary
toearth-basedmyths.Andfaeandelves,whilesimilar,haddistinct,separateDNA.

“Please don’t worry so much, Elena. I promise I’ll stay in the back and just do the baking and

decorating,oratleastI’llkeepafterthestafftogeteverythingdone.”Abigailhadlearnedthismuchabout
herself,thatsheenjoyedmanagementmorethantheactualbaking.ThoughMeganlovedtobake,Abigail
wasmuchhappiercheckinginvoices,tallyinguptheday’ssales,talkingwiththestaffaboutscheduling
problems,allbasicmanagementissuesforasmallbusiness.

She’devenbegunthinkingofcreatingafranchiseset-up,notbecauseofthebakedgoods,butbecause

theideaofexpansionreallyappealedtoher.

Elenasmiled.“Forsomeonewhohasabakery,Ithinkitoddthatyoudon’tloveallthebakingand

decorating,whichIfindtobeveryenjoyable.”

Abigailshrugged.“Ilikeitwellenough.ButthetruthisIopenedJustTooSweet!formysister.She

wasverysicklyforalongtime,thoughshe’sdoingmuchbetternow,butshedidliketobake.Wesetupa
workstationforherthathadavarietyofstoolsandeveryelectricalapplianceavailableonthemarketso
shewouldn’thavetoexertherself.”

“Whatwaswrongwithher?”
“Badlungs,asthma.Butshe’sgottenbetter.Sheevenhastwochildrennowandagoodhusband,of

course.”

“Yetyouworryaboutherstill?”
SheglancedatElena.“IsupposeIdo.She’sbeenmyresponsibilityeversinceIcanremember.Even

beforeourparentsdied,mymotherwouldsay,‘You’reolder.Youneedtotakecareofyourlittlesister’.”

Elenalaughed.“Mymotherusedtotellmethesamething.”
“It’suniversal.Can’tescapeit.”
Sheheardthefrontdoorjingle.
“Ilikethatsound,”Elenasaid.
“You’lllearntoloveitonceweopen.Itmeanscustomers.That’sprobablyanotherdelivery.”She

turnedtowardthedoorslightlyandcalledout,“Backhere.”

ShestayedputandcontinuedtoholdElena’shand.
The swinging steel doors parted, but instead of delivery personnel, two large vampires walked

through.

EachworethetraditionalGuarduniformsofsoftdrapedwovenshirts,Gerrodinburgundy,theother

vampire, who looked really familiar, in a deep mossy green. Topping it all were the traditional
sleeveless, long, sexy-as-hell, coats, which she knew from the forest embrace was made of the softest
butteryleather.Shoulderstrapsdrewattentiontobroadshouldersandexpansivechests.Thepantswere
the sexiest black leather. The unknown vampire had his leathers all studded down the sides with large
silvermedallions.

Hergazefelltotheboots.ShehadunbuckledGerrod’sforhimlastnight,whichwastheonlything

shecouldthinkashergazedriftedbackuptohisabsurdlyhandsomeface.

Sheblinkedandherheartflippedoveracoupleoftimes.
Shehadn’tseenGerrodsincethey’dsharedabedmostoftheday.
Theothervampirespoke.“Well,helloladies.What’sgoin’oninhere?Havin’alittlesitdown?A

littleparty,maybe?Needsomecompany?”

Abigailshiftedhergazetotheothervampirethenshegotit:MastyrEthanofBergissonRealm.His

smilebroadenedtorevealasetofbighandsometeeth.Whataflirt.Butshelikedhissmilesoshesmiled
back.

“Just gabbin’.” She jumped to her feet. Elena followed, but Abigail could sense that her business

partnerwasverynervous.Andwhywouldn’tshebe?ShedoubtedElenahadeverbeeninthecompanyof
twomastyrsbefore.

Gerrodintroducedhiscompanion,“MastyrEthanofBergissonRealm.”

“Nice to meet you,” Abigail said. She thrust out her hand and Ethan took it, but what followed

openedhereyeswide.Shecouldfeelhisvibration,justasshehadGerrod’s.“Oh,myGod.”

Ethan,ontheotherhand,drewalittlecloser.“Whatthehellisthat?Areyou—”
Buthegotnofurther.
Gerrodmovedwithlightningspeed,breakingtheconnectionbyputtinghismassivebodyinfrontof

Abigail,facingawayfromher.Hethenmuscledherbackwardsintothestoreroom.

“Hey,”shecalledout.Sheevenshovedathisbackbutitwasliketryingtopushaconcretewallout

oftheway.

She glanced at Elena who had decided the farthest corner of the supply closet was a really good

idea.

ShetiltedtogetalookatMastyrEthantoseewhathewasdoing.Buthehelduphishandslikehe

wasunderarrestandGerrodwasholdingagunonhim.

“Ididn’tmeananythingbyit,Gerrod.Sheofferedherhandandwebothknowit’sapolitehuman

thing to take a hand and shake it. I just didn’t expect for her to access my personal frequency. See, I’m
steppingaway.”Hestartedbackingup.“Infact,I’mgoingintheotherroom,andthenallthewayoutside.
Yep,I’mgoingoutside.”

SheputherhandonGerrod’sbackandsuddenlywhathadseemedsosimple,likeyellingathimfor

beingrude,justwasn’t.Hewastremblingfromheadtofoot,liketheplaguehadgottenholdofhiminthe
pastfewseconds.Shecouldfeelheatflowingfromhim.

ShelookedbackatElenawhoseelfeyeswereaboutthesizeofsaucers.Abigailjerkedherheadin

thedirectionofthebakeryproperandElenashotoutofthestoreroomlikeshe’dbeenfiredfromacannon.

WhenAbigailwasalonewithGerrodandwithoutremovingherhandfromhim,shemovedbeside

himtheninfrontofhim.Hewassweatingbadlyandhisfangswereheavyonhislips.

“Oh,God,”shemurmured.
Suddenlyherheartpounded.Shefeltherbloodswirlingthroughherveinsandnowherbloodwas

all lumpish again. Why was she so responsive to this absurd vampire? It almost felt as though she was
makingallthisextrabloodjustforhim.Butthatwasridiculous.

Shewasn’tsureexactlywhatsheneededtodorightnow,butattheveryleastshewasprettysure

thatwhatwasgoingtohappennextoughttobeprivate.Sheclosedthedoorbehindherandstretchedout
herneckatjusttherightangle.“Arethosejustforshow,orareyoupreparedtodosomethingwiththose
twosharppoints?”

Thesoundhemadewasbeyonddescription,likeagargledroarandshoutcombined.Hegrabbedher

shouldersandwithonehandcaughtthebackofherhead,holdingherimmobile.

Helickedherneckinlongslowswipes,garglinghisgrowlalittlemore.Hewasn’trealrightnow,

hewasabeast,andhisfrequencyhadbeguntopoundonher,punchingatherbodysothatsoonshewas
limpandthat’swhenhestruck,whenhefeltherwholebodysurrender.

Shefeltthehardlengthofhimagainsther.Hedrankanddrankandwitheachsuckingdownofher

blood,herheartgreweasierandhappier,lighter,morefluid.

Atthesametime,herneedforhimrose,tohaveallthatbeautifulmassthathadpleasuredherjusta

fewhoursago,insideheroncemore.Sheshiftedherhandslightlyandassoonashefeltwhatshewas
doinghecreatedjustenoughspacethatshecouldglideherhanddownthefrontofhisleathers.

Shefoundhimandrubbed,thengroaned.Anachegrew,deepinside.Herbodyrespondedwithdeep

pullsasthoughtryingtodrawwithinwhatwasheldawayfromher.

Hereleasedherneck,buthisgrowlsremained.
Off,hismindcried.Now.
Shewasn’tgoingtopretendshedidn’tunderstand.Thevampirehadaplanandherbodywassoon

board.Shelostherjeansandherthong.

Withaspeedthatbecameablurofmovement,hegothisbootsandpantsoff.Shegavealittlecryas

hegrabbedherbythewaistandliftedherupintotheair,thenplantedheragainstthedoor.Goodthingthe
storeroomdoorwasmadeofsolidwood.

Shewrappedherlegsaroundhimasheslidonelargehandtocupherbuttocksandtiltherhips.He

waschuffingagainstherneckashepressedagainstherentrance,thenpushedinside.

She groaned long and loud and hoped to hell Elena had had the good sense to leave the building

alongwithEthan.

“Can’t….help…this,”hewhisperedagainstherear.Thenhewaspumpinghard.
“Can’t…help…loving…this,” she responded. She giggled then cooed then groaned as the vampire

settledintoabriskrhythm,hisfrequencyshoweringherbodyheadtofootasthoughtouchingherwitha
thousandfingertipsallatthesametime.Withoutmeaningto,shewassuddenlyshoutingattheceiling,her
head arched, as Gerrod slammed into her, all that movement making a drum out of the door. But the
orgasmrolled,tuggingatherandpullingandswirling,soshekeptonshouting.

Ashecame,hisroarfilledthesmallspaceandforamomentshewentdeaf.Shefeltthejerksofhis

cock,ashisrhythmchangedthenslowed.

Hewaspantinghard.
Herbreathinghadthesoundofbellows.
Shelookedupathim.Hiseyeswereclosed.Heseemeddazed.
Shewasdazed.Stunned,herlipsparted.Hermindseemedalittlemushy.Shefeltcertainwhatshe

hadjustdonewithhimwasn’tagoodidea,butherrationalmindrefusedtogiveherevenonereasonasto
whythatmightbe.Ormaybeitwasbecauseallthepleasureflowingthroughherveinswasn’tallowing
herbraintofunctionatall.

Yeah,thatwasmorelikeit.
Whenheopenedhiseyes,hestaredintohers.Shestaredback.Maybesheblinked.Shewasn’tsure.
“Oh, Gerrod,” she murmured. Then she leaned up and kissed him. He seemed hesitant, almost

reluctant,thenhisarmsslippedfullyaroundherandhereturnedthekiss,sinkinghistonguedeep.

Heaven,shepathed.Justheaven.
Yesssss, returned to her, almost a soft breeze through her mind, a pleasant sensation, so new, yet

familiarasthoughshe’dwaitedfortelepathyherentirelife.

Oh,goodGodinheaven.Wasshetumblinginlovewithavampire?
Afterafewminutesofmorekissing,hepulledoutofherandloweredhersothatherfeettouchedthe

floor.

“Abigail, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened. Dear Goddess, I was completely out of

control.”Heputahandoverhisface.

Shecaughthishandandpulleditdown,holdingitpressedtoherheart.“It’sokay.Iwaswithyouall

theway.Onehundredpercent.Awillingparticipant.”

“But,it’snotokay.”
“Well,onethingisforsure,youcan’tkeepdoingthat.Imean,allEthandidwastakemyhand.”
“Itwasn’tthat.Youtappedhisfrequency.Icouldfeelit.”
“That’sright,Idid.Itwassoweird.”
Buthisbodystiffenedalloveragainandhehadtoworktocalmdown.“Apparently,there’smore

goingonhere,morethanIcomprehend.Just…don’tevertouchanothermastyrvampireagain.”

“Youthinkthiswouldbetrueofallmastyrvampires?”
“Eventhethoughtofittormentsme.”
Sheshookherhead.“I’mjusttryingtounderstand.”
Henodded.“Verywell,myinstinctstellmethatyoucouldreachthepersonalenergyofanymaster

vampire.”

“Well,thenIdon’tthinkit’llbeaproblemsincetherearesofewofyou.Andbecauseitbothersyou,

ofcourseIwon’ttouchEthanagain.Ipromise.Oranyothers.”

Heappearedstunned,hiseyeswide.“Justlikethat,withoutargument?”
Shesmiled.“Imaybepricklishaboutmanythings,butI’vebeeninMerhaineforoverayearnow

and I’ve come to understand that there are differences between my specie and yours. I notice that most
mendon’tdrawclosetowomenwhodon’tbelongtothem,usuallyatapaceoffivefeet.Ithinkthiswas
myfault,butIjustlikedhissmile.”

“BecauseIdon’tsmile,”hesaid,scowling.
Shecouldn’thelpit.Shelaughedthenlaunchedherselfagainsthischestandslungherarmsaround

hiswaist,whichturnedouttobealotofleathercoattoholdeventhoughsosoft.Butthewholethingwas
absurd. She still wore her tank top and bra, but had nothing on below. And she had her face pressed
againstthesilver-studdedGuardbelt.

Shelikedthefeelofhisbarelegsagainsthers,though.Butman,hadherlifereallygottenbizarre.
Hewastentative,butafteramomenthesurroundedherwithhisarmsaswell.Whichmadehersad

becausethiswashistruth,thathehadn’thadsomeoneinhislifeforalongtime.

“Don’tberidiculous,”shesaid.“I’vegrownveryfondofyourscowl.Imayteaseyouaboutitbut

I’vecometounderstandthatitreflectshowseriousyoutakeyourjobastheMastyrofMerhaine.Ireally
do understand, or at least I try to. I think that was what I saw when I observed you and the community
leaderslastnightthroughtheentrancehalllandscape.”

“Indeed?Yousawmyconcernformyrealm-folk?”
“Theweightyoucarryonyourshoulders.”
“Isthatwhyyou…washedmyhair?”
Shelookedupthenkissedhimagain.“IwashedyourhairbecauseIadmireandrespectthehellout

ofyou.”

Atthat,hisscowlsoftenedatleastalittleandhekissedherback.“Youwarmmyheart.”
“Oh.Thatisthesweetestthingyoucouldhavesaid.”
Helookedawayfromher,andhisscowldeepenedoncemore.“WeneedtovisitVojalie.”
Atthat,shebackedawayfromhim,feelingherownbrowshighonherforehead.“I’venevermether

before.I’veheardofherofcourse.She’ssaidtobethemostpowerfulfaeinMerhaine.”

“She is. Perhaps in all the Nine Realms. She’s also very wise. But I think we need to understand

betterwhatisgoingonhere.Withyou.”

“Andwithus?”
“Yes.IwanttounderstandwhyIcouldhavekilledEthanrightnowfortouchingyou.”
Abigailnodded.“Well,givemeafewminutes,to,uh,makemyselfpresentable.”
Hesmiled.Well,perhapsjustahalfsmile.Butitwasallsheneeded.

*********

Gerrod worked himself back into his leathers and boots, then left the absurd storage room to give

Abigailsomeprivacy.Herolledhiseyes,allaccusatorythoughtsleveledathimself.

He had been badly lacking in control. But he had spoken truly when he said he could have killed

Ethanandwasgladthathisgoodfriendandfellowmastyrhadunderstoodhisdilemmasoquickly.Ifhe
hadn’tbackedoff,Gerrodwouldhavefoughthim.

Notagoodthing.
How had his life gotten so complicated? He did not understand what was going on. He needed

advice,good,worthy,faeadvice,thekindhealwaysreceivedfromVojalie.

She was pure fae and wed to a very unattractive troll, whom she adored with every fiber of her

being.TheunionhadbeenoneofthemoststunningofGerrod’slonglife,sounexpected,evenabsurd,that
theelegant,beautifulVojalieofShepherdCountywouldhavebeenwooedandwonbythehomelytroll,
DavidoofBergissonRealm.

Hewasveryold,perhapsoneoftheoldestrealm-folkGerrodhadeverknown.Thebesthistorians

thoughthewasperhapstwo-thousand-years-old,butGerrodhadastrangefeelingthatDavidowaswell
beyond that. Davido seemed to take peculiar enjoyment in refusing to reveal his age. He was funny,
charming, and devoted to Vojalie, to her comfort, to her security and protection especially when with
childasshewasnow.

Hedrewhisphonefromthepocketofhisleathersandmadethecall.
“VojalieTheWise’sresidence,yourhandsometrollspeaking.WhatmightIdoforyouthisfinerealm

day?”

Gerrodfelthismouthcurveup,wellatleastpartofit.“Hallo,Davido.ThisisGerrod.”
“Well,bytheGoddess’sbeautifulpinknipples,howthehellareyou?”
EthanandDavidogotalongreallywell,butthentheybothhaddeeptiestoBergisson.
HeheardVojalieinthebackground.“Stopthatnonsense.Givethephonetome.Gerrod’sbeenonmy

mindfordaysnow.”

“Yes,mylovelyone,anythingyoudesire.”ThentoGerrod,hecontinued,“Heardyougotlaidlast

night.”

GerrodreallydidneedtohavealongtalkwithGus.Maybeheshouldseriouslythinkaboutfiring

‘hisgossipytroll’sass’,asEthanwouldsay.

“Iwasgivenameasureofbloodbythehumanandithasbolsteredmyphysicalwell-being.Iwishto

bringhertoVojalietoseewhatshecandiscernaboutMistressAbigail.I,”heclearedhisthroat,“Inearly
battledEthanforherbecausesheshookhishand.”

The next words were muffled as though Davido held his hand loosely over the phone, but Gerrod

could make out the words. “My dearest most pleasing one, love has struck Gerrod at last. He almost
killedEthanoverthehuman,theonecalledAbigail.”

“Give.Me.The.Phone.YouareasbadasAugustus.”Gerrodheardaspittingnoise.
Amuffled‘ouch’followed.
Vojaliedidnotbelieveingossip.
Davidocame back onthe phone, hisvoice a few toneshigher. “My belovedwishes to speak with

you.”

Sincesomeloudsmackingsoundsfollowedandalittlegiggling,Gerrodreleasedanimpatientsigh.

Godsavehimfromromanticcoupleswho,aftertwo-hundred-yearsofmarriage,stillbehavedasthough
ontheirfae-moon.

When Vojalie agreed to meet with them shortly, he got off the phone and went outside. Ethan was

acrossthestreetstaringupatthesignabovethebakery.

“Clever,”hesaid.Hehadhishandsinhispocketsrockingbackandforth.
Gerroddrewadeepbreath,scowled,andafterwaitingforacoupleofcarstopass,crossedtomake

amends.

“Eversosorry,Ethan.Myapologies.”
Ethanturnedandlookedathim.Firsthegrinned,thenfrowned.“Sowhatthefuck’sgoingonhere?I

mean,don’tgetmewrong.I’mhappyashellforyou.She’s…lovely.She’salsohumanand—”Hepaused,
hiseyeswidening.“Holyshit,theGoddessandhersevenElf-lords…didyoujusttakeherbloodagain?
How the hell is that possible? Did you…shit, Gerrod, is she dead? No human, no realm can give that
muchbloodonedayfollowingthenext.”

But since at that moment, Abigail opened the door, smiled and waved, her cheeks still bearing a

lovelyflush,Ethan’sjawdropped.

“DoyouunderstandnowwhyImustspeakwithVojalie?”
“Uh,hellyeah.Whocandonatebloodlikethat?IworkfromadozendoneusesatpresentandI’m

stillfuckingblood-starved.”

Abigailcalledout,“IjustneedtospeakwithElena,thenI’mallyours.”
Thenshewasallhis.Whydidhischesttightenlikethat,asthoughshehadspokenanentirevolume

ofpoetry?

Hewavedinreturn.
“She…shelookshealthierthanbefore.What.The.Fuck?”
“Iknow.Abigailmakesnosenseatallinourworld.”
“Unless…”
GerrodturnedtoEthan.“Unlesswhat?”
“I’veheardofthisthing,it’ssomekindofrose,but…Aw,hell,nevermind.Listen,you’vegotalot

on your plate right now. I’m heading back to Bergisson. I’ll stay in touch. And I’ll sure as hell let you
knowiftheInvictusstartshowingupinbiggernumbersorifourrealm-folkstartdisappearing.”

“Good.Youwantalift?”Hegesturedtohiscar.
Ethansmirked.“Whatthehellfor?”HeclappedGerrodontheshoulder,toldhimtolethishairdown

with Abigail, then sped off, pathing his way to the Bergisson entry point in the northeast portion of the
MerhaineRealm.

Gerrodwonderedwhat‘lettinghishairdown’withAbigailhadtodowithanything.Besides,hehad

alreadydonethatlastnight,whichhadbeenextraordinary.

Hewaitedforseveralcarstopass,aswellasayoungtrollonabicycle,beforehecrossedbackto

thebakery.Heglancedupthestreetandwavedhiscarforward.

BythetimeAbigailfinishedupwithElena,thecarwasreadyandheusheredherinside.
Thefunnythingwas,shedidn’tmovetotheotherside,butinstead,satinthemiddleandassoonas

heshutthedoor,shegrabbedhisleftarmandwrappeditoverhershoulders.Shesettledagainsthimand
sighed.

Shewassuchastrangecreature.Helookeddownatherandafteramoment,heallowedhisarmto

relaxandsurroundher.Heevenpressedherarmwithhishand.Hehadn’tdonethisinsolongthathehad
forgottenhowtodoit,howtobewithawoman.Hetriednottothinkhowgooditfelt.

Shelookedupathim.Withhisfreehand,hecuppedherneckandthumbedherjaw.Heleaneddown

andkissedher.Hehadmeantitonlytobesomethingsoft,withouttongue,butbeforehecouldeventhink,
hewaspushingintohermouthandshewrithedagainsthim.

Hisfrequencylitupalmostatonce,asthoughitknewAbigailbetterthanhisrationalminddid.
Oh,God,Gerrod,thatwave.It’slikemagicandsoseductive.Youcouldtakemeagain.Righthere.
Hecould.Hecoulddoitnow.Hewantedtopushherontoherbackandtakecareofbusiness.
Hedrewbackpanting.Shestaredathim,lipsparted,breathinghard.“MyGod,whatyoucandoto

me.Areyousureitisn’tsomekindofvampirethrall?Imean,seriously.”

Hechuckled.“Notpossible.Doesn’texist.Vampirescan’tenthrall.”Buthekeptshakinghishead.

He’dneverbeenwithawomanlikethis.

Onlythendidherealizethecarwasn’tmoving.
Heglancedatthefrontseatandsawthathisdriverwasstaringforward,quitestudiously.Goodman.

“ToVojalie’s.”

“Yes,mastyr.”

*********

Abigailhadnotbeentomanyrealmhomes,justthecastle,Elena’smodestcottageandacoupleof

others. But the outside of Vojalie and Davido’s home was a different experience entirely since it was
constructedofaseriesofroundstructureswithwhatmustbelonghallsconnectingtheroomsinside.

Thecarvedarcheddoorwasmadeofabeautifulsoliddarkwood.Thecarvingdepictedawomanin

flowing robes, who Abigail supposed must be the Goddess, that spiritual being most realm-folk
worshipped.

Gerrodliftedthewrought-ironrapperandtappedthreetimes.
When the door opened, her brows rose. Before her was a stately troll who, on the scale of

attractiveness,rankedinthelowernumbers.ShehadheardVojaliewasperhapsthemostbeautifulwoman
intherealm.Davidohadmorewrinklesthanshe’deverseenonatrollbefore.

Hebowedtoherthenapologizedsayingitwasaveryoldhabitofhis,somethingfromancientdays.

“Comein,comein.Wearedelightedtohaveyouhere.”

DavidowasevenshorterthanAugustus,perhapsfive-three,nomore.Buthewasbroadshouldered,

andnicelybuilt,hiswaistnarrow.Hislegswerelongandwell-muscledforhisrelativesize.Heworea
long-sleevedribbedt-shirtandtailoredslacks.Onhisfeet,expensiveItalianloafers.

Sheheardthestrangestsoundbesideher,thesoftestgrowl.
SheglancedupatGerrod,eyeswide.What?
Youwerelookingathim.
Andyes,shewas.Hetookherhandandhelditfirmly.Shewasn’tsurewhattosay.Shehadn’tmeant

tostare.Thatwasrudeofme.

Doyoudesirehim?
Oh,God,no,I’mjustsurprisedsometimesbycertainthings.
Stoplookingatcertainthings,then.
SheglancedbackatDavido,whowasnowgrinning.Shewonderedifhehadreadtheirtelepathic

conversation. But when his gaze dropped to their joined fingers then back to meet her eyes, she
understood.Thetopridgeofhisforeheadroseslightlyaswell,asuresignthathistrollishcuriosityhad
beenpinged.

Oh,lord,notanothergossipytroll.
Andyet,therewassomethingaboutDavido,somethingalmostcompelling,asthoughifhedesiredhe

couldcommandherattentionforthenextseveralhours.Thensheunderstood.Thetrollhadcharisma.

Shesmiledandofferedthesmallestshrugofhershoulders.“I’msogladtobehere,”shesaid.“I’ve

heardofthefamousVojaliefromthetimethatIfirstcametoMerhaine.”

“Sheisadelightandawonder,”hesaid,leaningtowardherasthoughtellingsecrets.“Butyouwill

seeforyourself.Please,followme.”Hetookoffdownalonghall,wideenoughforhertowalkbeside
Gerrod.

Thehallwaslinedwithwhathadtobeportraitsofherhosts’numerouschildren,somebearingtroll

features,somewithfae.TheDNAlinesfelltoonesideortheother.Itmadeforabeautifulpresentation
for a home especially since several arched stained glass windows were lit from behind, lighting up
portionsofthehallinpalelavendersandgreens.

Thescentofverbenapervadedthespace.
ButwhatperhapssurprisedherthemostwasthatGerrodhadn’trelinquishedherhand,butcontinued

toholditalmostpossessively.

Sheglancedupathim.Hewasscowling,ofcourse,butinhiseyewassomethingmore.Sherealized

hewasworried.Whatisit?

Heglanceddownather.Hislipsparted,thencurvedalittle,offtooneside,butheshookhishead.
Thehallopenedintoaplaceofsplendor.Shehadn’tmeanttoignorethefaewomanstandingonthe

oppositesideoftheveryroundroombythefireplace,butAbigail’sgazewasdrawnuptotheperfectly
dome-shapedceiling.Amulti-huediridescenceshoneovertheentirewidthandbreadthofthedomeand

movingforwardevenjustastepcausedallthecolorstochangebecauseherpositionhadchanged.

“Thisissobeautiful,”shesaid.
Gerrod squeezed her hand and she glanced at him. He inclined his head in the direction of the

fireplace.

Hercheekswarmedagain.Sheturnedtothewoman,thefae,Vojalie.“Iamsosorry,butyourhomeis

sobeautiful,expressive,warm,magical,sofulloflove.”

“Oh, my dear,” Vojalie said, moving toward her slowly, her hands outstretched. “You could have

offeredmenofinergreeting.”

Gerrodreleasedherhand.Abigailmovedforwardtomeetthewomanandtookherhandsasthough

theyhadbeenoldfriends.ShefeltalmostdrawntowardVojalie,perhapspulled,bythefamousmagicthat
apurefaeriecouldhold.

The fae could enthrall and this one had power that seemed to cloak Vojalie like a garment, an

iridescentgarment,liketheceiling.

ShefeltsoftwavespulsingfromVojalie’sfingertipsandonceherpalmswerewithinVojalie’swarm,

softgrasp,shefeltshecouldmeltlikeabigpoolofbutterrightonthestonefloor.

Howsheremaineduprightshewasn’tcertain.“GerrodandDavido,pleaseleaveus.Iwishtospeak

withMistressAbigailalone.”

Abigailsortofheardher.Shefeltasthoughshe’dbeenwrappedquitethoroughlyinatenderweb.

Shedidn’tthinkshecouldmoveandifVojaliehadbeenherenemy,shewouldsoonbedead,shewasthat
caught.

Shemetthewoman’ssoftbrowneyes.Buttheeyesshiftedcolor,warming,lighteninguntilshestared

intosilverpools,beautiful,elegant,fulloflightandlove.Abigailhadthestrangestsenseshecouldstay
thereforever.Wasthisaspell?Surelyaspell.

Afteramoment,sheblinkedandthecocoon-likesensationdissipated.“Whatwasthat?”
ButVojalie’slipswerepartedandhereyeswerestillasilvercolorasthoughshewascaughtina

tranceherself.ShereleasedAbigail’shands,butthewomanremainedstandinginfrontofher,stillstaring
ather,butmorelikethroughhernow,asthoughwhatVojaliesawhadnothingtodowiththepresent.

OneofVojalie’shandsfelltotheswellofherstomach.Shewastallperhapsfive-nineorten,much

tallerthanherhusband.Shewasagreatbeauty,justasAbigailhadheard.Herrichdarkbrownhairhung
inlovelywavestoherwaistheldbackbyanarrowheadband.Thesizeandlusterofherdarkeyes,still
silver,offsethigharchedbrows.Hernosewasnarrowandstraight,herlipssmall,herchintaperingtoa
beautifulfaepoint,notassevereastheelvenwomen.

“Imustsitdown.”Vojalieturnedandmadeherwaytooneofthepairofwhitesilksofasthatfaced

eachotherandweresituatedadjacenttothemassivefireplace.

Abigail frowned. Something was wrong. She thought about calling Gerrod and Davido back, but

Vojaliesweptanarmtothecouchoppositeher.“Please,sitdown.IknowitmustseemlikeI’mbehaving
oddly.IsupposeIam,it’sjustthatI’mverysurprised.”Sheshiftedslightly,herrighthippushingout,her
bellyanglingtotheleft.Sheplantedherleftelbowonthebackofthesofaandtwirledalonglockaround
herfinger.Shestaredatthefireplace.

Shewasverypregnant.
Abigail sat with her feet squared up on the floor, acutely aware that she wore only flip-flops and

jeans.Thewomanwasdressedinwhatlookedlikealayeringofthreegowns,thebottomlayeravibrant
purplesilk,thenalavendergauze,overlaidwithwhitegauze.

“Imustapologizeformyclothing,”Abigailsaid.“Iwasatthebakery—“
Vojaliewhippedherheadindirection.“That’srightyou’reopeningabakery.Ikeepforgettingthat

you’vebecomeafixtureinMerhaine,oratleastinHollowCounty.I’veseenyourphotooften,mostof
them candid and all of them unflattering for you are uncommonly lovely, even without make-up. I’m so

confusedrightnow.”Hergazedrifteduptotheceiling,followingthearchtheentiredistance,thestrange
iridescencereflectedinhereyes,givingheranangelicappearance.

WhenshemetAbigail’sgazeoncemore,shesaid,“Wouldyoupleasegotothefarsideoftheroom,”

shewaved her handin the directionbehind Abigail, “and fetchthat horrible brownleather tome that is
aboutthesizeofasmallwheelbarrow,andbringittome?Imustchecksomethinginourhistory.”

Abigailroseandcrossedtheroomquickly.Shefoundthebookeasilyenoughanditwasenormous.

ShegrippeditinbotharmsandcarrieditbacktoVojalie.Shehesitatedputtingitonherlap.Shelooked
around.“Whydon’tIbringtheteacartover.”

“Goodidea.”
ShesetthebookonthesofacushionbesideVojalie,thenfetchedthetable.
Afewminuteslater,VojaliewasscowlingalmostasheavilyasGerroddidnormally.Sheturnedto

one page, then the next, sometimes using her entire arm to hold her place. She kept going farther and
fartherbackinthebookandendedupstudyingtheindexanddoingmoresearches.Theentiretime,she
chewedonherlowerlip.

Finally, she looked up from the book and met Abigail’s gaze. “How is your blood these days?

Experiencinganythingunusual?”

“Youcouldsaythat.”
Abigail told her everything, that from the time she had started visiting Merhaine, in particular the

castle, her blood had grown thick and sluggish because she produced too much and that her doctor
occasionallydrainedawaytheexcess.

LikeGerrodhaddonethepreviousday,Vojaliegasped.“Whatatragicwaste.”
“Iassureyou,itwasgiventothebloodbank.”
“Oh,well,that’sarelief.Still,notquitethesamething.”
“Doesthismeansomething,allthisexcessblood?MyheartfeelssluggishuntilIgiveitawayagain.”

Shefelthercheekswarmoncemore.Hergeneralembarrassmentwasdrivinghercrazyandyetallofthis
wassointimate.

“Actually,Ibelieveitdoesandyetit’saphenomenonthatI’veonlyreadabout.First,however,I’d

liketoaskyouabouttheInvictusattack,ifyouarewilling.”

“Yes,ofcourse.”
Shesmiled,evenruefully.“Bynowyoumustbefullyawarethatmyhusband,whoIadore,isasbad

agossipasAugustus.SomuchsothatI’mpersuadedthetwoofthemwereseparatedatbirth.So,Iknow
that you were involved with Gerrod on many levels, but if you would, please tell me your version of
events.”

Abigail related all that she had experienced, even her ability to communicate telepathically with

Gerrod.

Vojalie,thankfully,listenedcarefullywithoutofferingcommentorcriticism.Hercountenancewasso

calmthatbeforelong,Abigailhadlaunchedintoafurtherexplanationofwhathadhappenedafterward,at
thecastle,withGus,withherownministrationstoGerrod,thedrawingofthebath,washingofhishair.
Vojalienodded,butneversmiled,neverfrowned,justanoccasionalsoft,encouragingnodandtheslight
twirlingofherchestnuthairaroundherleftindexfinger.

ThewordspouredfromAbigail,asthoughculledmagically,andsotheymusthavebeen.
Withoutofferingtoomanydetailsofthelovemaking,sheevenspokeofhowGerrodhadtakenher

bloodandthatshehadexperiencedGerrod’sfrequency.

Vojalielookedsosomberafterward,thatinsteadoffeelingembarrassed,nowAbigailwasjustplain

worried.“I’vesaidtoomuch.”

“Be at ease,” Vojalie said. “You can be angry with me if you like, but I did use my fae magic. I

neededtoknoweverything.”

Somehow,Abigaildidn’tmind,atleastnotverymuch.Instead,sheexperiencedacertainmeasureof

relief.

Sheleanedforwardandsighed.“WhatamIdoinghere?Idon’tunderstandwhat’shappenedtome,

orwhyIcandothesethings.I’mhuman.IneverhadsuchpowersordesiresbeforecomingtoMerhaine.”
Shefrownedslightly.“OrbeforemeetingMastyrGerrod.”

“You seem to have certain markers that once you entered Merhaine came alive, so to speak. It’s

estimatedthatatleastonepercentofthehumanpopulationcouldprobablyexperience,atleasttoasmall
degree,whatyou’vebeengoingthough.

“However,afterhearingallyou’vetoldme,IbelieveInowhaveasummationofeventsbutI’dlike

tospeakwithbothyouandGerrodatthesametime.Willyoufetchthemen?Theyareprobablybynow,
deep within Davido’s vegetable garden. He’s infinitely proud of his creation. No doubt he turned the
floodlightson.”

Abigailrosetoherfeetandleftbythesamesetofdoorsthatthemenhadusedearlier.Shecrossed

behindVojalieandheardthefaesighverydeeply.Howbadwasthis?

Abigail walked the length of the hall, passing by doorways, catching sight of the occasional staff-

memberperformingsomehouseholdfunctionwhetherarrangingflowers,doinglightdusting,orpolishing
silversincetherewasalotofsilverinVojalie’shome.Eventhekitchenscameintoview.Thechef,anelf
aboutAbigail’sheight,whiskedsomethingpinkinaclearglassbowl.

Shepassedontoalargewell-litcoveredpatiowithvinesandsmallpurpleflowerseverywhere.She

drewinasoftbreathatthesightofthebeautifulgarden,arollinglawn,hillocksoftreesandflowershere
and there, which she could see easily because it was just as Vojalie had said, the floodlights created a
near-daylight environment. She saw the path to the back part of the property and could see Gerrod
toweringaboveDavido,butbentoverexaminingaplant.

She could have simply pathed him a message, his word for communicating telepathically. Instead,

she walked the distance because she was finding it hard to breathe. Maybe it was Vojalie’s somber
demeanor or the reality that Abigail had some serious realm-like attributes or maybe that last sigh.
Whateverthecase,itallseemedtopileuponherrightnow.

When she reached the wall of ivy that separated the garden proper from the vegetable garden,

Gerrodturnedinherdirection.Hetiltedhisheadandpathed,What’swrong.

Shefeltstrangelyclosetotears,thoughshecouldn’tsaywhy,almostasthoughshewashavingafae

moment.

“What’swrong?”heasked,aloudthistime.
Davido turned toward her, startled. “Querida, what’s the matter? How has my lovely wife upset

you?Ishallhavewordswithher.”Hemovedtoherswiftlyandtookbothherhands,justasVojaliehad
doneearlier.

This time, however, Gerrod didn’t react. Perhaps older trolls with very beautiful wives were

acceptabletojealousmastyrvampires.

“ShesaidsheneedstospeakwithGerrodandmyselftogether.”
Davidotookherarmandturnedherbackupthepathtowardthehouse.“Shecanbeveryintenseat

times.”

“I…Idon’tthinkthat’swhat’sbotheringme.”
“Thenwhatisit,mychild?Youmaytellme.Ishan’tbreatheawordtoanyone.”
Butatthatshelaughed.“Ihaveitongoodauthoritythatexceptforathousandyearsorso,youand

Augustussharedthesamewomb.”

“Ah,mybelovedhasbeenspeakingbadlyofme,butifithasmadeyoulaugh,thenIwillnotrepine.I

wasshowingGerrodmybeans.IhaveanewvarietyI’mtryingthisseason.Verygreen.”Hetalkedinthat
mannersothatbythetimeshereturnedtoherhouse,shewasn’tquitesoupset.

However, all that feeling returned when Gerrod sat down beside her opposite Vojalie and he took

herhand.Shetrembled.Shecouldn’thelpit.Somethinglife-alteringwasontheway,shecouldfeelit,the
weightofit,eventhoughthewordshadn’tyetbeenspoken.

“Sweetheart,” Vojalie said, looking up at her husband. “Will you please move the book and table

away?”

“Ofcourse,mytreasuredone.”Hetookcareofbusiness,notjustsettingtheteacartasidebuttaking

bothtotheirproperplace.EverythingseemedtohaveaplaceinVojalie’shome.

He returned to her, but didn’t just sit down. He leaned down and took her face in his hands and

thumbedhercheeks.HewhisperedthingsAbigailcouldn’thear,butwhichmadeVojaliesighthengiggle.

Only then did the troll take his place beside Vojalie. He was turned toward her, one of her hands

claspedbetweenbothofhis.

Abigail wondered if this was how those unfortunate people felt who stretched their necks for the

guillotine.

ChapterSix

Gerrodwouldn’thavebeennearlysoconcerned,exceptthatAbigailwastrembling.Hecouldfeel

her distress, almost palpably, as though she had a personal frequency and was shedding her misery in
waves.

OnlywhatonearthhadVojaliesaidtoherthatwouldhavecausedsuchanxiety?
So,hewaited.
VojalieleveledhergazeatGerrod.Hestaredback.
“Imustknowonething,”shesaid.
“Anything,”Gerrodresponded.
Vojalie smiled, softly but there was a sadness in her eye that now added to his mounting sense of

despair.Somethingwasamiss.“Iwanttoknowwhatyouarewillingtosacrificeforthiswoman?”

Ofallthethingsshemighthavesaid,Gerrodwasn’texpectingthosewords.“WhatamIwillingto

sacrifice?Inwhatway?Whatdoyoumean?”

“Gerrod,Abigailisabloodrose,eventhoughshe’sofhumanstock.Ifeltitthemomentshewalked

in,butIcouldn’tbelieveit.”

“Ihatetopleadignorance,butinmythreehundredyearsIcan’trecallhearingaboutabloodrose.”

Although,herememberedEthansayingsomethingaboutarose.Maybethiswaswhathemeant.

“Iunderstand.EvenIhadtoexaminetheancientdocuments.Thereareonlyafewreferencesofany

meritandlittlehelpatall.Butabloodroseisanindividualwhocansupplyamastyrvampirewithan
unlimitedamountofblood.”GerrodshiftedslightlyandlookeddownatAbigail.Shelookedup,herlight
greeneyeswide.“SweetGoddess,”hemurmured.

“Well, that would explain my recurring condition,” she said. “And why, after you take what you

need, I feel so wonderful.” Her lips quirked slightly. “Well, it explains part of the reason I feel so
wonderful.”

Shelookedyoungandadorableandherwordsteasedhimmercilessly.Youwouldsaythathere,in

frontofVojalieandherhusband?

Well,ifyouheardthequestionsIwasaskedearlier,youwouldn’tbetoosurprised.Atthispoint,I

thinkeveryoneinMerhaineknowsthatyoubonkedmelastnight.Asforhowsoonitbecomesknown
thatyoushaggedmeinthebakerycloset,well,thatwillbeforElenaandEthantoreveal.

Atthathelaughed,bendinghisneckback,shoutinghislaughterintotheceilinganditfeltgood.
“Iwonderwhatshejustpathedtohim,”Davidomurmured.
“She’sgoodforhim.”
Afteramoment,Gerrod’samusementstoppeddeadasthehardertruthsbeganhittinghim.Heonce

morecenteredhisgazeonVojalie.

“What is the nature of the relationship of the blood rose to the mastyr vampire? Does it involve a

ritualbondingceremonyoranythingofthatnature?”

“NotsomethingspecificthatIcoulddiscover.Thebondingoccursnaturallyovertimesoproximity

wouldbeallthatisnecessary.Althoughanotherbriefanecdoteindicatedthatthebondcanbehastenedby
the placing of blood in a receptacle from both mastyr vampire and blood rose, then blending. Once
combined, each drinks from the receptacle. Apparently, this can lead to a sudden burst of power, even
unusualhealing,whichIthinkcouldbeusedthroughoutone’slife.

“Asforthenatureofabloodrose,becausesheismeanttobondwithamastyrvampire,allmastyr

vampireswillbedrawntoher.”

He lifted a hand and said, “Ethan touched her earlier and she immediately tapped his personal

frequency.”

“Thematingfrequency?”
“Yes.”
“Then you have proved the documents correct. However, there is a remedy. It’s important to

exchangefrequenciesduringamating,whichthensetsasortofsealonthebond,onethatanothermastyr
vampirecannotcross.”

Hefeltrelieved.IfAbigailwastobethisperson,thisbloodroseinhislife,thenhehadthoughtit

wouldbeverydifficulttokeepothermastyrsawayfromher.Butaseal,thatwouldbeagoodthing.His
mindreeledfromeverythinghewashearingbutheneededtounderstandallthatbeingabloodrosewould
mean.

“Theremustbemore.”
Shenodded.“Thereisoneaspectofthebloodrosethatmighthavesomeapplicationgiventherecent

Invictus activity. For some reason, a blood rose is impervious to the effects of wraith blood, and her
blood can even act as an antidote. I believe this means that Abigail would be protected from a wraith
pairingshouldsheeverbecaptured.”

Shouldsheeverbecaptured.Thewordshadaterribleringtothem.
Gerrodponderedallofthis.HeglancedatAbigail.Nosmilesrightnow,justaconcerninhereyeas

shemethisgaze.

HeturnedbacktoVojalie.“Canyoubemorespecificaboutwhatbeingabloodrosewouldmeanfor

Abigail? It is very tempting to think that I might have someone at my side with such an unusual ability.
However,itmusthaveramificationsforher.”

HewatchedVojalie’schestriseandfallbeforeshesaid,“ItdoeswhichiswhyIaskedearlierwhat

you would be willing to give up for this woman.” Her gaze shifted to Abigail. “I fear your life would
changedrasticallyandperhapsnotinwaysyouwouldwishfor.Youhavecometoacrossroadstonight
anditwon’tbesimple.IfyouchoosetostayinMerhaine,tolivewithGerrodashisbloodrose,youwill
becomeavampire.”

“What?”thewordburstfromAbigaillikeagunshot.“Idon’tunderstand.”
“Thismakesnosense,”Gerrodadded.“Shecan’tbecomeavampire.Noonecan.Youhavetobe

bornone.”

But Vojalie extended her hand gesturing in Abigail’s direction. “Except, apparently in cases like

this.”

OncemoresheshiftedtoaddressAbigail.“You’realreadyhalfwaydownthisroadordidyouthink

youwerebornwithyourtelepathicabilityandafrequencythatevenIcansense?”

“Ihaveafrequency?”
“Abigailhasafrequency?”
“Thebeginningsofone,yes.”
Gerrodstaredatthefloor.Hewascaughtbetweentwothoughtsthatheldhimsuspendedoveradeep

chasm. The first thought was that Abigail could become to him something extraordinary, someone who
could provide him with endless blood and who could engage in extraordinary sex because she would
possess personaly energy waves. Even dwelling on it this little bit set his own frequency to vibrating
strongly.Thisfirsthow-to-benefitGerrodmusing,however,waspatheticallyselfishandheknewit.

Thesecondthoughtwasthatahumanshouldneverhavetogiveupherbirthright.Hewouldnotwish

toceasebeingavampire.He’dbirthedasone,hewaslong-lived,heenjoyedallthevariousaspectsof
hisbirthgenetics.

SothiswaswhyVojaliehadaskedhimthequestion,‘Whatareyoutosacrificeforthiswoman?’If

he understood all the nuances, that if Abigail was to hold onto her humanity, he would have to give up
hopeofeverhavingherinhislife.Thatwouldbehissacrifice.

Butitwaslikebeingofferedagift,evenshownthebeautyandbreadthofthatgift,everyuniqueand

desirablefacet,thenhavingitsnatchedaway.Hecouldfeelhisscowlreturn,heavier,deeperthanever
before.

Heknewonlyonething:Foraspecietohavetochange,wellitwasaswrongaswhattheInvictus

pairswentthrough.Itwasaperversion.

HeliftedhisgazetoVojalie.“Thisisaperversion.”
He had expected Vojalie to protest. Instead, Abigail spoke quickly. “No,” she said, overlaying his

armwithherhand.“You’rewrong.”

Gerrodwassurprisedattheforcefulsoundinhervoice.“Youdon’tknowwhatyou’resaying.”
“IdoknowthatwhatI’veexperiencedhasfeltlikeanormalprogression,somethingforwhichIam

oddlydesigned, but Idon’t believe fora moment it’s eitherimmoral or unnatural.I also think Vojalie’s
concernsarethegreateronesanyway.”

Gerrodglancedbetweenthetwowomen.“Whichconcerns?”
OnlythendidAbigailfrownandsinkbackintothecouchcushions.“Iwillneedtochoosebetween

theworlds,todeterminetowhichlifeIwillpledgemygreaterallegiance,mycitizenry,mycommitment.”

And the truth is, she added, pathing to him and looking into his eyes once more, we barely know

eachother,thebonkingandshaggingnotwithstanding.

*********

AbigailstoodinthevastentrancehallofGerrod’scastle.
Soshewasabloodrose.
Something so uncommon in Realm history that Gerrod had never heard of it and Vojalie had been

forcedtosearchthroughtheoldleathertometofindoutwhatshecouldaboutthestrangecondition.

Thedrivebackfromthefae’shousehadbeenveryquiet.Silent,infact.
Shehadnoideawhathisthoughtswere,butduringtheentiredrive,hershadbeenaninternal,mental

roundrobinofweeping,wailingandscreaming.

ShewantedtostaywithGerrodinhiscastleandinhisarmsforeverandyet,didshereally?What

didsheknowofhim,exceptthathewasalonely,scowlingGuardoftheRealm,amastyrvampirewho
ruledoveramillionsoulsofvaryingspecies,anadmirablemaninessentials,awonderfullover,agood
friend,andveryhardonhimself.

Butcouldanyofthis,anythingreally,justifychangingbiology.
Hestoodstaringatthestonefloor,hishandsonhiships,thesoftleathercoatbunchedatthewaist.
“Whatareyouthinking?”sheasked.
Gerrodturnedtofaceher.Shethoughtitoddthatrightinthismomenthemusthavebeenstandingin

the very center of the massive hall, a large wagon-wheel-like wooden candelabra suspended over his
head,thoughatleastsomefifteenfeetabovehistallframe.Washetryingtocenterhimself?

“Ihonestlydonotknowwhattomakeofthisturnofevents.Iwaslookingforananswermorealong

thelinesof,‘Well,Gerrod,Ibelievethiswomantobeyourmate,eventhoughsheishuman.’Thatwould
havebeenentirelysufficient.TheproblemswouldhavebeenmorelikewhetherIcouldpersuadeyouto
liveinMerhaineatleastpartoftheyearorifyouwouldagreetoabodyguardwhenyouworkedatthe
HollowTreebakery.

“But this is so much more. This is impossible. You can’t give up your human world. Your

connectionsandinvolvementwithyoursister,Megan,aloneareparamount.”

Abigailsighedheavily.“Thatyouwouldsayasmuch,makesthisharderstillforme.”
“Howso?”
“BecauseIvaluethatyouunderstandhowimportantMeganisinmylife.”
“She’syoursister.Ofcourseshe’simportant.Andyouhaveanieceandnephew.Becausemybirth

familylivesinoneoftheEuropeanRealms,Ithinkofmycastlestaffinmuchthesameway.Idon’tthinkI
couldbeaskedtogiveupGus,forinstance.”

“Evenwithhiswidemouthandflappytongue?”
Hesmiledjustofftooneside.Herheartconstrictedalittlemore.“Hecouldhaveahundredsuch

defectsandIwouldstillneedhiminmyhome.”

“ButwouldIbeabletovisitFlagstaff,Imean,ifImadethischange?”
“You would become vampire and how you perceive the world would change. Your frequencies

wouldgrowinstrengthanditcouldbecomeuncomfortabletovisitattimes.Youwouldhavebloodneeds.
YourlifewouldbeverydifferentfromMegan’s,asdifferentasmineisfromyoursrightnow.”

AndMeganhadalwaysreliedonher.Always.
But she had a husband now, and yet, it was to Abigail that Megan always turned. When her girls

weresick,Abigailhadtakenshiftscaringforthemthroughthenight,forseveralnightsinarow.

Besides, Abigail had always seen her Merhaine adventure as just that, a little excitement to while

awayherdays.Shejusthadn’tcountedonfallinginlovewithavampire.

Gerrodmovedcloseandtookherhand.“ThereissomethingelseIwantyoutothinkabout.Thisisa

dangeroustimeinourlonghistorybecauseoftheriseoftheInvictus.Theattacklastnightwasdifferent,
whichindicatesanescalationonthepartoftheenemy,andwedon’tknowthedirectiontheattackswill
turn. Ethan said that in his realm, the Invictus have also grown more active in the wastelands. He’s
checkingevennowtoseeifthepoorerrealm-folkofBergissonhavebeendisappearingastheyhavehere.

“Asformyself,Abigailthereispartofmethatwantstokeepyouwithmealways.I’vebeenhalfin

love with you since that first day, when I caught your very sweet rosemary scent. All that Vojalie’s
pronouncementmeanttodayisthatnowIhavewordsforwhathashappenedtome.I’vefoundmyblood
roseandIwanttokeepyouforsomanyreasons.

“ButIalsobelieveImustletyougo.Idon’tapproveofthisarrangement.Ican’tabidethethought

thatyouwouldgiveupyourheritage.Thatisaperversiontomeevenifyousayitfeelsnaturalandgood,
nothingforced.

“Youshouldgohome.Attheveryleast,gohometothinkaboutallofthis.Andifyoudon’tcome

back,trustme,withallmyheart,Iwillcompletelyunderstand.”

He looked forlorn, such an old-fashioned word, but that was what he looked like to her, standing

thereandmakinghisusualGerrod-likesacrifice,thinkingofothersratherthanhimself.

Forthatreasonaloneshewantedtostay.Gerroddeservedtohavehislifeeasedandtherewasno

questioninhermindthatshebroughtexactlythattohislife.Thefactthathehadalmoststartedsmiling
whileshewaswithhimwasanindicationallbyitself.

Buthewasn’tsmilingnow.
Thetroublewas,shecouldn’tpossiblythinkaboutmakingsuchanenormousdecisionwithouttalking

itoverwithMegan.

Shealsohadaprofoundsensethatifsheleft,shewouldnevercomeback.
Thisforcedherfeettomarchforwardandthoughhedidn’texactlyopenhisarms,shepressedher

chestagainsthis,closedhereyes,andslungherarmsyetagainaroundhiswaist.

Sheheldhimfast.Afteramoment,hispowerfularmssurroundedheraswell,tighterthistimethan

everbefore.

“Abigail,”hesaidsoftly.Shefelthislipsonthetopofherhead,atendergesture.Thatdefinedhim

exactly,allthisbrawn,yetunderneathsomuchtendernessandsacrifice.

Whatonearth,oreveninMerhaine,wasshegoingtodo?

*********

Gerrodsatinhisfatleatherchairintheentrancehall,feelinglikehewantedhisbottleofwhiskyfor

awhile,maybefortherestofthenight.

Abigailwasgone.
He’dsnappedatthreeofhisstaff.
Gus,uponhearingthenewsofherdeparture,hadliftedhischin,hislipssetinagrimdisapproving

line.“Yousentheraway?”

“Noneofyourbusiness,troll,”he’dgrowled.
“TheGoddess’snipplesit’snot,”hehadmuttered,headingbacktothenetherregions.Hisfeetdida

strangeangrytrollmarchthatGerrodonlysawonthoseoccasionswhenGuswasasmadasfire.

Letthemallscowlathimandmutterhardthingsagainsthischaracter.
Abigailwasgone.
His head fell forward. He planted his elbow on the arm of the chair and with what seemed like

monumentaleffort,supportedtheweightofhisheadinhishand.

HefeltasthoughthemomentshesteppedintohiscartogobacktoFlagstaff,shehadslicedhisheart

fromhischestandtakenitwithher.Hehadwatchedfromthefrontofthecastle,thedoorthrownwide.He
caughtthelastglimpseofthecar,thelastwinkoftaillights,thelastrollofdustandpineneedlesasthecar
caughttheshoulderthenspeddownthedarkpavement.

Abigail.
Hehadremainedinthedoorway,tryingtopretendthathewouldbejustfinewithouther.
Now,ashesatwiththedoorshutonanimmediatepastthathadjustcuthimoffattheknees,hetried

tohavesomeperspective.He’dbeenrighttothinkofherlifeandherhappinessandtosendheraway.It
couldneverbeabadthingtoactinsomeoneelse’sbestinterest,surely.

Except that his chest was a vacant hole and already his body was craving a hit of her blood, that

elixirflavoredwithjustatouchofrosemary,thetastewhichhadbroughthismembertoproudattention,
andwhichinturnhadgivenherpleasure.

Hewishedherback.Hewouldswallowallhiswordsofself-sacrifice.
Hewishedherbackathousandtimes.

*********

AbigailreturnedtoFlagstaffandtoherhomeattheendofalongprivateroad.Thetwo-storyhouse,

herprideandjoy,backeduptotheforest.Hertwocatshadmissedher,FridaandDiego,butlookedwell-
fedfromaneighbor’scat-lovingcare.

CouldshebringhercatstoMerhaine?Couldtheyliveinthecastle?Howwouldamastyrvampire

feelaboutacatbox?

She laughed, but the sound came out tinny. She poured Fancy Feast into two separate bowls, and

watchedhertabbyandhertuxedolowertheirheadsandbeginthesmallfamiliarbobsofchowingdown.

Catshadsimplelives.
Herswasn’t.
Onthefollowingmorning,shecalledthebakery,butwassurprisedwhenapart-timeemployee,Joy,

answeredthephone.“Hey,Joy,Ididn’tthinkyouworkedtoday.”

Alongpause.
Thehairsonthebackofherneckstoodup.“What’sgoingon?”
“Youdon’tknow,doyou?”
“Knowwhat?”Oh,God.
“Megan’sinthehospital.”
Abigail’sgazeskitteredbackandforthoverthekitchenislandasthoughhuntingforaplacetoland.

“She’sinthehospital?When?Whathappened?”Andwhyhadn’tanyonecalledher?

"Last night, late. But I’m not sure why. Megan said not to bother you, that you had a date in

Merhaine.”

“Notadate.Awedding.”
“Huh.Shecalleditadate.Saiditwaswithsomehotuber-hunk.”
Inthedistance,Abigailheardthejangleofthehangingsilverdoorbellsofthebakery.Acustomer.

“I’mheadingovertothehospitalnow.”

“Okay.Andwouldyouletusknowwhat’sgoingon?Westillhaven’theardfromMeganorJoe.”
“Yes,ofcourse.”
She called Megan’s husband first. Joe picked up on the second ring, but he spoke quietly. “Hi,

Abigail.I’msosorry.Shewouldn’tletmecall.Shedidn’twanttodisturbyourdate.Everything’sokay.
Noasthma,Ipromise.Itwasherappendix.Theytookitout.She’sresting.”

Abigailreleasedaverydeepbreath.“I’mgoingtogetcleanedupandI’llbeoverinaboutanhour.”
“Soundsgood.Really,Abigail,noworrieshere,Ipromise.”
Abigailhungupthenheadedupstairstoherbathroom.Shestripped,gotthewatergoingatjustthe

righttemp,thenletallthatmoistwarmthbeatsomeofthetensionoutofher.

Later, at the hospital, Megan lay on her back, her face very white, her red hair splayed out on the

pillow.“Thedrugsaregreat,”shesaid,buthersmilehadonecornerturneddown.

“Youwerehurting.”
“Ithurtlikeabitch.”
“Whydidn’tyoucallme?”
“BecauseIwantedthatvampiretoseeyouinyourbeautifulgown.”
He’dseenherallright.Thenshe’dseenhim.Allofhim.She’devendonatedblood.She’dlearned

shewassomethingsorareinrealm-lorethatGerrodhadneverevenheardofitbefore.Andshe’dseenthe
Invictus.Oh,God,itallseemedsounrealorattheveryleastsomethingthathadhappenedyearsagoand
nothours.

AbigailpulledherchairclosertothebedandtookoneofMegan’shands.“I’msorryIwasn’there.”
“Joewas.Youdon’thavetofeelbad.Idon’twantyoutofeelbad.”
Abigailsmiled,butshefeltsosad,thoughshewasn’tcertainwhy.“Well,I’mbacknow.Elenahas

thebakerywell-in-handinHollow-Tree.”

“Butyou’llgoback,right?”
Sheshookherhead.“Notrightaway.There’squiteabitofobjectiontoahumanopeningabusiness

inHollowCounty.We’regoingtoletthedustsettle.”Itmightnothavebeenthecompletetruthorevena
fractionofthetruth,butkeepingoutofsightforawhilewouldnotbeabadthing.

“Whatareyounottellingme,sis?”
“Nothing.”Much.Shesighed.ShestaredatthelightblanketonthebedandontheclipoverMegan’s

finger,monitoringherheartrate.

“Okay. I can see that you’re not going to talk, but at least tell me about the wedding. Was it much

differentthanours?”

*********

Gerrodshoutedupthehallfromhisprivatesittingroom.“Gus,wherethehellaremysocks?”
He’dbeenshoutingalotlatelyandhisscowlwassittinghardthesedays,lowonhisbrows.Gustold

himyesterdayhewasdevelopingatroll-ridgeandthatifhewasn’tcarefulhe’dbeswitchingspeciesany
daynow.

His temper was off the charts. Two weeks, two horrible weeks had passed since he’d last seen

AbigailatVojalie’s.SweetGoddessbuthewasirritableandthebloodstarvationwasback.Heneededto
calloneofhisdoneuses,buttheGoddesshelphim,hecouldn’ttapthenumberonhisphone.

HeblamedAbigailforthis,thathe’dgottenatasteofrosemarybloodandnownothingelsewould

do.

Hereturnedtopacehisbedroom.Hecouldn’tfindhissocks,atleastnotthekindheneededforhis

boots. He had to have just the right kind. Gus knew that. What the hell was wrong with his castle staff
anyway,thathisdrawerscouldn’tbekeptfullofthesockstheMastyrofMerhainepreferred?

IfhehadtofighttheInvictusnoweverynightandifhehadtomakesurethatonemillionsoulswere

safe,heshouldatleasthavethesockshewanted.

Hewenttothedoorway,andshoutedagain,“Wherearemyfuckingsocks?”
Gus appeared at the top of the hall, the only one that led to his private suite. His expression was

grim.Hecarriedalargewickerbasketinbothhands.Hislipshadbecomeathinwhiteline.

“Aboutfuckingtime.”Hemovedbackintohissittingroom,stompedintohisbedroom,pacedinfront

ofthebed.Hisbootssatthere,waiting.GerrodhadInvictustofacetonightagain.Didnooneunderstand
thathislifehadbecomeanightmare?

ThebastardshadbecomeactiveashellandnowhecursedasmuchasEthan.
Why the hell hadn’t Abigail even called him? A simple courtesy call was the very least he had

expected.‘No,Ican’tbecomeavampire.Sosorry.’Attheveryleastsheshouldhavecalledandsaidthat
tohim.

Goddess,hewouldkilltohearhervoice.
Gusappearedinthedoorway,liftedthewickerbaskettohisshoulder,andwiththeapparentuseof

allthestrengthhepossessed,heflungitatGerrod.

The wicker struck him with all the force of a pillow against his right arm. He batted it away and

aboutahundredsocksflewineverydirection,somepink,somepurple,manyembroideredwithflowers,
noneofthemhisbootsocks.Thebasketlandedupsidedownnearthebathroom.“Whatthehell?What’s
goingonhere.Gus—”Hisbellowsechoedaroundthestone-wallsoftheroom.

Hefollowedafterhimandshoutedonemoretime,“Gus,whatthefuckwasthatallabout.”
Gusdidnoteventurnaround.Hejustflippedhimoffandkeptwalking.

*********

Abigailicedanothercupcake.
Megansatonachair,bentover,andwithartistryandskill,squeezedanotherleaffromyetanother

bag of well-crafted green icing. She did the leaves swiftly, one after the other, and they were nearly
identical,perfect,andveryleaf-like.

Shewasrecoveringwellandinsistedondoingwhatshecouldtohelpwithalltheorders,especially

theonestoMerhaine.

“Joytellsmethatyouhaven’toncebeenherewhenGuscomestopickupthecupcakeorders.”
“Ithinkit’sbest.”
Megan lifted the icing bag from her leaf job. “Are you ever going to tell me the truth about what

happenedtwoweeksago?”

Abigail shrugged. How could she explain the silence that had fallen on her, as though to speak of

Merhainewastomakeitmorerealthanshecouldbear.Shehadmadeherdecision.Shecouldn’tleave
Megan.Ever.

Megansetthebagoficingdownandrosecarefullyfromhersittingposition.Sheroundedthelong

stainlesssteelworktable,gettinginfrontofAbigail.“Talk.”

ButAbigailmovedaway,turninginthedirectionofthesink.Maybecleaningupthedisheswould

help.Sheflippedthehotwateronandthrustherhandsintoapairofheavydutyyellowgloves.

Shebegantorinseandarrangethedishesinthecommercialgradedishwasher.
Megangotupclosesupportingherselfwithforearmsonthecounter.“You’reinlovewithhim.”
“Maybe.”
“There’snomaybe.Oh,myGod,Abigail,arethosetears?”
“Whatofit?”
Meganreachedoverandshutthewateroff.“Youhavegottotalktome.”
Abigail couldn’t pretend anymore. She slumped to sit on the tile floor, pulling up her knees and

balancingherarmsrightontopofboth.Meganeasedherselfdowntositbesideher.“Justsoyaknow,I
won’tbeabletogetupbymyself.”

Abigailnodded,butshecouldn’tseemuch.Everythingwasablurbehindawallofunshedtears.“I

just have to get over him. I’m sure I can.” She rubbed her throat, trying to ease the sudden painful
constriction.SherememberedthelasttimeGerrodhadsunkhisfangs.He’dheldherpressedagainstthe
storeroomdoorintheMerhainebakery.

Thentherewasnothingbuttears,aboutamillionofthem.
Meganrubbedhershoulders,herarms,herhands.Atsomepoint,shemusthavestruggledtoherfeet

thenreturnedtositbesideheroncemorebecausesheshovedaboutadozentissuesatAbigail.Sheused
everyone.

When at last the tears began to subside, and the brokenness of her heart had become more of a

driftingkindofpaininherchestinsteadofapainfulstrikeagainstaforge,shetoldMeganeverything.

‘Oh,myGod’,fellfromMegan’slipsaboutahundredtimes.
“Soyouwouldbecomeavampire.”
“ApparentlyI’malmosthalfwaythereasitis.”
Megan blinked a couple of times, staring at her hard, her eyes narrowed slightly as though

consideringeverythingAbigailhadbeenthrough.Finally,shesaid,“Youhavetogoback.”

“Don’tberidiculous.”
“I’mnot.YouhavetogobacktoMerhaine.”
“But,ifIdo,I’llwanttostay.”
“Exactly.Ithinkyourheartisalreadygiven.”
“Ican’tleaveyou.Iwon’t.”
“Abigail, the truth is, I don’t want you to leave Flagstaff either, not if it means you’ll never come

backasjusthuman.I’dratherkeepyouhereasmybigsis,theoneIcanalwaysturntonomatterwhat
happens,theonewhogavemesuchtremendoussecurityforagoodlongdecade.ButIthinkyouneedto
dothisespeciallysinceIknowyou’vebeenunhappyforyearsnow.”

“No I haven’t,” Abigail retorted. “I’ve enjoyed the bakery and I love your girls. You’re my life,

Megs.”

“That’snotwhatImeant.Letmesayitdifferently.You’veneverhadachoiceaboutyourlifebefore.

Never.Nowyoudo.Andtheonlyquestionyoureallyneedtoaskrightnowis:whatdoyouwant?

“I’mnotthatsicklychildanymoreandourparentshavebeengoneforalongtime.Ifoundtheloveof

mylifeandI’vebuiltalifewithhim.Thebakery,Abigail,well,itwasthebiggestgiftyoucouldhave
evergivenme.

“I’msuitedforthiswork,buttheonethingI’vecometorealize,especiallywhenyougotsoexcited

about opening a second bakery in Hollow Tree, is that you’re meant for different things, maybe even
bigger things.” She gestured with a wave of her hand in the direction of the leaves she’d been making.
“Howmanyofthosehaveyoumade?”

“What?Theleaves?”
“Yeah,theleaves.Howmanyhaveyoumadetoday?”

“None.”
“I’vemadeaboutathousand,didyouknowthat?”
Abigail shrugged but she was a little surprised. “Really? Although, given how many cupcakes we

sell,andhowmanyleavesgooneachone,itmakessense.”Shelaidherheadonherknees.“Don’tyou
evergetbored,though?”

“Youmeanlikeyou?”
“Yeah.Boredlikeme.”
“You’vejustmademypoint.I’mneverbored.Notevenmakingathousandleavesaday.Never.”
Atthat,Abigailliftedherheadandstaredathersister.“We’reverydifferent,youandI.”
“Yes,weare.”Megansqueezedherarm.“Ithinkyouneedtolookatthissituationdifferentlyandask

whetherornotthisnew,unexpectedpathistherightoneforyou.JoeandIwilladjust,solongasthegirls
gettoseetheirAuntieAbigaileveryonceinawhile,fangsornot.”

Abigailcouldn’tbelievethatMeganwasactuallygivingherpermissionforsomethingsooutrageous.

“Soyoureallywouldn’tmindifIbecameavampire?”

Meganshrugged.“I’lladmititwouldbestrange,andprobablywouldbeforawhile,butthat’snot

whatmatters.IwantyoutobehappyandIwantyourlifetomeansomethingtoyou.Rightnow,herein
Flagstaff,Abigailthisisn’tyourlifeyou’reliving.It’smine.”

Allthepiecesfelltogetherwiththosewords.ThiswasMegan’slifethatAbigailhelpedbuildfor

her,withneverathoughtforherself.Butshehadmeantwhatshehadsaid.She’dneverbeenunhappy.

But now, for the first time in her life, she could think beyond the bakery, beyond her human life,

perhapsevenembracealifelivedmostlyatnight,inthedark,inacastle,besideawonderfulvampirethat
yes,shehadcometolove.

“Ilovehim,”shesaid.
“Oh,Abs,evenIcouldseethat.”
Abigaillaughed.“IfeellikeIjustwastedthelasttwoweeks.”
“I would take that as an insult since you’ve been helping me, but in this case, I think I agree with

you.”

Abigail’sheartgrewlight,asthoughatremendousburdenhadbeenlifted.Sheturnedtohersister

andhuggedher,althoughtakingcaresinceshewasessentiallystillrecoveringfromsurgery.

“Thankyou,”Abigailsaid.“Imean,Ihavenoideawhathashappenedinthelastcoupleofweeksor

evenifhewantsme.ButI’mgoingtofindout.”

Butevenasshehadthisthought,avibrationpassedthroughherandshehadtheworstfeelingthat

somethinghadgonewronginMerhaine.

*********

Withlightningspeedabovetheground,Gerrodsweptpastthefrontline.Hecouldseethetrollfamily

under attack by a wraith in flight circling above like, the vulture she was. He was battling deep in
ShepherdCounty,inaruralarea,hisvampireabilitytoseeatnightsettingthelandscapeinaglow.The
creaturewoulddivein,andstrike,hurtingoneortheotherofthethreerealm-folkhuddledtogether.

Herpartner,avampire,alsomovedwithastonishingspeed,asuresigntheyweresymbiotic,ajoined

pair.TheperversionofbecomingInvictusaddedtremendouspowerandunfortunatelyaseeminglyendless
desiretodoharmtothehelpless.

Thevampirewaslesssubtleandjerkedthehusbandawayfrommotherandbaby.Hecarriedhima

hundredyardsdistantandbegantofeast.Thetroll’slegsfloppedupanddown.

Derekpathed,Weseethem,Gerrod.Jason’sonhisway.
Staybackfororders.Letmegetthispairshreddedandthefamilytosafety.

Heheardthetrollbabyshriekingandcouldseethatitboreslicesonitsarms.
FurytightenedGerrod’schest.Hereadiedhispowerasheflewintheirdirection,justafootoffthe

ground,upright,hishandsandarmsvibrating,readytoreleasekillingstreamsofenergy.

But just as he detected movement to both his left and his right, he was suddenly somersaulting

throughtheair.Hislimbswerecaughtinwhathefinallyrecognizedassomekindofnetting.

With his face smashed into the netting and near the ground, his body upside down, he watched the

wraithgoinforthekillandfinishthefamilyoff,shriekinghervictoryasshethenflewinhisdirection,
hereyesdarkwithblood-lust.

Hecouldn’tmove.Hecouldn’tharnesshispower.Andhecouldn’ttelepathhisGuards.
WhatthehellhadtheInvictusdonetohim?
Then he smelled it: Fae magic, something done with oils. The netting was covered in it and in a

flash,darknessspreadoverhismind,thennothing.

*********

Abigailgotastrangesickfeelingdeepinherstomach,astrongerversionofwhatshehadfeltearlier.

Shewipedthelastofthetables.Thehourwaspasteightandshewasreadytoclose.Bakeriesweren’t
knownforeveningtrafficandthelastofthestaffhadjustleft.Meganhadgonehomehoursearlier.Both
JoeandAbigailhadinsistedonit.

ButMeganhadalsoinsistedthatsherescheduleforthenextfewdayssothatAbigailcouldgoback

toMerhaineandmakeherfinaldecision.

Now,asshegrabbedherpurseandtookonelookaround,herguttightenedalittlemore.
Abigail.
Her heart twisted into a quick knot. That was Gerrod’s voice, so faint, but she was sure of it.

Somethingwaswrong,terriblywrong.

ShehadtogettoMerhaine.
Sheswitchedthelightsoffandnearlyfellbackwardbecauseashortfigurewasontheothersideof

thedoorandnowknockinginswiftjabsontheglass.“Abigail,tisI,Augustus.”

Shepulledoutofhersuddenshock,movedtothedoor,andletGusin.Hedancedfromfoottofoot,

clearlyupset.Tearscourseddownhisface.Sheflippedthelightsbackon.

“My God, what’s the matter? What’s happened?” Then she felt it. Somewhere, far away, Gerrod’s

bloodcalledouttoher.“He’sblood-starvedagain,isn’the?Butthere’ssomethingmore.”

“TheInvictushavehim.”
“What?”Sheweavedonherfeet,butGusgrabbedherarmandkeptherfromtopplingover.
Sheplantedherbackagainstthewalltosteadyherself.“Tellmeeverything.”
TherecitalspokeofGerrodbellowing,growingweak,somethingaboutsocks,andthattheInvictus,

thesamenightthatsheleftMerhaine,hadbegunattackingvariouspartsoftherealm.Atleastascoreof
realm-folkweredeadanddozensmissing,someevenfromthemoreprosperousneighborhoods.

“Thissoundslikewarhasbeendeclared.”
Gusmoppedhisfacewithanembroideredhandkerchief.“Canyouhelpus?”
“Idon’tknow.Iwantto,butGus,whatcanIpossiblydothatGerrod’sGuardscan’t?”Butshehadto

go.Gerrodneededher.

“Wecan’tgetthroughtoMastyrEthanandnoonecanpasstheboundarytoBergissonRealm.”
“GoodGod.”
How frivolous her former concerns became in this moment, as in could she handle becoming a

vampire,whenMerhaineanditscitizenswereinsomuchdanger.

Yet,whatcouldshedo?

Shecertainlycouldn’tfacedownanentirearmyofInvictuspairs.
Her heart thumped hard all over again. She could feel her blood thickening again, really fast,

apparentlyanticipatingwhatneededtobedone.

SheputherhandonGus’sshoulder.“Takemetothecastleandwe’llgofromthere.Okay?”
“Ihavethecarwaiting.”
“No,” she said. “You need to bring one of the Guards here. I know that each of them have nearly

Gerrod’slevelofspeed.”

“Right.That’sthewaytothinkthisthrough.”
He got very still. He closed his eyes, sinking into his inter-world telepathy. He jerked forward a

coupleoftimes,‘pathing’misstepsperhaps.

Finally,heopenedhiseyes.“Derekwillbehereinthreeminutes.Hewasalreadyatthecastletrying

tocontactEthanagain.Buthecouldn’tgetthrough.NobodyknowshowtogetGerrodback.”

Abigailmadeherownphonecall.“Hi,Meg.”
“What’sgoingon?Iknowthattoneofvoice.”
“I’vegotavampiretosave.”
ShecouldfeelMegsmiling.“Comebacktouswhenyoucan.”
“Iwill.Takecareofmycats?”
“Youbet.”
WhenDerekarrived,hehadbloodsmearedoveronecheekandonbotharms.Shewithheldagasp

andforcedherselftotakedeepbreaths.“Iamsorry,MistressAbigail.”

“Itdoesn’tmatter.Notevenalittle.”
SheturnedtoGus.“Thankyouforcomingtogetme.YoudidtherightthingandI’lldowhatIcanto

bringhimback.”

ShesteppedintoDerek,slungherarmaroundhisneckandputherrightfootonhisleftinstep.“Take

metothecastle.Now.”

SheburiedherfaceinsidehisshoulderandhisstrongGuardsmanarmheldhertightagainsthim.
A moment later she was air-borne, the wind whipping by her, the smell of the Ponderosa pines

sharperbecauseofthespeed.

Minuteslater,Derekslowed,cametoastop,thencriedout,“Oh,shit.”
Heflunghertothegroundtoprotecthersincethreewraithsflewincirclesinthefrontyardofthe

castle.Beneaththemthreebondedvampireslevitatedafootabovetheground,allwaiting.

ButsheopenedherpathtoGerrodandfoundhim.I’mwithDerek.Threewraiths,threevampires.

Whatdotheywant?

Oh,dearGoddess.
Gerrod,whatdotheywant?Youmusttellme.
You.They’vecomeforyou.Whydidyoucomeback?Theycan’tbreachhumanterritory.
Icamebackforyou.
DearGoddess,no.Ididn’twantthis.
Shefelthisguiltandknewtoprolongtheconversationwouldonlycreatefurtheragonyforhim.She

cutthecommunicationshort.Whatevershedidnexthadtobeherdecision.

ShereachedouttoDerek,pathingtowardhimandfoundhistelepathicfrequency.Youmustleave.
Never.Heglancedatherthenback,readytobattletheenemy.Hehadalreadyextendedtheboundary

ofhispowercreatingamassiveshieldinfrontofher.

“Wewant the human,Abigail of Flagstaff.She must come withus. If shedoes not, Mastyr Gerrod

willdie,withinthehour.”

“Youlie,”Derekshouted.
“They’renotlying,”Abigailsaid,drawingclosetohim.“IjustpathedwithGerrod.He’scloseto

death,anhour,nomore,unlessIcangettohimandsavehim.”

“Youknowwhatthey’llwant.”
Sheglancedupatthewraiths.ForustocompleteasymbioticInvictusjoining.
Exactly.Theymightevenbeabletoforceit.
Ifitcametothat,shepathed,meetinghisgazefully,GerrodandIwoulddiefirst.Fornow,I’mhis

onlychanceatsurvival.Pleasetrustinthat.

Hestaredhardather,holdinghispowersteady,protectingallthecastleinmates,evenherself.She

couldstayhereandsurvive.Thewraithsandvampirecompanionswouldnotdaretochallengehim.He
couldtakethemallrightnowandtheyknewit.

Butaboveall,Derekwassworntoprotecthismastyr.TheInvictuspairsknewthataswell.
“Iwanttoknowonething,”hesaid,addressingthenearestvampire.“HowdidyouknowMistress

Abigailwouldbeheretonight.”

Thewraithclosestsmiled.Herfangswereveryyellow,herlipsalmostblack.“Oneofourpairsis

fae and has foreknowledge of events. This she saw.” The wraith flew and waved a hand at Abigail.
“Watchwhatshedoes.Shewillmovepastyourpower.”

“That’snotpossible.”
Oh,butitwas.Abigailwashalf-bondedwithGerrodandfeltaknowingdeepinsidethatshecould

doexactlythat.

ShepushedpastDerek’svastfieldofpower.
Derekkepthispowersteadybuthecriedoutapowerful,‘no’,thatechoedthroughtheforest.
Abigail knew what she had to do. She squared her shoulders. “All right, which one of you

bloodsuckersisgivingmealifttothewastelands.”

ThetallestandmostbrutishInvictusvampiremovedforward,droppingtostandontheground.His

smilerevealedanotherpairofyellowedfangs.DidInvictusvampiresalwayshaveyellowishfangslike
theirwraith-mates?

“Iamhereforyou,”hesaid.“Anditwillbearideyou’llneverforget.”Shereallydidn’tlikethe

soundofthat.

WhenDerektriedtostopher,sheturnedtohimandpathed,Thisisouronlyhope.Protectthecastle

andI’lldoeverythingIcantobringGerrodback.

Derekseemedtosettleintohimselfashenodded.“Verywell.”
SheslowlyputherarmaroundtheInvictusvampire’sneckandplantedherfootonhisleftinstep.He

levitated.Shewouldhaveburiedherhead,butheforceditbackinsteadandthenextmoment,hisfangs
wereburiedinherneckandshewasmoving.

Itwasaverystrangeexperiencetofeelthebloodleavingherbody,andnotinahappyway,asshe

sped through the forest. She had to close her eyes since the sight of the ponderosa canopy whipping by
madehernauseous.Ormaybeitwasthesmellofthiscreaturewhohadholdofher.Ormaybeitwasthat
hesuckedherblooddownwithaspeedthatmatchedhisflyingskills.

Beforeshereachedthewastelands,shenolongerheldontothevampire.Shenolongercould.Sheno

longerknewanything.

*********

Gerrodsatagainstthebrickwall.Hecouldbarelyholdhisheadupright.Hisbloodstarvationhad

reachedacriticalpoint,thatplaceinvampiresthatputhimonthebrinkofdeath,wobblingbackandforth.

His vision pared down to the still figure on the floor, her red hair fanned over the uneven gray

flagstones.Herbackwastohim,onearmcaughtbeneath,herhandpalmup,fingersmotionless.

Shebreathedinlightbreaths,highinthechest.

Shewasdying,almostdrainedofblood.
Thevampirethathaddumpedherontheconcretefloorwasinastateofecstasy.“Somuchblood,”

hehadsaid,laughingasheclosedthecelldoor,lockeditandheadedbackupthehall.

Soheretheywere,bothdying.
An Invictus wraith had come in earlier to tell him the good news that Abigail had been captured.

He’dbeentooweaktodomorethanstareatthewraith,horrified.Worsefollowedwhenthetermsoflife
forGerrodandAbigailwereestablished:Theyweretoagreetoformasymbioticpairorbeterminated.

“How would we become such a pair?” Gerrod had asked. “I’ve always understood that a wraith

mustbepartofthepair.”

Thewraiththenexplainedthatforthepasthundredyears,averygreatandwisemastyrvampire,the

GreatMastyrasshecalledhim,hadbeendoingexperimentswiththeuniquebondingpropertiesofwraith
blood.Hehadalsosteadilycreatedadeeporganizationofwraiths,hand-pickedfortheirabilitytoreason
andtofolloworders.Hencetherecentattacksandtheincreasednumberofwraithpairs.

From those experiments, the Great Mastyr had interesting success when he used a human and a

vampire.Oncetheirbloodwasblendedinavesselandafairamountofwraithbloodadded,itwasas
thoughthecouplehadbecomepower-bondedlikeawraithandachosenmate.WhentheGreatMastyrhad
beeninformedthattheMastyrofMerhainehimselfwasdatingahuman,therestfollowed.

AbigailandGerrodwouldbethefirstofmanyverypublicexperiments.
Gerrodhadansweredsimply,“Iwouldratherdiefirst.”
“Wehopethatisn’tyourchoice.”
Herememberedthinkingtherewassomethingoddaboutthis.“Whywouldn’tyoujustforceustodo

it?”

The wraith rolled her eyes. “For some odd reason unless the couple consents, if the act is done

againstthewillofeither,deathfollows.TheGreatMastyrisstillworkingtoresolvethisissue.”

Hehadonemorequestion,sincehehadneverspokenwithanInvictuswraithbefore.“Whydoyou

kill?WhatisitintheInvictusbondingthatcreatessuchsadism?”

The wraith merely smiled. “Killing in this way provides a tremendous rush of exhilaration and

increased power. The symbiotic relationship, in which wraith and servant feed one another in a
continuousloophelpssustainthatpowerlevel.Thewholeisveryaddictingandpleasurable.”

So here Gerrod was, barely able to keep himself in a sitting position against the wall, with his

beloved at his feet, and the only alternative for life that presented itself was becoming a wraith-based
couple.

Butperhapswhathurtthemostwasthesimple,wonderfulfactthatAbigailhadcomeforhim,even

knowingallthathadhappened,thattheInvictushadbeenmakingabattlefieldoutofMerhaine,shehad
comeforhim.

Heblinked,butitalmosthurttomakethatmucheffort.Hiseyeswerewet.Sowerehischeeks.
The room was an oversized prison cell with a concrete floor and a glaring fluorescent light that

buzzedoverhead.Heturnedhisheadslowlytolookoutthesmallwindow,barredwithasteelgrate.Why
the hell couldn’t he have been more like the fictional vampires and been capable of dematerializing?
Therewereafewwhocould,buthisDNAwasjustthatmuchclosertohumanthanthevanishing-giftedof
hisworld.

Hehadspeedthough,butmuchgoodthatwoulddohimhere,lockedinacell,near-death.
HeshiftedtostareatAbigail.Hemissedher,heneededher,helovedher.Herecalledthemomentat

theweddingreceptionwhenAbigailhadpokedtwofingersintohimandsaid,‘Youneedtolightenup.’

Herlightgreeneyeshadsparkled,shiningwithamusement.
Butthiswaswhyhehadwantedhertoleave,thiscellandherinertbody,drainedofpreciousblood,

hisgreatestfearmademanifest,thatawoman,anywoman,woulddiebecauseofhim,becausesheknew

himorgottooclose.

*********

Abigailthoughtshewasbreathingbutshecouldn’tbesure.Diditcountasbreathingifyousortof

puffedyourairinandoutofyourchest?Herribshurt.Todrawadeepbreathhurttoomuchandyetthat
wasn’ttherealproblem.Thetruthwas,shedidn’thavethestrengthtodrawadeepbreathandherblood
feltheavyagain,herheartsluggish.Gerrodmustbecloseandinneed.

Gerrod,shecalledout,pathingalonghisparticularfrequency.
I’mhere.
Whereishere?
InanInvictusprison.
Huh.Aprison?They’rethatorganized?
It’sanewterriblenightforMerhaine.
I’msosorry.Shehadanotherquestion,butitjustwasn’tcomingtothefrontofhermind.Whatwasit

that she needed to know? In fact, she’d been feeling quite desperate to have this particular question
answered.

Finallyshefoundit.Areyoudead?
Okaythatcameoutwrong,butitwasclosetothequestionshewantedtoask.
Didshehearhimchuckle?
No,I’mnotdead.Close,though.
Oh.Shefelttooweaktobesad.Anotherquestionworkedinhermind.Isthereanywayoutofthis

mess?

Notsure.Ican’tmove.
Areyoubehindme?
Yes.
Sherolled…sortof.Morelikescrapingandpushingwithahandthenherknee,maybeafoot.Itwas

sohardtomoveandherribshurtlikehell.Finally,sheturnedoverontoherrightside,buthadtopant
throughafewmoreshortbreaths.Eventhen,shecouldn’tseeGerrod.Shecouldn’tseeanything.There
wassomekindofveiloverhereyes.

With great difficulty, she lifted her hand and pushed the veil away, which turned out to be a wall

madeupofherhair.

Gerrodcameintofocus,sittingnotfivefeetfromher,andshesmiled.
Hewassohandsomeeventhoughhelookedlikeabowlofcupcakeflourrightnow,perfectlywhite.

Shechuckled,orthoughtshedid,becauseheactuallylookedlikeavampire.Gonewasallthatdeeprich
skintone.

Okay,nowshefeltsad.
Gerrod.Idon’twantthistobetheend.Wewerejustfiguringthingsout.
Hepathed,butadifferentlanguagerippledthroughhermind.English,shemurmuredalongthatsame

amazingtelepathiclaneshe’dlearnedtocruisesorecently.

ChapterSeven

Gerrodclosedhiseyes.Lookingatherfeltlikesharpglasscuttingintohisheart.Shewasright.They

hadjuststartedfiguringthingsout,likewhatahumanwasdoinginhisworld,settingupabakeryinhis
lands,havingthepowertoreachhispersonalfrequency,whysexbetweenthemwasearth-shattering.

Butmaybethebiggestquestionwaswhyhadheheldbackfromher,resistedhersohard?Becausein

thismomentnothingseemedmoreimportantthanAbigail,thiswomanwhohadtoldhimto‘lightenup’,
madehimlaugh,thentookhimtobedaftertheattackattheweddingwhenhisheartwasladenwithallthe
unsolvableproblemsofhisrealm.

Whatasurpriseshehadbeenfromthebeginning.Hehadtriedtogetridofher,forseveralreasons.

Althoughthishadbeenthemainone,thatshehadn’tbeensafeinhisworld.

Wasthisreallytobetheend?Whatwouldbecomeofhispeople?WasitpossibletheInvictuswere

poisedtodominatealltheNineNorthAmericanRealms?

Heopenedhiseyesoncemore.Abigailrestedherheadonherarm,breathsstillshallow,eyesshut.
Whatcametohimseemedtoarriveonagoldenstreamoflight,floodinghismindandhelpinghimto

understandthetruestateofhisheart:Evenifheshouldsurvivethismoment,ifAbigailperished,whatjoy
would he ever know again? She had become this great, brilliant sun in his life, shining on everything,
brighteningthedullestshadow,givingeasetohisheart,andgreatpleasuretohisbody.Evenherblood
hadaspecialqualitythat…

Thethoughtsplinteredandanewonewasborn.
Herblood.
Abigail’sblood.Her‘bloodrose’blood.Hehadforgottentheuniquepropertiesofherblood,thatit

wasimpervioustowraithblood.

Aplanbegantoforminhismind,agreatdeception.
Abigail,hesent.
Hunh?Barelythere.
Wouldyoudomethehonorofbecomingmybloodrose?
Along,longpause.
Finally,Areyousurethat’swhatyouwant?
Yes.IthinkthereisamysteryhereandIintendtoembraceit.
Hereyesflutteredopen.Hetiltedhisheadtoseeherexpressionbetter.Wasthereasmileonherpale

lips?

WouldyoubeabletoliveifIagreedtobecomeyourbloodrose?
Ithinkso.
ThenofcourseI’llagree.Butjustsoyaknow,Iwascomingback,Gerrod.Ihadalreadymadethe

decisiontocomebacktoMerhaine.

Justlikethat,itwassettledbetweenthem,inadankInvictusprison.DearGoddess,justlikethat.
He shook his head. He understood then the greatest part of who she was and why he loved her as

muchashedid:Shewouldalwayssacrificeherselfforthosesheloved.

“Wraith,”hecalledout,buthisvoicewashardlymorethanawhisper.Hetookseveraldeepbreaths.

“Wraith.”Strongerthistime.

Thewraithappeared,herredflowinggownmovingaboutasthoughhavingalifeofitsown.Wraiths

werealwaysinflightandalmostalwaysbarefoot.“Didyouhavesomethingyouwishedtosay,Mastyrof
Merhaine?”

“IwishtocompletetheInvictuscouplingyousuggestedtomeearlier,withthehuman.Iwillnothave

herdiebecauseIambeingstubborn.”

Gerrod?
Trustme.
The wraith’s eyes, all that silver, opened wide. “My mastyr will be pleased. Of course it is very

experimental,butwehavehadprofoundresults.Oneday,wewillprevail.”Andthereitwas,thetruthof
allthisorganization.AmastyrvampirehadtakentheInvictusinhandandnowworkedtobuildaforce
againstalltherealms.

“Don’tdelay,”Gerrodsaid.“Shewillnotlivemuchlonger.”
HergazeloweredtoAbigail.“Thehumanisveryweakbutthecouplingwillhealher.”
Shespedaway,herrobesflappingbehindlikegreatredwings.
Gerrod,arewetobecomeInvictus?
Trust...me.Hisvisiongrewdarkandashesliddownthewall,hehopedtohellthewraithtookhim

athisword.

********

Abigail felt arms pick her up. She glanced to her left. The vampire who had taken her blood,

probablyjoinedtothewraithnowhoveringnearby,heldhersteady.Shewhimperedbecauseofherribs.

“Youwillgrowstronger,neverfear,”thewraithsaid,floatinginfrontofAbigail.“Thenyou’llsee

thetruemajestyofwhatweintendtoaccomplishintherealmworld.”

Atrollslaveshuffledtowardher.Sheboreasilverchain,threadedthroughironringsthatdangled

fromeachear.Thechainwascaughtbelowherchinandclampedtogetherandtravelledinsideherbeige
muslinshirt.Abigaildidn’twanttoknowwhereitended.Theslavewaitedbesidethewraith,herhead
tippedsubmissivelydown,ormaybeitwastheweightofthechaindraggingdownherears.

“Slave,youwilltaketheknifeandopenthehuman’svein.”
ThetrollsteppedclosetoAbigail,tookherarminherhand,thencutherwristopen,adeepwound

thatmadeAbigailcryout.Sheopenedhereyesandsawthatthewraithheldabowlbeneathherarm.She
watchedwhatlittlebloodshehadleftstreamintothepurewhitevessel.

“Good.Thatwilldo.”Theraspyvoiceofthewraithfloweddownfromaboveher.
ThetrollboundherarmwithgauzeasAbigaillookedaround.Gerrodlayontheflooronhisside.He

lookedhorriblystill.

Shegasped.Gerrod?shepathed.
Butnothingreturned,justablankemptiness.Sheturnedandlookedupatthewraith.“Ishedead?”
“No.Close.Butthisshouldwork.”
“Hewon’tbeabletodrink.”
Thewraithsmiled,heryellowfangssostrangeagainstherdarklips.“Hewon’tneedtodrink,”the

wraithsaid.“Wehavemanymethodsforcompletingthesymbioticbond.”

AchilltraveledoverAbigail’sneck.Whatdidshemean?
ThetrollmovedtoGerrodandbunchedhissleeveabovehiselbow.Shethencuthimdeep,notatthe

wristbuthighonhisforearm.Bloodpumpedslowlyintothebowl,asinway-too-slow,rhythmicspurts,
whichwastheonlysignAbigailhadthathisheartstillbeat.Afternomorethanfifteenseconds,thetroll
slappedabandageonthewound.Shereturnedthebowltothewraith.

Thewraithsnappedherfingersatthetrollthenlaughedassheextendedherarmdowntotheslave.

Shelevitatedlowersothatthetrollcouldreachherwrist.“Makethecut,butnottoosevere,orthenext
cutwillbeonyou.”

Thetrolltrembledasshewhippedtheknifeoverthewraith’sveinsatthewrist.Thewraithdidn’t

evenflinch.Sheletagoodportiondripintothebowl.

Whenshewasdone,thetrollbandagedherwrist.

Thewraiththenusedwhatlookedlikeasinglechopsticktoswirlthebloodtogether.Shebreathed

indeeply,herthinnostrilsflaring.Herverywhitecheekscoloredupandherfangsseemedtopressdown
onherlowerlip.

“Thebouquet.Likebreaddippedinwine.Exquisite.”
Abigailstillpantedeachbreath,waiting.
Thewraith’sfangsretreated.Shecalledoutoverhershoulder.“Bringmethesyringe.Wemustdo

thisnow.Henolongerbreathes.”

Abigail drew in a sharp painful breath. She glanced at Gerrod’s chest and sides. The wraith was

right.“Hurry.”

Theslavehelpedthewraithfillthesyringewithhalfthecombinedblood.Withherfoot,shepushed

Gerrodontohisback.

“Exposehischest.”
Thetrolldroppedtoherkneesandusedtheknifetocutthroughtheshoulderstrap.Shemadequick

cutsatbothfrontpanelsoftheleathercoatattheshouldersthensliceduphiswovenshirt.Withinseconds,
hewasstrippedtothewaist,hisheavilymuscledpecsandstrongabshorriblywhiteundertheglareofthe
fluorescentlights.

Therewasnothingprettyaboutthismoment,justhorrorandpain.
“Stepaway,”thewraithcommanded.
Theslaveroseandmovedbackwardinquickshortsteps.
Thewraithdroppedtoherknees,herhairstillwaftingbackandforth.SheputonehandonGerrod’s

chestandfeltthespacingbetweentheribs.

BeforeAbigailcouldtakethenextbreath,sheslammedthesyringedownintoGerrod’sbody.This

alonecausedhimtojerk,whichgaveAbigailsomehopethathewasn’ttoofargone.Shedepressedthe
plungerandthecombinedbloodflowedintohisheart.

Hebegantotwitch.
She couldn’t take her eyes off him, not even when the wraith moved close and put the bowl to

Abigail’slips.ShewatchedGerrodasshedranktherestoftheircombinedblood.

Onesecond.
Two.
Three.
Gerrod’sskincolorreturnedbutsoonrananalmostfieryred.
But that was the last she saw, because Abigail threw her head back and screamed. The pain was

almost unbearable. Between her ribs and what the combined blood was doing to her, now she really
couldn’tbreathe.Shejuststaredupattheuglyboxlightfixture,pantingoncemoreinlightbreaths.She
feltasthoughherbloodwasdoingbattlewiththewraith’sblood.Maybeitwas.

The pain pulsed through her, driving into her head, setting every joint aching like she was being

pummeled.Herskinfeltblisteredwithheat.

Buteventhroughallthispain,foramoment,hermindseized,andherlifebegantorollbeforeher,of

the tragic deaths of her parents, the frequent and at times constant illness her sister endured, Abigail
workingnightsandweekendswhileshefinishedhersenioryearinhighschool,latermajoringinrealm
studies at Northern Arizona University but never completing her degree, of opening a bakery, of her
sister’shealthimproving,thenMegan’sweddingandthebirthofherchildren.

But it was first seeing Gerrod that her mind grabbed, the sheer breadth of his shoulders, the fine

angleofhisbacktoanarrowwaist,thefiercepowerofhisthighs,thefrequentlookonhisfacewhenhe
would turn and stare at her, his expression so angry, as though she’d intruded on his life in order to
torment him. Yet, how well she knew him now, that all that anger was a mask of deep concern for his
people,theweightheboreinhissoul,evenhisattractiontoher,allthatpulledhisbrowlowandgave

himaconstantscowlingappearance.

Asthevisionsstopped,sherealizedherpainwasgoneandinitsplacewasathumpingheartbeat,

strongerthanshe’deverknown.Sheglancedatthewraithandsomethingnaggedather,somethingthatshe
hadheardtwoweeksagoaboutwraithblood.

Enlightenment dawned as she remembered what Vojalie had said about a blood rose being

impervious to wraith blood. She stared at Gerrod. He must have remembered this as well, which was
whyheknewneithercouldbecometheheinoussymbioticpairthatenjoyedkilling.

Shefocusedwithinherbodyandfeltit,herbloodovercomingthewraithinfection.
Shesatup.
Shestaredatthewraithwhosesilvereyesglowedwithamadlight.“YouarenowInvictus.”
LikehellIam,shethought.ButallshedidwasdipherchinthenturntostareatGerrod.
Hervisionseemedchanged,asthoughhehadanauraaroundhim.Thatauradrewher.
Sherosetoherfeetinafluidmotion,herbodycompletelyhealed.Shefeltbetterthanshehadever

feltinherlife,exceptfortheweightoftheexcessbloodshehadmadeforGerrod.Yep,shewasreadyfor
hervampireagain.

But now it all made sense, what at least one of her purposes in Gerrod’s life would be, now and

forever.Shecrossedtohimanddroppedtostretchdownbesidehim.Shelaidahandonhischest.

Hewasbreathingmuchbetternow,buttherednessofhisskinhadfadedandhewasnowonceagain

verypale.Sheknewthecause:chronicbloodstarvation.Eventhepowerlatentintheircombinedbloods
couldnotsuddenlyrestorethisamountofdeprivation.Althoughasabloodrose,she’dhadtheopposite
experience.

Shetouchedhisface.Drinkfromme,shesaid,mind-to-mind.
Heblinkedslowly,asthoughhewasn’tfullyabletocomprehendhissurroundings.
Takefrommeallthatyouneedandgrowpowerfuloncemore.
Heblinkedagainandhisvisioncleared.Hedraggedinabreathandhisnostrilsflared.
Hefellonher,attackingherneck,sinkinghisfangs.Hestartedtodrink.
Inthedistance,sheheardthewraith’sapproval.
Sheslidherhandsupintohislong,thickhairandsavoredthefeelofhimtakingherbloodthathe

mightlive.Herbodygrewalivebeneathhis,strainingagainsthimasherhandsslidoverhisbaremuscled
back.

Asherheartevenedout,shesighed.SheunderstoodnowthatthemoreshehadbeenaroundGerrod,

themorebloodshehadproduced,asthoughherbodyhadunderstoodonahormonallevel,evenfromthe
beginning,whatshewaslongbeforeVojaliehadspokenthewords:bloodrose.

*********

Gerrodfeltbornanew.Abigail’sbloodhadreturnedhislifetohim.Atthesametime,hecouldfeela

waningbattleinhisbloodstream:thetaintofwraithbloodagainsttheantidoteofabloodrose.Afew
seconds more, and a stream of peace flowed through him. His blood was now pure. Abigail had
prevailed.

His body pounded with life and he was fully aroused against her, but his mind was alive with the

othertruth,thathehadarusetocontinueuntilhecouldgethiswomantosafety.

Heshiftedhismindtofocusonanythingbutthewarmsoftbodybeneathallhishardnessofmuscle

anddesire.

He thought of Abigail’s bakery and the unimportant cupcakes that had brought the most important

thingintohislife.

He had Gus to thank for Abigail’s presence in his life, Gus of the pink and purple embroidered

socks,whoneverfearedtocallhimonthecarpetforhisbadbehavior,Gus,who’ssweettoothhadtaken
himintoFlagstaffonefatefulday,andtoabakerycalledJusttooSweet!,whichledtoasecondbakery,
JustTwoSweet!

Whichledhimhere.
Andsafetorisefromher.
He stood up and extended his hand down. Her eyes glowed, just as they would were they both

Invictusnow.HowstrangetothinkthesamecouplingthatcreatedtheperversionknownasInvictus,also
createdthebondbetweenabloodroseandamastyrvampire.

Shetookhishandandheliftedhereasilytoherfeet.
Theshowmustcontinue,sohepulledherintohisarmsandkissedherhard,forcefully,pushingher

headbackuntilsheslumpedagainsthim.

“Sothebondiscomplete,”thewraithsaid.
Gerrodlookedatthewraithwhowasnowcastinaluminousglow.IttookamomentforGerrodto

realizethathewasseeingthewraiththroughneweyes,thebondedpowerfuleyesofavampireandhis
rose.

“Tellmewhoisyourleader?TowhomdoIowetheprivilegeofservicenow?”
Thewraithactuallysmiled.“NeithertheGreatMastyrnorhismistressarehereandfornow,youdo

notneedtoknowmore.Butmymastyrdidwishmetowelcomeyoubothtothefold.”

Therewasawoman.
Thenettingthattrappedhimwassoakedinamagicoilthatblockedhispowers.
TheGreatMastyrwasbondedwithapowerfulfae.
Understandingflowed,whytherehadbeensomanymoreattacksandhowhehadbeentrappedina

net. The Invictus now had a powerful leader and perhaps even an equally powerful faery driving this
renewedattackoftheInvictus.

Hewouldponderallthislater,sharehisinformationwiththeothermastyrvampires,andofcourse

withVojaliewhowastheacknowledgedleaderofthepowerfulfaeofNorthAmerica.

Fornow,hehadacompoundtoescapewithAbigailbyhisside.
Gerrod glanced down and saw that his clothes were ruined. There was nothing to be done, but

continuetherusewearingonlyhisleathersandhisboots.

HesquaredhisshouldersasheheldAbigail’shandandwalkedfromthecell.Hefeltwithinhimself

apowerhehadneverbeforeexperienced,thatwhichthebondtoAbigailhadgivenhim.Hefelthiswar
frequencyandknewthepowerlaytherein.

Hedidn’topenitbecausehefeltcertainthatdoingsowouldtakethebuildingdown.Innocentslaves

livedhere,notjustwraiths.Abigail,prepareyourself.

Ihavepathedyourwarfrequency.Iknowwhatiscoming.
Heglancedatherandsmiled.WhyamInotsurprised?
Yes,hereyeswerestillglowing.Theywereone,astheInvictuswereone.Hecouldunderstandnow

howthepairswereabletofunctioninperfectunison.

I am keeping my thoughts quiet, she pathed. Just move forward and I’ll read or sense what you

intendtodonext.I’mwithyou.

Shewaswithhim.
Extraordinary.
Hewasnotalone.
Neveragainsolongasshelived.
Sowhatcametohimwastheabsolutenecessitythatshelive,thatwhateverdecisionshemadefrom

thispointforward,Abigailmustsurvive.

Hesqueezedherhand.

Hewalkedwithherupthelonghallandintothedarkofnight.HepathedtoDerek,Howcloseare

you?AbigailandIareleavingthecompounddoors.Canyouseeus?

Yes.Wraithsarecirclingoverhead.Severalvampiresandotherrealm-folkbondedtothewraiths

haveemergedandarenowlevitatingaswell.

ThoseintheairareallInvictus,butIseemanyslavesabout.
Whatdoyouwantustodo?
Retreatadistanceoftwohundredyards.Whatmusthappennext,I’llaccomplishalone.
One of the wraiths shrieked. “Look. The enemy is departing, fleeing.” A long stream of laughter

followed.

He felt for his personal telepathy. Even though he knew Abigail tracked his thoughts, he pathed,

Ready?

Yes.
He closed his eyes and as he extended his left arm, summoning his war power, she slung an arm

aroundhisneckandplantedherfootonthetopofhisheavyboot.

Helookedupintotheskyandsawthatadozenwraithscircledinanexcitedstate.
Slaveshuddlednearthewallsofthebuilding.
Hispowerbegantobuild.
Heheardviolentshriekingallabovehim,wherewraithsandthewraith-bondedrealm-folkcircled.

Theenemyfinallyunderstood,butitwastoolate.

Hereleasedhispoweranditwaslikearedwalloffirethatrolledupwardinthedirectionofthe

levitatingInvictus.Withinasplitsecond,themonsterswereonfireandracedineverydirectionthrough
theairtryingtostoptheburning,buttheflamesonlygrewbrighterandhigher.

Hesmelledcharredfleshandheardthesoundsofdeathgroans.Hesethisbodyinflight,justafoot

off the ground and sped his way north faster than ever before. Within seconds he reached Derek, who
hoveredabovethetrees.

“You will escort us back to the castle at which time we will make plans. Follow me. I’m taking

Abigailhome.”

Derekgaveabrisknodandcalledouttheorders.
GerrodadjustedhisarmaroundAbigail,savoringherwarmsoftbodypressedagainsthis.Heheld

hertight.

Heturnedandoncemoresethistremendousspeedonapathtothecastle.
As Derek, Jason and the rest of the Guard, as well as their attending forces, gathered in levitated

flightbehindhim,flyinginasolid

V

formation,Gerrodsmiled.

MastyrVampireGerrod,MastyrofMerhaine,smiled.
Hefeltfingersonhislips.
You’resmiling,Abigailpathed.
Yes.Iam.

*********

Abigailwaschanged.
ShestoodinGerrod’slibrary,atthetopofthetable,herfingertipstouchingthedarkpolishedoak.

HergazewasfixedtohimashespokewithDerekandJason.Hewassendingthemonthemuchneeded
rescuemission.

Shecouldfeelherfrequenciesdevelopingwithinhersofastthatitamazedher.Vojaliehadsaidshe

wouldbecomevampire,andsothatchangewasunderwayaswell,whileGerrodspoketohismenand
orchestratedthenextstepinthebattleagainsttheenemy.

“The acreage near the compound has become verdant farmland. I saw many workers. Slaves, no

doubt.”

“Ourrealm-folk?”
“Undoubtedly. I know that as I released the war frequency, at least a dozen Invictus couples were

destroyed.Theremight,however,bemoreinthecompound.I’mnotsure.TaketheGuardsmenandfinish
whatIbegan.”

Jasonsmiled.“Withpleasure.”
The men left the library, walked quickly through the great entrance hall, and began calling their

troopstogether.

ShefollowedGerrodtothefrontlawnandwatchedthescoreofpowerfulmenlaunch,flyingfastin

thatstrangefoot-above-the-groundlevitationthatmanyrealm-folkcouldmasterintime.

He took hold of her hand and for a long time she stood with him in the open night air, taking a

moment,abreath,tojustbe.

ShehadcomehometoMerhaine,nolongerjusthuman,butmore.Vampire.
“Areyouokay?”Heasked.
Shenodded,squeezinghishand.“Changing,”shesaid.
Heturnedhertowardher.“Howareyourgums?”
“Sore.HowdoIreleasethefangs?”
Hesmiledsoftlyandkissedherlips.“Itwilljustfeelrightthenyou’llreleasethem.”
Shesighed.“Thisisallsostrange.Mybodyfeelslikeacauldronofweightedsensations,ofchange,

offrequenciesforming.”

Didhejustgrowl?
“Whatwasthat?”sheaskedlaughing.
“You’llhaveyourownfrequencynow,yourownpersonalwavesofenergy.”
“Oh,”shemurmured,herbrowsrisinghighonherforehead.Thishadpossibilities.“Youmean,like

thefrequencyyouhave?Theonethatpoundsonme?”

Henodded.
She lowered her gaze from his then focused internally, on the various frequencies crowding her

body.Shesearchedthroughthem,asthoughpickingeachupbythehandthenreleasingthem.

Finding the frequency that called her mate, was like touching something electric. She looked up at

him,andasthoughunderstandingallatonce,sheopenedthewavesofenergyandletthemflow.

Gerrodtookastepbackandputafisttohischest.“BytheGoddess’spinknipples…”
Herecoveredswiftlyandwithhischinlowered,hetookherinhisarmsandkissedher.Becauseher

frequencywasopen,andhesuddenlypoundedherwithhisfrequency,sheshriekedandbackedup.Her
eyesrolledinherheadasallthissensationflowedoverherbodyinlighteningwaves.Shewasinstantly
closetoanorgasm.

Hecaughtherandkeptherfromfalling,andgatheredherinhisarmsoncemore.
Thatwaswhenherfangsslippedthroughhergumsandweresuddenlyjustthere.
Shestaredathisneck.Shewantedtobitehim.
But because her connection to him was so profound, she also felt that Jason was contacting him

telepathically. He stared down at her his eyes wide, dilated, his body trembling. “I need to take you to
bed.”

“Orthrowmeacrossthistable.”
Hiseyesfluttered.
Jason’spathranglouderthistime.
“Holdthatthought,”hesaid.
He opened the pathway and she heard Jason’s voice as clearly in her mind as it was no doubt

speedingthroughhis.TheInvictusaretoast,tothelastsymbioticpair.We’reburningwhat’sleftofthem
now.Derekhasourrealm-folkinhand.Allalive.MuchweepingandgivingofthankstotheGoddess.
Atleastahundredhadbeenenslavedtoservethis,Idon’tknowwhat,tribemaybe?

Gerrod’svoicerangthroughhermindashepathed,Seethateveryoneisreturnedhometonight.
Mythoughtsaswell.Whenwe’redone,doyouwantusbackatthecastle?
OnlythoseGuardsmenonscheduleddutyneedreturnhere.Buttomorrownight,pleasehavethe

entireGuardcometothetrainingcompound.We’lltalkthen.Leteveryonerest.

Derekandhisteamwillbepatrollingthewastelandsuntildawn.
Thankyou,Jason
Seeyoutomorrow,mastyr.

*********

Gerrodshuthistelepathicpathwaydown,hopefullyfortherestofthenight.
Hehadothercriticalbusinesstoattendtoandheldallthatbusinessinhisarms,hisgazefixedonthe

sharppointsofAbigail’sfangs.Thehumanwasnowvampire,hiswoman,hisbloodrose,hissavior.

Heleaneddownandranhistongueoverherlips,overtheupperportionsofherfangs,felthermouth

openforhim,andhethrustdeep,avoidingtherazorpoints.Hepulledhertightagainsthim,wantingherto
feelallthathewasasaman,allthathewantedhertohave,allthatheneededtogiveher.

Andhewantedtotraveldownherfrequency,tasteofherwavesoverandover.“Ineedyouinmy

bed.”

Shesmiled.
Heslidhisarmbehindherkneesandpickedherup,carryingherbackintothecastle.
Guswaitedatthethreshold,dancingfromfoottofoot.“Mastyr?”heinquired.“Whatisthenews?”
Gerrodsmiled.“JasonandtheGuardhaverescuedallthemissingrealm-folk.TheInvictus,atour

wastelands,aredead.”

“ThankthemercifulGoddess.”HisgazeshiftedtoAbigail.“AndwilltheMistressbestayingwith

us?”

GerrodturnedtoAbigailthenleaneddownandkissedher.“Ihaveitonexcellentauthorityshenever

plansonleavingMerhaineagain,excepttovisitherfamily,ofcourse.”

Abigailsmiled.
“Oh, blessed night, most blessed night.” Augustus continued in this theme, but Gerrod moved past

him and carried his prize deep into the castle, down the long hall to his private suite. He slammed the
doorshutwithhisfoot,turned,andlockedthedamnthing.Ethanwouldhavebeenproudofhim.

He wasn’t exactly sure when he would emerge, or when he would next let the castle staff see

Abigail,buttherestofthenightwashis.

Hecarriedherthroughthebedroomandintothebathroom.Hedidn’tsetherdownuntilhehadher

near the shower. He turned the water on, glancing at her over his shoulder. She was staring up at the
ceilingtouchinghernewfangs,thenwincingwhenshepuncturedherthumb.“Wow,they’resharp.”

Agrowllefthisthroatunbidden.
Sheblinkedathimandsmiled.
“Youlooksoprettywiththosefangs.”
Sheturnedandmovedtothesinktolookatherselfinthemirror.“HowdoIgetridofthem?”
“Don’t.Notyet.You’llneedthemandIwantthem.”
Sherolledhereyesathim.“Ijustwanttopractice.”
Heunbuckledhisbootsandremovedthem.
“SowhatdoIdo?”sheasked,stillproddinghergums.

“Itissometimeshelpfultomerelyfocuscarefullyonwhatitisyouwanttodo.”Sheturnedtoward

himreadytoaskanotherquestion,butatthatmomentheslidhisleathersdownhisthighssothatnowhe
wasfullyexposedandaroused.

Sheblinkedseveraltimes,hergazelow.Hertonguemadeanappearance.“Youaresowicked.ButI

wanttogetthehangofthis.”

Hefinishedremovinghispantsandsmiled.“Thenbyallmeans,youshouldpractice.”
Hehoppedintheshowerandsoapedup.Hescrubbedhard,wantingtogetcleanofhiscaptivity.He

had just finished washing his hair, when he felt her near. Then her hands were on him and she was
strokinghispecs,runningherfingersthebreadthofhischest.

For just this moment, a vibration passed through him that had nothing to do with either of their

frequencies.Hefeltasthoughtheuniversehadjustshiftedposition,makinganadjustmentlongneeded,
andsuddenlytheworldwasright,entirelyright,whollyright.

Whensheputherarmsaroundhimandlaidherheadagainsthischest,andhisarmsfoundandheld

her,heknewtheadjustmenthadbeenmade,finalized,perfected.Hewashome.

But there was one last piece of this puzzle, that which Vojalie had warned them was necessary to

completethefinalbondingtohisbloodrosesothateveryothermastyrvampirewouldknowshebelonged
justtohim.

Anexchangeoffrequencieswhilemating.
Likehellhecouldtolerateanyothermastyrvampiregettingwithinayardofheruntilshewaswell

andtrulyhis.

“Iwanttowashmyhair,”shesaidkissinghischest,thenlookingupathim.
“Allowme.”
Hetookhistimeandwasheditforher,latheringupallthatgloriouslongredlength.Thiswashow

everythinghadbegunjustacoupleofweeksago,intheshower,hairshampooed,rinseapplied.Butthis
time,hewascaringforherhair.

He added the crème rinse and took a moment to turn her toward him, to fondle her breasts, her

stomach,thesoftfleshbetweenherlegs,untilheburiedtwofingersinsideher.Hekissedherdeeply,her
fangsnowrecededtosafety,sothathecouldplungehistongueintoher.

Iloveyou,hepathed.
Anoddsoundlike,mnmhmnnn,cameoutofher.
Hedrewbackandsmiled.
“Ah,thathalf-smileofyours.”Shekissedbothsidesofhismouththenlookeduptomeethisgaze.“I

loveyou,too,morethanIcansay.”

“Let’srinseyourhairsoIcantakeyoutobed.”
Afewminuteslater,hecarriedherintohisbedroom.

*********

AbigaillayinthemiddleofGerrod’sbed,herbednow,staringupintotheeyesofthevampireshe

had come to love. She still couldn’t believe that this had happened to her, not just that she was now
vampire,butthatlovehadfoundher.

Heleaneddownandkissedher,hislipssoft,moist,sensual.Hisfrequencywasopenandpummeling

herallover,verylowrightnow.Theywerejustgettingstarted.Hehadhiscaronidleandeveninthis
stateitwaspureheaven.

Shesmoothedherhandoverhischeek,justsavoringhim,thelookofhim,feelandsmellofhim.It

waslikebeingsurroundedbymountainsandoceansandeverythingbigontheearth.

He was propped up on his arms, holding himself above her, his knees between her legs, his rigid

cockstrokingherabdomenverylightly,awonderfulpromise.

“ThisismorethanIeverexpectedtoknowinmyentirelife,”shesaid.
Hisheaddippedandhissmileemergedagain.Hekissedherhard,pushinghistongueintohermouth.

Afteralongmoment,hedrewback.“WordscannotexpressallthatIfeel.Iamoverwhelmedonemoment
tothenext.Iwillaskonlythis:WhatcanIdoforyou?TellmewhatcanIdo.”

“Well,”shedrawled.“Mybloodisabitlumpish.Howaboutyoustartbytakingcareofthat?”
He groaned. His lower hardness shifted and began pushing against what was ready for him. He

kissedheragain.Ican’tbelievethatwhatIneedishere,withme.

It’smypleasure,shereturned.Givingyouwhatyouneedhasbeenoneofthegreatestjoysofmy

life.

Abigail,youpleasemeinendlessways.ThankyouforcomingbacktoMerhaine.Youhavemade

mylifecomplete.

Heshiftedslightly,driftinghislipsoverhercheektoglidedownherneck.Hebeginlickingtheskin

abovehervein.Hewasthrustingsteadilynow,pushingin,pullingback.Herheartbeatfastnow,readying
forhim.

Takeallyouneed,shepathed.
Hestruck.Thejabstunnedherasheopenedthevein,thenpulledout.Butthemomenthebeganto

suck,and draw herblood into hismouth, her body fellinto the mostdelicious lethargy. Pleasure began
buildingandhisvibrationcamestrongernow.Hegroanedandwasbreathinghard.

Sogood.Oh,Abigail,I’vebeenstarvedforsolong.Youareabanquet.
Tears slipped from her eyes. She surrounded him with her arms, caressing the muscles of his

shoulders,armsandback.Hisrhythm,ashestrokedandsucked,filledherwithdeepeningpleasure.She
savored those sensual waves of energy, which he released at every point of his body, his fingers, his
chest,andhiscockdeepwithin.Yes,thevibrationswereaaaaahhhh.

Shemoanedsoftly.Gerrod,Ilovethatyou’retakingmyblood.
Likefireinmybody.
Hefinisheddrinkingbutsustainedhisrhythm.Helookeddownather.“IknowIhavebloodonmy

mouth.”

“Iknow,nowkissme.”
Hecrasheddownonher,kissingherhard.Shecriedoutagainsthismouth,overcomewiththeswell

ofemotionthatkeptridingherchest.Somuchpleasure.

Willyoutakemybloodnow?
Whenhedrewback,sheasked,“How?”
He smiled and his hips grew still. In a smooth turn, as though he was simply moving her through

water,herolledandbroughtherontopofhim,stillconnectedlow.

Herheadwasdizzyfromtheunexpectedmovement,butshesmiled.“Youalwayssurpriseme.”
“Good.”Hishipsflexedandbecausethepositionhadchanged,shefelthiminsideherinanentirely

newway.“Oh,Gerrod.”

Hedidn’tsayanythingbutexposedhisneck.
Ashiverpassedthroughherthatheightenedallthewavesofenergystillplayingoverher.Thepartof

herthatwasnewlyvampirelookedatthecontouroftheexposedskin,theangleofthejaw,theshapeof
theear,theplacementoftheclavicle.Itwasasthoughshecouldmeasureeverymillimeterfromonepoint
tothenext.

Shedidn’ttrytoanalyzehernextmove,butratherwentwithherinstincts.Assheloweredtolicka

longlineuphisthroat,sherealizedsomenewpartofherwasactuallyhungry.Andthereitwas,herfirst
understandingofbloodhunger.

Shelickedhisthroatseveraltimes,pullingbackeachtimetowatchhisneckshiftandtheveinrise.A

swellofdesirepropelledherforward,herfangsemerged,andshesunkthem.ShefeltGerrod’shipsjerk
and his vibration seemed to get stronger. Oh, God, all these sensations. The fangs retreated and blood
flowed.Sheformedasealaroundtheskinandsuckled.

Butasshedid,herhipsbeganaseriouspistoningmotionasthoughdrivenbyherblood-need.The

taste was not what she expected, but rather flavored like his scent, like fresh rain, which seemed so
impossibleandyetwaslikeeverythingsheknewGerrodtobe.

Whenhisbloodreachedherstomach,thefireworksbegan,littlesparksdancingeverywhere,evenin

herveins.Shemoaned.Hishandswereonherhipsnowandhetookoverthethrusting,hismuscledthighs
pumpingherhard,theripplingwavesofenergytakinghertotheedge.

Shewassoclose.
I’mclose.
Justletgo.
Two more sucks and the orgasm gripped her, rolling along all her sensitive flesh and flying up

through her body, up and up until she released his neck, arched away from him, and the final sensation
crested.Shescreamedandwrithed,savoringtheecstasy,thedeepfulfillment,theintensityofhisenergy
movinginpowerfulwaves,overherandthroughher.Andthewholetime,hethrustupintoher,helpingall
thatpleasuretogoonandon.

Atlast,shestilledabovehim,armsstretchedout,eyesclosed.Hetookbothherhandsinhis.“Look

atme.”

Shecouldn’tquitefocusbutsheeasedbacktowardhimandplantedherhandsoneithersideofhim.

Shemethispiercingblueeyesandfellintothem.Heflexedhiships.Hewasstillveryhardwithinher.

“Abigail,releaseyourfrequencyforme.”
“Thiswillcompleteourbond,won’tit?”Sheknewsheheldwithinhersimilarwavesofenergy.She

justwasn’tsureshecouldsurviveanotherblissfulexperience.

Buthissmileappearedandhiseyelidsfelltohalf-mast.“AccordingtoVojalieitwillanditismost

necessary.Iwantallmybrethrenmastyrvampirestobewarnedawayfromyou.AfterwhatIexperienced
withEthanthatnightatthebakery,Iamconvincedonlyabondwillserve.”

“ThenI’dbetterfindmyfrequencyrightnow.”
Shedrewinasmallbreathandbegansearchingdeepwithin.Atthesametime,sherockedherhips,

pushingagainsthisthrusts,grippinghimdownlowinawaythathadhisneckarching.

“SweetGoddess,”hewhispered.
Asherownpleasurebegantobuildalloveragain,ashisbloodstreakedthroughherveins,setting

her on fire once more, she hunted through her emerging frequencies. So many pathways to learn and to
explore, but this one was a gift she could give to Gerrod. The continuous stroking of his own energy
againstherbodywasasthoughfingerstouchedandfondledhereverywhere.Shewantedthatforhimin
return.

Shefoundthepathwayandsmileddownathim.Shebegantoreleaseherenergy.Whenshedid,the

pleasureshefeltdoubled,thatwastheonlywayshecouldexplainit.Shewasclosealloveragain.

Gerrodlookedupather,hisbrowcreased,butonlybecausehewasdamnclose.Hegroaned.
“Yes,”shewhispered.Sheleaneddownandkissedhim.Hewassohardinsideher.
“Yourvibration,dearGoddess.”
“Yes.”
Hishipsbeganmovingfaster,untilallshedidwasholdherselfsteadyandlookathim.Thepulsing

ofhisenergygrewstronger,whichignitedherown.

Then suddenly, the two vibrations touched and began to pass through each other. She felt drawn

towardhisbodyatthesametime,andstretchedoutontopofhim,needingtobeclose.Shewaspanting
andhisbreathsmatchedherown.Hiseyeshadawildlooknow.

“Gerrod.”
He reached up toward her . “Abigail.” She leaned down, putting her mouth on his. He thrust his

tongueinside.ThesensationkeptrollingasGerroddroveintoher.Shewastremblingnowashewrapped
hispowerfularmsaroundher.

I’mready,shepathed.
Good.Doyoufeelthat?
Liketherumblingofatrain.Oh…God.
Theexplosionofecstasywasabruptandprofound,asthoughtheorgasmtookholdofherentirebody

andhis,asthoughshecouldfeelhisandhecouldfeelhers.

The kiss broke, and he shouted into the ceiling, words of a different language as he came. But his

voicesoundedamillionmilesaway.Herheadfeltfullofarushingwind,andpleasurekeptflowingup
herbodyandback,wavesandmorewaves.

“Oh,myGod,”shecried.
Gerrod continued to thrust, so long as the shared frequencies flowed. Finally, each frequency

retreatedandpulledapart,leavingabeautifullethargybehind.Sherelaxedagainsthim,tuckingherhead
beneathhischin.Hereyesclosed.

Shebreathedinandout,savoringtheriseandfallofhischest,thestrengthofhisarms,thatshewas

stillconnectedwithhim,stillonewithhim.

Afteramoment,sheroseuptolookathim.Somehow,itseemedveryimportant.Heopenedhiseyes

andsmiled,hiswonderfulhalf-smile.

“Hey,”shewhispered.Shetouchedhislipswithherfingers.“Thatwasamazing.”
“I didn’t know it could be like that.” He pushed her damp hair behind her ears. “You’re beautiful

Abigail.”

Shesmiled.“Iloveyou.”
“AndIloveyou.”Hisdeepwarmvoicerolledoverher.
Withoutwarning,thebondtightened.Shegasped.“Doyoufeelthat?”
His eyes widened. He put a hand first to his chest then to hers. “It’s as though an invisible cord

stretchesbetweenus.”

“Exactlyandwhenyousaidyoulovedme,ittightened.”
“Yes,thatisexactlywhatitfeltlike.”
“Sowe’reofficiallybonded,mastyrvampireandbloodrose.”
Atthat,hereleasedadeepbreathandsmiled.“Ijustcan’tbelieveit,though.”Hestrokedthesideof

herneck.“Andyoutrulyfeelbetterandnotatallweak?”

“Better,absolutely.Whenyouhaveneedofblood,mybodygetsbusyproducingwhatyouneed.”
Hisarmstightenedaroundher.“ThenIstartproducingwhatyouneed.”
Since she could feel him low and that he was aroused once more, her whole body arched with

desire.“Itseemslikeareallyfairexchange.”Shesmiledthenlaughed.

“Iloveyourlaugh.HaveItoldyouthat?”
“No.Infact,therewasatimenottoolongagowhenyoucomplainedofmylaughter.”
Hegrewsomber,hisexpressionmoreserious.“Iwantedyousomuch,Icouldn’tdoanythingbutstay

closetoyouandbeirritable.Nowhereyouareandallischanged.”

“Everythinghaschanged.IspokewithMegan.Sheencouragedmetocomeback.IthinksheknewI

wasinlovewithyouallthattime.”

“Sheisagoodwoman.”
“Thebest.”
He leaned up and kissed her, then in that fast, fluid-like movement of his, but completely without

warning,heflippedheroveronthebedsothatnowhewasontop.Beforeshecouldcomplainaboutthe

suddennessofthemove,however,hewasthrustinginsideheroncemore.

*********

AbigailstaredupatVojalie’sceiling.“Ifinditenchanting.Isitfaemagicthatmakesitmove?”She

glanced back at Vojalie. Davido had once again taken Gerrod back into his pride-and-joy vegetable
gardensothatthewomencouldtalk.

Thelovelyfaewomansatonthesofa,lookingupaswell.“No.Italwaysreflectstheinhabitantsof

theroom.You’reseeingyourownsenseofwonder.”

Abigailsmiled.“IhavefeltthiswayfromthemomentIfirstenteredMerhaineoverayearago,full

ofwonder,enchantmentmaybe.”

“Merhaineagreeswithyouasdoesbeingvampire.Youtookhisblood?”
SheturnedtowardVojalieandcrossedtheroomtositoppositeherontheleftfacingsofajustasshe

haddoneacoupleofweeksago.“Idid.”

“And?”
Abigailmarveledthatshewasn’tembarrassed.“ItwasasthoughIhadcomehome,asthoughIhad

beenlookingforGerrodmyentirelife,alwayscarryingaprofoundlonginginmyheart.Takinghisblood
waslikeplantingmyfeetinhisroom,stakingmyclaim.ItoldhimIwouldneverleave.Ibelonghere.”

“Yes,youdo.”Shepressedherstomachthendrewinabreath.“Sometimesthebabylikestostretch

out.Atthisstage,neveragoodthing.”Butshesmiledandtherewasatendernessinhereyes.“Doyou
wanttohavechildren?”

The question surprised Abigail, since she had never really stopped her life long enough to think

aboutbeingamother,butwhatwastheanswer?

SheponderedtheideaofbeinginaforeverkindofrelationshipwithGerrod,likeMeganandJoe.

Shelovedhernieceandnephew.Butnowsheunderstoodwhyshehadneverconsideredhavingafamily
ofherown.Shehadbeenwaitingforthisday,whentherightmanwouldcometoher.

Shesmiled.“Ididn’tthinkso.ButwithGerrod,everythingfeelspossible.”
“Thatissuchabeautifulanswer.Didyouhearthat,Gerrod?”
AbigailshouldhaveknownhewasbehindherandnowthatVojaliehadspokenhisname,shecould

feelhim.Thebondtheysharedtightenedandspreadpleasurethroughherchestanddeepintoherheart.

Assheturnedandsawhim,sheputahandtoherbreastandhereyesfilledwithtears.Gerrodwasso

beautifulandhewassmiling,justofftothesideofhismouth.Hiseyeswereglowingaswell.Somuch
affection,somuchlove.

Shemovedwithoutthinkingandrosetocrosstohim.Heopenedhisarmsandshelandedwithin,her

headpressedtohischest.Therewasnomorehesitationfromhimashadhappenedseveraltimesbefore
shehadreturnedtoMerhaine.Hisarmsengulfedherandheldhertight.

Sheclosedhereyesandtwofattearstrickleddownhercheeks.Shesqueezedashardasshecould.
Iloveyou,Abigail.
No response seemed adequate. To say she simply ‘loved’ him seemed so much less than she felt.

Finally,shespokealoud.“Youfillmyheartwithsuchjoy.Youhavenoidea.”

ShefeltVojalienearby.“Whenyouareready,wewillhavetheeveningmealonthepatio.Fornow,

stayinthisroomaslongasyoulike,butdon’tforgettolookup.”

Vojalieandherhusbandheadedtowardthehall.
“Wecouldofferthemtheguestroomforanhourortwo,”Davidosaid.
“Oh,don’tbesocrass,”Vojaliewhispered.
“HowaboutinsteadItakeyoutoourroomforanhourortwo?”
“HaveyounoticedhowpregnantIam?”

“Whendidthateverstopus?”
“Willyoupleasestoppinchingme.”Gigglesfollowedthenfadedasthecoupledisappeareddown

thehall.

AbigailshiftedslightlyinGerrod’sarmssothatshecouldlookupathim.Hislipsfoundhersina

slowtenderkiss.

Whenhepulledback,hesaid,“Youwouldhavechildrenwithme?”
“Ithinkso.Adozenifyoulike.Butnotallatonce.”
Heshookhishead.“Ineverthoughttohavethis.Mylifewassocomplicatedandnowitseemsso

simple.”

“Me,too.IthoughtIknewwhatmylifewas,thenyoukissedmeintheforest.”
“Andyoutoldmetolightenup.”
“Ijustwantedtoseeyoursmile.”
Hethumbedhercheekandkissedheroncemore.“Iloveyou.”
“AndIloveyousomuchithurts.”
Hissmileagain.
Movementabovecaughthereye.SherememberedVojalie’swordssosheglancedupattheceiling.

Shedrewinasharpbreath.“Gerrod,look.”

The ceiling was alive and glowing, moving in iridescent shades of blue and light green with

occasional lightning streaks of red flashing through. “So beautiful. Vojalie said the ceiling reflects the
inhabitantsoftheroom.Thismustbeyouandme,whatwearetogether,rightthismoment.”

He turned her in his arms so that she was supported with her back against his chest. “At the very

least,that’swhatthisfeelslike.OnlyIthinkwhatIfeelisathousandtimesbrighterthanthisreflection.”

“Atleastathousandtimes.”Shesqueezedhisarms.
Sheremainedwithhimforsometime,lookingup,feelingtheaffectionofhisembrace.Herockedher

slowly, side-to-side, a dance of love. She had entered his world to open a bakery, of all things, and
insteadhadfalleninlovewithavampirewhoruledanentirerealm.

Therewouldbedifficultiesahead,butshewouldn’tthinkaboutthatnow,onlythatGerrodheldher

engulfedinhismassivearmsandshebelongedtohim.Nowandforever.

###

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

CarisRoaneistheaward-winningauthoroffivepublishednovelsforSt.Martin’sPressandalmostfifty

publishednovelsandnovellaswritingsweetRegencyRomanceasValerieKing.

ThesecondinstallmentoftheBloodRoseNovellaSeriesis:EMBRACETHEMAGICandiscurrently

scheduledasasummer2012release.

FormoreinformationaboutallthingsCarisRoane,pleasevisitherwebsiteat:

www.CarisRoane.com

TobethefirsttolearnaboutallupcomingCarisRoanereleases,besuretosignupforhernewsletter!

Andfinally,ifyouenjoysweetRegencyRomanceorsensualRegencyHistoricals,youcanlearnmore

aboutValerieKingat:

www.ValerieKing-Romance.com

TableofContents

DEARREADER
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

TableofContents

DEARREADER
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR