Page 20 (1/2)

"Hello again" I pay close attention to my connection with Avery as I move across the room and I’m certain she is down the hall to the left I look at Curry and he cocks his head in that direction to tell me he feels Chansey there as well

Vincent stretches his ar as he casually crosses his legs "It took long enough for you to find ed by our presence I’m sure he believes we come in peace because of e are and e do but he couldn’t be ht until death for the ones we love "You have hs "Surely you don’t mean one of my blood jewels"

"Avery isn’t a blood jewel to ápe so you know that "

Curry steps next to me "And Chansey is ápe or not, all of you are out of yourto allow that to happen" His voice is cold

"Vin" I hear Anna’s voice behind me

Vincent’s expression changes froance to disbelief He rises from the couch and his eyes are focused behind us "Anna" It comes out as a whisper because he’s clearly effected by her presence

Anna crosses the room and he azes into her eyes the way a lover would He strokes her cheeks with his thumbs and then takes her in his ar"

Both are silent as they hold one another and I’m overwhelmed by the reality of my future with Avery This is how she and I will be if she ree And then die

Anna is the one to let go first "What are you doing, Vin? This isn’t you"

He steps back and slides his hands into the pockets of his trousers "I’m afraid this is very much me"

Anna shakes her head "You were never unkind but what you’re doing to these girls is cruel"

"There’s no way for you to iine the way I felt after we separated," he says "I was ht bring me some semblance of happiness The blood of the jewels is the only thing that can freeable to be with you because I’" I once believed the sa fro life had to offer A husband A faht Happiness You could never have had those things withyou wanted fora granddaughter you’re holding captive" His eyes widen as he steps back "She’s a ranchildren–and they desperately need her They’ve not done well since she was taken and I fear for their health and well-being Please, Vin They need their h his hair and then laces his fingers across the top of his head as he appears to be thinking "Silas," he sighs "Bring the dark-haired girl"

"Yes, sir"

Anna puts her hand up to stop Silas "Vin, you have two girls to release"

Vincent shakes his head "I can’t do it Anna I have to keep Avery or I won’t survive I thought I’d die after she was taken a few ain"

"Coven of Landra can help you It’s what they’re trained to do," Anna tells him

It’s our job to help the unsavable but I’ Vincent insideet all the ugliness is when I drink fro The Landra can’t help me if I don’t want it" He doesn’t want to be helped Suits me I’m happy to kill hi

"No" Vincent’s face is pained "I can’t be cured"

Anna walks to Vincent and places her hands on his upper arms "Don’t ever say that Vampires that can’t–or refused to be helped–are destroyed That can’t happen to you"

Silas brings Chansey around the corner and she falls into Curry’s arhtly and kisses the top of her head "I love you, Chansey I’ve missed you"

"I love you too I’ve missed you and the babies" She lifts her face and Curry showers her face with kisses "Tell ain "They’re fine but anxious to have their randdaughter and leave this place And remember me the way I once was and not as the monster you see before you now"

Anna shakes her head "No I knoill happen when I leave"