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"But you want to"

Without conscious thought, they fell into step side by side and walked down the street

"Yes, and no," Chiavari answered

"I don&039;t understand"

"We stay the sae," Chiavari explained "And yet we don&039;t Each individual reacts differently to the Dark Gift Soaze moved over Ramsey "Some reject it and die Some become drunk with power Some, like Kristov, revel in the darkness of it"

"Did it change you?"

"For a time"

"And what of Khira?"

"Khira is a law unto herself She always has been"

"So you said before"

"Do you doubtthe pain she had inflicted on hied to withstand her this tiht If there was another confrontation, she would be ready for hi his head, he sniffed the air "There," he said

Ra in a parking lot, laughing

"Blood for two," Rairl forthe street when a voice called out, "Hey, Ed!"

Ra toward him

"Who is this?" Chiavari asked

"He&039;s a hunter," Ra a smile on his face "And an old friend"

Duncan slapped Ramsey on the shoulder "Hoas the vacation?"

"What? Oh, it was good"

Duncan nodded, but his attention was on Ramsey&039;s companion "Have we met?"

Chiavari shook his head "Enjoy your friend, Ra home"

"Hey, now, don&039;t run off," Duncan said "I didn&039;t catch your naaze darted froain The tension between the two of them was alroaned inwardly Duncan ht be built like a pro fullback, but he was no match for a vampire like Chiavari, not after dark

"So, To to distract his friend, "are you on the hunt?"

"As always," Duncan replied, his gaze steady on Chiavari

Raer, his need to replenish the blood he had given Kelly, cried out for the warm, sweet relief that Tom&039;s presence denied hiet a drink, Tom" Raesture "What do you say?"

"Sure, sure" To we&039;ll ain"

Chiavari nodded "Any tied Duncan down the street "Are you crazy?"

"We should have taken him"

"You are crazy! Do you knoho he is?"

Duncan nodded "Grigori Chiavari" He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk "Why isn&039;t he dead?"

"What do you mean?"

"I knoas involved in the Kristov mess Why didn&039;t you take Chiavari out at the same time?"

"He saved my life"

Duncan&039;s eyes widened in disbelief "I don&039;t believe you Why the hell would a va story"

"Then you&039;d better start now" Duncan made an abrupt stop in front of a local bar "I need a drink Colass of whiskey"

Ramsey followed Duncan into the bar They found a table in a dark corner and sat down Duncan ordered a whiskey, Ra back in the seat, Ra that had happened with Chiavari and Kristov, save for the last, daori could have killed lass "That&039;s it"

Duncan leaned back in the booth, his expression thoughtful "Why do I have the feeling there&039;s so me?"

"I don&039;t know You tell lass "Well, for one thing, you look different"

Raer on it" He swore softly "It&039;s your clothes! That&039;s it!" Duncan laughed "You&039;re not wearing brown!"

Ramsey oing home"

"But it&039;s more than that," Duncan said, suddenly serious He leaned forward, his gaze intent on Raer What&039;d you do on that vacation of yours, anyway, get a face-lift?"

"Yeah," Ra it off "I had liposuction oninto his pocket, he withdrew a ten-dollar bill and dropped it on the table "Have another drink onhome"

Duncan tossed down his drink "Meet "

"Never on Sunday," Raaze follow him as he made his way to the door He knew his old friend would not rest until he had uncovered his secret And when he did, one of them would die