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Oak, and seven lifetiret

Byrne al his back against the door He should have taken the humans to bed and rid hi, beautiful, and, God knew, talented enough to bring any man, human or Kyn, to his knees

Byrne appreciated the huile things, requiring gentle handling, but that proved no burden He had never been a brute in bed with humans

Under the spell of l’attrait, the fehts had always satisfied his thirst and hungers They tired quickly, so he often used two or three at a ti care with the a puppy or choking a kitten

The problem ith Byrne He simply couldn’t tolerate the touch of hu his lust on the bespelled had finally taken their toll; each tirew until he could not bring himself to do it Perhaps it was his awareness of this modern era, o that happened in their lives Perhaps the novelty had finally palled Whatever the cause, his desire to ploeet, yielding body could no longer overcome his utter revulsion for the partners provided to him

There was only one woman he desired The one who had saved him in his darkest hour The one who had sacrificed her life for his

It had happened so fast Oneacross an empty field; the next he lay skewered in a stake-lined pit trap, his stallion traony spread through him, thanks to the copper-tipped stakes upon which he lay ith to work himself free of all but one of the deadly spikes The loss of blood kept his wounds froed sky, Byrne suspected his i to an end

Then she had appeared, a htened face, peering down at him

Byrne had already accepted his fate, but he didn’t want to meet it by himself Dinnae leaveover the cru down to land on top of hied bundle dressed in nun’s black Her hands went to the bloodied stake that had rarasp it

He had covered her fingers with his hand, his voice gone, his certainty that the copper had skewered his heart unshakable He had only wanted her to hold his cold, heavy hand in hers

With a muttered prayer she instead wrapped her skirt around the stake and jerked it out of his body The pain had shifted and changed, and the stink of death beca heather…

Jayr

Byrne pressed his hand over the phantoainst the door, and closed his eyes

Chapter 5

"I’ve been to Disney World," Alex told Michael as Phillipe navigated his way out of the city "Cinderella’s castle was cute, but I can’t see actually living in it Not after the age of twelve"

Michael looked amused "It is fortunate, then, that round and the property seized by the Brethren"

"I’ bill alone for a castle would put us in the va, and she checked the illuht, but it’s not Val" She eyed hio?"

He trailed his fingers down the length of her arm "Besides you?"

"Wiseass" She switched the phone to speaker and answered the call "Alex Keller"

There was a pause before abrother You’re on speaker, and Michael’s here" She gave Cyprien a warning look "You were also supposed to call ot I’ what he said for a few seconds "… co up, Johnny We’re in Florida right now," she said "Change the tickets I sent you and fly into Orlando You can come back home with us e’re done here"

"I told you, I can’t," he said, his voice clearer now "I’"

"What?" She stared at the phone "Where? Why?"

"I can’t--" The line went staticky again Just as Alex was going to hang up and dial back, John’s voice caht"

"John, I didn’t get any of that Hang on; let me call you back"

"… won’t be here Cyprien, look after her" A click sounded as John ended the call