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I was not certain what this natius said quickly, "I will ood position in his household"

Vlad nodded "Once I am at the castle, I will send hihter of reed silently and o with you and o with my brother," Vlad answered her "You will not be harda’s cheek and tried to console her "All will be well," I proo with you Please!"

I doubt Vlad was touched by her pleas, but he hesitated, then said, "We shall take you to your new haven It shall be to e and a driver"

Ignatius helped htly we did not dare try to re up onto one of the horses and reached down for her and the child I lifted them easily, despitearain, flee immediately I will find you," Vlad instructed me

I started to protest, then realized he feared that I would be easily killed in my weakened state With a nod of ered on azed up at natius’ horse drew near azed at me sorrowfully as she rocked the boy in her arms

Vlad leapt onto the last horse and expertly drew it about The horse was sleek and black, its dark eyes flashing Despite ure on his natius, lead Glynis follow I shall be last Go straight to Astir’s haven and do not detour They will be watching the skies, not looking for us on horseback"

Ignatius nodded, spurring his horse Instantly, he was off I followed onof horses hooves filled my ears, then slowly faded as Vlad cloaked us in his power and h the cobblestone streets under the canopies of the great trees and past the silent honatius’ form as we rode I loved hier we faced was terrifying and I wished to touch hi force at my back, and I knew he suspected us

The horses wound their way through Buda, up and down lanes, darting around corners, plunging deeper into the heart of the city The wind tore at lad, for it dried the tears I could not stop fro to feel a tad safe when Gregor, the dhamphir vampire hunter, materialized abruptly in the center of the street before the horse bearing Ignatius The deadly hunter was just as pale as when he had first attacked me and was clad all in black His pale countenance was deterers sheathed in the arm of his coat

"I do not take kindly to those who killed li It fell over, legs flailing as both Ignatius and Magda were thrown Soed to hold onto the boy and cushioned his fall with her body as she tumbled to the road

I do not think the dhamphir realized there was natius with no heed to or strode with ruthless deterers in both his white hands

My horse leaped over the its fallen comrade toward the dhamphir

Purely on instinct, I looped ht hior’s hand caled to free hier, hot and raw filled me I remembered all too well his assault and kneould have slain Magda and her child Yearning for a weapon to cease his life, I did what little I could and drew the reins tighter around his throat

"Bride of Satan," he gasped as he recognizedto either break his neck or strangle the life from him

I saw the flash of his blade in his other hand "After you,myself from the horse to evade the blade and tumbled off the street into the bushes nearby I reers burned and rendered led with the shouts ofup, I saw that the dha to climb to his feet My horse was in a fury It reared up and struck at hied to stand, I saw the horse rise up again and, at last, land a hard blow to the dharound before whirling about and fleeing

"Run to the haven," Vlad’s voice ordered frorabbed da and her child across his shoulders He drew h the streets, leaving Vlad behind to battle alone with the dhah the narrow streets

"I do not know," Ignatius answered in a terse voice "We are all weakened frolutted with it"

We turned down the familiar back street and I let out a cry of relief I had not realized how close ere to Astir’s haven As we rushed toward the alcove set in the wall, I saw the small door open The darkness beyond its threshold was a welcoht to say the least

Quite suddenly, the doorway filled with brilliant white light The light not only filled the doorway, but also see it wide

"Hurry," Ignatius shouted

My feet were barely touching the ground e reached the ht I was blinded by its brilliance as I tumbled to the floor A soft carpet was there to cushion da and her child slid fronatius reached out his hand A servant was already standing there holding a silver sword As always, the haven was prepared to deliver whatever was required of it Ignatius immediately took it and rushed back out into the street

Vlad appeared bleeding profusely as he staggered down the street He was covered in blood and I was certain he had beaten the dhaers raised, he plunged them into Vlad’s back several tione

Vlad fell to his knees growling He struggled to stand as Gregor again appeared before him This time, the hunter held a sword