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Prologue

"You will keep in mind the importance of yourupon you?" the tall, gaunt-faced vampire intoned, his expression one of cold censure

It was an expression that Lucien Valin was accusto In truth, he tolerated open displeasure with ularity

Unlike his brethren, he did not rejoice in devoting his days to hunching overupon the philosophy of the elders He did not desire to debate the nature of life What did it matter to know of life if one was not allowed to truly enjoy it to its fullest?

It was that delight that had led him into trouble more than once And even had him hauled before the Great Council on one memorable occasion

Vampires could be humorless creatures when their tedious peace was disturbed, he had been forced to acknowledge Especially when he had briefly transformed the library into a sultan’s harem The Great Council had taken a very dim view of his prank

Now Lucien atteave a lo "I understand the importance, Valkier," he murmured

"The Veil must not be allowed to fall," the elder vah that Tristan, Aed to enter the world of huain command of the ancient artifact, the power they will be able to suave a nod, his expression beco uncharacteristically somber

He had been deeply shocked when he had been called to the Great Council and told of the treacherous vampires who plotted to put an end to the Veil

It had been two centuries since va mortals In her infinite wisdom, the Great Nefri, leader of all vampires, had used the Medallion to create a Veil that had protected vampires from the world of ued thee desire for huht of day

For two centuries they had lived in peace

A peace threatened by the devious traitors

"I will not fail"

"You cannot" A surprising hint of frustration tightened the stern features "Unfortunately our task has been made more difficult by Nefri’s choice to divide the Medallion and give it into the hands of mortal females You must protect the female as well as search for the vampires who hunt her"

Lucien was rather curious at Valkier’s note of censure The Great Nefri had taken care to bind the pieces of the Medallion to the very souls of the mortal ive over their gift, and not even death could undo the binding The only iven And as an added precaution Nefri had requested three vauard of the Medallion, even if it meant death to the traitors

Farthe renegades on her own, to his mind

"It will be my pleasure to protect the maiden," he retorted saunt countenance "That I do not doubt You possess a lamentable fondness for ged "They are fascinating creatures"

"They are weak, impulsive, and violent, at best It is only because they breed like ed to survive at all"

Lucien was not surprised by the scathing contempt As Immortals, it was only to be expected that vampires would look down in disdain at the lesserpassions and lust for life Most of his brethren chose to ignore their existence

Of course there were a handful, such as the renegades, who believed er of vaument with the powerful elder, Lucien offered a bow

"I should be oner?"

Lucien reluctantly nodded

The powerful blade had been blessed with a ic that would destroy a vampire He dearly hoped he would have no use for the weapon The h to make him shudder in horror

"I am prepared," he murmured

"I sincerely hope that you are, Lucien," Valkier retorted "If it had been the choice of the Great Council, you would not be leaving the Veil at all You are boastful, irresponsible, and utterly lacking the ability to comprehend the dire threat that we face It was I alone who overruled the other Council members I, perhaps foolishly, believe your unseemly fascination with the humans will be an asset in your task I can only hope that you do not fail my trust too e to offer aas always I can only atteh expectations"

"Go"

One

Although Miss Jocelyn Kingly had never before encountered the devil, she was fairly certain he was currently sitting in her front parlor