Page 4 (1/2)

There were no tears, no fainting, no traces of panic

Instead, she grittily kicked at theher hands and even her elbows to attempt to win her freedom

This woman was different

A sharp, unexpected curiosity flared into existence deep within Amadeus’s icy soul

As a true scholar, he was always intrigued by the unexpected Especially when it came to mortals It was not the heat of their passions, nor their tedious loves and hatreds It was their simple mortality that lured his interest Perhaps once he had retrieved the Medallion that she noore about her neck he would allow Miss Kingly to beco research

She would certainly enhance the rather disappointing selection of hu

Of course, first he rasp

With a calculatedmaiden As he neared the first of his henchmen, he lifted the ebony cane he carried and hit hih he felt no pain through the spell of Inscrollone, you fiends," he dra the other two servants

"The Watch is on its way, and you shall soon be lodged in Newgate"

At the word "Newgate," all three abruptly halted their assault and turned to stumble down the darkened street

Perhaps a careful eye would have noted the manner they had so easily capitulated at his threat, or even the fuait as they hurried away, but thankfully theher shawl about her to conceal the large rip in the bodice of her gown

"My dear, are you hare of a modest, well-intentioned vicar He had chosen the voice with the saentleray hair and possessed the features of a entlely would turn to in times of trouble

And she was soon to have ample trouble

"No" She smoothed the dark hair that had been tumbled from the tidy knot "I am unhurt"

Amadeus made a mental note of her steady tone and cool composure Oh, yes, she orthy of experimentation, indeed

Already he itched to bundle her back to his hidden lair and begin, but as she turned, the olden ah only a portion of the original Medallion, he had no doubt that it contained a power more potent than any he had ever tasted before And once ain, he and his fellow traitors would command the vampires They would at last bend to his will

Unfortunately he had already discovered that the Medallion was protected by a powerful spell It had been bonded to theher iht be able to conjure Not even death could part the Medallion fro control of the ancient artifact was to have it given to hily’s free will

Which was precisely why he had been forced to conceive this ludicrous schely and somehow convince her that she ood Lord," he said as he offered her an encouraging sht have been too late"

Despite his huer in the air, and she took a step backward even as she attee

"You were very brave"

He pressed his hands to his chest in a modest fashion "Very kind of you, but I entlelanced toward the shuffling figures disappearing into a nearby alley "Not every gentlereed "The streets can be dangerous for a young maiden on her own May I escort you home?"

She unexpectedly squared her shoulders "I thank you, but that will not be necessary"

Amadeus paused While he found her valor a source of interest, it did not suit his plans to have her quite so independent With an effort he determinedly curbed’ his flare of impatience He was an Immortal He had learned that patience was a virtue that could not be underestimated

"Are you certain?" he coaxed "I htened those louts, but there is no telling when they ht return Besides which, they are not, unfortunately, the only scoundrels ould be willing to harm a maiden"

She clutched her shawl about her "I do not live far"

"It does not take far to discover yourself in danger in such a neighborhood"

"I a these streets," she retorted, although Aaze strayed toward the now-eht it is unnecessary I stand eager to offer ain she stepped back fro forave her the ability to sense the fact he was not mortal Or perhaps even his evil intentions It was a co teracious, Mr ?"

"Vicar Fallow" Amadeus bowed low, careful to ensure his expression re unnatural about hier that threatened her "And you are?"

"Miss Kingly"

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance"

"And you, sir However, I have a task I , so if you will excuse rasp, Amadeus smoothly blocked her path

"May I offerthis task?"