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He stepped forward, holding out his hand in an unconscious plea for understanding

"Jocelyn"

"No," she abruptly cried, backing from him in instinctive fear "I do not want to hear"

Lucien’s heart broke as he regarded Jocelyn’s shattered expression

He had known this er and disbelief Even her fear But now that it had arrived, he realized that it was not difficult It was bloody impossible

Great Nefri She had never appeared more vulnerable Her eyes were darkened with fractured pain and her features pale with the strain Worse, there was an air of wounded betrayal shrouded about her taut form

She did not want to believe he was a htmare Not when she had opened her ho her into his arms and assure her that all would be well He wanted to soothe her fears and return the enchanting smile to her face

Unfortunately he realized that he was the last soul in the world who could offer her comfort

Until he could somehow reach past the fear that currently filled her heart, he was the enemy

Instead, he could only watch in pained frustration as she struggled to accept the unacceptable

"I atteently "Before ere interrupted by Mr Ryan"

She gave a shake of her head "Dear heavens, you cannot believe that you are a vah "This is not a delusion of an unstable mind, Jocelyn I am avampire"

"This is insanity," she whispered

Lucien stepped forward, uncertain how to convince her of the truth without sending her fleeing in terror He attempted to take heart from the fact that she had not bolted already Surely he could reach her if only she would give him the opportunity

"Please, if you would just listen to ht "Just stay away"

His heart twisted in agony "I will not harm you I would never harm you I was sent here to protect you"

"Protectto run through his thick hair Hoas he possibly to tell thisa vampire beneath her roof, but that another was ruthlessly stalking her? And that she currently carried a powerful amulet that could very well decide the fate of all vampires

She would think hier that now haunted her

"This is very difficult," he muttered "Will you at least have a seat?"

"No, I--"

"Jocelyn," he interrupted in co her own "At least hearshade of white, but she e of the cushion

"If you insist"

Lucien briefly closed his eyes and attehts It was utterly i danger without further thrusting her away A fine balance that he was not at all certain he could discover

At last he reluctantly opened his eyes and aze

"Jocelyn, I realize that this is difficult to accept, but vaer than you could ever iine And, in truth, ere once unfortunately the monsters ere portrayed A vampire that is consuht for his victiifted with many powers, we are also cursed with sunbane that prevents us froht"

Her hand slowly crept instinctively to cover her neck "But you do not fear the sun"

"Since ed my blood lust I have not taken a er to assure her that vampires were more than just ht, Lucien rih her slender form