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Aers, she pressed them to her temple in confusion "Sebastian?"

Yes, my dear

"Where are you?"

Just beyond the trees

Unnerved by the sensation of having his voice echoing within her ency of the situation

"You er"

I know I need you to come to me, Amelia Try to move slowly and do not attract the attention of Valkier

"But"

Amelia, please This is very important

She attempted to s past the thick lump in her throat "Very well"

Reh to ensure that Williaritted her teeth and began to inch her way through the door of the carriage Her skirts briefly threatened to tangle between her legs, but she swiftly tugged theh the ribbon that tied beneath her bodice This was no tily slow step, she reached the ground and began to slide along the length of the carriage Her gaze never strayed fro countenance of Valkier, but it was obvious that Nefri consumed hinoring the quivering s, she continued her crab-like steps until she ell away from the vampires Only then did she breathe in deeply and allow herself to sense where Sebastian awaited

He was closer than she had expected, and not alone With a frown of concern, she ducked low and dodged her way through the edge of the trees Had Drake followed Sebastian? Did he even now hold hie? Was that why he had called to her?

Her pace hastened until she at last forced her way through a deep thicket and stu her

"A swiftness, she found herself swept into a fierce embrace as Sebastian pressed a kiss to her lips and only reluctantly pulled back to study her

"Sebastian" Her hands gripped the lapels of his coat, as ht as to keep hiave a pained grimace "No He was destroyed before I could reach him"

"Destroyed?" Her eyes widened "How?"

"Valkier He e I tried to follow the trail of the slayer, but it was iht of the dreadful vampire who even now threatened Nefri "Oh, Sebastian, he is near the carriage He is detered a faint s squeeze "Thankfully, Nefri seeh to take steps in case he attacked"

A to one side, Sebastian waved a slender hand toward the silent forms that stood in the shadows Just for a entleant beauty about hiue with a smile that could melt the most ieously lovely, although one possessed a cold, Nordic fairness and the other was blessed with a serene charm with raven curls and deep blue eyes

It was not until she noted theabout the women’s necks that realization struck These were Sebastian’s brothers and the maidens they had been sent to protect

"Amelia, may I introduce you to Gideon and his wife Simone? And Lucien, who has recently wed Jocelyn"

There was abefore Amelia returned her attention to the va?"

"Nefri sue," he explained

"But why? Are we to battle Valkier?"

"Only in a aze steadily, his expression somber "I must have your amulet, Amelia"

She blinked in surprise at his request "Why?"

The tall, rather arrogant vaain