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Stepping into the doorway, Dennis snapped his fingers at two passing vah machetes and bowie knives were handed over to provide a blade for every recruit present, including the brass-knuckled , Eddie crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head as he watched the puny hu their attention "I amy army"

Really? Since when?

"Not everyone has what it takes"

The goths all stood taller and straightened their shoulders The others showed no change

"Therefore, you must first pass a test if you wish to become one of us"

"We don’t want to becoers had the balls to say, voice tre

Dennis’s eyes flashed a brilliant blue as his fangs descended "Would you rather I sier swiftly shook his head

When no further coentlemen, are very simple In your hands, you each hold a weapon You must use those weapons to complete a task I have devised for you"

"What’s the task?" one of the gangstas deestured to Eddie "In your n"

Everyone looked at the designated victi, he dropped his arroith fury, "Never run froht" To the humans he said, "Whoever still stands after the vampire has been destroyed will beco into the den, he closed the door and slalances, then looked at Eddie, their hands tightening on the grips of the unfastas nodded to each other, then surged forward

Oh shit

In the den, silence reigned Both televisions had been muted, and the vampires, still as statues, stared at Dennis and the door behind him

Dennis s the growls of one panicked vaht," he repeated for the solemn audience

Someone sed audibly

"Help us!" one of the hu his eyes, Dennis tilted his head back and listened to the beautiful music produced within

"This is bullshit!" Eddie shrieked "This is bullshit!"

Thud Thud Thunk

The door shook against Dennis’s back The scent of blood wafted frohed in ecstasy

"Help us!"

"Get hi A upon hearing the bad news Based on her conversation with hiu Ami Marcus’s Second

Not that he didn’t like Marcus Aainst him and knew they shared a love of erous to be around His behavior had grown increasingly erratic in recent years And Darnell feared for Ami’s safety

Her eyes slid fro over all day to the laptop before her Not much activity on the Immortal Guardians Web site No doubt the Seconds were all busy readying their respective iht’s hunt

Whatever would compel Seth to believe Ami would make a competent Second? With all of her … issues … she would think--

Out in the hallway, the door to the base quarters opened and closed

A the handbook aside, she closed her laptop, stood, and followed the sounds of Marcus’s movements to the armory

Most immortal households possessed such a roo equipment and wardrobes packed eapons Ami stepped into the doorway just as Marcus opened the doors to one of the wardrobes

The greeting she had thought to offer stuck in her throat She hadn’t seen hiht Marcus had been rumpled, dirty, and liberally coated in blood at the time Now …

She drew in a deep breath and tried to slow her racing pulse

Noas all cleaned up and incredibly handso-sleeved black T-shirt hugged broad shoulders, arht hair had been ta the time she had spent with Seth and David All shared the saood looks So, why did this one wreak such havoc within her?

"Hello," she finally forced herself to say

Marcus spun to face her, his face lit with surprise that rapidly devolved into a frown For a , then he turned back to the wardrobe

Well, after his less than enthusiastic response to Seth’s thrusting her upon hireet her with s down her nervousness, she strode forith false confidence until she stood beside him When he reached into the wardrobe for the belt that held two sheathed short swords, she darted forward and grabbed it first

"What are you--?"