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Daegan’s hand tightened on his shoulder The vampire drew hionize the beast, but Gideon wasn’t sure which beast was being soothed He resented being pulled back from the heat of that kiss, but before he could accuse the vaan had Her head fell back against the stone, her red eyes fixated on hiry," she rasped "More"

"Soon," Daegan said "Just a o,cherI’ll be back as soon as I can"

Her attention went to hi to the forefront "Daegan"

"I know" When he h to an’s austere features, the look in his eyes as he cupped her face and brushed his lips gently over hers Her body quivered, a revulsion toward her restraints, even though it was obvious she wasa concerted effort to focus on hiht now," he added, sliding his hands down to her tense shoulders, his thu her collarbone "But you will need the sire’s blood"

She shook her head "I won’t take it, Daegan You ht as well not bother"

"You will take it, because it will keep you alive I won’t let you die Even though"--a slight smile touched his lips, but not his eyes, which were fixed on her face--"you have been insufferably strong-minded as a human I expect you’ll be even worse as a vampire female" She sed "Perhaps I’ll finally have the strength and speed to punch you in your arrogant face when you need itand run fast enough to get aith it"

Instead of hu the sides of her face as she closed her eyes "I’an, I’ve never been so afraid" Gideon was leaning against the wall, and he put his hand over hers Daegan registered the gesture, and Gideon didn’t sense disapproval

"I know Which is why it tearsyou alone You trust Gideon, don’t you?"

Her lashes fluttered up "Yes," she said, surprising Gideon with the simple sincerity of her answer "But how do you"

"I know everything I’ve told you that before" Daegan pressed a kiss to her forehead and then backed off, even as she summoned a half-serious look of irritation

"There’s that arrogance"

"I’ll look forward to discussing it lanced at Gideon "I’d like a word" As theyAnwyn slack on the ain as he closed the iron door She took several unsteady steps under the men’s watchful eyes, then sank down on the sofa, the chains at ankles and wrists clanking As her head went to the pillow, her eyes closed

"Good A period of lethargy Let’s hope she can get some rest before the next episode" Gideon noted that the chains did not give her enough slack to reach the door, but Daegan took no chances, locking it He extended the key "It’s already past dawn, but I can use the alleyways and sewers to track the for me, so he and the others should still be in the area In the interim, human blood can help slow the madness Give her a quarter cup every two hours

There are several bags in the refrigerator" At Gideon’s questioning look, the vampire lifted a shoulder "I have been injured, once or twice Anwyn suggested I keep some here, ready, in case she could not fully supply my needs fresh Her own huanrooht, the unhurried calm the vampire had demonstrated until now disappeared, replaced by the thened his stride to a cabinet While Gideon stayed in the corridor, so he could keep an ear to their charge, Daegan pulled the panel back with a ru a silver safe He keyed in a colea spears and crossboere there, as well as an array of swords, everything froanhi workday The duster had a place to hang the sword so it would be concealed but readily available He chose the sa it once expertly to test the balance before he fitted it into the straps

"Remember, under no circumstances should you enter that cell when the chains are slack," Daegan said, as if there’d been no pause in their conversation "Her et painful, as you know" He threw a glance over his shoulder, holstering what looked like a sleek Walther nine-millimeter

"When the bloodlust takes over, she will be as bad as the et you close enough to take a vein straight froerated blood, but it and the sire’s blood are all she can have until she learns control If she gets hold of your throat, she will kill you" He gave Gideon an even look "Your uided, but you will not repeat it by yourself"

"I already told you about giving aze could have seared flesh "If you wish to get your throat ripped out, vampire hunter, I do not object Just do not do it when she still has need of you"

"Nice Blowher froreat idea unless so overenthusiastic’ "