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She digested that "Perhaps it’s wrong ofas ht, I mean Did his childhood disease so on the answer, giving Alanna the sense that it was a question that preyed on the servant’s mind as well "Uthe had Brian take a look at Evan a couple decades ago, when Brian first got their attention with his research That’s how Evan knows him They’ve stayed in contact, became friends Evan respects Brian’s field"

"It makes sense," she observed "His focus is different from that of most vampires, much like Evan’s"

Niall inclined his head "Brian thinks Evan’s , affected hie mature slower for him His sensitivity to sun is like a hundred-year-old vae Since a vath of another vae based on it, Evan’s often taken for far younger than he is"

Alanna now fully understood Niall’s concerns about the risks their Master took, but he gave her a reassuring look, a wink "He’s far stronger than us huy look, he held up a hand "That’s his description, not ht run afoul of vath, he ence, diploot a hell of a poker face Not s should," he added darkly

"You worry for him, but he’s brave" She considered it "Most vampires don’t have to be brave They follow the political path, fall in line with the hierarchy, and rely on their age and strength to make their way"

"That’s not his focus"

"You admire it," she realized "Even as hisat ti the rest of us searching for answers"

"Didnae swell his head too ears on her "Is psychotherapy part of the whole InhServ training?"

"Somewhat, yes I’m supposed to anticipate my Master’s needs, understand those around hihed "Can ye turn it off awhile and be a lass all aflutter about dress shopping?"

Alanna had no clue what such a person would act like, but she nodded demurely When he reached over and squeezed her knee at the ticklish point,her jump and pull away, he winked at her In retaliation, she took the playlist back to "Eye of the Tiger" and fended off his atteet the player controls away fro in no tirin that covered his handsome features and stayed there, the earlier shadows driven away, proved that his playing with her successfully turned his thoughts to a better place

It gave her a sense of satisfaction, the feeling that she’d served both Master and servant well For the e of panic was an unwelcome disruption For the last forty-five minutes they’d listened to music and enjoyed casual conversation, the city skyline of Asheville rising before them as they descended from the mountains

However, now she reht, as well as Niall’s i the blocker, and she was due for it She cringed inwardly, recalling Lord Brian’s stern adet to take it at the proscribed time

Damn it, damn it, damn it

They had a full to-do list If it was only about her dress, she , but they had a list of ite to inconvenience her Master bythis a wasted trip It would be okay There had to be soe

She turned her attention to the passing scenery The garish tourist traps were of particular interest, with everything from chain saw-carved wooden black bears--similar but not as well-done as Henry’s--to dreaht colors

"Okay?" Niall’s hand was on her shoulder He’d picked up on her worry Since it was noon, Evan would be well asleep, but he’d likely deduced it on his own The Scot was quite intuitive

"Fine JustI like the quiet at our cabin"

Our caht Home herever her vampire Master was, but she realized that it felt like home to her Despite her uncertainty of how best to serve Evan and Niall, the short span of her time with them, she realized she’d embraced the peace and quiet pace of their existence like a drowning swi his knuckles over her cheek, Niall turned into the parking lot of a camera shop "I do, too I expect serious sexual co ye to a mall, muirnín"

"But I didn’t ask you to take me," she pointed out

"I’ll still expect payive hi to dispel the tension about the blocker It was going to be okay