Page 40 (1/2)

"Will I" she began, then had to start again It was better not to think of herselfbut to keep the thoughts removed "A vampire who drinks from a mortal is damned for eternity Will you ensure that I" Her voice clogged All of a sudden, her future was beco real to her The possibility that she’d forced away, refused to consider, disbelievedits reality was reflected in the expression of Wayren’s eyes and in her thinned mouth

"Victoria" The other wo of pink that threatened the edge of her vision "You cannot let the power of evil slide into you You cannot succu that can be fought off I know that"

"No," Wayren said "It isn’t Once the vaested, it overtakes the mortal blood in the human andyou knohat happens The person becoainst every odd, and every expectation, it didn’t happen" Her eyes were serious "Why?"

"Because of the two vis bullae"

"That’s e suspect, yes," Wayren replied "But we don’t know for certain Ylito and I have discussed your situation, and there is no real explanation for it, other than the two vis bullae, and the power and strength--both physical andit could be But there’s so else to consider, and this is why I think there could be more hope than you think"

Victoria was almost afraid to ask, so she remained silent

"Normally when one is turned undead, when they awaken, as you did, the vampire blood has already taken over the entirety of the body and made the mortal immortal But when you awoke, that wasn’t the case You were still mortal You’d been spared But now, that va to take over That is what makes your situation different, Victoria You’re awake, and aware, and the battle for your soul is waging within you The two strength aht you the tie to become immortal, and evil Both physically and in your soul Your mind"

Victoria shivered "Is there a chance, then? With this evil growing inside meis there a chance?"

Before Victoria knew it, Wayren was next to her on the seat She grasped her shoulders with strong, slender fingers and looked deeply into her eyes "Every mortal has the portent for evil deep inside them Every man and woman makes choices for his or her self, for self, Victoria It is only when those decisions outweigh all others; when they beco force, the normal state for that mortal, does evil win Self-service drives allif you allow it Do not allow it" She gave her a little shake, and the red ht this awayphysically And spiritually Do not allow it to take over, Victoria I believe you can stop it"

Despite her nebulous information, Wayren showed no indication that she meant to leave London In fact, she told Victoria that she’d sent for two of the other Venators, Brim and Michalas, to come iating sohtened demon activity Victoria knew the twoannoyed by the oman’s presumption, she was relieved that she’d done so They should arrive within a week, and would be able to provide extra support in light of Lilith’s presence in London and whatever her plans were

And although Wayren took her own quarters when she stayed in London, she reether with Kritanu They had just finished dinner when Sebastian was announced, and, despite the fact that the Venators rarely paid attention to the rules of polite society, Victoria and Wayren met him in the parlor

If Wayren was surprised at the way Sebastian greeted Victoria--with an ethy, well-placed kiss on the back of her hand--she gave no indication Even when he took his place next to Victoria on the sofa, as if he were a love-struck swain--which was so far from Sebastian’s persona that Victoria chuckled to herself at the thought--Wayren didn’t appear to notice

"I’ve just recalled so," Sebastian told Victoria

She sipped fro the co next to hers "What is it?" she asked, throwing aside the gloom that had threatened her since Wayren’s arrival "Have you found a neay to tie a neck cloth?"

"But of course not," he told her lightlyyet there was a bit of real affront in his voice That surprised her, and she looked an to worm its way down her spine He’d been moresensitive? serious?as of late, and while Victoria had been deft at keeping their kisses to littlewas going to change Soon

She felt as if the decision had been ement to her mother

After all, he loved her Or clai suspicion about Sebastian; she’d refused to trust hi