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Their progress was slow, but steady, down the dirt pathway and back through the gates of the monastery Vadi light and cried out, falling once rief

"What terrible fate has been visited on you, brother, that the sight of God’s house reduces you to such a state" The uest quarters where ard travelers were cared for, supporting hih woven blanket "Rest," the es And soh" He bustled about the sparse roo outside to fetch water, then back to the bedside where he set about tending Vadim’s many horrific wounds

"It is a miracle you live, my son God’s miracle Surely he has a special purpose in mind for you that he has saved you and sent you to us" Vadi his face, his tongue lapping out almost without volition to taste the skin of the other man’s ar "What shall I call you?"

Vadirief "No matter," the monk assured him "I shall call you Raphael It means ‘saved by God,’ and surely you have been saved by Hireat purpose Do you like that na into the basin, then surveyed Vadim’s clothes, what little was left of the is ruined, Raphael But I shall fetch you one of the brothers’ robes We’ve none so tall as you, but it will be enough for now We will " He patted his arm "You wait here and do not fear You are with us now, Raphael You are safe I will be back soon with food and clothing You rest now"

Vadiazed around the bloody hall His savior had been the first to fall, but the others had succu by the book, grown soft with their prayers and meditations, no match for the blood thirst of one freshly risen, especially one gifted with the size and strength of a Muscovite farnaw at him anew Would it never end? Would no amount of blood slake this thirst? He felt the pull of his mistress, far away and to the west, but turned fro hiht one day summon him to her side, and to her bed But for now, he was alone He spied the grisly corpse of the monk who’d found him and felt a momentary sadness The man had tried to help him, and in the end had helped him in the only way he could His blood had been rich and plentiful Still, death seemed a poor recompense for his efforts Vadiht No more Vadim Nestor had died with his faiven him? Raphael Saved by God A sesture He felt the sun over the horizon like a ind on his face and made his way downstairs to the wine cellar where it was cool and dark As he fell into nothingness, he whispered his new name Raphael

Chapter Twelve

"Sire?"

Raphael blinked at the sound of Duncan’s voice, his eyes unfocused, lost in the past He stood from the piano bench It was unco it away, he turned to face his lieutenant

"Ms Leighton is settled?"

"Yes, my lord I have put her in the staff conference roouards to answer her questions They were reluctant, but will do as you bid"

"Of course You should stay with her, Duncan She is uneasy with us still, but she will learn"

"Master" Duncan paused, but Raphael understood, s fondly at his loyal aide

"Rest easy, Duncan She serves our purposes for now"

"Of course, Sire, I would not--"

Raphael laughed "You would, Duncan, which is why I value you Coht and much to do"

Chapter Thirteen

Cynthia blinked owlishly as she came up the stairs from the basement and opened the door to the narrow vestibule After too many hours spent in the controlled and less cavern below Raphael’s estate, even the wan light through the s She had expected the vampire lord’s house to have an extensive basement, but it was so antly finished as the house itself, with a security and co CNN and London combined She’d passed multiple conference roo large refrigerators and little else And there had been an entire wing locked behind a heavy, vault style door that she suspected guarded the private dayti quarters for the many vampires who lived on the estate

Duncan had deposited her in a well-appointed conference roo her up with a list of relevant employees and their functions She’d started with the va everyone on Alexandra’s security staff, those on duty the night of the abduction, and all the others as well And not one of the to tell her