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"Shall we take ned for a walk in the woods"

Alexandra laughed gaily and turned to lead the way downstairs "Too bad you’re not Vampire, Cynthia Mirabelle and I wouldn’t have any problem at all" She turned back with a private look for Mirabelle "Would we, darling?"

Mirabelle flushed and gave Cyn a sideways glance "The car’s fine, Cyn I don’t want to get all sweaty before I even get there" She huffed a deprecating laugh "I’m sure I’ll sweat plenty once it starts"

"Don’t be silly," Alexandra said breezily, waiting for Mirabelle to catch up to her and linking their arms "You’ll be fine Won’t she, Cynthia?" This last was cast over her shoulder as the two vampires proceeded down the stairs

"Yes, Alexandra, she will," Cyn said "Mirabelle will be just fine"

Chapter Forty-six

Juro aiting for them at the main house, his twin brother--who never seemed to talk and whose name Cyn still didn’t know--stood next to hiates of Raphael’s inner sanctum Juro eyed Cyn warily, clearly convinced she had a weapon concealed soht be hiding beneath her forned look and Cyn patted his trunk-like ar us, Juro," Alexandra said with a trace of ireed Cyn saw Alexandra’s ladylike htly and wondered if there was souard If there was, Juro was clearly unperturbed by it He turned and led the way, his taiting until they’d gone past before taking up the rearguard position

Up the stairs and down the long hall they walked in a little parade until reaching the huge pair of elaborately carved doors in front of Raphael’s office Juro paused to knock once, waiting as the doors side, unaided by any visible hand He stepped back and the three woether behind her

Raphael’s was a working office, with bookcases reaching fro ladders were stationed at intervals to provide access to the uppermost shelves, which were filled with books of all shapes, sizes and ages It was a room more suited to a researcher of some sort, a professor of history, perhaps, rather than a vampire lord But when one has lived for centuries, history becomes a very personal affair, Cyn supposed

Raphael sat behind ato one side Behind the but the ht of the door, next to his twin brother, and sandwiched between thenize She took in his dark clothing and perpetual sneer and realized this was almost certainly Jabril’s witness No wonder Juro and his brother were guarding hiirl seemed not to have eyes for anyone but Raphael Cyn ht orth looking at

Raphael stood as they approached, his gaze grazing over Cyn’s bare legs and e her eyes with a heat that lad she’d taken the time to choose carefully His lips barely tilted in an appreciative smile before he donned a more somber expression and looked at Mirabelle expectantly

"You requested to see me, Mirabelle?" he asked formally

"Yes, my lord" Mirabelle’s voice was raspy with nerves and it took her two tries to get the feords out She paused, obviously irritated at herself, and then drew a long breath of courage and bowed deeply "My lord Raphael," she said, coht "It is my honor to request your permission to relocate from the territories and suzerainty of iance and my service if you would have me, my lord"

Alexandra nodded her approval and bea between Mirabelle and Raphael

"And does your Sire consent to this relocation, Mirabelle?" Raphael’s sh everyone there knew the answer

"No, my lord, he does not I have come to you ofbehind her at Mirabelle’s words and saw Raphael’s eyes flash over her shoulder to where Jabril’s witness was standing He held the va his attention back to Mirabelle

"You understand," he said to her "That should I accept you, all prior allegiance to your Sire will be forfeit You will be as my own"

"Yes, my lord"