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"Rebirth?"Duncan repeated

The big vampire nodded "That’s e call it, for that’s what it is Everything you were before will change You’ll leave everyone you know behind, even farief swept over Duncan, nearly drowning hiain Raphael kept his silence, and Duncan was grateful for it Finally, he said, "I did once No longer"

Raphael said nothing at first, as if pondering the eance you seek, it’s for your family" He said it as fact, not in question, but Duncan answered anyway

"Yes" He sed the hard knot of loss clogging his throat "My wife and children"

It was several ain "That’s a heavy burden for any man to bear"

Duncan nodded, then studied the va if he, too, had lost someone "Did you leave family behind, sir?"

A fierce look crossed Raphael’s face, and Duncan thought perhaps he’d gone too far, presuize, but Raphael spoke first "My parents," he said abruptly "Though rieved for ht for a tiainst pressing his luck any further "You said you’re newly arrived in this country, sir? You picked a bad time for it"

"In truth, we arrived a few years past It’s taken this long to get settled and decide to move west"

"We?"Duncan questioned somewhat nervously "There’s rinned down at Duncan, his eyes going that strange silvery color again "If you ely unaware of us My own group is sht with h They’re coht I ask where they are, sir?"

"Stop siring me, boy If you must, my title’s lord, for that’s what I am, a vah it seemed odd to say it There were no such titles in this country The founders had left behind that sort of thing, but perhaps vas, then, h "And there you’ve pricked ood, Duncan"

"I didn’t ht of it I’ve nothing but a few loyal men and a purse filled with coin The men were carefully chosen, and the coin comes easily For the rest of it, be assured, Duncan Milford, I will rule an ereement, and the two of the The un to take on the stillness that precedes the dahen Raphael verged suddenly fro deep into the trees Duncan followed, not knohat else to do He’d chosen the route they were taking back to his hoo yet, and he wasn’t fah Raphael see his way through the thick forest until they reached a s branches, it was a rough-built structure of unfinished logs and h and was most likely used by hunters in summer Since it inter now, the place was empty as far as Duncan could tell, and the sturdy lock on the door didn’t invite visitors But Raphael didn’t hesitate He walked right up and twisted the thick metal lock as if it were paper, then tossed it aside

Duncan stared froain

"You’ll do the sah," Raphael assured him, then pushed the door open and stepped inside Duncan followedthe place a critical survey "I’ve slept in better," he said "And worse This will do"

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened theh time Have a seat, Duncan" He didn’t wait, but dropped to the floor, pressing his back up against the wall

Duncan shrugged and sat beside his we an "I wasNo one inquired as to whether I wanted it or not, but I tell you this, I do not regret it It is an incoift I have lived nearly three hundred years, Duncan I have power that you would not believe if I told you, but that you will understand when you join us There areVampire, but the most important is this In order to survive, you will need to drink human blood"

Duncan’s eyes widened in horror"My lord! I have fought in war, as you well know, but I’ve no desire to survive by killing innocents!"

Raphael shook his head "It is not necessary to kill the humans you choose to drink from, Duncan Moreover, once you become Vampire, your bite itself will become enjoyable to them Soe for this pleasure, though there will be times you will have to take what you need But you will never have to kill for it"

Duncan looked away,over what he’d just heard This certainly cast a fresh light on the decision he’dand drink his blood?

"Again, I will notconsent, Duncan You ift and return to whatever waits for you Or you can go forith me and the others The choice is yours, but you h the sa his own past and his futureand found nothing at all His past had been stolen when his fa with them