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her of a hidden agenda "How do you know I have secrets?"

He leaned close and whispered, "Yer heart is racing Yer cheeks are on fire" He sry, but lovely, shade of green" "You’re like a huravating to lose the option of

lying" He chuckled as he curled a hand around her elbow "They say confession is good for the soul" The sound of singing drifted fro a

hymn "Why does a Vamp worry about the state of his soul?" she whispered "You could live forever"

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"None of us live forever"

"So you’re praying for salvation?" She guessed that made sense Who would need redes, Toni" His hand slid down her arers "I pray ye’ll trust me with the entire truth"

And she would pray that he understood

Chapter Fifteen

Ian found comfort in the old, familiar chants and prayers Over the centuries, the world powers could change, technology advance, mortal friends pass away, but Mass remained much the same And the scent of Christ the scent of fir tree garlands and lit Advent candles

Tonight there was another scent, one that kept luring hihts Type AB positive His favorite flavor It emanated from Toni, who sat beside him in the back row She’d removed her jacket and folded it on her lap Her hands clenched together so tightly her knuckles gleah to reveal her secrets to hione, he’d checked her tracking device on a coone back to that psychiatric hospital By the looks of her clenched hands and pale face, so at the hospital had upset her Was it souard?

Father Andrew began his homily, and Ian tried to focus on the priest instead of the heavenly body next to hi confession," Father Andrew began "But I would like to speak tonight about a common thread I’ve heard reatly Many of you believe you don’t deserve happiness or love You feel you are not worthy"

Ian heard Toni breathe in sharply

"Whereas a ret," the priest continued, "a Varet and guilt Sorand prize in unworthiness, that there is no hope for your soul You fear God can never forgive you And because of your self-condeive yourself"

Toni pressed a hand to her ? He hoped she wasn’t going to cry He couldn’t bear to see a woman cry

"You know your past failures, your mistakes," Father Andrew said "But know this, too--you are still children of the Heavenly Father, and your Father loves you"

A small noise came from Toni that sounded like a stifled whimper

"Do not believe you are unworthy of love, for God loves you And do not let your past sins torive yourself?"

Toni jumped up and ran out the back door

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Ian stared at the closed door Dammit to hell Why would she be so upset? He’d seen her personnel file She was only twenty-four years old Her worst offense was a blooel compared to the bloody Vamps in this room, himself included

Father Andrew droned on and on and showed no sign of stopping anyti He slipped out the door and followed the sound of her sniffles She was sitting in the refreshment room, doubled over with her face in her hands

"Toni, are ye all right?" Stupid question, he chided hi She sat up and wiped her face "I’? Did the priest upset you?" "I’m sure he means well" She stood and wandered toward the table of iveness, but" Ian stepped closer to her "But what?" "I--I’ve never been able to forgive myself" "Lass, what could ye have possibly done? Ye’re so young andinnocent" She turned toward hiht of her tear-stained cheeks "I--I let randmother die" He hadn’t expected that "It must have been an accident" "I didn’t mean for it to happen" Tears streamed down her face He couldn’t take it, so he pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back "What happened?" "I was in randood I learned to do

the chores And I was used to gettingthe bus I always hugged Grandma before I left"

Ian could see that Toni had learned to be strong and independent at a young age "One night, Grand I could hear her up a lot But thatwell I didn’t want to wake her, so I went on to school But when I came home that afternoon, she was still there" Toni stepped back and grabbed a napkin off the table to wipe her face, but the tears kept coone"

"Sweetheart, she died naturally It wasna yer fault" "But I knew she’d been sick the night before I keep thinking about what I should have done differently If I had called 911 that ht have lived Evencare of her She wouldn’t let me live with the school" Ian winced "Lass, I doona mean to offend, but yer mother is a bloomin’ arse" Toni blinked

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Apparently his observation had taken her by surprise "Ye can believe me I’m a bit of an expert when it coht I could go back home, but my mum wouldna accept me"

Toni’s red-rimmed eyes widened "Why not?"

"Och, how did she put it? I was a ot a wee peckish, I er brothers and sisters" "That’s ridiculous! Anyone who knows you would know you could never hurt someone you

love" Her declaration filled his heart And the way her eyes flashed with angry indignation, he thought