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"No!" she screa the lock of his gaze and the force of his will

The chains of power yanked tight, and she gasped, struggling to breathe She threw a lance of energy at hi to thrust hihter whipped around her, cold andNikki blinked back bitter tears, and reached for another lance But the black wings lashed at her, and fire consu it difficult to think, to breathe If this is what Hell feels like, I definitely do not want to die

But maybe the choice had never been hers

Chapter Nineteen

Energy spun through the roo another of Jasper’s gaive hiet up"

Michael’s soft order seelanced up quickly, elation, relief and fear tuainst a wall near the doorway, his arms crossed, face impassive Yet fury and death filled his eyes, and it chilled her soul It wasn’t only Jasper’s death she saw in his eyes

"Go," he said softly, still not looking at her "Get out and do not co body upwards The rooe to be sick She took a deep breath and forced herself totowards Michael and safety

Jasper’s gaze burned through her soul, but he didn’t move Pohispered around her, a touch so different to the dark flames that had beaten at her onlyJasper still so she could escape

She reached hiaze met hers For an instant the link flared to life, and their souls ret flickered, and the link died, lost in a blaze of pain that made her eyes water

She stared at him Death rode his shoulders, and she didn’t knohat to say, what to do, to fight it He reached out, gently touching her swollen cheek She closed her eyes, leaning briefly into his touch Lord, I love hi," Jasper coood care of her when you die, Kelly"

She ignored the h her er to her lips "Leave us, Nikki Don’t come back, no matter what happens Promise me" Her eyes widened in alarm "No"

"Promise me If you stay anywhere near, Jasper will atteo, he will kill you And she kneould welcome that death Because of her, because of her stupid fear

"Michael Don’t--"

"Hush," he said softly "Proh her heart She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath "I pro as you make me one"

Wariness flickered in his eyes "What?"

"Don’t die"

He so"

Another lie Tears filled her eyes She stared at hier, then turned and walked out the door

The door slammed shut behind her, a harsh sound in the silence Michael listened to her fading footsteps and knew his heart ith her But it didn’ther safe from Jasper’s taint

"I shall savor your defeat, as I shall savor your woman in your memory," Jasper hissed Michael pushed away froht muscles "You must win first, worm"

"Oh, I shall"

Michael quirked an eyebrow "As your brother won?"

Jasper snarled in fury Power seared the roo around Michael He watched Jasper’s body twitch He wouldn’t be able to hold hier Jasper was close to his equal now that he’d shared soth with Nikki Andhis mind, the chains shattered Jasper howled and launched hi his fist, s him sideways It was totally unnecessary, but the sound of flesh sainst flesh appeased so as he turned Energy gathered in the roo Jasper warily Madness lit the younger vampire’s eyes He’d have to be careful Jasper was as cunning as a cobra, and, in this erous No matter what else happened here today, he had to make sure Jasper died--so Nikki could live her life in peace, without fear, without darkness

Energy hit hi a bolt of his own and followed right after it He hit the younger va hiht

Jasper laughed again, a high, inhuman sound Too late, Michael felt the presence of silver He thrust backwards, but the blade pierced his side, biting deep White heat flared, swirling through his body, a tide that proht Energy lashed at hi Jasper’s eyes, watching the hint of fear grow as the younger vah his body, dredging up every reserve he had, Michael reached out kinetically The cords of porapped chains around Jasper, stopping hi has it been since you tasted the sun?" he said quietly "Can you reainst your skin?" Jasper hting with h hishis ability to hold on It didn’t matter The as only a few feet away

He stepped forward and wrapped his arles, ignoring the whips of energy beating through hisit Holding Jasper tight, he dove forward, throwing theht

Nikki stopped abruptly, her body stiffening with shock Pain washed heat through her, al