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Could he leave her here? Abandon her once again to Redgrave? Balthazar knew he had to, but it was no easier the second time

Lorenzo strode forward, past Balthazar "I say it’s tirave?"

"No!" Balthazar shouted, but too late; Lorenzo had ripped the warehouse door froes The other vampires swarmed after hi was empty, the back door still ajar

Richard took his chance, Balthazar thought with a rush of relief He’d spoken of hiding them in the nearby post office base with Redgrave, Richard had silently herded the group into their new place The uproar outside had rave breathed in deeply, nostrils flaring "Many Afraid--ah, deliciously afraid Gone … but not far Shall we follow?"

Balthazar was the first to reply, by slarave’s face

It was only the second time he’d dared to attack his sire, and even with th and experience, Balthazar kneas still no rave But he could hold his o He could cause the bastard pain

They fell to the plank floor, a loose nail head cutting into Balthazar’s back even as he grabbed Redgrave by the ear and jaw and slarave shoved hi across the floor; splinters jabbed into the skin of his side, arm, and face as he slid He hit the wall so hard that a couple of his ribs broke--they’d heal quickly, but that didn’t make it hurt any less

As Balthazar groaned, he heard Constantia call out gleefully, "This way! Co thatto protect would be more hurtful to hione in an instant, the vah the back door faster than Balthazar could get to his feet

But he pushed hi down his face and the stabbing pain in his side They reached the door only a few seconds before he did, but long enough for the sound ofthem--and leap inside Balthazar shouted out, a wordless cry of anger and helplessness, and hurtled inside after them…

… to face the cold

"What the--" Balthazar’s voice choked off as he realized the basement stairs on which they stood were far colder than could be explained by being inside or underground It wasJuly heat; it was as cold as January, as though they had stepped inside an icebox