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Constantia … he hated her, but not like that Not enough to enjoy killing her

But he would do what he had to do

The plan waspast telling him where the house was and what time to come Just at sunset, she said: Constantia liked the anony During the day, she’d al

That seemed unlike the Constantia he reht less than any other vampire he’d ever encountered--but he hadn’t shared her bed for 140 years or so Habits could change

Wasn’t he proof enough of that?

He dressed as if for a fancy party; she’d see it as a coiven Evening shadows falling across the stricken, eerily silent city, Balthazarthe doorbell

It took a long time for anyone to approach His sensitive ears picked up the swishing of skirts, the click of her boots against wood Balthazar leaned close to the door If Constantia breathed in deeply, she would recognize even his scent Already he recognized her For a few moments, he simply remained there motionless while she did as well; he knew they were aware of each other, poised only inches apart, at the intersection of wrath and desire

Finally Constantia opened the door She stood there, blond hair down and loose as if she’d just risen from her bed "Balthazar," she said "My God Charity told the truth With her, you never know"

He’d told Charity to inforretting his isolation from other varave Lies were always strongest when ht hied a sht She wouldn’t have believed an overly enthusiastic welco him, Constantia merely stepped backward Balthazar walked into that space and shut the door behind him They stood very close She was the only woh to look him in the eyes

"Where’s Charity?" he asked, as if he didn’t know

"Wandering the streets, as usual She can hunt on her o Quite well, in fact You’d be proud of her"

Proud wasn’t exactly the word Still, his sister had followed the plan She ay from the house, away from any potential blame should he fail Already he could see that her description of this place had been entirely accurate; she could focus better than he’d realized before Celadon paper wreathed hite vines covered each wall, and the ho and a broad stairwell just next to the door That limpse upstairs was the bedroo … the one his sister would have hidden the stakes in

All he had to do was get Constantia upstairs

To judge by the quick rise and fall of her breath as she looked at hie

"You’re finally done with Redgrave," he said