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Redgrave said, "I waited as long as I could This really is easier if you cooperate, Skye But the word has spread The ers with the shades of Lorenzo’s blood have traveled far and wide--beyond this continent, almost across the world They all knohere to find you"

Skye clutched at Balthazar’s shoulders He’d just barely ed to keep her protected fro or how fast he was, or how hard he tried, he couldn’t protect her frorave put his hands behind his back; his old polish had been restored to hiht "You’re a vital resource, Skye One I intend to exploit And that’s why you should jointer you alive Most of the other vampires illmore than to drain you dry"

"They won’t all follow you," Balthazar said "Soht you Soon the on’t even be about her blood anymore"

"The noble ones are harder to marshal now than they were before, aren’t they? Without Evernight Acadeether, they’re ive me power beyond any other Loyalty beyond any other" He took a few steps back, beco part of the shadows farther down the hall "It’s too late to stop it, Balthazar But it’s not too late to joinher to me and save yourself"

Balthazar threw the stake so hard and fast that Skye didn’t even recognize it until after Redgrave dodged it--but only barely A bright red line welled up along his high cheekbone, though the blood didn’t flow out Because his heart didn’t beat, Skye supposed Balthazar said, "You’ll die for this"

"Doesn’t rave pointed out "They’ll still coone

Skye breathed out, half a sob, and put her hand to her chest "Oh, God Balthazar, what are we going to do?"

"I don’t know" He remained tense, at the ready, like he still hoped for a chance to kill Redgrave with his bare hands

"Will it happen like Redgrave says it will?"

"Probably" Balthazar’s frustration was palpable--he kept clenching and unclenching his fists, rocking on his feet, like he needed to beat the hell out of sonize that feeling, because she had it herself

"What a to do?"

"You should leave town Get away frorave won’t know to look for you"

"I can’t leave my parents"