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He died doing what he loved, her ht didn’t make Skye want to scream Dakota had taken his oild chances If he’d known he would hurt them all so badly and lose his own life, no, he would never have gone off-roading But he hadn’t known He had just been rushing out into life’s adventure, arface "And it’s a whole lot scarier than yours But I’ to have better luck I knoill, because you’ll be looking out for me"

Downstairs, she heard the front door open and shut, and two sets of footsteps co toward her room Skye rolled her eyes Mom and Dad, finally on the scene, when she least needed theuys didn’t freak out," she called "The principal was totally off base, I swear It’s nothing"

"Oh, it’s sorave as he pushed open her bedroo herself backward, but there was nowhere to run Charity ith him, and two other vampires, three, four--oh, God, how et in?" she cried

"Once our dear Miss More joined us, and finally learned as keeping us froh to tell us that certain charms can repel the wraiths Apparently her last, brief stay at Evernight Acaderave lifted a chain froled a copper key "The wraiths loathe certain metals Won’t come near a surplus of them So we ca shortly And you’ll be leaving with us"

He stepped closer, and once again she felt that shroud descend over her--the one that wouldn’t let her rave stroked her hair and said, "I did warn you, ins" He leaned so close that his lips nearly brushed her cheek "You’re mine"

Chapter Twenty-five

BALTHAZAR DITCHED THE COUNSELING SESSION as fast as he could while appearing cooperative; the last thing he needed was for Zaslow to decide he should be questioned some more As soon as he walked out, he heard the final school bell, and the hallways and quad were instantly flooded with students He hurried through the Skye as soon as possible was his only goal

Even as he reached into his pocket, though, he noticed that several of the students-- at hi about hi out, he wasn’t sure what they were saying, but he had an idea … and was pretty sure Madison Findley got it started

Gossip wasn’t his biggest problem at the e fro like whatever it is he’s going to do, he’s going to do it soon Tomorrow, maybe Let me know as soon as you’re free

Quickly he texted Skye, I’ht? I’m headed your way

Just as he pressed Send, so his path Balthazar looked up to see Madison Findley standing there, all innocence, ly of perfume "Mr More?" she breathlessly said "I just wanted to let you knohat people are saying--well, I for one totally believe in you"

He gave her a look that showed more of his true power--more of his nearly four hundred years on earth--than he normally showed any mortal She couldn’t have understood what that really , Madison?" Balthazar leaned slightly closer, the predator in him close to the surface "Since you seem to know"