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It was only one of many shocks he’d received that day, but in sorave and Constantia had been together when he met them; their alliance had continued from centuries before Balthazar’s birth to now Constantia turning on Redgrave was like theon the sun "You can’t ht about Skye," she said "As soon as I tasted Lorenzo’s blood and knehat he’d experienced through her, I realized the potential The va They’ll do whatever they have to do just for a taste"

"So hoe stop it?"

Constantia stared at him "We don’t We use it for ourselves"

Incredulously, he stared at her for a long moment before he could speak When the bartender put his scotch in front of him, Balthazar found his first words, "Give me the whole bottle"

As it slid across the bar to him, Constantia said, "Don’t reject it out of hand"

"If you think I’d ever put her through that--"

"What would you be putting her through, Balthazar? She adores you Skye’s sweet teenage putty in your hands Just get her to give a pint every six weeks Standard blood donation That would be rave Over anyone Skye won’t even ave hih maybe you’ll let me watch occasionally? For old tier Besides, he truly wanted to know: "Why would you ever turn against Redgrave?"

"You’re not the only one who got murdered, you know" Constantia stared into the distance for aback another s of her drink "Did that ever sink into your self-absorbed mind? Some of us hide our resentuy ore his heart on his sleeve, Balthazar Me--I take my time I choose her stakes; that means he’s never been more vulnerable"

Balthazar let his inner turh his words with the proper reluctance "It see to get her blood one way or the other I just can’t believe this is the only way out But it is, isn’t it?"

"I knew you’d see sense!" Constantia leaned closer "Or is it just that you’re past ready to slice off Redgrave’s head and throw it in the nearest river?"

"That would be a side benefit"

She laughed--a rich laugh, husky and sensual "They’re taking her to Redgrave’s hideout You’ll never guess where--I’m sure you looked--well, it’s the old church on Holland Avenue"