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When the helicopter started its descent, I could barely contain myself As soon as it touched down on the beach, I jumped out and raced to the hut Corrine opened the door She looked exhausted and her face was filled with concern I barely greeted her as I pushed past her and entered the sitting room

"Sofia!"

My vision blurred when Sofia whisperedher arht to hold back the tears as I held her waist and pulled her shaking body against mine I wondered why she was so cold I ranwould warm her I placed my lips on her collarbone, then her neck, her cheek, and finally her ue pushing between her lips I had been starved of her for too long My body was now coursing with levels of passion I could barely contain

I knew that she would still be very sensitive fro I had to be careful with her But it was clear she felt the same passion when she put her hands beneath my shirt and ran them up my torso I was about to pick her up and carry her into the spare bedroom for some privacy when I felt it: a sharp stab in o of her and took a step back, confused I touched er Then I looked more closely at Sofia’s pale face

"Sofia?"

Her eyes still filled with tears, she opened her s

"I’ripped her shoulders and looked at her desperately, praying thats I craved blood I don’t understand how I thought I was an i Doubts assailed me about what her transformation would mean for her, our family, our future Will the cure work on a vampire created directly by the Elders? Is that even a risk I would allow her to take?

"How on earth did you escape?"

"A rogue vampire, one of the vessels--he helped me He was a servant to the Elders and had their trust Whenever he caed hih to hiate into The Shade"

"The Shade? But that place is swar with Elders! How could they not have noticed you?"

She looked up at me wearily "Please, Derek, no h I don’t want to think about it any h?" She placed one cool hand on ed at my shirt Then she whispered infor you? Our tih ave in to her request I deter out and just focus on Sofia, my beautiful ho had returned toelse existed except our two beating hearts