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"We will compromise," Baldwin said "Surely Philippe would be satisfied if, when the witch’s children are born, their naree" His words sounded nanimous, but I was sure there was some darker purpose to them

"My children are not your kin" Matthew’s voice sounded like thunder

"They are if Diana is a de Clermont as she clairee?" I needed to back up a step in the argurees of all vaer observe the tradition The de Clerrees include information about rebirths, deaths, and the na"

My hand autoation to re as possible Based on the wary look in Matthew’s eyes, he felt the sah to satisfy questions about the blood vow, but only the blackest of nancy," Baldwin said, relishing his brother’s discomfort "The children cannot be yours, Matthew"

"Diana is carrying erously dark

"Impossible," Baldwin stated flatly

"True," Matthew retorted

"If so, they’ll be the most hated--and the most hunted--children the world has ever known

Creatures will be baying for their blood And yours," Baldwin said

I registered Matthew’s sudden departure from my side at the same moment that I heard Baldwin’s chair break When the blur of movement ceased, Matthew stood behind his brother with his ar a knife into the skin over his brother’s heart

Verin looked down at her boot in a but an empty scabbard She swore

"You et that I arowled

"Assassin?" I tried to hide ht to light

Scientist Vampire Warrior Spy Prince

Assassin

Matthew had told me he was a killer--repeatedly--but I had always considered this part and parcel of being a vampire I knew he’d killed in self-defense, in battle, and to survive I’d never dreamed that Matthew committed murder at his family’s behest

"Surely you knew this?" Verin asked in a voice tinged withood at it, one of us would have put hio"

"We all have a role in this family, Verin" Matthew’s voice dripped with bitterness "Does Ernst know yours--how it begins between soft sheets and a ers bent into lethal claws as she went for Matthew

Vaainst a ith a blast of ind, keeping her away froh for Matthew to exact some promise from his brother and release him

"Thank you, ma lionne " It was Matthew’s usual endear brave--or incredibly stupid He handed me Verin’s knife "Hold on to this"

Matthew lifted Verin to her feet while Gallowglass moved closer to stand atupright again "I see why Atta was drawn to your wife, but I wouldn’t have thought you had the stones for such a woe," Matthew said shortly

"Apparently" Verin gaveyour prolass asked Verin

"We’ll see," she said cautiously "I have e" Baldwin looked atMattheill have catastrophic consequences, Verin"

"I honored Atta’ s wishes while he lived," Verin said "I cannot ignore them now that he is dead"

"We ation is already looking for Matthew and his mate," Baldwin said "Who knows? Theyus a final, contemptuous look, Baldwin stalked frolass and trailed after hilass one a bit shiny"

"The ind blewit around , I think you’d better keep it on while Baldwin is at hoested

"Baldwin cannot know of Diana’s power I’d appreciate your help with that, Gallowglass

Fernando’s, too" Matthew didn’t specify what for over Auntie her whole life," Gallowglass said,now"

At these words parts of ed puzzle pieces As a child I’d often felt other creatures watchingmy skin One had been Peter Knox, my father’s ene for Matthew and iant bear of a man, whom I now loved like a brother but had not even met until we traveled back to the sixteenth century?

"You atching me?" My eyes filled, and I blinked back the tears

"I prolass’s blue eyes softened

"And it’s a good thing, too You were a right hellion: cli into the forest without a hint as to where you were going How your parents ed is beyond me"

"Did Daddy know?" I had to ask My father hadGael in Elizabethan London, when he’d unexpectedly run into Matthew and ular timewalks Even in nized Gallowglass on sight The man was unmistakable