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Matthew refused to take the bait

"The witch had discovered a de Clermont secret, I understand, but died before she could reveal it

Such a sha sy in thrall in Prague? A fascinating creature"

Mattheung his head around, auto that I was safe

"You always said I was the black sheep of the family, but we’re more alike than you want to admit," Benjamin continued "I’ve even come to share your appreciation for the coe surged through Matthew’s veins My skin prickled, and a dull throbbing started inyou do interests me," Matthew said coldly

"Not even if it involves the Book of Life?" Benja for it Does it have soenetics"

"What do you want?" Matthew asked

"Your attention" Benjahed

Matthew fell silent once more

"You’re not often at a loss for words, Matthew," Benjamin said "Happily, it’s your turn to listen At last I’ve found a way to destroy you and the rest of the de Clermonts Neither nor your pathetic vision of science can help you now"

"I’ a liar out of you," Matthew promised

"Oh, I don’t think so" Benjareat secret "You see, I knohat the witches discovered all those years ago Do you?"

Matthew’s eyes locked on mine

"I’ll be in touch," Benjaently, thinking only of Miriaers raced to make the call

"It’s about time you phoned, Matthew Exactly what a for in your DNA?

Marcus said to look for reproductive markers What is that supposed to mean?" Miriam sounded sharp, annoyed, and utterly like herself "Your in-box is overflowing, and I’m due a vacation, by the way"

"Are you safe?" Matthew’s voice was hoarse

"Yes Why?"

"Do you knohere your phone is?" Matthew asked

"No I left it somewhere today A shop, probably I’m sure whoever has it will call me"

"He called me instead" Mattheore "Benjamin has your phone, Miriam"

The line went silent

"Your Benjaht he was dead"

"Alas, he’s not," Fernando said with real regret

"Fernando?" His name came out of Miriam’s o?" Fernando asked gently

"Thank God you’re there Yes, yes, I’m fine" Miriam’s voice shook, but she made a valiant effort to control it "When was the last tio," Baldwin said "And yet Matthew has been home for only a feeeks, and Benjamin has already found a way to contact hi for hi about our research on your phone, Miriam?" Matthew asked "Stored e-mails?

Data?"

"No You know I delete my e-mails after I read them" She paused "My address book Benjaet new ones," Matthew said briskly "Don’t go hoe I don’t want either of you alone Benjamin mentioned Amira by name" Matthew hesitated "Jason, too"

Miriaht, Mirialad she couldn’t see the expression in his eyes "Benjamin noticed he’d called you a few times, that’s all"

"Jason’s picture is in nize him!" Miriam said, clearly rattled "Jason is all that I have left ofwere to happen to hier" Matthew looked to Gallowglass, who ilassthe door softly behind him

"Why has Benjamin reappeared now?" Miriam asked numbly

"I don’t know" Matthew looked in enetics research and the Book of Life"

I could sense soer puzzle fall into place

"Benjaue in 1591," I said slowly "That must be where Benjamin heard about the Book of Life E look When he spoke, his tone had turned brisk "Don’t worry, Miriaure out what Benjaed Miriam to be careful and told her he’d call her once we reached Oxford After he hung up, the silence was deafening

Gallowglass slipped back into the roo out of the ordinary, but he prouard So What do we do now?"

"We?" Baldwin said, brows arched

"Benjarih tied that and dealt with the chaos you’ve caused, instead of hiding behind Ysabeau’s skirts and indulging in these intellectual fantasies about curing blood rage and discovering the secret of life"

"You , Matthew," Verin added "It would have been easy to destroy Benjamin in Jerusalem after he was first reborn, but it won’t be now Benja children and allies around hie somehow He is the faly

"I’ll help," Marcus said to Matthew

"You aren’t going anywhere, Marcus You’ll stay here, at ation So will Gallowglass and Verin We need a show of family solidarity" Baldwin studied Phoebe closely She returned his look with an indignant one of her own

"I’ve considered your wish to become a vampire, Phoebe," Baldwin reported when his inspection of her was complete, "and I’s Marcus’s desire for a traditional mate will demonstrate that the de Clermonts still honor the old ways You will stay here, too"