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Henry had been another earth vampire, so she knew any children he sired would be, as well "Does Hans live near you?"

"Not too far Bavaria"

Her client chatted about her children for a while longer, and Anne couldn’t stop the surge of envy

What friends? Who in there knows you? Knows you really?

She hated that his words still haunted her She had friends! She had lots of them

Okay, she mostly had clients, but she was friendly with theid and Josie Not that she saw them much, but she had them And once the bond with Murphy had faded, she’d be able to be a real partner for soain Soe of her Soain"

"Da into the floor where it struck

Covering her face with one hand, she tookher from across the room

"Elke, you’re probably right We should reschedule I had an unexpected visitor last night, and I am completely distracted"

Elke’s mouth had turned up at one corner "You know, I don’t know that I have ever seen you so perturbed This is a man you’re involved with, I presume"

"No Yes He’s… I’m sorry This isn’t your probleht be able to offer some advice Plus, I’s people feel co for a reason," she muttered "Still… it’s not professional for me to do this You’re my patient You cohed "We’re not human, Anne The lines, they are not so clear for us, yes? Tell me about this man Is he human or vampire?"

"Vampire We’ve been mated…" She took a deep breath and noticed the older woman’s eyebrows had risen in surprise "Yes, I was ed and have been for many years"

"I’m so very sorry"

"It’s fine" She waved a hand "It’s in the past With enough ti since you…? If you don’t "

"It’s been around one hundred years since we last exchanged blood"

Elke’s eyes greide "And you still feel this connection with hiether?"

"Around thirty years Isn’t that… I’d always heard that it took time, so--"

"Tiy isn’t strictly clear It’s an emotional connection as much as a physical one, of course Friends and allies can exchange blood without any serious bonds fory But forblood, the connection fades in roughly half the tiether So for you--"

"Fifteen years?" Anne asked "It should have faded after fifteen years? At fifteen years, I still woke up in thehi

"Fifteen years?" Anne said again

"Your connection hly