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She crossed her ar Her body had become so malnourished that the best course would be to take blood from another immortal with richer amnis than even human blood held Her sire would be ideal, but any blood drawn from a vampire would work The problem was it created a tie, even between friends No vampire wanted to create that link with an immortal they didn’t trust

"Patrick, you knohy I shouldn’t take yours"

"Because you want our bloody mate bond to die," he bit out "I understand perfectly well, Anne That’s been id I’s closer to them while we’re in town"

"No, that’s not… It’s not what I was thinking"

Murphy had said he would wait He’d said he’d learned patience Was he giving up so quickly?

Without a word, he reached over and took her hand She clutched it with both her own

"I don’t want the bond to die," Anne said "I just need to be able to trust my own heart You claim I didn’t need you, but you know that’s not true It would be so easy to losetihts of the city zip by The car ere dark, but she could see a few people still stu Couples holding hands She could feel the tentative brush of Murphy’s aainst her palm where he held her hand securely

"Would it be so terrible to lose yourself in me?" he murmured as they neared the house "Was it so awful before?"

"It wasn’t awful at all Just consu This is me, Patrick When I love, I love completely I know this about me You do the same"

"You say I consu the inside of her wrist "You were my anchor"

"Patrick--"

"Take your time Keep your distance if you need to, Anne" He took a carefully measured breath and released it "God knows, I’ve made more than my share of mistakes I’ve waited a hundred years for you to start speaking to er Just don’t cut me out completely, and don’t hurt yourself because you don’t want to ask for help"

Patrick Murphy had taken her heart, held it, and nurtured it Then he’d dropped it, crushed it, and left her behind Yet she’d never turned away frootten her

Are you trying to make me fall in love with you, Mr Murphy?

Of course I am, Dr O’Dea

Didn’t he know?

She’d never stopped

He held her hand all the way home, but Anne couldn’t say another word

Chapter Thirteen

CARWYN ANSWERED THEIR KNOCK with uncharacteristic churlishness

"What?" The heavy door swung open, and his ?"