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He tried to coth, but he couldn't stop the pain Couldn't stop the blinding flashes of light

His gut twisted Her end was near Death was reaching out his hungry hands to claio! You can't leave ain He would not sit by while death clai her slight weight easily, and ran for the parking lot exit Beyond the concrete walls, he could see the night He could see the faint light from the stars The hazy ht, his body shooting up into the sky Savannah was held tightly to hi out He had to find a safe place for her He had to make certain that she was protected so that the ritual could begin

He scanned the terrain “Hold on,” he whispered to her still figure “Just hold on!»

There! He flen, landing on the deserted rooftop They would be safe here Safe froently onto the roof His hand sled hair Her skin was pale, far too pale She would not live h, a prayer “Sweet Savannah»

He lowered his head to her throat, still listening carefully for the faint beat of her heart How long had it been since he'd last heard its beat? Seconds? Minutes?

Then he heard a faint stuttering sound Her heart!

He hesitated Was she strong enough? Would she be able to survive the kiss?

«Williaaze flew to her face Her eyes were still closed Her cheeks hollowed Had she spoken? Or had his feverish ently and saw her bruised throat led to speak

«Kiss ed “Kiss entle as the wind, as soft as the night, he caressed her, worshipped her He breathed into her y, his very soul

Her heartbeat stopped, and she gasped

«No!” She would not leave him He would not allow it! They had made a vow She'd promised him eternity He would not lose her to death

He sank his teeth into her throat Her sweet blood slid over his tongue, hot, pure It made him ravenous He wanted to drink, to drink all of her

But he could feel her slipping away Her spirit was leaving She was leaving hi down his chin With his teeth, he ripped a long, jagged path across his wrist and put the wound over herher throat so that she was forced to s the precious liquid She had to take his blood She had to drink froainst her chest, against her heart Once, twice He willed her heart to h for her to drink To transfor his psychic gifts to the lian to beat

Her eyes shot open, blank and frightened He lifted his hand, forcing her to drink his blood

Her lips ainst his skin Just a little bitinto his ar hih for the ritual?

He couldn't feel her heartbeat She wasn't breathing

He spoke quickly, reciting the words he hadn't spoken for over nine hundred years “I give to you my blood, ht Be of ainst her still lips “Be with ainst hers, tasting blood, tasting fear

He heard thunder echo in the distance, and the wind howled He could smell the storm, feel its approach as it whipped around the her cold, still body against his

Had he waited too long? Had her spirit already left? As Henry's had left? Was he too late, again?

The minutes ticked by in silence Savannah continued to lay ominously still in his arms