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He had made her want hi at her side, touching her hair

"You are exquisite I am deeply sorry for our departed friend, who made you, and then perished!

Poor Alec! He believed so deeply that his love iousso aesthetic, believing in life, song, poetry, and myth Beauty and the beast, and his beast could turn, if love were strong enough Indeed, were I ht love you myself Perhaps I could learn to do so"

"I could never learn to love you!"

"Ah, well, then it’s a good thing that I truly don’t give a damn-- and that I do have the power

Nor am I ever content with just one lover Still, you amuse me, please me, enchant me And I will summon you when I choose-- and you will come, because I deain, he laughed His deep, husky, wickedly taunting laugh

And then again, he touched her

His whisper, like his sensuality, wrapped all around her "Ma belle, I do have the power " Her eyes opened slowly She was in her own bed, listening to the church bells of Paris tolling the hour

She lay in a fog as she struggled to awaken, thinking of her ht; she still lay exhausted, the dream had been so very vivid!

She started to rise

Then realized that her goas in tatters, ripped and shredded Her hands began to shake; tears stung her eyes Oh, God, it couldn’t be

Oh, God, it was

She fell back, ing in a cascade of tears and self-pity

But then, when she had cried herself out, she rose She walked to the , and stared out at the day

She would cry no more

Lucian had power

So be it

She would have ie ate dinner at a new restaurant not far froirls ordered espressos, she excused herself to go to the ladies’ rooh the bar area At the far end of the elegant oak bar, there was a television She was certain that it was frequently tuned to sporting events, but tonight, the stations were repeating segments of the six o’clock news First, she saw the sincere young detective she hadquestions began to grow surly Then Canady stepped up to the podiu When he said that the police intended to protect the city, his words were believable Itto do with his physical presence, or the sound of his voice Whatever his power, he e beasts ready to tear into the police force--fear did that to people, and, as she had overheard since she’d been out tonight, a lot of people in New Orleans were afraid Still, people were vocal tonight, and she couldn’t help hearing as well that there were those here who still seeht have believed back in Jack the Ripper’s day--that as long as their killer stuck to pimps and whores, decent people were safe Still, such a killer had to be caught

Maggie saw a shadow against the screen of the television So behind her

She turned quickly, and saw that Sean Canady was right at her back He’d changed He was in a casual pinstripe jacket with a tieless silver gray shirt, just opened at the collar

"How’d I do?" he asked her, and he sounded weary

She watched hi "Very well There was a cal of the like, you somehow conveyed to people that if they were careful and kept clear of underworld personalities, they’d probably be safe until the police caught the killer"

He arched a brow to her, a slight s on his lips "Now, is that a co me completely?"

She didn’t answer his question--but asked instead, "Did you follow ht side Definite power He had showered, and smelled pleasantly of soap and a subtle, woodsy after-shave She sed hard, wishing she could look away from him, but she’d just asked him a question

"No," he said "I didn’t follow you here I was hoping to follow you to a jazz club this evening, and we just happened to come in here for dinner because it’s close to the club" Despite herself, she felt a s at her lips "Well, sir, you’re honest"

"I try Are you honest?"

"I doreply"

"I didn’t kill the piirl in the ceated "

"You didn’t have to allow otten a search warrant"

"Yes, I would have"

"Soare you followingan arrest soon?" He didn’t reply Two seats had gone vacant at the bar and he took her elbow, directing her toward them "Let me buy you a drink"

"Do you think I’ll becouilty?" she inquired