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"She hasn’t been cut yet," Billy said "There are medical er had come to knoell

He turned as Fiona MacDonald stepped into the rooroaned softly "II love her I’ll fight you both I’ll die for her if I have to, and they’ll find h to turn to dust I mean it--I will die for her"

"Billy, you’re already dead, technically," Fiona pointed out gently

Before he could reply, a sound drew their attention, and the body on the gurney suddenly jackknifed into a sitting position The sheet fell away

Abigail, in all her glory, stared at thee blue eyes

"Where am I?" she asked, and looked around Herto screairl’sFiona’s eyes beseechingly

Fiona stared at Jagger You have to do so, her eyes told hiently

"Why? She didn’t wake up screaail said, still so confused Then she gasped "I’ue!" She opened her ain as both Fiona and Jagger ently "She’s a nice kid, a good kid--raised by nuns, for God’s sake She’ll follow our laws, she’llshe’ll be a good citizen Please, give her a chance"

"Billy, she doesn’t even understand what happened," Fiona said

Billy’s hand slipped froed her

She let out a little whiry Starving For a rare steak Or for"

She stared at Fiona

At the pulse in Fiona’s throat

Abigail lowered her head and started to cry "I’ her that he had his stake at his side, not ready to strike

"Abigail My nae I’m a cop I need to knohat happened to you You went to a party, and then?"

She stared at him, confused, humiliated She suddenly realized that she had a sheet and pulled it over her breasts

"There was a lot of beer," she whispered

"Think, Abigail Please"

Billy rily "No! You can’t try to use her and thenYou can’t For the love of God, Jagger!"

"So to hear us soon," Fiona pointed out

"They’ll hear us when I fight you!" Billy promised

"I don’t want to hurt anyone, but don’t you see? I love Abigail"

"Oh, Billy, really? I’ve been in love with you for ages, too," Abigail cried softly "I was just too afraid to say anything"

Jagger stared at Fiona She was not untouched

"Look," Billy said quickly "We’ll just say she wasn’t really dead There have been ail’s voice shook with horror

"Shh," Billy pleaded

"Billy, this is the real world," Fiona pointed out gently "A tea tests At best, she’ll become a freak, and there won’t be anyone who can tend to her, who can ets the nourish like a caring angel "Billy, a lot of people would wind up dead"

Billy whipped out the stake he had brought, intending to kill the love of his life

He airabbed Fiona, drawing her behind his back

"Billy, don’t you dare threaten her," he whispered fervently

Billy paused for aentered his eyes

"So that’s the way it is," he said softly "The powerful old vampire is in love with the Keeper"

"Billy, don’t be ridiculous And step away froe in a split second, and when I do, I’er, and don’t threaten me"