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But Rand couldn't argue with the look, which highlighted Dovia's delicate features, yet also underscored the set of her chin, her firm lips, that spoke of resolve Determination The ability to survive

He expected Darcy, Fane and Lynn's fashion-conscious teen daughter, had likely suggested the cut While Dovia wouldn't be able to see it in the er would be ready to show her the azine picture

He reht before they went to rescue Dovia It had been a culture shock dip into the world he'd been away frorow? Not as fast as visible wounds healed, but Rand expected it grew faster than a human's

Idle thoughts Nors like that, they hurt and co catch, the smell of Sheba's fried chicken

Cai's eyelids were drooping again and Rand let his eyes half close, figuring their ease would help draw the girl back to the sa back into a doze, he could tell, even as she pressed closer, nuzzling her face in his chest

A half hour later, he returned to a wakeful state He wasn't exactly sure why, until he realized Dovia's hands wereover his chest, then down, under his ar around to his back, fingers exploring with obvious sexual intent

He couldn't have been ht before his eyes He stiffened when she slid both hands down to cup his ass, and knead His gaze shot to her face Her eyes were closed but her lips were slightly parted Her body ainst his She was asleep,dream state, somewhat conscious but not

He should speak her name, wake her fully, but he honestly had no clue how to handle the situation It made no sense to him After what she'd endured, no fe?

It wasn't manly, but panic rarely was Cai? Cai

"Cai," he hissed Lifting his head, Rand realized, with both relief and annoyance, the varess Cai lifted a "what?" kind of brow

"We need to wake her Now She couldn't possibly wantthis kind of thing" Rand spoke low but aloud He'd hoped Daegan was asleep, but his wolf senses told him he wasn't, so he wanted to be sure thethis

Cai's eyes sparked with hurind "She's a vampire," Cai answered, just as low "Remember, va human male's It's asthat for herself, doing it right now? It's a good sign that she's reaching for that Even if in her sleep"

"But II don't"

"It's okay" Cai put his hand on the young wo her arm, down to where it curved over Rand's hip Cai covered her hand on Rand's backside, closing his grip on her wrist, caressing As he gently brought her touch away from Rand, he spoke quietly

"Dovia Wake up, princess"

He eased her arm into a folded position where her hand was by her shoulder, and dipped his head to kiss her fingertips, an easy gesture Her head dropped back on his shoulder

"I'm awake," she murmured

Rand had been wrong She ake, and her half-closed eyes were on hi

"I want him," she said, with an almost animal note to her voice that startled Rand anew

She's a fledgling, Cai said, another reminder When she wants blood or sex, her impulse control is almost non-existent Take the stress of the past few days, add it to being safe now and wanting to reinforce that, by feeling in control of so You're what she wants A servant

She's so young, Rand thought desperately

She's twenty-two Remember Giles and Petra? She wouldn't have used the blood and sex in their early to mid-teens