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Her cheeks reddened "Of course He didn't at first because of the bloodtaking taboo, but now"

"You like it?"

Over the rilass, she said, "I think you know the answer to that question"

Even now Cas was overfull with blood, aching to be pierced "But I don't relish the idea of Mirceo having full access to ed to be attractive to his fated one, to appear forever strong and brave--the hero of old

When he thought of the things Mirceo could see, sweat beaded his upper lip "I couldn't stand pity from him Of all the people in the worlds, not him"

The vampire's words echoed in his mind: Perhaps you don't lack faith in me Perhaps you lack faith in you Maybe so

"I felt the same way," Bettina said "I was horrified at the idea of a brave warrior like Trehan seeing what a coward I hen the Vrekeners attacked"

Cas scowled "You were set upon by a gang of violent swordsmen!"

"I didn't say I was being rational about it In any case, Trehan did see, and he did pityvery important to me"

"Tina, I don't think I can bear hearing words of wisdoht now"

She glared "Language, de about Would you call Mirceo a leech?"

"Yes Routinely"

She waved that away "Trehan explained that when you love someone, you take on their pain as your own Trehan hurt for me Mirceo will hurt for you--especially since he'll relive your pain firsthand"

Could Mirceo ever love him? Was the va else I have so to show you" He pulled the coins from his coat "Mirceo and I collected a bounty"

Bettina's gaze grew laser-focused on the pouch "Gold"

"Not just any gold" He handed it to her

She opened it, gasping at the contents "Holy shit! This isthis is dragon gold!" She gazed up at him "That must've been some bounty"

"A tough one, yes" She tried to return the pouch, but he held up his palreed with him"

"Thank you sohim around, so I can thank him too?"

Cas glanced out over the town again "I don't see that happening He and I will o our separate ways for a time"

"Do you really believe that?"

"I explained sos to him about demon matehood Once Mirceo wraps his head around all the implications, that hedonist will cut and run Trust me" Didn't matter how much Cas wanted e--any more than he could will time to pass on Poly

She chewed her lip, her brows drawn Hurting forso obvious?

Cas hated that he'd made her pensive She'd had far too "

"Where? Hoill I get in touch with you?"

He finished his cup "I'll stop by again soon"

She hefted the sack of coins "I could ive Mirceo"

To signal a coold"

TWENTY-SIX

"Miss me, sweetheart?" Mirceo said from behind Caspion It was sunset on the fourth day

The de Child"

"I missed you too" He'd counted down the seconds till he could return, choking down bloodOver those nights, he'd hunted for thethe plane of Abaddon as a deadlysince killed those fiends "Let's agree never to part again--"

Caspion twisted around, his expression half wrathful, half wrecked "You didn't do as you said you would You didn't consider things Or else you would not be here!"

"I've clearly arrived just in tio to spy, half-tracing so Caspion couldn't detect his presence or scent The big de with his hands in fists That muscle in his clenched jaw had ticked

Mirceo hadn't been the only one counting down the seconds As he'd watched, Caspion had drawn back a fist, sla it into the wall