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“Gary, Gary Jansen. Your—um, wife, Sava
“Sava
“So,” said Gary, so nervous he was begi
“Come back into the house, and we will decide what to do.” Gregori was already gliding past him in that silent way he had.
Gary followed. Sava
“I have considered several alternatives to our problem, Gary,” Gregori said softly. “I will lay them out before you, and you will choose which of them you are the most comfortable with.”
Gary relaxed visibly. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
“You are going to be hunted by vampires and those humans involved in the society alike,” Gregori told him. “Any place you usually frequent you must therefore avoid. That includes your family, your home, and your job. Those are the places they will be waiting for you.”
“I have to work, Gregori. I don’t exactly have a huge savings account.”
“You can work for me. I have many businesses and could use someone I trust. Arrangements can be made to move you to any of the cities here in the United States where I have offices, or—and it might be a safer alternative—in Europe. The offer stands whether you decide to keep your memories of us or whether you ask that they be removed.”
Sava
“I don’t want you to erase my memories,” Gary said. “I’ve told you that. Besides, I think I have the right to help you with this mess instead of being shipped off to some foreign country like a child.”
“You do not know the dangers, Gary. But perhaps that is a good thing. If you insist on keeping your memory, I can do no other than protect Sava
Gary paled visibly. Slowly he put down the coffee mug, his hand trembling. “I don’t understand.”
“When I am nearby, I can read your thoughts, but I must be close. If I have taken your blood, I will always know where you are, I can track you easily to anywhere on this earth, and I will know your thoughts. If you ever betrayed us, I would know.” Gregori leaned forward, his brilliant silver eyes holding Gary’s captive. “Understand this, Gary. If I had to, I would hunt you. I would find you. And I would kill you.” There was complete conviction in his voice, in the depths of his eyes.
Gary could not look away. He felt as if that penetrating gaze could see right into his soul.
“It is something you should think about,” Gregori continued almost gently. “It has to be your decision alone. Whatever you decide, we will respect it, and we will do our best to protect you. You have my word on that.”
“You once told me the vampire was the biggest deceiver of all. How do I know you speak the truth?”
“You do not. You can only feel what is right or wrong. That is why it is necessary that you take your time before deciding. Once the decision is made, we will all have to live with it.”
“Does it hurt?” Gary asked, curious, his scientist’s brain already seeking data.
Sava
“You do not have to feel a thing,” Gregori said quietly, his voice strictly neutral. He didn’t want to influence the human in any way.
“I guess it would be too much to ask to let Sava
A low growl rumbling in Gregori’s throat was his answer. Sava
“Before we leave this house,” Gregori replied softly.
“That really gives me a long time to think it over,” he grumbled. “So, if you remove my memories of you, I would go back to my normal life and not have a clue I was in danger. That’s kind of a convenient way to get rid of me, don’t you think?” Sarcasm dripped in his voice.
The silver eyes slashed. Gregori stirred, a menacing rippling of muscle, the predator unsheathing his claws. Sava
“It isn’t like I meant to offend you, Gregori,” Gary said. “This isn’t easy. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. At least I don’t think it has. We haven’t met before, have we?”
“No,” Sava
“Silence, Sava
He doesn’t comprehend the honor you have extended him,she argued. If he knew, he would be less agitated.
S’il vous plait, Sava
Gary held up a hand. “Don’t do that. I know you’re talking together. I’m nervous enough. Okay. Okay. Do it. Get it over with. Bite me in the neck. But I’m going to warn you, I’ve never done this before. It won’t be too good for you.” He attempted a wan grin.
“Be certain. There can be no doubt. You must know that you trust me. There might be times when I will have to take human life. You ca
Gary moistened his lips. “Can I ask a few questions here?”
“Naturally.” Gregori was noncommittal.
“Are there any humans that have known of your kind and lived?”
“Of course. There is one family that has lived with one of our people for several centuries, mother to daughter, father to son. One of those closest to Sava
“So I won’t be the only one to know. Because it’s a big responsibility to have this knowledge. If you’re not vampires, what are you?”
“We are Carpathians, a race of people as old as time itself. We have special powers, some of which you have seen, and we require blood to survive, but we do not kill or enslave those we feed on. We walk in the night and must avoid the sun.” Again Gregori’s voice was expressionless.
“What is the difference between a vampire and a Carpathian?” Gary asked, excited, interested, feeling a strange elation.
“All vampires were Carpathians at one time. The vampire is a male of our race who has chosen the madness of false power over the rules of our people. When a Carpathian exists too long without a lifemate, he loses all emotion. Colors vanish from his vision. His i