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You are weak, Raven. You will need more blood, more sleep. Your wounds were very serious." She moved then, just shifted her weight slightly. Pain clawed at her. "I couldn't reach you. I tried, Mikhail, for that woman." He brought her fingers to the warmth of his mouth, pressed them there. "Never again, Raven, will I fail you." There was more pain in his heart and mind than in her body. "I chose to follow them, Mikhail. I chose to involve m..
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Christine Feehan |
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You taste like the forest, wild and untamed and so erotic you make me crazy." The admission broke from her, the confession of a grave sin. The bubbles fizzed and burst against their sensitized skin, foamed on their most intimate parts. Mikhail leaned back, taking their weight, securing her on his lap. Her rounded bottom brushed against him, sent sweet fire streaking through their blood. "You taste like sweet, hot spice, addictive and so sen..
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Christine Feehan |
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Gregori hit the door with the palm of his hand, splintering the heavy oak, staying well to the side of the entrance. A shotgun blast was loud, echoing into the night. The trap could have been sprung by any one of the villagers. "That will bring the good citizens running," Gregori said drily." --
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Christine Feehan |
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fdfa40c
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There was the merest quiver in her voice. He wasn't altogether certain that didn't fall under the heading of misleading her, but she'd been through enough.
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Christine Feehan |
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5db98ae
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Raven was there in his mind, instantly flooding him with warmth and comfort. He would always need her, but right now, more than anything, he had to know she was safe. There was the merest quiver in her voice. He wasn't altogether certain that didn't fall under the heading of misleading her, but she'd been through enough. She could feel Mikhail's grief and wondered at it. Mikhail felt her acceptance. Just to be doubly safe, he sent a ..
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Christine Feehan |
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932cb95
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I have hope that a human woman can give birth to a female child. I have long suspected that it is so. I believe something has happened to our women to prevent this, and with a human woman, the chances will be far greater that she can carry to full term and deliver a healthy female." "The male determines the sex," Mikhail pointed out. "We have tried to produce females but have failed." "But we have tried with Carpathian women," Gregori point..
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Christine Feehan |
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The black emptiness was growing in Gregori, a dark stain spreading over his soul. He made no effort to hide it from Mikhail. It was as if he wanted to show Mikhail just how desperate the situation was becoming. Keeping his gaze steady on his prince's, Gregori answered the charge. "I have done many dark, ugly, unforgivable things, but I would never use a female for experimental purposes." He shrugged his wide shoulders. "Although we both kno..
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Christine Feehan |
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59e4b70
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You still have not confided to me on what you are basing your theory that a human woman can produce a female child in good health." He needed to know. He needed to believe as much as Gregori did. This time Gregori's silver eyes warmed into mercury, a self-mocking humor that wasn't real shimmering for a brief moment. "Need. Pure need, my old friend." Mikhail's eyes gleamed with answering humor. Need was as elemental as hunger. Even the earth..
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Christine Feehan |
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32e3f3f
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You still have not confided to me on what you are basing your theory that a human woman can produce a female child in good health." He needed to know. He needed to believe as much as Gregori did. This time Gregori's silver eyes warmed into mercury, a self-mocking humor that wasn't real shimmering for a brief moment. "Need. Pure need, my old friend."
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Christine Feehan |
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c276b0a
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If what you suspect is true, perhaps we need to conduct a search for likely candidates. We could take out single ads in newspapers across the world for all Carpathians." "Your woman would like that," Gregori agreed."
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Christine Feehan |
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8bdc045
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If what you suspect is true, perhaps we need to conduct a search for likely candidates. We could take out single ads in newspapers across the world for all Carpathians." "Your woman would like that," Gregori agreed. Mikhail nodded. "She says we need to be brought into this century." Mikhail's laughter was genuine. "All my latest technology has failed to convince her that I am a modern man."
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Christine Feehan |
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787a237
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There had to be a reason for the delay. Suddenly Mikhail inhaled sharply. "Byron. It is well known in the village that he is Eleanor's brother. If Eleanor, her child, and Vlad were targets, it stands to reason that Byron is also." Even as his body bent, contorted, and feathers sprouted, shimmering iridescent in the faint light beginning to streak across the sky, he was already sending a sharp warning to the young Carpathian male. The powerf..
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Christine Feehan |
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0628537
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If what you suspect is true, perhaps we need to conduct a search for likely candidates. We could take out single ads in newspapers across the world for all Carpathians." "Your woman would like that," Gregori agreed. Mikhail nodded. "She says we need to be brought into this century." Mikhail's laughter was genuine. "All my latest technology has failed to convince her that I am a modern man." Without thought, his mind reached for Raven's to s..
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Christine Feehan |
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f4fe7c3
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Raven has to feel I have reverence for human life." He offered the explanation by way of an apology. "You do," Gregori snapped, his voice terse. "More than you probably should."
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Christine Feehan |
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adacfa3
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Romanov is very dangerous to us. To leave him alive is to leave a time bomb ticking." "Yet to kill him would drive a huge wedge between Raven and me." Gregori heaved a sigh. "Take command of your woman, Mikhail. That is the best advice I can give you." "She needs to feel free." Gregori's eyebrow shot up. "She is essential to the existence of our species. You need to keep her under tight protection." He meant under control, and disapproval t..
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Christine Feehan |
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86d821e
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Take command of your woman, Mikhail. That is the best advice I can give you." "She needs to feel free." Gregori's eyebrow shot up. "She is essential to the existence of our species. You need to keep her under tight protection." He meant under control, and disapproval tinged his tone. Mikhail burst out laughing. "I want to see you find a lifemate, Gregori, one like Raven. She will hold you in the palm of her hand."
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Christine Feehan |
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We'll find a way to have children, Mikhail. You managed to convert me without becoming deranged." There was gentle humor in her voice. Mikhail's head went up, his dark eyes meeting hers. Raven laughed softly. "Did you think I wouldn't know your worst fear? I am adept at reading minds, and you, my love, have opened yourself to me often. I knew your fear and loved you all the more for facing it alone." "You should have said something." He mov..
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Christine Feehan |
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The way you love me, Mikhail, is amazing. Thank you. But you'd better go before Gregori believes I'm holding you prisoner and comes looking for you." "Ah, yes. Gregori." Mikhail kissed her and sat up, his movements fluid and easy. "Does he frighten you?" "He gave me his allegiance," she said. "I don't believe he ever goes back on his word, and he certainly doesn't give his loyalty to just anyone. No, I'm not afraid of him. I'm afraid him...
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Christine Feehan |
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You are the prince of our people. It is the duty of all of us to protect you and your woman from any potential harm." "If need be, you have the ability to lead in my place," Mikhail reminded. "I am no vessel, and you well know it." "But Jacques most likely is." Gregori turned his burning eyes fully on the prince. "There is no point to this discussion, Mikhail. You serve our people as the vessel. I am at your side for a reason, but do not ev..
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Christine Feehan |
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2fa6bb0
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Our males are of the darkness. Without our women, the other half of ourselves to provide the light, we become truly the vampires of the human legends.
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Christine Feehan |
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Hear me, Romanov." Rudy's eyelids fluttered and then lifted. It took a few minutes for him to realize he was dangling helplessly in the air with those unearthly pale eyes staring unblinkingly at him. "You're real." Rudy's voice was weak, and his body felt like lead. "Tell me about Von Halen. Your father sent him Dubrinsky's picture. As if a vampire could have his picture taken." Gregori shook the man. "How can you be of worth to me if you a..
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Christine Feehan |
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It is not reasonable to presume an eighty-year-old mortal could survive an attack," Mikhail answered grimly. "It is not logical to presume anything," Gregori reminded as he glided up onto the porch." --
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Christine Feehan |
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309873d
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Aidan advanced on Raven, his glittering eyes golden and piercing as his gaze swept over the mortals huddled behind her. "Come with us," he ordered abruptly. "Mikhail wishes us to see that you are safe." Raven's eyebrows shot up while Monique clutched her arm, clearly frightened. Byron moved in from the other side, effectively boxing her in. "Why?" "Mikhail wishes us to see that you are safe, and then we must deal with the mortals," Aidan ex..
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Christine Feehan |
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Mikhail did not need to tell me. I smell his stench on you. I can see the marks of his fingers. It is clear he attempted to kill you. Can you deny it?" Monique cried out and inched closer to her husband. Raven sighed. "No, of course not, but there were circumstances you perhaps don't understand." She tried to be reasonable when she didn't feel reasonable. "I do not need to understand the why of it, only that he did it. Go with Byron." "Did ..
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Christine Feehan |
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ffd77f7
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Did you see where Andre put the key, so we can free Alexander?" Raven asked, attempting to move around the other Carpathian male blocking her path. She just managed not to laugh at the shocked look on Aidan's face. "Don't worry, Monique, they like to look tough and mean, but they're really very sweet." She didn't know this particular Carpathian, but she was fairly certain Mikhail would have a few things to say if he dared touch her. Aidan w..
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Christine Feehan |
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57201e8
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Mikhail's body went rigid. He turned his head slowly in the direction of her pleading gaze. Monique huddled beside her husband, her horrified eyes on Mikhail and the men crowding beside him. Mikhail forced down the wildness of his nature and his resentment of the humans that Raven would turn to for comfort rather than him. For one long moment his black gaze rested on the male who had dared to put his hands around Raven's throat and tried t..
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Christine Feehan |
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She is well?" Gregori asked. "Jacques knows to watch over her. She asked about you." Gregori's eyebrow shot up. He doubted that anyone had inquired about his health, not in centuries, other than Mikhail. He didn't respond to the statement, unsure of what to think about another being including him in their circle."
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Christine Feehan |
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As he neared the bear, the creature suddenly jerked to one side with astonishing speed, and for a moment, instead of the massive animal, Mikhail caught a glimpse of a man with flowing golden hair and blazing golden eyes. Inhaling sharply, Mikhail pulled back, realizing the bear was an illusion. Aidan's cry was sharp in his mind. Mikhail whirled to face the real animal charging him, nearly on top of him. He waited calmly, bracing himself, a..
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Christine Feehan |
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Gregori reprimanded. Mikhail grunted his annoyance. , Gregori retorted.
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Christine Feehan |
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Raven could see his plan clearly, knew Mikhail felt the initial rush of agony overwhelming her. She could barely breathe. Wanting to spare him, she tried to close herself off from him. But Mikhail was far too strong to allow her such a withdrawal. She could feel his utter cold fury, his lack of mercy, his desire for battle, the urge to kill the renegade. She could feel his sudden indecision as he realized what the vampire was doing. Andre l..
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Christine Feehan |
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You take too many chances," Gregori growled in reprimand, materializing beside Mikhail. "They were programmed to destroy you. You should have made certain you removed yourself from harm's way." Mikhail surveyed the destruction and death surrounding him. Not one body had gotten within ten feet of him. "I knew you would never allow such a thing. He will never rest now until he destroys you, Gregori." A faint, wolfish grin touched Gregori's mo..
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Christine Feehan |
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cc2b1a2
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Mikhail's voice resonated with power, yet for her there was a soothing gentleness. Mikhail did not take his eyes from the vampire, holding him helpless with his mind alone. So great was his fury, he hardly required Gregori's mind merge to assist him. One by one the Carpathian males materialized, their faces masks of condemnation. Raven could feel the human couple's terror rising, approaching near madness. She staggered to them, wrapping her..
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Christine Feehan |
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Monique whirled around and ran to her husband. "Pray with me, pray with me. We are going to die this night, Alexander." Raven shut the door and leaned against it. "Don't panic on me, Monique. We have a chance if we can stall him." Alexander glared at her, his arms protectively around his wife, his hand already swollen and sore looking. "Don't listen to her, Monique. She almost strangled me and threw me against the wall with unbelievable str..
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Christine Feehan |
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a5e88c2
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Don't listen to her, Monique. She almost strangled me and threw me against the wall with unbelievable strength. She is unclean." Raven rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I'm beginning to wish I did have all that power you think I have. I'd find a way to keep you from talking."
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Christine Feehan |
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she sent back as sarcastically as she was able. She had enough problems without Mikhail treating her as if she didn't have a brain.
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Christine Feehan |
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I want to see you find a lifemate, Gregori, one like Raven. She will hold you in the palm of her hand." "If I ever find what you have, I will never allow her to risk herself. She will never go near danger, not even to feed. And she will not defy me." "You cannot keep a lifemate prisoner, Gregori." There was a hint of amusement in Mikhail's voice."
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Christine Feehan |
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Come, Raven. We must leave now." Andre snapped his fingers, holding out his hand. The vampire's face was flushed with fresh blood. The glow of evil was in his eyes; his mouth twisted with cruelty. Mikhail's dictating was grating on already raw nerves. "
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Christine Feehan |
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3307e10
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If I ever find what you have, I will never allow her to risk herself. She will never go near danger, not even to feed. And she will not defy me." "You cannot keep a lifemate prisoner, Gregori." There was a hint of amusement in Mikhail's voice. "She will do as she is told." Mikhail turned away to conceal his grin. Gregori had no idea how a woman could twist a man's insides and make it impossible to breathe without her. If Gregori ever found..
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Christine Feehan |
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ce9fabb
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Do you believe there is hope for their race?" The priest made the sign of the cross on her forehead, on the insides of each of her wrists. "You are their hope, Raven. Don't you know that?"
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Christine Feehan |
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Good morning, my dear. I am Andre, come to take you to your new home." He glided across the room, clearly enjoying his power over them all. As he approached her, his eyes darkened with rage. "You were told to feed on the priest." "You were told to go to hell."
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Christine Feehan |
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Gregori's body bent first, feathers shimmering iridescent in the moonlight. A six-foot wingspan spread, and he glided to the high branch of a nearby tree, razor-sharp talons digging into a branch. The owl's body went motionless, blended into the night, simply waited. Aidan was next, a peculiar golden color, powerful and lethal, just as silent. Byron's form was shorter, more compact, his feathers a mantle of white. Mikhail's solid form waver..
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Christine Feehan |
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There was no hesitation on her part. With complete faith in him, Raven gave herself into his keeping, reaching eagerly for the vision. The slight discomfort, the strange disorientation as her physical body dissolved, did not faze her. Feathers shimmered, sprouted. Beside her, Jacques stepped back, allowing the smaller female owl to hop onto a tall stone angel before his own large frame compressed, reshaped. Together they launched themselves..
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Christine Feehan |
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Gregori pointed out.
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Christine Feehan |
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my love. You are --my heart and soul," Mikhail whispered softly."
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Christine Feehan |