A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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"Because I do not wish to be."

"Must be nice."

"Indeed. Come to me, my best beloved one, now, tonight. Let me show you the world as only a vampire can see it."

The thought made her stomach churn. "No. I can't. I'm not ready." She looked up at him, her expression dark and confused. "Maybe I'll never be ready. Will you find me again if we're parted in this life?"

"I will always find you, querida , in this life, or any other."

Once, the thought had filled her with alarm; now, it was strangely comforting.

Dominic kissed her cheeks, her brow. "I must go. Dawn approaches." He kissed her again, his lips claiming hers, hot and hungry, and then he gazed deep into her eyes.

"Dream of me, my best beloved one," he murmured."Dream of our life together." And then, as he had so many times before, he vanished from her sight.

A moment later, the first faint rays of golden sunlight pierced the darkness.
Chapter 18

WhenTracy woke later that morning, she wasn't sure if Dominic had actually been in her room in the last hour before dawn, or if she had dreamed it.

Rising, she showered and dressed, then went downstairs to put the coffee on. Feeling suddenly hungry and domestic, she mixed batter for waffles and fried a couple of strips of bacon. When that was done, she added a cup full of strawberries to her plate, poured a glass of orange juice, and for the first time since she had moved into the house, she sat down to a proper breakfast.

Savoring a bite of bacon, she thought of Dominic. Imagine, having to sustain oneself with nothing but a warm liquid diet for over two thousand years. Eating was one of life's pleasures. She couldn't imagine giving it up, and yet… what a marvel, never to have to worry about growing old and feeble, to always be young and vital and in perfect health, to stay forever as she was now, in the prime of her life.

She shook her head, trying to dislodge the thoughts building in her mind, but to no avail. What a blessing it would be, never to be tired or sick or have to worry about gaining weight, never having to worry about losing your sight or your hearing. Dominic said vampires saw with greater depth and clarity than mortals. What would that mean to her work?

Rising, she cleared the table, washed the dishes, and put them away. And always, in the back of her mind, was the question,what if ?

Going upstairs, she slipped into her smock and began to work on another seascape for Mr. Petersen. She watched her brush move over the canvas, saw the picture take shape, but she worked mechanically, her mind seemingly stuck in the groove of,what if ?