A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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"Because you are favored of my Maker, I have decided to be lenient with you. From this night forward, you are no longer welcome in this place." He looked at Zarabeth . "Do you stand with her?"

Zarabethnodded.

"So be it," Dominic declared.

Petrinaglanced at Kitana , who was standing beside the booth Dominic had vacated. "You are going to let him do this?"

Kitananodded. "It is my wish that you do as he says."

Petrinalooked back at Dominic, defiance blazing in her eyes. Three of the vampires sitting at the bar rose and went to stand behind her.

"Franco. Laslo. Turk." Dominic's gaze settled on each one as he spoke their names. "Do not let me find you in my territory again. Be gone now, all of you."

Zarabethand the three male vampires vanished in a swirl of thick black smoke, leaving Petrina standing alone in the center of the room.

She lifted her arm and with a steady hand, pointed a finger at Dominic. "You will regret this night," she hissed, and then she, too, was gone.

At her going, the tension bled out of the room and the remaining vampires resumed what they had been doing before Dominic arrived.

Kitanaapproached Dominic, smiling faintly. "Peace has been restored." She placed her hand on his arm. "It was good to see you again."

"And you."

"Are you happy with your little mortal?"

The question sent a chill down his spine. Kitana was a female and like all females, could be given to jealousy."Very happy."

"Will you bring her across?"
"That decision is hers, not mine."

Standing on tiptoe, Kitana kissed him, first on one cheek, then the other. "I hope we will meet again soon."

"I would like that."

With a smile and a wave of her hand, she dissolved into a sparkling red mist and was gone.

Dominic blew out a deep breath, relieved that the matter had been settled without violence or destruction.