A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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It was still early. If he hurried, he could spend a few hours withTracy before sunrise.
Chapter 25

Upon leaving The Catacombs, Dominic stood outside for a moment. Though he had seen nothing but the night for centuries, he still found enjoyment in the dark. He glanced up at the vast blue sky, his gaze tracking the path of the Milky Way. Mortals saw so little with their limited vision. With his vampire sight, he saw the heavens in all their glory. It was a miraculous display, a manifestation of such boundless power that it made his own abilitiesseem infantile in comparison.

Lost in thought, he walked away from The Catacombs and into the night. He had toldTracy he believed his soul was lost, but was it? Would a Being who could create worlds without number and all the forces of life and nature condemn him for what he was? Could he yet find forgiveness?

Shaking such serious matters from his mind, he hurried his footsteps as he turned his thoughts towardTracy .

Perhaps if he had not been thinking of her, he might have sensed their presence before it was too late.

They sprang at him from the mouth of an alley. Silently and without warning, the five of them drove him backward, pinning him to the ground as they savaged him with their fangs. Driven by hatred, filled with the blood of those they had preyed upon earlier, they were at their most powerful. He felt Petrina's fangs dig deep into his throat.Franco and Turk, each holding an arm, slashed at the veins in his wrists. He felt the blood flow from his body as he fought to throw them off.

Zarabethdragged her fingers down his chest. Her nails, as sharp as claws, ripped through flesh and muscle.

With a mighty roar, he summoned his power, gathered it to him, and threw the two male vampires away from him.

Like cats, they landed on their feet. Surrounding him, they darted in, but he was ready for them now. Grabbing Zarabeth by the neck, Dominic hurled her into a pile of wooden boxes. Zarabeth shrieked as a box broke beneath her weight, driving a sharp piece of wood into her back and through her heart. It was a death blow. Dark red blood spurted from the wound.

Petrinascreamed in rage as her fledgling breathed her last.

Lasloand Franco rushed him from either side. He grasped each of them by the collar and slammed their heads together in a satisfying crack. They fell to the ground, momentarily stunned.

And now Petrina and Turk circled him, their fangs gleaming in the moonlight. Panting, his strength ebbing like the outgoing tide, Dominic faced them, his fangs bared.

Young and foolish, Turk lunged forward. Summoning the last of his strength, Dominic grabbed Turk by the neck. With a cry, he ripped out the other vampire's throat,then tossed him aside. The vampire sprawled on the pavement like a broken doll.