A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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mind—to reachTracy , to see her one last time before he succumbed to the pain of his burns and the weakness that grew worse with every passing moment.

With the heat of the rising sun searing his flesh, he had pulled himself up the stairs to her front porch. Feeling like a pilgrim who had finally reachedMecca , he collapsed against the door and with his last ounce ofstrength, he had spoken to her mind.

She had taken him to her bed, nourished him with her blood, and then fallen asleep. Knowing the sun would soon flood herroom, he had made his way down to his lair and collapsed on the floor in front of the fireplace.

Now, utterly exhausted, helpless as a newborn babe, he closed his eyes and surrendered to the dark peace of oblivion.

She stood there for several minutes, hoping to hear his voice, hoping the door would open, but nothing happened. For a second there, she had imagined she felt something, but then it was gone.

Discouraged and afraid, she went back to the house.

Needing something to occupy her time, she went up to her studio to work on another seascape for Mr. Petersen.

And all the while she wondered where Dominic had gone and if he was all right.

She worked relentlessly. She finished one painting and started a second. Her seascapes were usually light and bright, mild waves beneath bright blue skies, sometimes with dolphins or killer whales cavorting in the background. Today, her oceans were dark, filled with storm-tossed whitecaps and leaden skies ripped apart by jagged bolts of lightning.

Standing back to study her work,Tracy realized she was somehow tuned in to Dominic's pain, that she was painting what he was feeling. She had never realized that vampires could feel pain. Being undead, she had assumed they were immune to pain, and even as the thought crossed her mind, she realized that made no sense at all. If he could feel pleasure, it stood to reason he could also feel pain.

Closing her eyes, she focused all her energy and concentration on Dominic. She pictured him lying in his satin-lined casket, his eyes closed. Did he find relief from his pain while he slept the Dark Sleep?

Dominic, I'm here. Ready to do whatever I can, whatever you need.

There was no answer. She tried again, and again, and each passing second of silence only served to increase her sense of helplessness, her growing fear that he could no longer respond. That he was… She couldn't say the word.

And then, when she had given up hope, his voice whispered in her mind.
Come to me at dusk.

I will.