A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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placed her on the sofa, then went upstairs to the master bedroom and opened the door that led into a hidden room behind the fireplace.

Knowing it would frighten her to wake in a casket, he took the mattress and bedding from the bed and carried it into his lair. He turned on the light so she would not awake in darkness, and then he went downstairs forTracy .

He put her to bed, fully clothed, removed her shoes, covered her with the blankets, and then went through the house, securing it against intruders.

He stayed by her side, watching her throughout the night, and when he sensed the dawn's approach, he took off his shirt and boots and then, stretching out on the mattress beside the woman he loved, he gathered her into his arms.

For the first time in his life, he would pass the daylight hours lying beside the woman he loved.
For the first time in his life, he would awake from the Dark Sleep with her beside him. Chapter 33

Kitanaslipped her arm aroundBryan 's shoulders, felt him stiffen in response to her touch. "Are you still angry with me,man amour ?"

He lifted one shoulder in a negligent shrug. "What difference does it make? It's done now, and it can't be undone."

"Ah, my sweet, do not be sad or angry." She made a broad gesture with her hand. "The world awaits us. You have only to tell me where you wish to go."

"Anywhere?"

"Anywhere."

He grunted softly. "I always wanted to go surfing inAustralia ."
"We can leave tomorrow, if you like."

"Yeah, and I can ride the waves at midnight." He turned to face her. "You've taken the sun away from me."

She ran her finger over his cheek. "Have I given you nothing in return?"

"A lust for blood?"He stared into the ashes of the fire. "I know too well the addict's curse—undying, infernal, unholy thirst. Swear to dawn, 'Never again!' yet come the night, another sin. Once so proud, now Hunger's Whore, hunting, seeking, drinking more…"

She laughed softly, a rich, deep sound that had the unexpected power to arouse him. "I've made a poet of you."