A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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Lost in grief and pain, she called for the only man she had ever loved, called for him over and over again, much to the horror and astonishment of her ladies, but she was past caring. Past caring that her husband did not bother to visit her.

"Dominic."She sobbed his name weakly. "Dominic, please come to me ."

He appeared at her side in the last hour before dawn. Clad all in black, for a moment she thought he was the Angel of Death come for her. In her fevered state, she imagined that his eyes were red and glowing, that his teeth, always whiter than new-fallen snow, were growing longer, becoming fangs.

Kneeling beside her bed, he took her hand in his. His gaze burned into hers with an intensity she had never seen before.

"Join me, Jocelyn," he begged. "Only say the word, and I will bring you to my side. We will be together for eternity—only say the word. "

"What is it you are asking of me?" she murmured. "How can we be together when I am dying?" "You need notdie, my best beloved one. You have but to ask, and I will make you as I am."

"And what are you?" It was a question she had ever harbored in the back of her mind but never dared ask.

"I am vampire," he replied quietly. "Look at me, and see me for what I am."

Vampire… it was the answer she had long suspected and feared, the reason she had not asked before. He was truly a creature of the night. Forever lost, forever damned. If she joined him of her own free will, she would forfeit all hope of heaven.

"No." She shook her head weakly. "I cannot… not even for… you. "

Tears filled his eyes. Crimson tears. "I love you,"he said, his voice thick. "I will find you again, I promise, no matter how many lifetimes it takes .…"

She woke with a start, one hand spread over her stomach, her eyes damp with tears. Never had she had a dream like that before, a dream so vivid, so real, that she had felt the pain. What was happening to her?

Flinging the covers aside, she slipped out of bed, padded barefoot across the floor and drew back the curtains, then opened the window. With a sigh, she lifted her face toward the heavens, basking in the sunlight, reveling in the warmth of it against her skin.

The light of a new day, the sound of the waves dancing cheerfully on the shore below, banished the last remnants of the dream from her mind. This was reality! And she hadwork to do.

After taking a quick shower, she dressed in a faded pair of paint-stained denims and an old shirt,then went downstairs to make a pot of coffee. Pouring herself a cup, she carried it upstairs.

When she opened the door to her studio, the first thing she saw was the painting she had done. It was just as unsettling in the bright light of day as it had been the night before. She couldn't help the shiver that ran down her spine as she moved into the room.Couldn't shake the feeling that the painting was somehow