A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 34



"Yes."

She studied him a moment longer, then sheathed her weapon, uncaring that she exposed a long, slender leg to do so.

"Come," she invited, "walk with me. "

He walked her home every night after that, often staying with her until the hour before dawn, when he left to seek his lair. She was a wild girl, filled with the fire of youth and an inexhaustible passion for living. Her laughter was like the tinkling of temple bells, her hair like fine black silk,her skin smooth and without blemish.

In time, she took him into her heart, and then into her bed. And when, at last, he told her what he was, she did not turn away in disgust or look at him with revulsion, or banish him from her presence. And for that he had vowed to love her as long as she lived, to grant her any wish that was within his power to give.

They spent three years together. She became famous throughout all the known land. She danced for kings and princes, for sultans and sheiks. And always he stood in the shadows, watching over her.

As her fame grew, he warned her to be careful of her associations, never to go anywhere alone. There were many men, both old and young, who tried to gain her favor. Some offered marriage, some offered wealth,a few offered both. And there were those who tried to take by force that which she would not willingly give. His wrath was their reward.

But he was not there the day she needed him most. Ignoring his advice, she had gone out to wander through the marketplace in the late afternoon. On her way home, she had been attacked. She had fought off her attacker but not before the man stabbed her several times. Badly wounded, she had tried to make it back to her lodgings and when she realized she wasn't going to make it, she had crawled into the underbrush alongside the road.

He had found her there shortly after sunset. Her face had been as pale as fine white linen, her garments soaked with her life's blood. For once, the sight and the scent of blood had no effect on his inhuman hunger. He had gathered her into his arms and held her close.

" Kiya."He called her name again and again, uniting her spirit to return, until, at last, her eyelids fluttered open.

"Dominic. "Her lips formed his name but no sound emerged.

"Do not leave me!" Using his teeth, he ripped open his wrist and held it to her mouth."Drink!"
But it was too late. She was too weak to fight for her life, too weak to swallow the life-giving liquid. Her eyelids fluttered down.

He held her in his arms, rocking her back and forth, as she breathed her last. " Kiya, my best beloved one, I will find you again, I swear it."

And he had found her, again and again and again, only to lose her when death took her beyond his reach.