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"Yet we are the ones responsible for the gathering of vampires in this region. They are looking for us."
Darius nodded. "That is more than likely. But it is hardly your fault."
"Yet you have to destroy them."
"It is my duty. I accept it without question or thought. Now, Desari, I am weary, and we must get this
man of yours deep within the earth to complete his healing. Let us go."
Desari started down the aisle, then turned back to address him over her shoulder. "The bus broke down
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again, Darius. I intend to put an ad in some of the papers looking for a mechanic to travel with us. I
realize it will change things a bit, but we can easily control a single human. I can even place a compulsion
in the ad so that we attract the one we are seeking."
"If he is out there. If your chosen one is not going to get jealous. He appears to be somewhat
possessive."
Desari turned away from her brother, pleased she was able to get that much of a concession out of him.
Darius obviously believed she could never find such a person, but she was determined to try. She was
tired of seeing to every detail of their travel by herself.
They stepped outside into the gray light of dawn and moved hurriedly into the deep forest to select an
area protected from the sun yet with several escape routes.
Desari found such a spot and waved her hand to open the earth, revealing the healing coolness the soil
provided to rejuvenate those of her kind. It beckoned her, whispering promises of sleep and protection.
Behind her, Darius floated silently to the site with his burden. Very carefully he lay Julian in the bed of
soil. "Sleep deeply, the sleep of our people, chosen one of my sister, that you will heal completely and
wake refreshed and in full strength." He spoke the words formally as Desari followed Julian to earth. He
watched as his sister waved her hand, taking her last breath before the soil poured over them.
Darius stood a moment listening to the birds and the rustles of mice and small rodents foraging in the
bushes. He was normally in the earth before the sun had risen this high; he had almost forgotten the
sounds of morning. As he looked around at the black and gray world, he felt the utter loneliness the
males of his race endured for most of their barren existence. Time stretched out before him, long and
endless and ugly without hope. Nothing could change what was. It was but a matter of time before the
black stain spreading in him enveloped his soul completely. It was only his iron will and strict code of
honor, his responsibility for the protection of his family, that kept him from walking into the sun and
ending the waking hell he existed in. How much worse had it been for Desari's lifemate, with the mark of
the vampire consuming his soul, eating him from the inside out? Julian Savage was a threat to all he came
in contact with. And now he was a part of Darius's family.
Chapter Eleven
The sun set slowly, hues of orange, pink, and red spreading across the sky. It sank behind the
mountains, its colors radiating throughout the forest, casting dancing shadows on leaves and brushes. The
wind blew gently, fresh and clean, renewing the cycle of life.
Most of the campers had long since left the area, disturbed by some unknown sense of distress, as if
something dangerous lurked nearby. Two missing campers who had been panning for gold had never
been found despite a search of the area on horseback, by helicopters, and with dogs. The
search-and-rescue teams found themselves heavy of heart, an oppressive burden on their chests making
it nearly impossible to breathe. All of them secretly wanted to get out of the area.
The barrier Dayan had erected was a good one, and Darius had reinforced it when he rose several
nights previously. The bus had also finally been repaired.
Julian became aware of his heart and lungs beginning to function, of the sound of another heart beating
close to his. Carefully he scanned the area above and around him to ensure they were alone and free
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from danger. He checked for blank spots that might mask the presence of the undead. Then he opened
the earth above them to reveal the swaying canopy of branches and the night that belonged to him. He
moved in a slow, careful stretch to feel his body out. The movement brought him in contact with soft skin
and silky hair. He inhaled deeply, bringing her fragrance into his lungs.
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