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There was no surprise in his eyes, and she realized in a flash,You knew, didn’t you?

Yes. When you mentioned the library, it struck me as well as being the most likely place for the murders to take place. In every crime scene we’ve been to, it had been clear that the victim had been killed at around this time and then dumped elsewhere in the morning.

Which was why you knew it was okay for us to talk. You even chose to talk here on the roof because you wanted a bird’s eye view of him coming back. You’re using me, aren’t you?She was hysterical, screaming at him in her mind.You only want me as a soul seer, don’t you? You’ve never really cared—-

Alexandru shut her up with a kiss.

Her gaze flew open. It took her more than a moment to remember to struggle, but she could only do so weakly, fearing he would accidentally let her slip away from his grasp.

Alexandru savored the kiss. It had been only a few days, but it felt like forever. It also felt like the last kiss, the way she tried to keep her lips pursed together, and he didn’t want that. He could not accept that. She was his, dammit. She was his pet!

I care,he said savagely.I care more than I want to. If I had a choice, if I could bear sending you away—-

His voice rose to a furious hiss.I would have!

She couldn’t speak when Alexandru stopped, her entire body shaking at the strength of his emotions.

I didn’t sign the damn contract for you. You deserve a better Master than me. But if you think you’re ready to take such a leap, we can sign it the moment we get back.

The words had her reeling, a good part of her unable to believe what she had just heard. When Alexandru suddenly hauled her close, this time she didn’t even think of struggling, clutching his shoulders as he leapt down to the third-floor balcony.

He’s coming up.Alexandru tried the doors, found it unlocked, and walked quietly inside, making sure to keep his pet behindhim. Pulling the doors back close, he had them crouching in the shadows.

Won’t he sense us here?

No. We’ve masked our presences. He’s at the second floor now, but he’s...alone.

Telling herself to concentrate, Zari pushed away all thoughts but the scene before her, trying to see if she could see grasp any kind of vision. Seconds passed, and the world around her remained normal.

I can’t sense anything.Frustration made Zari shake her head.

Alexandru, moving behind her, lifted his pet’s hair off her neck.

She looked at him over her shoulder.Master—-

His fangs pierced her flesh.

Her lips parted in a soundless gasp. As he started to drink from her, ecstasy hit Zari, her senses spiraling, waking the part of her that couldsee—-

RED.

Blood dripping through intravenous tubes and into bottles. Blood splattered on hands covered with surgical gloves. Blood on the skin around the killer’s mouth just before he licked it away, slowly, savoring the taste——

She started to choke, unable to breathe because of the overpowering smell of blood. It was too much, she didn’t want this scent. How could anyone live with this scent? And cold. Itwas so damn cold. She rubbed her arms, the chill in the room making her teeth chatter.

Hack. Hack. Hack.

Pieces of flesh flying in the air, and now the smell worsened. It wasn’t just the smell of blood. Now it smelled like decaying flesh—-

Zari backed away, trying to escape the smell, and bumped into something hard and made a rattling sound. Whirling around, she saw a ceiling-high shelf stacked with computer servers—-

Alexandru caught her before she fell to the ground.

Her eyes were wide with fright. “He’s a vampire like you,” she gasped. She knew she should be communicating quietly with him, but she was too weak, too disoriented. “He’s at the server room—-”

I understand. I will need to leave you. Will you be fine?

“Yes.” She could still see the bits of flesh falling around her like snowflakes, and she gagged as the thought occurred to her that all of it could belong to just one woman. Was she still alive when she was being ground to pieces?