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Chapter 31

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright-Continued

Buda , Hungary

I find myself struggling to write about all that happened after I awakened with Ignatius in the lair of Astir the Fallen. To awaken in the arms of the man I loved was truly magnificent, but what followed soon after still has me shaken.

After I awoke, Ignatius remained sleeping as I sat beside him admiring his long raven hair as it flowed over his pale skin. He seemed quite peaceful as he slept and it gave me some measure of comfort. Too many times the night before, I seen his face shadowed with pain when his past was remarked upon. That he was once a priest has given me pause a few times. It does bother me to think that he was a man of God and that he is now as trapped in darkness as I am. My struggle with my own vampiric nature is difficult enough, but how terrible is it for him?

Perhaps it was reckless of me to spend the day making love with Ignatius in Astir’s haven, but the temptation was too great. Though I wish not to admit it, I fear that Vlad will somehow disrupt my affair with Ignatius and that I will find myself cut off from the man I love so very much. These were my thoughts until they were interrupted unexpectedly by a voice.

“He looks quite tranquil when he sleeps. ”

I turned to see Astir standing near the bed. Once more the creature was dressed in a white robe that draped over its tall slim form and trailed behind the Fallen. Tonight, Astir appeared more female than male with its hair drawn up high on its head and falling in long thick golden curls to its waist.

“And he should not?”

“It is rare among your kind,” Astir answered. “Often your faces seem tormented as you rest. ”

I lay a hand gently on Ignatius' flat belly. “I suppose. But it is not very easy to be what we are. ”

Astir shrugged. “It is complicated only if you make it so. ”

“Do you drink the blood of mortals to survive?” I asked pointedly.

Astir grimaced. “Oh, dear God, no. ” Waving a long fingered hand, it moved further into view.

Once more I took note of the terrible scars on its back.

Astir’s eyes, burning flames of white and gold fire, looked down at Ignatius. “I came to you while he slept to warn you. ”

“To warn me?”

Astir lay a large, slender hand on Ignatius’ brow. “Vlad will return by sunrise. He has turned back out of fear. ”

I looked sharply at the Fallen. “What do you mean?”

“He senses all is not well. His dreams disturb him and he fears. ”

“For me?”

“Perhaps. But he returns. ”

“Then I should return home,” I decided.

Astir continued to lean over Ignatius gazing down at him with those fiery eyes. “He loves you. He will do all he can to be with you and keep you at his side. But you weaken him and you are more dangerous than any weapon ever raised against him. ”

“No,” I whispered. “No. I love him! I will not hurt him. ”

Astir looked at me fully, those eyes burning even brighter. “Only one man truly knows you. Only one has seen all that you are capable of and truly knows your heart. He alone fully sees that you are formidable and clever. But he does not realize that you will destroy him. ”

Astir’s words struck me forcibly and I shrank back from the Fallen. The creature leaned toward me, seeming taller, longer, and fiercer. Its eyes burned even more brilliantly than before and, to my amazement, wings made of fire erupted from its back.

“Your time for choice draws near. You must choose wisely or all will be lost. And even if you are victorious, you will taste bitterness and loss. And you will know in that moment that what you love you have destroyed. ”

“No,” I whispered in a strangled voice.

I fled from the bed, terrified, and drew my dress hastily onto my body. “You know not what you speak of. ”