"Unredeemed? There's redemption possible?"
"Yes." He took a deep breath. "Each Dark One has a female counterpart, a woman who is, for lack of a better word, his soul mate. This woman is called a Beloved, and she has the ability to restore to the Dark One his soul."
"Beloved. That's what Christian called me. You think I'm your soul mate?"
"Yes. I don't know. Possibly." Theo jumped up and resumed pacing. "The relationship between a Beloved and a Dark One is a complicated thing. He can take blood only from her. Their lives are linked together - if for some reason she is destroyed, he dies as well."
"That seems a bit extreme," I said slowly, watching him as I thought about the ramifications of what he was saying. "There's a flaw in that reasoning. Christian called me a Beloved, but you don't have your soul back."
"No, there are seven steps we would have to go through before you would be considered a bona fide Beloved." He walked to the window, pulling the curtain back to look out. Sunlight spilled into the room, causing him to yelp when it splashed across his bare wrist. "I gather Christian referred to you in that manner as a courtesy, rather than as a description."
"Seven steps, seven trials...is that the only number you people know?"
"It's a good number," he said, stalking past me. "It's a prime number. Those are always good."
I was unable to keep from smiling. "Words to warm the heart of anyone who's spent the time I did in math classes. What are the seven steps?"
"Christian gave me a list." He stopped in front of me, pulling out a small card. "First is marking."
"Marking? Like a cat marking its territory?" My nose scrunched at the thought.
"No. Evidently the fact that we can communicate without speaking is a form of marking."
"Ah." I mentally cleared my throat. It is pretty different, I'll give you that.
"Yes. Second is protection from afar."
I thought. "Well, you did save Sarah and me from those whatever-they-weres."
"Hashmallim."
"Yeah. Is that considered from afar?"
Theo shrugged. "Third is an exchange of body fluids."
"Body...oh. Well, we've done that."
To my secret delight, Theo smiled. I felt a warm little glow at the sight of it. "Actually, Christian said a French kiss would qualify in that situation."
"I see. Well, I'm happy to revisit that step as often as you like."
His eyes darkened to charcoal. "The fourth step requires me to entrust my life to you by giving you the means to destroy me."
I looked away. "Well, I've failed that one already. I've destroyed your soul - I don't know what can ever wipe clear that sin."
His hands were warm on my knees as he knelt before me. "I've told you that you are not to blame for what happened. If you continue to be obstinate, I will be forced to take action."
"What sort of action?"
His smile grew wicked. "Trust me, you will find my gratitude far more to your liking."
Images grew in my mind, erotic images that I knew were Theo's fantasies. My nipples tightened. My breath grew short. And I had the most overwhelming urge to push him backward and do all the things to him that he wanted to do to me. "All right. I'm willing to concede that your good humor is by far a better attitude to cultivate. Is it hot in here?"
"I'm always hot when you're near me," he said, his voice rich with innuendo.
I shivered at the blatantly carnal thoughts he was sharing. "I won't say I'm not interested in the things you'd like to do, especially that one with the pillows, although I'm not sure I'm limber enough to pull it off, but I do think that we should concentrate on getting your soul back first."
Reluctantly, Theo ceased thinking of ways he'd like to make love to me, and consulted the list again. "The fifth step is the second exchange of body fluids, and yes, last night would count for that."