legions of undead. But I am glad to tell you where I am at this moment. I am bending over the child you claim as yours. She is unusual, a rarity in a world filled with carbon copies."
There was a subtle threat, a subtle challenge.
Francesca cried out and without thinking dropped Brice's wrist. She had all but forgotten him. Now she could think only of Skyler lying helpless in bed with the vampire bending ever closer to her neck. She pushed Brice into a sitting position, issuing a command to awaken from his dream even as she dissolved into a million droplets of water and streamed back toward the hospital.
"I forbid this, Francesca."
Gabriel's voice was quiet, authoritative.
"It is a trap." "I will not give her to him. "
There was a sob in her voice, in her mind. She knew Gabriel was already winging his way toward their shared destination.
"I am sorry, my love. I cannot allow such a threat to you. "
Gabriel's voice whispered against the walls of her mind like butterfly wings.
Without warning Francesca abruptly changed direction. Alarmed, she cried out to Gabriel. She was no longer in control of her motion, someone else was controlling her flight. Instinctively she attempted to fall to the ground, to shape-shift, but it was impossible.
"Gabriel!" "Do not fear so, Francesca, I am merely doing my duty. You will wait for me in the protection of our home."
The soft, taunting laughter came again, moving through their minds and bodies like a warm, molten spread of sunshine. The power of Lucian's voice was incredible.
"What safeguards do you think to use to keep me at bay? Have you learned much that you have not shared with your own twin?" "Do not think yourself invincible, Lucian. I have bested you once, I may do so again,"
Gabriel replied calmly.
His very calmness strengthened her, allowed Francesca to push aside her horror. She was shocked at Gabriel's strength, that he could command an ancient such as herself in flight, hold her course steady, safeguard her, yet continue his journey toward the hospital even as he conversed so calmly with his mortal enemy. His calm was not a facade. He was completely confident, an ancient warrior who had battled continually, fought his way through the long centuries. The forthcoming battle would be the culmination of those centuries of experience. At once she stopped fighting him, not wanting to make his tasks more difficult.
Francesca had to force herself not to plead with the vampire to spare Skyler further pain. Vampires thrived on the pain of others. It was one of the dark gifts of the un- dead. Through their victims, they could feel momentarily, a fleeting glimpse of what they had lost. Each emotion was dark and ugly, but it was emotion all the same.
She quieted her thoughts, centered herself.
"Skyler? Can you hear me?"
The teenager was asleep.
"Do not open your eyes. You are in danger."
There was a slight stirring and the young girl was aware. Francesca was so familiar with her mind, she could actually feel the child scanning her surroundings much as the Carpathian people did. Her pulse rate stayed the same; her heart didn't jump in the least.
"I cannot be. He is here with me and I am perfectly safe." "Has he taken your blood?"
There was a long silence while Skyler puzzled over the question.
"He isn't a lab tech. I know he isn't. Why would you be afraid he would want my blood?"
Francesca thought for a moment. Skyler had obeyed her: she remained still, breathing easily, feigning sleep. Yet for some reason she felt safe despite the threat of terrible evil. Skyler was gifted with a sense of danger. Lucian must not mean her any real harm. That was the only answer. He was baiting a trap to draw Gabriel to him.
She knew Gabriel could read her thoughts, was sharing her mind. She should have realized Lucian was sharing Gabriel's mind as well. His laughter came again, that soft musical symphony of beauty.
"Now you see the futility of struggling against one such as I. This human child, though she is rare in this world, cannot fool one such as I by pretending to sleep. You cannot protect her from me, not with your safeguards, and not by trying to hide her from me. What Gabriel knows, then so do I. When I wish to make her my slave, I will do so. Right now it is tedious to think of such a burden." "Lucian."
Gabriel said the name softly, gently.
"You