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Dominic had mockingly curled lips. "And you abandoned her? Of all people, you ought to have anticipated what may occur. Or were you so opposed to the concept that you were unable to even contemplate it? Would you rather that she really died?

People need to have anticipated what may occur. Or were you so opposed to the concept that you were unable to even contemplate it? Would you rather that she really died?

Dominic put two fingers over Elizabeth's lips as she tried to speak again in order to stop her. "And that's the issue today, or are you too blind to see that, too?" he replied calmly. You instructed me to observe her; observe her yourself. She is crazy and in shock. Oh, OK, I'll confess it. He stopped to flash a dazzling grin before continuing. "It goes beyond the typical bewilderment after a change. She will need human blood since without it, her body won't be able to complete the shift. She'll perish.

Irrational? What do you mean by that? Elizabeth pondered furiously. She murmured, encircling Dominic's fingers, "I'm alright. "I'm just exhausted. When I heard you two arguing as I was getting ready for bed, I ran to your aid. Disgusted, she said, "And then you wouldn't even let me murder him.

Yes, why didn't you? Katherine questioned. He was gazing at Dominic with eyes that seemed capable of piercing him. He showed no sign of cooperating at all. It would have been the simplest course of action.

With his anger suddenly rising to equal Katherine's, Dominic glared back at him. He was exhaling loudly yet gently. He growled, "Maybe I don't want things to be simple. Then he seemed to take back control of himself. Put it this way, my brother: if anybody is going to have the joy of murdering you, it will be me. His lips curved in contempt as he continued. no other person. I'm going to handle the work myself. I can assure you that I am quite skilled at it.

Katherine whispered softly, as though each syllable sickened him, "You've shown us that."

Dominic turned to Elizabeth and said, "But this one, I didn't murder. And why should I? At any point, I might have altered her.

"Perhaps because she had just announced her engagement to another person,"

Elizabeth's hand was still tangled in Dominic's when he lifted it. A gold ring with a single deep blue stone gleamed on the third finger. Elizabeth scowled at it, wishing she had seen it earlier. She finally gave a shrug and leaned weary against Dominic.

Well, that doesn't seem to be much of an issue, does it," Dominic answered, gazing down at her. I suspect she was relieved to forget about you. He gave Katherine a sour-faced grin as he glanced up. "However, we won't know until she's back to herself. Then, we may ask her to choose one of us. Agreed?"

He shook his head at Katherine. How are you even capable of saying that? Following what transpired, His speech became halting.

"Alongside Katherine? If you can't, I can say it. Katherine made a bad decision, and now she was paying for it. Elizabeth is unique; she is aware of her own thoughts. But even if you agree," he continued, ignoring Katherine's latest objections. She needs blood right now since she is weak. After making sure she receives it, I'll track down the person responsible for what they did to her. You may attend or not. Dress yourself.

He drew Elizabeth up with him as he stood. Let's leave. He drew Elizabeth up with him as he stood. Let's leave.

She knew exactly where they had left the wood. She had visited earlier in the day. The action had changed, too, with automobiles flashing their red and blue lights and spotlights illuminating the huddled, shadowy forms of individuals. Elizabeth gave them an inquisitive glance. Several were recognizable. For instance, is that person Aunt Judith, with the thin, harrowed face and the worried eyes? And is Robert, the tall guy next to her, engaged to Aunt Judith?

Elizabeth reasoned that there needed to be another person with them. a kid whose hair is as white as Elizabeth's. But despite her best efforts, she was unable to think of a name.

She did, however, recall the two females who were holding hands and standing in a circle of authorities. Denis was the young man with the red hair who was sobbing. Merit, the taller person with the sweeping black hair.

Denis was speaking to a uniformed guy and stating, "But she's not in the water." Her voice was trembling just shy of panic. "We saw Katherine removing her. I have repeatedly told you.

You left him here with her, right?

We had to. Something was approaching as the storm intensified.

Merit stepped in and said, "Never mind that. She sounded barely more composed than Denis. Katherine said he would leave her laying beneath the willow trees if he had to part ways with her.

Another uniformed guy said, "And just where is Katherine now?"

"We have no idea. To obtain assistance, we returned. He most likely came after us. But what really happened to Elizabeth? When Merit turned around, Denis put her face in his shoulder.

Elizabeth understood that they were angry with me. What a bunch of fools. I can at least explain that. Dominic pulled her back just as she began to go forward into the light. She sent a hurt glance his way.

Not in that way. We'll pull them out when you choose the ones you want," he replied. "What do you want?"

For nourishment, Elizabeth. You are now a hunter. They are your quarry.

Elizabeth doubtfully brushed her tongue across a canine tooth. She didn't see any food around her. Nevertheless, she was inclined to believe Dominic since he stated so. Whichever you think," she obediently replied.

Dominic cocked his head back and scanned the area like a critic studying a well-known picture. Okay, how about a few polite paramedics?

Dominic cocked his head back and scanned the area like a critic studying a well-known picture. Okay, how about a few polite paramedics?

Dominic scarcely gave Katherine a sidelong look. How come not?

"Because there have been sufficient assaults. She could need human blood, but she is not required to go hunting for it. Although Katherine's expression was closed and unpleasant, he exuded a grim resolve.

"Is there another option?" Dominic questioned in jest.

"You are aware of it. Find a willing person or one who can be persuaded to be willing. Someone who would do it for Elizabeth and had the mental fortitude to do this

And I assume you are aware of the location of such a moral exemplar?

"Take her to the institution. I'll see you there, Katherine replied before vanishing.

They left the scene while it was still humming, with lights flashing and people wandering around. Elizabeth became aware of an odd phenomenon while they were moving. An car was parked in the middle of the river and was well-lit by the spotlights. Except for the front fender, which protruded above the surface of the water, it was entirely submerged.

She thought, "What an idiotic spot to put a vehicle," and then she followed Dominic back into the forest.

Katherine was starting to feel once again.

That stung. He had believed that he was beyond experiencing pain or any other kind of emotion. Nothing could ever compare to the moment he dragged Elizabeth's dead corpse from the murky water, and he believed that nothing could ever pain again.

He had erred.

He came to a halt and took a big breath while keeping his head down and good hand braced on a tree. He continued once the crimson mists dispersed and he could see clearly once more, but the scorching pain in his chest persisted unabatedly. He instructed himself to stop thinking about her even though he knew it was pointless.

She wasn't really dead however. That had to be worth something, right? He had imagined he would never again hear her voice or experience her touch.

She wanted to murder him when she touched him right now.

He paused once again, doubling over, as he feared being ill.

It was more agonizing to see her in this state than to find her dead and frozen. Dominic may have let him to live for that reason. Perhaps Dominic was getting even.

And maybe Katherine should simply carry out his predetermined course of action after murdering Dominic. Remove the silver ring that shielded him from sunlight at morning. Stand there till the heat from those rays seared the flesh off of his bones.

and permanently halted the suffering. and permanently halted the suffering.

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