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light.
    Dorian gazed at Malachi. Somehow, he was even more mesmerizing and handsome th an when he’d first laid eyes on him. Actually, everything was more vivid. Everywhere he looked his eyes fixed on an object for long periods of time. He was hypnotized by the beauty of it all.
    Then he remembered ; his family. Before hearing anymore about his new nature he needed to know about them.
    “My mother and sister? Are they alright?”
    Malachi’s eyes drifted away from him. He looked down.
    Dorian’s heart leapt into his throat. No! Don’t say it, don’t let it be true!
    “I’m truly sorry, Dorian. Your mother passed away a few hours ago.”
    Dorian’s heart beat fast; his palms were soaked with sweat. When he looked at them, he was shocked to see a reddish tint in the moisture.
    I’ve not kept my promise. I let her die alone. I said I’d be there and I wasn’t. And now, I’m this thing who sweats blood!
    “What have I done?” he whispered, still staring at his hands . “And my sister?”
    “She’s with your mother now, preparing her for burial.”
    “You can see them?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why can’t I?”
    “You do not possess th at power yet, nor can you read minds. You won’t have these gifts until you grow older; much older.”
    “How old are you?”
    “I died and came into this life at the age of twenty-five. In reality, I’m three-hundred and four years old.”
    Three-hundred and four years old . Malachi was one of the immortals. He never thought they existed. And now he was one of them.
    Dorian paced back and forth , running his hands through his hair, deep in thought. He stopped at each window, hoping to catch a reflection of himself. There was none. He felt physically strong but emotionally weak. He was confused by these conflicting views of himself.
    Abruptly, he stopped pacing. “I must go home. I need to see to my sister. She’s had nothing but broth to eat in days. She’ll need food and I need to be by her side to deal with my mother’s . . .” His words trailed away. He couldn’t really comprehend that she’d died.
    He felt a twinge of guilt at what he perceived as his abandonment of her; not to mention, he’d left her husband in the woods to die.
    Malachi spoke softly , placing his hand on Dorian’s shoulder. “You cannot go outdoors. Not until the darkness of night falls.”
    “But you were out in the woods. You rescued me in the daylight hours.”
    “Again, I’m older. You’re a newly made vampire. You’re unable to survive even a hint of sun. It will be centuries before you can go out in the daytime, and even then, the sky must be very gray.” Crossing the room, he went into a small doorway, leaving Dorian to wonder where he’d gone and when he’d return.
    Dorian stood in silence, his eyes scanning the room again and marveling at how differently he saw things now. He pulled back one of the heavy drapes, wanting to see the snowflakes with his newly enhanced vision. He felt a strange burning sensation in his fingertips and then the pain. They were on fire. “My God!” he exclaimed.
    With preternatural speed, Malachi appeared at his side and swiftly closed the drapes. He doused the flames with a cloth wrapped in ice.
    Bloody Hell! How was he able to move that quickly? He thought. He’d gotten ice and wrapped his hand in a matter of seconds.
    “Please, sit.” Malachi gestured toward the elegant burgundy couch which sat across from the fireplace.
    Dorian did as he was told.
    “I do not want you to be frightened, nor overwhelmed by what you are . Much like our former human selves, we still crave the company of others. I suppose there are some who do not, but I do.”
    “Why me? Is it simply because you want ed a companion?”
    “That’s partly true . However, I chose you after careful consideration.” His eyes pierced Dorian’s.
    Dorian looked away from the blazing intensity of Malachi’s dark eyes. It dawned on him then. He’d said after careful consideration, did