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.Yet there is an almost-forgotten legend linked to the powers in the book.Iwon t bore you tonight with an old man s tales when it is far more likely you have azillion things to ask and discover.Even so, I have a feeling you finding this book inyour library, your curiosity about its contents and your subsequent, possibly unwilling,movement over here are all somehow linked.Clare felt her mind overloading on the scant information he had already supplied.She opened her mouth, the question burning in her mind, but her heart not knowing ifshe wanted the answer. And my home? Earth& Once again Gavreel and Alderic looked at each other, seeming to talk betweenthemselves without opening their mouths. Oh come on, she snapped, feeling annoyed, if you can talk telepathically at leastbe reasonable and do it fast.If you re just looking at each other then one of you answermy freaking question.I m not some silly baby and I did ask, therefore I promise to notget too hysterical at the response.Clare swallowed as she heard a hitch in her voice.She couldn t swear she wouldn tget hysterical at the answers they would give her, but since she had come so far withoutscreaming and tearing out her hair, she had high hopes for the future.Or at least for the next ten minutes. My apologies, Clare, Alderic said carefully. It was incredibly rude of Gav andmyself to& uh& talk by means that excluded you.We were merely concerned that youmight not like the responses we have to give you. Though personally, Gavreel continued seamlessly, I would prefer for you tosettle into this galaxy and time a little more slowly, you obviously need your own40Heated Fantasiesquestions answered. His voice took her attention back from the dark blue eyes ofAlderic.Clare watched in fascination as Gavreel appeared to flounder for a moment,searching for the right words. Earth has not existed as a livable planet for well over a century.Clare felt her mind reel with the simple, carefully stated words.She bit down on herlip, determined not to do something she would cringe about for months to come.Thelast thing she wanted to do was upset or offend the two lovely men vampires, shecorrected herself who had taken her in.Clare, who had always loved stories, devoured academic journals for most of herlife, finally found herself in the middle of the greatest story ever, and she couldn t evenbegin to write a paper on it.How on earth could one do justice to the swirling mass ofconfusion, fear, excitement and curiosity tearing through her system right now? Wordscouldn t even come close to conveying her feelings at this moment, which would makeit utterly impossible for her to write anything about it. Century? she finally said softly, still in shock. What year is it? she askedbreathlessly, scared and excited by the possibilities of the answer about to come.Once again Gavreel seemed to almost grimace. It is the very end of the year twentytwo hundred and five.Clare nodded slowly, even though she could feel tears threatening behind her eyes.Instead of giving in to the incredible urge to cry and wail, she took the final sip of herdrink and replaced the cup carefully on the small table.With wobbling legs, she pushed herself up out of the chair, uncaring of the tomesliding to the floor with a dull thud.She felt immeasurably pleased the jittering in herleg muscles wasn t particularly visible, as she firmly believed showing weakness infront of anyone, let alone strangers who happened to be vampires in the last part of theyear 2205, was a bad idea. Well& She took a deep breath and cleared her throat.She really didn t want tosound like she was on the verge of tears. I do believe I have enjoyed about as much oftoday as is possible. She once again blinked back tears.She recognized with the stilted,almost arrogant turn her speech had taken that she was a whole lot more upset than shehad known. Now, Clare, Gavreel said softly, rising and grasping one of her hands.She onlyvaguely noticed him bending down to place the heavy tome back on the chair she hadrisen from.She couldn t even rustle up much concern for herself or the tome as hegently placed an arm around her shoulder, much as a father would. There s no need to leave.Alderic has plenty of room here.He and I are going totalk late into the night anyway, so there is no sense in you leaving us.How about youthrow your care to us and at the very least spend the night here?Clare frowned, not really caring about decorum or manners anymore. Neither of you will need to bite me or anything before you sleep& or do whateverit is you do, will you? She felt slightly foolish as Gavreel chuckled and looked back at41Elizabeth Lapthornehis old friend.Alderic had also risen from his chair and closed the distance between thethree of them. I will search around the easier books and records, pull out some of my more basicvampiric references, he said to Gav casually, his eyes resting sympathetically on Clare. You might want to do a bit of catching up and studying, my dear, he said to her.Clare nodded, understanding the wisdom of researching the bizarre futuristicworld she found herself stuck in. I can only imagine what nonsense your mind hasbeen filled with, Alderic continued on patiently, particularly in regards to wevampires.Neither Gav nor I have needed blood since our last moon cycle of being inheat.Drinking from any orifice, let alone using our teeth to puncture skin, is just notdone nowadays, so very passé.Shockingly, Clare felt a giggle well up in her throat at the careless, almost Gallicmanner Alderic said the last sentence.He even had the dismissive hand gesture downpat, yet there was no French in his very slight accent. Now, Gavreel said softly as Clare realized she had never before felt so incrediblytired in her entire life.Despite everything she felt insanely grateful she could just letherself relax and get some sleep here, without needing to leave and go anywhere else.She could begin to work everything out in the morning. I can see you re even more confused, Gavreel continued gently.Clare noddedslightly as Gavreel hugged her close to his warmth and seemed to murmur soothingwords softly to her.Clare simply wished the pounding behind her forehead would cease.She neededsleep badly.She allowed herself to be led back down the long hallway by Alderic.She smiled asGavreel waved at her, resumed his seat and once more opened the heavy tome. Now, my dear. Clare turned back as Alderic spoke to her and opened one of thedoors in the hallway.He touched a point near the doorframe and the room lit upinstantly. Just order the lights out when you are done, and sleep in tomorrow morningas long as you want.Clare merely nodded as she looked around the room.The large bed was a pastelblue color, both soothing and fresh.A few boxes seemed to be scattered around, but shehad no idea what they were or how they worked.She found herself simply staringaround the room, dumbfounded and feeling more than a bit disoriented.Alderic seemed to realize how out of it she felt.He came back beside her and touched her shoulder soothingly. The front parlor is an antique store with a specialty in ancient books
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