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vampire’s face pressed against the window before a sharp movement of the car dislodged it from the Phantom’s roof.
    Tarin felt fear, and shock sent adrenaline coursing through his veins. He was aware of Boyce speaking.
    “This is not usual for Anton and his people. We do not fight. We are too evenly matched. It will achieve nothing.”
    Tarin shuddered.
    “They will not harm you. I will turn them all to dust before I let them lay a hand on you.” Boyce’s voice was hard and cold, and his eyes never left the point ahead where he could now see the mist that was the demarcation area for the end of his world. He put the car into neutral, letting it coast. “I will always love you. Be safe, my love.”
    The words came unexpectedly and before Tarin could react his lover dived from the car. Tarin gave a yell of shock as the car shot forward from the powerful shove of the vampire clan leader. He grasped the wheel to steer the car straight but could not immediately reach the brake. He shot into and through the mist before he could bring the car to a halt.
    It took yet more precious seconds to get out and begin to run back. He could not leave Boyce. He had to get back. As he plunged into the mist, he could hear the sounds of the fighting that had continued, and then he heard words that turned his blood to ice in its veins.
    “Anton has spiked the Master. He needs help.”
    “ No! Boyce! ” Tarin screamed as he raced forward , and then he fell to his knees , a keening wail of agony torn from the depths of his soul rending the air. The mist had vanished , leaving him kneeling in the middle of a deserted road. “ Don ’ t you die , Boyce. Don ’ t you dare die. I love you. I ’ ll be back. I swear. Next year … ” The words died on his lips as wracking sobs shook his frame. He crawled to the lone , gnarled tree at the side of the road , buried his face in his hands , and sobbed.
     

Chapter Six
     
    The vintage Phantom sped over the deserted road. Tarin glanced down at the supplies on the passenger seat. He hoped they were enough. He’d driven this road almost every month since the November of the previous year. He felt as if he knew it better than the roads of the city of his birth, long since left behind.
    He’d left behind everything other than what currently sat in the car; resigned from his job, sold his house, and bidden farewell to friends and family. They thought he was going travelling for a year. Tarin knew he was going to find his destiny. If Boyce had died, Tarin would still not go back. He had found his life to be cold and empty without the vampire’s love to keep him warm. If Boyce lived, then Tarin would demand he be turned or sired or whatever the real term for becoming a vampire was.
    He readied himself for whatever he might find as the mist came into view and, keeping one hand on the steering wheel, reached for one of the weapons at his side.
    Bursting through the mist, he tried to assimilate what was happening. He could see Boyce being dragged by Martha and Carole as Edward fended off a thick-set, brutish man. Growling in the back of his throat, Tarin stood on the accelerator and rammed Edward’s attacker, uncaringly watching as he was thrown into the air.
    “Get him in, Martha, the rest of you too,” he shouted, leaning back to open the rear passenger door. As they struggled to get the limp, bleeding figure inside, Tarin snatched up one of his weapons.
    Screeching in rage, Anton sped towards them and as he closed on the car, Tarin leant out of the window and fired his gun. A stream of water struck the vampire, and he dropped instantly, smoke rising from him where it had caught exposed skin.
    “Eric, no!”
    Turning at Flynn’s anguished cry, Tarin saw the young vampire writhing helplessly on the ground, a wooden spike through his thigh. Flynn was already engaged in battle, as were Jorge and Monique. Glancing back to ensure that the human members of his lover’s family were safely inside the