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plight, Solomon erected a beautiful monument in their honor, which, sadly, was defaced last night.”
    A photograph flashed on the screen behind the anchor-woman. It showed a round Grecian temple with two white marble statues standing within.
    “Fingerprints and other forensic evidence have pointed to the perpetrator of their murders, as well as last night’s desecration, as a young human woman named Jennifer Leitner, a former schoolmate of Señorita Thompson.”
    An image of Jenn flashed behind the anchorwoman. It was her freshman-year high school picture.
    Jenn felt her stomach plummet. After her father had betrayed her to the vampires, Jenn had sought refuge in the home of her childhood friend Brooke, not realizing that Brooke’s fiance was a vampire. It hadn’t taken long for the Cursed One to turn on them both, tearing out Brooke’s throat before Jenn was able to stake him.
    Hot tears welled at the memory of seeing Brooke lying lifeless on the floor. I got her killed by going to her for help. He killed her. That’s not love. Simon never loved her. If he had, he couldn’t have done that.
    Her gaze ticked to Antonio, who stood by the door, watching intently, a muscle working in his jaw. For a moment doubt stirred her. There were many times that Antonio had had to restrain himself from hurting her even though he loved her. His vampiric nature was so powerful it was nearly impossible to fight, even for him.
    She watched as he turned and left the room to join Father Juan.
    “This is a pretty dead horse they’re beatin’,” Jamie remarked. “This happened, what, a month ago? Nearly?”
    “They’re using it as a symbol,” Holgar said. “Symbols are very powerful.”
    “Solomon has stated that the vandalism serves as a grim reminder that despite the peaceful coexistence of vampire and human, ignorance and hate still exist. And it is in the interest of that peace and an attitude of genuine forgiveness that Solomon has invited Ms. Leitner to meet with him.”
    “What?” Jenn cried.
    Then there he was on the screen: Solomon, the vampire who had orchestrated the war against humanity. Redheaded, with a turned-up nose and startling blue eyes, he was dressed in a black suit and a white, high-necked shirt. His face was somber.
    Then the camera pulled back, revealing a second figure on the screen. Jenn blinked in astonishment as she recognized her father. Solomon’s hand was on his shoulder.
    “This is Paul Leitner, Jennifer’s father. He has asked if he might say a few words to his dear daughter.”
    The hunters all stared at Jenn, then at the screen.
    “What’s he doing with Solomon?” Skye said. “Wasn’t Aurora the one who attacked you?”
    Jenn leaned forward, dizzy and sick at the sight of the man who had tried to trade her life for his, and Mom’s, and Heather’s.
    “Is he a fanger?” Jamie asked. “Skye, you getting vibes?”
    “I’d only be able to tell if he were physically present,” the witch answered.
    “Me too,” Holgar said. “By the smell.”
    “If he was physically present, he’d be dead,” Jamie said, holding up two fingers in the Irish version of the one-finger salute.
    “Shh, please,” Eriko murmured.
    Jenn’s father’s face was drawn. Jenn could barely stand to look at him. His eyes were twitching, and he licked his lips once before beginning to speak.
    “My daughter is a very sick young woman. I don’t know what caused her irrational fear and hatred of the Cursed Ones, but I know that she needs help. Please, Jenn, if you’re listening, come home. Everything will be okay. The authorities have promised me that we will get you the help you need, and if you come in, no charges will be pressed. Please, baby, come home. It will be better for everyone.”
    “What the hell ?” Jamie cried.
    “Oh, Goddess, why does Solomon want you?” Skye blurted in dismay.
    “Maybe Aurora and Solomon are working together,” Holgar ventured. “We know Aurora was trying to get to Antonio.