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for a toast," she said. By her side was a wine bottle and several antique Venetian glasses. Her own glass was already half filled, but she lifted the bottle and poured a drink for her two comrades.
    "What are we drinking?" asked Jessamy.
    Lady Lockwood smiled. "A cheeky little Italian." She paused. "I think his name was Vincent. No, Vincenzo, that's right! An opera singer, though not a terribly good one, if truth be told."
    Camille took a sip, savoring the fine vintage a good while before allowing it to slip down her throat.
    "Is it to your taste, dear?" Lady Lockwood asked. "Or would you like something with more body?"
    Camille shook her head. "It's delicious, Captain."
    Jessamy nodded her own appreciation. "A worthy addition to the Black Heart Winery," she said.
    "I'm so pleased," said Lady Lockwood. "There are a few more bottles where that came from. Share them between you, if you like. Consider it a little thank-you for a well-executed mission."
    The captain smiled, then lifted her own glass to her lips once more and drank. The first round against Sidorio's bows had been fired.

    6DIFFERENT REALITIES

    "A donor!" Grace couldn't restrain herself.
    Sally nodded, reaching out and squeezing Grace's hand. But once more, though the touch was intended as reassuring, it caused a ricochet in Grace's head. In rapid succession, the three images she had seen before flashed by again -- first Dexter, then Sidorio, then Lorcan. And this time, there was a fresh image -- of the Vampirate captain, sitting at the table in his cabin.
    As Sally removed her hand, the vision instantly died. Once more, apparently oblivious to the effect of her touch, Sally continued to speak. "I take it by your reactions that you both know what a donor is?"
    Connor was silent. Grace, still shocked by the visions, nodded. She tried to focus on what Sally was saying. The fact that she had been a donor explained the strange anomaly in Sally's appearance. The pact between Vampirate and donor prevented the donor from aging. But surely Sally would have had to stop being a donor to give birth to the twins. Unless ...
    Grace's unconscious mind was whirring away. She felt she was close to a discovery, but she wasn't quite there yet. Perhaps there was a clue in the strange sequence of images that had flashed through her head when Sally had touched her -- Dexter, Sidorio, Lorcan, and the Vampirate captain.
    "Grace, are you all right?" Sally's voice cut through her feverish thoughts. Grace realized that her eyes were closed. She opened them again. "Sorry," she said. "I keep getting this jumble of images in my head." She gazed at Sally. "It happens every time you touch me." At this, Connor turned and looked at her curiously. Grace asked her mother, "Are you doing it on purpose?"
    Sally shook her head. "No, Grace, I'm not. But tell me, what images are coming into your head?"
    "They're people I know. Dad and Sidorio, then Lorcan and the Vampirate captain. But they're just flashes. I'm not sure what they mean, but I don't think they're my own memories. Dad's much younger than I ever saw him."
    Sally smiled. "How amazing!" she said. "Do you want to try it again?"
    Grace nodded. Sally reached out her hand and Grace took it. As soon as their flesh made contact, it happened again. Only this time there was less initial pain, and the vision was clearer. It was of her dad. The same vision as before. Nighttime, outdoors. He was laughing. This vision stayed with her. She saw that he was on the deck of a ship, then realized with a start that she recognized the ship. She gasped. Sally released her hand, and the vision subsided as quickly as before.
    "What did you see this time?" Sally asked curiously.
    Grace opened her eyes, but she was still focused on the vision. She was reeling from the possibility it had led her to, and uncertain whether to voice her thoughts.
    "What did you see?" Connor asked, a note of irritation in his voice.
    "It's okay, Grace," Sally said softly. "Whatever it is,