John Matthew was her well of soul, as the symphaths called it,or her pyrocant, to the vampires. Her essential weakness.

In quick succession, Qhuinn reviewed his answers: No, of course not, the knife was acting of its own volition. I was actually trying to stop it...No, I only meant to give him a shave...No, I didn't realize that slicing open someone's jugular was going to lead to death.

I don't do farm animals. Can't stand hay in your leathers? Or wool in my teeth.

You're so very naked," she whispered against his shoulder. He smiled into her hair. "So are you.

Whether you have sight or not, I see the future in your eyes." -Beth

You're the reason I get out of bed every night. And you're the reason I can't wait to come home every dawn. Not the war. Not the Brothers. Not even Butch. It's...you.

When he nodded, the physician disappeared into thin air, and then a moment later, Payne felt a warm palm encompass hers. It was Vishous's un-gloved hand against her own and the connection between them eased her in ways she couldn't name. Verily, she had lost her mother . . . but if she lived through this, she still had family. On this side.