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By Root 1478 0

Qhuinn did right by John. S’all good. Thing is, the training program is on hiatus for God only knows how long. The glymera took what sons were left with them when they went, and besides, we’ve had our hands full dealing with the war. I need soldiers, and Blay and Qhuinn are good fighters. Excellent, really. So we’re going to want them. (Long silence.)

J.R.:

Are you happy? I mean, I know things are hard right now, but are you happier than you were a couple of years ago?

The line suddenly goes taut, and Wrath focuses on bringing in what turns out to be a freshwater trout. The fish is gleaming and slippery in the king’s big hands, and he almost loses it while trying to get the hook out of its gaping mouth.

J.R.:

He’s beautiful.

Wrath:

Yeah, full of fight, too. (He leans down and puts the fish to the water, holding it carefully.) You ask me if I’m happy? Well . . . after this, we’re going back to a warm house and my shellan’s waiting for me there. We’re going to eat, assuming Layla hasn’t burned down the kitchen, and then I’m going to get into bed with Beth. I’m going to mate with her for an hour, maybe longer, then I’m going to fall asleep with her on my chest. (He releases the trout and watches it tear off through the sluggish current.) You ready to go?

J.R.:

Yeah. And I appreciate your doing this.

Wrath:

Not a problem. Except you think you’re going to drive down to Caldwell now to do the others?

J.R.:

That’s the plan.

Wrath:

(shaking head) No, you’re staying here tonight. Tomorrow you’ll leave late afternoon. It’s a long drive, and the Northway’s got deer.

J.R.:

(because you do not argue with the king) All right. That’s what I’ll do.

Wrath:

Good.

At this point the two of us wade over to the bank. Wrath gets out of the stream first and offers me his hand. I take it and he pulls me up. He picks up the backpack, opens it, and holds it out to me.

Wrath:

You want your apple?

J.R.:

Oh, I’d love it.

I reach in and take the thing. Its red-and-green skin is shiny in the moonlight, and when I bite into it, it cracks like hardwood. The juice drips down onto my palm as the two of us go through the woods together, our waders flapping against our legs.

J.R.:

(as we come out of the forest and see the glowing lights of Rehv’s rustic safe house) Wrath?

Wrath:

Hm?

J.R.:

Thank you.

Wrath:

It’s your apple.

J.R.:

I’m not talking about the apple.

Wrath:

(after a moment) I know. I know, challa.

He gives me a short, tight hug that lasts for two footfalls, and then the pair of us separate, but keep walking side by side toward the warm, welcoming home.

Dark Lover

The People:

Wrath, heir to the throne of the vampires

Beth Randall, newspaper reporter

Darius, son of Marklon, son of Horusman

Tohrment, son of Hharm

Wellasandra, blooded daughter of Relix, mated of the Black Dagger warrior Tohrment

Rhage, son of Tohrture

Zsadist, son of Ahgony

Phury, son of Ahgony

The Scribe Virgin

Marissa, blooded daughter of Wallen

Havers, blooded son of Wallen

Fritz (Perlmutter), butler extraordinaire

Mr. X(avier), Fore-lesser

Billy Riddle, son of Senator William Riddle

Cherry Pie, a.k.a. Mary Mulcahy

Butch O’Neal, detective in the Caldwell Police Department, Homicide Division

José de la Cruz, detective in CPD’s Homicide Division

Dick, Beth’s editor at the Caldwell Courier Journal

Doug, the attending at the hospital

Unnamed blond male, Billy Riddle’s partner in the attempted rape of Beth

Loser (unnamed youth whom Mr. X takes out with Billy)

Abby, bartender at McGrider’s Bar

Boo, the black cat

Places of Interest (all in Caldwell, NY, unless otherwise specified):

Screamer’s on Trade Street

Offices of the Caldwell Courier Journal (CCJ) on Trade Street

Beth’s apartment—1B, 1188 Redd Avenue

Caldwell Police Department on Trade (six blocks from Caldwell Courier Journal)

Darius’s House—816 Wallace Avenue

Caldwell Martial