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she was looking at the world differently. The stars were glittering like gems over her head and she
couldn't help noticing and appreciating them. The wind blew gently over her body like the whisper of a
lover's voice. It cooled her body, ruffled the silk of her hair. Lightened her heart.
For the first time in years, her blood wasn't burning her from the inside out. For the first time in years,
she hadn't awakened with the thought of killing. She was wide awake, and her mind was filled with
Nicolae. As hard as she tried, she could not extinguish the tiny ray of hope growing deep within her.
The church doors were unlocked, and she knew before she pulled them open that Father Mulligan was
inside, hearing confession. With her acute hearing she could distinguish soft words and the strangled sob
of a woman as she spoke with her priest. In the pew close to the confessional was a big bear of a man.
John Paul. His head was bowed, and Destiny could see his big shoulders shaking. Tears slid down his
face.
Destiny entered the church suppressing a small shiver of trepidation as she crossed the threshold and
slipped into the poorly lit interior. Candles flickered in the alcove and cast strange, shifting shadows on
the stained-glass window above it. She studied the depiction of the Madonna and Child, the sweet face
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and the way one hand held the infant to her while the other was outstretched toward Destiny.
John Paul didn't look up, didn't seem to notice her, so Destiny slipped closer, wanting to get a feel for
the man. Had he been touched by a vampire? Was that the explanation for his bizarre behavior
towardHelena ? Destiny scanned his mind, looking for the blank spots that would reveal the presence of
the undead.
John Paul was filled with sorrow and confusion. He feared losing Helena and he believed he might be
losing his mind. His thoughts were jumbled and mixed with wild plans of carrying his beloved off to a
secluded place until he could convince her he loved her and would never harm her.
Father Mulligan and Helena emerged from the confessional, and the priest put his arm around her
shoulders. Even in the dim light, Destiny could seeHelena 's swollen eye and cut lip. The damage was
fresh. She was still crying softly. The priest helped her to a pew and beckoned solemnly to John Paul.
The huge man hunched his shoulders as if struck, but like an obedient child, he rose. His tremendous bulk
made the slight priest look small and thin and very frail.
Destiny waited until the two men disappeared into the privacy of the confessional before gliding silently
to the aisle nearHelena , scanning the woman's memories as she did so.Helena certainly had memories of
John Paul attacking her. He was terrifying, a tremendously strong man with hamlike hands and a body
like a solid oak tree.Helena believed John Paul was insane. She planned to leave him, fearing for her life,
yet she loved him fiercely, protectively.
Her heart unexpectedly twisting in sympathy, Destiny laid a tentative hand onHelena 's shoulder. "Velda
and Inez asked me to help you, Helena. I hope you don't mind." She wished she were Mary Ann with
her gift for saying whatHelena needed to hear.
Helenashook her head without looking up. "No one can help me. I've lost John Paul. I can't stay with a
man who would do this to me."
Destiny gently took her chin and lifted her face on the pretense of examining it. She waited calmly
untilHelena was caught and held in the depths of her eyes. She saw the relationship clearly; Helena and
John Paul were nearly inseparable. Two people wholly devoted to one another.I didn't know anyone
could feel as strongly as they do about one another .
You just did not want to know, Destiny.
Destiny scowled, wishing Nicolae were standing in front of her. She sent him a visual just in case he
didn't get the fact that he wasannoying . Destiny sighed. She couldn't let Helena and John Paul lose
something so rare and precious. Continuing to look deep intoHelena 's eyes, she planted the idea of
working things out with John Paul.Helena needed to allow Mary Ann to put her in a safe place until
Destiny could figure out what was going on. Destiny would make certain John Paul understood and
agreed with her plan.
I don't detect a vampire, she told Nicolae.
Are you certain? John Paul is a simple man. Perhaps he is so shaken, you are not receiving a reliable
brain pattern.
Destiny frowned.Does that happen ?
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It is possible. If the vampire had a soft enough touch and made the suggestion from a distance, you might
not encounter the blankness they leave behind.
Destiny tapped her finger lightly on the back of the pew.Is there a possibility that there is no
vampire? Is there an illness that would cause John Paul to become violent? I don't know much
about illnesses. I was only a child when I was converted, and I haven't spent much time around
humans .
She could feel Nicolae weighing his answer carefully, thinking it over.Do you detect a tumor or a brain
bleed, something physical that would affect his behavior ?
No. His brain patterns seem normal enough. He is very focused onHelena . I don't think he is capable of
hurting her this way.
Why? Nicolae prompted.Everyone is capable of violence .
Destiny sank into the pew. Nicolae was right. John Paul was a huge bear of a man, quite willing to
indulge in a brawl if the opportunity presented itself.But not violence toward her. Never toHelena . He
loves her .
A wave of warmth flooded her mind. Her heart. Her very bloodstream.I understand how he feels. I
believe you, Destiny. We will figure it out .
Chapter Nine
Nicolae couldn't miss the purple-haired woman waving at him, as much as he would have liked to. She
was flapping her arms and jumping up and down on the sidewalk while the small, pink-haired lady beside
her shouted out a welcome to him. He found himself returning to the small neighborhood near the bar,
seeking out Mary Ann. The counselor for battered and abused women meant much to Destiny.
Mary-Ann also had some psychic ability; he wanted to know more of her.
Destiny might have run from him physically, but he could feel her, a quiet shadow in his mind, sharing her
fears, talking over the puzzling problems of "her" humans, laughing with him. She didn't give him any
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