Carpathian 04 - Dark Magic

long list of places and businesses.
    "Take your pick, Gary. I count myself lucky to have you. In the meantime, I will leave you cash. I do not want them tracing you."
    "You haven't seen my resume," Gary objected. "I'm not looking for charity."
    The silver eyes glinted, a brief, hard humor. "I had your formula inside my body, Gary. That was all the proof of your genius I needed. The society had access to that blood for some time before you did, but none of them were able to come up with anything that worked on us."
    "Great, I get that dubious pleasure. Someday you're going to introduce me to one of your friends and you can say, 'By the way, this is the one who invented the poison that is killing our people.'"
    Gregori did laugh then, a low, husky sound so pure, it was beautiful to hear. It brought a lightness into Gary's heart, dispelling the gloom that had been gathering. "I never thought of that. We might get a few interesting reactions."
    Gary found himself grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, like a lynching party with me as the guest of honor."
    "We will have an antidote for all our people soon," Gregori reminded him softly. "There is no need to Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    worry."
    "If I had my equipment, I could have one immediately," Gary said. "I always make certain I can reverse whatever reaction I create. It wouldn't be all that hard to find where they perverted the formula. In fact, maybe you still have some lingering aftereffects in your bloodstream."
    He looked so hopeful, Savannah burst out laughing. "The mad scientist is going to chase you around with a hypodermic needle, Gregori," she teased.
    Gregori lifted an eyebrow, his face an unreadable mask, the pale eyes glittering with more than menace.
    White teeth flashed, a baring Of fangs.
    "Maybe not," Gary conceded. "Not the best idea after all."
    Savannah was up and moving with her sensuous grace to fit herself beneath Gregori's shoulder. She looked impossibly small next to the big Carpathian, delicate, fragile even. It wasn't so much Gregori's height but the rippling muscles, the thickness of his arms and chest, and the power emanating from him.
    Her face was turned up toward his, her soft mouth curved with laughter, in no way intimidated by him.
    Gregori's arm swept around her and crushed her to him, nearly enveloping her completely. "She thinks I am going to take her on this ridiculous vampire hunt."
    "She's right, too, isn't she?" Gary grinned at him.
    "Unfortunately," Gregori admitted. "Do you have enough food until tomorrow night? We will have a plan of action by then." He dropped several large bills on the nightstand, hiding his actions from Gary as he did so.
    "What plan of action? What can be done? We can't fight the whole society."
    "I was thinking we could use you as bait and draw them into a trap," Gregori said, straight-faced.
    Gary's eyes widened in alarm. "I'm not sure I like that plan. Sounds a little risky to me." He looked at Savannah for support.
    Gregori shrugged his broad shoulders in a casual shrug. "I do not see a risk."
    Savannah's small clenched fist thumped his stomach in retaliation. Gregori glanced down at her with surprise. "Is this when I am supposed to say ouch?"
    Savannah and Gary exchanged a long, mournful groan. "Why did I want him to have a sense of humor?"
    she wondered.
    Gary shook his head. "Don't be asking me. You created the monster."
    "I know I would be unable to stand the press of human bodies in Preservation Hall," Gregori said suddenly, "but perhaps we could listen to the music from the street. It would get you out of here for a few hours and, with the severity of the storm, hopefully the tourists will have stayed inside."
    Gary leapt at the chance to get out of his room. "Let's do it."

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    Savannah held back, her hand tightening on Gregori's arm. "Is it safe for him?"
    Enfante, I cannot believe you would doubt my ability to protect you and the mortal .
    The mortal? He has a name. He is easily killed, where we are not.
    The silver eyes roamed over her face. His hand came up to caress her cheek, his thumb feathering gently back and forth. "I would not allow Gary to be in any real danger. He cannot live his life in hiding."
    I should have protected Peter. He would be alive right now if it wasn't for me . Savannah's voice was husky with grief, the unshed tears clinging to his mind.
    I alone am to