“The warmth of his embrace soaked into me, a powerful charm against the dark things.”

“But as his warmth soaks into me, and he hugs me tighter, I find myself hoping he'll never let go. I close my eyes and press my cheek against his, skin on skin.”

“Certain living things prefer the dark, thriving in the shadows of tombstones and crypts, flowering admist the dead. Others tend toward the sun, blooming in the light, embracing the warmth.”

“Is this all you want, Anna?” He brought his arms around her and urged her to lean into him. “Merely an embrace? I’ll understand it, if you do.” “It isn’t merely an embrace,” she replied, loving the feel of his lean muscles and long bones against her body. “It is your embrace, and your scent, and the cadence of your breathing, and the warmth of your hands. To me, there is nothing mere about it.”

“She leaned into him to soak up his warmth."You are so hot," she said."It's about time you noticed," he teased.”

“Man acquired a soul and he must fight with all the powers at his disposal to protect that soul against the monster in his dark past.”