“You were the only one, Andre. It’s always been you.”

“From the beginning, Tegan, you were more brother to me than any kin by blood. You still are.”Tegan felt likewise, in spite of all they’d been through. Maybe because of it. “I’ll always have your back, Lucan. You can count on it.”

“I love you. You are mine. In my heart, I knew that from the beginning. You are my beloved, Tavia, my only one.”

“Damn, amigo. Just how much Oprah have you been watching since I’ve been gone?”

“Barely awake and already starting in with the questions.You were a lot easier to take when you were sleeping.”

“He was the ghost you never saw coming, death breathing down your neck before you even realized you were in the crosshairs.”

“Would I be healed now if you gave me your blood, Nikolai?”“Are you asking me for it?”“If I were, would you give it to me?”