Please try to understand.Please try to understand." She patted my hand sympathetically. "I am very sorry for what I have taken away from you. I can only offer the unique gifts you now have, and myself in exchange." I stood, considered what she had just said, then returned to the futon to sit. Victoria followed me closely. "Victoria, I've got to think -- by myself. There's absolutely no way out of this... marriage?" She nodded. "Not without becoming full vampire or dying." Her brown eyes were focused on me, searching for a hint of what I was thinking. I felt helpless and trapped. Victoria bowed her head. "You do not want me any longer." A tear trickled down her face, then another. "Since when do vampires cry? That's a mortal emotion, for _mortals_ only," I said bitterly. |