"She's done it yet again!!"

In this story, not only do we get to meet Gabriel but we also get to meet his twin Lucian, both ancient Carpathians thought to be dead. Such was not the case though. Gabriel finally injured Lucian so badly that he was able to bind him and go to ground until he could figure out how to finally destroy Lucian. Gabriel has always had a pact with Lucian. If either turned, the other would destroy him. This was the case with Lucian but Gabriel hasn't had the heart to destroy his beloved twin brother. Lucian had always been the strong one so Gabriel just cannot believe that Lucian has finally turned.

Gabriel is awakened from a long sleep in Paris by machines working over the graveyard where he and Lucian are resting. Gabriel knows if he's been awakened, then Lucian has been awakened also. Gabriel is so close to turning himself that he has to carefully walk the streets of Paris looking for sustenance. What he finds is his lifemate, Francesca Del Ponce. Francesca recognizes Gabriel immediately and sets out to try to help him. She believes that Gabriel turned his back on her many years before in her village when he swept through with Lucian looking for vampires to destroy. Now that Gabriel has found his lifemate, he must convince her that he's back to stay just as soon as he figures out how to destroy Lucian for all time.

With every Carpathian book I read, I say this is the best one but then Christine Feehan outdoes herself yet again. I thoroughly enjoyed Gabriel and Francesca's story. I especially enjoyed getting more insight into the Carpathian world and the world of the ancients. I eagerly look forward to each and every one of Christine Feehan's books. She is most definitely the Queen of the Carpathians!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted December 6, 2001

Author Interview

Summary

Gabriel wakes deep within the ground, and the first sensation he feels is an overwhelming hunger for blood. But as he hunts the dark streets of Paris for prey, a voice calls to him, soothing, calming, giving him the strength to control his craving. Francesca Del Ponce is a healer, a woman who radiates goodness as powerfully as the sun does light. Though Garbriel knows she will be like hot silk in his arms, though he knows the taste of her will be addictive, he fears for her life and his soul if he takes her. Then with one mind-shattering vow she gives herself-- I offer freely, without reservation, I offer my life for yours as is my right--and with a firestorm of long- forgotten feelings, he glimpses salvation.