Free Phantom Embrace by Dianne Duvall Page A

that sucks, but that just doesn’t cover it, does it?”
    â€œNot even close.”
    Marcus considered him, features thoughtful. “She was a gifted one when she lived, wasn’t she?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDo you know what her gift was?”
    â€œShe had psychometric abilities, could see the history of an object when she touched it. Still can, actually.”
    â€œOh.” Marcus’s brow furrowed. “That’s too bad. I was hoping she might’ve been a telepath or a dream walker. Then perhaps she could’ve visited you in your dreams.” He smiled wryly. “Sex can be very real in dreams.”
    Yuri hadn’t even thought of that.
    â€œI’ll let you know what I learn at the network as soon as I return,” Marcus promised, again preparing to leave. “And, Yuri?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œIf I had to choose between a woman who shared my love, but whom I couldn’t touch, and a woman I could touch, but who meant little to me . . . I’d choose the woman I loved every time.” Opening the door, he stepped out into the hallway, then closed it behind him.
    * * *
    Two long days and nights passed without Yuri catching so much as a glimpse of Catherine. Had whatever Zach had done that night banished her forever?
    Marcus had not seen her at network headquarters. Nor had he seen her here at David’s.
    Ami’s pregnancy had progressed far enough and was becoming so difficult that Marcus had stopped hunting entirely to remain close to her. And, sympathetic to Yuri’s plight, Marcus had been keeping an eye out for Cat while Yuri was out hunting.
    Several times, Yuri had wanted to seek Seth and David’s counsel. But both elders were exhausted from pouring healing energy into both Lisette, who had still not awakened from her coma, and Ami to help her carry her baby to term. And as much as Yuri loved Cat, he couldn’t bring himself to ask either elder to cease tending the living so they could help him locate a spirit.
    Yet.
    In truth, Yuri wasn’t sure what he would do if Cat remained absent much longer.
    Growing ever more desperate, Yuri had gone to the infirmary that afternoon to ask Zach what he had done to Cat, to ask him if he could reverse it and bring her back. But Zach had rendered himself unconscious pouring too much healing energy into Lisette in an attempt to wake her, his hand clutching Lisette’s to his chest, his head resting on the bed beside her.
    Despair rising, Yuri let the conversation of the immortals gathered together in David’s living room flow over and around him without paying it much heed. He slumped in his favorite wingback chair with his boots propped on a coffee table scarred from years of other boots doing the same. Yuri knew his somber silence worried Dmitry, but had no desire to explain himself.
    Marcus and Ami sat on a sofa catercorner to him. The pair had had a difficult day. Ami had begun experiencing contractions again, and Seth had had to use his healing gift to stop the premature labor.
    Everyone else present, like Yuri, had made it through another night’s hunt without incident. None had encountered any of the new skilled vamps. None had been seriously injured or tranqed. All had resolved to sleep at David’s place until Lisette awoke.
    Yuri found himself wondering if the gun drawn by that big vampire he had fought the first night he’d spoken to Cat had been a tranquilizer gun. He hadn’t paid any attention at the time and—
    Marcus kicked Yuri’s feet.
    Scowling, Yuri glanced over at him.
    Marcus met his eyes, then looked pointedly toward a far corner of the living room.
    Yuri followed his gaze. His breath caught.
    Cat stood there. In the same place she had been standing the night the blast had hit her. Garbed in the same yellow dress. Brow creased.
    Relief rushed through him, so intense it damned near left him light-headed.
    Heart pounding, he rose.
    * * *
    Cat stared