I was just kinda reminding you, that's all. Yeah? Bullshit. You're a really bad liar, Z. She walked over to Darius and kissed him hard on the mouth. Later, lover. I'll miss you in my bed. She gave me a disgusted glance. Just say night-night to boyfriend number three and get your butt to our room. I do not like to be awakened after I've retired to my boudoir. Aphrodite tossed her long, gorgeous blond hair and twitched away. She's really amazing, Darius said as he gazed lovingly after her. If by amazing you mean a total pain in the butt, then I'll agree with you. I held up my hand, stopping his she's-really-not-that-bad comment before he could make it. I don't want to talk about your girlfriend right now. I just want to know how Stark's really doing. Stark is healing. I could almost see the big gap in the rest of his sentence. I raised both brows at the warrior. But . . . But nothing. Stark is healing. Why do I think there's more to it than that? Darius waited a beat and then he smiled a little sheepishly. Perhaps because you are intuitive enough to feel that there is more to it than that. All right, what is it? It's about energy and spirit and blood. Or rather Stark's need of and lack of them. I blinked a couple times, trying to understand exactly what Darius was saying, and then I sucked in air as the lightbulb went on over my head and I felt like a total idiot for not understanding sooner. He's been hurt--like I was--and he has to have blood to heal, just like I did.

Well, why didn't you say something before? Crap! I kept babbling on as my mind raced, I don't especially want him to bite Aphrodite, but-- No! Darius interrupted, looking more than a little upset at the thought of Stark drinking from his girlfriend. Aphrodite's Imprint with Stevie Rae makes her blood repellent to other vampyres. Well, hell! Let's get him a blood baggie or whatever, and I guess I could try to find a human he could bite . . . My voice trailed off. I hated, hated, hated thinking about Stark drinking from anyone else. I mean, I had already had to deal with his extracurricular biting before he'd pledged himself as my Warrior and gone through the Change. I had hoped that the days of his biting other girls were behind him. I still hoped it! But I wouldn't be so selfish that my feelings kept him from getting what he needed to heal. I've already given him some blood the sisters had on ice in the infirmary. He's not in danger of dying. He will recover. But? I was exasperated that Darius's sentences all seemed to have these big unfilled-in blanks at the end of them. But when a Warrior is pledged to the service of a High Priestess, there is a special bond between them. Yeah, I already know that. That bond is more than just an oath. Since ancient times Nyx has blessed her High Priestesses and the Warriors who serve them.

The two of you are linked through the Goddess's blessing. It gives him intuitive knowledge about you that makes it easier for him to protect you. Intuitive knowledge? You mean like an Imprint? Goddess! Was this like I was Imprinted with two guys? An Imprint and a Warrior Bond have similarities. Both bind two people together. But an Imprint is a cruder form of a connection. Cruder? What do you mean? I mean that even though an Imprint often happens between a vampyre and a human for whom she cares deeply, it is a connection that originates in the blood and is ruled by the basest of our emotions: passion, lust, need, hunger, pain. He hesitated, obviously trying to choose his words carefully. You have experienced some of that with your consort, have you not? My nod was stiff and my cheeks felt hot. Contrast that bond with the Oath Bond you have with Stark.

Well, I haven't had it very long. I really don't know much about it. But as I said the words, I realized that I did already know that the connection I had with Stark went beyond wanting to drink from him. Actually, I hadn't even really thought about drinking from him--or him drinking from me. As your Warrior serves you longer, you will understand more of your bond with him. Your link with your Warrior means he could develop the ability to sense many of your emotions. For instance, if a High Priestess is suddenly threatened, the Warrior pledged to her may feel her fear, and follow that emotional trail to his Priestess so that he may protect her from whatever is threatening. I-I didn't know that, I stuttered nervously. Darius's smile was wry. I hate to sound like Damien, but you really should find time to read your Fledgling Handbook.

Yeah, that's on the top of my to-do list as soon as my world stops exploding. Okay, so, Stark might be able to tell if I'm afraid. What does that have to do with him being hurt? Your connection isn't as simple as just the possibility of him sensing your fear. It's also about energy and spirit. Your Warrior may eventually be able to feel many of your strong emotions, especially as he spends more and more time in your service. The memory of the very emotional experience I'd shared with A-ya while she'd trapped Kalona had my stomach tightening at Darius's explanation. Go on, I said. A Warrior can absorb his Priestess's emotions. He can also absorb spirit from her, especially if his Priestess has a strong affinity. Often he can tap into that affinity. What in the hell does that mean, Darius? It means he can literally absorb energy through your blood.