He woke up with rage and anguish. A curious ripping in the region of his heart. It faded and then pulsed with quivering strength. Taroh? What is the matter? He froze instantly. His chest ached at the sound of his sister's voice in his mind. It wasn't possible…he'd felt her die. Taroh, what's the matter? Jasmine's sweet voice held a hint of alarm.

Taroh closed his eyes as he reminded himself of every slash and burn he had felt before she died. His mind was playing tricks on him; making his wish to hear her comforting voice come to life. Taroh! Anguish rose in him mixed with confusion. Her voice. It sounded so real.

He reached up and grabbed his head as pain erupted in his temples. This didn't make sense. He'd felt her die. And yet she spoke to him so clearly it seemed too real to him.

A hand grabbed his shoulder and his eyes snapped open to see Bennett's face staring down at him with worry in his dark eyes. "What is the matter, little brother? We can feel your pain and you are worrying Jasmine."

Taroh leapt back. This had to be an illusion. A trick that some malevolent creature was using to try and harm him. "Who are you?" Taroh growled, eyes flashing red fire as he tried to see through the illusion of his brother-in-law.

Bennett took a cautious step back. "Taroh…I am Bennett, lifemate to your sister Jasmine. I have known you for years." His voice was utter purity. Beguiling black magic.

Taroh shook his head dislodging the soothing voice. He knew all too well that vampires could make their voices seem like angels when in fact they were nothing but demons. "You're dead." Taroh stated in a low growl. He wouldn't let this imposter distract him from the truth.

"I assure you I am very much alive, little brother." Bennett said calmly. There was something very wrong going on here. He could sense the waves of pain and confusion radiating off of Taroh.

"I felt you die!" Taroh snapped.

Bennett held up his hands in a sign of peace. "Taroh, whatever has happened I assure you that we will find out and help you. However you must trust me."

Taroh's confidence wavered for a moment. "Even the foulest vampire can seem pure." He growled after a second of thought.

"But how would he get past the safeguards, Taroh?" Bennett asked softly. He was hoping that Taroh would come to his senses and realize that no betrayer of their people would be able to fight his way through so many safeguards, at least not without Taroh noticing.

Taroh paused his mind reeling with confusion. What this Bennett imposter said made sense. No vampire could enter his home so easily. There were too many safeguards around the grounds to deal with; they were ingrained in the very architecture of the building. And yet at the same time…he had felt them die. His link with his sister had been strong and he was utterly confident that he had felt everything the way it had happened. It made no sense.

Jasmine's soft voice filled his mind. Easing the pain that shot through his skull. Listen to us, baby brother. We will help you…trust me. The voice, so much like his sister's, calmed him. Slowly Taroh's defenses slipped and he let the gentle voice into his mind more fully.

She could feel it. The utter certainty that she had been murdered while Taroh had been helpless to do anything about it. She felt the horrible agony of torture that he believed they had endured. It was so real, so clear in his mind; it had to have been placed there by someone else. Jasmine sent the impression of wrapping her arms around him. It's not true, baby brother. I swear we are fine.

Taroh's confusion spiked but that sweet voice, one of pure light and goodness, it took away his doubts. He slumped against the wall of the chamber. What was going on?


I'm not so predictable that I'd kill her off like that...uh...April fools? heh...bye for now.