grandfather's antique store . When a handsome, amber-eyed customer comes in looking for a particular old book, she is
intrigued because she can't read his aura. When Lucien hands her his business card, she senses such a strong air of
desperation and sorrow that she wants to help him find the book and ease his pain. The next day when a shipment from an
estate turns up a very old book in a beautiful silver box, Althea is certain it is the book Lucien is searching for, but before she
can get the book to Lucien, it is stolen. Lucien is a 400 year old vampire who has searched for over a hundred years for The
Moral Knowlegde of Mortality, a book he desperately hopes contains the secret of how to become mortal again. Standing in
his way are two older and more powerful vampires, Caroline, the vampire who made him, and Adrian, who wants Lucien to
pledge absolute obedience to him. It is Adrian who steals the book. Lucien is terribly attracted to Althea because of the
goodness she radiates and hopes to use her psychic powers to help him find where Adrian has hidden the book. This is a
romance, so of course, they fall in love, so much so that Lucien is willing to sacrifice his dream to keep her safe and Althea
is willing to risk her life to see him free. This is a well written romance without the usual stupid misunderstandings between
lovers. Lucien is the perfect gentleman, almost too perfect, keeping Althea basically chaste and virtuous despite her burning
desires. Although Althea senses in Adrian and Caroline absolute evil, these two vampires aren't really that evil. Caroline is
petty and vindictive, prone to throwing destructive temper tantrums. Adrian is obsessed with Lucien, an obsession based on
love and jealousy. As for Althea, Adrian sees her as a challenging game, a way to relieve his boredom, and he plays with her.
These vampires sleep during the day, but can, with great effort, be up and even brave the sunlight, as long as it isn't direct
sunlight. They can shape shift, becoming mist or animals. They must be invited in, but if you invite one in, all those who are
linked with that vampire have free access. Churches, crosses, garlic don't have any effect, unless the vampire believes. Lucien
makes a pentagram amulet out of bent paper clips to protect Althea. They can control people's minds, make them do exactly
what they want. They can also, even in a state of sleep, control reality and physical objects. Adrian takes control of Althea's
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