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He took her hand, felt the fresh ribbon of scar marring her flesh, and the frisson that skipped the rungs of his spine was so wonderful, he wanted to cry out the same way he had when he discovered that she was alive. Yes, she had drawn him out of his darkness.

Because I have shed my prison, my own private pain, for you. I am the bearer of your soul; I am the god born of your kami, baptized in a mystic’s blood.

‘‘Jonathan Yurei Kamimori. But, please, Tai-shu Tormark.’’ He smiled. ‘‘Call me Jonathan.’’