Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts

good, solid sense, but still in my mind and heart I want. I need to let them both settle a bit before I know what should be done about it next. But I do know that I don’t want to go into battle stepping back from this only because I’m afraid of what it could be, or what it couldn’t.”
    After a moment’s debate, Glenna sighed. “It may be good solid sense, but I very much doubt I’d take my own advice if I were in your place.”
    Reaching over, Moira took Glenna’s hand. “It helps, being able to talk to another woman. Just to be able to say what’s in my mind and heart to another woman.”
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    I n another part of Geall, in a house shrouded against even the weak and watery light, two other females sat and talked.
    It was the end of their day, not the beginning, but they shared a quiet meal.
    Quiet because the man they were draining was beyond protest or struggle.
    â€œYou were right.” Lora leaned back, delicately dabbing blood from her lips with a linen cloth. The man had been chained to the table between them as Lilith wanted her injured companion to sit, to eat, rather than lie in bed and sip from cups. “Getting up, having a civilized kill was what I needed.”
    â€œThere, you see.” Pleased, Lilith smiled.
    Lora’s face was still badly burned. The holy water that bitch of a demon hunter had hurled at her had wreaked terrible damage. But Lora was healing, and the good fresh meal would help her get her strength back.
    â€œI wish you’d eat a little more though.”
    â€œI will. You’ve been so good to me, Lilith. And I failed you.”
    â€œYou didn’t. It was a good plan, and nearly worked. It’s you who paid such a high price for it. I can’t stand to think of the pain you were in.”
    â€œI would have died without you.”
    They had been lovers and friends, competitors and adversaries. They had been everything to each other for four centuries. But Lora’s injuries, the near end of her, had brought them closer than they’d ever been.
    â€œUntil you were hurt, I didn’t know how much I loved and needed you. Here now, sweetheart, just a little more.”
    Lora obeyed, taking the man’s limp arm, sinking her fangs into the wrist.
    Before the burns, she’d been pretty, a youthful blonde with a swaggering style. Now her face was raw and red, riddled with half-healed wounds. But the glassy glaze of pain had faded from her blue eyes, and her voice was coming back strong again.
    â€œIt was wonderful, Lilith.” She sat back again. “But I just can’t drink another drop.”
    â€œThen I’ll have it taken away, and we’ll sit by the fire for a bit before bed.”
    Lilith rang a little gold bell, signaling one of the servants to clear. The leftovers, she knew, would hardly go to waste.
    She rose to help Lora across the room where she’d already had pillows and a throw placed on the sofa.
    â€œMore comfortable than the caves,” Lilith commented. “But still I’ll be glad to be out of this place, and into proper accommodations.”
    She settled Lora before she sat, regal in her red gown, her hair piled high and gold as she’d wanted to add a touch of glamour to the evening.
    Her beauty hadn’t diminished in the two thousand years since her death.
    â€œDo you have pain?” she asked Lora.
    â€œNo. I feel almost myself. I’m sorry I behaved so childishly yesterday morning, when that bitch flew over on her ridiculous dragon-man. Seeing her again just brought it all flooding back, all the fear, the agony.”
    â€œWe gave her a surprise though, didn’t we?” Soothing, Lilith smoothed the throw, tucking it around Lora. “Imagine her shock when her arrows met Midir’s shield. You were right to talk me out of killing him.”
    â€œThe next time I see her, I won’t weep and hide under the covers like a frightened child.