It was almost like watching the shadow of a cloud moving away to allow the sunlight to brighten the ground he thought, but perhaps a hundred times bet...ter than that. The strongest surge of energy yet went through his body.The pit eventually became entirely white with blue marbling and Gabrain could feel the raw energy pulsing through the soles of his feet, almost as if the ground itself was alive. The brightest light still came from the platform where the stone column was and Gabrain peered. Outwardly it appeared as a simple cordial smile of introduction, but Cassi was suddenly aware of yet one more change in her since Leonora had fed upon her. She, like her vampire queen, was developing an aura. Not yet nearly as strong as Leonora's, it was nevertheless already potent in affecting humans.The attorney almost gasped as their hands touched. Eyes caught and held for an extended moment and Cassi could see how disconcerted the attorney had become. Amy's heart had begun to race and her. She looked at me in bewilderment before an understanding lookembraced her. She offered me one of her cigarettes.My second experience with tobacco in as many days. Was I becoming anaddict? I laughed at the absurdity of my thoughts but knew that therepeated behavior would take its toll. Darla lit her cigarette withpracticed ease. She held her lighter out to me. She looked at me as ifdaring me to complete the act. I held the cigarette to my lips and dippedmy head in towards the flame. I couldn't. It was clearly daytime, and by the looks of it had been for some time, putting into perspective how long I had been down there with the creature for. I found standing near the front door was Jameson, there with my clothes. I hope you had a pleasant stay with us, that it met your standards of satisfaction. It clearly had, that and beyond, as I nodded to him. As I took my clothes back from him and began to put them back on, I asked him curiously, So now that its done, the process… do I get to.