Even though I was working hard to keep my mind blank, each step down that dark hallway toward the torture chamber made me shake. I didn't want those who loved me to read my fear, so I tried not to think and concentrated on Paul next to me. He was keeping his mind blank as well.

The hallway led to a narrower flight of stairs. We were already a great deal underground. The air became chillier and damp. The darkness was so complete that even as a Vampire I had a hard time seeing. ...