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I ll know more in a few days. We ll talk then.
You re here. We ll talk now, Arleigh growled.
She spun on her heel and stalked toward the river. When she reached the
bank, she took a deep breath and turned to see him sauntering toward her.
She tapped her foot against the grass and wanted to shriek to the heavens.
The man, the creature, whatever he was, was so damned infuriating, she
would have struck him dead again if she had the power.
Spit it out, Arleigh snapped.
You re a little bitchy this morning, Leanan sidhe, Flynn said. Too
many dreams last night?
My dreams are ne er your business. Is this about Trinity? I know you
want this land, but you ll be getting it o er my dead body.
Flynn shrugged. I could arrange that, but let s save it for another day,
shall we? Today seems to be all about you. Why am I not surprised? What s
in that little mind of yours?
76 Amber Carlton
I want to talk about the girls.
They re safe, warm, and well fed. Why are you so worried? You know
I can t hurt them. They re bloody children, Arleigh. There are strict rules
against harming a child.
I want them back!
You ll have them back, but don t push me on this or there will be
consequences. We ll do this my way. Are we clear?
Why are you doing this to me, Cameron? Why are you taking your
revenge on me through them?
A necessary evil. I needed your complete attention.
Tis my attention you have, then. What are you planning in that
demented mind of yours?
A feigned shock pulled at his face. Why, faery mine, you ve hurt my
feelings.
You have no feelings, and I ll not be living the faery life any longer.
And I m not yours! Why did you come here?
I missed your boundless charm, he said.
Find the point, Cameron.
Flynn shrugged. Fine. I ve spoken with the governing council about
your papers.
She glared up at him. You had no right to do that. Fiana should have
been consulted.
I don t consult children, he snarled, and I don t consult indentures,
but for some reason I m feeling generous today. I don t care what happens
to those girls, but I do have a reputation in this colony, and I would like to
appear magnanimous.
Your chivalry is overwhelming.
His brow rose
Do you have any idea how much Caindale owed to me?
When she didn t answer, he gripped her chin with his fingers, forcing
her head up.
Answer me, Leanan sidhe.
Stop calling me that. You know the Leanan sidhe exists no longer. I am
Arleigh Donovan now. A human. A mortal. Why do you even waste your
time with me? Tis nothing I should be to you.
Trinity Magic 77
You are everything to me. I planned to buy you that first day you
arrived, lover, but Stephen Caindale seemed determined to have you.
Almost obsessed. I can t imagine why. Can you?
She tried to pull away, but he cupped his hand around the back of her
neck and pulled her closer. I don t like to think on that, Arleigh
whispered.
Alas, your powers are gone. The Leanan sidhe, the most beautiful and
desirable of all faeries, exists no longer. Magic shown in your smile,
seduction in your glance, and so many died of love for you. And yet I think
they still pine for you, faery mine.
Tis human I am now, Arleigh said, quietly.
Human, and yet so much more. There s talk about you in the faery
circles, lover. Even in this hellhole, I hear from the ethereal plane, and they
still have an interest in you. Your passing seems to have left a wake of dead
men across the Isles of Britain. They still die for your beauty. Do you still
offer them heights of ecstasy in exchange for their souls? Does this mortal
body work as well as the faery one you possessed?
Arleigh swung her arm toward his face, but he caught her wrist and
laughed.
I ve offended you. Poor, poor you. You are cursed in this mortal life,
and Saint Stephen has paid for it.
Leave Stephen out of this, Arleigh said. How much does he owe
you? I ll sell something, I ll
Not possible. He owes me more than you can imagine, more than the
profit he would have seen in three years of planting. Do you think his tiny
daughters can manage to squeeze that much from this island?
Arleigh s stomach heaved.
You have proof? she asked. Documents?
Signed, sealed, and on file with the council. All legal and tidy and
extremely official. I could destroy the Caindale girls and leave them
destitute and homeless to recoup my losses. I have a more charitable
solution. You want me to be charitable, don t you?
Arleigh nodded, her stomach in knots.
Then you will probably agree with my proposal. Flynn caressed her
palm with his fingers. Small shivers ran up her spine. He leaned toward her
78 Amber Carlton
and whispered in her ear. Do you have any idea how much you re worth on
a piece of paper?
Arleigh shook her head, cringing.
A great deal, actually, Flynn said. The broker asked a bloody fortune
for your indenture, but Caindale seemed determined to have you. His
pockets were empty, but that wouldn t dissuade him. I hope you fucked him
before his unfortunate demise. A man deserves something for such a
sacrifice.
You re vile, Cameron.
He laughed. You have a way about you, lassie, and men will pay
anything to feel the passion inside of you. The broker knew that and set his
price accordingly. On paper, you re worth more than five women. I know
from personal experience that s a real bargain for someone like you. Such
beauty. Such fire. I remember the taste of your skin, Leanan sidhe. I
remember the fire inside you.
Flynn smiled, and when he reached out and cupped her breast, she
smacked at his hand.
You re
Aye, vile, I know, you ve said that.
So you loaned Stephen the money to purchase my indenture?
Flynn sighed. Aye. Such a determined man I d never seen. I wanted
you myself, but with Caindale jumping so easily into my pocket, I could
hardly refuse his request. You re worth a damned fortune in this hellish
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