[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Not until you tell me what was said during your little foray into the club today. You remember, the one
you took, though I specifically told younot to? He strode up to the side of the tub and Lauren saw that
the white dress shirt he was wearing was unbuttoned at the throat and the sleeves were rolled up to his
elbows. He looked like a man who was about to do some serious and difficult work.
Y-you can t order me around. I m my own person, she shot back. Her defiant reply was somewhat
spoiled by the way she hunched lower in the tub, trying to hide herself from him.
How many times do I have to explain this, Lauren? While we are here you arenot your own person.
You belong to me. Stand up. His gaze was positively glacial.
No. Her voice came out smaller and a lot less confident than she would have liked but her refusal did
her no good at all. Kris simply reached down and pulled her up with one strong hand hooked under her
arm. Water splashed and spattered all around them.
Do you not think that if I ask you not to do something, I have a good reason for it? he demanded in a
low, intense voice. I asked you not to leave the room for your own good, because I was afraid you
would do exactly what youdid do.
W-what are you t-talking about? Her teeth were chattering as her naked, heated body was suddenly
exposed to the cool air. She could feel her nipples hardening into tight little points. S-Simon asked me
ab-bout The Brotherhood of Truth and I t-told him I d-didn t know anything! She thought about telling
Kris how eager Simon had been to share his own information with her and then decided he was already
angry enough. How much more pissed off might he be if she told him that a rival had been gathering
tidbits about his past for whatever reason?
Here. He made her step all the way out of the tub and began to rub her down with a large towel. His
motions were smooth and quick and somehow managed to convey his anger much more effectively than
his words had.
Lauren felt like her heart was beating somewhere in the vicinity of her throat. I didn t tell himanything ,
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
she protested again, in a low voice.
And that is precisely why he knows you are different and the reason he is demanding such an
outrageous host fee because you told him nothing when another human would have spilled all they
know. Kris wrapped the damp towel around her shoulders and propelled her out into the bedroom.
W-wait! Lauren protested. Different how? What are you talking about?
Kris sat her firmly on the bed and began pacing, running one large hand through his dark chocolate hair
distractedly. Lauren longed to reach for something drier and less revealing than the towel but didn t dare
to move. She had never seen him this angry and upset before. Finally he stopped pacing for a moment
and looked her directly in the eye.
You want to make love with me right now, Lauren, he said in a low, firm voice.
What? Lauren felt her cheeks color crimson with embarrassment and anger. I most certainly donot !
Do you see? Kris gestured at her, no longer bothering to lower his voice. Thatis how you are
different. You are immune to our mind tricks as no human should be. When I put a suggestion in your
mind it should instantly take root and grow into an absolute certainty. But you shrug off my Clouding as
though it was of no consequence, just as you shrugged off Simon s. He knows about you now, knows of
your unique ability.
Lauren stared at him, a lot of things were beginning to make sense. The way you talked to me when we
first met& the way Henry was so convinced you represented a legitimate pharmaceutical company&
Kris nodded impatiently. Yes, yes, all of that was my doing. But on you it didn t work, perhaps
because of your rare blood type, who can say? The point is that a human who is immune to vampire mind
tricks would be a precious commodity indeed in our community. Your value for espionage alone would
be immeasurable. You could be sent to a rival s house and he or she would never dream that you were
only pretending to follow orders, that you were listening to their most intimate secrets&
Lauren wrapped the towel more tightly around herself. Myvalue ? You re talking like I m just some
piece of property to be bought and sold.
Kris whirled to face her. And that is exactly what you would be in the hands of our host.
But he can t& I mean I don t belong to him. You said while I was here I belonged& Lauren bit her lip
to stop the words but it was too late.
Yes, while you are here you belong tome . But how can I protect you if you will not do as I say?
I don t understand. I-is Simon going to try and take me away from you? Just the thought of those cold
brown eyes and those perfectly manicured hands on her body made her feel ill, almost nauseous.
Not if we can pay his price, Kris muttered darkly. Whichyou have raised immeasurably with your
arrogant disobedience.
What price? Lauren asked, apprehensively. She vividly remembered her speculation about the nature
of the obligation Simon and Kris had spoken of the night before.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
The host price our debt of obligation to Simon for letting us stay here and helping me save your life.
Kris ran a hand through his hair again and shook his head. Without the shelter of this house, and the use
of Simon s medical facilities to make the anti-Taint serum, you would be dead right now.
All right& Lauren ran a hand through her own hair, which was coming down in damp waves from the
loose chignon she d put it in to keep it from getting wet in the bath. So I made the price higher, I m
sorry. But didn t you tell me th-that the people in your community are wealthy beyond human imaging,
that money was no object?
That, Kris grated, stalking over to her. Is precisely why we will be expected to pay in an entirely
different coin. This isn t a matter of emptying your bank account, Lauren, unless you count your funds in
blood and pain.
Blood and& what are you saying? Her lips felt numb and she clutched the towel closer.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]