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might do when you found out what he told me. He was afraid of your power. Not
mine. He retreated because he thought you and I were in league and that
somehow threatened him. I still don't understand it."
I look into Avery's dark eyes. But you aren't going to explain it, are you?"
Surprisingly, he responds. You would not understand it the balance of power
between old-soul vampires in a community. I think perhaps now you never will."
"That's it? That's all you're going to say?"
A long moment passes. I have to fight back anger and frustration and regain
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my composure before I broach the subject most important to me David.
His sharp eyes detect a shift in my expression, his mind probes into my
subconscious. You are very good about hiding your thoughts from me, Anna, he
says softly. But there is something more you want from me."
He's turned his back to me, champagne glass in one hand, the velvet ring box
in the other, staring out at the horizon. His shoulders slump a little and he
adds, I'm sorry it's come to this. I had such hopes for us. He fingers the
box. The stone in this ring belonged to my mother. In the past, it's been
worn by women, mortal women, good women. When I met you, though, I knew you
were the last one destined to wear it.For all eternity."
He slips the box back into his jacket pocket. But you can't let go. I read
it in your heart.Your home.Your friends. Even when I strip them away, you
refuse to let go."
I don't move from my place. I'm sure now that Avery knows what I've done. How
he will react may determine whether I survive this or not.
He places the glass down on the table. This is all about your friend, David,
isn't it?"
Yes.
He turns to look at me. The candlelight on his face reflects, in icy
radiance, an expression both hostile and derisive. He opens his mind and draws
me in, daring me physically to come closer.
But I keep my distance because what I feel emanating from him is both
frightening and malignant.
There's nothing soft or loving or forgiving left in his heart or his attitude
towards me. Those feelings are erased by the enormity of cold fury.
"You found him, he says simply.
Only his eyes blaze with contempt, flashing the danger.
He's letting me into his thoughts to scare me, and it works.
Chapter Forty
Avery has the ability to stand so still one might think he was made of iron
or steel, and at the same time radiate energy so great it stops your heart and
freezes your ability to think or to feel anything except sheer terror. I felt
it yesterday in the attic.
I feel it again now.
I have to fight it, calm myself, swallow back the fear and stop the pounding
of my blood. He may be older than I am, but I've proven myself with Donaldson
and Williams. I have used the knowledge passed to me through Avery's own
blood, and I can do it again.
He smiles as he reads all this in my thoughts and interprets the rigid
bearing of my body. You are ready to fight me."
It's not a question, nor is it a simple statement. He's making a joke,
laughing at my audacity. The fact that he's chosen to vocalize this emphasizes
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his contempt for the presumption.
If I have to.I want you to explain why you did it. You knew how important
David is to me. My house was a thing, you took that without a second thought,
but David is a person a human being. You had no right
Before my eyes register the movement, before I can move away, he's come
around the table and is standing soclose, I feel his breath on my cheek.
Don't speak to me with your mind. You are so tied to mortals, you denigrate
the vampire heritage. Use your voice,it'sallyou have a right to."
He's leaning over me, his mouth at my neck. He's gnashing his teeth as if
fighting to keep from tearing my throat out. I have to wonder why he doesn't.
He pulls back an inch. I thought you wanted answers. You've given me a great
deal of pleasure in the last few days. I will tell what you want to know
before you die. But, he leans in again, first, you must tell me. Where did
you take David?"
Now it's my turn to let the anger come through. Stubbornly, I send mythoughts
out tohim.Heissafe.And protected. You can't get to him no matter what happens
to me.
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