Podstrony
|
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
an agent, there was no hope of the life they d planned.
But he couldn t think of that now.
* * * *
Get her out of the car, Khalil barked, motioning to two male vampires who looked like
security in black tactical gear.
No. Don t touch her, Blane said. I ll do it. He carefully slid Christiana into his arms,
her skin almost burning his as he stepped out of the back of the limo and onto the sidewalk
outside the airport hangar. Where should I put her?
162
On the plane.
He glared at Khalil. If she completely changes, she ll rip it apart.
We re going to drug her. If she does change, it will be in America, where she has a
chance. If she stays here, I will have no choice.
The words were casual, but he knew what they meant. If it went badly, he didn t want to
kill her, but the others would demand it. Khalil was giving her a chance to escape.
Blane climbed the jet s steps.
Jonas went ahead of him to open the doors. Put her in the bedroom. At least she ll be at
the rear.
Blane glared.
Gotta look out for my compagna, Blane.
He understood, but he didn t like it. He turned sideways and scooted through the doorway
as she began to groan again. She was almost childlike. If there was anything he could do to stop
this, he would.
Please leave us, Khalil said behind him.
Jonas did without another word.
Once the door clicked shut, Khalil let the mask of his control slide away. He looked worn
and tired as he sat on the opposite side of Christiana. His hand went to her cheek. I ve known
her since she was only a child.
And how long have you known this was going to happen? All the anger and accusation
was there in his voice. Good. He meant it. If Khalil knew what was going to happen, he never
should have let her leave that ballroom.
Khalil s eyes cut to him, then dropped back to her. She whimpered as he spoke. Since
163
the day she left to go to America.
Why the fuck didn t you try to stop her? You could have at least warned us tonight.
He was silent for a long time. And if I had, and you d changed the situation for the
worse, would that have pleased you?
Of course not. Blane sighed. If you re psychic, why don t you use your ability to change
things like this? We could even be rid of those damned dogs.
I tried for a time, but the result of my interference was always worse than what I d seen.
I can only use the information to prepare for what is to come. He smiled. She knows you re
here. You are what keeps her from going over.
Blane blinked at the change in subject. What if I can t keep her from changing?
She will become one of them. Once you are home, she will change over. There s
nothing you can do to stop it.
Tears began to sting his eyes. Pain in his heart grew until it was too heavy. I can t kill
her.
I think perhaps you are a little hasty. She is still my child. First and foremost. That will
not change.
Are you trying to say that she ll be a hybrid?
Possibly. We will have to see what Luciano s compagna decides. Khalil leaned
forward and kissed her on the cheek. They did have a father-daughter relationship, as she d said.
Seeing them together now, he couldn t imagine thinking of them any other way even as strange
as it was for vampires to behave like humans.
I love you, Khalil whispered to her, then sat up in a slow motion that seemed like he
was having a hard time pulling away.
164
The door clicked open, and Elena s head popped in. She smiled, then stepped inside.
I ve got Ketamine. I think it might keep her out until we get there.
Khalil gave Blane a firm pat on the shoulder. I cannot go. There will be too many
questions if I don t return to help rid Venice of the agents. The Bureau of Human Ascendancy
threatens to overrun us, and I must be here to ensure that does not happen. I know you will do
everything necessary for her safety, Blane. When it is time, I will come to check on her.
Blane nodded. Of course he d leave them to do the dirty work.
I love her, too. Khalil gave Elena a pat on the shoulder, too. Thank you.
She nodded, then went to Christiana s side. As Khalil closed the door behind him,
Christiana s moans were louder, as though she d sensed him leaving.
Let s get her settled, then we need to talk, Elena said, uncapping a syringe.
* * * *
Christiana heard the voices first. They were fading in as if she were moving closer, or
they were but she wasn t moving.
And she could feel Blane.
He d been there, pulling her from the depths of red, the pain that had threatened to pull
her under. His cool hands had stroked her head and his voice had been in her ear, whispering that
everything would be okay.
His love and concern had been like a salve to calm the heat that threatened to burn
through her. And it had been the thing to pull her back into reality. If their bond hadn t been this
strong, and if he hadn t insisted on coming after her
That fire pulled her deeper.
She couldn t think. Not now. She had to focus on him.
165
I can feel you re awake, Blane whispered. We re almost home.
Home? His home, or their new estate?
She wants to know what home. Jonas s voice came from farther away.
Blane laughed. Can you speak?
She tried, but it came out as a groan. Her throat wouldn t work.
We have to keep you knocked out, but Elena has an idea. We ll try it when we get
settled and you re safe, Blane said.
She tried to nod, but even her head wouldn t work right. What did they have her on?
They re giving you Ketamine, Christiana. Jonas again.
They must have been giving her some sort of strange mix for it to work in her system.
Something Elena came up with, Jonas said. Blane has to try too hard to keep you from
changing and ripping the plane apart.
So they were on the plane. Thank the gods that Jonas could read thoughts.
Yeah. Jonas s voice again.
I can t keep this up, Blane said, his voice tight.
I m sorry, Elena said, just as another sharp pain started in her arm. You need to sleep
until we get there.
The medicine burned in her skin, but quickly took her into the cool darkness.
* * * *
Let me stay in case something goes wrong. Elena s face was as dark as Blane felt.
He couldn t let them stay. If Christiana did change, they would kill her to keep the others
safe. It s all right. I d rather be alone for this.
Jonas took her hand. Let them have some privacy. Blane will call if he needs us. He
166
shot Blane a warning look. I ll be over here if I haven t heard from you by midnight. I won t be
as kind.
Blane sighed. If it went horribly wrong, she d have to leave quickly to keep them from
killing her.
Not getting it, are you?
Just go, Blane groaned.
Jonas led her up the stairs.
Blane watched Christiana s lithe body, in only a tank top and thin cotton shorts that
they d taken from her clothing on the jet, and waited until their footsteps were up and out of the
house. In the silence of the room, there was only the sound of her breathing and her new
pounding heartbeat. In the seclusion of the area and with the extra soundproofing Michael had
done to the safe house, no one would hear the fight when she changed. At least The Alleanza
would be kept if this went straight to hell. Which it was sure to do.
Damn Khalil.
The least he could have done was tell him who was supposed to die or how in the hell he
was supposed to stop her from becoming one of them. He didn t have the power to keep her from
changing, not through their bond and not through his abilities.
Her legs began to move. Another slow growl started.
Within minutes, she was getting louder. That familiar warning washed over him as it did
whenever one of the wolves was near. His arms tightened, hands clenched, but he wasn t ready
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plkskarol.keep.pl
|
