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Jonas laughed.  Holy shit!
 It s like Firestarter, Elena said behind him.
When he cut his eyes toward Khalil, the leader was watching, unsurprised by the display.
He must have seen this, too, and that possibility made the whole situation that much more
complex. Had he planned to let them become hybrids to add to his own power? Or simply
decided to protect his daughter in this twisted way?
 Blane? Christiana said.
 Yeah?
 I think you re going to have to work on this. She pulled his body toward hers, her
hands sliding up his arms. Her sly smile betrayed the thought. She was remembering the
mattress. What would his power do when she made him co
Khalil cleared his throat.  Dawn is coming. Perhaps we should return to the estate for the
day?
Jonas and Elena agreed, making polite goodbyes as they all left.
Blane led Christiana toward the house.  I think we need to sleep in the basement
tonight.
She laughed.  Wouldn t want to burn down the house, would we?
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He chuckled with her, but there was no humor in the situation. For the first time, he was
glad she couldn t feel his emotions. The new power was everything he d wanted. He was more
powerful than the others and now a worthy member of such a strong cosca, but what if he lost
control? He could actually torch her during sex.
After dragging the mattress to the basement, they snuggled into bed just before dawn. She
nuzzled against his chest and let her hand wander up his arm.  We ve got just enough time.
He stifled a sigh and scooted his hips away enough to hid his growing erection.  There s
not enough time to do all I want to do you. Let s wait until we wake up. He kissed her forehead
and felt her brows draw up in the center.
 I love you, she said in a breathy voice.
 I love you too, Princess. And he did.
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Chapter Twenty
Blane pulled Christiana into the large conference room. Michael, as always, was seated at
the head of the table. On his right, Jonas sat with his arm around Elena, their chairs pressed as
close together as they would go. Tori, Michael s human, paced the floor behind his chair. Khalil
sat to his left, leaning back in the chair with his hands folded across his waist.
 Good evening, Michael said.  Glad to see you haven t died from spontaneous
combustion.
 Ha ha. Blane smirked, pulling a chair out next to Khalil. When he motioned toward it,
Christiana slid into the chair. He took the seat next to her.  Why are we here?
 We have a few private matters to discuss. Michael leaned forward, his elbows propped
on the edge of the table.  This cosca is about to become the focus of the Bureau s attention. Too
many agents have died around your members. It is time to prepare for the worst.
Blane groaned. Coming from Khalil, that probably meant the shit was going to hit the
fan.
 This new breed  Khalil motioned toward them  poses a new threat to both our
species. Your loyalties are obvious, but you had your bond to see you through the change.
Weaker vampires will not remain so loyal. We must all be prepared for this change. Michael has
a few ideas.
 I have decided you will be my new head of security, Michael told Blane.  I want every
building wired with the best, top surveillance, trackers on all the cars. He smiled.  Everything
you ve wanted to do for a while.
Blane smiled, too.  Just give me some plastic, and I ll take care of it.
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 I thought you d say that. Michael held out his hand and Tori stopped pacing. She
walked forward and took his hand.  My next problem is one I need your opinions on. Tori
believes it is unfair that I refuse to change her. She feels that she is too well known among us to
remain safely human. I say it is too big of a risk to change her. I would like your opinions
especially yours, Elena.
Elena smiled up at Tori.  It s not easy.
 I know that.
 You ll have to give up your entire life.
Tori nodded.  I already have. The force is all I have left, and things haven t been the
same since Castillo disappeared. They think I murdered the serial killer. Know how much they
trust a detective they think is a murderer? She held up her hand to make a zero with her fingers.
Jonas smiled up at her.  You re practically one of us already. Have been for years. All
you need is the fangs.
Khalil laughed.
 I wonder what her ability will be, Elena said.
Michael started to rub his forehead with his free hand.  I don t relish the idea of making
her give up her life for this.
Christiana spoke then.  I don t think she requires you to ask her. It sounds as though she
has already given up that life.
Khalil nodded.  By forcing her to remain human, you ask her to take a greater risk. There
are rumors of action to move against her because she is your weakness. He leaned forward,
closer to Michael.  I understand your reluctance, but I am ordering her change. If you cannot
bring yourself to do it, I will do this for her. He smiled up at Tori.
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She beamed back, even as Michael seemed more torn.
He practically glared at Khalil. Then he shook it off and changed the subject.  Blane,
who should take your place?
He flipped through the faces in his mind. Gregory wouldn t want to take over the
smuggling. He would consider it beneath him. Then he smiled.  Arracado.
Michael nodded.  Good choice. I d considered it myself. He will take over your position
immediately. I ll call him in after you leave. 
 Thank you.
He nodded again.  If you will all excuse me, Tori and I have things to discuss.
No one waited to be told twice.
In the hallway, Khalil motioned Blane and Christiana toward the kitchen. He pulled a key
on a small silver key ring from his pocket.  I have something for you. Your first gift together.
 What is it? Blane said, watching Christiana hold out her hand.
 I thought that perhaps with your new needs, you might prefer a more stable home.
 You bought us a house? The air felt like it had been sucked out of his lungs. Leave it to
Khalil to feel an appropriate gift was a house.
 An estate, actually, Khalil clarified.  The house is being renovated. It will be made
almost entirely of noncombustible materials.
He laughed.  Not much faith in our self control, huh?
 Let s just say I know how hard it will be in the beginning. He gave Blane a wink.
Maybe he was trying to help the best way he knew how.
 I have to return to Europe. But I will be returning soon. Khalil took Blane s hand and
gave it a strong shake.  I expect to see a formal ceremony arranged. You will still receive the
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mansion in Ravenna, and I will pay for the ceremony, of course. But I have a request.
 Anything, Christiana said with a bright smile.
 I would like to see it done at Christmas. I love those little white lights.
Blane laughed.
Christiana threw her arms around Khalil s neck.  Thank you.
When she moved, Blane held his hand out.
 Thank you for everything. Including the secrets.
Khalil s voice came back, answering him in his own mind. You are family, Blane. And I
am glad to have you watching over her.
He nodded.
The leader kissed Christiana s forehead.  Don t let him blow up the new house.
She laughed, then gave him one more hug before he walked away.
It was heartwarming to watch them together. If Blane hadn t seen them with his own
eyes, he would never have believed their relationship was so human. Especially with their king.
Power usually always brought a death of the humanity in the vampiro.
 Ready to go? Christiana slid up to Blane, pressing their bodies together.  I think we
have a new house to explore.
And there was that new and dangerous sex he d promised her.
Looking down at her, the determination in her eyes made it clear that it was going to be
sooner than later. Better to try it in a fireproof house, he supposed.  Where is it? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]