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. But hewasn t at all what I expected.From the report you had given me, Irather thought he would be huddling down with the women.Instead,he saved the village.The ogre still did what we needed.The villagehas been emptied, and my men are going to ensure it stays that wayuntil we can negotiate the terms of Their Highnesses surrender. Torch it when you leave, Chalen said.The sergeant stopped, his face becoming a blank mask. As youwish.116 Sophie Oak Keep me informed.I want to know the instant you have thosetwins in custody. Chalen turned off the monitor, and his office sankback into gloom.He didn t bother with the lights nor did he open theblinds.He liked the dark.It suited him.A wave of stock numbers began to crawl across the bottom of hismonitor.The Dellacorp symbol flowed by, along with a ridiculouslyhuge number attached to it.Chalen felt his fists clench.PalgraveIndustries was in the toilet stock wise, and it had been since the dayhis brother had walked into the arena.The press had gotten word thatKinsey Palgrave was fighting Beck Finn, and the company s stockhad taken a dive because no one believed Kinsey could best the Faewarrior king.The stock dove even further when news of Kinsey sdisappearance had made the press.No one believed he could handle the company the way his brotherhad.Well, he would prove them wrong.He would bring PalgraveIndustries back to its rightful place, and he would bring Dellacorp toits knees.Starting with Dante.* * * *Dante s head pounded.The pain was like a sharp hammer beatinga quick rhythm against his skull.Fuck, he was in trouble.How much Scotch had he had last night?It was pretty much a blank, so it had to have been considerable.Aparty? He remembered climbing a really big tree and thinking that adog was hot.Yep, he was going to rehab. Dante. An annoyed feminine voice screeched his name. Mom? He tried to focus, but his eyes weren t working. Don tyell.I know I m in trouble, but I seriously need something for thishangover.Beast 117 I am not your mother, Dante.Wake up!He felt something kick him. Wake up, or we re going to die!Drama queen.Whoever was yelling at him was a total dramaqueen. Susie? Susie, don t tell mom.And whatever you do, don t tellDad.He s pissed enough as it is.Don t tell him I got drunk andblacked out.Fuck, did the paparazzi catch me? Oh, for god s sake, Dante, it s Meg.Dante forced his eyes open.Meg.His brain started to functionagain.He had been with Meg, and there was a tremendously smellymountain he d had to climb and shoot through the eye, and he wasmarried. Where s Kaja?He focused, putting all his will into figuring out just how screwedthey were.He tried to pull his hands up, but they held tight.His handswere tied behind his back, and his feet were bound as well.He waslying on the floor of a tent.He couldn t see Meg.Where was Meg? I don t know where Kaja is.Dante turned his head up and to the right.Meg had been given thecourtesy of a chair.Her worried face stared down at him. Just tell me they didn t kill her. He couldn t stand the thought.How long had he been out? What terrible things had been done toMeg and his wife?The flap to the tent opened, and a shadow fell over Dante.Threemercenaries strode into the room. Who is this Kaja? a cultured British voice asked.There was asnap of his fingers, and Dante felt himself being hauled up to seatedposition.That was when Dante saw her.A brown wolf poked her nosethrough the door and glided in on graceful paws.Lovely, undeniablyfeminine, and way smarter than he had given her credit for.His Kaja. She s just a girl I was fucking, Dante said as though it reallydidn t matter.118 Sophie OakThe wolf growled just a bit. I don t think she likes you, the asshole mercenary said.His handcame up to pet the wolf at his feet.Dante felt like growling, too. The feeling isn t mutual.She sgorgeous.Where did you find her?Kaja sat back on her haunches.Dante fancied he could feel hersatisfaction. She was at the site of your victory over the ogre, the manexplained. I thought she was yours.The fuckers had hit him with a Taser.He could use that to hisadvantage. I don t really remember much about that fight. That s a shame.I would really like to hear that tale. Themercenary turned to Meg and bowed deeply. Your Highness.Myname is Sergeant Major Simon Roan.I lead a small group of vampireswho take on all sorts of jobs. We call them mercenaries where I come from, Meg replied. Ah, we have that in common then. The vampire stood in frontof Meg. Are you feeling all right, Your Highness? I deeply apologizefor the bindings.They are made from the finest silk, so they shouldn tcut your delicate skin.Are you thirsty? I can have my men bring youanything you like. I would like to go home, Meg stated plainly. Alas, that is the one thing I cannot give you.I assure you thatyou will be treated with the utmost respect while we await yourhusbands. Roan took a long breath. And after the inevitablehappens, please know that I will personally ensure your safety.Ibelieve my employer intends to leave you on your own, but I will notallow that to happen. Inevitable? Meg asked, glancing Dante s way.Dante shrugged. When they execute Beck and Ci.Meg laughed, her chest bouncing a little with the effort.She hadlittle tears dripping from the corners of her eyes.Dante had to admit,it was a little funny.Even if they d brought a small army with them,Beast 119he didn t see how this Roan fellow was going to take down BeckFinn.Dante knew something the rest of the world didn t know yet.Beckand Cian had come into their powers several months ago.Beck Finnhad been born the greatest warrior of his generation.Now he was alsoa storm lord.With the flick of his hand, he could call on the power ofa hurricane.His cousin didn t have perfect command over his powersyet, but Dante knew he could handle a band of mercenaries.Meg bit her bottom lip and nodded. I am very grateful to you, sir.I would rather not have to watch my beloved husbands beingexecuted, if you don t mind.Roan stared down at her and seemed to come to some decision. Ican see I ve upset you.I apologize, but it is necessary.Trade mustflow between our nations.His hand came out.It almost touched Meg s hair. Hey, Dante said. Her husbands aren t dead yet, Roan.Youhave no fucking right.The mercenary pulled his hand back immediately.His face wasblankly polite. Of course.I am terribly sorry. Show me your fangs, asshole, Dante said.He had a very nastysuspicion.If it was true, it might be very bad for Meg and it mightbe a tool to use.Roan growled a little, baring his teeth.It was just as Dantesuspected.Roan s fangs were curved and thin.Unlike a peasant s,Roan s fangs were meant to feed, but not kill.Those fangs told Danteeverything. How the hell did a royal end up as a mercenary?Now those blank eyes went black and cold. Even a royal can fall,Mr.Dellacourt.I believe you re about to find that out for yourself.Iwill protect the consort.She is merely a pawn in this game.But you, Iwill allow my employer to slaughter as he sees fit.You re everythingthat is wrong with our system.120 Sophie OakThe mercenary got to one knee.He patted it, and Kaja walkedobediently to him.His hands slipped into the wolf s fur.Now Dante really wanted to slit the fucker s throat [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]