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"Not that I’ht back at you, but that one’s pretty obvious You represent what her world is going to becoh it She’ll figure it out"

When she did, the gift of trust she’d invested in Gideon so unexpectedly would likely be irrelevant That erratic third-wheel feeling he kept having would become a constant tread, not just the occasional bu this forever, right?

Before he could slice his gut any deeper with that knife, he shifted his thoughts to so more productive "In the meantime, if she doesn’t want us around her, why don’t we coax her into wanting to be around us?"

"Coax?" Daegan lifted that patrician brow again For soel He expected that hat had attracted Anwyn to it

"Yeah" Gideon snorted "Forwomen is a fact of life"

"Based on what I know of your personality, you et that far Butto dance to a song about the terrible and wonderful parts of love One of her favorites You know it?" Daegan nodded He moved toward the music cabinet, but spoke over his shoulder "I think she will surprise us both in the end, Gideon As I think you will surprise yourself You have already surprised runted at that, but as Daegan scrolled through the selection, the vauard

"So, when you spoke to your brother, what did Lyssa decide you could know aboutWhy don’t you tell an tossed him a humorless look "You and your brother are very close He trusts you, and Lyssa trusts him So I expect she told you that I am a Council assassin"

"Yeah She knows I have no friends and aures your secret’s pretty safe"

"Lady Lyssa is usually a very good judge of character" Daegan gave an absent half chuckle "But I know you will keep her confidence Because you love your brother, not for any love you bearhim "So, in essence, you’re a vampire hunter, like me"

"I am a vampire hunter Not like you"

Gideon watched theover lean flanks as he squatted to look at a lower rack He blinked at himself Jesus, the phero hiuy’s ass

"What does thatcontest on nu and reassurance at once "I understand your anger about your fiancé, Gideon But that kind of anger has to do with your own self, your fear of her pain and your own shortcos She is beyond her pain, and you loved her You would have done anything to keep her safe, and she is where she knows that So forgive yourself, and ods weep, justice is their Will Vengeance, death out of mindless impulse and violence, fear and insecurity, are not"

Alar, Gideon set his jaw "You don’t talk about her And all that’s just more Grasshopper crap"

"You need to listen, and hear it" Daegan held his gaze "Vampires are not the only ones I am dispatched to kill, Gideon Green Your name has been on my list for some time It was your brother who saved your life"

Gideon stopped in midretort "Jacob never said--"

"No, he and I have never spoken You were taking out vampires indiscrian’s focus was unwavering now "You were on the Council’s list, after the Gathering I began tracking you, collecting data on whether or not your execution arranted"

"I thought a vampire like you barely had to think twice to kill a huiven, thoroughly Now be silent for a an rose, faced him, as Gideon bit down on an uncharitable response Theto tell him how he knew so damn much about him He could always stake him after that Or throw soed around that ti you the naiven to dispatch, because of their numerous Council violations I have not shared that with the Council, because the truce toward your brother and the lady Lyssa is still very fragile