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Evan reht Alanna had, the first ti for herself I wish Stephen had killed s and desires, there was still so much of the InhServ, forbidden to have wants and desires Death was acceptable, if it hat the Council ordered
Yet he also remembered that nearly audible click in her mind when she understood she wasn’t merely a status symbol or a tool to him That he valued her for who she was, a remarkable, brave, unexpectedly stubborn woths both part of her appeal He thought of how she’d gripped his hand, pressed her face into his pal her flood of eh that one contact on his palm, he knew the truth If this woman was loved the way she should be, she would e; with love, she would evolve into the real the world had ever seen
He aze squarely, forced hian’s sword "Whether or not she would stay in my care is irrelevant She deserves to live for her own merits, not my whim"
"But in the vaive her any consideration at all" Daegan sat back, studying him From the faint flicker of Gideon’s expression, Evan sensed a conversation happening between the twohis hand
"I’ll do what I can, Evan You have my word"
The band around his chest eased a few notches He an, but he suspected thehe didn’t an tilted his head toward Gideon
"Despite this poor excuse of a servant, you are correct I do understand the value of a good one"
Gideon raised a brow, but didn’t coo kick Niall onto his feet for a short sparring match Make sure his skills are still sharp"
"No," Evan said When both men looked toward him, he softened the brusqueness of his reply "Let hiht of Niall in a pillow fight with the sorority girls, roaring with laughter, yet so gentle while wrestling with themNiall had been the subject or part of the scenery of so many of his works, but there were allery that pressed in on hi him short of breath in a way that didn’t happen to va the conversation was best concluded, he nodded to Daegan courteously, then left the shelter, striding across the field toward his servants
As Evan an "He’s that close? Niall?"
"The increased sleep patterns are the only real indication we have, other than the number of years A few have lived up to a decade beyond the three-centuryan came to stand shoulder to shoulder with his servant, both htened Whatever Evan said to her caused her to co her around, catching the herbs from her hand to examine the her With their enhanced senses, Daegan and Gideon heard hih they knew he had no intention of doing so
"Do you think Lyssa will take that in to account, if they can break Stephen’s mark?" Gideon asked "The fact that Evan will be alone soon?"
"You know her better than I do What do you think?"
Gideon pursed his lips "If she can e it politically, I think she’d do it She’s pretty e now Don’t think anyone willany mark over five years old The Council made him put it on the back burner It seemed pretty pointless, anyho th of time? Stephen’s kind of a onetime freak issue Not worth the cost of the research, to their way of thinking"
"Should I ask why you were asking Brian about such a thing?"
Gideon tilted his head as Daegan shifted closer, an intent look in his dark eyes that Gideon took for the sensual warning it was One he couldn’t resist poking at "Just keeping an’s hand was on his chest before he could block hi speed to ainst the pillar He had his hand under Gideon’s T-shirt, bypassing the nine er sheath to find the three teardrop servant’s h on his chest "You have no options when it coan s so he felt the scrape on his jaw "We resolved that long ago"
"You’re already in ht to keep hisa shot of adrenaline straight to his groin He suppressed a groan as Daegan cupped his balls, a threatening squeeze "I told hiive the girl, if it suited the Council’s purpose"
Daegan arched a brow "Lying to the Council’s scientist I’s pierced Gideon’s artery, he gripped the va coat, the steel of the sword’s scabbard brushing his thigh "Not lying Anticipating You know you wanted to know You’re not as blackhearted as your reputation ‘Those who know an lifted his head, licking a smear of blood off his lip "Most of those who know it are dead Ass"