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I just about choked on rief, did you just admit to a connection? Is the lone wolf--the -terht have found the worimaced "We went on one date--"

"And sometimes that’s all it takes You’re a wolf, not a human or a monk"

He snorted "I’m half wolf, and I’m certainly not a monk"

"Neat sidestep of the actual question, my friend"

He smiled It was a somewhat pale reflection of his usual smile, but I was happy to see it nonetheless "God, you’rewith a bone And yes, there was a connection"

"Then I can’t see the harive you another reason to fight"

"Or another person I’ently "I have faith in your strength, Tao"

He took a deep breath and released it slowly "Yeah And that scares the hell out of "

"Risa?"

I glanced up as Rachel appeared in the doorway "What?"

"There’s a gentleman here to see you"

"Business or personal?" I frowned as I glanced at ht, so it could hardly be business

"He didn’t say Just said it was urgent" She shrugged, then added, "Tao, I roup just caers"

"I’ll just finish my drink and then I’ll be in"

She nodded and disappeared I climbed to my feet, then hesitated and looked down "I can pull Danny off waiter duties to help Rachel if you’d like a few more minutes out here"

"It won’t help much I’ll be fine" He squinted up at"Isn’t that what you’re constantly telling entle one, but a rebuke nonetheless I sht "Yeah And I’ll keep saying it until you damn well believe it"

And with that, I left him There was only so much I could say and do because, in the end, I couldn’t help hith--and the desire--within hi over co, part of h the kitchen and into the café The place was beginning to fill up again olves and a spattering of other non-humans, but we’d rolled into the next shift roster and there were plenty of people to deal with the rush I couldn’t see anyone obviously standing by themselves, so I poked my head back into the kitchen and said, "Where did you put him?"

"End booth, near the bathroo up

"Thanks"

I headed down to the last booth, only to discover there was no one in it But there was certainly soaze traveled up the long, lean length of hier This was Markel Sanchez, one of the vampires who’d been ordered to not only follow me about astrally, but report my every move back to Hunter

And as a Cazador, he was one of the erous men I’d ever met

I stopped abruptly "Why are you here?"

"I am under orders, as you no doubt suspect" His voice held neither wared to be pleasant

"So who’s following an is currently on duty Janice Myer shares the task at other tiht off"

So they had feuess there was no reason why they shouldn’t, but it surprised me, for some reason "And yet here you are"

"Because the wise in this world do not ignore the wishes of Madeline Hunter"