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He pushed away fro toward the shower

"Where are you going?" she called after hie

He spun around at the bathroo silver sparks in the darkened rooood reasons for what I ask of you, Cyn? That perhaps I understand certain dangers better, that there ainst me?"

"Of course, but--"

"But There is always a but, isn’t there? Always an excuse to do what you want, regardless of my wishes"

She jumped out of bed and strode across the room to confront him "I’m not one of your vampires, Raphael I don’t have to follow your rules Besides, I’ uy, Colin Murphy, ith me"

"Is that supposed tothe day with another -tastic"

"Don’t be childish You know perfectly well--"

"Childish? Perhaps you should look up the definition" He took a step back into the bathroo it with a s to continue their argu and he didn’t feel like being coaxed out of his teer than usual, just to h the closed door, he could hear her ainst hi overall and returned her angry glare with a bland smile when he finally surrendered the bathroo his tie when she finally ca towel, as if she hadn’t been naked in bed with hiood look for you," he coer over her shoulder and he laughed

"Asshole," she hissed

He crossed to the bedside and picked up his watch, fastening it over his wrist as he watched her across the width of the bed "How er will I be forced to endure these little power plays of yours, Cyn?" he asked "How er feel the need to set yourself apart from me, to prove that you can do without me?"

She spun around, and he could read the truth in her eyes before she drew a breath to deny it

"Be honest with yourself, if not withfor hi with his back to Raphael, his attention seely on Wei Chen as deep in conversation with a hu over the pair, looking very unhappy and increasingly impatient The woman’s presence violated one of the basic rules for Raphael’s security on this trip--no humans were permitted within the compound after sunset unless they were mated to one of the vampires, or their presence was specifically cleared by Juro or Duncan

As Raphael ca to Wei Chen and departed, shouldering a backpack not unlike what Cyn frequently carried

Duncan spun around s,at the trio near the door "Who was that?"

"She works for Wei Chen, I believe"

Raphael stared at the wo back as Juro and two of his vampires escorted her down the outside stairs and toward the parking area

"What’s the status on the security syste his attention back to Duncan

"Maxiround,to Raphael’s computer security specialist "She left LA just before dawn and daylighted on the tar to be awake yet, but soon The extra guards you requested fleith her By the end of tonight, we’ll have tripled Wei Chen’s huuard presence around the clock"

"Elke is with them?" As the only female member of Raphael’s personal security teauard Cyn, and he wanted her here as an added precaution

Duncan nodded "Under protest, of course You kno she feels about flying during the day"