page75 (1/2)

Faith, you know so little of our world, for having been in it for nearly two centuries That’s why I’, and with female trickery at that, to win a simple poor overlordship Which I warrant will be taken froize for it” When he took another step closer, Danny forced herself not to move, not even twitch, as his breath touched her face

“You may complain to the Council”—he bared his teeth—“but only after I’ve had you bound in stocks in one of ered in every orifice you have I’ll roll you inin your ear so you finally know your place

Then you may crawl off to them If I am merciful”

Force and fear were the only way he could get a hard-on anymore, she realized He probably viewed seduction as too close to begging Ruskin only took now What wasn’t given to hiot his blood up And strewth, on his ho down an uneasy reaction to that, she arched a broept an unirounds around her

“You’re king of a tiny, inconsequential kingdom, Lord Charles Despite all your pretensions, you know you are Region Master here because the Council doesn’t care what va with our brutality instead of our brains, because it’s in the more ie affairs with intelligence and skill Here, you can be as ham-fisted as you wish”

She was ready for the blow, could have ducked it easily, but she took it, knowing he would be doing it as a chastisement, a humiliation, not to knock her down Even so, it knocked her head back, shoved her into the car door, denting it, and broke open her lip She straightened, wiping the back of her hand over it, taking in his angry eyes, the hope for fear to flare in her eyes She laughed instead “And obviously too thick to understand the irony of that response” Stepping forward again, she thren the gauntlet “The Council may not care about the vae you to a duel, Lord Charles Ruskin Fencing I win, I becoet to treata vampire leader is all about”

“And hoill you treat ate me to a pathetic station like yours, out in the middle of nowhere?” She didn’t blink “If I win, Lord Charles, you will be dead”

“And ouldn’t I take your life?”

“Because you want to punishfor you to pass up” Retreating enough tobow, she raised a brow “So, blades until one yields or the other is dead? As I’ve said before, Huntington’s rules are a little too modern and civilized for two such old souls as ourselves, I think” Charles studied her a long moment, then inclined his head “Done, Lady D I will look forward to driving yourit with fear”

“You will never have that satisfaction, no matter the outcome of our duel”

“That’s the ies, s coerous cordiality had returned, as if the anger he’d displayed had never existed, as if he’d produced it simply to see how she would react

The four stock closer, and as they approached, Danny realized she rong They weren’t stockmen Not human ones Four adult male vampires, likely Ruskin’s spawn

“My sons, so to speak,” he confirmed it “The best wealth a e his interests It’s almost da You shall have your duel at dusk toood day’s rest and a chance to feed I a if not fair”

Fairness was beco an elusive hope, she knew, and quelled the frisson of uneasiness again He had to be stopped This was just more proof of it A vampire had to have Council permission to make a vaht himself outside of all rules

“I would prefer to be done with it now,” she said “I expect it to go quickly”

“So do I, more’s the pity, but I do not prefer it now” When he shifted his glance to the silent, still group of vampires, four pairs of eyes fixed on Danny in a ed an indifferent stance “We prepared quarters for you With the children They are looking forward to seeing you again”