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Chapter Nine
“What have you done!?" screamed a shrill, angry voice.
The blood-curdling sound woke everyone at once, followed by the loud jangle of wind chimes as the bedroom door was jerked open.
Emily leapt from her bed—instantly wide awake, and rushed toward Amber's room, her heart in her throat. She hadn't made it two steps when she heard a dangerous growl. William stepped out from the doorway of his own room to block her path. Before she could open her mouth to demand he move, Paoli was lifting a kicking and fighting Amber into his arms further down the corridor.
Paoli carried her back into the room and left Emily alone in the hall with William.
William's feet and chest were bare again. His eyes were sparkling a predatory gold as they fixed on her, unblinking.
She took a step away from him, uncertain.
William noticed her unease. It did nothing to cool his mood. He'd fallen asleep with his body on fire after spending the day in a car with
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A mere two hours later, Emily found herself standing, unarmed, on an airplane runway between a vampire and a 'complicated' man who could turn into the world's biggest wolf. She was feeling slightly dazed and unreal. Everything was happening so fast.Behind them, a small white hanger stood in shadows. In front of them, a small plane taxied to a halt like a weird cab. The hatch opened to show a man she'd never seen.His hair was long; similar to Paoli's shoulder length.She wondered absently if that meant they were from the same time period. She eyed Paoli critically. She turned to look at William, wondering about his age, and found he was scowling at her for some reason. She scowled back in response and returned her attention to the pilot, who made his way quickly to them.Once he stopped and exchanged greetings with Paoli, his attention turned to her in a way that was just unnerving. His body didn't seem to move, but his head looked like it was rotating o
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Emily didn't feel remotely safe until the door to her room closed behind her and she was alone. She leaned against the door in relief and slid down to her butt right there on the floor.With nervous fingers, she touched the silver cross in her front pocket, thankful Paoli had returned it. A thousand panicked ideas flashed through her head.At the top of the list was RUN.But run where?She was now in a strange country with no passport or even identification to prove who she was. Besides, the entire world of monsters was either already aware or soon would be, that she knew about them.There wasn't a place on earth she would be safe.She silently cursed both Amber and her own stupidity. She should have refused to come here. Or even better, as soon as she learned her sister had gotten involved with actual werewolves, she should have left Amber to figure it out on her own and been done, once and for all.Eventually, she pulled herse
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"Yes," William admitted quietly. "And like Paoli said, it came with a very high price."Her brows knit together in confusion. "You were condemned as a kid? But how did you continue to age if you were immortal as a child?" she asked."It's-" he began."Don't even say it's complicated," she interrupted shortly. “This looks like a good time for explanations.” She crossed the room to sit down at the table, made an elaborate point of settling back in her chair and gestured to the one across from her.While she was waiting for him to join her, she lifted the lid on the tray and found a delightful dinner of roast beef and carrots.She didn't hesitate to start eating.The food was surprisingly delicious. A sweet glaze on the carrots made them melt in her mouth.William took the seat across from her and leaned back, watching her in a thoughtful silence. Only once she'd finished eating and pushed her plate away did he take a deep, r
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“I don't know,” Paoli's worried voice carried loudly through the stone. “But his time is up, and he can find her anywhere.” The heavy door slid open and torchlight spilled in. “William?” Paoli's voice sounded uncertain and wary.He peered into the small cell.“Emily,” he gasped in surprise and rushed to her side. “How did you get in here?”Emily tried to open her eyes at the familiar voice. “Paoli?” she asked, too confused and weak to be sure it was him.“What happened? How did you get in here?” Paoli asked. He took her hands and pulled her to her feet but gasped when her knees gave way and she nearly collapsed. “You're so pale," he murmured, catching her around the waist to steady her. "Are you all right?”William's emaciated-looking wolf stood and growled a warning. His heavy side pressed against Emily's hip and he bared his teeth warningly at Paoli.
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