"I see." Freya heard her mother say, and sighed.Here it goes. She thought, the emotional blackmail. The woman was a pro at it."I see that you have grown wings eh. Is that how you repay your mother after all she had done for you huh? Do you know what I went through for your sake? Do you know how much I fought for you?...." Leonarya was saying, and Freya found herself shaking her head in denial"Mother, it isn't like…." She was saying, but Leonarya interrupted her sharply."...so, what you chose to pay me back with after all these years of my sacrifice, is to have a vampire read my thoughts?" Leonarya inquired, dropping her hand on her chest, faking a tear, shaking her head as if in sorrow."No, mother. I'm sorry.""I'm not a vampire, woman!"Freya and Yodah said respectively, at the same time that Aiden scoffed. "Fake.""You are not a vampire? So, what are you?" Leonarya asked, furrowing her eyebrows at Yodah."What I am is none of your concern." He replied, ignoring the murmurings g
Freya opened her eyes, after what seemed like seconds to her. She noticed that she was in the arms of someone that was not Yodah. Their scents were different.She trailed her eyes from the powerful chest to the face of the man who was carrying her.His hair was the color of dark coffee beans, a dark espresso, drawn back and tied at the nape of his neck. His face was that of an angel or a devil, strength and power, with a sensual mouth that hinted at cruelty; his hooded eyes were black obsidian, black ice, pure black magic.She couldn't read him, couldn't feel his emotions or hear his thoughts. That had never happened.But she already knew who he was. Her heart was beating faster than the normal. Her insides were humming in pleasure.Aiden."Tonight might not be so good for me. I'm feeling..." She broke off, trying to get his attention, but then catching a glimpse of a moving shadow pacing them. Her heart nearly stopped. She looked around, sighted a second, then a third. Her hand clutc
The heavy door swung closed behind Freya with a thud of finality. She shivered, finding the shelter cold even in the midly hot afternoon. She rubbed her arms nervously. Aiden whirled a cape around her, enveloping her in warmth, in his woodsy, masculine scent. He strode across the marble floor to throw open the doors to the library. Within minutes he had a fire roaring. He indicated a chair near the flames. It was high-backed, deep cushioned, an antique, yet curiously not worn.Freya studied the room with awe. It was large, with a beautiful hardwood floor, each parquet piece a part of a larger mosaic. On three sides there were floor-to-ceiling shelves, completely filled with books, most leather bound, many very old. The chairs were comfortable, the small table, in between the chairs, an antique in perfect condition. The chessboard was marble, the pieces uniquely carved."Drink this." Aiden said, appraising her with his eyes.She nearly jumped out of her skin when he appeared beside her
"How many times did you do this thing?" Aiden asked Freya. She was leaving things out. The details of horror and pain, the faces of those she helped as they watched her work, shocked, fascinated, yet repulsed by her ability. He saw those details, sharing her mind, reading her memories to learn her true nature."Four. I went after four killers. The last time I fell apart. He was so sick, so evil. I felt as if I was unclean, as if I could never get him out of my head. I came here hoping to find peace, hoping to find you too. I decided I would never do anything like that again. I'm not sure my mother would want me to either." She replied.Above her head, he closed his eyes for a moment to calm his mind. That she could feel unclean. He could look into her heart and soul, see her every secret, know she was light and compassion, courage and gentleness. The things she had seen in her young life should never have been. He waited until his voice was calm and soothing. "And you get these heada
Freya curled her legs beneath her, whilst regarding him steadily. "You know, Aiden, you are so used to using your power, you don't even stop to think if it's right or wrong." She stated."He had no right to touch you. He was causing you pain." Aiden replied with a shrug."But he didn't know he was. And you had no right to touch me, but you did anyway," She pointed out reasonably.His eyes glittered coldly. "I have every right. You belong to me." He said it calmly, his voice soft, with a hint of warning. "More importantly, Freya, I did not cause you pain."Freya's breath caught in her throat. Her tongue moistened her lips with a small, delicate gesture. "Aiden" - her voice was hesitant, as she chose her words carefully - "I belong to myself. I'm a person, not something you can own. In any case. I live in the United States. I'm going back there soon and intend to be on the next flight to Budapest."His smile was that of a hunter. Predatory. For a moment the firelight gleamed red, so
Aiden whispered something in his native tongue and lifted his head slightly, breaking the contact. Freya felt warm liquid run down her throat to her breast. Aiden's tongue followed the path, sweeping across the creamy swell of her breast. He caught at her small waist, aware suddenly of the way his body raged at him for release. He had to claim her for his mate. His body demanded, burned.Freya caught at his shirt to keep from falling. He swore softly, eloquently, a mixture of two languages, furious with himself as he cradled her in his arms protectively."I'm sorry, Aiden." She was appalled, frightened at her weakness. The room was spinning; it was difficult to focus. Her neck throbbed and burned.He bent his dark head to kiss her gently. "No, little one, I am moving us too fast." Everything in his nature, beast and centuries-old man raged at him to take, keep her, but he wanted her to come to him willingly."I feel funny, dizzy." She whispered, resting her head on his chest.He had
Freya had no real chance to see the others before he was striding past them, taking her with him to the small car waiting in the garage. She smiled tiredly, her head resting against his shoulder. "You don't seem like you belong in this car, Aiden. Your views on women are so archaic, in a former life you must have been 'lord of the castle'." She said.Aiden glanced at her quickly. His gaze slid over the paleness of her face, dwelt on his mark on her neck, visible through the long mane of her hair. In truth, he hadn't meant to leave a mark, but now it was there, his brand of ownership. "I am going to help you sleep tonight." He made it a statement."Who were those people?" She asked because she knew he didn't want her to ask. She was so tired, even dizzy. She rubbed at her head and wished that for once in her life she was normal. He probably thought she was the fainting type.There was a short silence. He sighed heavily. "My family."She knew he spoke the truth, yet he didn't. "Why w
Aiden watched Freya enter into the arms of Yodah. A slight jealousy roared it's head, but he shut it down, knowing that the fledging meant no harm, was on his side too. He saw her hand go up to her head, rub at her temple, the nape of her neck. She was still dizzy from his taking her blood. That had been selfish, beneath him, yet he couldn't stop himself. Now she was paying for it. Her head ached from the bombardment of emotions. His included. All of his people would have to be more careful to shield their minds."Take care of her." He commanded.Yodah nodded, about to take Freya up in his arms again when the latter muttered wait!"What is it little one?" Aiden asked, drawing closer to her, willing to touch her again."You haven't told me about my grandmother." She said. "I'm not leaving till you do." She insisted, when she saw that he was hesitant on telling her."You promised."Aiden sighed, watching her stare at him steadily."Read it off my mind then." He stated, opening his mind