Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 165649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 663(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 663(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Gary’s spirit emerged from her body, his light much dimmer than when he had entered, and his body jerked with weariness as he reentered. Siv immediately offered him his wrist and the others waited in silence for the healer’s verdict while he fed.
Andor followed Gary out and fed as well, slipping into the background with Benedek. Ferro met his eyes and Andor shook his head, indicating he didn’t think Gary had found anything Sergey had left behind in Elisabeta. Ferro frowned. If the breakdown of safeguards wasn’t in Elisabeta, where was it coming from?
5
The fog along the ridge, drifting through the trees;
A shadow in the distance, nothing but a breeze.
Elisabeta, you do not have to obey every single order your lifemate gives you. A woman can talk to other men. Some of the men in this room are barely out of the caves the way he is, but others are very modern and would address you themselves. They would treat you with the respect you deserve. Julija was totally indignant. Isai swore to me that Ferro would take good care of you and be whatever you needed.
For the first time that she could ever really remember, Elisabeta felt what it was like to really know what humor was. What it felt like. Ferro is exactly what I need. I told him there were too many people and I could not have them looking at me or talking to me. He said he would take care of it if that was what I desired, and he did. He asked Isai to bring you to me so I would have you to visit with because he knew you did not frighten me.
Elisabeta kept her eyes fixed on Julija’s face as she told her what her lifemate had done for her. Julija’s expression was priceless as her gaze flicked from Elisabeta to Ferro and then back to Elisabeta.
Wait. Are you saying that Ferro deliberately made himself look like an asshole in order to protect you? Julija scowled at the ancient hunter.
Ferro didn’t deign to look her way. The healer had gotten to his feet and once more had taken a chair beside Tariq.
Yes. I do not like being in the open. This room is too big for me. He is protecting me so I do not have to look at the entire room. I do not like all these people seeing me but he does not want to hide me away like the vampire did, so he holds me in his arms where I can hide my face. I did not want to answer questions so he told them not to talk to me directly.
“I did not find anything in her memories to indicate that Sergey placed anything in her to spy on this compound or that would allow him access to her remotely,” Gary announced.
Elisabeta nearly sagged with relief, but the fact that Ferro didn’t seem relieved prevented her from doing so. She felt every one of his emotions, even when she was certain he didn’t feel them. He seemed to distance himself from emotions, as if, because he was incapable of feeling for so many centuries, he still didn’t process sentiment at all. He simply didn’t acknowledge emotion unless it was in regard to her. There was a part of her that got a tiny secret thrill from that, although like everything, it frightened her as well.
That amazes me, Julija said. That’s like some kind of hero, Elisabeta. Everyone thinks he’s a first-class jerk, at least all the women do. Lorraine, Andor’s lifemate, is going to give him a lecture to end all lectures. I’d better warn her not to make a fool of herself.
Ferro had a very specific feel to him. Strong. Very strong. A predator’s edge. Almost feral. Not almost, Elisabeta had to acknowledge, but definitely feral. Untamed. He felt like a law unto himself, and when he surrounded her, she could identify him instantly not only by his scent but by that distinctly powerful feel to him.
The moment Julija told Elisabeta she was going to have to tell Lorraine not to lecture Ferro, Elisabeta felt him in her mind. He had been there all along. Quiet, monitoring, just to make certain she was all right and didn’t need him. Now, he poured himself into her, surrounding her. To her astonishment, there was a bite of humor.
Tell her not to say anything to Lorraine. I want to hear Lorraine’s lecture.
She didn’t want all the women in the compound to have a poor opinion of her lifemate because he was shielding her, but she didn’t want to disobey him, either.
Julija, please do not say anything to Lorraine. She wasn’t good at deception, and Julija glanced at her sharply and then at Ferro, who appeared to be listening to Tariq question the healer.