Page 387 of Hunters and Prey

“You don’t believe that’s all it is.”

“I know what I believe, but what I’d like to know is what you believe.”

There was a pregnant silence.

“She has an uncanny ability with technology. She could be useful to our cause. I believe she’s ... special.”

A gagging sound. “You want to fuck her, then fuck her and get it out of the way. Don’t make this about the cause.”

“Fuck you, Vesper. I promised to get her home, and I promised to escort her and her family back to the Furtherlands.”

A low chuckle. “You need to learn not to make promises you can’t keep.”

An exasperated sigh. “You’ve had your fun. Now will you please help her?”

“A please? Well, in that case, fine, I’ll do it ... Once you agree to leave.”

“I’m not leaving her.”

“You’re a fool, you know that? She’s not the one you want, she’s merely a pretty reflection.”

“She’s special. You know she is. You can feel it too.”

“All I feel is nausea at your idiocy,” Vesper drawled. “Now listen to me, brother. We have bigger things to worry about. Orion needs to be informed what the Bloods are planning. The armies need to be mobilized, and we need time to prepare a counterattack to stop this super soldier factory they’ve set up. Setting a few Skins free isn’t going to stop the Dragon Bloods. What if they have what they need to begin work on the humans in sector eight?”

So, Dante had filled him in.

There was a long beat of silence and then Dante replied, “You could go.”

“And leave you alone with her?” He snorted in derision. “Dear brother, with your judgment all compromised and your heart all twisted? You cannot be trusted. You look at this Skin and you see her.”

“Yes. And so do you.”

“The difference is I wasn’t in love with her. I kept my distance.”

“Shut up.”

“You think you’ll get a different outcome with this one? That this time she might just love you back?” The words were delivered in a mocking tone.

There was a thud, a scuffle, and then Vesper laughed. “Just go home. Take the leylines and get there fast. I give you my word your Skin will be safe. I’ll keep her alive, not for any selfish reason, but because the cause could benefit from her skills.”

“And what about her other ability? The fact she can mindspeak.”

“The mageri will have an answer to that.” His tone was flippant.

“Will you draw out the poison?”

A huff. “Fine, if I must. But you owe me big time for this.”

“Do it now?”

“You want to watch?”

“Just do it.”

A low chuckle. “Didn’t take you for the voyeur, but whatever.”

Cool fingers gripped my arms, hauling me up. My head lolled, and my mind screamed that I was awake, Goddammit.

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