"Banks, L A - Vampire Huntress - Between The books 1-14" - читать интересную книгу автора (Banks L. A)

She nodded, glad to have his company under the tree as the sun set. УCan I ask you something?Ф Her question was a mere whisper, and she wasnТt even sure she wanted the answer to it.

Rider sighed. УYou can ask me anything, I just wonТt promise to answer everything. With that said, shoot.Ф

She appreciated the slight half-smile he offered her. In that moment she understood why Jose looked up to him as a big brother. Rider was truly good people, an honest man.

УBack in the churchЕФ she said halting, not sure how to phrase what she wanted to ask. УDid you have regrets? I mean, did youЧФ

Rider held up his hand and bent to pick up his bottle. УNeed a hit of morphine to get that deep, sis. Necessary for the surgical incision youТre attempting.Ф

Respectfully, she waited until he took a guzzle of the dark brown liquor that was almost gone, winced, and re-capped the bottle. She searched his eyes as he stood before her legs wide, a bottle of Jack in one hand and a cigarette in the other, and an expression that approached stone on his face. Only his jaw muscle twitched.

УNever mind,Ф she said quietly, losing her nerve.

He shook his head no and closed his eyes. УDid I ever have any regrets about getting bitten by the only woman IТve ever loved down to the core of my soul?Ф

He opened his eyes. Juanita quietly nodded and then looked away.

УAnd, did I ever think about my eternal damnation as I was frying on the church floor, fangs ripping my gums and snakes coiling in my intestines?Ф

Juanita closed her eyes.

УDo you want the politically correct answer, given that IТm a Guardian, or do you want the naked truth out hereЧsince itТs just you and me talking?Ф

She opened her eyes and looked at him, hanging on every word. УThe pure truth,Ф she whispered.

He nodded and took a hard drag on his cigarette and sent his line of vision out into the distance. УI didnТt give a fuck about anything but her. If I could have slithered into a dark tunnel to ride out the sun until night fell, I would have gone to her, battled for her, and would have let her bite me again to make it permanent, if I won.Ф

They both stared at each other for a moment. He dropped the cigarette and crushed it under his boot.

У She was my soul,Ф Rider said quietly, and then took a swig of Jack Daniels.

Hot tears rose to JuanitaТs eyes. УThen how can you live without that?Ф

He smiled, but his voice was strained. УBeen hunting the vamps a long time, darlinТ. Learned to adapt to their way of lifeЧthey exist without a soul for as long as they can, until daylight or something or someone smokes Сem. IТm not living without my Tara-soul, IТm existing. ThereТs a difference. And I guess IТll do that until something or someone smokes me. I suggest you do the same.Ф

She looked away. УYouТre stronger than me,Ф she said in a soft voice.

УNo IТm not,Ф he said in a tone so tender that she sought his gaze again. He lifted the bottle and patted his vest where his cigarettes were stashed. УI have crutches, whereas youТre doing this thing without anesthesia. Besides, donТt you know how lucky you are?Ф

She released a bitter chuckle. УYeah, right.Ф

УYou have a womanТs heart, and they heal faster.Ф He smiled. УYou all are more resilient than my species, sis. ThatТs because youТre more philosophical than usЧwe tend to see things in absolutes, black and white, once heart-plunged, thatТs it. You all deal in shades of gray. A very philosophical approach to life, so Marlene tells me.Ф

Juanita laughed, but it had lost some of its brittle quality. УWeТre more philosophical, oh, okay. Right.Ф

УItТs true,Ф he said, his smile waning. УYou all make philosophical choices all the time.Ф

УLike what?Ф she said, putting her hands on her hips and sniffing hard.