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

УYou sure you feel okay, baby?Ф Carlos looked at her, beginning to lose vitality as the grates started to come down.

She patted the bed beside her. УLie down and go to sleep. You worry too much.Ф

The moment darkness kissed the horizon Carlos opened his eyes and sat up. He peered down at Damali and touched her face. He felt groggy and a little off kilter. Maintaining everything for her throughout the day had robbed him of both total relaxation and strength. But as he glimpsed the table, she hadnТt touched a thing.

Whole mangoes and strawberries and papayas remained undisturbed. The wine still had a cork in it, and the cranberry juice and bottled water was still sealed. The steak heТd provided was still intact, she hadnТt even taken a bite of it. From the way the sheets remained, he could tell that she hadnТt even turned in her sleep. The television was cold.

УBaby,Ф he whispered. УYou wanna go down to the city?Ф

She stirred and smiled, but didnТt immediately open her eyes. УIn a little bit. What time is it?Ф

УSunset,Ф he said quietly and brushed her cool forehead with a kiss. УI think you need some fresh air. Just give me a few to go get some dinner, and IТll be back, then we can go.Ф

УWe should get Yonnie and his boys to come over, ya know?Ф She sat up with effort and raked her fingers through her locks. УArenТt you bored? I mean, the night is young, itТs just been the two of us for a couple of weeksЕ and maybe we could get some people together to go party, or something?Ф

He stared at her. Had she lost her mind? Yonnie and Stack and the rest of his lieutenants werenТt just people. Rolling with his disorganized lieutenants or even thinking about asking any of them to hang out was an invitation to sheer disaster. The way they partied was not in her vampire huntress code of ethics, not to mention, in Rio, it could pose unthinkable hazards to local citizens, if his squad were on the loose over here. But she was bored? That really worried him.

УIf youТre tired of Rio,Ф he said, deflecting the request to go hang out with a crew of vampires, Уwe can do one of the islands in my territory.Ф

УSt. Lucia?Ф she said, perking up. УIТve always wanted to go there.Ф

He smiled, loving the way her breasts gently swayed when she leaned in close to him. УYeahЕ we can do St. Lucia.Ф He stood up and walked toward the deck, dressing as he strolled across the room.

She loved how he did that. Simply materialized his leather pants and the way they hugged his butt. Then heТd slip on a black shirt out of thin air; it was so cool to watch him just transform from graceful nakedness into butter soft fabrics in one fluid catlike motion. When he glanced over his shoulder at her, she almost got up and crossed the room. NahЕ she wasnТt hardly bored. But the night was a siren, nonetheless. Always had been.

УI love watching you get dressed,Ф she said, her tone husky as the grates slowly opened. УYouТre gonna have to teach me how to do that one night.Ф

He chuckled low in his throat and winked at her. УI can show you a lot of stuff, but some of it you canТt do, baby.Ф

She smiled as a hint of fang glistened within his smile. УOh, leave it to the Master, huh?Ф

УYeah, something like that.Ф

УTake me with you on the hunt tonight,Ф she said, moving to the edge of the bed with anticipation.

His smile slowly receded. УNo. IТve always told you, there are some things I donТt want you to see me do. IТll be back.Ф

УWhy?Ф She stood up and walked toward him. УIf IТm going to be with you, then I have to get used to it. Right?Ф

УWrong,Ф he said, going out on the deck to get away from her. He had to eat, his energy was too low, and she had a look on her face that promised tonight was gonna be a barnburner. УIf youТre bored, we can change venues, take a moonlight cruise, go dancing, whatever, butЧФ

УAll right. Sorry about signifying.Ф She offered a slight pout and put her hands on her hips. УIf thatТs why youТre so salty, just know that I wasnТt commenting on your prowess, okaaaay?Ф

Carlos feigned shock. УI knew you werenТt commenting on that.Ф

He was glad that she laughed; he was slightly relieved. But he did understand where she was coming from. It was a solitary life, if he couldnТt connect with his kind. Yet, she didnТt fit into his world. Her friends couldnТt handle it either. However the fact that she was yearning for company, any company at all, after only ten nights away from normal, human socialization let him truly know what heТd known all along. Soon, heТd have to take her back to her people. There was no way to grow a lush tropical plant without sunlight and proper food. She was alive and needed to be in a human garden filled with life. His false lights and soft fabrics were no comparison to what she really required. Beneath it all, there was nothing but marble and granite and death. Illusion couldnТt create life energy. The materialized foods lacked vitality, living essence. No wonder sheТd started wilting. His flower was dying and needed The Light.

She recovered from her mirth and swept around the room with a smile. УAll right, go eat, and then letТs paint the town red.Ф