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

Her choice of words bothered him as he mounted the deck rail and looked out into the darkness for prey. Even her vocabulary was shifting. УLater, if youТre patient, IТll fix that chaffing problem you mentioned.Ф He smiled and considered how to do that with well-placed kisses.

She laughed again and winked at him and made him chuckle as she leaned against the railing and stared down at the waves bashing the cliffs. УI guess after we go out we could possibly come back hereЕ does that work? Unless youТre bored?Ф

УYou are anything but boring, Damali,Ф he said truly meaning it. УBeing with you is an unsettling adventure.Ф

УThatТs not what you said last night.Ф

УI was in the throes and liable to have told you anything.Ф

УOh, right. I forgot. Vampires lie.Ф She laughed and pushed his leg to try to make him fall over the edge of the balcony just to see him take flight.

УStop playing, girl,Ф he fussed, teasing her as he wobbled. УI havenТt eaten right and kept everything going for you all day. What if I just fell for youЕФ he said, dropping backward over the chasm and sending his voice behind him as an echo.

Between Books: Volume Two
After The Bitten, Before The Forbidden
February 2005

Sydney AustraliaЕ Dawn

Deep conflict cut into JoseТs conscience, as he stood, immobile, watching CarlosТs back expand and contract with living breaths. Something more visceral than instinct had propelled he and Father Lopez down the treacherous side of a cliff to collect what had been a dead vampireТs ashesЕ the love of a woman, her tears had been part of it. Yet it was those same tears, the tears sheТd shed in utter grief for a man whoТd perished that would melt away his hopes and dreams. Now her tears of joy shredded him as he watched Damali cling to hope and hold Carlos; all he could do was turn away.

Then there was the other part of it that also continued to turn the blade of pain in his sideЕ heТd gone down the side of the cliff for a brother, a man whom heТd come to respect as one of the teamТs ownЧfamily. How could he not give it his all? At the same time, how could he not respond to something that was in his DNA and would always be thereЕ a trace of vamp heritage that demanded snap-reflex action to preserve the master of the line?

It would be something that neither he nor Lopez would ever talk about. He knew that like he knew his name. To discuss it would make that aspect of who he was all the more real, which was horrifying.

Jose quietly backed away, becoming a shadow in the brilliant sunlight. The team gathered around the new phenomenon, spellbound. Only Marlene looked up initially and moved toward him as he hung back, needing space, wanting to disappear, desperately wishing he could do what Carlos had done so many times in the past, and just become mist. But that was the insane travesty of it all. He was neither full vamp nor completely human. He was a variable. A misfit, somewhere in between.

MarleneТs touch on his shoulder sent healing balm into his bones, but it also threatened his resolve to remain stoic. She seemed to sense that as her hand gently fell away. Rider picked up on the silent transmission and offered a nod that spoke volumes. Been there. They were boyz. Knew the deal. Had been through the best of times and worst of times. RiderТs steely glance told him to suck it up; his returned nod said he had, but never would completely, no more than Rider could ever forget Tara. Rider nodded his understanding of that, too, as he rubbed his neck and let out a sad exhale.

Jose sent his gaze toward the cliff and ignored the bristle that rippled through Shabazz. Yeah, brother, the only thing between me and the rocks is The Light.

He could feel Shabazz coming up behind him. The older GuardianТs strong presence felt like a thick blanket, a wall of strength at his back, even though Shabazz was almost a foot away from him.

УDonТt go out like that, man,Ф Shabazz murmured.

Jose shook his head. УNot on your watch. I know where a jump leads. Level one.Ф

He could feel Shabazz nod, although he hadnТt looked at him. It was as though current was running through his teammateТs dreadlocks, charging the air and making even the smallest movement felt.

УOne door closes, another one opens,Ф Shabazz said in a low, private rumble. УWhat you did was some heroic shit, man. The Light saw that, too. They ainТt gonna leave you hanging. You did the right thing.Ф

Jose smiled. The grass and rocks became blurry as hot moisture filled his eyes. He took a deep breath to steady his voice. УIf you say so,Ф he said thickly, and swallowed hard.

УYou know The Light works on Its own timeframe. Mysterious ways.Ф

Again, Jose nodded and forced a quiet chuckle. УAnd can be slow, too.Ф

A warm hand landed on his shoulder. УYeah. True dat. But the angels never leave a righteous man hanging.Ф Shabazz motioned with his head toward Carlos. УIf they could do that, thenЕФ