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098f7a0
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Let us go home, Raven." His voice was pure seduction. A slow smile curved her soft mouth. "I don't think it's safe. You're the kind of man my mother warned me about."
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Christine Feehan |
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cab7b19
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Jacob wasn't going to hurt me," she denied suddenly. "I would have known." "You were not touching him, little one, and it was lucky for him." "He's certainly capable of violence. It's always hard to miss violence." She flashed him her mischievous smile. "It clings to you like a second skin." He tugged at her thick braid in retaliation for her teasing."
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Christine Feehan |
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7e6c1e6
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Accept your nature, Mikhail. Accept yourself as you are." Mikhail's laughter was bitter. "Everything is so clear to you. You say I am one of God's children. I have purpose, I should accept my nature. My nature is to take what I believe is mine, hold it, protect it. Chain it to my side if necessary. I cannot let her go. I cannot. She is like the wind, open and free. If I caged the wind, would it die?" "Then don't cage it, Mikhail. Trust it t..
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Christine Feehan |
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7516dd5
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It was beyond his imagination that such a miracle could occur. Just when he knew he would walk into the sun without hesitation, he had been sent an angel. A slow smile softened his mouth. His angel refused to do anything he told her. She responded far better when he thought to ask. He had been too long accustomed to obedience from all those under his protection. He had to remember that she was mortal, raised in a different time, with differ..
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Christine Feehan |
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bb3e493
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You're certain he's alive?" The question slipped out before she could stop it, just when she was so proud of herself for appearing normal. "Absolutely, child. He gave me the impression that he would be gone this day until nightfall without the usual means of contacting him." He grinned at her, a conspirator's grin. "Personally, I use his pager. He has to be close for it to work, but it's a thrill when it does. Gadgets fascinate me almost as..
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Christine Feehan |
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0d620cd
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He finished as he did everything, carefully, completely. That was why he was the oldest and most formidable. He paid attention to the smallest of details. He walked with them for a few more minutes, ensuring that they were all fine, before leaving them with a casual wave and a feeling of friendship. Mikhail turned away from them, the smile fading from his lips. The night concealed the hunter in him, the dark, terrible purpose in his eyes, t..
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Christine Feehan |
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3b27c21
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His mind reached out for Raven's, craving the contact. Her soft laugher filled his utter coldness with warmth.
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Christine Feehan |
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6d15362
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His mind reached out for Raven's, craving the contact. Her soft laugher filled his utter coldness with warmth. This time her response sent fingers playing over his skin, touching him intimately, heating his body. Warmth, laughter. He hated being away from her, hated the distance separating them. She was teasing, but the thought of anyone approaching his home with her alone and unprotected made a sliver of fear slice through him. It was a..
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Christine Feehan |
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fec0d8c
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Raven, come here to me, please. I am weak and it would take most of my strength to come to you." There was gentleness in his voice, an honesty she found heartbreaking. She closed her eyes against the power in his voice, the soft caressing tone that rubbed sensuously like black velvet over her skin and crawled into her body, wrapping itself around her heart. "Not this time, Mikhail. We not only live in two different worlds, we have two separ..
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Christine Feehan |
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6095095
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Do not go near those people. Stay in your room. I will sleep through the day. You rest, and I will come for you in the evening." "Very ambitious of you."
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Christine Feehan |
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5ade8cf
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Do not go near those people. Stay in your room. I will sleep through the day. You rest, and I will come for you in the evening." "Very ambitious of you." Gently she pushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "I think you'll be in bed for a while." "Carpathians heal quickly."
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Christine Feehan |
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7b9fd3a
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After what happened to Noelle, I could not bear for the same thing to happen to Eleanor. And this was the first time you ever warned one of us off a woman." Mikhail managed a wry smile. "The experience is new to me. Until it is not quite so new and raw, it is best I keep her as close to me as possible. Right now she is arguing with me." Byron looked shocked. "She argues with you?" "She has her own mind."
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Christine Feehan |
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19c8c04
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This was the business you needed to do this evening?" "You know I hunt those that murdered my sister." He sounded tired and drained. Raven hated arguing with him, but some things had to be said. "You told me you were just going out, nothing dangerous. It wasn't necessary to lie to me about what you were doing. I know you're the big hotshot around here, but this is what I do. I track killers. We were supposed to be partners, Mikhail. I could..
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Christine Feehan |
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1a63065
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Mikhail, drink!" Jacques materialized beside the bed, caught his older brother to him, his face a mask of fury. " --stars, Eric, why did you allow him to go without aid? You're lucky Gregori isn't here, both of you." "He thought only of the woman," Eric said in self-defense. Jacques swore softly. "She is safe in her room, Mikhail. You must drink for both of you. One cannot exist without the other. If you do not survive, you doom her to dea..
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Christine Feehan |
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9ad744a
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The woman was calmer now, determined to stay in control now that an outside source was working with her. Raven took a breath, let it out. What was the most reassuring way to answer? Raven Whitney would hardly inspire confidence.
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Christine Feehan |
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12fdb6c
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take what I freely offer. My life is your life, my blood your blood. Together we are strong." He used the formal words, meaning every one of them. He would have given his life for their leader. The others began the ritual healing chant. They spoke in a hypnotic rhythm, and the ancient tongue was beautiful. Behind him, Jacques heard the murmur of voices, smelled the sweet aroma of soothing, healing herbs. Carpathian soil, so rich in healing..
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Christine Feehan |
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6277aeb
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Mikhail stirred, accepted the pain of his injury as part of the healing process, as part of the mechanics of living. He turned his head. His dark gaze sought and found Jacques, rested on him like a touch. "Is he all right?" His voice was very soft, but commanding all the same. Mikhail was authoritative no matter the circumstances. Jacques looked up, pale and wan, flashed a grin, and winked. "I spend a lot of time pulling your butt out of tr..
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Christine Feehan |
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5963217
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Excitement surged through her, anticipation. His eyes drifted over her with so much hunger, so much possession. With so much tenderness. That melted her heart, made her want to cry that he could have so much feeling for her. Everywhere his gaze traveled, her skin burned for him, her body ached for his touch. She reached up to loosen his hair, to fill her hands with it, to revel in her ability to smooth her fingertips over his heavy muscles...
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Christine Feehan |
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af90921
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Is he all right?" His voice was very soft, but commanding all the same. Mikhail was authoritative no matter the circumstances."
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Christine Feehan |
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1329a46
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I spend a lot of time pulling your butt out of trouble, big brother. You would think a man a good two hundred years older than me would have the sense to watch his own backside." Mikhail smiled tiredly. "You get pretty cocky when I am lying on my backside."
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Christine Feehan |
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b40eebc
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I spend a lot of time pulling your butt out of trouble, big brother. You would think a man a good two hundred years older than me would have the sense to watch his own backside." Mikhail smiled tiredly. "You get pretty cocky when I am lying on my backside." "We have four hours till sunrise, Mikhail," Eric said gravely. "Byron and I must feed. You need to go underground. Soon the separation between you and your woman will begin to eat at you..
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Christine Feehan |
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299671b
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Wolves boiled out of the forest, circled the meadow, glowing eyes fixed on the three people dodging branches that were hurtling through the air. Margaret screamed and ran. Harry took off blindly, and Hans lost his footing and dropped to his knees as the earth heaved and shook again. "Raven." Mikhail materialized beside her, fear for her clawing at him. He ripped the jeans away so he could see the extent of her injuries. The earth rolled aga..
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Christine Feehan |
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b3e0946
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sivamet-- Mikhail used a last burst of strength to send a plea to the only human he could trust to ensure Raven's safety. Raven closed her eyes, knowing she had to let him go before his strength was gone.
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Christine Feehan |
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d20c4ef
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sivamet--
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Christine Feehan |
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7d0c5a9
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He stands like a guardian in front of some evil, malevolent gate and holds monsters at bay so the rest of us can go about our lives and never know we were even threatened." Father Hummer's breath caught in his throat. "Is that how you see him? A guardian of the gate?" Raven nodded. "It's an image very vivid in my mind. I know it probably sounds melodramatic to you." "I wish I could have said those very words to him myself," the priest said ..
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Christine Feehan |
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4f0de2d
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I do know that Mikhail said when the male of his race meets his true lifemate, he can say ritual words to her and bind them together as they were meant to be. If she is not the one, neither is affected in any way, but if she is, one can't be without the other." Raven put a defensive hand to her throat. "What words? Did he tell you the actual words?" She remembered the words he'd whispered in his native language and then repeated to her in h..
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Christine Feehan |
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2b86dc5
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A Carpathian male will do anything necessary to ensure the happiness of his lifemate. I don't know or understand how it works, but Mikhail told me the bond is so strong, a male can't do anything else but make his woman happy." "I don't understand how taking away choices would ever make anyone happy." "I believe, in this instance," Father Hummer pointed out with a small smile, "Mikhail has no real choice either, not if you're his true lifema..
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Christine Feehan |
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eed0297
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I don't like secrets and I abhor lies, yet I find myself saying things that aren't true because it seems in Mikhail's best interest." "He didn't ask it of you, did he? That was your choice," he argued gently. "How much has he told you of himself?" "Not much." Wary now, she felt she was treading on treacherous ground. At all costs, she had to protect Mikhail--even if it meant lying to a priest."
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Christine Feehan |
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13bc349
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Whatever he did must work, Father, because I'm not the type to throw myself off a balcony because I've been away from a man a couple of hours." "I guess we should both be hoping Mikhail is getting a taste of his own medicine," Father Hummer said with a small smile."
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Christine Feehan |
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06f6b46
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Behind her, the door opened and his three friends entered. One stood to the side of the door expectantly. He looked like a gentler version of Mikhail. "You must be Jacques." Raven touched Mikhail's cold hand once before leaving the room. "And you are Raven." He was looking at the ring on her finger, not even trying to hide his smirk. She lifted an eyebrow. "I didn't want him upset. It seemed the quickest way to get out of here so you people..
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Christine Feehan |
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deb02d9
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When she headed for the front door, Jacques shook his head and crooked his finger at her. "He wants you to drink some juice." "Oh, give it a rest. I didn't say I would." "We can stay here all night." He shrugged broad shoulders and flashed a quick, lopsided grin. "I would not mind. Mikhail's house is comfortable." She scowled at him, tried to look fierce when something in her was beginning to find the entire lot of them comical. Males thoug..
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Christine Feehan |
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9dad5d8
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We can stay here all night." He shrugged broad shoulders and flashed a quick, lopsided grin. "I would not mind. Mikhail's house is comfortable." She scowled at him, tried to look fierce when something in her was beginning to find the entire lot of them comical. Males thought they were so logical. "You're just like him. And don't take it as a compliment either," she added, when he looked pleased"
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Christine Feehan |
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9dfd7f6
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You're related to him, aren't you?" Raven guessed, certain she was right. How could he not be? He had that same charm, the same eyes, the same good looks. "When he claims me."
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Christine Feehan |
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627be95
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He wouldn't know." It was going to kill her to drink it. "He would know. He knows everything. And where you are concerned, he can get a mite testy. So drink." She sighed in resignation, and tried to force herself to swallow the juice without disturbing Mikhail. She knew Jacques was right about Mikhail. He would know if she didn't drink it, and it seemed so desperately important to him. Her stomach rolled, heaved in protest. Raven gagged, co..
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Christine Feehan |
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4f10413
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You were right. He wouldn't let them treat him until I drank it. He's so stubborn." "Our women come first always. Do not worry about him, we would never allow anything to happen to Mikhail." He led the way out of the house to the car hidden under the canopy of trees. Raven paused. "Listen to them. The wolves. They're singing to him, for him. They know he's hurt." Jacques opened the car door for her. His dark eyes, so like Mikhail's, slid ov..
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Christine Feehan |
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abc4538
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Listen to them. The wolves. They're singing to him, for him. They know he's hurt." Jacques opened the car door for her. His dark eyes, so like Mikhail's, slid over her. "You are very unusual." "So Mikhail says."
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Christine Feehan |
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c1d846f
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You know you cannot say a word to anyone of Mikhail's injury. It would put him in danger." He made it a statement, but she could sense his deep need to protect Mikhail. Raven liked him all the more for that, even felt a bond with him, but she sent Jacques a little frown of reprimand all the same. "You people are so arrogant. You insist on believing that because the human race does not have great telepathic abilities, we're somehow lacking i..
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Christine Feehan |
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70d487f
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You must make him completely crazy. The hotshot thing was great. I would be willing to bet it was the first time he was ever called that." "It's good for him. If more people gave him a little trouble, he would be more--" She hesitated, searching for the right word. She laughed softly. "He'd be more something. Amenable." "Amenable? There's a description that we can never use in the same sentence with Mikhail."
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Christine Feehan |
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4b86c61
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Be very careful tonight and tomorrow. Do not leave your room until Mikhail contacts you." Raven rolled her eyes, made a face at him. "I'll be fine." "You do not understand. If anything happened to you, we would lose him."
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Christine Feehan |
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3b8b674
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Be very careful tonight and tomorrow. Do not leave your room until Mikhail contacts you." Raven rolled her eyes, made a face at him. "I'll be fine." "You do not understand. If anything happened to you, we would lose him." She paused, her hand on the doorknob. "You will take care of him, won't you?" She didn't want to say it, but she felt as though part of her was missing, a chunk wrenched from her soul. Her mind cried out for contact with M..
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Christine Feehan |
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c8b055e
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I believe he wouldn't hurt me, I know he wouldn't. But what of others? He has so many special gifts, so much power. The opportunity to misuse such a talent is tremendous." Father Hummer pushed open the door to his cottage and waved her inside. "Do you actually believe that's what he did? He's their leader by blood. The lineage goes back far in time. He is called their prince, although he would never admit it to you. They look to him for lea..
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Christine Feehan |
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99847e2
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He's really a prince?" For some reason that dismayed her. On top of everything else, she was contemplating a commitment to royalty. Those things never worked out."
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Christine Feehan |
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208ef29
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Eric, clean up here. Make certain no one will find their bodies," he added as he lent his large frame as a shelter from the wild storm over Raven. "She is not dead," Mikhail hissed, seeing the compassion in his brother's eyes. "She is dying, Mikhail." Jacques's chest hurt with the knowledge. Mikhail dragged her to him, bent his head until his cheek lay against hers. He felt the faint stirring in his mind. Warmth, regret. So much pain. , s..
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Christine Feehan |
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0d7c651
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I am incapable of betraying you, Raven. I might force your compliance for the sake of your safety or your protection, for your life and health, but not to get away with betrayal." She touched the tip of her tongue to her full lower lip. "Don't force me to do anything unless you ask the way you did when I was feeling sick." Mikhail hid a smile. She always tried to sound so tough, his small package of dynamite, with more courage than good sen..
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Christine Feehan |