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37cacf5
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A stirring in his mind, the lightest of touches, but he knew it was Raven, and he locked on to that trace and followed it ruthlessly. Her spirit tried to move away from him, up and away. There was too much pain in the direction in which he called her. Panicked, Mikhail yelled her name.
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Christine Feehan |
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ea1a2de
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Mikhail sank back into his mind, holding Raven to him, taking as much of her pain as he could. The trip home was a blur to him, the rain pelting the windshield, lightning sizzling and snapping. He would have preferred the dizzying speed of their mode of travel, but he dared not risk further damage to Raven. The village was deserted and dark, the electricity out in the terrible ferocity of the storm. Inside their houses, people were huddled ..
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Christine Feehan |
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7335737
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There was that brief hesitation that meant she was annoyed with his tone.
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Christine Feehan |
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5139547
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Already she felt the loss of him, of their unique closeness. Somehow she knew there would never be another man, another time in her life when she laughed and talked the way they had and was totally accepted and comfortable. "You don't need to say anything else, Mikhail. I 'saw' your 'little scratch' firsthand. You were right; you weren't alone out there--I was watching. Honesty in my language means truth." Raven took a deep breath, tugged o..
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Christine Feehan |
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37589e5
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You are the only reason I am living right now. I told you I would make mistakes. You cannot give up on me, on us. You do know me, everything important. You can look into my mind and know I need you. I would never hurt you." "You have hurt me. This hurts. Those people out there are your family, your people. I'm from another country, a different race. This isn't my home, and it never will be. Let me call them to you and just let me go." "You ..
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Christine Feehan |
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74d4371
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Many times he has come here seeking comfort, yet I never knew exactly what to say. I prayed God would send help to him to find his answer, Raven, and perhaps he sent you." She was trembling, constantly fighting the torment in her head, the need to touch Mikhail, the idea that he might be gone from Earth. Raven took a deep, calming breath, grateful for the priest. "I don't think I'm God's answer to anything, Father. Right now I want to curl ..
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Christine Feehan |
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b86c37e
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I'm glad someone besides myself gives him a hard time. He needs it, you know. All those people bowing and scraping. It's not good for him." Her hands were freezing, so she shoved them into her pockets. "I do my best, Raven," the priest admitted, "but we don't need to tell him. Some things are best kept between us."
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Christine Feehan |
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072d4c0
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I don't want to put you in the position of having to lie, Father. I find myself doing enough of that for Mikhail, and I'm not even certain why. Lord knows, he doesn't ask me to." There was sorrow in her voice, regret, confusion. "I wouldn't lie," he said. "Is omission the same thing as a lie, Father?"
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Christine Feehan |
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47cb22e
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She was everything. His air. His breath. His heart. Mikhail's mouth found hers in long, drugging kisses, moved to her throat, her breast, found his mark. One taste. Only one. Raven moved in his arms, turned her head to give him better access, her hands entwined in his hair. "I'd better marry you, Mikhail. You need me desperately."
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Christine Feehan |
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52b9395
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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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67afeae
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Mikhail's hands were gentle as he helped her to lie down. He caressed her silky hair, bent to kiss her tenderly. "You have no idea what you did for me tonight. Thank you, Raven." Her eyes were closed, lashes lying like two dark crescents against her soft skin. She smiled. "Someone has to show you what love is, Mikhail. Not possession or ownership, but real unconditional love." Her hand rose, and even with her eyes closed, her fingertips une..
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Christine Feehan |
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37b049c
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I merely went out to do a little investigating. Unfortunately, it turned into something altogether different. Believe me, I had no intention of getting hurt. A careless accident." Mikhail frowned, knowing he had hurt her, but there was little he could tell her about his people. "You have this penchant for getting yourself into trouble when I'm not with you." Raven's smile did not quite reach her eyes. "How bad is your leg?" "A scratch, no m..
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Christine Feehan |
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49fb66a
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Mikhail's hands were gentle as he helped her to lie down. He caressed her silky hair, bent to kiss her tenderly. "You have no idea what you did for me tonight. Thank you, Raven." Her eyes were closed, lashes lying like two dark crescents against her soft skin. She smiled. "Someone has to show you what love is, Mikhail. Not possession or ownership, but real unconditional love." Her hand rose, and even with her eyes closed, her fingertips une..
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Christine Feehan |
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5ee7b99
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His teeth caught her finger, his tongue stroking over her skin. His mouth was hot, erotic, his eyes burning down at her. Answering heat leapt into her eyes. Raven laughed softly. "You have it all, don't you? Charm, you're so sexy you should be locked up, and you have a smile men would kill for. Or women, however you want to look at it." He bent to kiss her, one hand closing over her breast possessively. "You need to mention what a great lo..
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Christine Feehan |
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827c324
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The sun is so bright! I can hardly see, and it hurts to open my eyes." "Did Mikhail give you sunglasses?" Father Hummer asked quickly. "Why would he? I have a pair in my room, but there was no need to wear them in the evening." She peeked out through her fingers, closing her eyes hastily when the sunlight seemed to burn through them. "Doesn't the brightness bother you?" "Mikhail may have left a pair of his glasses here. He tends to do that ..
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Christine Feehan |
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e8b4e88
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You need to mention what a great lover I am. Men need to hear these things." "Really?" She arched an eyebrow at him. "I don't dare. You're already as arrogant as I can stand." "You are crazy about me. I know. I read minds." He suddenly grinned mischievously, like a little boy."
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Christine Feehan |
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65ab6c2
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I think you should just stay naked and waiting for me," he growled, stroking her to ensure her readiness. She lifted her hips invitingly. "I'm not sure we'll know how to do this in a bed." The last word was a gasp of pleasure as he joined their bodies."
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Christine Feehan |
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fa67c37
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Are you all right? Can I call someone for you? The priest, perhaps? Your family?" "There is no one, not anymore. I'm Rudy Romanov. You must have heard the news about my parents." An unholy vision burst in her head. She saw wolves boiling from the forest, red eyes gleaming fiercely, a huge black wolf leading the pack and bearing straight down on Hans Romanov. From the young man's head, she picked up the memory of his mother, Heidi, lying on ..
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Christine Feehan |
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7c5b815
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Mikhail paced beside her, studied her averted face. "You are going in the wrong direction, Raven." He put his hand at the small of her back to guide her. Raven stiffened, and then twisted away from him. "Maybe I don't want to go back, Mikhail."
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Christine Feehan |
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fb17335
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Mikhail paced beside her, studied her averted face. "You are going in the wrong direction, Raven." He put his hand at the small of her back to guide her. Raven stiffened, and then twisted away from him. "Maybe I don't want to go back, Mikhail. Maybe I don't really know who you are at all." There was more hurt than anger in her voice. Mikhail sighed heavily and reached for her, his grip unbreakable iron. "We will talk in the warmth and comfo..
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Christine Feehan |
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0436731
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I am a Carpathian male. I have the blood of the earth flowing in my veins. I have waited centuries for my lifemate. Carpathian men do not like other men near their women. I am struggling with unfamiliar emotions, Raven. They are not easy to control. You do not behave as a Carpathian woman would." A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Mikhail leaned lazily against the wall. "I did not expect to come home to find you gone. You put ..
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Christine Feehan |
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4697d7e
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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. Raven's heart slammed hard in her chest, her body shrieking in instant protest. The thought of Mikhail suffering in any way was terribly upsetting. She tried to conjure up an ans..
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Christine Feehan |
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9b6b429
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I think Mikhail is very lucky to have found you. You're strong yourself, just as he is." "I'm putting up a great front, then"--Raven wiped at her eyes with her knuckles--"because I feel like I'm breaking apart inside. And I'm not very happy with Mikhail." "Nor do I think you should be, yet your first instinct is to protect him."
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Christine Feehan |
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43fa662
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I am a Carpathian male. I have the blood of the earth flowing in my veins. I have waited centuries for my lifemate. Carpathian men do not like other men near their women. I am struggling with unfamiliar emotions, Raven. They are not easy to control. You do not behave as a Carpathian woman would." A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Mikhail leaned lazily against the wall. "I did not expect to come home to find you gone. You put ..
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Christine Feehan |
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593c0b5
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I'm sorry. I didn't intend to do anything but go for a short walk. When I heard him, I felt the need to make certain he was all right. I didn't know, Mikhail, that I was seeking human company." "I do not blame you, little one, never that." His voice was so gentle, it turned her heart over. "I can easily read your memories. I know of your intent. And I would never blame you for your compassionate nature." "I guess we both have difficulties t..
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Christine Feehan |
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b802a1d
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Be careful if you play chess with him, he takes it very seriously." He laughed softly, invitingly. "I played with him. It was hard to concentrate when every single time I looked up, he was staring at me with this look..." She blushed when she realized she maybe should have kept that part to herself instead of confessing to the priest. He laughed as he triumphantly held up a pair of dark glasses specially crafted for Mikhail. "I don't have t..
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Christine Feehan |
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cc1be9a
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the woman said in despair. Raven hoped it was the truth. 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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cbfbfd4
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Mikhail crossed the room to hold out his hand for the cape. The bedchamber was warm and smelled of nature--wood and meadow. Reluctantly Raven slipped the cape from her shoulders. Mikhail frowned when he saw that she was clad only in his crisp white shirt. Although the tails reached her knees and covered her bottom, a generous portion of her thighs was exposed, right up to her hips. The effect was incredibly sexy, with her long, wild mane of..
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Christine Feehan |
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d3d4073
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I think Mikhail is very lucky to have found you. You're strong yourself, just as he is." "I'm putting up a great front, then"--Raven wiped at her eyes with her knuckles--"because I feel like I'm breaking apart inside. And I'm not very happy with Mikhail." "Nor do I think you should be, yet your first instinct is to protect him. You were horrified by the idea that he might be suffering as you are." "I don't like to see anyone in pain. There'..
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Christine Feehan |
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be7a6ad
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No, little one, after giving it thought, I cannot say I would have been happy had you been feeding." "Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? A Carpathian woman preys on unsuspecting humans." There was an edge of unshed tears in her voice. Mikhail carried the water to the side of the bed and knelt down in front of her. "I am trying to understand my feelings, Raven, and they do not make sense." Very gently he began to bathe her feet. "More than ..
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Christine Feehan |
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8a91f84
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I should have realized your needs and anticipated them. Knowing you were alone, I should have set better safeguards to protect you." "Mikhail, I am capable of looking after myself." Her blue eyes were very earnest, impressing on him the truth of her words. He really didn't need to worry. Mikhail did his best to keep from smiling. She was too good, always believing the best of everyone. His fingers circled her small calves. "You are the most..
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Christine Feehan |
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737468d
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I should have realized your needs and anticipated them. Knowing you were alone, I should have set better safeguards to protect you." "Mikhail, I am capable of looking after myself." Her blue eyes were very earnest, impressing on him the truth of her words. He really didn't need to worry. Mikhail did his best to keep from smiling."
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Christine Feehan |
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30a86ec
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I really am trying to understand your way of life, Mikhail, but I don't think my heart can take it yet." She tried to be truthful. "I know nothing of your laws or your customs. I don't even know exactly what you are, what I am. I think of myself as human. We're not even married in the eyes of God or man." This time Mikhail threw back his head and laughed loudly, heartily. "You think the pale ceremony of humans is a deeper binding than that ..
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Christine Feehan |
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414a200
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Enough, Raven. Let's go outside and tend my garden. Once you feel the dirt on your hands, and breathe in the fresh air, you will feel so much better." If that didn't work, he would have no choice but to fall to his knees and pray. Raven managed laughter through her tears. "When you touch me, Father, I know what you're thinking. Is a priest supposed to hate getting down on his knees?" He released her as if she had burned him, and then began ..
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Christine Feehan |
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c4c6177
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All at once the house was too stifling, like a prison instead of a home. The long wraparound porch beckoned to her; the night seemed to call her name. She caught at the doorknob, twisted. The knob turned easily enough, but the door remained closed, as if an unseen force pushed from the other side. For a moment panic welled up. The feeling of being trapped was overwhelming. Mikhail was instantly there in her mind, his voice gentle and loving..
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Christine Feehan |
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18fec6b
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The knob turned easily enough, but the door remained closed, as if an unseen force pushed from the other side. For a moment panic welled up. The feeling of being trapped was overwhelming. Mikhail was instantly there in her mind, his voice gentle and loving. Just the sound of his voice calmed her.
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Christine Feehan |
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429c534
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Wake her, Gregori," Mikhail demanded, dragging Raven into his arms. Very gently he cradled her to his chest, rocking her with his body. Gregori complied as his form shimmered translucent, and then took shape beside Mikhail. For the first time there was a hint of anxiety in Gregori's pale eyes, although there was hard arrogance stamped on his harshly handsome features. Raven blinked, and took a moment to focus. Her breath caught in her thro..
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Christine Feehan |
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ca06967
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Mikhail's body went rigid. He turned his head slowly in the direction of her pleading gaze. Monique huddled beside her husband, her horrified eyes on Mikhail and the men crowding beside him. Mikhail forced down the wildness of his nature and his resentment of the humans that Raven would turn to for comfort rather than him. For one long moment his black gaze rested on the male who had dared to put his hands around Raven's throat and tried t..
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Christine Feehan |
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70d7fc2
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Gregori merged his mind with Mikhail's easily. Over the centuries of battles, wars, and vampire hunts, they had exchanged blood many times to preserve one another's life. Mikhail was in pain, his blood loss great. The shooting had been a deliberate attempt to weaken his immense power. Slovensky taunted Mikhail with graphic details of torture. Mikhail's black eyes smoldered an eerie red, a burning flame he turned on Slovensky as the man appr..
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Christine Feehan |
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d72d7c9
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He stood over his fallen enemy, fighting to control the beast in himself, the wild surge of triumph, the addicting rush of power that shook his body. He felt none of his earlier wounds, only sheer joy in the night, in his victory. The wildness in him grew dangerously, spread like molten fire. The wind whipped up and carried a scent. Mikhail's blood surged hotly; his fangs ached, and hunger grew. He scented the humans, the one that had touc..
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Christine Feehan |
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0334250
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I look at you and know what a miracle you are. The feel of your skin, soft and inviting, the way you move, like water flowing, the brush of your hair like silk, the feel of your body surrounding mine, completing me, giving me the strength I need to continue a task that seems so hopeless, but so necessary. I look at the way you are made, so beautiful, your body so perfect, made for mine.
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Christine Feehan |
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2585b0c
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You are the most beautiful woman in the world, Raven. You do not have a mean bone in your body, do you?" Raven looked indignant. "Of course I do. Don't smile like that, Mikhail, I really do. I can be just as mean if necessary. In any case, what has that to do with what we're talking about?" His hand moved upward to her rib cage beneath the thin silk of his shirt. "We are talking about me needing to protect the one person who matters to me, ..
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Christine Feehan |
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686aeec
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He was taking her breath away with his absent, leisurely exploration of her body. It was more than physical; she felt him inside her, admiring her, even as he wanted to force her compliance to his will. She felt him in her body, stroking her mind, caressing her heart. She sensed his feelings for her growing and growing until they consumed him. Mikhail sighed softly. "I am never going to get anywhere with you, am I? You have a way of disarmi..
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Christine Feehan |
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6405f81
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I am never going to get anywhere with you, am I? You have a way of disarming me. I am the leader of my people, Raven. I cannot have this. I have no choice but to resort to orders. I cannot have defiance from my own woman." Her eyebrows flew up. "Orders?" she echoed. "You think you'll give me orders?" "Absolutely. It is the only recourse open to me that prevents me from being a laughingstock among my people. Unless, of course, you have a bet..
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Christine Feehan |