Free Kismet Knight, Vampire Psychologist 3 - Dark Harvest by Lynda Hilburn Page B

arms. I hugged myself to ward off the psychic chill. “Add me? Why would you think that? Hal … that guy hasn’t even seen me. What possible reason could he have for wanting me? Is it because of you?”
    “Perhaps partially. You must not underestimate your notoriety in the vampire world. You are well known. It is possible that he is simply curious about you. Taking you from me would be icing on the cake, as they say. He would see you as a toy, a temporary distraction. Of course, by the time he had finished with you, there would not be much of you left.”
    “What do you mean?” I asked, my mouth dry, afraid I already knew more than I wanted to.
    “I have seen the empty shells of the women Hallow leaves in his wake.” Devereux jumped up and paced, his hands clasped behind his back. “Their minds are useless and their bodies wasted. They have described their captivity in ways that sound like human heroin addiction: pleasure beyond belief followed by an aching need that never ends. Apparently, he can create such ecstasy in the women that they would rather die than leave him. Inevitably, their bodies begin to deteriorate as he depletes their life force and thrusts them into madness.” He returned to the couch, expression solemn. “That is why I became so upset when you said he had contacted you.” He tipped his head in a slow bow. “I apologize if I resorted to caveman tactics.”
    I patted his hand and gazed into his sincere eyes. “Apology accepted. So, let’s say the energy sucker does intend to add me to his harem. Are you seriously suggesting that I hide out in your penthouse indefinitely? That I never leave the building?” I spoke with a playful tone, because it was simply beyond the realm of possibility that Devereux would propose something so ludicrous.
    “Yes.” He nodded, eagerly. “That is the only way for you to remain safe. Your office is merely an elevator ride away, so there is no real reason for you to go anywhere else. I do not wish to curtail your freedom, but it is necessary. I must insist that you follow my guidance.”
    And, here we go again …
    “You must insist?” I fisted my hands in my lap and scowled. “So, you’re only willing to restrain your chest-beating instincts when it suits you? You really don’t see me as an individual, do you? Someone with her own goals and needs and desires? No. You only see me as some fated extension of yourself. What about all the other times you forced me to rearrange my life and my work because you thought I was in danger? Nothing bad ever happened. Why should I listen now? How do I know this isn’t just another excuse for you to stroke your ego? Do you know for a fact that he’s interested in me? Nope. Sorry. I Page 35
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    won’t allow anyone to make decisions for me.”
    Whoa. What’s up with my short fuse today? It’s true that he’s being his usual bossy self, but since when can’t I handle it? What’s wrong with me? My anger is way over the top. Breathe, Kismet. Just breathe.
    I leapt up from the couch and wandered aimlessly around the room. He followed me, grabbed my upper arms, and gave me a shot of vampire voodoo with his eyeballs.
    “I am willing for you to be angry with me if it means you will remain unharmed. We can return for your things later. I am taking you to safety now.”
    His gaze had produced the usual hazy, entranced feeling, but I could still feel the edge of my anger underneath the fuzz. In fact, my anger felt pretty good.
    But why am I angry? My head feels funny.
    He slid his arm around my waist, and I twisted away, pulling him off balance. The shock on his face was almost comical. The master simply wasn’t used to disobedience.
    Stress is an amazing thing. All that adrenaline pumping and cortisol surging.
    He reached for me again, and I pivoted, shoving him with my hip. He growled and lunged. We performed a sweaty little grapple for a few