Free Night Huntress 06 - Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost Page B

I will attempt to breach your mind again. If I am successful, you can return home tonight.”
     
    She gave him a glance that was both hopeful and wary. He found that he had mixed feelings about this as well. Logic stated that the faster Kira was gone, the better it would be for both of them, but despite that, he knew he would… miss her.
     
    The stupidity of missing a woman who wanted nothing more than to forget she’d ever met him was so enormous, he’d find it funny if the jest weren’t on him.
     
    “All right,” Kira said, standing up.
     
    Emerald blazed from his eyes as he locked them with her light green ones, compelling her not to look away.
     
    “Kira.” Her name was barely a whisper, but seething energy filled that single word. “Come to me.”
     
    She did, taking the hands he held out to her. Her heartbeat, breathing, and blood rushing through her veins were a symphony of sounds calling to him. But her mind remained quiet, secluding its secrets behind a wall he couldn’t penetrate.
     
    “Open your mind to me,” he breathed, releasing more of his power.
     
    “I’m… trying,” she gritted out, her hands flexing in his grip.
     
    That mental wall flickered, but didn’t fall. Mencheres released her hands and stepped back.
     
    “It’s still too soon,” he said, more disturbed by the knowledge that he was relieved he wouldn’t need to say goodbye to Kira tonight than by his inability to breach her mind yet again.
     
    “It’s been almost five days since that morning at the warehouse,” Kira said, spinning around in frustration. “Five days of being trapped here. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Come on, let me go.”
     
    She had no qualms about wanting to forget him forever—or at best, never to see him again. If only he felt the same single-minded detachment over her.
     
    “Your sister believes you to be recuperating from the flu, and your job is secure. I know this situation is not of your choosing, but it will be over soon.”
     
    Kira’s fists clenched, and her natural sweet scent soured. “My sister isn’t well.”
     
    “Is she in danger of dying in the next few days?” Mencheres asked bluntly.
     
    Kira hesitated, biting her lip. “No.”
     
    “Then I cannot justify the risk.”
     
    “Look, she’s scared!” Kira snapped. “I don’t suppose that happens very often with vampires, but it does with the rest of us. These hospital stays are hard on Tina. They beat on her back to loosen the mucus in her lungs, then give her treatments to help her breathe easier. She’s my little sister, I told her I’d be there for her.” Kira’s voice wavered, becoming huskier. “I told her she could always count on me.”
     
    Mencheres closed his eyes. Kira didn’t know it, but loyalty was one of the qualities he prized most. And he understood, all too well, the sense of responsibility Kira felt toward someone she considered hers. He studied her strong, lovely face and the curve of that stubborn jaw. Any manipulations Kira might have tried on him were justified. Mencheres would have done the same himself, if he were her.
     
    “There is one thing that might hasten my ability to erase your memories.”
     
    Kira’s expression became hopeful and she took a step toward him.
     
    “What? Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
     
    Would she still say that once she heard what it entailed? “Your blood would give me greater power over you. For humans with very strong minds, drinking them is sometimes necessary before they can be mesmerized. You are very strong-willed, Kira. Perhaps more than my blood in your system is preventing me from manipulating your mind.”
     
    Kira paled as she digested what she’d have to do. Mencheres watched her, keeping his expression blank. Was her protectiveness for her sister greater than her fear of offering her throat to a vampire?
     
    She swallowed hard, then gave a short nod. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
     
    He was surprised by her