Free Exist (Vampire Assassin League Book 30) by Jackie Ivie Page B

know that. She returned to meeting his look and tried to hold it. “None...that come to mind.”
    “I must go.”
    She nodded.
    “You will stay here?”
    Despite what Steven had said, she’d never been good at drama. Acting. Faking anything. She swallowed and glanced away again, this time into the upper left corner of the cavern. Damn it! It took an act of will to move her gaze back to his and nod.
    “You give me your word?”
    She had to settle for another nod. Any attempt at voicing words got stuck in her throat. He smiled. And then he moved.

CHAPTER NINE
    “How did you know I was lying?”
    Anso sent a sidelong glance toward her. One of his eyebrows lifted, drawing her attention to his eyes. That was quite the affectation. He didn’t need it.
    “I was a leader of men . Bravery is often faked. Usually when facing a battle. When death is possible. There are signs.”
    “It’s because I looked away, isn’t it?”
    “No.” He shook his head as if it needed added emphasis.
    “Then what?”
    “Your heart sped up. Your breathing got shallow. You had to swallow often.”
    “How...do you know that?”
    Her voice matched the sensation of incredulity. He gave her a swift grin before turning away. She followed his gaze. They looked over an old Soviet military complex. It was located on the Polish border, eighty-some-odd miles from Prague. She knew that because a helicopter had landed on an outcropping of rock outside Anso’s hidden castle. They’d taken it. Some guy named Ivan piloted. Leah hadn’t gotten a good look at him. She hadn’t looked at much. The sun might be a no-show today, but it was almost blindingly bright. Excruciatingly hot. She’d hidden beneath a shawl and hung onto Anso while he explained. He couldn’t just take a leap and they’d be at this camp. It was too far. He needed to reserve his strength.
    That was another oddity in this dreamscape. Didn’t vampires have unlimited strength? Wasn’t that the mythos? And why did she even question it? Dreams, delusions and/or hallucinations had many nonsensical and unexplained things in them. That was one thing that came out in therapy sessions.
    The view was desultory. What was once lush forest had been scarred with progress, but then it had been deserted. The forest was now winning. The place had been hard to spot. Here and there she could make out angular features that belonged to derelict, graffiti-strewn buildings. Strips of asphalt ribbed the ground in overgrown sections, while a multi-storied tower peeked from beneath a patchy covering of foliage. It was rusted. The entire area reeked of desolation. Decay. Rot.
    “Because you are my weibchan. My every breath matches yours. As does each heartbeat. My pulse. It did then. It does now.”
    “Oh. No way.”
    “You deny the truth often, lioban .”
    “No. I deny science fiction that is presented as fact. Different concept entirely.”
    “Come. The guard is coming out again.”
    “Yeah. Looks like he’s a chain-smoker.”
    “Where did you read that? It was not in the report.”
    Leah’s heart stalled. Her mouth watered. “What...report?”
    “The one I left open on my computer thing while I dressed and prepared.”
    “What makes you think I read it?”
    He was pretty damned accurate about her physiological response to a lie attempt. He had the heart rate covered. The need to swallow. The pent-up breath. He regarded her for some moments while a smile played about his lips.
    “What woman could resist?” he finally replied.
    “Okay. So, maybe I peeked.”
    He grunted, grabbed her to his chest and sped through leaves that showered them with raindrops when jostled. His pace didn’t have any steps to it. Good thing. Nigel’s forecast hadn’t been accurate. The skies were gray with clouds, each breath heavy with moisture, while the pelting of rain drowned out any other sound. She was grateful for Anso’s assistance. Her skirt was made of burgundy-shaded velvet and nearly a foot too long.