Free Blood Legacy Origin of Species by Kerri Hawkins

wrong with Ryan,” Marilyn interjected.
    “That’s true,” Victor said, “but that doesn’t explain her odd behavior, nor the phases she has passed through.” Victor grew thoughtful. “When she awoke without memory, she was almost like a child again, vulnerable because she did not know who or what she was, yet still possessing an extraordinary power she seemed unaware of.”
    “I wish to babysit her during that phase,” Marilyn murmured.
    Victor continued. “When she described feeling overcome by weakness, none of us could detect any weakness in her. She was just as powerful as she’s always been.”
    Marilyn pondered that situation. “I will take that shift as well.”
    “But when she was in her ‘wild’ phase,” Victor said, disliking the term but having none better, “she was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.” He thought back to the creature he had fought in the forest. “She was like an animal, her movements feral, like some great panther. Her manner was controlled savagery, calculating, as if she were stalking me. She seemed amused by the situation, as if it brought her great joy. Her strength was enormous, and I think it was only her own recklessness that kept us equals. I don’t know what she’s capable of in that mode.”
    “Hmm,” Marilyn said thoughtfully, “a close call. But I will yield that shift to Aeron.”
    Aeron cast an icy glance in her direction. “Why thank you,” he said sarcastically
    “Yes,” Victor agreed, “that might be appropriate since I had the distinct impression that Ryan wanted to eat me.”
    Aeron looked to Abigail, who merely smiled enigmatically. He was never going to live that down.
    “Anyway,” Victor said, tiring of the conversation, “her weakness concerns me, but it’s transitory. The memory loss when she’s normal is disturbing, but does not appear dangerous. But when she’s in the savage phase,” he paused, searching for the right words, “she’s unstoppable.”
    Something in his tone caught Abigail’s attention, and she focused on it with sharp precision. “Is she unstoppable because of her brute force? Or unstoppable because you do not wish to stop her?”
    “I am certain it is a little of both,” Victor said coldly. “Her strength is enormous. But her manner is primal in a most attractive way, one that would be hard for any of us to resist, even if it meant our destruction.”
    Abigail bowed her head to him, indirectly drawing attention to his fierce response. “I meant no disrespect, my lord.”
    Victor softened. “I apologize. This has been most difficult for me.”
    “There is no apology necessary,” Abigail said graciously, “I think it would be good for you to spend some time with your grandson. We will help you watch Ryan.”
    “Then you have my thanks,” Victor said. He bowed to each, even Aeron, then took his leave.
    Abigail watched the dark-haired man stalk from the room. She turned her attention to Aeron.
    “And do you think you will be able to exercise self-restraint if you are faced with Ryan in that condition?”
    A sharp retort was on Aeron’s lips, but instead he let out his breath in what was a half-sigh, half-snort. “I don’t have a good record when it comes to self-control with that girl.”
    It was a surprising admission from the arrogant aristocrat, and seemed too much for him. He, too, pushed away from the table and stalked from the room.
    Marilyn sat across from Abigail, a devilish glint in her eyes. “So let me guess how this is going to play out. You will manipulate one of us into sacrificing ourselves so that you can determine if Sharing with Ryan is safe. Then, if this little experiment is successful, you will move to pull the girl back into your gravitational field.”
    Abigail was not insulted, only amused. “I do not know that the girl has escaped my gravitational field. And I’m certain that with the combined lust present in this room only minutes ago, little if any manipulation on my part will