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.The crunch of a boot sliding on gravel had him ducking back down.His quarry was nearby.Cullenheld his breath, knowing these Others had senses that were far more acute than his own.He didn tdoubt his ability to take this Larem on, but he d promised Lusahn he wouldn t kill him.A surpriseattack from above was the only way to bring him down without crossing swords.The Other kept walking.Poised to leap, Cullen counted to ten, giving the male time to come up evenwith the boulder, then made his move.Something gave him away, though, because the Other whirledaround at the last second.But he was no match for an angry Paladin intent on destruction.The Other landed on his back with a satisfying thud as Cullen s full weight slammed into him.Beforethe Other could catch his breath, Cullen straddled his chest with both of his hands in a chokeholdaround the Other s throat.His opponent immediately tried to buck him off, but he froze when he got his first close look atCullen. Human! he croaked. Damn straight I am. Cullen tightened his hold on Larem s throat for a few seconds to make it clearthat his intentions were serious. I ve killed enough of your kind to know how to do the job right, sodon t push me.I ve got no problem with adding one more to the list.A gasp from behind him had him cursing under his breath.Lusahn had doubled back just in time tohear him.The slide of metal in a scabbard warned him she hadn t come alone. Let him up, human. Joq s voice was little better than a growl. I don t answer to you, Joq.So either put that sword away or be prepared to use it. Cullen might die,but he d take company with him.Tightening his grip, he watched Larem s face turn a fascinating shadeof red, then darkening toward purple.It was the most color he d ever seen in an Other s face. Let him up, Lusahn ordered, her voice as chilly as their poor excuse for a sun.He made sure to meet Larem s gaze one more time, reminding him which of them had won thisskirmish.He eased back, releasing his sword hand first to give himself a fighting chance if Joqdecided to attack.If Lusahn were to draw her sword, he didn t know what he d do.He couldn t possibly kill her andhoped that she felt the same about him.Her eyes met his briefly; they were flat and cold, sending ashiver straight through to the heart of him.Aw, hell, what did he expect? He didn t lump her in withthe rest of her kind, but she had no way of knowing that after hearing his threat to Larem.He made it to his feet without being attacked.Joq still had his sword out, but now it was aimed morein Larem s direction than Cullen s.Lusahn stepped between them, offering a hand up to her Blademate.Cullen wasn t surprised Laremrefused the offer, but the Other s rejection made Lusahn flinch. Why were you following us? Explain yourself, and in English. She injected enough authority in hervoice to force the male to answer.His voice was raw, but understandable. My job is to protect you, Lusahn.Even from yourself. Heglared at Joq and at Cullen. These two will get you executed as a traitor. What s to keep us from executing you first? You are of her Blade, not her judge. Joq tried to slidepast Lusahn, but she wouldn t allow it. And you are not anything, Joq, except a bitter ex-Guardian who will lead her into disaster. Laremtried to shove Lusahn out of his way.Cullen immediately drew his own sword. Touch her again, Other, and you ll lose your hand.That did it.Lusahn threw her hands up in the air in disgust and stepped back to draw her sword. Fine.Fight it out if you must, but know that the one left standing will face me.For a long heartbeat, Cullen thought the other two males were going to cross blades, but finally reasonwon out.Joq eased back a step and Larem did the same.If they were going to behave, he guessed thatmeant he d have to, as well.He lowered his sword but didn t sheathe it. Now, back to my question, Larem.Why were you shadowing us? How did you even know where tofind us? If it hadn t been me, it would have been Kit or Glyn.We all know something is wrong, but we didn tknow what, so we ve been taking turns watching your house. He shot Cullen another nasty look. Iguess I ve figured out what the problem is now. He nodded his head in Cullen s direction. Why ishe still breathing? Because her brother sent me. That was a stretch of the truth, but Larem didn t need to know that.Hedirected his next question to Lusahn. How much do you want him to know? It is too late for secrets now.If he and the rest of my Blade are intent on shadowing my every step,they ll be better off knowing what they are getting into.Cullen positioned himself next to Lusahn, showing without words whose side he was on. We knowsomeone in your world is working with people in mine to rob your world of the blue stones.We wantit stopped.Barak thought we might be able to work together this one time.Judging from the shock on Larem s face, he hadn t known that Barak was still alive.He looked toLusahn for confirmation. This is Cullen Finley.He crossed the barrier with a note written in my brother s hand [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]