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Maddox crossed his arms over his chest, content with Dyauna s progress and direction.
She was remarkably calm in the face of these accusations.
They made damn sure she knew why they were hurting her. Ulli paused, color
slowly bleeding from his face. They carved hell no across her chest. You tell me what
else that could mean.
Maddox had heard enough. He moved in front of his men, commanding their
attention with his posture and his gaze. Someone went to a great deal of trouble to
implicate the rebels, but there s a serious flaw in their strategy.
My people know nothing about the alliance, Dyauna put in. I haven t told
them yet.
The lions exchanged confused glances then Ulli asked, Who would do such a
despicable thing? What do they gain by tormenting an innocent woman?
There are only two possibilities, Dyauna said.
Two? Maddox looked at her, far less comfortable with her nudity than she
was. He hated that his men could see all of her, wanted to reserve the privilege for
himself. I can only think of one. Izak.
Izak is far more likely to remain at large without every cat in the colony looking
for him, she agreed. But the keepers also benefit from preventing an alliance.
That presumes that they re aware of the negotiations, Maddox countered.
Challenge raised her brow and she turned toward him. Do you honestly think a
spontaneous development of this size could take place without the keepers
knowledge? How did you explain the gathering in the council hall?
Aubrey Ross United Passion 55
He couldn t argue with her logic. All right, so we have two suspects: Izak and
the keepers. Izak has avoided punishment for too long already. He moves to priority
one. It will be harder to prove keeper involvement, but I won t rest until this is
resolved.
It works to our advantage to let them believe they succeeded. Dyauna joined
her men. On the surface, the gesture was casual, but Maddox understood the deeper
meaning. She was sending him away -- again!
Does this mean you ll explain the alliance to your men and allow them to vote
on a breed minister?
There is no harm in discussion. Her protective aloofness was solidly in place.
Maddox wanted to shake her. I ll send a messenger with our decision.
He d been dismissed! His claws dug into his palms as he stared at her stoic
expression. He d been so close to reaching her, so close to penetrating this façade. I ll
dispatch scouts. There are only so many places Izak can hide.
What about the keepers? How do we determine if they re involved or not?
I ll launch an investigation. We have friends among the keepers. I ll find out
what they know.
She nodded and a fist closed around his heart. There was nothing more to say.
He d run out of excuses to linger. I ll let you know the moment I learn anything.
Her second nod was even more stilted.
He motioned his men toward the cavern s entrance and reluctantly followed
them out.
* * *
Amara paused, composing her expression before she entered Izak s hideout.
After they d finished with the lion female, Amara had stayed near the village to observe
the response once the girl was discovered. It hadn t taken long, and the outcry was
everything Izak could have hoped for and more.
Aubrey Ross United Passion 56
Barbary pride had been ready to raze the mountain camp and end the rebellion
once and for all. There was no way Dyauna and her followers would be able to talk
their way out of this one.
Maybe this was the best time for her to end her association with Izak. She could
return to the village and --
Izak grabbed her arm and yanked her into the hideout. Why are you lurking in
the shadows like a ghoul?
I was just catching my breath.
He snorted. The trail isn t that steep. I climbed it with the dog slung over my
shoulder.
Well, good for you. She wisely kept the sarcastic response to herself. But he was
really starting to grate on her nerves. Your plan worked beautifully. Six Barbary
sentinels stormed off through the forest with bloodlust glowing in their eyes. I won t be
surprised if they slash throats first and ask questions later.
Where was Maddox? Did he lead the charge?
I m not sure where he was. He wasn t one of the six.
Izak made a rumbling sound, but didn t elaborate.
This is what you wanted. Why aren t you pleased?
I will be pleased when you return with confirmation that they did more than
argue.
Amara heaved a frustrated sigh and planted her hands on her hips. You want
me to run all the way over to the rebel camp? I just came from the village. You re going
to wear me out.
He snorted again, a sound she was coming to hate almost as much as she hated
the creature who made it. You were worn out long before I took you on. Now go make
yourself useful!
* * *
I didn t expect to see you back so soon.
Maddox glared at his sister then sighed. I didn t expect to be back so soon.
Aubrey Ross United Passion 57
The plan didn t work as well as we expected?
Jizette meant well, but he really didn t want to review the details of his encounter
with Dyauna. Especially not with his baby sister. She s stubborn and she s afraid. If it
was easy, she never would have left.
What is she afraid of? Haven t you told her how much you love her?
She knows. Trust me, she knows. But her mother was shunned by Barbary
pride and the leopards weren t any more accepting. She knows I m expected to have
full-blooded cubs to carry on my line, and she knows she can t give them to me. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl karpacz24.htw.pl
Maddox crossed his arms over his chest, content with Dyauna s progress and direction.
She was remarkably calm in the face of these accusations.
They made damn sure she knew why they were hurting her. Ulli paused, color
slowly bleeding from his face. They carved hell no across her chest. You tell me what
else that could mean.
Maddox had heard enough. He moved in front of his men, commanding their
attention with his posture and his gaze. Someone went to a great deal of trouble to
implicate the rebels, but there s a serious flaw in their strategy.
My people know nothing about the alliance, Dyauna put in. I haven t told
them yet.
The lions exchanged confused glances then Ulli asked, Who would do such a
despicable thing? What do they gain by tormenting an innocent woman?
There are only two possibilities, Dyauna said.
Two? Maddox looked at her, far less comfortable with her nudity than she
was. He hated that his men could see all of her, wanted to reserve the privilege for
himself. I can only think of one. Izak.
Izak is far more likely to remain at large without every cat in the colony looking
for him, she agreed. But the keepers also benefit from preventing an alliance.
That presumes that they re aware of the negotiations, Maddox countered.
Challenge raised her brow and she turned toward him. Do you honestly think a
spontaneous development of this size could take place without the keepers
knowledge? How did you explain the gathering in the council hall?
Aubrey Ross United Passion 55
He couldn t argue with her logic. All right, so we have two suspects: Izak and
the keepers. Izak has avoided punishment for too long already. He moves to priority
one. It will be harder to prove keeper involvement, but I won t rest until this is
resolved.
It works to our advantage to let them believe they succeeded. Dyauna joined
her men. On the surface, the gesture was casual, but Maddox understood the deeper
meaning. She was sending him away -- again!
Does this mean you ll explain the alliance to your men and allow them to vote
on a breed minister?
There is no harm in discussion. Her protective aloofness was solidly in place.
Maddox wanted to shake her. I ll send a messenger with our decision.
He d been dismissed! His claws dug into his palms as he stared at her stoic
expression. He d been so close to reaching her, so close to penetrating this façade. I ll
dispatch scouts. There are only so many places Izak can hide.
What about the keepers? How do we determine if they re involved or not?
I ll launch an investigation. We have friends among the keepers. I ll find out
what they know.
She nodded and a fist closed around his heart. There was nothing more to say.
He d run out of excuses to linger. I ll let you know the moment I learn anything.
Her second nod was even more stilted.
He motioned his men toward the cavern s entrance and reluctantly followed
them out.
* * *
Amara paused, composing her expression before she entered Izak s hideout.
After they d finished with the lion female, Amara had stayed near the village to observe
the response once the girl was discovered. It hadn t taken long, and the outcry was
everything Izak could have hoped for and more.
Aubrey Ross United Passion 56
Barbary pride had been ready to raze the mountain camp and end the rebellion
once and for all. There was no way Dyauna and her followers would be able to talk
their way out of this one.
Maybe this was the best time for her to end her association with Izak. She could
return to the village and --
Izak grabbed her arm and yanked her into the hideout. Why are you lurking in
the shadows like a ghoul?
I was just catching my breath.
He snorted. The trail isn t that steep. I climbed it with the dog slung over my
shoulder.
Well, good for you. She wisely kept the sarcastic response to herself. But he was
really starting to grate on her nerves. Your plan worked beautifully. Six Barbary
sentinels stormed off through the forest with bloodlust glowing in their eyes. I won t be
surprised if they slash throats first and ask questions later.
Where was Maddox? Did he lead the charge?
I m not sure where he was. He wasn t one of the six.
Izak made a rumbling sound, but didn t elaborate.
This is what you wanted. Why aren t you pleased?
I will be pleased when you return with confirmation that they did more than
argue.
Amara heaved a frustrated sigh and planted her hands on her hips. You want
me to run all the way over to the rebel camp? I just came from the village. You re going
to wear me out.
He snorted again, a sound she was coming to hate almost as much as she hated
the creature who made it. You were worn out long before I took you on. Now go make
yourself useful!
* * *
I didn t expect to see you back so soon.
Maddox glared at his sister then sighed. I didn t expect to be back so soon.
Aubrey Ross United Passion 57
The plan didn t work as well as we expected?
Jizette meant well, but he really didn t want to review the details of his encounter
with Dyauna. Especially not with his baby sister. She s stubborn and she s afraid. If it
was easy, she never would have left.
What is she afraid of? Haven t you told her how much you love her?
She knows. Trust me, she knows. But her mother was shunned by Barbary
pride and the leopards weren t any more accepting. She knows I m expected to have
full-blooded cubs to carry on my line, and she knows she can t give them to me. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]