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T ru th o r D ar e

By

Merris Hawk

* * * *

T hi s i s a w or k o f f ic ti on . N am es , c ha ra ct er s, p la ce s, a nd i nc id en ts a re p ro du ct s o f t he a ut ho r' s

i ma gi na ti on o r a re u se d f ic ti ti ou sl y a nd a re n ot t o b e c on st ru ed a s r ea l. A ny r es em bl an ce t o a ct ua l e ve nt s,

locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

T ru th or D ar e b y M er ri s H aw k



Red Rose Publishing

C o p yr i gh t© 2 00 7 M err i s H aw k

ISBN: 978-1-60435-121-7

ISBN: 1-60435-121-7

C o ver A rt is t : M er r is H aw k

Editor: WR. Gabbidon

A ll r ig ht s r es er ve d. N o p ar t o f t hi s b oo k m ay b e u se d o r r ep ro du ce d e le ct ro ni ca ll y o r i n p ri nt w it ho ut

w ri tt en p er mi ss io n, excep t i n t he cas e o f b ri ef q uo tati on s emb od ied i n r ev iews . D ue t o cop yr ig ht l aw s y ou

c an no t t ra de , s el l o r g iv e a ny e bo ok s a wa y.

Red Rose Publishingwww.redrosepublishing.com

F or e st p or t , N Y 1 33 38

T ru th o r D ar e

By

Merris Hawk

CONTENTS

C h ap t er O n e

C h ap t er T wo

Chapter Three

C h apt er F o ur

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

M or e a bo ut t he a ut ho r

* * * *

Chapter One

C am eo t ug ge d h er h em d ow n a s s he l oo ke d a t h er se lf i n t he f ul l- le ng th m ir ro r. T he h al te r d re ss w as m ad e

of s of t r ed s il k, h el d u p by one s ma ll bu tt on a t t he ba ck of he r ne ck. Th e s hor t he m s howe d of f he r l egs

a nd t he f ro nt w as d ar in gl y l ow -c ut . H er b ac k w as c om pl et el y b ar e, a nd s he k ne w t he t hi n s il k j ac ke t

w as n' t g oi ng t o p ro vi de any w ar mt h. E ven t he m at ch in g r ed s ho es w er e i mp ract ical . L oo ki ng h er self o ver

a ga in, s he f row ne d a t he r r ef le ct ion. She l ook ed l ike a s ex t oy a nd i t ma de h er wa nt t o c ha nge .



W hy w as s he e ve n d oi ng t hi s?

Th e a ns we r be ing s he o we d h im . H e' d s ave d h er f ro m hi s ow n k in d o nc e, ne ar ly l os in g h is l if e i n t he

process. They'd been almost certain they were going to die that night, waiting in the dark for a chance to

e sc ap e. C am eo h ad p la ye d h is g am e o f q ue st io ns a nd a ns we rs w it h h im , l ik e t ru th o r d ar e. I t w as t he

o nl y t im e s he 'd e ve r s ee n h im d ro p h is ‘ as sh ol e’ f ac ad e a nd b e h im se lf . T he y' d s ha re d s om e o f t hei nt im at e d et ai ls o f t heir l iv es and f ou nd a q uest io n t hat n ei th er o f t hem cou ld ans wer. I n an i mp ul si ve act o f

l un ac y, s he 'd g iv en h im h er n um be r a nd g ot h is p ro mi se t o c al l i f h e e ve r di sc ov er ed t he a ns we r.

He hadn't called until tonight.

S he ans wered h er p ho ne and r ecog ni zed h is v oi ce i mm ed iately .

" Ca n C am eo c om e o ut t o p la y? "

" P la y w ha t? ” S he k ne w b et te r t ha n t o j us t a gr ee w it h h im .

" Me et m e a t M ur ph y P ar k. P la y a rm c an dy f or a c ou pl e o f h ou rs . T hi nk y ou c an h an dl e t ha t? "

S he di dn' t l ike be ing r us he d a nd he kne w i t. He w as us ua ll y a pa in i n t he a ss a nd s he kne w i t.

"Where's the party?”Would he tell her what his plans were?

"Sundown."

T he A sh B or n d an ce c lu b? S he t ho ug ht i t o ve r. H e n ee de d h er h el p f or s om et hi ng , b ut i t w as n' t g oi ng t o

be quite the picnic he made it sound like. She knew enough about him to figure that out.

" Ti ck t oc k, C am eo . T en . .. n in e . .. e ig ht —"

" Ok ay , I 'l l m ee t y ou t he re i n . .. t wo h ou rs .” C am eo h ad i gn or ed t he r ip pl e o f a nt ic ip at io n. A ft er a ll , t he re

c ou ld n' t b e a ny th in g t oo d an ge ro us a bo ut w ea ri ng a d re ss f or a c ou pl e h ou rs .

"One.” He disconnected.

S ome p eo pl e j us t h ad t o ha ve t he l as t wo rd . C am eo ke pt h er s ar ca sm t o he rs el f a nd we nt t o di g t hr oug h

h er clo set f or s om et hi ng t o w ear t hat w ou ld f it t he ‘ ar m can dy ’ d es cr ip ti on .

" Ca mi , y ou r c ab 's h er e! ” L ex i' s y el l c ar ri ed a ll t he w ay t o C am eo 's r oo m.

L ex i w as excit ed f or h er . C am eo h ad n' t g on e o n a d at e i n m on th s— never m in d any th in g els e— an d t hi s

w as t he b es t e xc us e s he c ou ld c om e u p w it h f or t on ig ht 's e sc ap ad e. S he s ur e a s h el l w as n' t g oi ng t o o ff er

any o th er i nf or mati on . S he'd t ol d L ex i t o m in d h er o wn b us in es s and m ay be t hi s t im e t hi ng s w ou ld w or k

out.

Yeah right.

H ow do yo u t el l a pot ent ia l boyf ri end t ha t he c an' t c om e t o y our pl ac e be ca us e you l iv e i n a s ec re t

u nd er gr ou nd f or tr es s w it h a b un ch o f F re ak s, o r t ha t y ou r b es t f ri en d t ur ns t o s to ne a t d aw n e ve ry d ay ?

C am eo a cc ep te d t he f ac t t ha t s he c ou ld n' t h av e a n or ma l r el at io ns hi p w it h a g uy a nd t ri ed n ot t o t hi nk



a bo ut w ha t t ha t m ea nt f or h er f ut ur e.

Sl ip pi ng on t he s il k j ac ke t, s he ma de he r wa y t o t he d oo r.

L ex i w ai te d f or h er a nd n od de d h er a pp ro va l o f t he o ut fi t, t he n h el d u p a c ir cl e o f b lu e f oi l.

" Oh , u hh , L ex i, I d on 't t hi nk I 'l l n ee d t ha t. ” C am eo s id e- st ep pe d h er f ri en d t o a vo id t he c on do m.

" Jus t i n c as e. ” L ex i t uc ke d i t i nt o h er c oa t p oc ke t a s Ca me o o pe ne d t he do or .

Se x w as n' t g oi ng t o b e a n i ss ue t on ig ht , b ut s he c ou ld n' t t el l L ex i t he t ru th . S he h us tl ed d ow n t he s te ps

a nd i nt o t he c ab.

L ex i w av ed a nd c al le d a ft er h er , “ Ha ve a g oo d t im e, C am i! S ee y ou i n t he m or ni ng !"

C ame o r ol le d he r e ye s a nd ga ve h er f ri end a w ea k s mi le a s t he c ab p ul le d a wa y f ro m t he hous e.

[ Ba ck t o T ab le o f C on te nt s]

ChapterTwo

Ca me o pa id t he dr iv er a nd s tood on t he s ide wa lk unt il t he c ab wa s ou t of s igh t. Wa lki ng dow n t o t he e nd

o f t he b lo ck , s he t he n t ur ne d r ig ht , h ea di ng i nt o t he p ar k. S he d id n' t w an t a ny on e t o k no w w ha t s he w as

u p t o t on ig ht , esp eciall y h er f ri en ds . T hey t ho ug ht s he w as g oi ng o n a d at e, w hi ch w as n' t ent ir el y a l ie.

S he j us t di dn 't t el l t he m t ha t he r de st ina ti on w as a n A sh B or n c lub a nd t he da te wa s . .. K ez re d.

L ex i w ou ld h av e a f it i f s he f ou nd o ut . D am ie n w ou ld be w or se , m uc h w or se . H e m ig ht be L ex i' s

boyfriend in private but everyone else knew him as the leader of the Warders in the area. As a Warder, it

w as h is j ob t o p ro tect t he o bl iv io us h um an p op ul at io n f ro m t he v am pi res t hat s talk ed t hem. C am eo d id n' t

kn ow i f h e ha te d Ke zr ed p er son al ly, t he y d id kn ow e ac h o the r, or b ec aus e h e wa s a v am pi re a nd

D am ie n w as a W ar de r. M ay be D am ie n d id n' t c ar e w hi ch a nd s he w as n' t g oi ng t o a sk a ny ti me s oo n.

C am eo 's k no wl ed ge o f W ar de rs c am e f rom l ivi ng wi th L ex i a nd D am ie n a s w el l a s w or ki ng w it h t he C ry

o f S ou ls , a s ec re t u nd er gr ou nd f ac il it y t ha t a ll ow ed t he W ar de rs t o k ee p w at ch o n t he c it y. C am eo h ad

s pe nt h er f ai r s ha re o f t im e i n t he h ot s ea t, w at ch in g f or d ang er w hi le D am ie n a nd L ex i go t t o g o o ut a nd

k ic k v am pi re b ut t. B ei ng h um an , s he d id n' t h av e t he s tr eng th o r d ur ab il it y o f h er t wo f ri en ds s o i t m ad es en se t ha t s he s ta y b eh in d. T ru th w as , m os t t im es s he d id n' t m in d b ut l at el y s he 'd h ad a n i tc h t o g et o ut

a nd d o s om et hi ng , e ve n a s ma ll s om et hi ng, j us t t o pr ov e t o h er se lf t ha t s he w as s ti ll i n t he l an d o f t he

living.

T ha t t ho ug ht m ad e h er r ol l h er e ye s. S he w as s ta nd in g i n t he p ar k w ai ti ng f or a v am pi re , n ot w ha t s he

considered ‘living’ but it promised a little adventure.

C am eo p ac ed s lo wl y a cr os s t he f ro nt o f t he p ar k, k ee pi ng h er e ye s o n h er s ur ro un di ng s. W ha t w as

t ak in g t hat v am pi re s o l on g?

A sh B or n. T he v am pi res cal led t hems el ves A sh B or n, t ho ug h o nl y t hey k new w hy . C am eo m ad e a

m en tal n ot e t o avo id s ay in g v am pi re t on ig ht , o r any o f t he o th er d es cr ip ti ve w or ds D am ien l ik ed t o u se

f or t he m. S he 'd m em or iz ed a f ew o f D am ie n' s f av or it es w hi le h e' d t au gh t h er s om e o f w ha t h e k ne w.



T he ir m ai n g oa l i t s ee me d w as t o r ul e t he pl an et a nd e ve ry th in g o n i t, t o h av e a n e nd le ss s up pl y of f oo d

and entertainment under their control without the restrictions of secrecy.

C am eo d id n' t d ou bt D am ie n' s c la im t ha t t he re w er e t ho us an ds o f t he m, s ca tt er ed a ll o ve r t he g lo be , s he

d ou bt ed t he W ar ders abi li ty t o s to p t hem f ro m s in ki ng t heir f an gs i nt o p os it io ns o f p ow er and m ak in g

t he ir pl an a r ea li ty. Th er e w er e s im pl y t oo f ew W ar de rs t o ge t t he j ob d one .

T he A sh B or n w er e M ot he r N at ur e' s d ir ty s ec re t. T he l in es h ad b ee n d ra wn c en tu ri es b ef or e C am eo

ha d be en bor n. The b at tl es a re w on a nd los t i n t he da rk of ni ght wi th no huma n a li ve to wi tne ss s ave a

v er y s pe ci al f ew . O nl y o ne v am pi re w al ke d t he e dg e o f t he b la de b et we en t he t wo e ne mi es : K ez re d.

D an ce d i s m or e l ik e i t, C am eo s no rt ed . K ez re d e nj oy ed h im se lf t oo m uc h t o c al l i t w al ki ng . T he

W ar ders d es pi sed h im , t he o th er v am pi res l ef t h im alo ne and n ob od y r eall y k no ws w hi ch s id e h e' s o n.

Ca me o ha d c ome t o t he c onc lus io n t ha t he 's on hi s own s ide a nd j us t l ik es t o pi ss of f e ve ryone who t ri es

to control him.

Y ou ng f or a n A sh B or n, b ar el y a h un dr ed y ea rs h e' d t ol d h er , a nd y et m os t o th er v am pi re s a cc or de dh im s tr ang e v er si on s o f f ea r a nd r es pe ct . A f ew m ont hs a go, Ke zr ed ha d he lp ed he r f ind t he ke y t o t he

C ry of So ul s. Ton igh t, Ca me o wa s p ayi ng he r de bt , a s a rm c andy i n M ur phy P ar k. Th er e wa s mo re t o i t,

s he kn ew t he re wa s b ut Ca me o di dn 't da re t hi nk a bou t i t t oo m uc h, or s he 'd t ur n r igh t a roun d a nd l ea ve

h im t o i t. W ha te ve r ‘ it ’ w as .

A m ov em en t i n t he s ha do ws , m ad e h er b re at h p au se a nd s et h er h ea rt p ou nd in g. S he h ad n' t b ro ug ht a ny

w ea po n o th er t ha n h er s ur uc hi n. I t w as t ri pl e- wr ap pe d a ro un d h er w ai st l ik e a l on g s il ve r b el t, t he

w ei gh te d e nd s s wi ng in g n ex t t o h er t hi gh a s s he w al ke d. I t w as n ea rl y u se le ss n ow . S he w oul dn 't h ave

t im e t o un wr ap i t be fo re t he v amp ir e w as on he r. A m an s iz ed s ha do w s te ppe d a wa y f rom a t re e a nd

c am e t ow ar d h er . C am eo k ne w A sh B or n o n s ig ht , t he y w er e g ra ce fu l, p re da to ry a nd s ou ll es s. T he

f ig ur e c om in g t ow ar d h er w as a ll o f t ha t, b ut i t w as n' t K ez re d.

C am eo s t op ped w here s he w as , w ei gh in g h er o pt io ns . S he cou ld r un , b ut w it ho ut t he v am pi re's

preternatural speed she would be too slow. She reached into her jacket for her cell phone. The

app ro achi ng f ig ur e s to pp ed . D id h e t hi nk s he h ad a g un ?

" Pi ss o ff , F uckt ar d, t hi s o ne's m in e. "

K ez re d' s v oi ce b eh in d h er m ad e h er j um p, a nd C am eo r ea li ze d t ha t i t w as h is p re se nc e t ha t h ad g iv en

h er a r ep ri ev e.

T he o th er v am pi re s ta re d f or a f ew s ec ond s b ef or e h e t ur ne d a nd w al ke d a wa y. Sh e r ou nde d o n

Kezred, giving him a disgusted look.

"That was charming."

" Ye ah , s o I 'm a p os te r b oy f or t he s oc ia ll y d ef ic ie nt . L et 's g o. "

H e s ta rt ed w al ki ng b ac k t ow ar d t he s tr ee t, a nd C am eo h ad t o t ak e a c ou pl e o f q ui ck s te ps t o c at ch u p.

" Yo u s ai d arm can dy o n t he p ho ne; I 'm ass um in g t hat m eans t he d um b b lo nd r ou ti ne?"

" Yo u' re p er fect f or i t. "



Sh e pu ll ed u p s ho rt . “ Ar e yo u c al li ng m e a b im bo ?"

" No , b im bo s a re n ic e a nd w ar m; a ny m an y ou t ou ch ed w ou ld g et f ro st bi te .” K ez s to pp ed a nd l oo ke d

back, He wore his jackass smile, the one that said; I know this is bullshit, but I make it look good.

" Yo u' re s uch an ass ho le.” C am eo s tart ed w al ki ng again .

"I try."

S he w oul d h av e g on e r ig ht p as t h im , b ut h e k ep t u p w it h h er e as il y.

T he y m ov ed d ow n t he s tr ee t s id e b y s id e, n ev er t ou ch in g. C am eo w as p is se d. F ir st o ff , b ec au se f ro m

t he m om en t s he 'd a gr ee d t o h el p, s he 'd f el t l ik e t he w or d ‘ su ck er ’ w as p ri nt ed o n h er f or eh ea d.

S ec on dl y, b ec au se t he p is si er s he g ot , t he h ap pi er K ez re d s ee me d t o b e.

S he 'd k no wn h e w as a s ar ca st ic pa in i n t he a ss , bu t s he 'd a gr ee d t o h el p a ny wa y. H e' d s tuc k h is n ec k

ou t f or h er s o s he o we d h im . A nd o wi ng h im m ea nt t ha t t oni gh t s he w as w al ki ng d ow n t he s tr ee t i nt hr ee -i nc h h ee ls w it h a d re ss t ha t b ar el y c ov er ed h er a ss et s.

Why ha d s he put th e t hi ng on? Be ca us e i t w as t he o nl y dr es s in t he c los et t ha t di dn' t l ook l ike i t wa s f or

a f un er al , t hat' s w hy . T he f ri vo lo us r es ul t o f g iv in g i n t o L ex i' s p eer p ress ur e.

Ke z d id n' t s ee m t o n ot ic e. H e' d d it ch ed h is u su al o ut fi t o f j ea ns , b oo ts a nd t -s hi rt , a nd r ep la ce d t he m

w it h a c ha rc oa l g re y s ui t a nd s il k s hi rt . H is l ong c in na mo n h ai r w as t ie d b ac k w it h a s il ve r c li p. T he b oo ts

h ad b ee n r ep la ce d w it h s hi ny b la ck s ho es . E ve n t he e ve r- pr es en t l ea th er t re nc h c oa t w as n ow he re i n

s ig ht . S o t hey w er e b ot h p layi ng d ress -u p t on ig ht .


ChapterThree

K ez re d s to pp ed s o s ud de nl y t ha t C am eo w obb le d a b it on t he h ee ls .

" W hat i s i t?"

" We 'r e h er e. D on' t t al k, do n' t l oo k, a nd do n' t s mi le . J us t s ti ck yo ur I ce P ri nc es s n os e i n t he a ir a ndi gn or e e ve ry th in g b ut m e. ” K ez re d p la ce d h im se lf a t h er s id e a nd g av e h er h is e lb ow ; i t t oo k a s ec on d f or

C am eo t o r ea li ze w ha t h e w as d oi ng a nd c ur l h er h an d a ro un d h is f or ea rm . H e w hi sp er ed s om et hi ng , a nd

s he f el t t he ha ir o n he r a rm s s ta nd up a s a r ip pl e o f p ow er wa she d o ve r t he m.

"W ha t w as t ha t? ” T he s en sa ti on p as se d o ve r h er a nd f ad ed .

" Ou r d is gu is e. U nf or tu nately , i t w il l o nl y cov er y ou r app earance, n ot y ou r v oi ce o r y ou r s cent .” K ezred

r ea ch ed i nt o a n i ns id e p oc ke t a nd c am e o ut w it h a p er fu me b ot tl e. “ He re , i t' s t he s am e t hi ng s he w ea rs .

I t' ll k eep y ou f ro m s mell in g l ik e a f ree b uf fet. "

"Whow ea rs i t? ” C am eo s ni ff ed t he c ap ; i t h ad a s li gh t m us k s me ll a nd r em in de d h er o f s we et g ra ss . S he

s pr ay ed h er d re ss w it h t he s tu ff a nd o ff er ed i t b ac k.



" Ke ep i t, I d on 't s me ll l ik e f oo d. ” H e d id n' t b ot he r t o a ns we r h er q ue st io n.

" Ge e t ha nk s, I f ee l s o m uc h b et te r n ow .” C am eo s tu ff ed t he b ot tl e i n h er p oc ke t.

He l ed her down a s et of st eps to a gre y me ta l door wit h a pe ephole and knoc ked twi ce . Ca me o f el t

s ud denl y n er vo us , s he k new s om eo ne w at ch ed t hem t hr ou gh t hat t in y cir cl e o f g lass . T he d oo r o pened

w ide a ft er a fe w mo me nt s. A t al l, l ea n ma n s tood j us t i ns ide , a nd he w ave d a ha nd t o us he r t he m i nt o ashort hallway, closing the door behind them.

S he cou ld h ear m uf fl ed t hu mp in g and r em em bered t hey w er e g oi ng t o a n ig ht cl ub , m eani ng l ot s o f s ou nd .

K ez re d o pe ne d t he i nn er d oo r a nd s he k ne w t he d oo r, t he w al ls , p ro ba bl y t he e nt ir e l ow er f lo or o f t he

building was soundproof.

T he f ai nt s ou nd s he h ea rd f ro m t he h al l w as a ct ua ll y a p ou nd ing b ea t o f t ec hno m us ic t ha t t hun de re d

t hr ou gh h er b on es . K ez re d w al ke d r ig ht i nt o t he p re ss o f b od ie s w it h C am eo a lo ng f or t he r id e. T he

people moved enough to let them through to the other side of the dance floor. Small tables and chairs

c ro wd ed c lo se t og et he r a nd b ey on d t he m w er e s ev en c ur ta in ed a lc ov es . F iv e o f t he m h ad t he c ur ta in sclo sed; t he m id dl e t wo w er e o pen and o ccup ied. C ir cu lar b en ch s eats u ph ol st er ed i n b lack v in yl h el d

men and women sporting designer clothing and expensive jewelry.

E ve ry p ai r o f e ye s a t t ho se t wo a lc ov e t ab le s w at ch ed t he m a pp ro ac h. C am eo t ho ug ht s he c ou ld t el l t he

d if fe re nc e b et we en p at ro n a nd e nf or ce r. O ne t yp e s ee me d t o p ro je ct a b or ed i nd if fe re nc e, a nd t he o th er

h ad t hat t en se, m en acin g p os tu re com mo n t o b od yg uard s and b ou ncer s .

T he y s to pp ed a g oo d t en f ee t a wa y f ro m t he t ab le s a nd K ez re d f le xe d t he m us cl es i n h is a rm , t el li ng

Cameo it was time to pl ay. He di dn' t bow his he ad so muc h a s he nodded to thos e a t t he ta bl es . Ca meo

c op ie d h im a nd t he y w ai te d w hi le t he s po il ed E li te o f t he A sh B or n s tu di ed t he m.

W ha t i f t he y s aw t hr ou gh t he d is gu is e? C am eo r ec og ni ze d a f ew o f t he f ac es ; t ho ug h s he w as n' t

t echn ical ly a W ar der, s he'd h el ped t he W ar ders f ig ht t hem o ff b ef or e. S he w ou ld b e r ecog ni zed eas il y i f

t hey t es ted t he i ll us io n. H er w hi te-b lo nd e h ai r w ou ld b e a d ead g iv eaway, r eall y d ead.

K ezred w as n' t p ow er fu l, s ti ll h e s eemed f earl es s. A s i f n ot hi ng cou ld t ou ch h im o r h e t ru ly d id n' t car e

w hat h ap pened t on ig ht as l on g as s om et hi ngdid h ap pen. H e w as r eck l es s and u np red ict ab l e. C ol d,

unc er ta in f ea r ma de he r e ye s wi de n a nd he r br ea th qui cke n. Ha d s he pu t he r l if e i n t he h ands of a

madman who valued nothing?

" St at e y ou r b us in es s. ” A b la ck h ai re d m an a t t he b ac k o f t he c lo se st t ab le r ai se d o ne t hi ck e ye br ow .

" We h av e c om e t o t ry t he D aw ni ng S to ne .” K ez re d' s v oi ce w as l ow er , r as py a nd q ui et l ik e h is v oc al

ch or d s w ere d amag ed .

C am eo r ec og ni ze d t he v oi ce a nd r ea li ze d e xa ct ly w ho t he y w er e s up po se d t o b e! S he n ea rl y s ai d t he

na me s o ut l ou d. S qu ee zi ng h is f or ea rm , s he l et h im kn ow s he ha d f ig ur ed i t o ut a nd j us t h ow m uc h t he

k no wl ed ge d is tu rb ed h er . W as h e i ns an e?

" Wait o ver t here u nt il y ou are s um mo ned. ” T he b lack h ai red m an l oo ked away and f li ck ed a r in g- laden

h an d at t hem i n d is mi ss al .

K ez re d s ta ye d i n c ha ra ct er , s mo ot hl y t ur ni ng h is b od y i nt o h er s s o t ha t C am eo 's f ac e w as b lo ck ed f ro m

their view, hiding her shocked expression.



" Co me . W e w il l e nt er ta in o ur se lv es .” H e m ai nt ai ne d t ha t r as py v oi ce a s h e l if te d a ha nd t o t he s ma ll o f

he r ba ck a nd u rg ed he r t o t ur n a nd w al k i nt o t he c ro wde d d an ce f loo r.

T he y m ov ed f or wa rd i nt o t he c ru sh o f b od ie s a nd K ez re d' s h an d s li pp ed t o h er w ai st . C am eo 's b ra in

w as s ti ll s pi nn in g aro un d t heir d is gu is e w hen t he s ub ject cam e b ack i nt o f ocus . .. t he D aw ni ng S to ne.

H ol y b at sh it ! S he 'd h ea rd o f t he t hi ng , a nd s he w as n' t e ve n a v am pi re —A sh B or n— wh at ev er . I t w as

r um or ed t o b e p ow er fu l a nd d an ge ro us . W hy w as t he re a lw ay s a ‘ da ng er ou s’ w he n t he re w as a

powerful? If the rumors were half true, the Stone could give vampires the power to withstand sunlight and

t o s tay awake d ur in g t he d ay li gh t h ou rs .

T he re h ad t o be s ome s or t of d ra wb ac k or t he c it y wo ul d be c ro wd ed w it h A sh B or n a ll da y a nd a ll

n ig ht t oo . W hy w as i t h er e t on ig ht ? W as s om et hi ng s pe ci al g oi ng o n? W ar lo rd s w er e t he g ua rd s a nd

enf or cers o f t he E li tes, w er e t hey d is gu is ed as T an deri ou s and S il ka f or a s peci al o ccas io n?

Ca me o l ea ne d t ow ar d h im t o s pe ak . Q ui ck ly , h e t ur ne d t o f ac e h er . H is s il ve r- sm ok e e ye s w ar ne d h er n ot t o s ay t he w or ds o ut l ou d. H e l ai d o ne f in ge r a cr os s h is l ip s, t he n h er s. T he l ig ht t ou ch d is tr ac te d h er

l on g e nou gh f or K ez re d t o g iv e h er a p us h t o g et t he m m ov in g a ga in . H e n ev er t ou ch ed a ny on e, n ot i f h e

c ou ld a vo id i t. S he 'd n ot ic ed t ha t p ar ti cu la r t ra it w he n s he 'd f ir st r un i nt o h im . H e w as s li ck e no ug h a bo ut

h is a ve rs io n t ha t y ou h ad t o p ay a tt en ti on t o n ot ic e i t. H is h an ds w ou ld b e i n h is p oc ke ts o r h ol di ng

s ome thi ng o r h e wa s t oo f ar a wa y f or a ny s or t of c as ua l c ont ac t.

Now he 'd a ct ua ll y t ouc he d he r t hr ee t im es i n le ss t ha n a mi nut e. W as t hi s pa rt of t he r ole he pl ay ed

t on ig ht ? I t w as u ns et tl in g a nd s o r ar e t ha t C am eo c ou ld n' t h el p b ut f oc us o n t he f ee l o f h is h an d p re ss in g

again st h er b ack.

T he y m ad e t he ir w ay t hr ou gh t he c ro wd t o a no th er h al lw ay t ha t l ed t o a p ri va te c or ne r. W it h h is b ac k t ot he w al l h e s tr ok ed a h an d o ve r h er c he ek , s li di ng f in ge rs i nt o t he h ai r a t h er n ap e t o p ul l h er t ow ar ds h im .

H e wi de ne d hi s s ta nc e s o t ha t s he c ou ld s ta nd be twe en hi s kn ee s. As h e t il te d h is he ad s ide wa ys t o

w hi sp er i n h er ear , any on e l oo ki ng t heir w ay w ou ld ass um e t hey w er e d oi ng m or e t han t al ki ng . “Yo u

n ee d t o s ta y c lo se f or t he i ll us io n t o w or k. "

" Th is i s c ra zy .” S he w hi sp er ed t he w or ds i nt o h is e ar a nd w as g la d t he A sh B or n w er e b eh in d h er . T hi s

w as t he f ou rt h t im e h e' d t ou ch ed h er , a nd s he w as s ti ll a l it tl e s tu nn ed a t K ez re d' s i de a o f a d is gu is e. H e' d

cov er ed t hem w it h t he i ll us io n o f T an deri ou s and S il ka, t he A sh B or n W ar lo rd s o f t he w es tern cit ies. T he

E li te s a t t he t ab le h ad n' t d ar ed t o p ro be t he m in or i ll us io n t he y w or e; s uc h a n a ct io n c ou ld b e c on si de re d

a n a tt ac k. N o o ne w an te d t o d ie o ve r s om et hi ng a s s im pl e a s a n i ll us io n o f a pp ea ra nc e. T he y w ou ld perceive it as Silka's vanity and leave it alone. Only Kezred had big enough balls to try and pull this off.

" If y ou 'd t ol d m e t hi s e ar li er I w ou ld n ev er h av e c om e. ” C am eo 's h an ds l ay f la t o n h is c he st a s s he

w hi sp er ed i n h is e ar . T he m us cl es u nd er h er p al ms w er e f ir m u nd er t he s of t s il k. I t b ot he re d h er t ha t s he

noticed.

" I k no w. ” H e s mi led.

As s he f el t t he mov eme nt of h is l ips on he r e ar , go os e b umps s pr ea d dow n he r a rm s a nd s he s ti ff ene d.

A ny on e e ls e w ou ld h av e l et i t g o. K ez re d' s q ui et c hu ck le s en t c ol or r ac in g u p h er f ac e.

" We ll , w el l, t he I ce P ri nc es s h as a s of t s po t. ” H e b re at he d t he w or ds a cr os s h er s ki n, g et ti ng t he s am e

involuntary response.



" So do yo u. ” Ca me o s hi ft ed he r w ei gh t t o one f oot s o s he c ou ld r ai se he r kn ee i n f ro nt of K ez re d' s

crotch.

H e d re w b ac k e no ugh t o s ni ff t he a ir . “ I s me ll f ea r. "

" Ha ve y ou n ot ic ed w he re w e a re ? Y ou s ho ul d b e a fr ai d t oo .” C am eo l et h er l eg d ro p. S he w as n' t g oi ngt o kne e hi m i n t he nut s he re . She 'd s ave i t f or l ate r.

"T ha t' s not who you 'r e a fr ai d o f.” He l if te d hi s h ea d t o l ook a t he r f ac e.

" Who? I 'm not a fr ai d of you.” A t t he mo me nt s he w ant ed t o s oc k hi m.

" No, n ot m e. Y ou rs el f. ” A h al f s mi le t ur ne d u p t he c or ne rs o f h is m ou th.

" Yo u d on 't k no w a d a. .. ” K ez re d l ai d t wo f in ge rs a cr os s h er l ip s, s ta rt li ng h er i nt o s il en ce .

" I k no w you . A lw ay s i n c ont ro l, a lw ay s c los ed o ff b eh in d yo ur w al ls .” H e l et h er m ove h is f ing er s a wa y

f ro m h er m ou th a s h e l ac ed t he ir f in ge rs t og et he r. “ Yo u' re s ca re d s hi tl es s t o l et a ny on e i n, a fr ai d t o c ar e

because if you do it's a weapon."

" Tha t' s not t rue .” Ca me o de ni ed i t e ve n a s he r mi nd s ea rc he d f or a ny r ea son t o m ake i t a l ie . H ow mu ch

di d h e kn ow, o r g ue ss ?

K ezred' s s il ver- sm ok e eyes f lash ed at h er , t he i ri ses b ri gh teni ng f or a s econ d, a s ig n o f s tr on g emo ti on .

He wa s be ing s er ious, givi ng up a l it tl e bi t of hi mse lf a t t he s ame ti me he took a l it tl e bi t of he r. “ Ke ep

h id den b eh in d y ou r w al ls , C am eo . E vent uall y y ou 'l l s uf fo cate i n t he d ar k and n o o ne w il l k no w. "

S he r ea li ze d w he n h is e ye s m et h er s t ha t h e k ne w, b ec au se h e l iv ed w it h t ha t s am e c lo se d i n, l os t

da rk ne ss . S he k ne w t he f am il ia r s en se o f b ei ng a lo ne i n a c ro wd , u nw il li ng t o r is k a not he r b lo w t o a n

alr eady d am ag ed h eart . A r us h o f p ai nf ul s ym path y w en t t hr ou gh h er .

" Wh at h ap pe ns i f y ou t ak e a c ha nc e? ” H e di pp ed h is h ea d s o t ha t t he y s ha re d a br ea th be tw ee n t he m.

“Wh at h ap pens i f y ou l et y ou rs el f f eel f or j us t a w hi le?"

Ke zr ed' s f ac e w as s o c los e, t ha t o nl y s he ha d t o mo ve t he l as t i nc h t o t ouc h hi s m out h w it h he r own , t o

s how t ha t s he u nd er st oo d. H e f ro ze a ga in st he r mo ut h f or a ha lf a s ec on d be for e h e ki ss ed h er ba ck. Hi s

t on gu e p re ss ed i nt o h er m ou th , t as ti ng h er . H e l if te d h is h ea d a ft er a f ew m om en ts t o s ee h er f ac e, t os ea rc h he r e xpr es si on wh il e hi s o wn w as s o gu ar de d, a s i f he wo re a ma sk.

C am eo g av e h im t he s am e j ac ka ss s mi le h e' d u se d b ef or e. “ No w w ho 's a fr ai d? ” S he w as n' t s ur e i f s he

m ea nt i t a s a qu es ti on o r a s ta te me nt . K ez re d t ook i t a s a n i nv it at ion .

H i s l ip s t ou ch ed h er s a nd s ta ye d t he re , s ha ri ng h er b re at h. H is h an ds k ne ad ed h er h ip s a nd p ul le d h er

f or wa rd t o p re ss a ga in st h is b od y.

S he f el t hi s e re ct io n t hr ou gh t he s il k o f h is s la ck s. T he b ea t of t he m us ic p ul se d t hr ou gh t he ir b od ie s. S he

d id n' t p ul l a wa y, n o bl us he s t hi s t im e. A s w ro ng a s i t w oul d b e i n t he l ig ht o f d ay , s he h ad f ou nd c om for t

w it h t he e ne my. A n ee d t he y bot h f el t— to l et dow n t he ba rr ic ade s a nd b e a c re at ur e of t he mo me nt . T o

be able to show need without any risk of censure or damage. They didn't know each other well enough

to throw emotional stones.



C am eo 's h and r ub be d a p at h t o h is ne ck, w he re h is s ki n w as e xp os ed a nd w ar m. S he r an t he pa ds o f

h er f in ge rs u p h is t hr oa t, c at ch in g h is c hi n t o c ha ng e t he a ng le a nd g et a b et te r t as te . A l ow r um bl e o f

s ou nd , alm os t a p ur r, v ib rated t hr ou gh h is chest and i nt o h er m ou th cau si ng an ans weri ng r us h o f h eat t hat

s pr ea d o ut wa rd f ro m h er n av el . C am eo f el t m us cl es c on tr ac t l ow i n h er b od y, a nd h er m ou th l et g o o f h is

t o pul l i n a ir .

H is l ips t ouc he d t he c or ne r of h er m ou th , “ I c an s me ll yo u. "

A s hi ve r s ta rt ed a t he r s pi ne a nd c am e ou t he r mo ut h. She l ic ke d t he s of t s ki n of h is bo tt om l ip a nd dr ew

i t i nt o h er m ou th . H er f in ge rs e xp lo re d b en ea th t he j ac ke t. S he f el t a t hr il l o f s at is fa ct ion w he n h e s uc ke d

i n air as h er f in gers t raced h is abd om en , m ak in g t he m us cl es clench. H e r et ur ned t he f eeli ng , s li di ng h is

palms over her backside and kneading his fingers into her flesh. She could feel the heat of his hands

thr ough he r dr es s. H e pul le d he r hi ps i nt o his a nd r ai se d he r up ju st e nough t o ge t the he m of th e s hor t

dr es s o ut of t he w ay .

" Yo u a re s um mo ne d. ” O ne o f t he v am pi re s s to pp ed a f ew f ee t a wa y.

C am eo 's e ye s w en t w id e f or j us t a m om en t b ef or e s he p re ss ed h er f la mi ng f ac e t o K ez re d' s s hi rt a nd

t ri ed t o r eg ai n h er u su al c oo l c om po su re . S he 'd f or go tt en w he re t he y w er e, t he d an ge r t he y w er e i n.

She'd been completely distracted.

K ez re d' s ha nd s s hi ft ed f ro m he r a ss t o t ug h er he m ba ck i nt o pl ac e. I t m ade h er l oo k up a t hi m; h e w as

u su al ly any th in g b ut h el pf ul . H e l icked h is l ip s and C am eo cou ld n' t h el p b ut w at ch .

" We c om e. ” K ez re d' s w or ds w er e f or t he s er va nt , h is e ye s w er e on C am eo .

She caught the double meaning easily enough.


Chapter Four

T he y f ol lo we d t he va mp ir e t o t he b ac k o f t he h al lw ay a nd u p a f li gh t o f s ta ir s. T he s ta ir s l ed t o a h al l w it h

s ev er al d oo rs a nd a n e le va to r. A ll t hr ee o f t he m g ot i n t he n t he v am p h it t he d ow n b ut to n. C ur io us ,

C am eo l oo ke d a t K ez re d, b ut he on ly pa tt ed he r r ea r. D id t he r ea l S il ka p ut up w it h t hi s m uc h c ra p f ro mTanderious?

W he n t he e le va to r b um pe d t o a s to p t he y w al ke d i nt o a c av er no us r oo m. E ve ry e ye t ur ne d t ow ar d

t he m, e xc ep t t wo . T he y b el on ge d t o a m al e f ig ur e c ur le d o n t he f lo or , h ol di ng hi s h an ds o ve r hi s b loo dy

f ac e a nd k ee ni ng . T he A sh B or n f ro m t he e le va to r w al ke d up t o t he i nj ur ed v am pi re , k ne el in g d ow n t o

pick him up and carrying him back the way they had come.

T he f ew o th er E li te s p re se nt i gn or ed t he m an a nd s po ke q ui et ly t o e ac h o th er . T he y w er e j us t f ar e no ug h

a wa y f rom t he e le va tor t o be c ons ide re d i n t he r oom . A s ne er a nd t he j ut of a c hi n by one of t he El it es

w av ed t he m f or wa rd t o a w ro ug ht -i ro n s ta nd a t t he o th er e nd o f t he e gg -s ha pe d r oo m.

A pp ar en tl y e ve n t he E li te s d id n' t w an t t o s ta nd t oo c lo se t o t he S to ne . T he e le va to r d oo rs c lo se d o n t he

o nl y e xi t t o b e s ee n, Ca me o r ea li ze d j us t h ow m uc h t rou bl e s he w as i n. Sh e f in al ly n ot ic ed t he pu ls in g



e ne rg y i n t he r oo m t ha t m ad e t he a ir f ee l t hi ck . K ez re d' s m us cl es t ig ht en ed u nd er h er h an d. H e s ee me d t o

be straining to move smoothly, to keep up with her.

W as i t be ca us e of t he D aw ni ng St one ? T he re w as a l is t o f s ca ry ‘ I d on 't k no w’ t ha t s cr ol le d a cr os s he r

brain. There was nothing else in the room that she could see. The Stone had to be the reason.

She t ri ed t o be unobt rus ive a s she pull ed hi m al ong w it h he r. The y ma de i t t o t he s tand a s e venl y a s the yc ou ld a nd s to od t he re .

Ca me o t ri ed t o wh is pe r a s q ui et ly a s s he c ou ld . “ Wha t d o— ” K ez re d' s e ye br ow w en t up a nd s he

s to pp ed t al ki ng . T he E li te s c ou ld n' t s ee t he ir f ac es b ut t he y c ou ld s ti ll h ea r. A w ic ke d s mi rk s li d a cr os s

hi s fa ce a s s he wa it ed f or hi m t o s how he r wh at c ame ne xt .

He ha d no f ea r of de at h, pun is hme nt or pa in, s he wa s c er ta in. He c ar ed not hi ng f or t he r ul es of th e A sh

B or n o r t he W ar de rs . E ve ry th in g h e d id w as f or h is o wn r ea so ns a nd e ve ry on e e ls e b e d am ne d. C am eo

wi sh ed s he ha d e ve n a l it tl e of t ha t c ou ra ge . T o b e s o s tr ong a s t o t el l t he who le w or ld t o go t o he ll onc e

in a whil e. To do a s s he wa nt ed no ma tte r how wil d i t mi ght be .

K ez re d w as l ik e a t as te o f t ha t p ow er . H e e xu de d t he s el f- co nf id en ce a nd s tr en gt h t o s ta nd a lo ne o r

care ab ou t co ns equ ences.

A s s he l oo ke d d ow n a t t he D aw ni ng S to ne 's c le ar a mb er c ol or , s he w on de re d i f s he c ou ld b or ro w

eno ug h o f K ezred' s p ow er t o m ak e i t t hr ou gh t he n ex t f if teen m in ut es .

" T og et her. ” H e w hi sp er ed t o h er .

H e pl ac ed hi s p al m ove r t he ba ck of he r ha nd a nd l if te d t he ir h and s t o hov er j us t a bov e t he S tone .

C am eo r esi st ed as h er f in gers n ear ed t he S to ne. T hi s t hi ng w as s up po sedl y d an gero us .

" It can 't h ur t y ou , y ou 'r e h um an ."

Sh e b ar el y h ea rd t he w or ds . C am eo 's h an d t ou ch ed i t. N ot hi ng . S he l et o ut t he b re at h s he d id n' t r ea li ze

s he 'd b ee n h ol di ng . T he S to ne w as j us t b ar el y w ar m t o t he t ou ch , n ot w ha t s he 'd e xp ec te d. T ru th , s he 'd

e xp ec te d b ur ni ng h ea t o r e le ct ri ci ty o r s om e o th er h or ri bl e e ff ec t t ha t w ou ld l ea ve h er i n t he s am e s ta te a s

t he m an w it h t he b lo ody f ac e.

K ez re d' s q ui ck g ri n l et h er k no w t ha t h e c ou ld t el l h ow s he f el t. S lo wl y, h e w ra pp ed t he ir f in ge rs a ro un d

t he S to ne, h is o wn n ev er q ui te t ou ch in g i t. H e car ef ul ly t ur ned t heir h an ds o ver, l if ti ng t he s to ne andtipping his sleeve forward while flexing the muscles in his arm.

A r oun de d, p er fe ct c opy of t he s to ne r ol le d i nt o t he h ol de r a nd K ez re d us ed t he r us e of a k is s t o m ov e

t he ir j oi ne d h an ds t o h is c oa t. C am eo s to od s pe ec hl es s a nd h or ri fi ed . T he y w er e s te al in g o ne o f t he

o bj ec ts o f p ow er r ig ht i n f ro nt o f t he E li te s! K ez re d' s l ip s t ou ch ed h er s a nd s he w an te d t o d ra w b ac k, t el l

him the game was over a nd s he didn't want to pla y. It wa s too la te t o bac k out now, s he knew, but the

s ta ke s w er e s o h ig h!

K ez re d s aw e ve ry th in g w ri tt en p la in ly o n h er f ac e a nd h is k is s b ro ug ht h er o ut o f h er s ta te o f s ho ck , i nt o

a wh ol e n ew a re a o f e mba rr as sm en t. H e m ov ed t he s ton e t o a p oc ke t o f h is c oa t bu t h e k ep t t he ir h an ds

joined, pressing her fingers into the silk slacks over his groin.

S he f el t hi s h ar dn es s a s s he t ipp ed he r h ea d b ac k t o g la re up a t h im . S he w as go ing t o b e t or tu re d a nd



k il le d be ca us e K ez re d g ot h is j ol li es b y s te al in g f ro m t he E li te s! A ll t he y n ee de d n ow w as t o ha ve t he r ea l

W ar lo rd s p op i n f or a v is it . C am eo c ur le d h er n ai ls i nt o h is f le sh , b et te r t o b e a ng ry t ha n p et ri fi ed b y f ea r.

K ez p ul le d h er h an d a wa y. H is l ow c hu ck le r ol le d t hr ou gh t he r oo m a s h e k ep t h is e ye s f ix ed o n h er .

O ne e ye br ow l if te d i n que st ion. W as s he goi ng t o gi ve t he m a wa y now . .. or pl ay t he ga me t o t he e nd?

C am eo 's a ns we r w as a s mi le t ha t s ho we d h er t ee th w it ho ut b ei ng t he l ea st b it f ri en dl y. H er e ye s promised dire retribution if they made it out alive.

K ez re d' s s mi rk t ur ne d i nt o a b ig , h ap py g ri n. H e t uc ke d h er h an d i nt o h is e lb ow a ga in a nd f ac ed t he

g at he re d E li te s. “ Th e S to ne h as a cc ep te d u s, w e w il l r et ur n t o t he h un t. ” H e u se d t ha t s am e r as py v oi ce

t ha t g av e C am eo s hi ve rs . T he E li te s o nl y n od de d a nd w en t b ac k t o t he ir t al k. W ar lo rd s w er e b en ea th t he

n ot ice o f t he E li tes u nl es s t hey w an ted act io n.

Ca me o t ho ug ht t he E li te s w er e m ak in g a m is ta ke , b ut s he w as n' t a bo ut t o c or re ct t he m. I f t he W ar lo rd s

t ur ne d o n t he ir s no ot y m as te rs i t w as a ll g oo d f or t he W ar de rs . A f ig ht a mo ng t he A sh B or n w ou ld k ee p

t he m t oo b us y t o c au se t ro ub le f or a ny on e e ls e, r ig ht ? N ow t ha t t he y' d ‘ pa ss ed ’ w ha te ve r t es t w ase xp ec te d i t w as t ime t o ge t o ut .

T he y w al ke d b ac k a cr os s t he c ha mbe r w it h Ca me o d oi ng m os t of t he wo rk a nd K ez re d ke ep ing up a s

best he could. The elevator seemed miles away, and by the time they finally got in, Cameo was nearly

ga sp in g w it h t he e ff or t t o b re at he n or ma ll y. S he h it t he b ut to n a nd l ea ne d on t he w al l n ex t t o K ez . H er

m out h f el t dr y a nd he r ha nds we re s wea ty. Hi s s ki n wa s pa le r t ha n us ua l, a nd a fa int s he en of s we at

beaded his forehead.

T he D aw ni ng S to ne h ad t o b e t he r ea so n; i t w as d ra in in g h is s tr en gt h j us t b ei ng c lo se t o i t.

T he e le va tor s to pp ed a nd t he d oo rs s li d o pe n. T hr ee o f t he e nf or ce rs s to od r ea dy t o e nt er . C am eot en se d a s K ez re d m ad e e ye c on ta ct w it h e ac h o f t he m, d ar in g t he m t o d o s om et hi ng . T he y s te pp ed a si de

a nd w ai te d f or C ame o a nd Ke zr ed t o l ea ve t he e le va tor s o t he y c ou ld g et on .

S he h el d h er b re at h w he n on e o f t he A sh B or n b ehi nd h er s ni ff ed t he a ir a nd s ai d, “ Hu ma n. "

T he y w er e s o c lo se t o e sc ap in g! C am eo f or ce d h er f ea tu re s i nt o a f er al s mi le a nd l oo ke d o ve r h er

s hou lde r a t t he t hr ee va mpi re s. The y wa tc he d a s s he l ic ke d he r l ip s l ike s he 'd j us t ha d a t as te of

s om et hi ng s av or y. O ne o f t he m s mi le d b ac k a s a no th er h it t he b ut to n a nd t he d oo rs c lo se d a ga in . C am eo

l et o ut a s ig h o f r el ie f a nd t ri ed t o m ak e e ve ry th in g l oo k n or ma l a nd c as ua l a s s he h el pe d K ez re d t hr ou gh

t he c row d a nd o ut t he doo r t o t he s tr ee t. The doo rma n l et t he m out a nd Ca me o f el t t he t ingl e of f adi ng power as they made their way up the steps and down the sidewalk.

" St op, wa it .” K ez re d s ti ll ed h is f ee t, a nd C ame o ha d t o s to p o r dr op h im .

" Wh at ?” C am eo l oo ke d a ro un d; t he y w er e a lo ne a t t he e dge of t he p ar k.

" The re 's a p ouc h i n t he re .” He poi nt ed a t a t ra sh c an c ha ine d t o a be nc h. “ It wi ll hi de t he s tone f rom

them."

Sh e di dn' t ha ve t o a sk w hothey w er e. A s s oo n a s t he s to ne w as d is co ve re d m is si ng , t he E li te s w ou ld

t ea r t he c lu b a pa rt a nd t he n g o h un ti ng f or t he ir o wn W ar lo rd s.

Sl ow ly C am eo w or ke d K ez re d t o t he n ea re st t re e, l ea ni ng h im a ga in st t he t ru nk . T he t ra sh c an w as n ot



h er i de a o f a p er fe ct h id in g p la ce . S he c ou ld n' t s ee m uc h o f a ny th in g b ey on d h er n os e i n t he s em i- da rk .

S he l if ted t he l id t o car ef ul ly r each ed i ns id e. T he f eel o f n ew sp ap er cam e f ir st , t hen s om et hi ng l eath er y

and s of t .

" Pl ea se b e t he p ouc h. D ig gi ng i n g ar ba ge i s s o no t o n m y l is t o f f un t hi ng s t o d o. ” Th e m ut te re d w or ds

w er e a lm os t a p ra ye r. T he g lo w f ro m t he s tr ee tl ig ht w as j us t e no ug h t o m ak e o ut t he s ha pe o f t he b ag .

C am eo p ut t he l id b ac k o n t he t ra sh c an a nd r et ur ne d t o K ez re d.

H is h ea d w as b ac k, r es ti ng a ga in st t he t ru nk a nd h is e ye s w er e c lo se d. D ar kn es s m ov ed o ve r h is f ac e a s

t he l ea ve s s wa ye d i n a l ig ht b re ez e. C am eo s ta re d, f as ci na te d b y t he p la y o f s ha do w o n t ha t

too-handsome face.

H is e ye s o pe ne d s lo wl y, l ik e he w as c om in g a wa ke . O ne s id e o f h is m ou th t ur ne d u p i n a h al f s mi le .

" So meth in g I can d o f or y ou ?"

She di dn' t e ve n wa nt t o t hi nk a bout wha t he c oul d do fo r he r— to he r— if s he l et hi m.

C am eo h el d u p t he p ou ch a nd i gn or ed t he b lu sh s pr ea di ng a cr os s h er s ki n. “ Wh er e' s t he s to ne ?"


Chapter Five

" Yo u' ll h av e t o s earch m e. "

H is s id ew ay s gr in ha d h er r ol li ng he r e ye s. H e l oo ke d dow n t o o pe n hi s j ac ke t a nd s ta rt ed t o t ip o ve r.

C am eo c au ght h im . S he h ad t o f igh t t o g et hi m u pr ig ht . H is g re at er he ig ht a nd w ei gh t di dn' t m ak e i t e as y

t o h ol d h im a nd s ea rc h a t t he s am e t im e. S he pu she d h is ha nds a si de a nd r an h er ha nds ov er hi s po cke ts .

S he f el t t he l um p t ha t w as t he S to ne o n hi s r ig ht s id e. U si ng h er l ef t s ho ul de r t o ho ld h im a ga in st t he t re e,

s he s tu ff ed h er h an d i n h is p oc ke t a nd f ou nd i t e mp ty .

" Wha t t he he ll ?” S he mov ed he r f inge rs a rou nd t o f ind a s li t i n t he ba ck of th e poc ke t t ha t t he St one ha d

s li pp ed t hr ou gh . S he u nb ut to ne d h is j ac ke t t o r ea ch i ns id e t o f in d t he S to ne t hr ou gh t he t hi n s il k o f t he

li ni ng a nd push i t ba ck t o whe re s he c oul d ge t t o i t.

" I' ve g ot i t, j us t h ol d o n o ne m or e m in ut e. ” C am eo w or ke d t he s to ne b ac k i nt o t he p oc ke t. K ez re d s li d

s id ew ay s t he n f el l, t ak in g h er w it h h im . H er h an d w as t ra pp ed i n hi s p oc ke t, p ul li ng h er d ow n a cr os s h im

s o t ha t s he l anded wi th he r e lbow i n hi s gut wi th he r kne es in the w et gr as s.

" Da mm it , K ez ! D on 't y ou d ar e p as s o ut o n m e! ” T he s to ne r ol le d i nt o h er p al m. S he p us he d o ff h is c he st

t o d ro p i t i nt o t he p ou ch . “ Ke zr ed .” C am eo w at ch ed t he f ro wn f or m o n h is f ac e b ut h is e ye s s ta ye d s hu t.

“Kez! ” S he s ho ok h is s ho ul der.

H e f ro wn ed s om e m or e, f in al ly c ra ck in g h is e ye s o pe n. S he h el d u p t he p ou ch s o h e c ou ld s ee i t b ef or e

s tu ff in g i t i nt o h er o wn p ocket.

" Be au ti fu l, ” h e w hi sp er ed a s h is h an d c am e u p t o f ee l t he b ac k o f h is h ea d.



C am eo p ul led h im i nt o a s it ti ng p os it io n and t hen s to od u p, o ff er in g h im a h an d.

H e l if ted an eyebr ow i n t he f ai nt l ig ht , “Ni ce u nd ies. "

Sh e t ook a s te p ba ck a nd gl ar ed a t hi m. “ Ca n y ou t ry not t o be a n a ss hol e f or f ive mi nut es ?"

" Su re , w hi ch f iv e? ” E ve n h al f d ea d, h e h ad t o h av e t he l as t w or d.

She s ta ye d w he re s he wa s a s he go t t o hi s f ee t, on ly mo vi ng f or wa rd t o s te ady hi m whe n i t l ooke d l ik e

he wa s go ing t o f al l ove r a ga in. Ca me o gr owl ed un de r he r br ea th a s s he d ra pe d hi s a rm ove r he r

shoulders.

" Wh er e a re w e g oi ng n ow ?” T ha t w as n' t w ha t s he 'd m ea nt t o s ay . T he ir l it tl e a dv en tu re w as o ve r; t he y' d

m ad e i t o ut a li ve . T ho se d am n s ho es w er e ki ll ing h er a rc he s. W hy d id n' t s he j us t l ea ve ?

He p oi nt ed a cr os s t he d ar k e xpa ns e o f t he p ar k t o t he a pa rt me nt s o n t he ot he r s id e. “ In t he re , n um be r one-fourteen."

C am eo h el pe d h im a cr os s t he p ar k w hi le h is s tr en gt h w as r et ur ni ng a t t he s am e r at e i t h ad l ef t n ow t ha t

t he S to ne w as s af el y c oc oo ne d i n t he p ou ch i n h er p oc ke t. B y t he t im e t he y r ea ch ed t he a pa rt me nt h e

wa s b ac k t o no rm al . K ez re d op en ed t he d oo r a nd wa lk ed i n un de r h is o wn p ow er , l ea vi ng C am eo t o

ma ke up he r o wn m ind . She kne w i f sh e s te ppe d i n i t wa s he r ow n de ci si on. The c ur ios it y wa s t oo muc h

for he r, s he had to have a l ook ar ound.

Inside the small space everything looked absurdly average.

K ez re d w al ke d i nt o t he b ed ro om a nd s ta rt ed p ul li ng o ff h is c lo th es . T he j ac ke t h it t he f lo or f ir st , t he n t hetie.

C am eo s aw h is u su al c lo thi ng l yi ng o ve r t he b ac k of a k it ch en c ha ir , e xc ep t f or h is t re nc h c oa t; i t h un g

ne at ly f ro m a h oo k on t he c lo se t d oo r.

" Wha t a re yo u g oi ng t o do wi th i t? ” Sh e c oul d j us t s ee i nt o t he be dr oom f rom whe re s he s to od.

H is f in ge rs w or ke d t he ir w ay d ow n t he s il k s hi rt , o pe ni ng b ut to ns a s h e s cu ff ed h is s ho es of f. H e p ul le d

t he s hi rt o ff a nd s hr ug ge d, “ Not hi ng, yo u c an h av e i t i f yo u w an t i t. "

Ca me o s ta red a t hi m a s he pul le d the s il ve r c lip out of his ha ir . He wa s gi ving i t up? Jus t li ke tha t? Af te r

e ve ryt hi ng t he y' d j us t d one t o ge t i t a nd he di dn' t wa nt i t? Ke zr ed' s h and s w ent t o h is b el t a nd p aus ed, he

l oo ke d a t h er .

S he r eali zed s he'd b een w at ch in g h im u nd ress w hi le s he w as t hi nk in g o ver w hat h e' d s ai d. H is f in gers

car es sed t he m et al b uckl e and h er i magi nati on s up pl ied t he m en tal i mage o f t ho se f in gers car es si ng h er

s ki n i ns tead . H er h eart beat i ncr eased. I t' s o nl y a p hy si cal r eact io n s he t ol d h er sel f, t he l og ical r es po ns e t o

s tari ng at a h al f n ak ed m an aft er s ur vi vi ng a d an gero us encou nt er . S he d id n' t n eed t o con si der

adrenaline-induced fantasies.

S hi t! W as s he g oi ng t o d o t hi s every t im e s om et hi ng i nt im at e o r emo ti on al cam e u p? I gn or e every th in g

s he f el t a nd r ed uc e i t t o s impl e ph ys ic s, c ol d l og ic , a nd s te ri le r ea son ? W he n h ad i t be com e s o h ar d t o

l ive i n t he m ome nt ? W hy w as s he de nyi ng h ers elf t he ne ed t o f ee l, t o do wha t he r body u rge d he r t o do?



W as s he goi ng to hol d e ve ryone a t a rms l engt h f or eve r j us t s o s he di dn' t g et hur t? Wa s s he goi ng t o p ut

every th in g els e f ir st f or ev er ? W hat abo ut w hat s he r eall y w an ted?

" I t houg ht yo u' d b e gon e by now .” T he s ound of hi s voi ce br ough t he r mi nd ba ck t o w ha t he r e ye s we re

w at ch in g. H e s li d t he l ea th er o ut o f t he b uc kl e. H is e ye s w er e w ar y, h is m ov em en ts s lo w a nd p re ci se .

S he cou ld alm os t h ear h im t hi nk in g, w on deri ng i f s he w as u p t o s om et hi ng .

" So di d I .” S he w at che d t he b el t s li de f re e t o dr op t o t he c ar pe t. H ea t s wi rl ed u nd er he r s ki n, g at he ri ng

i n h er c en te r. C om mo n s en se s ai d t ha t s he s ho ul d g o, s he d id n' t n ee d t hi s. S he c ou ld s ur vi ve j us t f in e o n

h er o wn .

" Ar e y ou g oi ng t o s tay, C am eo ?"

Th e s ound o f hi s v oi ce a s he s ai d he r n am e ga ve he r g oo se bu mp s. T he w or ds he 'd s poke n e ar li er c ame

back to her. She knew with sudden clarity that she could survive alone behind her walls, but she couldn't

live .

W al ki ng t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay i nt o h is b ed ro om f el t l ik e j um pi ng o ff t he h ig h d iv e. T he d ecis io n w as

m ad e, n o m or e o bj ecti on s t on ig ht . S he w an ted t he i nt im acy b ack. T om or ro w m ig ht h av e i ts o wn

con sequ en ces, b ut s he w as t ak in g t hi s f or h er self .

"I'm not going anywhere."

S he r ea ch ed o ut s lo wl y, b ru sh in g t he t ips o f h er f in ge rs o ve r t he s mo ot h s ki n o f h is s ho ul de r, up t o h is

n ec k t o t an gl e i n t he t hi ck f al l o f h is c inn am on h ai r. H is h an ds s ti ll ed a t h is s ide s, f ac e b la nk e xc ep t f or hi s

e ye s, t he re w as a ne ed t he re t ha t ma tc he d h er o wn a nd j us t a hi nt o f f ea r.

C am eo r ub be d h er l ip s a cr os s h is , s ha ri ng h is b re at h. “ I s me ll f ea r. ” S he s ai d h is w or ds b ac k t o h im ,

f ee li ng hi m r ea ch up t o s li de t he j ac ke t o ff he r s ho ul de rs .

He m ov ed , d rawi ng b ack f ro m h er m ou th , r ep eati ngher w or ds ba ck t o h er , w ea ri ng a c oc ky s mi rk t ha t

curved his lips.

"I 'm n ot afr ai d o f y ou ."

H e s te pp ed s id ew ay s a nd w al ke d a s lo w h al f c ir cl e t o s ta nd b eh in d h er a s h is f in ge rs o pe ne d t he c li p

t ha t h el d h er s ur uc hi n i n p la ce . T he s il ve r c ha in f el l o n t he c ar pe t. K ez re d s ta ye d a t h er b ac k, a nd s hec oul d f ee l t he h ea te d l engt h of hi s body s o ne ar he r own .

" No t o f m e, b ut o f y ou rs el f, ” s he m an ag ed . H er v oi ce s ou nd ed b re at hl es s t o h er o wn e ar s. C am eo h el d

s ti ll a s hi s h ands t ouc he d h er s ho ul de rs a nd mo ve d he r h ai r a si de . Hi s br ea th wa s w ar m on t he b ac k of

h er n ec k a nd s he c ou ld n' t h el p t he s hi ve r t ha t r an u p h er s pi ne .

" Yo u d on 't k no w w ha t I 'm a fr ai d o f. ” K ez re d' s v oi ce w as a n ea r w hi sp er .

H is h an ds t en se d f or a m om en t, m ak in g C am eo w on de r i f h e w as g oi ng t o t ry a nd f ee d f ro m h er . I ns te ad

s he f el t t he p re ss ur e a ro un d h er n ec k f ro m t he c ol la r o f t he d re ss a s h is m ou th c lo se d a ro un d t he b ut to n.

"I k no w you , ” s he s ai d. S he f el t h im bi te dow n a nd he ar d h is t ee th s na p of f t he but ton. Sh e h ad t o

s wall ow b ef or e s he cou ld t al k. “Hi di ng b eh in d y ou r w al ls , alw ay s i n con tr ol .” T he d ress s tart ed t o s li de



a nd her hands came up t o ca tch it.

H e l ea ne d i nt o h er , f lu sh w it h h er c ur ve s. H is h an ds c ov er ed h er s o n t he t hi n s il k. “ Wh at h ap pe ns i f y ou

t ak e a c ha nc e? W ha t h ap pe ns i f y ou l et yo ur se lf f ee l f or j us t a l it tl e w hi le ?"

Sh e c ou ld n' t r em em be r i f t he re w er e a ny m or e w or ds , s he d id n' t c ar e.

C am eo l et h im l if t h er h an ds , a ll ow in g t he s il k s he at h t o s li de o ff he r b od y. S he s ta rt ed t o t ur n, b ut h e

pressed her hands back to her chest, his teeth biting down carefully on the back of her neck.

Stay.

H er e nt ir e b od y t ens ed, s he d idn 't w ant h im t o f ee d, s he wa sn' t h er e f or t ha t. H e l et go a nd r an hi s

t on gu e o ve r t he b it e, t as ti ng h is w ay d ow n t o h er s ho ul de r. H er e ye s c lo se d t o f oc us o n t he t in gl es o f

elect ri ci ty t hat s ho t t hr ou gh h er as h is t eeth n ip ped at h er s ki n and h is t on gu e f ol lo wed, l av in g t he

s ens it i zed areas as h e exp lo red.

C am eo c ou ld f ee l t he l en gt h o f h is e re ct io n t hr ou gh h er p an ti es a nd h is s la ck s. S he g ro un d b ac kw ar d

w it h h er h ip s, s mi li ng w hen a g ro wl r um bl ed t hr ou gh h is chest and s he d id n' t h id e h er t ri um ph an t p ur r.

H e l et g o of h er ha nds t o s li de hi s f inge rs i nt o t he wa is tba nd of h er l ac y un de rwe ar . She dr ew i n a ga sp

o f a ir a s h is t hu mb s b ru sh ed t he i ns id e o f h er hi ps i n a f ea th er y c ar es s.

T he t ickl in g s en sati on s m ad e h er h ol d h er b reat h and s he f el t h is s mi le again st h er f lesh . K ezred' s m ou th

l ef t h er s ho ul de r t o t ra il d ow n h er b ac k. H is h an ds s tr ok ed t he ir w ay d ow n h er l eg s, t ak in g h er p an ti es t o

the floor.

S he j um pe d a s he bi t down on t he s we ll o f he r a ss , t he n he l et go a nd l ic ke d t he pa in a wa y. The l it tl e bi to f pa in e as ed i nt o a wa rm bur n wh en he r an hi s t on gue o ve r t he s pot . Th e di ff er enc e be tw ee n t he he at of

his m outh a nd t he c ool ai r ma de he r s hive r onc e, a ll ove r. How fa r di d he t hink he w as goi ng t o go wi th

t ho se t ee th ? S he 'd n ev er l et a ny on e e xp lo re h er b od y l ik e h e d id , w it h h is h an ds a nd h is m ou th . W ha t d id

h e s ee ? C ou ld h e h ea r h er b re at h p au se w he n h is h an d s li pp ed b et we en h er t hi gh s t o t ou ch h er ?

E ve ry th in g e ls e f ad ed i nt o t he b ac kg ro un d a s t he p ad s o f h is f in ge rs t ra ce d o ve r h er f le sh .

Q ui ck s tr ok es o f h is f in ge rs t ea se d h er h ip s i nt o r oc ki ng f or wa rd t o m at ch t he m ov em en t o f h is h an d.

He r e ye s we re ha lf s hut , he r l egs we re s ha ki ng. S he r ea che d t o f ind s om e p ar t of hi m t o ho ld o n t o, s he

di dn' t wa nt t o go t he r es t o f t he w ay a lone .

C ame o ha d to t wi st a ro und t o ge t a ha ndf ul o f hi s ha ir , pul li ng hi s he ad ba ck t o l ook up a nd me et he r

eyes.

" My t ur n. ” T he m ea ni ng w as c le ar e no ug h t ha t h e u nde rs too d, s he w as n' t g oi ng t o l et hi m t ak e o ve r, t he y

wo ul d s ha re t hi s a s m uc h a s t he y w er e a bl e.

K ez re d s to od u p s lo wl y a nd C am eo u se d t he u pw ar d m ot io n t o r un h er f in ge rt ip s o ve r h is n ec k a nd

do wn hi s c he st . T he s ki n t he re wa s a s s moo th a s he r ow n unt il s he n ea re d t he s hor t da rk ha ir s t ha t m ad e

a f ai nt pa th d own i nt o hi s pa nt s. S he di dn' t s ee a b ut ton on t he s la cks s o s he a voi de d h avi ng t o de al wi th

i t. C ur li ng h er f in ge rs i n t he w ai st ba nd s he m ad e t he r equ es t s ou nd l ik e a n o rd er .

"Get them off."



H e t ip pe d h is he ad do wn t o ki ss he r a s he f re ed t he hi dde n but ton a nd pu ll ed dow n t he z ip pe r.

C am eo t ug ge d t he s il k a wa y f ro m h is b od y, r el ea si ng h is m ou th t o p re ss h er l ip s t o h is c hi n, j aw , n ec k

a nd c ol la rb on e. H er e ye s r ol le d d ow nw ar d t o w at ch w ha t h er h an ds c ou ld f ee l. T he re w as n ot hi ng

u nd er ne at h b ut s ki n. S he h id a s no rt . S he s ho ul d h av e k no wn h e' d g o c om ma nd o. N ow s he c ou ld s ee

w ha t s he 'd o nl y f el t b ef or e a nd t he u rg e t o t ou ch w as s tr on g a nd i mm ed ia te . S he l ig ht ly w ra pp ed h er

fingers around his upright erection.

Fe el ing hi s body t ens e up a ga ins t t he ba ck of he r h ands , s he l ooke d up t o s ee hi s e ye s ha lf s hut , t ot al ly

i mm er se d i n t he f ee l of h er ha nd s on hi m.

T he k no wl ed ge t ha t s he p ut t ha t l oo k o n h is f ac e m ad e h er b lo od h ot , s he c ar ef ul ly t ou ch ed h er l ip s t o

h is , t he b ar es t b ru sh o f a n o ff er in g. K ez re d' s l ip s w er e s of t u nd er h er s, a nd t he t ip o f h er t on gu e s li pp ed

o ut t o t as te h is f ul l l ow er l ip . H e s mo ot he d o ne h an d a ro un d h er h ip t o t ug h er i n c lo se r, e ff ec ti ve ly

t ra pp in g h er h an ds b et we en t he ir b od ie s a nd g iv in g h im c on tr ol . H is o th er h an d t ra ce d u p h er s id e a s h e

a cc ep te d t he k is s s he o ff er ed .

C am eo 's n ai ls d ug i n l ig ht ly alo ng h is s haft , g iv in g f ai r w ar ni ng o f w hat s he cou ld d o t o h im . K ezred' s s ki n

jumped under her touch, and his breath came out in a quiet laugh. Taking a step back, he captured her

h an ds a nd r ai se d t he m t o h is s ho ul de rs . I n a n a lm os t e ff or tl es s m ot io n, h e l if te d h er u p s o s he c ou ld w ra p

h er l eg s aro un d h is h ip s.

T hr ee s te ps t o t he be d, s he f el t e ve ry o ne a s t he ir h ip s gr ou nd t oge th er . He s an k t o hi s k ne es o n t he

m at tr es s a nd l ea ne d f or wa rd u nt il s he w as l yi ng u nd er h is b od y. H is m ou th d ip pe d t o h ov er o ve r h er s,

barely making contact before he moved lower. Her eyes closed as his mouth found the sensitive spot just

u nd er h er c ol la rb on e. H e t ea se d t he s po t f or a m om en t b ef or e h is l ip s t ra ve le d d ow n a nd t ou ch ed t he

s we ll o f h er b re as t.

C am eo d re w i n a s ha ll ow b re at h a nd l et i t o ut a s a s ig h. S he w ai te d, a nt ic ip at in g h is n ex t a ct io n. W he n

h e s im pl y l et h is f or eh ea d r es t o n h er c he st , h er e ye s o pe ne d i n s ur pr is e. S he t il te d h is c hi n u pw ar d, a nd

f ou nd h is e ye s w er e d ar k s te el g re y a nd h is b re at hi ng w as h ar sh .

H e w at ch ed h er w it h a p re da to r' s g az e; C am eo h ad t o w il l h er se lf t o h ol d s ti ll .

S he s li d h er f in gers i nt o h is h ai r, s mo ot hi ng t he l on g s tr an ds away f ro m h is f ace, h op in g t he s lo w

m ov em en t w ou ld d is tr act h im . H e l et h is eyeli ds d ri ft s hu t as h er f in gers m as saged h is s calp . W hen h e

l oo ke d u p t he s il ve r- sm ok e c ol or o f h is e ye s w as b ac k. H e s hi ft ed h is b od y f or wa rd ; s he f el t h is s ex

brush the dark blond curls at her center.

I mp at ie nt , C am eo l if te d h er h ip s, t ry in g t o m ak e h im m ov e, b ut h e r ef us ed t o b e r us he d.

K ez re d' s a rms be nt s o he c oul d r ea ch h er mo ut h, “ Do y ou t ru st me ?"

S he g ave h im t he o nl y h on es t a ns we r s he h ad, “ As m uc h a s y ou t ru st m e. "

O ne c inn am on e ye br ow l if te d a t h er a ns we r a nd a s mi le f li rt ed w it h t he c or ne rs o f h is m ou th b ef or e h e

ki ss ed h er . S he ki ss ed h im ba ck , l et ti ng h im f ee l ho w f ru st ra te d s he f el t w it h h is t ea si ng . H e g av e i n t o h er

u rg in g, m ov ing s o s lo wl y s he w an te d t o s cr ea m. H er n ai ls d ug i nt o h is s hou ld er s a s s he g row le d h er

i rr it at io n at h im . H e p us hed o ne l as t t im e and b ur ied h im self i ns id e h er .

Ca me o c ou ld f ee l e ve ry i nc h a s h er m us cl es c on tr ac te d a ro un d h im . I f h e d id n' t m ov e s he k ne w s he



w ou ld l os e h er m in d. H e l if ted h is h ip s, n earl y l eavi ng h er b ef or e h e p lu ng ed i n again , C am eo 's s of t m oan

c ar es si ng h is c he ek . H er l eg s c ra dl ed h is h ip s, t o k ee p h im f ro m g oi ng t oo f ar . H e m ov ed a ga in , s et ti ng a

r hy th m o f s lo w s tr ok es t hat b ui lt i n s peed t il l s he w as s qu ir mi ng u nd er h im . T hen h e s lo wed d ow n again .

C am eo wa s s o c los e, he r e nt ir e b od y t en se d, bu t e ve ry t im e s he w as r ea dy t o go , he c ou ld f ee l i t, a nd

w ou ld s lo w h is p ace.

" Ke z . .. d am mi t! ” C am eo b ur ne d w it h h er n ee d, h er h ea rt p ou nd ed i n t im e w it h h is .

H is h ip s s ti ll ed , m ak in g h er g ro an , “Yo u t hi nk y ou can d o b et ter?” K ezred l ow er ed h is f ul l w ei gh t o n h er ,

r ol li ng t he m b ot h s o t ha t h e w as u nd er h er .

C am eo c ou ld s we ar h e f el t b ig ge r f ro m t hi s p os it io n, l ik e h e c ou ld p en et ra te d ee pe r. S he r ol le d h er h ip s

f or wa rd a nd b ac k, w at ch in g h is f ac e. H is b re at hi ng q ui ck en ed a nd s he r ep ea te d t he m ot io n j us t t o s ee

t he h ea t b ui ld i n h is e ye s. N ow s he k ne w t he s am e w ic ke d p le as ur e h e' d f el t w it h h is t ea si ng . H is

f in gert ip s t raced h er r ib s u nt il h is p al ms cou ld cup h er b reas ts .

S he w an te d t o t ak e h er t im e, e nj oy h er n ew s en se o f c on tr ol , b ut h er b od y w as n' t l is te ni ng . K ez re d' shi ps l if te d t o me et he rs a nd hi s ha nds gr ippe d he r hi ps a s s he r ode hi m. Sh e br ac ed he r pa lms on hi s

c he st , f ee li ng t he pou ndi ng b ea t o f h is h ea rt a s h e m at ch ed h er pa ce a nd dr ove he r ove r t he t op i n

s hu dd er in g r ip pl es o f r el ea se . H is e nt ir e b od y w en t r ig id u nd er h er a s h e c am e i n o ne l as t t hr us t.

C am eo l ai d h er bo dy o n h is t ryi ng t o c at ch h er b re at h, s ti ll f ee li ng t he s pa sm s p ul se t hr ou gh t he m b ot h.

K ez re d' s a rm s h el d h er t he re , o ne h an d i dl y s tr ok in g d ow n h er s pi ne . S he f el t t ir ed , s at is fi ed a nd a l it tl e

s el f- co ns ci ou s n ow . S hi ft in g s li gh tl y s he f el t h im m ov e i ns id e h er , h is h an ds d ri ft ed d ow n t o t he s mall o f

h er b ac k, h ol di ng h er e w he re s he l ay .

C ameo b ar el y h eard t he w hi sp er ed “St ay. "

Sh e wa nt ed t o l ook a t hi s f ac e ba dl y; t he onl y t hi ng t ha t ke pt he r c he ek r es tin g on hi s s houl de r wa s t he

k no wl ed ge t ha t h e w ou ld b e a bl e t o r ea d h er e xp re ss io n t oo .

T he y s ha re d a n ee d t o b e a cc ep te d a nd u nd er st oo d, b ut a ny th in g b ey on d t ha t i mp li ed a r el at io ns hi p.

T ha t w as n' t p os si bl e f or t he m, t he y w er e o n t wo d if fe re nt s id es o f a p re te rn at ur al w ar t ha t w as n' t g oi ng t o

end any ti me s oo n . .. b ut j us t f or t on ig ht .. .

C am eo s tr et ch ed he r l eg s o ut o ve r h is a nd s nu gg le d i nt o h is b od y h ea t, c lo si ng h er e ye s w he n h is a rm s

w rapp ed aro un d h er again . W it ho ut m eani ng t o, s he d ri ft ed i nt o s leep .


Chapter Six

Ca me o w oke s lowl y t o t he f ee l of s moo th mu sc le un de r he r c he ek a nd t he s ce nt o f wa rm s ki n. I t t ook a

m om en t f or h er t o r eali ze h er cel l p ho ne w as r in gi ng . K ezred l ay t ot al ly s ti ll b en eath h er . H is h eart beat

w as f ai nt a nd s lo w u nd er h er e ar a nd h is b re at hs w er e s ha ll ow .

Ca me o k ne w t hr ou gh f ri en ds t ha t v am pi re s w er e t or pi d d ur in g t he d ay . A s s he r ea ch ed f or h er j ac ke t o n

t he f lo or s he f el t K ez re d' s a rm s s li p t o t he m at tr es s a s s he s at up . He 'd h el d he r wh il e s he s le pt . A pa rt o f

h er h ea rt w as t ou ch ed b y t ha t g es tu re , t he p ar t t ha t d id n' t s ee h im a s a d an ge r t o e ve ry on e, i nc lu di ng



himself.

S he m an ag ed t o ans wer b ef or e t he m es s ag e s er vi ce p icked u p. “Hel lo ?"

"Cameo, this is Damian."

O h! S he c ar ef ul ly got of f of K ez a nd pa dde d i nt o t he ba thr oom t o t al k t o hi m. S he c oul dn 't s it onK ez re d a nd t al k t o L ex i' s f ia nc é a t t he s am e t im e, s he j us t c ou ld n' t.

" Al ex zi na ask ed m e t o cal l y ou i f y ou d id n' t r et ur n b ef or e d aw n. "

Em ba rr as se d he at r us he d up he r f ac e a s s he r ea li ze d h e t ho ugh t s he 'd go ne on a d at e l as t ni ght . He 'd

g ue ss ed w hy s he h ad n' t c om e h om e. H e' d s ai d A le xz in a, n ot L ex i, h e w as p is se d. S he l oo ke d a t h er se lf

i n t he m ir ro r, h er h ai r w as a m es s, t he w hi te -b lo nd e s tr an ds h un g a ro un d h er s ho ul de rs a nd t he re w as

s om et hi ng . .. S he m ov ed h er h ai r a si de a nd s aw t he r ed m ar k j us t u nd er h er c ol la rb on e. H e' d g iv en h er a

hickey!

"Cameo?"

" I' m h er e. I 'm j us t g et ti ng r ea dy t o h ea d h om e. "

" Do y ou n ee d a r ide ?"

" No ! N o, I 'm f in e r ea ll y. I 'l l be ba ck s oon , d on 't w or ry a bo ut m e."

"All right, I'll see you soon.” Damian disconnected.

C am eo w as l ef t w it h t he i mp re ss io n t ha t h e w ou ld c om e l oo ki ng f or h er i f s he d id n' t r et ur n s oo n. D am ia nt reat ed h er as f am il y t ak in g h is d ut y t o h is f am il y v er y s er io us ly . S he w en t s earchi ng f or h er clo th es .

H er d re ss w as o nl y u se fu l a s a s ki rt n ow , w it ho ut t he b ut to n t he t op w ou ld n' t s ta y u p. K ez re d' s b la ck

s hir t s ol ve d t he p robl em. Sh e s li ppe d i t o n t he n t ie d th e e nd s i n a kno t t o h ol d up t he s ki rt . Wi th he r

jacket on top, it almost looked like she planned the outfit.

T he o dd w ei gh t i n h er p oc ke t r em in de d h er t ha t s he s ti ll h ad t he D aw ni ng S to ne . S he k ne w s he w as n' t

g oi ng t o l ea ve i t f or K ez re d t o p la y w it h. W ha twould h e d o w it h i t? H e h ad n' t a ct ua ll y t ou ch ed i t w he n

t he y' d t ak en i t; c oul d i t d o w or se t hi ngs t ha n s ap pi ng hi s s tr en gt h? W ha t i f i t m ade h im m or e p ow er ful ?

A s p ea ce ful a nd i nn oc ent a s he l ooke d l yi ng on t he b ed, s he kn ew h e wa s j us t t he o ppo si te . Sh e w ou ld

h av e t o f in d a w ay t o exp lain t he S to ne w it ho ut m en ti on in g K ezred. S he cou ld d eal w it h D am ian chewi ng

h er ou t f or h av in g a on e n ig ht s ta nd, bu t s he c oul dn 't de al w it h h im f ind in g o ut i t wa s w it h K ez .

D am ian w ou ld g o h un ti ng f or h im . H ow ev er t hat w as s om et hi ng s he d id n' t w an t t o t hi nk abo ut . S tand in g

o ve r h im n ow , C am eo w as j ol te d w it h t he r ea li za ti on t ha t s he c ar ed w ha t h ap pe ne d t o h im . S he d id n' t

w an t h im t o g et h ur t b ec au se s he 'd t ak en a dv an ta ge o f w ha t h e' d o ff er ed .

" Kez. ” S he n ud ged h is s ho ul der. N ot hi ng . S he u sed b ot h h an ds t o s hake h im , “Kez! ” S ti ll n ot hi ng . H e

w as c om pl et el y o ut . S he c ou ld d o a ny th in g t o h im n ow a nd h e w ou ld n ev er k no w, o r w ou ld h e? C am eo

t ho ug ht o ver t he o pt io ns and f in al ly d ecid ed t hat i f s he w ou ld n' t app reci at e s om eo ne m es si ng w it h h er , h e

w ou ld n' t e it he r. S he p ul le d t he b ed sp re ad u p t o t uc k i t a ro un d h is s ho ul de rs .



It wa s time to go. She walked to the door and pa use d with her hand on t he knob. I f thi s wa s the only

t im e s he e ve r g ot t o c om e o ut f ro m b eh in d h er w al ls .. .

She w al ke d ba ck t o t he b ed a nd l ea ne d o ve r, l ayi ng a ge nt le ki ss on hi s l ips .

"Thanks."

S he loc ke d the door as she l ef t a nd c al le d f or a ca b f rom the ot he r s ide of the par k.

S he n ev er g ot t o s ee K ez re d' s e ye s o pe n o r h ea r h is r ep ly , “ An yt im e. "

Hi s f ing er s s ea rc he d ne xt t o t he b ed un til he f ound wha t he w as a ft er . H e he ld t he but ton up. A wi cke d

smile changed his features from handsome to sinful.

"Beautiful.” Everything was going just the way it should.

T HE E ND


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www.MerrisHawk.com

I 'v e b een w ri ti ng s in ce t he s ix th g rade, n ot alw ay s r eg ul ar ly , M ur ph y' s L aw d oesn 't p er mi t t hat k in d o f

f ib er i n y ou r l if e d iet. I g uess i t m ig ht b e a g radu at io n f ro m p layi ng m ak e- beli ev e w it h t he o th er

n ei gh bo rh oo d k id s. A lw ay s a g am e o f C op s a nd R ob be rs o r K ni gh ts a nd D ra go ns . W e w er e E xp lo re rs ,

B ui ld er s, H un te rs a nd P ir at es a nd i t s ee me d l ik e l if e w as o ne n ev er e nd in g w ee ke nd o f p la y.

N ob od y c ou nt ed t he d ay s a nd s um me r w as f or ev er . I h av e a lw ay s l ov ed t ha t t im e a nd t he c re at iv e w ay s

w e cam e u p w it h t o ent er tain o ur selv es .

W ri ti ng f or m e i s l ike t ak in g t im e o ut t o p la y, n o c ou nt in g t he ho ur s o r w or ryi ng , I h av e w or ld s t o e xp lo re

and t reasu re t o f i nd .

Arr!

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