OnsetofDanger Read Online Free PDF Page B

oblige.” Bending toward her, he
curved his fingers around the back of her neck and pressed his thumb against
the underside of her jaw. “I thought this would be more comfortable than
chains.”
    She batted his hand aside and scrambled off the couch,
unsure if her legs would support her. For just a second she swayed then her
balance returned and she looked into his eyes. Damn, the man was tall! “I was
doing my job! How would Strigo strain treat a Vladya host found in their territory
without permission?”
    “It was not our intention to land in your territory and you
know it. What were you really hoping to learn?”
    She pivoted to the side and slipped past him then took three
quick steps before turning back around. Her thoughts scattered each time she
looked into his eyes and having him loom over her only amplified the
frustrating reoccurrence. “I’m so thirsty I can hardly speak. May I please have
something to drink?” It was the truth, but she also needed a moment to regain
her composure and develop a strategy. Had this change of venue improved her
situation or simply altered the identity of her captor?
    Her stomach cramped and a fresh wave of dizziness rolled
through her. Stubbornness alone kept her on her feet. She could not let him know
how weak she was. Regardless of his casual demeanor, he was every bit as much
her enemy as the Levari. Caution, logic and observation were the only weapons
left to her.
    After staring at her for a long, silent moment he shrugged
and turned toward the adjacent kitchen. “We’re thirty miles from the nearest
town, so even if you managed to escape you’ve got nowhere to go.” He tossed the
comment over his shoulder as he searched through the cupboards for a glass. It
was obvious he wasn’t familiar with the cabin itself, just the security
features.
    She followed him into the kitchen, careful to keep plenty of
distance between herself and her imposing companion. He found a glass and
filled it from the tap then handed it to her. She savored the cool liquid as it
rolled across her tongue and soothed her parched throat.
    “Thank you.”
    His gaze narrowed as she quickly drained the glass. “When’s
the last time you fed?”
    He was referring to blood, not solid food. If a host kept
his or her symbionts well-fed, the symbionts could pass energy directly to the
host. It was best to maintain a balanced diet of solid food and blood, but if a
host had to choose one or the other, it was better to go without food.
    “It’s been a while.” She hadn’t had blood or food since
before the party began. Preparations had required her full attention and then
she’d been so absorbed in her role as hostess she’d only had a glass of
champagne.
    Ambling over to the refrigerator, he opened the door and
peered inside. “Do you have a type preference?”
    How had he known human blood came in different types?
Strigoian blood was all the same, all nutrient-rich and hospitable to
symbionts. Was this an indication… He’d likely been fully briefed on humans
before the mission began. She was being paranoid.
    “O neg is fine. Vladya symbionts aren’t as fragile as Rom.”
    He grinned at the slight. Apparently the conflict between
Vladya and Rom strains was well-known even on Strigoia Prime. Tara knew her
Vladya army was no match for Strigo strain, so she focused on controlling the
Rom.
    He grabbed a bag of blood and closed the refrigerator door.
“Do you want it warmed?”
    “Microwaves disrupt the energy. If you want it warm on
Earth, it’s better to tap the source.”
    “I’m afraid that’s not an option at the moment.” He tossed
the bag to her.
    Running her tongue over her teeth, she hoped for some sign
that her fangs were descending. Usually the thought of blood had her symbionts
clamoring for sustenance and their excitement triggered the physical changes in
her body. Would the blood do her any good if her symbionts weren’t able to
absorb the energy?
    She set her glass on the