Starlight(Pact Arcanum 4) Read Online Free PDF

than this. Where is he?”
    “He’s in Dublin. We were going to meet for a drink, then go to a play…” Lorcan trailed off as he realized what he was saying.
    William looked disgusted. “So you have a date. On Valentine’s Day. And you’re not lovers.”
    “Oh, Jesus. Look, we’re both single, and not looking for anyone, so we thought we’d spend the evening together. William, you have to believe me!”
    William shook his head. “No, my lord. I really don’t.” He broke the connection and the virtual screen closed.
     
    February 2083; House Diluthical Stronghold, Dublin, Ireland
    Rory slipped his suit jacket over his shoulders and adjusted his tie. Suddenly the door slammed open, and Lorcan stomped into the room. “We have to talk.”
    Rory raised an eyebrow. “Sure, but we have to get going or we’ll miss—”
    “We’re not going.”
    Rory saw the depth of his agitation. “All right. You want to tell me what’s going on?
    “Do you remember New Year’s? When you kissed me?”
    Rory frowned. “Of course.”
    “Well, we were caught on camera, and it seems like everyone in the world has seen the footage except you and me.” Lorcan began to pace back and forth, like a caged animal.
    Rory watched him with alarm. “So what? I’ll admit, when taken out of context, it might be seen as in somewhat bad taste—”
    “Rory, we’ve spent almost every waking minute together for months.”
    Rory felt the bottom fall out of his world. “They think we’re lovers.”
    “Specifically, they think I seduced you when you were vulnerable after Take died, and now you’re my kept boy.”
    “That’s ridiculous.”
    “Oh, yeah. I’m surprised the Daywalkers haven’t started beating down my doors, but I guess they hope I’ll take the moral high ground and declare you my Leshir.”
    “Jesus. Can’t we just deny it?”
    “It wouldn’t do any good. They’ve already made up their minds.” Lorcan’s expression turned miserable. “Sean, I know I said I would always be there for you, but this … you have to leave.”
    “Why should I leave? It’s all lies.”
    “Lies become their own truth if they’re repeated enough. You’re the Redeemer. You have to leave while the scandal is falling all on me. Otherwise the Great Work will be dragged through the mud, and you’ll be set back a hundred years in your efforts.”
    Rory smiled, a glacial calm descending. “There is an alternative, you know.”
    Lorcan stopped pacing and turned to face him. “What alternative?”
    “We tell them it’s all true, and you formally acknowledge me as your mate.”
     

C HAPTER 5
     
    “You can’t be serious.”
    Rory crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. “I’m perfectly serious.”
    Lorcan sat on the bed and faced him. “A formal mating lasts for life. We’d be bound forever. If you wanted to seek another mate later, that person would have to accept second rank in your house. Do you understand what that means? He or she would never be your Leshir, never be your equal.”
    “I could do worse than you.”
    “Sean … what about Nick?”
    Rory’s smile slipped and he looked away. “Nick will understand.”
    “You know he won’t.”
    “Maybe not, but he’ll accept it.”
    Lorcan stared at him, then shook his head. “No. There’s no way I will force you into an arranged marriage for the sake of sparing myself some political fallout.”
    “Stop making it about me,” snapped Rory. “Once the Nightwalkers get ahold of that footage, don’t you think there will be the same pressure on me to legitimize our relationship to protect the office of Huntmaster from dishonor?”
    Lorcan sighed. “It’s not the same. You can’t die. It would be suicide to challenge you to honor combat.”
    Rory pushed away from the wall and sat next to Lorcan on the bed. “Ruarc, if you’re so worried about me, then it doesn’t have to be mutual. To avoid censure by the Daywalkers, you need to be mated to me. I don’t