Ecstasy in Darkness (Alien Huntress #5)(58)
Author: Gena Showalter

No, he thought next. She had married a Rakan warrior, and the two had most definitely had sex. For several weeks, Dallas had been the guy’s shadow and had seen some things he’d never be able to scrub from his memories. Yet Breean had never shown signs of cannibalism or sickness.

“No reaction to my talent?” Trinity asked with a pout.

He shrugged, backed up a step. If she thought he feared her, she would become smug. Maybe make a mistake. Maybe materialize. But he couldn’t outright admit to being afraid. She’d know he lied. “I’ve seen better.”

Anger darkened her eyes, but was quickly masked. “Have you, now? Well, I’m new at camouflage. In a few weeks, I’ll be as adept as your Macy Briggs.”

Don’t show your surprise. “So you’ve met Macy?”

She shrugged now, a mimic of his. “We haven’t been properly introduced, no.”

So she’d watched the agent, studied her. Learned from her. And Macy had never known, or she would have said something. Hell, Dallas had never known. “And you picked up her … talent.” He snapped his fingers. “Just like that?”

Trinity turned slowly, offering her profile like a model on a runway, before looking at him over her shoulder. “Yes. Just. Like. That.” One step, two, she walked away, not leaving the living room but pacing circles in the center. Caging him. “That’s my way. I see, I want, I have.”

Refusing to be cowed, he followed her. Watched. She ghosted through his laundry, empty beer bottles, food wrappers, and video games. Dallas had a little problem cleaning up after himself. Someone usually took pity on him and hired a maid (Devyn) or did the work herself (one of his many bed partners).

“That makes you selfish,” he said casually.

“That makes me happy. Others merely wish they could take. I actually can. Why shouldn’t I enjoy?”

“Because those others get hurt.”

“Actually, I give them a gift. They become like me. Able to adapt to anything. Able to do anything.”

“As long as they continue to infect others.”

“Yes. A small price to pay when given so much in return.”

The destruction of living beings was “a small price”? “So what happens when everyone in the world is infected?”

“They start killing each other.” No remorse. Not even pretend this time.

“But you continue on to another planet?”

“Yes.”

“How is that a gift, then?” Where the hell are you, Mia? He began to wonder if she’d ever picked up. If he’d simply gotten her voice mail, and she wouldn’t hear this conversation until tomorrow, when it would be too late to do anything.

“For the time they live as Schön, they’re powerful. Beautiful. Beloved by their lovers, if feared by outsiders. Better to have such things for a short while than to live forever without ever knowing true power.”

“But you don’t give your victims a chance to pick. You force.”

She spun, facing him, eyes blazing, before again giving him her back and pacing those circles. Along the way, she danced a hand through the clothes, looking them over this time and then forgetting them. “Until they experience it, they don’t understand the joy I’m offering.”

Yeah, cannibalism and slavery, two words he’d always associated with joy. “Why have you given me a choice, then?”

“You are unlike anyone I have ever met. You are two races, Arcadian and human, something that should be impossible. And … I think I like the way you resist me. A novelty, I’m sure, and one that will eventually fade, but your spirit is pleasing for the moment, so I have no desire to damage it.”

Had to be a lie. Otherwise, she would have seen the critical flaw in her plan. “If we sleep together, and I’m infected, that spirit you just praised will be damaged.” Johnny now lived for her and her alone. Johnny did whatever she wanted and nothing she didn’t. Hell, she even talked through the guy, threatening the vampire, McKell. “You won’t have what you desire most.”

“How like you to think that you are what I desire most. Don’t get me wrong. I like you, I do. And like I said, I’m intrigued by you. But I’m willing to sacrifice you without any hesitation to get what I truly want.”

That shouldn’t have irritated him. He didn’t want to be wanted by her. “So what do you truly want?”

“That isn’t for you to know.”

She would say no more on the subject. There had been finality in her tone, as well as irritation. If he wasn’t careful, she would leave before Mia arrived. If Mia arrived. “For the record,” he said, changing the subject. “I like all AIR agents. Those in training, those out of training. So don’t do me any more favors, okay?”

A raspy chuckle escaped her. “I warned you I would infect someone. You even know my next target.”

“Unless I sleep with you.”

“Yes.”

“So that you can speak through me.”

“Yes,” she said again.

In the light, her blond hair resembled fallen snowflakes. Fitting, since she still smelled of rose-covered ice mountains. Idiot. “Why not use one of the men you’ve already infected? Mia wouldn’t balk about speaking to one of them.”

“Your people do not trust them.” She tossed him a grin. Fleeting, but soothing.

God, she was gorgeous. What would it be like to kiss that grin off her face? What would it be like to hold her, have her?

Clearly, the more time he spent with her, the more she dominated his thoughts. Much more, and he’d be begging to bed her. He’d give Mia five more minutes. If she failed to arrive, he’d do something to piss off Trinity and make her leave.

“They won’t trust me if I’m infected,” he said, returning to the conversation.

“They won’t care that you’re different. They love you. That much is obvious. They’ll do anything, even bargain with me, to keep you alive.”

“And what do you wish to bargain for? Tell me that much, at least.”

Another grin, just as fleeting, but making him crave. “I will leave this planet, cause no more harm, if your Mia will give me that which I desire most.”

He experienced a pang of regret. Get yourself under control, damn it. “And that is?”

Finally she stopped, faced him. There was no hint of amusement this time. “I’ll tell you after you sleep with me. Not before.”