thank you," Damali said, unmoved.
"Whatever. But you and I need to have a real discussion, if I think what's happened has."
"She played you," Damali said from across the room, using the available information she had, along with a well-placed hunch. "You fucked her, didn't you, and thought she'd share the bounty with you?" Damali sucked her teeth. "Men are so foolish, especially when there's a baby involved."
The chairman didn't answer. That was all the answer she required.
"She's carrying what's mine," Damali said, seething. "You're her ally, that makes you my double enemy."
"You're lying," the chairman said in a strangled murmur. "I would have smelled-"
"No, you wouldn't," Damali said, renewed rage throttling her. She couldn't even keep up theDananu , she was so furious. "She's stronger than you, which is why she's on seven and not six. And what she stole is normally undetectable to your realms!"
She stepped forward as his stricken expression confirmed her hunch. "Do you think I would have left my own team to tangle with you in your own yard if it hadn't been mission critical?" She could feel herself moving closer to the table on her own volition, the need to wrap her hands around his throat becoming an ache. "Do you think some man is why I'm here? Revenge for a lover? Like some brother would take my mind, the Neteru, like that?"
From the pit of her stomach a war cry fused with the pain in her soul. Before she knew it or the chairman could react, the book was on the floor, her body prostrate across his table, and she had him by the throat. The tussle was futile, but she didn't care. His fangs gleamed and his claws pierced her hands like dangers, but rage had her in a stranglehold, too.
Eyeball to eyeball, they stared at each other, his hands around her throat, hers around his, until they both broke simultaneously and then went at it again, stalemated. When they released each other this time, she pushed back quickly, he zapped the book to his chest, and clutched it, leaving them both breathing hard.
"You're not even strong enough now to rip out my heart," she said, spitting on the floor. "Keep your dusty old book. But you will give me back what she stole!"
He stood and swished away from her for distance, but kept his eyes on her as he pet his book. "You're out of your mind. I'll crucify you on my chamber walls for this affront!"
"No, the fuck, you won't," she said calmly, but evenly, never losing eye contact with him. "You are about to be reduced to an insignificant part of the dark empire, and any remaining vampires along with it, and I'll be unemployed, then dead. Once she delivers the Anti-Christ, we're both history."
Damali swatted dust and debris off her jeans. The chairman smoothed his robes.
"You propose an alliance?"
She laughed. "Maybe I am losing my mind."
"You offered Rivera an alliance, albeit under different circumstances."
"True. Very different. But talk to me," Damali said, following him with her eyes as he walked.
"How do I know this isn't fabrication?"
Damali smiled. "Look at my throat," she whispered, trying to stop the two puncture wounds that had opened in it. "Earlier this evening, I thought... never mind. Let's just say I thought there was a little rough love play going on. My Guardian partner felt the bite because we were linked, but now, being down here,I know I got bitten. She found me."
The chairman moved forward, but Damali backed up. "I know her signature," he said cautiously.
"Then check it out from where you stand," Damali said, allowing him to see the wound.
He turned abruptly and walked back to his throne, billowing clouds of sulfuric smoke poured from it as he did so, spun, and turned to gaze at her with his eyes glowing black.
"I'll take that as an ID," she said, rubbing the surface.
The chairman sealed the wound with a sweep of his hand, closed his eyes, and trembled as he sat down in his throne. "I will behead her myself," he murmured. "All she wanted me for was bait, knowing we were the most likely ones to detect Neteru essence on the planet, and had your blood samples in our noses." He opened his eyes slowly, composed himself, and nodded. "Since we are being so forthright in this delicate negotiation, and have more pressing matters than old vendettas, I'm going to assume you hadOblivion running through you?"
Damali didn't answer, not about to give