Hour of the Dragon - Heather Killough-Walden Page 0,38

got himself back under control. But his eyes were now ceaselessly trained on the spot of white up ahead, and his jaw was clenched tight. “That won’t be necessary,” he ground out. “I can be patient.”

“Ah, I see. Very well,” Maze responded, trying not to grin. In truth, he had to admit he was impressed with Price’s patience. So far, Maze had provided the man with little to no evidence that he would follow through with his promise to deliver Annaleia Faith to him. He’d only proven that he could. And Price’s maintained submission was a sign of desperation. People didn’t buck the system when they were in urgent need of what the system promised, even if that system was highly unsound and the promise not really a promise at all. They were too afraid of losing what little they might have.

So Maze threw the man a bone. It was time for this party to get started anyway.

“Personally, I think you need a bit of practice caring for something so valuable, so precious, before you’re given the real deal with which to… play. Faith is not like other women, obviously. She cannot therefore be treated the way you would treat other women. You wouldn’t want to enter into this relationship without having properly prepared, would you?”

Just as he’d hoped, the man frowned a little, considering Maze’s words. In essence, they were actually true.

“What would you suggest?” Price asked.

“Well… they say that doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result is the definition of madness,” Maze began.

“Insanity. But yes,” Price interjected, his gaze still locked on the Jeep, which was driving steadily now that no one was manipulating it.

“Mmm,” allowed Maze. “However, it’s also called practice.”

Price finally pulled his eyes from the white vehicle to peer over at Maze.

Victor smiled. “I know you’ve been practicing on other women, Price. And I know you’re eager. But… I don’t think you’re quite there yet.”

Victor silently delighted in the prospect of wreaking more havoc on the already topsy-turvy human world. The humans were terrified, just like they always were when a “serial killer” was on the loose. It was strange that this frightened them so much more than say, the prospect of driving. Or smoking. Or eating too much. The number of deaths involved with an action did not determine how frightening it was for a mortal. There was another layer to it altogether.

He was having fun learning about that layer.

Even the sovereigns had become involved with Price’s serial killings, on the off chance that there was an inhuman player at the reins.

They had no idea.

Victor looked away from his human charge, so to speak, and sighed. “The way in which veterinarians learn what will keep or kill a beast is by killing beasts one by one – until they happen upon the methodology that manages to keep their animal alive. And in that moment, insanity becomes practice. In fact, it becomes science.” His smile broadened. “I know you appreciate art, Mr. Price. You may liken the process to the same. It is violin chords played repetitively until they are crystal clear – or canvases marked by lines of paint one after another, until, et voilà! You have in your possession The Starry Night.” He grinned. “With its moon so bright.”

Now his human companion’s pupils had expanded. His attention was indeed fixed.

Maze leaned toward him just a little. “You need another canvas, Mr. Price. Perfect your stroke. And then the masterpiece shall be yours.”

Chapter Ten – Australia, coastal highway

Anna smiled to herself.

There was that as well. The sentinel.

She recalled the first time she’d met him and was beginning to sink into the memory – when Piper swore and slammed on the breaks, swerving to miss a small furry brown blur that raced toward the Jeep’s front right side. Anna gasped and braced herself against the side and top of the Jeep, a hand pressed firmly to each surface. But Piper deftly managed to miss the poor beast without tilting the car too badly. The people behind them didn’t even honk at her unexpected driving move, and it was short seconds before she had the Jeep straightened out again.

“Damn, I’m glad you drove,” Anna breathed.

Piper didn’t say anything, but she did spare Anna a relieved expression before returning her attention to the road.

They passed the highway marker on the right that told them they were less than a couple minutes from the car park. Anna felt a warm thrill like