Affliction (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) - Laurell K. Hamilton Page 0,12

city rich enough with life to make him a much more important master.’

‘If he’s that weak, I’m surprised someone didn’t challenge him years back.’

‘He kept up his sword practice, and as they challenged him he was able to choose the method of the duel.’

‘You’re saying he won because he’s a kickass swordsman.’

‘As long as the challenger is not a member of the council, then as the challenged he may choose his weapon, and it would be considered cheating to use animals to call when he has none.’

‘So his weakness becomes a strength,’ I said.

‘In part.’

‘But you are a member of the council, so how does that change things?’

‘You fought beside me when the Earthmover came and tried to destroy us. As a council member he could have insisted on using every power he possessed. He could have used the very earth against us and reduced our fair city to rubble.’

‘The Earthmover wanted to make humans afraid of vampires again. An earthquake wouldn’t have done that, because no one would have believed a vampire did it.’

‘True, but he would still have been within his rights to do it.’

‘So, if you fought Fredrico we could bring all our wereanimals, everything, and just destroy his ass.’

‘And put a master of our choosing in his place, oui.’

‘So, we play nice, and let him save face.’

‘Oui.’

‘Okay, I understand that.’

‘Good, now talk to our Nathaniel. Do you wish me to call Fredo and tell him we need a new guard?’

‘I’d rather help choose the substitute.’

‘Then cut short your talk with our pussycat.’

‘I will,’ I said. ‘Love you.’

‘Je t’aime, ma petite.’

I switched back to Nathaniel. He said, ‘You’re on speakerphone; I had to keep packing.’

‘I understand.’

‘What did Jean-Claude want?’

‘I’ll tell you on the plane; right now I have to finish arranging the bodyguards.’

‘Okay,’ he said.

‘Love you,’ I said.

‘Love you more,’ he said.

‘Love you most.’

‘Love you mostest,’ he said.

I guess both of my wereleopards were feeling a little insecure. Hell, me, too.

5

I’m usually phobic of flying, and as I tightened the seat belt in my roomy, cushioned seat, it didn’t make me like it any better. The seats were bigger, but the plane was narrower. Did I mention that I’m also claustrophobic? It’s the combination that makes flying such fun. But the moment Micah sat down beside me and reached for my hand, I stopped worrying about my fears and worried about him. His face was passive behind the dark sunglasses, but tension sang through his hand, his arm, so I knew his body was thrumming with it. In all the rush to get ready to leave, this was the first time I’d seen him since I had to tell him the bad news.

‘Are you all right?’ As soon as I heard it out loud I knew it was stupid, but it’s what you say.

He smiled, but it was sad, and self-deprecating, and held a little anger. It was the smile he’d first had when he came to me. It was a smile, but so full of other emotions that it was never really happy. I was sad to see it back on his face.

I leaned in and wrapped my arms around him, drew him in to me, and let him wrap his arms around me. My seat belt kept me a little pinned so he had to come to me more, but he didn’t seem to mind. My chin tucked over his shoulder, because he was the same height as me. He was the only man I’d ever dated who was five foot three just like me. We could wear each other’s T-shirts, and some of our jeans. He was the shortest and most physically delicate-looking man in my life, but the strength as he hugged me wasn’t delicate. I knew the body under the designer suit moved with lean muscle … He ran miles every week, usually outside in all weather. He called it his thinking time.

He spoke with his face buried in my hair. ‘I don’t know how to do this.’

‘See your folks?’ I asked.

‘Yes.’

I kept hugging him but raised one hand to stroke the thick curls of his ponytail. ‘I’m so sorry you’re having to go home like this.’

He squeezed me so tight that I almost had to tell him, too tight. He loosened his grip before I could do any more than tense. He was a wereleopard, which meant he could crush most metal in his hand, but he was always very aware of his strength.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, and drew out of