"Why are you asking?"
"Because you've asked me for a full bio. I figure turnabout is fair play."
Sunshine sat down next to him. "I don't know. When I'm with Talon it's like we fit. Like he's a part of me that I didn't know I was missing until I found him."
"Does he feel the same way?"
She sighed wistfully. "Who knows? With him it's hard to tell sometimes. I'm not really sure that I am the one he loves."
"True. Emotions don't appear to be his strong suit. Still, you must mean a lot to him for him to call me in."
"How do you figure?"
"Going against Acheron's orders isn't a smart thing for a Dark-Hunter to do. That man has life-and-death control over them. Secondly, Talon was willing to barter with me to keep you safe. Again, not a smart thing to do."
"Why, you're not going to hurt him, are you?"
"Not at the moment, but when you consider the danger my people live in, obligating yourself to a Katagari Slayer is one step away from blatant stupidity."
"A what Slayer?"
"The real term for what I am."
Sunshine frowned at him. "Okay, and what exactly is a Katagari Slayer?"
"Someone who kills without remorse."
A chill went down her spine and yet she found it hard to believe he could be capable of such a thing. He was feral, no doubt, but he didn't seem completely without a conscience in spite of what he said. "Would you really do that?"
"Baby, I would kill my own mother and not think twice."
She remembered what her grandmother had said about his siblings. "Yes, but would you kill your brother or your sister?"
He looked away.
She nudged his shoulder. "You're not as amoral as you pretend, Vane Kattalakis. I think there may be more human inside you than you think."
Sunshine returned to her cart and sat on her stool. She continued to scan the people around her, but as the sun set and Cameron didn't show, she saw no one who even remotely seemed threatening.
Well, no one other than her guard.
Talon was up and dressed before sundown. He was pacing the floor of his cabin, dying to leave and find Sunshine.
Anxious, he dialed Vane.
"She's still alive and unharmed," Vane said without greeting. "Sunshine," he called, "it's the Celt wanting a little reassurance that I haven't eaten you or anything."
Talon rubbed his head at Vane's odd humor as he waited for Sunshine to reach for the phone.
"Talon?"
"Hey, baby, you okay?" Talon asked, instantly relieved to hear her smooth Southern drawl in his ear.
It was the most blessed sound he'd ever known.
"I'm fine. Absolutely nothing has happened. It's been really boring today. Except for Vane. He's interesting in a very Cujoesque sort of way."
He smiled. His mood was instantly lighter just knowing she was okay. "I'll bet. You be careful and I'll be out there as soon as I can."