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| Excerpt |
| �Complications come in many faces and in plenty. They are perverse sort of things.� Darian paused for just a moment letting the silence set the strained mood. �If you are so sure you can catch your pet,� he continued, his eyes following the way Marius� shoulders stiffened. �Why seek me out?� Darian�s voice was a low husky whisper. A sudden harshness appeared in his eyes, before they once more became hooded.
Marius shook his head in strict denial of the threat he felt was hidden behind Darian�s words. He only wished he knew what the threat was so he could avoid the potential danger. �My pet is highly trained, Mr. Gabriel. I doubt she left on her own accord.� He eyed the huntsman carefully, as the Kilimari half-breed closed the small distance between them to stand over him. Marius meet the man�s eyes unflinching. He wasn�t stunned when he saw the cold hate in those silvery orbs. �Do you expect all of your precious pets to be obedient, Mr. Leonhart?� There was a hint of emotion in Darian�s voice that couldn�t be named. �Why, once more, did you send for me?� �Because, you can�t deny a challenge.� Marius answered half sure of the truth of his words. �A Challenge!� Darian snorted out. �What kind of challenge do you think your little pet can give me?� A snide little smile crossed his face. �She has outmaneuvered all the hunters I have hired thus far. She is very intelligent and inventive.� Marius paused letting the silence prepare Darian for the sales pitch to his quest. �She is also at Full-Potential power.� He watched and waited for some reaction to his words. When there was none, he continued. �I need a more experienced hunter. I had thought you were the man for the job.� He shrugged one of his shoulders nonchalantly. Silver eyes seemed to penetrate through him to gaze into his soul. The feeling made his skin crawl. �That isn�t the only reason, bamahna.� Darian�s words whispered threateningly in the stale, warm air or the small shop. �No, it is not.� Marius answered with amusement crossing his chiseled features, hiding the slight twang of fear he felt. Did this man really see everyone�s secrets? Did he have the gift of the Kilimari after all? The questions bounded into Marius� mind unbidden. �But, it is the one that I am giving you.� He paused for a second an tried to read those melted silver eyes. But Darian�s face was closed to him. �So, either you take the challenge or forfeit the contract.� Darian was tempted to show this owner what kind of challenge he wanted to partake in. His mood was quickly falling from bad to worse. He made himself breathe deeper in an attempt to calm the rage inside him. He felt a need to hunt. Needed the challenge, if it wasn�t for that, he would have gladly put his fist into the man�s aristocratic, slightly point nose. �No one else has been able to find your pet?� He kept his voice light and noncommittal. �If they have, they have not lived long enough to tell the tale.� |
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