Danse Macabre   ::   Гамильтон Лорел

«I thought you didn't pimp your people out, Jean-Claude,» Auggie said.

«I didn't order Jason to sleep with anyone. I asked him to get to know them better. His decision to have sex was just that, his decision.»

«What did you fuck?» Pierce asked. «I've never seen a bite like that.»

Jason flashed a grin in their direction. «Wouldn't you like to know?»

Auggie reached up and laid a hand on Pierce's where it lay on the couch back. A look of near pain passed over Pierce's face. What did Auggie do when he touched his lions like that? Whatever it was, it wasn't pleasant. It reminded me of a shock collar for a dog.

The fact that Auggie didn't want Pierce to admit he didn't know something meant we were still negotiating. Negotiation was over as far as I was concerned.

«Is Justin meeting us here?» I asked.

«Yeah,» Jason said. He settled back on the floor, on the other side of Jean-Claude, because Meng Die had taken his chair. London was in the chair closest to me. Only Requiem had taken a chair closer to Auggie's group. Or maybe he was farther away from me. Who knew with Requiem?

«If you liked Joseph's brother he would have already been on your radar, Anita. Don't let misplaced emotion trap you with someone not worthy of you,» Auggie said.

«I decide who's worthy of me.»

«He is the strongest dominant the pride has, but he is not as strong as your Ulfric is. He is not the survivor that your Nimir-Raj is. Would you truly bind yourself to someone who does not lead his group, Anita? Your power chooses only the strongest.»

«It chose me,» Nathaniel said, from where he cuddled on the floor.

«Yes,» Auggie said, «there must be more to you than I can see.»

«Perhaps it is love,» Jean-Claude said.

Auggie looked at him. «What do you mean?»

«Perhaps what ma petite needs is not strength of arms and will alone. Perhaps there are other needs to be met.»

Auggie smiled, and for a minute he was the friendly guy who had first stepped into our living room. «You are a romantic at heart, Jean-Claude. It was always your weakness.»

«And my strength,» Jean-Claude said.

Auggie shook his head. «I gave up such things long ago.»

«How sad for you.»

The two vampires stared at each other. It was a long, long look. It was Auggie who turned away, and put his gaze on me. «You come off as hard, but you're a romantic, too, Anita. I don't think you have it in you to bind yourself to someone just for power and safety.