Born in Chains (Men in Chains) Read Free Page B

Daniel work together, a little married couple.”
    “I’ve been told to explain a few things to you. First, you’ll be bound to me and we’ll be unable to get more than a few feet apart at any given time. Second, for either of us to remove the chain will mean death to both. Finally, you’ll have to do as I say. And just to be clear, I’m more determined than you can imagine to see my mission through. I’ve got a lot at stake and I will get what I’ve come here for. Or die trying.” She lowered her chin. “Do you understand?”
    “You’re saying you’re putting your life on the line for your mission.”
    “That’s right.”
    “Have you considered that once bound, I might decide to do the same? That I might find living in this state a worthless venture?”
    “Yes, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve made the decision to bind myself to you and if death follows, so be it.”
    He nodded slowly. “All right, I believe you. So what’s your mission?” His eyes flared suddenly. “Wait, I can sense something from you, about you. You’re a locator, aren’t you?”
    “That’s what I’ve been told. That’s why I’m here.”
    “And if we form this bond, you’ll be able to find things, is that it?”
    “Yes.” She watched as he started putting the pieces together.
    “Shit. You’re after the extinction weapon.”
    She drew in a deep breath, vaguely aware that she no longer held the washcloth, nor did it seem to matter. “I am.”
    “Do you understand the ramifications of this weapon?”
    “That it has the potential to destroy the entire vampire race.”
    The other vampires shouted suddenly for Adrien to refuse to go with Lily, but he called out, “The human has already said that Kiernan—and therefore Daniel—has turned me over to her. If he has his hand in this, we can be sure he won’t be far behind in trying to get the weapon for himself. Imagine the control he could exert over our race. I have to do this thing.” He met and held her gaze.
    Lily saw the strength of him in that moment, his basic intent—and that the last thing he’d ever do was turn over the weapon once he had it in hand.
    Great.
    She drew a deep breath and set her shoulders once more.
    Okay, one problem at a time.
    “I’m glad you’re being reasonable.” Lily began backing away from him. “I’ll get your bath ready.”
    She turned, picked up the lantern, and headed out, but the farther she moved away from him, the more the stench returned like a furnace-blast of odor. Somewhere, she’d dropped the washcloth.
    She picked up her feet and ran the rest of the way.
    Once outside the cavern, now fully dark, she jogged back down the path. The vampire who had led her to Adrien waited for her by her tent.
    Furious all over again that she was even here, forced by circumstances as heinous as they were outside her control, she delivered her orders, her words clipped. “Give him another hour or so to heal, then get him clean. I don’t care if you have to use pumice on every inch of his skin, just get him clean.”
    “I’ll see that he’s bathed.” The vampire turned and headed back into the main camp to round up her forces.
    When Lily went inside her tent, she quickly stripped off her clothes. She moved into her makeshift camp shower, wondering if she’d ever feel clean again. As she soaped up, she shuddered at her memory of Adrien, that she’d found the enemy beautiful, that she’d desired a vampire.
    The thought felt unholy as she scrubbed from head to foot.
    She would order her clothes burned, especially since they had Adrien’s blood on them. She wanted no visceral memory of her time here if she could possibly help it.
    Although the water was just barely warm, even after the staff added hot water to the tank, she stood beneath the shower and shampooed her hair, scrubbed her skin raw, and only quit when she couldn’t smell the cave any longer.
    Afterward she wrapped herself up in a thick robe and reviewed the latest email