The Amulet Read Free

changed. Her hand moved to her neck, where she had felt the pain start. Her fingers found no wound, no blood. Ah, blood. She could taste it still. So warm in her throat, and it had made her feel more powerful than the strongest athlete. The thought frightened her. Realization dawned on her. She had tasted blood, and drank it willingly. It disgusted her. She wanted more.
    "You're thirsty," he told her.
    "How did you...?"
    I can hear you. The voice was in her head, his voice.
    She tried to think . You can read my thoughts?
    Yes, but only if you allow me to. When you learn how to control it, you'll be able to block me out. For now, it's an easy way to communicate, and stealth is often necessary. I need to get you fed. I promise to explain everything to you afterwards.
    Fed? She didn't like the way it sounded, but she found she was starving, despite the fact that she had just eaten dinner less than two hours ago. Why am I so hungry?
    I drained your body of nutrients, but I could not replace them. I will help you get what you need. He held out his hand for her. Suddenly, she realized she was in her nightgown in front of a near-perfect stranger. As handsome as he was, she had misgivings about letting him see her in such intimate attire. "I'd like to change," she told him, but she accepted his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet.
    As you wish.
    The grin on his face said that he knew her thoughts as well as he knew his own. It also said that he liked what he saw. Her gown was thin, and she now knew how keen his vision was, even in the dark. She let him look. Covering herself up now would make her look childish. It would do her no good to try to hide from his eyes now. He had already seen her, anyway, but she trained her thoughts to keep from giving too much away.
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    She walked to her closet and turned on the light. She decided on a pair of designer slacks and a ruffled shirt with a plunging neckline she had just bought the day before. She had planned on wearing it to her next big interview, but it just felt right that she should wear it on the first day of her new life. She had plenty of questions to ask once she got decently dressed. She turned back to see if he was watching her, but it seemed he had decided to give her enough privacy to change.
    She draped a cardigan over her new blouse and paired the outfit with a set of gladiator sandals. Standing in front of the mirror, she looked ready for the runway, even without her make-up artist on hand. She walked out of the closet to find Nevar waiting.
    Well, how do I look? She found she was beginning to like this more intimate way of communicating. If she concentrated, she might even be able to block him from her thoughts. That would be useful. She may like to talk this way, but he did not need to know her every thought. There were some things she'd rather keep to herself.
    He turned to look at her and she followed his eyes as they traveled the length of her, seeming to leave a trail of flame across her skin behind them. You look good enough to eat. He smiled at her. A smile so dangerous and sexy she knew he meant what he said, literally.
    Thank you, I think. She paused nervously. I have some questions to ask you if that's alright?
    "I know. I have wronged you on so many levels already. It is a long story and we are running short on time. First," he said, "you need to replenish your strength." He walked around behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
    She jumped beneath his touch, but felt the urge to relax. He was in her head, she realized. She tried to force him out using all of her concentration. She felt a strange sensation, like walls had come up around her mind and the urge ceased to exist. She tested them, feeling and memorizing them, for cracks and found there were none. She had done it. A surge of pride and satisfaction swelled in her chest like a peacock.
    "Very good," he told her. "You learn quickly. It often takes years to learn what