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.I'd finally heard what I'd wanted to for so long.I just took itfor what it was, for now."I listened to my blood tie with the Soul Eater last night," Nathan said, changing the subject as naturally as if he'd just said, "Theweather's been fine, hasn't it?"I did not recover so easily.My "Oh?" was forced and transparent.He nodded."He has the Oracle's heart."This time my "Oh?" was surprised and strangled."Yes.He is planning on devouring it, and with it, the Oracle's soul.Do you want to hear what I think?"I knew it was a rhetorical question, so I didn't answer.He'd tell me anyway.And I was right.A spark that had been missing for so long lit Nathan's eyes."I think we should change our objective a little.Areyou up to finding the Oracle's heart and destroying it?"I laughed a little to cover my shock.I'm sure it worked about as well as all my attempts to cover my emotions."Well, um.Isuppose so.""The way I see it, we'd kill two birds with one stone." He smiled."Or you would.If the Oracle has Max and Bella—hell, even ifit's the Soul Eater's people who have them—the death of the Oracle is going to throw things into a tailspin.It'll be easier for themto get away, and it cleans up our problem with her forever.""It will also ruin the Soul Eater's current plans and buy us more time to regroup." I nodded."Okay.I'll do it.If father is anythinglike son, I have a feeling it won't be too difficult.""Father is indeed like son." Nathan suddenly turned serious."They are very much alike, Carrie.If something happens, if things gowrong… if you're forced to confront him, don't underestimate him.He is very manipulative and seductive."Seductive? I'd seen the Soul Eater a total of one time in the flesh.He'd been half-decayed and reeking of death, calling out forblood and souls in an inhuman chorus of horror.I'd seen him in memories, but he'd been a filthy peasant then, and dung is not alook I find attractive on a man."I'll try to resist his charms."Nathan didn't laugh with me."It isn't a joking matter, Carrie."For the first time, he purposely forced his own memory into my mind.At first, I didn't realize what was happening.I was used tothe feeling of sharing memories with Cyrus, and seeing them through blood.I'd even seen Nathan's memories via his dead wife'ssoul, but I'd never in all the time I'd known him, actually seen something Nathan had chosen to show me.In an unpleasant flash, I went from sitting calmly on the living room floor to running half-naked across a vast lawn.The rain slashed Nathan's face and his feet slipped on the grass.Behind him, the sound of barking dogs increased as they gainedground.The tall iron fence, impossibly faraway, mocked him with the chance of freedom.He was doomed.The dogs were at his heels now.He turned, flashing his fangs at them, feeling guilty and absurd at having to use the tools thatmonster had given him.More guilty at the thought that he could kill one of these animals and feed.Hunger gnawed his guts, theintensity mounting as his steps slowed and he admitted defeat on the cold, wet lawn.Despair crashed over him.He would neversurvive here.Not that he wanted to.Not after what he'd done to Marianne.He thought of her body, still lying in the ballroom, and he fell tothe grass weeping, heedless of the dogs that tore at his flesh.They wouldn't bite for long.They didn't like the taste.Rough hands dragged him to his feet."Take him in to the master," a voice ordered.Nathan knew they were tiring of his constantescape attempts.He didn't resist as they dragged him across the lawn, up to the house.I didn't recognize the place, but I assumed it was still thehouse in Brazil.The palm trees lining the walk gave it away.Inside, they took him to a large parlor.A man in a deep red robe stood at the fireplace.I couldn't see his face, but his white hairhung in a long braid down his back.I recognized Cyrus, lounging in a chair beside the fire.Annoyance crossed his face at thesight of Nathan.I'd expected a more volatile reaction, considering his wife had been killed as a sacrifice to the Soul Eater'shunger in Nathan's place.Then Nathan's gaze fell to the sling that cradled Cyrus's arm, and the bruises that marred theshadowed side of his face.Apparently, Nathan had already exacted some revenge."Kneel before the master," the guard holding him commanded, shoving him toward the man in red.Nathan stood his ground."Kneel!" Cyrus kicked him, an agonizing blow to the kidneys, dead and useless though they might be.Nathan crumpled to thefloor."Enough!" The man in red turned, his eyes furious as he regarded his son.Jacob Seymour, his body refreshed from feasting onhis daughter-in-law, turned his gaze to his new fledgling.His sharp, regal features softened."Nolen.Nolen, Nolen.Why are westill running?"Nathan hung his head.Shame filled him, absurd though it seemed.He hated this monster who'd taken Marianne and taken hismortal life.He hated that he could still taste Jacob's blood on his mouth, that he craved more.And he hated the part of himselfthat kept him from escaping.It shouldn't be impossible to leave this house, but it was.There was pain, physical pain when he was separated from his sire.The word burned like a brand through his mind, which was also under this man's control.The Soul Eater stooped, elegantly somehow, his moves fluid and spiderlike."You haven't fed in so long.You look positivelyworn-out."His hands on Nathan's shoulder's took away some of the pain and longing.It sickened Nathan and comforted him at the sametime.I could see now what he meant by "seductive." The lines were blurring in Nathan's mind, crucial lines between torment and relief,what he wanted and what he was forced to do."Bring him something" the Soul Eater commanded one of his guards, straightening."Something… pretty.""And that screams," Cyrus added cruelly.Nathan struggled to stand, but he'd expended the last of his energy trying to flee.Jacob straightened, bringing Nathan gently to his feet as he did so."Why do you do this to yourself? Why do you deny yourselfthe satisfaction of feeding?""I don't know," Nathan half sobbed.He shook from cold and exhaustion.The Soul Eater wrapped Nathan in his arms, cradling him against his cold chest."It hurts me that you would rather die than staywith me.You're like a son.My son."Cyrus scoffed."Lucky him."Contempt radiated off Jacob Seymour like a wave.It even reached Nathan through the blood tie, though it wasn't directed athim."Better than a son, in some ways."The guard returned, pushing a girl through the doors.Nathan turned, instantly aware of the scent of fear and blood [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]