[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

had happened to him?
Oliver clutched Rafe tight to his chest.  You can t have him. Take me instead.
 No, Rafe managed to moan. At least he hoped he d really formed the word.
Their love would protect them, keep them safe, as long as they stayed together.
The green tendrils kept coming. Is that what you think? Then you re more gullible
than your sister. At least she understands every man is a liar when he makes claims of love.
 It s true, I do love him! Oliver protested.
You fool! Do you really think his feelings for you will last? The tendrils reared up, like
snakes about to strike. They formed a line the length of Rafe s body. I must feed. Give him
to me.
 No! Oliver shouted. He tried to pull Rafe backward, but Rafe was a dead
weight. He could do nothing to help him.
Then perhaps you d prefer to die together&
Rafe heard Malika whisper something, but he didn t catch the words. In the next
instant, Oliver had blanketed him with his body. Warm lips covered his, tenderly
seducing him.
Baffled, Rafe tried to respond. He welcomed Oliver s tongue into his mouth,
caressing it with his own. That hot spice he always found there burst on his tongue.
Cinnamon.
Kira Stone Deadly Sins: Envy - 93 -
The next blast wasn t nearly so pleasant. It was as if dynamite had exploded in
his soul. Every nerve ending in his body roasted in a fiery hell all of its own. He tried to
scream, but he couldn t make the sound pass through his swollen throat.
 Love you. Stay with me. Fight for me, Oliver said in between his loving kisses.
The agony lasted for an eternity, or so it seemed to Rafe. His only tie to reality
came through Oliver s loving caresses. Over time, it lessened the pain, until Rafe was
finally able to exert some control over his body again.
Oliver helped him to sit up.  Are you okay?
No. He was pretty sure something major had happened, but his thoughts were
still too sluggish to figure out what was different. He only knew with a certainty he
couldn t explain that this particular battle was over, and somehow they had won.
 I m fine. Rafe struggled to his feet. He looked around for his sister. She stood
near the book, her face a mask of concentration.  Malika, how about you?
 You look like something the cat threw up, Malika said, coming out of her
trance.  I m just peachy by comparison.
 Then let s get out of here.
You may have escaped me this round, Raphael, but your soul and his will someday be
mine!
Rafe and the others ignored her as they left Leviathan s chamber. Oliver helped
him up the stairs. Rafe seemed to grow stronger with each step. By the time they
reached the main floor, Rafe was walking on his own. Malika steered them toward the
wide balcony on the side of the house. Bright sunlight bathed the table, making the
settings sparkle. Juice, muffins and several covered dishes waited for them.
Oliver took a chair facing the Brazilian forest, rubbing his arms as if he were
cold.
Malika pulled a cell phone from one of her many hidden pockets and dumped it
on his plate.  Use it. It ll make you feel better.
Kira Stone Deadly Sins: Envy - 94 -
Oliver looked to Rafe. When he nodded, Oliver grabbed the phone and went to
the far end of the balcony. Seconds later he was talking, but he was too far away for
Rafe to hear what he was saying.
Rafe turned his attention to his sister. Though his throat was still sore, he found
he was able to speak almost normally now.  That was very thoughtful. Thank you.
She popped a piece of chilled cantaloupe into her mouth. Her eyes went to
Oliver, then slid back to Rafe.  I m still willing to stick a knife in him if he hurts you.
 I doubt that ll be necessary. He ll probably be on the next flight out of here.
The wind blew a dark strand of hair across her lips. She pulled it away before she
spoke again.  If his love for you were that shallow, you d be cinders by now.
Whether it was the fresh air that cleared his mind or distance from the Agrippa s
power, Rafe suddenly realized what had changed.  Why did you do it, Mal? Why did
you sacrifice yourself to become Envy s Guardian?
 Love, brother mine. She surveyed the forest with a critical eye. Rafe suspected
she also did it to hide the tears shimmering just beneath her surface.  I think I ve always
known I was meant to be Vi s Guardian. I was just too chickenshit to do anything about
it until now.
She was the bravest person he knew, but he didn t think now was the time to
argue with her about it.  Why now?
Malika nodded toward the man at the end of the balcony.  Love, like I said.
Leviathan has never accepted you, not totally. But without true love to protect you,
you d never have survived the transfer of power. As it was, she nearly killed you.
Rafe remembered the heat and the pain. He d been completely vulnerable to
Envy s evil power when she formed a new bond with Malika. His sister had sacrificed
herself, and managed to keep him and Oliver alive in the process.
But then, he always knew Malika was one tough woman. Although the
demoness could manipulate humans to bring a willing Guardian within her reach, the
individual had to choose to take what she offered. No one knew what Envy was capable
Kira Stone Deadly Sins: Envy - 95 -
of better than Malika. To willingly accept the burden of Guardianship, to free him of his
responsibilities, was a gift he could never repay.
 You shouldn t have done it, Mal.
She waved him off, as if her action had no importance.  I ll be fine. I had a good
teacher in this Guardian business. Just promise me you ll have a nice life.
 That sounds like goodbye.
 Isn t it? You re free now. Why would you hang around?
Rafe reached across the table and gripped the hand that was nervously toying
with a butter knife.  You know me better than that.
 I didn t trade places with you so you could rot here in this mad house.
 We ll work something out. I promise.
Oliver returned and handed the phone back to Malika. His smile was still a little
shaky, but there was great relief in his eyes.  Thanks.
 Everything okay then? Rafe asked him. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]