Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Vero nodded. “There’s some truth to that. However, there are plenty of enhanced females who wanted immortality and gladly mated. At least, through the years.”
Paxton kicked at a chunk of ice, shadows dancing across the hard planes of his face. “How is your progress going with interviewing the mated couples?”
Vero had no clue what he was doing. “I’m about halfway through.”
“Has anybody wanted to leave?”
“No,” Vero said.
Paxton shook his head. “Statistically, that’s impossible. You’re missing something.”
“Maybe,” Vero noted. “I’m having Lyrica meet with each of the females on their own, and we’ll see.” So far, he hadn’t seen any indication that anyone wanted to leave or take a fairly new virus that could negate the mating bond—something no Kurjan mate with a still-living partner had ever done. It was a risk, that was for sure.
“Also, I want you to make up with Hunter.”
Vero blinked once and then again. “Excuse me?”
“You and Hunter. You were best friends. You need to hash it out.”
Temper ticked through Vero and he forced his body to remain relaxed. “Hunter lied to me for years.” Hunter had infiltrated the camp as a Kurjan when they’d been only sixteen. “And you need to get his face changed back to whatever it looked like before. Everybody knows that he isn’t actually a Kurjan, and it’s an insult to look at his face arranged as one.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Hunter said, stepping around the weapons depot, irritation rolling off his muscled form. “Why don’t you go ahead and try to rearrange it right now?”
Vero’s fists clenched. He’d like nothing better.
“Absolutely not,” Paxton said. “You both need to grow the hell up and handle with your problems away from everybody else. I have enough dissent in this community without having to deal with the two of you morons. Fix it.” He glanced at his watch. “Oh, and both of you report to the main lodge tonight. You’re joining the speed dating event.”
Fucking great.
Chapter Six
“I like your hips. They’re wide and will no doubt help produce many sons,” the Kurjan across the narrow table from her said.
Lyrica sat back and shook her head. How in the world did she end up caught in her own trap? While she had thought it hilarious that both Hunter and Vero had to attend the speed dating event, she hadn’t once considered that they’d have one entrant too many and that she would have to fill in. “Gee, that’s really nice of you, Jonathan.”
Jonathan smiled widely. Like most of the Kurjans, his pale skin had darkened slightly, and his face looked brutally carved. His eyes were a mellow purple and his dark hair was gathered at his nape. The red tips seemed to have faded, and she wondered if the Sunshine Cure caused that.
“I think females would prefer to hear a different sort of compliment,” she murmured slowly.
Jonathan’s lighter brows drew down. “Really? Isn’t that the greatest compliment?”
Oh, man. It was going to take her forever to bring these guys into the current century. “No.”
“I see.” Jonathan looked her up and down. “Well, that’s a pretty yellow dress you’re wearing.”
“Thank you,” she said, smiling. He was kind of getting it. The luxurious silk with a few sequins dotted throughout seemed a little old-fashioned, but truth be told, she felt pretty in it. She liked the way the waist nipped in and then flared. “How old are you?”
“I’m about one hundred and fifty years old, so pretty young,” he said, nodding. “I like this idea of speed dating. We’ve never done anything like it.”
She leaned forward and tried to ignore the fact that Vero sat only a few tables down. This close to him, she could feel his heat. Somehow. The guy burned like an inferno. “You’re being a good sport, Jonathan.”
Jonathan cleared his throat and looked around as if searching for something to say. “Um, you decorated this place, no?”
“Yes.” She had decorated the main room in the lodge with streamers and balloons they’d ordered in, hoping to add a festive vibe to the winter evening. A full bar sat in the corner with every type of alcohol and soda available. She had found that Kurjans enjoyed Guinness beer, so she made sure to have plenty of it on hand. Then she’d had her assistants slice tables into small two-tops scattered around the room.
“It’s pretty. You did a good job making the place, uh, lighthearted.” He glanced toward a pretty blonde at the next table, his chin lifting. “I hope the females feel comfortable.”
It had surprised her how many of the kidnapped females wanted to participate, and she knew full well that Paxton had had to order many of the immortals to join in. Besides the several Kurjans, she recognized a few vampires and demons. Vero was currently chatting with a young woman named Louise from Buffalo. Well, it’d be more accurate to say that Louise chattered on and Vero sat there with his arms crossed. Lyrica cut him a glare. He could at least try. He stared back, his blue eyes so dark they appeared nearly black. Dead and unfeeling. Even so, he unfolded his arms.