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13
Wondering what she looked like, for she’d yet to see a mirror, she drew back the curtain.
Fallon glanced at her and froze. Very slowly, he inhaled, his eyes wandering from her head to her feet. By the time they met hers again, they were a glowing, brilliant green.
Beaming, the shopkeeper took her arm and pulled the breathless Rain in front of a full-length mirror. Rain gasped.
That had to be her, but she couldn’t believe it. Her hair was prettily braided and swept up from her face in a princess’s coronet. She hadn’t paid much attention when the shopkeeper had applied makeup, other than enjoying the attention and praying she wouldn’t look like a clown when she was do
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Golden Bell 14
Heavy with irony, his tone only made her feel lower. Panic attacks with claws could be deadly enough, but she’d never attacked a friend before. Of course, she’d never had a friend to attack, and even now, she wasn’t sure that Fallon was one. That didn’t stop the sickness tearing up her guts, however.Fallon didn’t need to hear an apology, not with her bowed shoulders and hidden face shouting it out. A surge of pity mixed with lingering irritation. Her half-change was unsettling. Their kind was either-or, not an odd mix of both states, and by the look on her face as she’d changed she had no control over it. Maybe that had contributed to her fright. In human form, Haunt had human senses, except for sharpened hearing. In Haunt form, they had the keen senses of wolves coupled with superior strength, speed and a
Golden Bell 15
Rain thought about it, thought about the Haunt outside her room. “Uh, the books sound good. Could you bring me a stack? And if you know anyone with a broken gadget, I’d like to have it. Tools, too, if you can borrow some.” She never had a gofer before, but Rain didn’t hesitate to use her services. If Fallon wanted to pay for a servant, fine. He was part of the reason she was stuck here, anyway.“Yes, mistress.”“Thanks.”Rain went back outside to look at the fish as Malian cleared the table. When she was sure she was gone, she took out the Bell and set it. Now that she was here, she could flash back to Earth anytime, at any of the various points sh
Golden Bell 16
“No, I wouldn’t know. When in the last few days that I’ve known you would I have figured that out?”“Ah. You need time, and I’m rushing you.” He didn’t apologize.She breathed deeply for strength. “I’ve got no interest in a relationship with you, however brief. Don’t tell me you’re desperate for female companionship. I’m sure there’s a few women around here you haven’t bedded. Probably a teen or two who came of age while you were away.”“Ouch. I hate to disappoint, but I haven’t been as busy as that. I’ll bet there’s ten women, at least, who I haven’t bedded here.”
Golden Bell 17
His hand cradled her head, gently holding her steady. When his body joined hers on the bed, she blinked in surprise, but the kisses soon dragged her back down. There were covers between them, after all. One hand curved behind her back, pulling her closer, showing her how good it felt to press against him. She whimpered her encouragement.Boldly, he swept down the covers and snuggled closer. The kisses alternated on her lips and ears, trailed down her jaw and caressed her neck. The hand on her back slid down to cup the curve of her behind, massaging, pulling her closer.She should have objected. Should have said no. Instead she gasped, unable to remember why this was a problem. It had just been so long since she’d felt pleasure of any kind, and he was giving her his full atte
Golden Bell 18
She still looked dazed when he brought her to his suite and seated her at the long table. Larger than her own apartments, his was furnished in soft greens, bronze and tan leather. It had three bedrooms, suitable for the family he’d one day have. The houseplants were few, but well cared for thanks to his housekeeper. He looked at Rain, but whatever she thought of the place, she seemed too unsettled to comment.The meal had just been laid out on the table. Content to leave the unfocused expression on her face, he filled her plate and poured her wine before serving himself.She ate, but kept her eyes on her plate. He let her have silence for a little while, then said casually, “I thought we could fish on the bay in the morning. I’ve arranged to borrow a
Golden Bell 19
Rain shrugged. “I learned a long time ago to make the most of the moment. Yeah, they were cool. I enjoyed parts of Ireland, too, but I wouldn’t want to live there permanently.”“What would change your mind?”She looked away, toward the glass patio doors, and blinked. There were three moons in the sky. “Whoa!” Unable to resist, she crossed the room and stepped outside, his question forgotten.Moonlight bathed Fallon’s private garden, making it almost twilight. Why did they call this place the Dark Lands?Fallon followed her out, lounging against a tree trunk. “Pretty?&r
Golden Bell 20
Anxiety made her restless, and pacing her small room didn’t help. She needed out, so she threw on some jeans, a navy sports bra and a long sleeved, black shirt. Dressed for success, she scaled her garden wall.She wasn’t trying to escape the Dark Lands. It was freezing cold on the other side of the gate, assuming she could even find it. Her sense of direction sucked. Even if she could follow the snow machine tracks back, she’d freeze long before she reached civilization.No, she just needed a break from company, especially Fallon’s. Crossing the grassy spot behind the wall, she took a straight line toward the looming shape of an obstacle course she’d seen in the distance that morning. At the time it had been swarming with Haunt, but now it
Golden Bell 21
“Matter of time with that one.” To look at him, you wouldn’t think Rykarr was a romantic. He looked like a mercenary with his gunmetal gray hair and black eye patch. Even a Haunt couldn’t heal all injuries.“A bottomless well of interesting turns, I’ll admit. That’s largely her appeal.”“Not her fetching hazel eyes. I understand. Her mind is exactly what I’d pursue, too.” An old veteran who’d served his father and taught Fallon much of what he knew, he got away with a lot of cheek.Fallon just smiled. Rykarr could fish all he liked, he wasn’t going to get a bite. “How are her replacement soldiers doing?”
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