Bloodfever
Page 49

There are some lines you just cant let another person cross. They dont always make sense, they might not always seem like the most important things, but only you can know what they are, and when you butt up against one, you have to defend it. Besides, who knew what else the tattoo might do?
We stared at each other in silence.
This time, if we had one of those wordless conversations of ours I couldnt hear a thing he said because I was too busy broadcasting a single, deafening word: No. As an afterthought, I felt for that strange place inside my skull, stoked it up into a furnace of flames, and tried to channel everything it would give me into the implacable refusal I was throwing his way. Tried to magic-up my no, in a manner of speaking, to amplify it.
I was astonished when Barrons suddenly smiled.
Even more so when he began to laugh, softly at first, but the rumble grew. I felt it deep in his chest, expanding. His hands moved from my throat to my shoulders, his teeth flashed in his dark face. He was electric, a live current up against my body, humming with vitality, burning with energy.
Well done, Ms. Lane. Just when I think youre all useless fluff and nails, you show me some teeth.
I didnt know if he was talking about my vocal refusal, or if my freshman effort to use that sidhe-seer place in my head to shove at him had worked, but he reached around me and worked at the chains binding me to the post. After a few moments, they dropped to the concrete with a clatter of steel.
You win. This time. I wont tattoo you. Not today. But in lieu of that, you will do something for me. Refuse and I tattoo you. And, Ms. Lane, if I chain you up one more time tonight, therell be no more talking. Ill gag you.
He unbuttoned his shirtsleeve, rolled it back, removed a wide silver cuff from his wrist, and handed it to me. I had a dj vu moment, flashback to Vlane and the Cuff of Cruce, although this cuff was very different. Id seen it on him many times. I accepted it and turned it in my hand. It was hot from his skin. Forged of thick silver, ornately embossed with Celtic knotwork, runes, and symbols, and lightly blackened, it looked ancient, like something out of a museum. Put it on. Never take it off.
I glanced up. He was too close. I needed distance. I stepped out from between him and the beam, skirting the pile of chains. What does it do? I asked.
It will allow me to locate you if you disappear again.
Could you really have found me in Faery if Id been tattooed?
He looked away and said nothing. Then, I would have at least known you were alive. I didnt even know that.
Why didnt you offer me the cuff first, instead of trying to tattoo me?
Because, Ms. Lane, a cuff can be removed orforgotten. A tattoo cant. I still prefer the tattoo. The cuff is a concession, and one Im making only because youve finally pulled your head out and begun exploring yourtalents. He smiled faintly.
Aha, so what Id tried to do with that strange place in my skull had had some effect on him! That was something. It wasnt exactly bending spoons with a thought, but it was a start. Couldnt somebody cut a tattoo off me? Didnt the ink go only so many layers of skin deep?
It would be risky and immensely painful. I intended to hide it.
I looked down at myself. Just where were you planning to hide aI veered sharply away from that cliffI dont want to know. I examined the cuff. Does it do anything else?
Nothing you need to worry about. Put it on. Now.
I saw all kinds of nonnegotiable in his eyes and I knew he would tattoo me, and I would have to leave, and despite my bravado, I wasnt ready to be on my own in this dark world.
I slipped it on my wrist. It was huge. I pushed it up my arm but it just slid back down, and fell off over my hand. He caught it before it hit the floor, and forced the ends apart. He placed it above my biceps and squeezed it until the ends met. I had just enough muscle to keep it where it was.
What did you and Vlane do in Faery? he asked casually.
I shrugged, in no mood to talk about Alina, and I suspected telling him Id had the most intense orgasm of my life on a beach beneath a Fae sun probably wouldnt go over real well. I glanced at the floor. It occurred to me the garage had been silent tonight. I wondered if his monster slept. Barrons had watched me break into the place on his video cameras. He knew I knew. What do you keep under your garage, Barrons? I countered. I was so certain of his answer that I mouthed it along with him.
Nothing you need to worry about. He gave me a cold look. If you already know the answer, Ms. Lane, dont waste my time. You just wasted a month of it.
Fine, Barrons, keep your secrets but know this: Ill only confide in you to the extent that you confide in me. You keep me in the dark, Ill keep you in the dark, and you know what that does? Leaves us both bumbling around in the dark. Seems pretty stupid to me.
My night visions just fine. Burn the bikini, Ms. Lane. Trust nothing he gives you.
I snorted and shrugged my cuff-bound arm at him. But I can trust what you give me? Give me a break.
If you think to stand between Vlane and me, and play both ends against the middle, youll get ripped to pieces. If I were you, Ms. Lane, Id choose a side, and fast.