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expression grim.
 No & but I bet it would ve hurt all the same, she snapped at him, displeased with
the critical lining of his words. She studied him as he seemed to be suffering some inner
turmoil and was surprised when his dark eyes lit up brightly and the tickle of a chuckle
turned into an uproarious chorus of laughter.
Nikki and Rysdale watched him, and Nikki could see that the gentle wizard was as
astounded as she at Damon s reaction, at which point he coughed into his fist and shook
his head to say,  Indomitable woman you will make a formidable slayer indeed.
 I will make? Think I m there. Nikki sniffed and put up her chin. However, this set
him off again.
* * *
Nikki spent the next two hours alone with Rysdale, as he was intent on giving her a
crash course in the art of slayer mind skills. He taught her how to unlock yet another door
to the hidden powers in that part of her brain. She actually was thrilled because she had
always been able to feel something pulsating and humming in her head, even to the point
that at times she suffered awful headaches. All at once the throbbing was gone and
replaced with a soft purr, as though she had entered an equitable contract with slayer
Nikki.
When she said this to the wizard he agreed strenuously.  Indeed, all this time you have
defeated who you really are. What you needed to do is what you have just done become
one with the slayer part of your brain. Traveling to it leaving it behind, and thinking of
it as another entity defeated who you really are and what you really can do. Now, you
have opened yourself to yourself. Now you need to close your eyes and let the magic
flow through your body to your fingertips, to your toes & yes & yes & that s it.
Rysdale clapped his hands together.
 I don t want to lose who I really am & and I am not just a slayer. There is a woman
inside as well, Nikki said quietly.
 But, my child, you are one with that woman--an accomplished, skilled, and now fully
operational woman. Recognize her, embrace her, be proud to be her, for as Damon said,
what we have unlocked in you makes you a frightening opponent.
 What about your brother, what about Baudali? Should we hide Charm away where he
can t get to her?
 I am giving that some thought. She won t like it, but I have an idea.
 What?
 Still working on it.
He would tell her nothing more, and at the end of the training session, they walked out
to find both Damon and Charm having a cozy pot of tea in the Great Room. Once again,
it rattled Nikki to watch Damon drinking and eating. He s a vampire basically dead,
sort of, and shouldn t be able to consume anything but blood. Right? Wasn t that what
she had always believed? He had told her not to make prejudgments about what he could
and couldn t do. But how could she not?
 Nikki & have your tea, and then we are off.
 Off? The disappointment showed on her face. She loved it at the castle.  Where to?
She had grown very fond of Charm and the wizard, and it satisfied the need in her for
family.
 We have to go back to Dublin.
 To Dublin not to your country home?
He smiled.  You liked it there, didn t you?
She felt herself blush and answered vaguely,  Just wondered.
 Is this wise, Damon? Rysdale inquired thoughtfully.  Perhaps it is too soon?
 It is wise, Ry, and besides we don t have a choice. WB has infiltrated an entire square
mile just off the edge of Temple Bar. He has been allowed to go unchecked & the future
consequences are unthinkable.
 I see, yes, of course, but what exactly are you planning to do about it?
Damon grinned broadly.  Stop him.
Rysdale waved hand impatiently.  That is not an answer.
 You don t always tell me what spell you are about to use to solve a problem, but I
have always trusted you to accomplish what you set out to do in your own way. Can
you not put the same trust in me?
 And so I do, but they are many & you and the slayer are but two.
 And the slayer and I can move about in daylight, Damon said with one dark brow
raised,  and we have some inside information.
 The slayer can move about in daylight, but, Damon, there are times when it can cause
you some painful & trauma.
 Nothing I haven t learned to deal with over the years, old man. Damon had a hand
on his shoulder.  So again, I ask you to trust me.
 Indeed, I always have, and nothing has changed. Rysdale looked at Nikki.  Except
for her. We have grown quite fond of her, and I think none of us wants her out there
before she is ready.
 Do you think she is not ready?
 No, quite the contrary & but, she needs to know that.
 She will. When the time comes & she will.
 She is standing right here! Nikki interjected.
They ignored her, and instead Damon inclined his head respectfully.  I ll just go up
and collect the slayer s things while you say your good-byes.
 I can collect my own things, Damon Drummond. Nikki almost stomped her foot, but
he was already moving off. How dare he just go about taking care of her as though she
were a child? She was an independent woman, and she liked being an independent
woman. She didn t especially like packing & but that was beside the point. Besides, the
thought of him having to pack her underwear & well, that damn well tickled a sensation
she shouldn t be experiencing. He was a vamp & a vamp, for goodness sake! Yes, but
such a hunk of one, someone in her answered.
She put this out of her head and hurried over to hug both Charm and the wizard she
had already grown to love. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]