Read Online Blood Legacy Origin of Species by Kerri Hawkins - Free Book Online
Authors: Kerri Hawkins
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friend,” she said simply.
Edward was deeply moved, but he would not presume any familiarity in a public setting. “My lord,” he said firmly. Edward always addressed Ryan in formal masculine form, which somehow did not seem incongruous.
Ryan smiled, and moved on to Marilyn. Although Ryan was exceptionally tall, she was still slightly shy of Marilyn’s height. Ryan also appeared younger than Marilyn, even though physical appearance was no indication of age or power amongst their Kind. This did not stop Marilyn from continually taking advantage of these psychological edges.
“Hello, little one,” Marilyn said, her pleasure evident. She leaned down and gave Ryan a long, languorous kiss. Marilyn’s influence on her was so powerful, Ryan felt her head swim even after centuries of such treatment. Edward finally cleared his throat and Marilyn reluctantly finished the kiss.
Ryan’s jaw clenched, one of the many mannerisms she and Victor shared. She had agreed with Susan that she should not Share with anyone until it was determined safe. But it was already difficult enough being around Victor and Aeron. Adding Marilyn’s constant flirtation to the mix was highly volatile. Ryan turned to the last person in the room.
And then there was Abigail.
The matriarch examined the girl. Outwardly Ryan appeared fine, perhaps just a touch pale. As always, she appeared androgynous as a Renaissance angel, an impossibly ideal physical specimen regardless of sex. The youthfulness of her appearance added to this androgyny because Ryan had been Changed exceedingly young, long before she had matured into an adult woman. The fact that she had lived most of the first 400 years of her life as a man probably added to the illusion.
Inwardly, Ryan’s current state was an entirely different matter. Abigail had seen Ryan in chaotic states before, particularly when she was battling the virus that Aeron had unleashed. She had watched Ryan become the physical manifestation of rage. She had seen her act with reckless abandon and a total lack of self-regard. She had seen the girl exhibit power and gifts that no one thought possible
But this, Abigail thought, this was something different. Underlying all her magnetism, all her strength, all her composure, one thing was quite clear to Abigail…
Ryan was filled with uncertainty. She was so uncertain in fact it seemed for the moment she had given up trying to make sense of things. She was uncertain of herself, uncertain of those around her, and indeed, uncertain of reality itself.
Abigail smiled. Now this was something she could work with.
Ryan felt the subtle probing of her psyche, and knew that whatever had been discovered pleased the elegant woman in front of her greatly. She stepped forward, not completely voluntarily, and grasped Abigail’s outstretched hands. Abigail pulled the girl gently to her, leaned forward, and very slowly touched her lips to the side of her neck, brushing the carotid artery that jumped to life beneath the kiss. The touch staggered Ryan, and Abigail held her for a moment so that she would not fall.
The near-imperceptible act was greeted with various reactions about the room. Edward was unsurprised; it was typical of the she-dragon. Marilyn was completely amused. Aeron’s bloodlust was aroused and Susan felt her insides flutter and twist inside her. Victor was resigned, as Abigail had always toyed with Ryan in such a manner.
“Perhaps we can start now?” Victor said caustically.
Ryan sat at the head of one end of the table, flanked by Edward and Susan. Victor sat at the other end, Abigail at his right and Marilyn at his left. Aeron sat in the middle of the table. For a long moment, no one said anything, and Ryan and Victor just stared at one another. Ryan finally spoke.
“It seems,” she said, humor in her voice, “that I have not been myself lately.”
She turned to Susan as she continued. “I’m sure that Dr. Ryerson can offer more insight than I have, but
Edward was deeply moved, but he would not presume any familiarity in a public setting. “My lord,” he said firmly. Edward always addressed Ryan in formal masculine form, which somehow did not seem incongruous.
Ryan smiled, and moved on to Marilyn. Although Ryan was exceptionally tall, she was still slightly shy of Marilyn’s height. Ryan also appeared younger than Marilyn, even though physical appearance was no indication of age or power amongst their Kind. This did not stop Marilyn from continually taking advantage of these psychological edges.
“Hello, little one,” Marilyn said, her pleasure evident. She leaned down and gave Ryan a long, languorous kiss. Marilyn’s influence on her was so powerful, Ryan felt her head swim even after centuries of such treatment. Edward finally cleared his throat and Marilyn reluctantly finished the kiss.
Ryan’s jaw clenched, one of the many mannerisms she and Victor shared. She had agreed with Susan that she should not Share with anyone until it was determined safe. But it was already difficult enough being around Victor and Aeron. Adding Marilyn’s constant flirtation to the mix was highly volatile. Ryan turned to the last person in the room.
And then there was Abigail.
The matriarch examined the girl. Outwardly Ryan appeared fine, perhaps just a touch pale. As always, she appeared androgynous as a Renaissance angel, an impossibly ideal physical specimen regardless of sex. The youthfulness of her appearance added to this androgyny because Ryan had been Changed exceedingly young, long before she had matured into an adult woman. The fact that she had lived most of the first 400 years of her life as a man probably added to the illusion.
Inwardly, Ryan’s current state was an entirely different matter. Abigail had seen Ryan in chaotic states before, particularly when she was battling the virus that Aeron had unleashed. She had watched Ryan become the physical manifestation of rage. She had seen her act with reckless abandon and a total lack of self-regard. She had seen the girl exhibit power and gifts that no one thought possible
But this, Abigail thought, this was something different. Underlying all her magnetism, all her strength, all her composure, one thing was quite clear to Abigail…
Ryan was filled with uncertainty. She was so uncertain in fact it seemed for the moment she had given up trying to make sense of things. She was uncertain of herself, uncertain of those around her, and indeed, uncertain of reality itself.
Abigail smiled. Now this was something she could work with.
Ryan felt the subtle probing of her psyche, and knew that whatever had been discovered pleased the elegant woman in front of her greatly. She stepped forward, not completely voluntarily, and grasped Abigail’s outstretched hands. Abigail pulled the girl gently to her, leaned forward, and very slowly touched her lips to the side of her neck, brushing the carotid artery that jumped to life beneath the kiss. The touch staggered Ryan, and Abigail held her for a moment so that she would not fall.
The near-imperceptible act was greeted with various reactions about the room. Edward was unsurprised; it was typical of the she-dragon. Marilyn was completely amused. Aeron’s bloodlust was aroused and Susan felt her insides flutter and twist inside her. Victor was resigned, as Abigail had always toyed with Ryan in such a manner.
“Perhaps we can start now?” Victor said caustically.
Ryan sat at the head of one end of the table, flanked by Edward and Susan. Victor sat at the other end, Abigail at his right and Marilyn at his left. Aeron sat in the middle of the table. For a long moment, no one said anything, and Ryan and Victor just stared at one another. Ryan finally spoke.
“It seems,” she said, humor in her voice, “that I have not been myself lately.”
She turned to Susan as she continued. “I’m sure that Dr. Ryerson can offer more insight than I have, but
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