"
Talon indicated the Katagaria to remind Acheron that the wolf patria wasn't the only group of Were-Hunters in town. "That your pal doesn't know about Sanctuary. I think we need to go put the bear clan on standby. I'm sure Papa Peltier and the boys would be more than happy to lend us a hand on Mardi Gras. They owe me a few favors, and if the Daimons come out like they did tonight, we'll be needing all the help we can get."
"True."
"And if I were you," Talon continued, "I'd go ahead and break the news to Kyrian about Valerius just like you were planning on doing. And keep Zarek on standby here in the city."
"What about the police?"
"Trust me, T-Rex, I know my city. The police will be so distracted on Mardi Gras that Zarek could introduce himself to them and they wouldn't realize it's him. But if I were you, I'd pretend that I was getting Z out of here just in case your 'friend' is watching. Call Mike and have him fly in and ride Eric out under the cover of darkness so that they'll think it's Z. And keep Zarek in hiding and bury Valerius until that night."
Acheron set his jaw. "It's risky.
"
"So's living in a swamp.
"
Vane moved forward. "I can set up sentries around Talon's place. If they make a move on him again, Fang and I can be there in a heartbeat.
"
"Why are you willing to help us?" Talon asked. "I thought it was your policy to let Dark-Hunters rot.
"
"It is. But I still owe Acheron a debt." He turned to Acheron. "After this is over, consider it paid in full.
"
Acheron nodded. "Done.
"
Talon said his goodbyes to the group, then got in the car and headed home.
As he drove away from the district, he reached over and took Sunshine's hand into his and held on to it tight. Her bones felt so fragile in his palm and yet he knew the strength this lady possessed. The grace and determination.
He'd been so afraid when Camulus had taken her.
He didn't like living with this fear. He didn't like feeling anything. He'd been without emotions for so long that having them now hurt even more.
How he missed his calm serenity. He was used to having complete control and yet every time he looked at her he felt his emotions spin out of control.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Sunshine touched him so deep in his heart that he knew he'd never be the same again. And it wasn't just because she was Nynia. It was because she was her.
Sunshine held strength, courage, and fire. She was her own person and he loved the challenge of her.
She was precious to him.
Talon loved her more now than he ever had as a man. And the pain of that thought was enough to cripple him.
Talon got her back to his place and laid her carefully on his futon. He wasn't sure what Acheron had done to her, but she slept peacefully.
His phone rang.
He answered it to find Ash on the other end.
"Did you make it back with her?"
"Yeah, she's still asleep."
"Good. I was worried about you two."
He frowned. It was Acheron's voice but that wasn't something Acheron would normally admit to.
All his instincts went on full alert. This was definitely not Acheron. The voice and tone were the same, but now that he knew there were two of them, he could hear the difference in their personalities.
This was the imposter.
"So how long do you think it'll be before the drug leaves her system?" Talon asked.
"I don't know. One dose can keep you pumped anywhere from one to three days.
"
"Really? You seem to know a lot about it.
"
"Yeah, well, when I was mortal I was so addicted to it that I was willing to sell my soul for it.
"
"And who might you be?" Talon asked.
"Excuse me?
"
"I know you're not Acheron."
A dark laugh sounded in his ear. "Very good, Dark-Hunter. Very good. For that, I shall let you and Sunshine live another day."
Talon snorted. "Boy, you've got a lot to learn about me if you think you could ever be a threat to me or mine. You come near her again and I'll make boots out of your hide."
"Oh, I don't think so. But I am impressed that this time you figured me out. I had begun to wonder if you would ever be able to tell us apart.
"
Talon tightened his grip on the phone. "Yeah well, if you're going to impersonate Acheron, you might try learning a little more about him.
"
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"Trust me, Dark-Hunter," he said, his voice confident and evil. "I know Acheron a lot better than you do. I know things about him that would stun you into silence and make you hate him forever. He's not what you and the others think.
"
"I've known him for fifteen centuries. I think by now I know a thing or two about his character.