"Why exactly did you invite us here?" Callum asked. "I mean, kidnap us and drag us here in chains."
"Because I have an offer for you," the human answered, crossing one leg over the other. He felt in control of the conversation now. His body language screamed arrogance.
I took in the man and woman standing behind him. The man kept his eyes straight ahead, looking at the far wall. The woman, however, was looking at me. I felt the first tentative touch of her mind and shoved it away. Her eyes widened slightly but she withdrew.
My gaze went back to Edward Channing. "If you want to chat, keep your pet telepath to yourself." I glanced pointedly at the woman.
Edward turned toward her. "Interesting. You and I should talk after this."
The woman's facial expression didn't change but her heart rate increased. He hadn't known about her abilities. That was interesting as Channing put it. She gave him a single nod but I could sense the tiny undercurrent of panic that ran beneath her stoic facade.
The man turned back to me and I saw the male behind him glance at the woman. His eyes were burning with hatred. For some reason, he loathed her. Whether it was because he'd just found out about her abilities or another cause, I couldn't know without reading his thoughts and I didn't have time. I needed to focus on Channing.
This was our opportunity for intel on what the humans knew about us. Before Callum or I acted, we needed information.
"Now, let's get down to business," Edward Channing said. "We've seen your abilities and would like to offer you an opportunity to help your country."
I shot Callum a look. Did he seriously just say that?
Callum smirked and offered a shrug. Yep. He did just say that.
"And this required you kidnapping us?" I asked.
Channing lifted his hands as if he had nothing to do with it. "We only wanted to talk and weren't sure what our reception would be."
"I can tell you it would have been a lot friendlier if you'd approached me with a phone call or in-person visit."
"Let's just say I didn't want you to dismiss the opportunity out of hand. I wanted to make sure I had your full attention."
What he meant was that he wanted to make sure we knew he could get to us if he wanted to. He obviously didn't realize that we could get to him as well.
"How long have you been watching us?" I asked.
Channing shrugged. "A while."
"Callum?" I asked.
"I can't do it," he muttered in answer.
Shit, these must have been the men and women who were immune to vampire power. But what they didn't realize was that the older we got, the more powerful we became. And that I wasn't an ordinary vampire.
My power snapped out of me and latched onto the man and woman standing behind Channing. "You should take a nap," I suggested, nudging them with my power.
The man fought my hold for a moment, just one or two seconds, before he laid down, closing his eyes and going to sleep. The woman resisted.
I used a telepathic link to reach out to her.I don't want to hurt you.
I don't believe you.She bared her teeth at me, which I had to respect. She was a fighter.
I would have to show her. I traced free of the chains that were draped around me, appearing right behind her. She gasped and whirled to face me.
I could have killed you as soon as I woke up. I don't want to hurt you. Either stop resisting or leave.
She stared at me for a split second and then the block on her mind dissipated and she sank to the floor, curling up like a child. I didn't know how long the order to sleep would work. Her psyche was strong.
I turned on Edward Channing and found him standing in front of his chair, pointing a handgun at me. Callum was gone, having traced outside to take care of the guards.
"Don't move or I'll—"
