“That doesn’t mean you won’t resort to taking the choice out of my hands,” Silke said.
He didn’t bother to answer. She already knew.
“I am a demon slayer,” she reminded.
He nodded and steepled his fingers together, regarding her over them. “Which is why we will work. I propose we negotiate a contract between us. We can sit down together this next rising. Your mothercan be with you, and I’ll have Nicu with me. We each state plainly what we want, need and expect from the other.”
Silke looked thoughtful. “Like a business deal.”
“Exactly. You appear not to believe we can have a romance together. I value certain traits above all others. I believe you have those traits and the capability of being my partner. The best way to find out is to sit down together and discuss what we want and need in a relationship.”
Silke glanced at her mother. “What do you think?”
Fenja’s brows had come together. “Silke, this is for the rest of your life. Only you can decide whether negotiations appeal to you. I will say, many good relationships have started out as business deals.”
Silke bit down on her lower lip, lowering her lashes in the hopes that Benedek couldn’t read her thoughts, which was silly when he was in her mind. Still, he remained quiet, not showing his presence. She was suspicious—as she should be. He liked that she was willing to stand up to him. There weren’t many, humans or Carpathians, who were able to.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“I’ve told you the truth of the situation. It is really quite simple. I have no recourse other than to claim you as my lifemate if I am to keep my honor. I will state very plainly that should I lose the battle and become the undead, there is not a doubt in my mind that I would kill many good hunters, men needed, men who have been my friends, before they take me.”
He was matter-of-fact, not looking for her sympathy, although she was compassionate and it might be a good idea to play on that. He didn’t think so. He was still getting a feeling for her character. She valued courage and duty. She didn’t believe in romanticizing a situation. She would never believe he wanted her for herself as a woman. She needed to see him as a warrior with a code, one who had fought valiantly for his honor over the centuries. He had Tora to thank for that. Silke at least knew that much about his culture.
Silke was silent for a few minutes, and he didn’t hurry her decision. He would have quite a bit of explaining to do the next rising if she agreed to his terms. On the other hand, if she refused him, his choice would be to bind her and hope the lifemate bond worked in his favor.
“I agree to negotiations.” Silke capitulated. “Tomorrow evening. I’m very tired and need to sleep.”
He stood immediately and gave a slight courteous bow toward Fenja but kept his gaze fixed on Silke. “On the rising, then. I look forward to it.”
Chapter
10
Just business. Silke understood business and business arrangements. They were logical and often worked far better than emotional attachments. Watching others as she grew up, she saw couples proclaiming to be madly in love, but that love seemed to die out rather quickly. Fenja had little to say to her after Benedek left, but now she was seated at the table in their dining room, a notepad and pen ready for the negotiations. Benedek and his friend Nicu were scheduled to arrive any moment.
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous,” Silke admitted to her mother. “It isn’t as if I have to accept his terms.”
Fenja lifted an eyebrow. “I think you know that isn’t so.”
That was the last thing she wanted to hear from Fenja. It was true. How could she allow an ancient hunter with Benedek’s skills loose on the world? He had learned far too much about battle technique and strategy. He had also held out for centuries against all odds. She deeply admired him for that alone. According to Tora, few Carpathians would have survived intact upholding their code of honor. He was one of the few.
“I don’t want to believe I have no choice at all,” she admitted. “I am also a little concerned that he wanted you here. He didn’t give methe choice of Tora, which I think would have been much more informative.”
“I’m your mother. He knows you want me in your life. He was showing respect.”
Silke wasn’t certain Fenja’s assessment was correct. Benedek might respect her mother and even want her there for moral support, but he didn’t want Tora there. Tora was Carpathian. She had told Silke lifemates didn’t lie to one another. But could they deceive one another through omission? He was hiding something from her, something she was sure she wouldn’t like.
It was exactly one hour after sunset. She felt him before the two men materialized at their door. She was watching out the window, and the moment she saw him, her heart jumped and her pulse skyrocketed. Her mouth went dry. None of those reactions were good.
Nicu came through the door first. She hadn’t noticed him before, but now it was impossible not to see how truly good-looking he was. He had skin the color of gold, his hair long and black, his eyes a slate gray, and there was a wicked—and intriguing—scar curving from his left temple to his eye.
There is no need to find his scar intriguing.
Silke had been so tense that she was nearly holding her breath. Air exploded out of her lungs in a long rush. He was already in her head.
Get out. I mean it. We’re here for business negotiations, and you don’t get to take unfair advantage.
You have the same advantage,Benedek pointed out.You’re just not utilizing it.
