In his human lifetime, Zarek had walked with a pronounced limp and his right arm had barely functioned. The scar on the cheek below that eye had given his face a twisted, misshapen look. One facial scar over his blinded left eye had been so severe that Zarek had barely been able to open the eye. They had been on his legs, chest, arms, and face. A whipping boy for Valerius's family, Zarek had grown up paying the price every time Valerius or his brothers had crossed the line. It was the only mark his back currently held, but Ash remembered a time when Zarek's flesh had been covered in scars so deep that Ash had actually flinched the first time he'd seen them. On the lower part of his spine was a highly stylized dragon. Ash let his gaze wander over Zarek's bare back. Zarek's senses were as honed as his own and the ex-slave would never allow anyone to enter his sleeping area without being fully alert and ready to strike. Dressed only in black sweatpants, Zarek appeared to be asleep, but Ash knew he wasn't.
Heading for the sitting room, Ash stopped as he caught sight of Zarek lying on the floor by the Victorian sofa.
But then, Zarek was so used to the subzero temps in Alaska that he probably didn't even notice the more moderate cold of New Orleans in February. The ex-slave had neglected to turn on the heat so the house had a frigid chill to it. Zarek was in the sitting room on his left. He closed the door with a mental push and reached out with his senses. Ash walked inside, his eyes instantly adjusting to the pitch-blackness. If Zarek was sleeping upstairs, he might not hear him. Still, he wasn't going to sign the order for Zarek's execution. But how Ash hated bargaining with her for anything. So he'd bargained with Artemis for more time for Zarek to prove to the goddess that he wasn't some rabid animal in need of a mercy killing. The need to strike the first blow before it struck you. He, better than anyone, understood Zarek's nastiness. I wanted you to see firsthand just how far gone he is." Ash refused to believe it. It's why I wanted him in New Orleans in the first place. Only you are blind to the man's character. He could still see Artemis lying nonchalantly on her white-cushioned throne, her beautiful face completely disinterested. He'd spent most of the day with Artemis, discussing what needed to be done since the human authorities were now looking for Zarek. It was shortly after sunset when Acheron knocked on Zarek's door.
0 kommentar(er)
