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A family? If she and Sebastian had children, they could be like her little half-vampire niece, Emmaline Kaderin inwardly shook herself "I live in New Orleans, I coive up everything?" She drew her knees to her chest "You want me to act like women you've known and it will never happen"

"No, I truly do not want you to act like women I've known," he said, so vehemently she was taken aback "And I have no preference for where ould live I'd go wherever you would be happy Killing vampires? Fine The Hie? Also acceptable - if I'? "Thea vampire is only part of why I'm indifferent to you"

Acceptable? As soon as he'd said it, even before her eyes flashed, he'd known that perhaps that wasn't the best word to use with a daughter of gods A fifth of any of his brothers' charm

"Then lay out the other reasons you're indifferent," he said

"Talking to you is like talking to a human"

He snapped, "I wish I were still a human - "

"But you're not You're an enemy to my kind"

"I've told you, not by choice Or by deed"

"It disgusts me that you drink blood You live a parasitic existence"

It had always disgusted him as well The only time it hadn't had been his one hot, rich taste of her Now he found hiet blood froisn't a parasite?"

"Me"

"Do you eat "

"How is that possible?" he asked, incredulous, though the kobold had said as ineered," she answered in a tone that made it clear she'd say no more on the subject

Damn it, he'd have to return to Blachned?"

She narrowed her eyes "Don't I look as if I could have been designed? Do you look at me and think, obviously an accident of nature?"

"No," he said, realizing he'd insulted her onceto war Did you know that? A war like you've never iined - "

"Yes, the Accession," he said in a dis to wave away"

"My brother toldthis up as an obstacle between us He's assured an to argue, he cut her off "Whether the Valkyrie want theether "You seem quite iron-willed," she finally said "Why not use that will to rid yourself of this coned Bride?"

"Why would I put tiet you when I could spend that sa me is impossible The other option may not be"

"I have to try" There was no way to rethink this "I want you In my life"

She tapped her chin "And by 'in my life,' you clearly mean 'in my bed' "

"I won't deny that I want both" He'd had a taste of her passion, and he wouldn't rest until he'd claimed her "I constantly think about what it would be like to take you"