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.Lace underwear, the comfortable kind, her favorites.Slim cotton blue jeans and a thin cotton ribbed top.Black, to suit her mood.When she opened her eyes, she was astonished that she had done it.She was fully clothed.With the exception of her shoes.She had forgotten shoes.Jaxon had to push down the beginnings of a smile.It was amazing to be able to do such a fantastic thing.Immediately she thought of cleanliness, her hair and teeth, her body, ensuring she was as clean as if she had spent a long time in the shower.Then she began to inspect the gravelike cubicle.She could hear the hearts beating upstairs, the sound of footsteps as intruders moved through the house.She heard the air moving in and out of their lungs.When she glanced up at Lucian, he was grinning at her with that infuriating male taunt."I will return to help you out of there after I dispose of our guests."He actually turned around and sauntered away from her.For a moment her breath stilled in her lungs.She wanted to cry out after him to come back, but her pride wouldn't allow it.She wasn't afraid of spiders.Not really.Her ears picked up the sound of something scratching around somewhere close by.Too close.Okay.Rats.There are rats here, Lucian.I won't put up with rats.I am certain you can manage until I return.He sounded smug.At least I know you are safely stuck there instead of trying to shoot someone.If any rats come around, try talking to them.They're probably related to you, she sniped.Hands on her hips, she turned around twice, trying to figure out how she could manage on her own.She would get out, and she would shoot someone, preferably Lucian.How did he do it? How did he manage to float the way he did? Did she have to picture herself floating to the top? She tried it, but nothing happened.She tried two short hops.Still nothing.Lucian's laughter brushed at her mind like butterfly wings.Could she possibly strangle him? If she thought about strangling him, would it work? She knew exactly where he was.In the kitchen.He was moving silently, not a single footstep audible, but she knew where he was.When he breathed, she breathed.How did that happen? How did she suddenly need him so much, need the touch of his mind to hers, just so she could breathe?She was very still for a moment, waiting to see what Lucian would do next.She did not want him confronting intruders without her, but she knew that was his intention.Suddenly she was smiling.How did something float? It wasn't that hard.It was lighter than air.So light it just moved through space, drifting upward toward the sky.In this case, more toward the floor of the sleeping chamber, but she'd take what she could get because… Ha! I did it!She felt his hand brush her face, his touch tender.Inside she was suddenly warm, as if he had praised her.She felt his smile in her mind.I knew you would.Now just stay put while I ask these gentlemen their reason for visiting.Jaxon rolled her eyes heavenward.That sounds like something I'd do—just sit around twiddling my thumbs while you go serve our guests tea.Tea was not my first choice, but then, it has been a long while since I was expected to entertain with civility.There was an edge to his voice, as if the thin veneer of civilization had worn through and the velvet gloves were coming off.Jaxon found she was shivering.Don't do anything rash.I'm a cop, remember? We arrest people for breaking and entering.They're already going to jail.Maybe they're reporters looking to get the scoop on the love nest of the local billionaire.Stay clear until I have them under control.Jaxon was already racing through the passageway into the basement and up the stairs leading to the kitchen.You're already in control, Lucian.I'm more worried for them, not about you.I can feel the weight of your… She searched for a word to describe it.Nothing.He wasn't angry.There was no rage.He smoldered with menace, yet he was tranquil, even serene.Nothing disturbed him or shook his complete confidence in his own powers.They pose a danger to you, angel, not to me.You are reading their minds.That is so.Our guests are from out of state.Do not worry so much, my love.I will do nothing to embarrass you or harm your status as a police officer.I just want you to know I will arrest you in a heartbeat if you lay a finger on any of them.His laughter was soft and sensual, brushing at her mind and body like the touch of his caressing fingers.My beloved angel, I would never be so crass.Her heart almost stopped at the drawling menace she caught beneath the surface.She knew him now.She knew he was more lethal at that moment than when he had so casually destroyed the vampire who had tracked him to his home.What had he said? They pose a danger to you, not to me.Of course he would remove any threat to her.He believed she was his heart and soul.She felt his tremendous need of her.He would never allow anyone or anything to threaten her.Lucian, I know you handle things differently in your world, but this is my world.These men are human.They must be handled within the boundaries of the law.I am the dispenser of justice, my love.I will not destroy them at this time.She felt her heartbeat return to normal.He wouldn't lie to her.She had visions of him incinerating them right there on the carpet.How would she explain another pile of ashes to Barry Radcliff or Captain Smith?Lucian knew her exact whereabouts, how close she was to coming up the stairs.He put on a burst of speed, and found the first man in the spare bedroom.Seizing him by the neck, he sank his teeth deep into his jugular and drank.The intruder had no chance to struggle, no way to move in that iron grip.Be silent.You will obey.The soft voice instantly quieted the man, and he was passive in the enormously strong grip.Lucian simply dropped him to the floor and left him there, evaporating into mist so that he streamed through the hall and into the next room.The second man, the one in the dark blue suit, choked back a cry of alarm as Lucian suddenly materialized in front of him, seizing him in a grip of steel, brutally going for his neck to drink deeply.You will obey.Be silent.His enthrallment was complete.Both men would do his bidding day or night, hear his call, and complete appointed tasks.He allowed the second man to drop to the floor, dizzy and weak from blood loss.Stepping over him with a hint of contempt, he flowed through the house toward the turret, where the third man was examining old papers in Lucian's private desk.The beast in him was allowed reign for a brief moment while he savagely took his fill.These men had come to kill his lifemate.By rights he should have ripped their hearts out.He had important work in store for them, but that did not mean he had to treat them with human civility.In his world, there was little room for such niceties.At his command the three men followed him along the upstairs landing.All three were pale, and one of them staggered a bit, but they moved as he directed, with pleasant smiles on their faces.They would do anything for him; they needed the touch of his mind and the sound of his voice.They lived to do his service.Jaxon was charging up the steps when she spotted the little parade and paused in the middle of the staircase.She looked so apprehensive, Lucian found himself smiling."I found our guests wandering around upstairs, Jaxon, but they are going to act like gentlemen callers and visit with us in the sitting room.I am rather old-fashioned in some ways
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