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. Math? he asked, because his questions about math, while sincere, convinced Horton that Jonah wastouched, not quite right, and completely not a threat.The latter was important, that Horton didn t perceive Jonah to be a threat. No, said Horton briskly. No math at all.Nevertheless I think it will be something that interestsyou.Jonah eyed Horton then, realizing the man was acting differently today.There was an edge to hismanner and speech, as if something important was happening.His lynx perked right up, looking for anopportunity to attack and Jonah had to get a grip on himself, keep control.He looked up into Horton s eyes,searching for clues as to what was going on.Horton gave the slow smile he often delivered before a put-down, when he thought he was inflictingsomething however minor upon Jonah.But it was a question Horton asked. Would you like to talk to TreyWalters?Jonah s body, weaker than he d realized, seized and it became hard to breathe.His gaze widened as hestared at Horton, trying to see and smell truth.Truth was there in the man, and Jonah gave it back to him. I want to talk to Trey, yes. First, I have to bind you to the bed.Jonah paused, his cat protesting, yowling deep within him because he couldn t withstand anotherlayer to this imprisonment.Ultimately though, he had to talk to Trey.But he must have been looking at Horton as if the man wasprey, because Horton backed up and said warningly,  Understand this.If you don t do as I say, thisconversation with Trey will not happen.Unless you know the passwords required and the protocol to getonline with him.Jonah considered.It might be possible to leap at Horton now, hurt and threaten him enough to put himthrough to Trey.Or he might still refuse.Or Jonah s cat might lose control and kill him anyway.Jonah wanted to see Trey and alert him to the dangers Horton posed to shapeshifters.He d waited along time to do both things.They had become his purpose in life.He wasn t going to throw it away now.www.samhainpublishing.com 97Joely SkyeSo he went to the bed and allowed Horton to shackle him, when he hadn t been shackled since he dawoken from his drugged state.He didn t allow his mind to dwell on the imprisoned wrist and ankle, butrather focused on the computer Horton now held on his lap as he keyed in different words and numbers.Jonah couldn t rip his gaze away from that screen, even if it was angled away from him and difficultto see.His entire life was telescoping into this moment.His lynx was straining too.The combination of hisprey being so close, of his body being bound, of his one chance to warn Trey before Jonah acted& Hislynx was pushing to shift and it was the strangest sensation he d ever experienced, as if the cat was justbeneath his skin.Jonah s teeth seemed to sharpen, lengthen.The presence of the cat so close to the surface should have been distracting, but given what Jonahwanted to accomplish, it wasn t.The screen filled with Trey s face, and Jonah s throat squeezed tight.He couldn t speak in thatmoment. Dan, where is he? Trey s voice, and it was a demand, not a question.Trey was asking about Jonah,couldn t yet see Jonah given the way Horton held the screen. Patience, said Horton, though there was none of the smugness Jonah associated with him.Hortonrespected Trey, unlike Jonah. He s here.As a precaution, he s been restrained for this interview.Normally, he s free to move around.He can tell you that himself.Jonah couldn t see Trey all that clearly from this side view of the screen, but he heard Trey say,  Puthim on.The voice was different, whether due to the computer, due to the years that had passed, or due to thesituation and Jonah s unstable body.The reasons were irrelevant.Jonah had something to tell Trey and he needed to do it right.Timeseemed to move slowly as Horton leaned towards Jonah and angled the computer up so the screen leftJonah face-to-face with Trey. Hello, Trey, said Jonah, and his words, betraying him, sounded eager.Trey s only reaction was to blink, once.He was unable or unwilling to return the greeting.There wasn t much time, and Jonah s lynx could smell Horton s blood now, flowing under the thinsurface of his skin.Jonah s jaw seemed to move, lengthen, and his skin rippled with the power of the shift,fighting the shackles that held his human in place.Words first.He realized Trey had already spoken his name once. Jonah, he repeated,  are you allright? Tell him you re fine, Horton said calmly as if Jonah were a simpleton who didn t know how torespond to such a question.Trey winced then, surprising Jonah by breaking the mask he wore.His voice was low, the wordsanguished. I am so sorry, Jonah.98 www.samhainpublishing.comLynxThe emotion behind the words shocked Jonah.After all this time, he d trained himself to expect Treynot to care, to believe the caring had only ever been on Jonah s side.It might have been lopsided, but Treywas pained by Jonah s situation.And, he had to be warned.Jonah blurted,  Horton wants your blood.Horton snatched the computer away and stepped out of range of Jonah.A mistake, his lynx seethed,fearing Jonah would not get another chance to attack.He heard Trey demand,  Put Jonah back on, Dan. He s confused.I didn t make him that way either, though it doesn t matter if you believe me or not.Horton was pacing with the laptop now, his words coming out quick, unsettled that his plan was not goingas he d expected. I ll do fuck all if I don t see him again, Trey warned Horton. No.You re done.He s alive, as I promised, and I ve given you proof. I said unharmed. I didn t harm him. Horton was leaving the room. Tell him I m fine, Jonah called out, sounding rational, calm.He needed to reassure this new,uncertain Horton who clearly felt he was losing control of the situation.His captor eyed Jonah, considering, while Trey again insisted he see Jonah, again warned Horton hewouldn t cooperate if he didn t.Directing his gaze back to the computer, Horton said,  There s nothing elseto see, Trey, that s it.A more empty-headed young man, I have yet to meet. It ll go easier if you have my cooperation, Horton. There was an urgency to Trey s words and Jonahwondered at them [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]