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“When were you planning on telling me about this ball?” asked Jude with more humor than anger in his tone.
“Just now,” I said with a straight face. “But like I said, it’s exclusive. I have no idea how you’d go about getting tickets.”
“Oh, don’t you worry your pretty head about that,” said Jude. “I’ll get in.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. He either wanted to kiss me or spank me. A flash of heat shot through my body at the thought of both.
“That sounds perfect,” said George. “When is the ball?”
“Halloween night.”
“Perfect is right,” said Kat with a snort. “The freaks will be out in droves.”
“High-society freaks,” I added.
Kat rolled her eyes. “And on that note, I’ll bid you gentlemen good night. It’s late. We can strategize for the ball tomorrow.”
She walked over and pulled me out of Jude’s lap who let me up reluctantly. Kat gave me a super-tight bear hug. “I had a blast today, Gen. You’re the bee’s knees. I’ll be your babysitter anytime.”
She winked at me and, with a fleeting glance at George, sifted out.
I stood there for a moment, smiling.
“We mustn’t overlook Danté,” added Jude quietly, standing behind me. “He’s gained in power, George. The very reason I summoned you.”
“Right. Of course. Come, Genevieve, sit here,” he said, taking my hand gently.
I sat, folding my hands together in my lap. Jude settled back into the chair we’d shared a minute before, his hands clasping the arms. A gloomy expression clouded his features, and he looked like a king getting ready for battle.
George leaned forward on the sofa, elbows on his knees, hands loosely clasped in casual masculinity, exuding confidence. He gazed intently at me with those hypnotizing eyes, glassy-clear like the Mediterranean.
“Genevieve,” he said, voice dipping to a deep tenor, “Jude has made me aware of certain situations, about the blood cast and Ru’um’s predilection for soul-sifting. I can give you the power to prevent this, but it will come at a small price, if you’re willing.”
I nodded, mouth gone cotton dry, waiting for him to continue.
“A transfer of power requires that I lose a little of my own, which is not too great a price to pay for peace of mind that you’re safe,” he said, glancing at Jude.
Somehow, I knew he was minimizing the cost of his loss of power. I was beginning to see that the Flamma of Light were as covetous of their power as the Flamma of Darkness.
George tapped my knee with an index finger. “However, you’re a Vessel. I know that you’re aware why these high demons covet you. Vessels are just that—vessels of power. The high demons want what you already have for their own, but your capacity to hold power is endless, be it power of dark or light. If I pass you my own power, we will be forever linked. Do you have the Sight?”
I nodded, quivering a little now. I refused to look at Jude, for the only visions I’d seen so far were painful visions of him.
“I thought so,” continued George. “I don’t know how we’ll be linked exactly, meaning I don’t know what visions you’ll see of mine—whether they’re from my own past or demons I’ve destroyed or even my own future. A Vessel’s Sight is boundless in every meaning of the word. I cannot promise that the visions you inherit will be pleasant. I cannot even predict when they may visit you. But,” he paused with a sly smile, “I can promise you that with this power, your soul will be sealed to you. No Flamma will be able to pull it from your body unbidden. Only you will have the power to release it, should you wish.”
“That sounds fair enough,” I said, letting out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding. Though I was well aware visions could be painful to experience, it was a small price to pay to keep Danté or any other demon prince from taking me again. “So what do I need to do?”
“Nothing, actually. Just keep still. This may seem a little strange to you, but transfer of power takes place through a kiss.”
23
Wait a minute, Saint George was going tokissme? Like, on the lips? In front of Jude!
My inner voice was running ninety miles a minute. Surprise and something like fear must have shown in my face. Jude nodded in reassurance, though his expression remained tight. And very grim.
“Genevieve, don’t be afraid.” George gave me his charming laugh, complete with wide smile and adorable dimples, making me blush further. He covered both of my hands in my lap with one of his. “It’s not that kind of a kiss. All right?”
Rather than frighten me, his touch was comforting. He waited with eyebrows raised for my consent.
