She is magnificent in her defiance, and he wants so much just to reach out with his mind and bend her to his will. She could be his, fawning on her knees before him, just another lamb for the slaughter. He could have her, body and soul, and just be done with it. There is another long silence as he gazes at her, envisioning this very possibility.





Eventually, the predatory look fades. That is not what he wants.




"Give me your word."