Dark Fire by Christine Feehan. Dark Series – book 6

Syndil moved backward into the shelter of the trees, partly because Barack was giving her no choice and partly because she was so astonished. Barack was the most easygoing of all the males. He tended to be amused by everything, and he flirted outrageously with human women, enjoying his image of the playboy of the band.

You have no right to tell me what to do, Barack. If I wish to seek out a thousand men, it is my right.

Like hell it is. Barack literally lifted her by the waist and carried her deeper into the woods. “Who is this man, that you suddenly wish to be with him? You have never displayed interest in human men before.”

Syndil’s chin went up. “Well, perhaps that has changed.”

“What has changed? What did this man do, bewitch you? I warn you, Syndil, I am in no mood for this foolishness. You touched him. You put your hand on his arm, flirted with him.” His eyes were blazing at her.

“And this is considered a crime? Should I remind you of all the times I have known you were with human women? Do not dare to judge my behavior. This man makes me feel beautiful, desirable, like a woman, not some shadow to be ignored. He looks at me, and I feel alive again,” Syndil defended herself.

“That is the reason? He makes you feel alive? Any man can do that, Syndil,” Barack snapped.

“Well, he is the one I want,” she said defiantly.

His hand closed around her neck, his dark eyes furious. “I have waited patiently for you to recover, been as gentle as I know how to be. But this I will not give you. If you dare to go near that man, I will tear him apart with my bare hands. Now get in the trailer, where I know you will be safe, and stay away from him.”

Syndil blinked up at him, shocked and wide-eyed at his uncharacteristic outburst. “I am going, but not because you order me. I do not want a scene in front of an outsider.”

Barack pushed her toward the bus. “I do not care what foolish reason you come up with to do as I order you. Just do it. Go now. I mean it.”

“Where did you get the idea that you were my lord and master?” she indignantly threw back at him over her shoulder as she went toward the motor home.

“You just remember that I am, Syndil,” he snapped and watched to assure himself that she did as he commanded before he returned to join the men, who were questioning Cullen.

Rusti and Desari met Syndil at the door to the bus. Desari wrapped an arm around Syndil’s shoulder. “Was Barack very angry?”

“I do not know about him,” Syndil said, “but I am. What is he thinking, treating me that way? As if I am his daughter, his baby sister. Do you have any idea how many women he has been with? It’s disgusting, that’s what it is. It makes me sick, the way the men have such a double standard-one for their own behavior and another for ours. The only reason I even listened to him was because this is a matter of your security, Desari. Otherwise I would have told him to go straight to hell. I may yet. In fact, I may just leave altogether after this next concert of yours. I need a vacation from that idiot.”

“Maybe I should go with you,” Tempest ventured. “Darius is even worse than Barack. What is it with these men?”

Desari laughed softly. “They are overbearing and domineering and often royal pains. Julian is forever trying to lay down the law with me. The thing is, you have to stand up to them.”

Syndil pushed a hand through her hair in agitation. “You and Rusti, maybe, but I do not belong to anyone. I should be able to do as I wish.”

Tempest sank into a deep, cushioned chair. Both leopards immediately wrapped themselves around her legs. “I don’t belong to Darius. Where does everyone get the idea I’m his girlfriend? And even if I were, I wouldn’t have to do a dam thing he says.”