“Is it? It is said you can command anyone with one look.”
His laughter was soft, playing over her skin like the touch of fingers. “I can do that with my voice alone, chérie. Savannah, I have a need for you to look at me.”
Reluctantly she locked her gaze to his. Why had she thought his eyes cold? They were pools of molten mercury, warming her, calming her so that the trembling eased and some of her fear dissipated enough to begin to relax her muscles.
“I will never hurt you again. The way I took you was not by choice, and I will carry the shame and guilt of my lack of control for all time.” His hands found her hair and brought the crushed silk to his lips. “I know you fear me, Savannah, and I have given you good reason, but I offer my mind freely so that you can see I speak the truth.” He was risking everything. His past was murky, at times even black. At her tender age she was incapable of understanding such a history, the bleakness of his existence that had led to this moment. But she would know every fact, every merciless act. She would also know just how far he had gone to ensure that he would have her as his lifemate. It was the only way he knew to reassure her that he meant what he said. If he opened his mind completely, she would know he spoke the truth. She could never love him, but he didn’t expect love from her.
Savannah studied his face for a long moment. “It’s enough that you made the offer, Gregori. My fears wouldn’t go away even knowing you’re incapable of hurting me. Fear doesn’t work that way.” It wasn’t necessary for him to sacrifice his pride, to confess every dark, ugly deed. His life had been hard, and he had done the best he could. She had no right to judge his actions. “Maybe we can slow all this down and work at getting to know one another.”
He let his breath out slowly, became aware he had been holding it. “You are certain?” At her nod, he released her.
“What did you mean, Roberto was not alone?” Deliberately she changed the subject, tried to ease the tension between them.
“He traveled in a pack. They turned Europe into a killing ground. Your father was hard put to cover up the evidence and protect our people. It hasn’t been that long since the assassins swept through our homeland and murdered our people.”
“How many are in this pack?”
“Four more.”
Her hand went to her throat. She looked so young and defenseless, he wanted to drag her into the protection of his arms. She was doing things to him he didn’t understand, but no price was too high to pay for her. “Did they come here because of me? Roberto said he found me first. I thought he meant before you did. Did I bring them here?”
He wanted to lie to her—hadn’t he caused her enough pain already?—but he couldn’t bring himself to do it, so he said nothing.
Savannah shook her head sadly. “I see.” She was still weak and dizzy with the loss of blood from his voracious feeding. “Where are my clothes? I am too weak to manufacture any.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Where do you think you are going?”
“I have to make arrangements for Peter’s funeral. Everyone’s probably looking for me, and the crew must be devastated over Peter’s death and worried about me. After I take care of those things, I intend to join you in hunting down the renegades.”
“And you think I will allow such a dangerous thing?”
Her eyes grew stormy. “You can’t dictate to me, Gregori—we may as well get that straight right now.”
Gregori unfolded his long frame from the bed and stretched like a lazy jungle cat. Savannah found her eyes glued to him. He glided soundlessly, muscles rippling beneath his elegant silk shirt. Crushing sweet-smelling herbs into several small pots of water, he lit candles beneath each container. Instantly the room filled with a soothing, beguiling scent that seemed to find its way into her body, her very bloodstream. Picking up a brush from the nightstand, Gregori moved around the bed and returned to her side. “Of course I will be dictating to you, Savannah. But please do not worry. I can assure you, I am quite good at it.”