Passion In The Blood by Margaret L. Carter

Author:Margaret L. Carter [Carter, Margaret L.]
Language: lav
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

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Karl's driving would have jolted Cordelia into heart failure if she hadn't been so tired she had trouble keeping her eyes open. Once they cleared the congestion around Washington, he zoomed south on Interstate 95 at twenty miles above the speed limit. When she asked whether he wasn't worried about the highway patrol, he said, "If we're pulled over, I'll hypnotize the officer into forgetting about the incident. It's not likely to happen, though."

So far, he'd turned out to be right. Whether by luck or some preternatural instinct for slowing down when the cops lurked nearby, no sirens wailed in their wake.

They rushed through the unavoidable pit stops. She noticed Karl stayed close to her side, often clinging to her arm, except when they had to separate for restroom visits. "Afraid I'm going to run off?" she murmured in one gas station parking lot.

"Hardly." His breath ruffled her hair as he lean over to answer in a low voice, "Maybe I just enjoy your warmth and fragrance." Her pulse quickened at the caress in the words. Silently he added, ::I've discovered an unexpected side effect of this bond--when I'm touching you, close enough for your aura to overlap mine, the emotions of bystanders bother me less than usual. It's as if your proximity creates a sphere of protection.::

It hadn't occurred to her that he had the same problem with the clamor of people's minds as she did. Come to think of it, with his superhuman perception, he probably suffered even worse from the psychic noise.

In predawn darkness they drove through a small town he identified as the community nearest to Josef's renovated hotel. They spotted a single fast food restaurant on what passed for the main street, otherwise lined with antique shops, other closed stores, a bed-and-breakfast inn, and a pair of competing gas stations. Karl said, "You need to replenish your strength. I'm ordering you a meal."

Her stomach gurgled. She pressed a hand to her abdomen. "I don't think I could eat. Anyway, we don't want to waste any more time."

"Another five minutes won't make a difference. Don't try to deny you're hungry." He flashed her a smile. "Have you forgotten I sense what's happening in your body as well as your mind?"

"How could I?" she grumbled.

At the drive-through window, he reminded her not to eat anything containing garlic, such as sausage. While reciting her order, he added milk for himself.

"You drink milk?" she said as he passed her the food and a cup each of coffee and orange juice.

"It's a vital fluid, so we can get nourishment from it, even though it's not essential to our health like blood. I'd prefer it warm, but this will do."

She unwrapped her egg muffin and nibbled on it. At the first taste, she realized the light-headedness and cramps she felt did signify hunger, not just nervousness. "Thanks," she mumbled around a bite of cheese and fried egg.

"Be sure you eat everything, especially the fruit and yogurt." He'd insisted on including that item in her order.

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