lh.narcissusinchains-第12章

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　Jean…Claude　spoke。　〃Do　not　give　him　an　excuse　to　have　us　at　his　mercy；　mon　ami。　We　are　in　his　territory　tonight；　his　guests。　We　owe　him　a　guest's　duty　to　his　host；　as　long　as　he　does　not　forfeit　that　right。〃
　I　wasn't　a　hundred　percent　sure　what　a　guest's　duties　to　his　host　were；　but　I　was　willing　to　bet　that　crushing　their　limbs　wasn't　among　them。　I　touched　Richard's　shoulder；　and　he　jumped。　Narcissus　made　a　small　protesting　sound；　as　if　Richard　had　involuntarily　tightened　his　grip。
　〃Jean…Claude's　right；　Richard。〃
　〃Anita　councils　you　to　temperance；　Richard；　and　she　is　one　of　the　least　temperate　people　I　have　ever　known。〃　Jean…Claude　moved　forward；　laying　his　hand　on　Richard's　other　shoulder；　so　we　both　touched　him。　〃Besides；　mon　ami；　hurting　this　one　will　not　undo　the　harm　already　done。　No　drop　of　blood　less　will　have　been　spilt；　no　pound　of　flesh　less　will　have　been　lost；　no　humiliation　will　have　been　stopped。　It　is　over；　memories　cannot　harm　us。〃
　For　the　first　time　I　wondered　if　Richard　and　I　had　gotten　the　same　memories　in　that　flash　of　shared　insight。　What　I'd　seen　had　been　horrible；　but　it　hadn't　affected　me　like　it　had　him。　Maybe　it　was　a　guy　thing。　Maybe　a　white；　Anglo…Saxon；　upper…middle…class　male　like　Richard　would　take　memories　of　being　abused　and　raped　harder　than　I　would。　I　was　a　woman。　I　knew　things　like　that　could　happen　to　me。　Maybe　he　had　never　thought　they　could　happen　to　him。
　Richard　spoke　low；　his　voice　fallen　to　a　rolling　growl；　as　if　his　beast　lurked　just　behind　that　handsome　throat。　〃Never　touch　him　again；　Narcissus；　or　we'll　finish　this。〃　Then　Richard　slowly；　carefully；　slid　his　hands　away　from　Narcissus。　I　expected　him　to　scoot　away；　clutching　his　injured　wrist；　but　I　underestimated　him；　or　maybe　overestimated　him。
　Narcissus　did　cradle　his　wrist；　but　he　stayed　pressed　against　Richard's　body。　〃You've　torn　ligaments　in　my　wrist。　They　take　longer　to　heal　than　bone。〃
　〃I　know；〃　Richard　said　softly。　The　level　of　anger　in　those　two　words　made　me　flinch。
　〃With　a　thought　I　can　tell　my　men　to　leave　her　wereleopards　to　the　mercy　of　their　captors。〃
　Richard　glanced　at　Jean…Claude；　who　nodded。　〃Narcissus　can　contact　his　。。。　men　mind…to…mind。〃
　Richard　put　his　hands　on　Narcissus's　shoulders；　to　push　him　away　I　thought；　but　Narcissus　said；　〃You've　revoked　your　safe　passage　by　injuring　me　against　my　will。〃
　Richard　froze；　and　I　could　see　the　tension　in　his　back；　feel　the　sudden　uncertainty。
　〃What　is　he　talking　about？〃　I　asked。　I　wasn't　even　sure　who　I　was　asking。
　〃Narcissus　has　a　small　army　of　werehyenas　within　this　building　and　on　the　surrounding　buildings　as　guards；〃　Jean…Claude　said。
　〃If　the　werehyenas　are　so　powerful；　then　why　doesn't　everyone　talk　about　them　in　the　same　breath　with　the　wolves　and　the　rats？〃　I　asked。
　〃Because　Narcissus　prefers　to　be　the　power　behind　the　throne；　ma　petite。　It　means　that　the　other　shapeshifters　are　constantly　currying　his　favor　with　gifts。〃
　〃Like　Nikolaos　used　you；〃　I　said。
　He　nodded。
　I　looked　at　Richard。　〃What　have　you　been　giving　him？〃
　Richard　eased　away　from　Narcissus。　〃Nothing。〃
　Narcissus　turned　on　the　bed；　still　cradling　his　wrist。　〃That's　about　to　change。〃
　〃I　don't　think　so；〃　Richard　said。
　〃Marcus　and　Raina　had　an　arrangement　with　me。　They　and　the　rats　dictated　that　my　hyenas　could　never　rise　above　fifty　in　number。　To　make　this　happen　they　used　gifts；　not　threats。〃
　〃The　threat　was　always　there；〃　Richard　said。　〃War　between　you；　us；　and　the　rats；　with　you　on　the　losing　side。〃
　Narcissus　shrugged。　〃Perhaps；　but　have　you　not　wondered　what　I've　been　doing　since　Marcus　died　and　you　took　over？　I　wondered　when　the　gifts　would　start　arriving；　but　instead　all　gifts　stopped；　even　the　ones　I'd　begun　to　count　on。〃　He　looked　at　me　then。　〃Some　of　those　gifts　were　yours　to　give；　Nimir…Ra。〃
　I　must　have　looked　as　confused　as　I　felt；　because　Jean…Claude　said；　〃The　wereleopards。〃
　〃Yes；　Gabriel；　their　old　alpha；　was　a　dear；　dear　friend　of　mine；〃　Narcissus　said。
　Since　I'd　killed　Gabriel；　I　didn't　like　the　way　the　conversation　was　going。　〃You　mean　that　Gabriel　gave　some　of　the　wereleopards　to　you？〃
　Narcissus's　smile　made　me　shiver。　〃All　of　them　have　spent　time　in　my　care；　except　Nathaniel。〃　His　smile　faded。　〃I　assumed　Gabriel　kept　Nathaniel　to　himself　because　he　was　his　personal　favorite；　but　now　that　you've　told　me　what　Nathaniel　is；　I　know　that　wasn't　it。〃　Narcissus　leaned　forward　on　his　knees。　〃Gabriel　was　afraid　to　give　me　Nathaniel；　afraid　of　what　we　might　do　together。〃
　I　swallowed　hard。　〃You　covered　your　reaction　really　well　when　I　told　you。〃
　〃I'm　an　acplished　liar；　Anita。　Best　remember　that。〃　He　looked　up　at　Richard。　〃How　long　has　it　been　since　Marcus's　death；　a　little　over　a　year？　When　the　gifts　stopped　ing；　I　assumed　the　pact　was　at　an　end。〃
　〃What　are　you　saying？〃　Richard　asked。
　〃There　are　over　four　hundred　werehyenas　now；　some　new；　some　recruited　from　out　of　state。　But　we　rival　the　wererats　and　werewolves　now。　You　will　have　to　negotiate　with　us　as　equals　instead　of　peons。〃
　Richard　said；　〃What　do　you　。。。　〃
　Jean…Claude　interrupted。　〃Let　us　e　to　terms。〃　I　felt　the　fear　that　was　behind　his　calm　words；　and　so　did　Richard。　You　did　not　ask　a　sexual　sadist　what　he　wanted。　You　offered　what　you　were　willing　to　give　up。
　Narcissus　looked　at　Richard。　〃Are　they　Jean…Claude's　wolves　now；　Richard？　Do　you　share　your　kingship？〃　The　tone　was　mocking。
　〃I　am　Ulfric；　and　I　will　set　the　terms；　no　one　else。〃　But　his　voice　was　cautious；　the　temper　slowed。　I'd　never　seen　Richard　like　this；　and　I　wasn't　sure　I　liked　the　change。　He　was　reacting　more　like　me。　As　I　thought　of　it；　I　wondered　。。。　I　channeled　some　of　his　beast；　some　of　Jean…Claude's　hunger；　what　did　they　gain　from　me？
　〃You　know　what　I　want；〃　Narcissus　said。
　〃You　would　be　wise　not　to　ask　for　it；〃　Jean…Claude　said。
　〃If　I　cannot　have　you；　Jean…Claude；　then　perhaps　to　watch　the　three　of　you　make　love　on　my　bed　would　be　enough　to　wash　this　insult　clean　between　us。〃
　Richard　and　I　said　together；　〃No。〃
　He　looked　at　us；　and　there　was　something　unpleasant　in　his　eyes。　〃Then　give　me　Nathaniel。〃
　〃No；〃　I　said。
　〃For　one　evening。〃
　〃No。〃
　〃For　an　hour；〃　he　said。
　I　shook　my　head。
　〃One　of　the　other　leopards？〃
　〃I　won't　give　you　any　of　my　people。〃
　He　looked　at　Richard。　〃And　you；　Ulfric；　will　you　give　me　one　of　your　wolves？〃
　〃You　know　the　answer；　Narcissus；〃　Richard　said。
　〃Then　what　would　you　offer　me；　Ulfric？〃
　〃Name　something　I'm　willing　to　give。〃
　Narcissus　smiled；　and　I　had　a　sense　of　Ajax　and　Asher　circling　each　other　as　they　felt　the　tension　rising。　〃I　want　to　be　included　in　the　conferences　that　run　the　shapeshifter　munity　in　this　town。〃
　Richard　nodded。　〃Fine。　Rafael　and　I　thought　you　had　no　interest　in　politics；　or　you　would　already　have　been　asked。〃
　〃The　rat　king　does　not　know　my　heart；　nor　do　the　wolves。〃
　Richard　stood。　〃Anita　needs　to　go　to　her　people。〃
　Narcissus　smiled　and　shook　his　head。　〃Oh；　no；　Ulfric；　it　is　not　that　easy。〃
　Richard　frowned。　〃You're　to　be　included　in　decision　making。　That's　what　you　wanted。〃
　〃But　I　still　want　gifts。〃
　〃No　gifts　pass　between　the　rats　and　the　wolves。　We　are　allies。　If　you　wish　to　be　an　ally　then　there　will　be　no　gifts；　except　that　we　will　e　to　your　aid　when　you　need　us。〃
　Narcissus　shook　his　head　again。　〃I　do　not　wish　to　be　allies；　to　be　dragged　into　every　squabble　between　animals　that　do　not　concern　me。　No；　Ulfric；　you　mistake　me。　I　wish　to　be　included　in　the　conferences　that　set　policy。　But　I　do　not　wish　to　tie　myself　to　anyone　and　be　dragged　into　a　war　that　is　not　of　my　own　making。〃
　〃Then　what　are　you　asking？〃　Richard　said。
　〃Gifts。〃
　〃Bribes；　you　mean；〃　Richard　said。
　Narcissus　shrugged。　〃Call　it　what　you　will。〃
　〃No；〃　Richard　said。
　I　felt　Jean…Claude　tense　a　moment　before　Richard　said　it。　〃Mon　ami　。。。　〃
　〃No；〃　Richard　said　and　turned　to　Jean…Claude。　〃Even　if　he　could　kill　us　all；　which　I　doubt；　my　wolves；　your　vampires；　they　would　rain　down　on　this　club　and　take　it　apart　brick　by　brick。　He　won't　risk　that。　Narcissus　is　a　cautious　leader。　I　learned　from　watching　him　deal　with　Marcus。　He　puts　his　own　safety　and　fort　above　all　else。〃
　〃The　fort　and　safety　of　my　people　above　all　else；〃　Narcissus　said。　He　looked　at　me。　〃What　of　you；　Nimir…Ra；　how　confident　do　you　feel？　Do　you　think　if　I　had　my　people　kill　your　kittens　that　the　werewolves　and　vampires　would　lift　a　finger　to　avenge　them？〃
　〃You　forget；　Narcissus；　she's　also　my　lupa；　my　mate。　The　wolves　will　defend　who　she　tells　them　to　defend。〃
　〃Ah；　yes；　the　human　lupa；　the　human　leopard　queen。　But　not　really　human；　is　she？〃
　I　met　his　gaze　and　said；　〃I　need　to　go　collect　my　leopards。　Thanks　for　the　hospitality。〃　I　pushed　to　my　feet　and　stood　beside　Richard。
　Narcissus　looked　at　Jean…Claude；　who　still　lounged　on　the　bed。　〃Are　they　really　such　children？〃　he　asked　him。
　Jean…Claude　gave　a　graceful　shrug。　〃They　are　not　like　us　Narcissus。　They　still　believe　in　right　and　wrong。　And　rules。〃
　〃Then　let　me　teach　them　a　new　rule。〃　He　stared　up　at　us；　still　kneeling　on　the　bed；　still　wearing　the　black　lace　dress；　and　suddenly　his　power　burst　out　before　him　in　lines　of　heat。　It　slammed　into　my　body　like　a　giant　hand；　nearly　staggering　me。　Richard　reached　out　to　steady　me；　and　the　moment　we　touched；　his　beast　jumped　between　us；　in　a　rush　of　warmth　that　raced　through　my　body　in　goosebumps　and　shivers。　Richard's　body　shuddered；　and　I　felt　his　breath；　our　breath；　catch。　That　otherworldly　power　curled　between　us；　and　for　the　first　time　I　realized　that　the　power　came　both　ways。　I'd　thought　what　was　inside　me　was　an　echo　of　Richard's　beast；　but　it　was　more　than　that。　Maybe　it　would　have　been　different　if　I　hadn't　separated　myself　from　him　for　so　long。　But　now　the　power　that　had　once　been　his　was　mine。　The　warmth　spilled　between　us　like　two　streams　converging　into　a　river；　two　scalding　hot　streams　that　spilled　into　a　river　that　boiled　over　my　skin。　It　was　so　hot　that　I　half　expected　my　skin　to　peel　away　and　reveal　the　beast　underneath。
　〃If　she　shifts；　then　my　men　are　free　to　enter　this　fight。〃　Narcissus's　voice　was　shocking。　I　think　I'd　forgotten　he　was　there；　forgotten　everything　but　the　hot；　hot　power　flowing　between　Richard　and　me。　Narcissus's　face　began　to　grow　longer。　It　was　like　watching　sticks　move　behind　clay。
　Richard　ran　his　hand　just　in　front　of　my　body；　caressing　the　power　that　flowed　off　of　my　skin。　There　was　a　look　of　soft　wonderment　on　his　face。　〃She　won't　shift。　You　have　my　word；〃　Richard　said。
　〃Good　enough。　You　always　keep　your　word。　I　may　be　a　sadist　and　a　masochist；　but　I　am　still　Oba　of　this　clan。〃　His　voice　had　bee　a　strange　high…pitched　growl。　〃You　have　insulted　me　and；　through　me；　all　that　is　mine。〃　Claws　slid　out　from　his　small　fingers　until　he　raised　curved　paws；　not　hands　at　all。
　Jean…Claude　came　to　stand　beside　us。　〃e；　ma　petite；　let　them　have　room　to　maneuver。〃　He　touched　my　hand；　and　that　scalding　power　poured　from　my　skin　to　his。　He　collapsed　to　his　knees；　hand　still　pressed　against　my　skin；　as　if　the　heat　had　welded　it　in　place。
　I　knelt　by　him；　and　his　gaze　raised；　drowning　blue；　the　pupil　lost　in　a　rush　of　power；　but　not　his　power。　He　opened　his　mouth　to　speak；　but　no　sound