Obsidian Butterfly (ab-9) by Laurell K. Hamilton Read Free Book Online Page A

assassin, not a bounty hunter, not a bodyguard, and what else?"
    Edward shook his head.
    His noncommittal answers were beginning to get on my nerves. "Do either of them have any other special abilities besides being willing to kill?"
    "Yes."
    He'd reached my limit on "yes, no" answers. "I didn't come down here to play twenty questions, Edward. Just tell me about the other backups."
    "You'll meet them soon enough."
    "Fine, then tell me where the other stop is."
    He gave a small shake of his head.
    "Look, Edward, you're getting on my nerves, and you've already pissed me off, so cut the mysterious crap, and talk to me."
    He glanced sideways at me, a glimpse of eyes from the edges of the dark glasses. "My, my, aren't we touchy today."
    "This isn't even close to touchy for me, Edward, and you know it. But keep up the noncommittal crap and you are going to truly piss me off."
    "I thought you were already pissed off about Donna."
    "I am," I said. "But I'm willing to get interested in the case and forget to be continuously pissed. But I can't get interested in the case if you don't answer questions about it. As far as I'm concerned your backup is part of the case, so either start sharing info or drive me back to the damn airport."
    "I didn't tell Olaf and Bernardo you're shacking up with a vampire and a werewolf."
    "Actually, I'm not dating either of them anymore, but that's not the point. I don't want to know about their sex life, Edward. I just want to know why you called them in. What are their areas of expertise?"
    "You broke up with Jean-Claude and Richard both?" For one of the few times since I'd met him I heard real curiosity in his voice. I wasn't sure if it was nice to know or disturbing that my personal life interested Edward.
    "I don't know if we broke up, it's more like we aren't seeing each other. I need some time away from them before I decide what to do."
    "What are you thinking about doing to them?" And there was a note of eagerness now.
    Edward was only eager about one thing. "I am not planning to kill either of them, if that's what you're hinting at."
    "I can't say I'm not disappointed," Edward said. "I think you should have killed Jean-Claude yourself before it all got too deep."
    "You're talking about killing someone who has been my lover off and on for over a year, Edward. Maybe you could strangle Donna in her bed, but I'd lose sleep over something like that."
    "Do you love him?"
    The question stopped me, not because of the question but because of who was asking it. It seemed a truly odd question coming from Edward. "Yeah, I think I do."
    "Do you love Richard?"
    Again, it seemed odd talking about my emotional life with Edward. I have a few male friends, and most of them would rather have a root canal than to talk about "feelings." Of all my male friends I was talking to the one I thought would never discuss love with me. It just wasn't my year for understanding men.
    "Yes, I love Richard."
    "You say, you think you love the vampire, but you simply answer yes about Richard. Kill the vampire, Anita. I'll help you do it."
    "Not to put too fine a point on it, Edward, but I'm Jean-Claude's human servant. Richard is his animal to call. The three of us are bound by vampire marks into a nice little
menage a trois
. If one of us dies, we may all die."
    "Maybe, or maybe that's what the vampire tells you. It wouldn't be the first time he's lied to you."
    It was impossible to argue without looking like a fool, so I didn't try. "When I want your advice on my personal life, I'll ask for it. Until people start ice skating in hell, save your breath. Now, tell me about the case."
    "You get to tell me who to date and who not to, but I can't return the favor?" he asked.
    I looked at him. "Are you angry with me about my stand on Donna?"
    "Not exactly, but if you get to give me advice on dating, why can't I return the favor?"
    "It's not the same thing, Edward. Richard doesn't have kids."
    "Children make that big a difference to you?"