Stolen Dreams by Marilyn Campbell Read Free Book Online

do is
let the Co-Governors know you have the tempometer." Her look of dismay
told him he had guessed correctly. She did have it in her
possession.     
     
"They
would never permit their offspring to become a criminal. But in that
scenario, I wouldn't get to go, either. I gave this a lot of thought,
and I believe I came up with the same conclusion that you did: The
reward is worth the risk. Give it up, Shara. You have no choice but to
accept me as your partner for the duration."
     
She was briefly
taken
aback at hearing her litany come from his mouth, until she recalled
their last argument. Since she couldn't get through to his subconscious
mind, she tried for a bluff. "Go ahead. Call my parents. They know what
I'm doing."
     
He noted the olive color of her eyes had grayed a
bit
more, and bet she was lying, despite the fact that it was prohibited by
the Code of Honesty. Striding past her to the communicator on her desk,
he wondered what laws were left for her to disregard. He touched a
button and said, "Connect me with Governor Romulus."
     
Shara's
finger
touched the same button a heartbeat later and disconnected the
communication. "All right. You can come. But I have one question. Do
you still intend to prevent me from altering history?"
     
"Absolutely,"
he stated emphatically.
     
"Then
I'd say partner is the wrong term, because I still intend to carry out
my mission, even if I have to do it over your unconscious body."
     
Gabriel
raised one eyebrow at her. "I'm accustomed to going long periods
without sleep. And when I do sleep, it's very lightly. Or are you still
harboring notions of overpowering me with physical violence?"
     
She
cocked her head, thinking physical violence should not be ruled out.
"If you're not with me, I don't need to do
anything."         
 
     
Gabriel
closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had never known
such an argumentative, unreasonable female. "Regardless of your
delusions, here's the situation: You can accept my presence in spite of
our difference of opinion, or return the tempometer and give up any
hope of proving your theories firsthand. Well? What will it be?"
     
     
    Chapter Three
Do
I at least get to specify terms?" Shara used  her most caustic
tone of voice, but his smirk let her know he was finding her more
entertaining than threatening. Physical violence was sounding better
all the time.
     
Gabriel shrugged. "It doesn't have to be war
between
us. You admitted to me that you thought a historian would be helpful.
With me you have a historian and a seasoned joumeyor. Your lack of
experience in primitive cultures could put you in serious danger.
Though you're not really in a position to request favors, I'll show you
how easy I am to work with. I will agree to one contingency, as long as
it has nothing to do with altering history."
     
Shara frowned,
caught
as she was between logic and emotion. His points were valid, but she
refused to admit she needed his expertise. With a sigh of unwilling
surrender, she chose her single request. "My one condition—and it's
imperative you agree—is this: Stop putting your hands on me."
     
"What?"
     
"I
thought I spoke very clearly. Four times now you have put your hands on
me in an aggressive manner. I don't like it."
     
Gabriel searched
for an appropriate response. It wasn't
the first time a female had commented on the effect his touch had had
on her, but it was the first time one was repulsed by it. Shara had
even counted the number of contacts. He, on the other hand, could only
remember thinking how warm her flesh had felt against his fingers, as
opposed to her chilly disposition. "I assure you, those offenses were
unintentional, but I do apologize. I will try to curb my tactile
impulses in the future. So when do we leave?"
     
She resented
being
forced into a corner, but there didn't seem to be any acceptable
alternatives. As soon as Shara told him the time and gave him a travel
visa, Gabriel left to pack his