“You wouldn’t dare do anything to me!” his eyes screamed.“Stubborn, I see. I should clarify, I’m not the one who will hurt you. It’s him.�...� A large black wolf appeared from around the corner, its eyes fixed on Mark. Mark began struggling again as the wolf approached, growling with its hair on end. “As you can see, my pet is in a terrible mood. I haven’t fed him in a while, and he’s quite hungry. Now, I’ll ask you again. Were you involved in the Knight’s Sheath burning down?”Mark frantically. ”Returning her gaze to the warmth of our nuclear hearth, Ananya nodded thoughtfully.“We live long, long lives,” I continued, stroking my palm slowly up and down her slim back, the line of her spine under my hand like a curved reed. “If you’re patient – and if you want it – I can love you in all the ways I do your mother.”“Yeah.” She smiled. “I think I’d like that.” Another long moment passed before she spoke again. “I’ve always loved Mom’s skin. I always felt that I was ... plain, compared to. . look... I'm married... and..." I'm married too," she retorted, knowing that he would more than likely try to fall back on that excuse. "Rita doesn't appreciate you... Bob doesn't appreciate me. I say we get back at them."Owen opened and closed his mouth again and again, trying to think of something to say. He had been thinking exactly that thought himself, but he never thought he would have the opportunity to go through with it. Now that it did, the reality of the situation was getting too. I kept her hand in mine as we went into the cabin and walked through the salon."Kathy and I are going to go lay down and get cozy," I said. "If you need us, we'll be in the master stateroom."I didn't wait for a reply. I pulled Kathy down the three steps that led to the staterooms and into the master. After pulling the bedspread and blanket off the bed, I jumped into the middle. Kathy sat on the edge and fiddled with her fingers, so I reached over and pulled her onto her back."What are you.