Darkness Rises(101)

“Yes, they do,” she said. “I’m as furious as he is. Roland should be applauded for helping those he transformed, myself included, and the guys on the net are all being dicks about it.”
Étienne’s eyebrows flew up as Roland burst into laughter in the background.
“What?” Sarah demanded. “I can’t curse? It pisses me off.”
“I understand,” Étienne said, wondering how he could spin this and change Roland’s mind. “But I don’t think Krysta should have to—”
“I’m not doing it,” Roland insisted. “Three is my limit.”
“But—”
Rustling sounded.
“Roland,” Sarah warned, her voice fading, “don’t you dare smash my—”
The line went dead.
Étienne tucked his phone away. “Roland isn’t terribly enthusiastic about the idea.”
Stepping back, Krysta smiled and shrugged. “Then it’ll be you after all. Good.”
“Give me one more chance to win him over. Everyone has been sticking pretty close to David’s when they aren’t hunting. We can go by there later and see if I can’t change his mind.”
“Okay, but I don’t think you’re going to have any luck. Everyone I talk to says Roland is as stubborn as a mule.”
“And they’re right. But Seth and David will be there and might urge him along.”
“If you say so.”
“Maybe I’ll buy Sarah a new phone as a peace offering,” he mused.
“What happened to her old one?”
“I’m pretty sure Roland just destroyed it.”
“Yeah. Good luck changing his mind.”
 

 

“Come on, Roland,” Étienne urged. “Do it for me.”
Leaning against the bar that separated David’s dining room and kitchen, Roland crossed his arms over his chest. “And I owe you what?”
Richart, Jenna, Lisette, Tracy, Sheldon, and Cam formed a horseshoe around them. Ethan, Edward, Yuri, Stanislov, and their four Seconds stood just behind them and watched over their shoulders.
Étienne swore silently. “Then do it for Krysta.”
“And I owe her what?”
Patience fraying, Étienne gestured to Jenna and Richart. “You turned Jenna for Richart.”
“I turned Jenna because she’s my descendant.”
Cam looked at Jenna and Richart. “Is that why Richart keeps calling you Gramps?”
Roland glared daggers at Richart.
“How do you know Krysta isn’t your descendant?” Étienne asked. It was a stretch, but . . .
“Because I keep track of them,” Roland responded.
Sarah stood sentinel beside her husband and frowned at their audience. “You see? I told you he has a big heart. He’s been watching over them all this time.”
“Keeping track isn’t the same as watching over them,” Roland murmured.
Sarah elbowed him. “Give me my moment, honey. I’m defending you.”
He smiled.
“Roland,” Étienne said, “you must understand my position. I want Krysta to be as strong as possible so she’ll be as safe as possible.”
“I’m an Immortal Guardian,” Roland said, unmoved. “I hunt and destroy vampires. I am not a transformer.”
A few snickers sounded.
Étienne growled in frustration and dragged his hands through his hair.
Marcus smiled and shook his head as he looked at the immortals around him. “I told you not to fuck with him. What if you’re the next one who falls in love with a gifted one? Wouldn’t you want him to transform her, as Étienne does, so she would be stronger and safer? You all just screwed yourselves for a laugh.”
That sobered them up. As many immortals as there had been falling in love lately, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.
“I’ll do it,” Sarah said.#p#分页标题#e#
Roland’s head snapped around. “What?”
She shrugged. “I’ll do it. I’m as strong and as fast as you are.”
“Awesome!” Sheldon exclaimed, drawing everyone’s gaze. “Chick-on-chick action!”
Cam popped him on the back of the head.
Étienne rolled his eyes and returned his attention to Sarah. “I appreciate the offer, but you aren’t a healer.”
“Oh. Right. I was thinking of the strength part and forgot it might be because he’s a powerful healer.”
Seth and David entered from the kitchen, carrying huge platters of baked cornish hens and filling the room with a mouthwateringly delicious aroma.
Étienne abandoned trying to convince Roland and turned to Seth. “Couldn’t you transform her, Seth?”
“No.” He placed the platter on the ever-growing dining table and turned to face them. “Nor can David.”