Read Rebel Heart for Free Online Page B

still. You wouldn't want me to call for the watchers, eh? You know what they do to their victims before they escort them away?"

 
    Her eyes shot sparks of fire. His anger died along with a startling rise of heat to his loins, his intent to convince her stronger now that he realized the affect he had upon her.

 
    "Ah, let me think. I had thought to punish you as a child. A severe tongue-lashing might leave a lasting impression for a week or so. But no, a lesson should be remembered and it should fit the crime. Where shall I start? Strip you naked first, I believe. Purification always begins that way."

 
    She had lain so very quiet and so very still that he wasn't sure if she were in shock or contemplating his demise. But she finally found her voice. "Punish me and be dammed with you, but stop taunting me with humiliating reprisals! Thieftaker!" She spat out the word in the most derogatory manner.

 
    "I'd rather prolong the agony, little fool. It's all part and parcel of the punishment, or hadn't you guessed that already? If the punishment fits, then the lesson is remembered."

 
    "Bastard!" The girl managed to free one hand, raking her fingernails across his cheek before he could capture it again.

 
    Cameron swore. "A child and a little fool to boot! Where were your father and mother when you were growing up? You have the manners of an alley cat."

 
    The barb hit home. As he watched, the small oval of her face turned bloodless, yet her eyes narrowed and he caught a glint of determination and a moment of helplessness just before she unleashed her fury. Renewing her struggle, she reached swiftly for the gun at his belt. It went off, knocking Cameron from her hips and onto his back.

 
    She rose and quickly assumed a position of authority, the gun pointed squarely at his chest. "Ah, babe...I like you like that. Perhaps now I'll see you thrashed, stripped naked and readied for purification," she mocked and victory resounded eloquently in her words. "Now, my arrogant thieftaker, I have the advantage. Take yourself home and make sure your mother doesn't birth any more bastards, or worse--thieftakers!"

 
    The gun was still pointed at his chest and the protective vest he wore. Its first blast did little damage and he had no doubts a second would do nothing more. It was the embarrassment of his unseating, the humiliation that this wisp of a girl could gain the upper hand so easily that bothered him.

 
    "Go!" the girl cried out.

 
    "Or what?"

 
    She grinned. "Or I'll see to your punishment." She looked at his feet. "The boots...I want your boots first. Put them over there by the tree." She nodded her head in that direction.

 
    His mind focused on the gun, Cameron began to move.

 
    "Ah, babe, you follow orders well. How does the big bad thieftaker feel now? I suppose your father never saw fit to teach you manners. I believe it will be my pleasure. A nice long walk in the buff might do the trick."

 
    "Take care, little wildcat, I have all day to play this game. You, on the other hand, have one hour."

 
    "Game. Game? This is no game."

 
    "Of course it is. You defy all the laws to be out here.

 
    "I have good reason, and I hold the gun. And thieftaker, the boots then your pants, I think. It is my duty, you see, to humble a thieftaker. Go on now, strip."

 
    Cameron's stance was wide, his long arms hanging loosely at his side. His smile widened as her eyes flashed, battle ready and primed, her reaction surprising him. He stepped forward.

 
    "I wouldn't do that," she said.

 
    "Ah, but...I'm not you." He dove for the gun. His fingers closed vise-like around her wrist, forcing her arm and the weapon toward the green canopy above. The gun discharged. Twigs and leaves fell from the sky and showered them with debris.

 
    "What now? As you can tell, I hold the gun."

 
    The upper hand was his once again.

 
    Time to end the game. The overlords would arrive soon. As the lady twisted her arm from his grip,