Playing with Passion Theta Series Book 1 by Gayle Parness Page A

the open window.
    Jorint paid no attention. "I rule a
large portion of the modern world without resorting to ritual
sacrifice."
    "I seem to recall that only recently,
you turned an entire theatre full of sorcerers and witches to
ash."
    The Director's skin vibrated with lust
as he recalled the way his most powerful Ingrid had stood defiant
in the midst of the carnage. "A mistake was made by a most valuable
asset. I did what was necessary. I always weigh the outcome, before
I act."
    "Unlike Lumexe and Wiklyn?"
    "Our sisters have already wiped out
the human populations of several African nations. If they continue
in this way, the eastern hemisphere will soon be a wasteland.
Vampires will die out from lack of blood, wolves from attrition.
Our soldiers will suffer without their distractions. An unhappy
army breeds trouble."
    "Give me the female and I will deal
with our sisters. You owe me from the last encounter,
Jorint."
    "You can handle the two alone?" He
didn’t bother to hide his skepticism.
    "You think not?"
    "You are gifted, it’s true, but the
point is moot. My female continues to entertain. I will keep her
for now."
    "Unless you agree to help me, the
sisters will continue to ravage the earth."
    "You just told me you would take care
of them.”
    “In exchange for the female theta.”
Susa banged his fist on the arm of the chair, adding a breeze that
knocked the papers on his brother’s desk onto the floor.
    Jorint shook his head. Although he was
centuries older, it appeared Susa still had a childish streak. “You
should have beaten some sense into the twins long ago, you being
the elder sibling. I cannot take the time nor expend the energy. My
work is more important."
    "You think yourself superior to our
sisters, yet your spectacles involving live executions and weeklong
battles between the species you call allies are every bit as
destructive as their rituals."
    "I disagree. My scheduled competitions
keep the violence between species in a controlled environment and
off my streets. Theta performances sweeten their audience's baser
natures and keep endorphins buzzing for weeks. Where riots are the
normality in your part of the world, my methods keep me in control
and my supernatural population healthy and happy."
    "The executions are gruesome
spectacles."
    "None of the beings I rule, human or
supernatural, must forget that I am their master. The gruesome
spectacles, as you call them, serve their purpose."
    "I am appalled you find this to be an
acceptable method of governing."
    "Then blow off, brother." Together
they smirked at the pun. Susa controlled air and wind, as Jorint
had mastery over fire. "I leave the job of governing to others,
allowing them to imagine they have real power. It amuses me. Most
of Earth’s society is manipulated by its media, and I control
it.”
    "As I also control mine in my
territory. It is necessary. Yet you must show some degree of mercy.
You are breeding rebellion with your cruelty.”
    The Director, walked to the balcony
that overlooked Central Park, an area he’d gifted to the Midtown
Pack, one of those controlled by Joseph Herron. He required instant
obedience in return, no matter what was demanded of the wolves that
made the city their home. "I cannot see why you object to the
executions. Most of my supernatural citizens demand these
spectacles. The events sell out in minutes and are watched by
millions."
    "You rise in power on the backs of the
innocent," his brother wheezed.
    The sound wasn't an indication of any
illness, only of great emotion. "You're no fucking archangel, Susa.
The destruction you've caused is equal to mine." The room was
heating up again.
    "I destroy the bringers of evil," his
brother insisted. It was an ancient argument between
them.
    This time Jorint laughed. "What a load
of crap. You destroy the evil creatures that happen to disagree
with your methods.”
    Susa ignored his younger brother’s
comment, instead lifting his head to sniff the air. “Can you