"I am a thousand years old," she revealed without emotion.

Now he laughed heartily."Please, Elena, do not play this game with me as you do with the others!I am amused, yes, but I am also a realist."

"I never play such games!"Releasing her arms from his neck, Elena gave him a look so cold and disdainful that it made him shiver involuntarily.Her gaze narrowed for a moment, to a hard, flinty look not unlike an animal ready to pounce and tear apart its prey.

She ...