Firestorm: Heart of a Vampire #5 Read Free Page B

her wiles and turn him into a pawn.
    He took a deep breath, assessing her. With an effort of will, he held out his hand.
    Before he could react, she grabbed him and jerked his arm through bars of the gate. And the magic. It stung a bit, but felt more like discomfort rather than the pain he’d expect. When he pulled back, she let go easily.
    “Don’t touch me again, Woman,” he stated harshly.
    She merely continued to grin, though her green eyes hardened. “My name is Cat, not ‘Woman’. It will take me just a moment.” She turned and disappeared into darkness.
    After a long moment, when she didn’t come back, he called out, “Woman? Where in all the hells did you go?”
    Silence reigned.
    He waited until the numbness from the mist and chilled air nearly turned him into an ice cube, then returned to his car. Before he could defrost, the gate rolled open.
    The woman appeared, heading for the passenger door. She pulled it open. “My apologies. I had to adjust the barrier to your essence so you could come and go.”
    It sounded reasonable, but the tightness of her shoulders hinted that she’d taken longer than necessary. He couldn’t figure out why she’d do such a thing, though.
    “It’s about time,” he replied.
    Her shoulders tightened further. As she reached to climb into the seat, a deep growl reverberated from the mist behind her.
    Eyes widening, flickering with fear, she spun to face the shadows between the trees.
    The growl turned into a howl. The woman scrabbled backwards into the seat, then clawed the door closed. “Hurry. Get past the barrier.”
    Eric slammed on the gas. The SUV surged forward as a large, furry wolf slammed into the side, rocking the car.
    They passed the gates, leaving the wolf behind. Eric watched in the rearview mirror, but the beast didn’t follow them.
    The mist never crossed the magical barrier either.
    “Was it an enemy or a pet?” he asked, ready to slam on the brakes and throw her out if she gave the wrong answer.
    She glanced out the window. With syrupy sweetness she murmured, “All brawn and no brains.”
    He jerked the car to a stop, hands clenched on the wheel. “When I ask a question, I expect an answer. You’re the one who called for help.”
    She nibbled her lower lip, casting her eyes down demurely. “Of course. My apologies. You see, I just figured anyone with an ounce of sense would recognize that if something attacks, it is obviously not a wayward pet.”
    Unable to come up with a decent reply, he finally continued driving.
    The gravel road curved, ending in a circle in front of a massive three-story mansion. He stopped the SUV in front of wide steps leading up to a wrap-around porch.
    Cat hurried from the car to the front door. She was a snappy thing, but one look at her house explained it. Rich, pampered princess. She was probably used to people doing her bidding.
    Well, she had another thing coming when dealing with him. He wasn’t her damn servant, or her babysitter, regardless of whether Jordan had tasked him to keep her safe.
    Reluctantly, he got out and headed up the stairs, keeping his axe in hand—in case anything else lurked nearby. At the doorway, his steps faltered. It took a long moment, too long, to push forward. The door slammed behind him with a hollow thunk and he barely stopped himself from jumping.
    “Welcome to Dawn’s Hope,” Cat said.
    “What?” he asked absently, struggling to keep calm.
    “The plantation. It’s called Dawn’s Hope.”
    “Why?” In his distracted state, the question came out before he could stop it. He glowered at her smile, at her mistaken impression that he gave a shit.
    “My father named it. Long story. Maybe I’ll tell you some time.” She glided across the foyer and down a hall, towards an arched doorway outlined by flickering firelight. Before she entered, she cast a glance back over her shoulder. “Coming?”
    Then she disappeared. Again.
    He sheathed BrynTröll , then with a sigh, followed the