Green-Eyed Envy Read Free

could get in big trouble if anyone besides Trinity or me found out. Ever since the Peace Accord that ended the Great War between mortals and arcanes—which mortals referred to as the “Time of Troubles”—all those who had more than one-sixteenth arcane blood running through their veins were subject to disclosure laws that were supposedly meant to benefit us—just like the so-called “one-drop” rule was supposed to benefit Native and African Americans way back when.
    And that totally explained the flash of amber light I had seen in his eyes when he sniffed out the catnip. While half-blooded arcanes took after their arcane parents, if their descendents married individuals with primarily mortal blood, those arcane abilities became more diluted with each generation. I was willing to bet that the enhanced sense of smell was the only thing Cass had inherited from his Warhound ancestor. That and his oh-so-youthful glow. No wonder he’d been able to pass for so long.
    “Ooookay, don’t take this the wrong way, but Trin and I didn’t just hear that.” His white pallor warmed up several notches, and he released his clenched fists. “But hypothetically speaking, explain how what you didn’t just say relates to our case.”
    “The counting coup habits of both Cats and Hounds have been pretty much edited out of history, as far as outsiders are concerned. Especially for those who intermingle with mortal society. They have to act civilized, at least on the face of it, though there are still bloodthirsty members of both races who engage in the old ways from time to time.” His expression grew inscrutable as he glanced down at the Cat’s corpse again. “Great-Grandfather made sure that all of us with any drop of his abilities were raised knowing everything about Hound history, just in case we’d ever need it.”
    I met his gaze unflinchingly. “So what you’re trying to say is you don’t think any other arcane races besides Cats or Hounds would have known about the tongue and catnip thing.”
    He shook his head. “And I highly doubt that a Cat would have done this to another of his kind.”
    Trinity arched a brow. “Are you so sure about that?”
    “I have to agree with him, Trin.” Much as I didn’t want to. “Based on what I know about Cats, and what Cass just told us about the whole counting coup and catnip thing . . . Odds are we’re looking for a Hound as the perp.”
    And with my luck, tracking him down was going to lead to a second off-again phase with my own not-so-cuddly Warhound. Oh well, there was always my backup lover, Jack Daniels.

CHAPTER TWO
    I WAS SNUGGLED UP WITH JACK D THAT EVENING watching my favorite sitcom when a key turned in the front door. My pulse picked up speed because only one person had the key to my Cambridge townhouse. Scott. My currently on-again lover. The empty snifter clinked when I set it down on the mahogany coffee table and smoothed my hair. Honey blond, since I was in mortal form, the perfect contrast to the hot pink nightie I hoped would get Scott in an insanely good mood before I broached the topic of serial-killing Hounds.
    My assumption was confirmed when the masculine scent of Scott’s cologne wafted into the living room seconds after the front door slammed shut. I closed my eyes to enjoy the fragrance he knew drove me crazy, and he struck, crossing the room in record time and straddling my legs on the leather sofa. My eyes snapped open and caught sight of a mind-blowing hunk with burnished bronze skin, chiseled muscles, shoulder-length auburn hair, and glowing yellow eyes. Those unearthly eyes burned with inner fire as he leaned forward and nuzzled my neck.
    “Well, good evening, sugar,” I purred in an imitation of a smooth-as-molasses Southern drawl. “Wasn’t sure you’d make it by tonight.”
    He gave me a knowing smirk and nipped my lips with his own. “After that picture you texted of you on your couch? Fat chance of that.”
    Which I’d very well