Make Me Read Free

what you discover, to act for me during the daytime.”
    Fang huffed with amusement. HE WANTS YOU TO BE HIS RENFIELD.
    I didn’t find that at all funny. It was a pretty tall order. But, unfortunately, I couldn’t argue with the vamp leader’s logic. “Rosa seemed to think you wanted me to be some kind of bodyguard.”
    Alejandro waved away my objection. “Rosa is overly protective. We cannot invade another vampire’s territory without permission. Without it, we risk much. I have gained that permission, but have agreed to bring only four with me. I shall take Austin and Vincent, and leave Luis and Rosa in charge here.”
    No wonder Rosa was peeved, with only two vamps to guard her boss’s back. “If I’m the third, who’s the fourth? Fang? Does Fang count?”
    FANG ALWAYS COUNTS.
    “No, Fang does not count as the fourth,” Alejandro said with a smile, “though I see no reason why he cannot come. The fourth will be Jack Grady.”
    Grady? The former keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka was an odd choice . “Why him?”
    “The encyclopedia can be a powerful weapon in our favor. He knows how to wield it, and you do not. We need him to get you up to speed as fast as possible.”
    Good luck with that. I’d tried with no luck. He was supposed to be training me on how to tap the magick potential in the books, but the only thing he’d done the past few days was pig out on Gwen’s food and hog Shade’s bed.
    “I have already spoken with Mr. Blackburn and the Demon Underground has agreed to let me take both of you,” Alejandro said. “I have made arrangements for a place to stay so we can leave tomorrow night when the sun goes down.”
    Why not? I’d only been to Austin a few times, and it would be something different than the same old, same old. “Do you have any idea how long we’ll be gone? Mom will kill me if I miss Christmas.” And since Mom and I had kind of a truce going on, I didn’t want to screw that up.
    “It’s little more than an hour away,” Austin drawled. “I think you’ll be able to come home to Mommy when you need to.”
    I clamped my lips on an unwise comeback and resolved not to let him get to me. “Okay. Should I pack?”
    “Yes,” Alejandro said. “Pack for a couple of weeks. It’ll make it easier than returning here for a change of clothing or necessities. You may go now if you wish.”
    I definitely wished, though I didn’t care for his master to servant phrasing. Glancing down at Fang, I asked, You ready?
    In answer, he got up and trotted away, pausing in front of the study door to glance expectantly over his shoulder at Austin.
    The cowboy rolled his eyes, but followed Fang’s unspoken bidding and opened the door for him.
    How do you do that?
    CHARISMA, BABE, SHEER CHARISMA.
    Shaking my head, I followed him down the hallway and out the front door. I straddled my Valkyrie motorcycle and waited for him to jump up into his own leather and sheepskin seat, then helped him on with his goggles.
    I sped home on the dark, silent streets of San Antonio. There weren’t many people out in the early hours of the morning, so I was able to drive on autopilot and make plans for the unexpected free time. I could take a hot bath to soak out my aches and pains, maybe even get some extra sleep before I had to show up at Alejandro’s tomorrow. After all, who knew what awaited us in the state’s capital?
    When we arrived home, I took off Fang’s goggles and he jumped down.
    “Hungry?” I asked. Usually, he’d be pestering me for food right about now.
    SORRY, BABE.
    “For what?”
    A dark cloth fell over my head and someone grabbed me, trying to pin my arms. What the… ? I struck out with my foot, connecting with someone who let out an oof .
    YOU’LL HAVE TO SEDATE HER, Fang said, and I felt the sudden prick of a needle in my arm.
    My mind grew fuzzy. Fang? What’s happening?
    No response.
    “Thanks, Fang,” a man said. “We owe you one.”
    I had only one thought as I lost