Night Angel Read Free

Color flushed her cheeks as she nodded toward him and walked to the bar.
    He ached to go to her. Curiosity was a rare sensation for a being as old as he, but he stayed in his chair. He had nothing to offer and no time to keep hiding in this pub. One drink to clear his head and then he would hunt.
    Muriel brought over his Guinness, and he lifted it to his lips. Most of his kind couldn’t tolerate drinking anything other than blood, but he’d lived on the island so long that he’d built up a tolerance and a love for a good, dark Guinness. He wouldn’t be able to drink all of it, but he could enjoy a few sips.
    Muriel wiped the bar and called over. “Where’re you from?”
    The jungles of the Yucatan. “The other side of Belvoir Forest. I own the Sea Haven Farm.”
    She glanced up from her work. “That’s the place Bartley tends, right?” She grinned. “How come he’s never brought ya here before?”
    Because I don’t eat pub grub. “I travel a lot on business.”
    “Didn’t mean t’ pin ya down for an excuse.” She raised a brow. “I know I’m not the fanciest place in town.”
    “I just don’t get out much.” He almost smiled. “Really.”
    He noticed Juliana watching him. She peered over at him from beneath her auburn mane and gestured to the stool beside her.
    How could he resist? He’d only stay a few minutes.
    Colin picked up his Guinness and approached the bar. “Is this seat taken?”
    She watched his lips and then shook her head.
    He pulled out the stool and sat down. “You play beautifully.”
    Juliana withdrew a pad and pen from the pocket of her coat. Thank you… I don’t know your name.
    “May I?” He pointed to her pen.
    She handed it to him, a playful spark lighting her dark eyes.
    Colin. He returned her pen. “You’re Juliana?”
    She nodded and offered her hand. He shook it, the warmth of her skin teasing his hunger, his thirst for blood surging. Her smile faded, and she released him to take up her pen.
    You’re freezing. Muriel makes a great hot toddy.
    He shook his head and pointed to his glass. “Just holding my cold Guinness too tight.”
    Her expressive features gave her recognition of his words away, and he tried to imagine the sound of her voice.
    Muriel came back over. “Want me to leave a tab open?”
    “Nah.” He laid a bill on the bar. “I can’t stay.”
    She took the money, shaking her head. “More to life than work, ya know.”
    “Maybe so.” His gaze remained fixed on Juliana’s. “But there’s no rest for the wicked.”
    She picked up her pen. You don’t look wicked to me.
    He took a swig of the stout and winked. “Looks can be deceiving.”
    “Thanks, Muriel.” He walked to the door, glancing back at the redhead on the barstool. “I hope I see you again, Juliana.”

 
     
     
    The door closed behind him, and Juliana glanced at Muriel. Her cousin was giving her a decidedly guarded look.
    “You invited him to sit beside you.”
    Juliana shrugged and feverishly wrote, You saw him. You would have done the same thing.
    Muriel smiled and pressed her finger to her chest. “ I would sure, but that’s not your style.”
    Juliana rolled her eyes. I don’t have a style.
    “Bah.” Muriel grabbed the glass of Guinness and shook her head. “What kind of self-respecting man leaves a half a pint of Guinness behind?”
    Juliana’s gaze shifted to the door. Colin. The second man from her dream. What did it mean? She reached up to toy with the silver triquetra pendant around her neck. The Celtic trinity knot had been a gift from her grandmother, passed down through the family. She’d taught Juliana that all lives were intertwined, every thread binding to the other, no matter how distant.
    And now she sat on her cousin’s barstool wondering what connected her with Colin and Benedict. She didn’t know either man well at all, but if her dreams were any indication, that was about to change.
    She ran her index finger over Colin’s name, feeling the