Vampire's Forbidden Territory (Sídhí Summer Camp Series #2) Read Free Page B

him.
    Katie's eyes left his face, searching for her newly bonded lifeMate. The instant her eyes found Jared, surrounded by his family, her entire face lit-up with ill-contained love.
    Mitch felt a moment of burning jealousy flare in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't help it, he didn't begrudge his sister her happiness, but he dreamed of finding his own lifeMate. He knew that when he did find her – his perfect other half – he would adore her. The synth crystal in his blood would allow nothing less. Seeing Katie's look of love returned by Jared's look of pure adoration only made Mitch want to find his lifeMate that much more.
    Emily and Nick, Jared's younger sister and older cousin, had Jared in a group hug, but his eyes were automatically drawn to Katie. Mitch was glad his sister had managed a few days of privacy with Jared before the dragon's thrust her into a group setting once more.
    After several minutes of congratulating the new couple, everyone settled down and began discussing the day's plan. Of course, the stupid dragon picked that moment to butt his scaled head into their business.
    “There are a couple of small trails branching off the main path. You might try Blue Bertha, but whatever you decide you need to stay in this area for a few days,” Alexander said arrogantly. Not waiting for a reply, he surged into the bright morning sky.
    “Well, wasn't that helpful?” Emily asked sarcastically, in a rare show of annoyance.
    “He's in a hurry,” Jared said, his eyes softening as he wrapped an arm around Katie's waist. “The guardians received a hot tip on who tried to kill us and he wanted Katie and me out of the main campgrounds.”
    “That makes sense,” Nick said. He spoke to Jared, but his eyes followed Sarah as she moved farther away to stand under the shade of a large tree.
    Mitch curled his lip in gut wrenching disgust. There was no way in the world Mitch's synth would ever sing for a lousy member of the Dhark Empire. Revulsion seeped through him as he watched the two of them glower at each other. Ever since Nick and Sarah showed up the day before, they had given each other the silent treatment. It was creepy, even to someone as tough as Mitch was.
    Everyone gathered around the cold fire pit, discussing the various trails. As conceited as the dragon appeared, he had suggested an interesting destination. They all agreed Blue Bertha sounded like the best option.
    The teens broke camp and started up the trail toward the unique hot spring situated several hours away.
    Mitch kept near Katie’s side. He didn’t doubt Jared could protect her, but he didn’t want to take any chances, especially with their natural Sídhí abilities restricted by the silver bracelets the dragons had locked around their wrists.
    When she abruptly stopped, he nearly ran right over. Perhaps walking in front of her wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
    She craned her neck up, looking toward thinnest part of the forest, which lay ahead and to the left of the trail. “Is that smoke I smell?” Katie asked worriedly.
     

Fire!
    A short green snout, with a huge bulging deformity, shoved its way into Clarisse's face, not three inches from the redhead’s nose. Putrid dragon breath billowed in waves around her head, smelling worse than week-old trash. Smoke hovered around his snout in a gray cloud.
    Ugh! Didn't the scaly barbarian know what a toothbrush was for?
    “No,” Harry said, the growl in his hateful voice grew more noticeable.
    Clarisse blinked, trying to figure out if he had just answered her unspoken question. His next words put his snarled word in perspective.
    “Absolutely not, you will complete the plan exactly as outlined. Absolutely no deviation from the plans will be allowed,” Harry said, snorting as a stream of smoke trickled out of his nostrils.
    “I'm sick to death of all these blasted trees,” Clarisse said, kicking her booted foot through a thick pile of brown pine and blue furble needles. “If I do it