Read Online H.U.M.A.N.S (The Veiled World Book 1) by Susan Reid - Free Book Online

ago. There was definitely an entity in here. I could smell it but it seemed familiar.
    Twinkie emitted another low grumble, slowly stalking towards the center of the room.
    I flipped on more lights, aiming my gun to the exact spot but I couldn’t see anything.
    Then, Twinkie just stopped. Sitting back down on his haunches, he watched that particular spot for a moment longer and then he returned to his napping as if it was nothing after all.
    Now that was creepy and odd.
    “Really, Twinkie? Some watch cat you are.”
    I surveyed the bar again, making rounds all the way up the stairwell to my apartment, where Twinkie took the opportunity to dive through the open door and cower in his cat bed, and then back down into the kitchen and cellar.
    All was as it should be so far.
    Now, I was paranoid. Twinkie had a talent for spotting entities and things that we couldn’t see right away as well as those who may be enemies beneath the surface. I should have made him stay downstairs with me and assist in the search.
    Well, maybe he had the right idea. I guess I’ll just retire for the night and take the walkie-talkie upstairs with me to find new batteries.
    I had a cache of assorted weapons stashed in my apartment but I was going to keep this rifle with me on my way up, just in case.
    Pushing the kitchen door open, I instantly picked up on the faint scent that wafted by me earlier once again. It was a light and …like expensive, exotic cologne or soap.
    Keeping my back to the wall, I slowly leaned out of the kitchen door and cautiously peered around the door jamb. Using the scope of my rifle, I panned across the expanse of the entire bar once again —and nearly screamed. A gasp caught in my throat and I tightened my grip on the rifle and trigger out of reflex.
    I was stunned beyond all reason and comprehension but ready to fight. Sitting casually at the bar as if waiting on a bartender, was a Nocturna.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
     
     
    M y hunter instincts immediately took over and I began to tremble and sweat, aggressively itching to kill. In fact, I really wanted to fight someone more than anything in hand to hand combat. I needed to jump over mountains, scale buildings, and demolish anything solid—including ripping his head clean off with my bare hands. It was an overwhelming and near frightening feeling. Sure, hunters had to be physical and know how to fight well but this feeling was extending way beyond that norm for me.
    That bizarre sensation that had been coursing through me all day was resurfacing again. I supposed that this time it would be in my favor though.
    “How the fuck did you get in here?” I demanded through clenched teeth.
    Though the tip of my rifle was aimed directly at his head he remained calm. How had be bypassed all of the protective rune codes and wards?
    “I apologize for the unannounced intrusion. I didn’t come for an altercation.”
    Unannounced intrusion? Who talks like that?
    That voice confirmed everything. Recognition began to sink and I started to make the connection. He could travel like an apparition, which made him unpredictably dangerous and unaffected by the runes and wards.
    Well, that wasn’t good news for me.
    I didn’t hesitate to think or say anything else, switching into infrared mode to size him up. I instantly took note that the majority of his body was warm this time, including his heart. He was at his fullest capacity in both strength and energy but he wasn’t armed.
    Interesting.
    That didn’t matter. I had a feeling that this could be a bloody and long fight for the both of us.
    I carefully inched my way behind the bar counter to maintain a safe barrier between us.
    I guess he was the entity that Twinkie was detecting not long ago.
    I wondered how long he’s been hanging around here watching me. The thought made me furious and slightly fearful.
    Slightly.
    I may need some backup because there was no telling what the limits of