Read Online Blood and Fire by Ally Shields - Free Book Online Page B

their selection of wine, the vampiress’s gaze constantly returned to Ari. She didn’t like the feeling. Not even a little. She had hoped to stay low on Ursula’s radar, at least for a while.
    “Perhaps your delectable little friend would like to sit next to me?” the vampiress purred at Andreas and patted the chair next to her.
    Ari swallowed. Delectable? She didn’t think the term was intended as a social compliment. How varied were Ursula’s tastes?
    “You would deprive me of the privilege of renewing our acquaintance?” Andreas said smoothly. “Not on your life.” He took Ari’s arm, escorting her to the far side of the semicircle of chairs. He returned to Ursula with a neutral smile. “You are just as lovely as I remember you.”
    “Always the silver tongue. Too bad I know you do not mean it. Unless a couple of centuries have changed your mind?”
    “I believe that is a prerogative reserved to women, not men.”
    “That is unfortunate.” She licked her lips and leaned toward him to run a long fingernail over his chin. “I had so much fun when we last met. How is my darling Gabriel?” Ursula licked her lips a second time. “You were such a pair. Young, tasty and virile—”
    Andreas grabbed her wrist and moved her hand away from his face. They locked eyes in a silent struggle. When she jerked her arm, he released it. “We should not dwell too much on the past. Our memories, good or bad, can be of no interest to the others. I am more curious to hear why you are visiting our continent.”
    Ari let out a silent breath she’d held throughout this exchange and unclenched her fists. Andreas had walked a fine line. So much innuendo. Veiled threats, double-sided barbs. Didn’t vampires ever come out and just say it?
    “Business so soon?” Ursula stuck out her lower lip in a girlish pout. “I haven’t even had a chance to talk with your companion.”
    Daron cleared his throat and broke into the private dialogue Ursula had established with Andreas. “Perhaps a bit later. I also have a great interest in what might have brought an enforcer on such a long journey. You are far from home.”
    The vampiress turned a glittering look on the Toronto prince. “Being separated by an ocean does not mean we have forgotten you. On the contrary, you are a frequent topic of conversation.”
    Daron laughed easily. “I do not doubt that is true, my dear Ursula. I also keep myself informed of the elders’ latest activities.”
    Ursula’s smile was glacial. “Then perhaps you know why I am here. The council is most,” she paused deliberately, “eager to hear the details of Sebastian’s demise.”
    “You will forgive my ignorance on the subject,” Daron said. “I was not present. I heard it was a matter of dishonoring a guest.”
    “A breech of manners that warranted his death?” Ursula’s voice sharpened. “But why should you and I bandy words? We all know who struck the fatal blow. Andreas and his witch can explain exactly what happened.”
    Ari’s witch blood surged, mirroring the sudden spike of tension in the room. Andreas didn’t react, not even looking at the vampiress. He seemed more concerned with the receding level of wine in his glass. A waiter hurried forward to refill it. Finally, Andreas spoke.
    “A matter of his bad luck, really. Sebastian broke his oath of hospitality by attacking me. I defended myself. There was little more to it. You could say his death was almost an accident.”
    “Details, Andreas.” Ursula hissed. “I want the bloody details.”
    He stared at her, his brows raised so high in exaggerated indignation that Ari choked down a nervous laugh. “I think not. You cannot ask me to be so uncouth,” he drawled in the bored tones of the Italian aristocrat of his youth. He swirled the wine in his glass. “Surely there are better things for us to discuss. Like this excellent wine. Where did you find it, Daron? I do not recall Sebastian having this in his cellars. If he had, I