Read Online Blood and Kisses by Karin Shah - Free Book Online Page B

said, offering Gideon a dainty hand and a seductive look, her mascara-covered lashes lowered coyly over tilted green eyes.
    “Ursula Grant, this is Gideon Damek. Gideon, Ursula.” Thalia damned the stiff sound of her voice. “He’s a vampire,” she felt compelled to add, but Ursula’s smile didn’t dim. Why should it? Despite her psychic talent, Ursula was totally and completely a petty.
    “I think I’ve seen you at the B.B. and C.,” Ursula purred. She linked her purple silk-clad arm with Gideon’s and led him into the house, the high heels of her shoes clicking on the ceramic tile floor.
    A pile of luggage, evidence of Ursula’s recent return, sat in the foyer, blocking the bi-fold doors of what Thalia figured was a coat closet. The lights were low and scented candles burned everywhere. Thalia wrinkled her nose. The overpowering perfume of so many candles in such a small house made her head ache.
    She followed Gideon and Ursula down a short hall. Both tall, they made a charming picture as they walked along, Ursula so pretty and fair, and Gideon so dark. Thalia wondered what she looked like when she stood next to him. A strange, sick sensation she refused to acknowledge burned in her chest.
    Ursula’s kitchen was small and neat, little more than a galley kitchen with a diminutive table shoved up against the far wall and three nineteen fifties diner-style chairs.
    Ursula showed them to the table and pulled out a seat for herself. The rubber tips on the metal legs of her chair caught and squeaked against the linoleum floor. “I don’t usually do readings outside of business hours,” she said, slanting a sidelong look at Gideon who reclined in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee. His ebony eyes focused neutrally on her face. “But under the circumstances...”
    Thalia wondered if the circumstances had to do with the fact that there had been two murders, or that Gideon was her client. Ursula seemed different tonight. The psychic seemed just a bit too glossy, a bit too hard, a bit too...hungry. She smothered a sigh, angry with herself for being catty, and faked a smile with some effort. “Thank you for accommodating us. Can we begin?”
    Ursula’s smile slipped. Her tone became more business-like. She folded her hands. “Certainly. I don’t usually contact people I knew in life, so before we try, you’re aware we might not able to reach either victim? There’s no telling who might come through.”
    Thalia nodded.
    Ursula nodded back. “And even if we do get someone pertinent, there’s no guarantee they’ll tell you what you want to know.”
    Thalia nodded again, anxious to begin.
    “Very well.” Ursula took a deep, cleansing breath and closed her catlike eyes. She placed her hands palm upward on her knees yoga fashion. Thalia rolled her eyes. Ursula was a gifted psychic, but she tended toward the melodramatic.
    The ticking of kitchen clock grew louder and louder in the silence. Finally, Ursula spoke. “I’m getting a young woman about your age. I think it’s Lily. She is showing me...” Ursula licked her red lips and began to breathe heavily. Her head rolled back to expose the vulnerable hollow of her throat. Her heart was beating so fiercely Thalia could see the pulse throbbing in her neck. Ursula laid one manicured hand on her damp forehead. “She’s showing me a handsome dark-haired man. I don’t recognize him. He meets her outside the B.B. and C. She’s unable to resist him. She doesn’t want to resist him. Oh.” Ursula shuddered. Her painted eyelids fluttered and she placed a hand to her throat. “The pleasure. I...” Her face flushed and she sucked in a deep breath, visibly struggling to maintain her composure. She came back to herself and opened her eyes, revealing widely dilated pupils. “I’m sorry. I’ve never been drawn in that way. Usually, all I get is pictures and impressions.” She fanned herself and settled back to try again, resuming her former posture. “Now I’m