Read Online Darkness Burning by Delilah Devlin - Free Book Online Page B

something to ease her fear and his own hungers, had overwhelmed him. If Malcolm hadn’t interrupted, Alex would have taken her right then and there. When she’d found him at the blood bar, he’d finally given way to his lust.
    In any case, he was ready to focus on the true business of the evening. He had to know what happened when the sabat met. He wouldn’t be allowed in the room, couldn’t even let anyone know of his interest.
    Nicolas was the key. He’d have to approach him afterward. But how would he while away the hours in the meantime?
    He wandered through the dark garden, avoiding the poolsof light spilling from the paned windows and French doors, compliments of the generator droning in the distance. Hands clasped behind his back, he pretended boredom in case he was observed, while inside he felt frustrated, impatient, wishing he were anywhere but here.
    Here was a dangerous, incestuous cesspool. Yet Chessa wouldn’t budge from Ardeal . She complicated matters. How would he keep her safe from the sabat and Inanna? Chessa knew Inanna was crafty and untrustworthy, but she didn’t know the depths to which her grandmère would go to get exactly what she wanted.
    A door leading from the library creaked quietly open, then closed again. Was someone following him? Alex stepped behind a tall white column to watch.
    A woman stepped into a pool of moonlight. She adjusted her clothing, cursing softly under her breath. Disheveled, her long red hair mussed, she raked her fingers through it, wrinkled her nose in disgust, and glanced around.
    Dressed in a brown leather bomber jacket and jeans, he recognized her instantly. Malcolm had indeed added her to the last patrol from New Orleans—brought her as food for the straight Revenants . By the careful way she walked, he could tell that she’d already indulged in the debauchery. Not that he could blame any man for wanting to take a bite. Her vibrant coloring was like feathers cloaking a luscious little bird. Ripe for plucking.
    Alex eased himself closer to her through the shadows, wondering why this woman seemed fated to cross his path again and again.
    Her straight back ended in a lush round bottom. Her legs were long and slim. But it was her face that arrested him. Porcelain-pale skin. A short, blunt nose and rounded, stubborn chin. Although he still couldn’t tell their color, her eyes were large and luminous.
    She walked deeper into the garden, found a teakwood bench, and settled gingerly down.
    Her eyelids fluttered shut for a moment and she inhaled, her shoulders rising, then relaxing visibly. When she opened them again, her expression grew disgruntled. “Damn, I need a bath.”
    Perhaps here was a bit of distraction to keep him amused as he waited. He quietly approached her from behind. “Enjoying the party?” he asked, deepening his voice so that she wouldn’t recognize it.
    She jumped, her head swiveling to find him in the shadows. Her eyes widened on him. “I thought I was alone,” she said, her tone indicating her preference that he leave. “Besides, I already gave. Twice,” she bit out. “So no tricks—keep those damn pheromones and fangs to yourself.”
    “I’m not a Revenant ,” he said easily, not the least put off by her bristling.
    “I don’t care what the hell you call yourself, no more ‘gifts’ are happenin’ here.”
    Despite her prickly demeanor, he settled on the bench beside her, leaning back as though he was oblivious to her annoyance and meant to stay a while. “I meant , I’m not one of the turned vampires.”
    “You’re not a vampire?” Her gaze narrowed. “Every vampire I’ve met has been beyond beautiful. You’re too handsome to be a normal guy.”
    He preferred an indirect response to an outright lie. “I camewith a group of guys from New Orleans to attend the party. But thanks for the compliment.”
    Her expression was no less suspicious. “Did you know it would be like this?”
    “Pretty much.”
    “Then I’m