Read Online Daughter of the Thirteen: Bourbon Street Witches Book 1 by Lorraine Kennedy - Free Book Online Page B

were vampires!”
    “There are demons … and vampires,” he added. “Without my protection, you are vulnerable to both. You are just fortunate I decided to follow you when you left Magnolia Hall.”
    “Why do they hunt witches … and how did they know who I was?”
    “They hunt witches because they are attracted to the scent of their blood. A witch’s blood is like fine wine to the vampire, but there is another reason.”
    Laurel waited for an explanation, but he apparently had no intention of elaborating.
    Pulling away, she placed one hand on her hip. “And what is that other reason?” she prodded.
    “Omar believes that if he feeds on the blood of witches, the door to the Underworld will open to him.”
    “I’m confused. I thought you said the door to the Underworld was already open?”
    Sighing, he grasped her arm and started walking. “You are covered in vampire blood. We should get you cleaned up.”
    Digging her heels into the ground, she forced him to stop. “You haven’t told me anything! Who is Omar, and for heaven’s sake … why would he want to enter the Underworld?”
    Marcos laughed out loud. “For Heaven’s sake you say? Not likely.”
    Laurel responded with scowl.
    “Omar is one of the oldest vampires in existence, and he is the leader of a nest of New Orleans vampires. As for what he wants in the Underworld, I can only guess.”
    “That’s absurd. If you were truly the son of Satan, as you claim, you would know everything about this. Your father is the master of the Underworld, is he not?”
    Marcos’s dark - seductive smile set her heart racing.
    “I am the Dark Prince’s offspring. That doesn’t equate to having a personal relationship. To him, I am no more than the bastard son of a witch whore, worth only an infrequent thought.”
    A sudden insight came to her, bringing with it a tad of understanding. “So this is why you would defy him. You want to get even.”
    “Perhaps,” he shrugged. “Now we must go. I have no more time for your curiosity,” he growled, pulling her roughly until she was forced to move her feet.
    “Where are you taking me?” she asked, still struggling to get away from him.
    “To the only place you stand a chance of surviving.”
    When they exited the cemetery gates, a carriage pulled up, as if it had been waiting for them.
    “Get in,” he commanded.
    She wasn’t thrilled with the idea of going anywhere with Marcos St. Claire , but the alternative was worse. If she remained on the streets, she was asking for trouble.
    She would go with him for now, but as soon as she figured out how to combat the demons and the vampires, she’d disappear again.
    He took a seat next to her and was so close, she could feel his body heat through her clothes. As soon as they were settled, the carriage started moving.
    It was too dark to see him, and that made her nervous. It wasn’t so much that seeing him would bring her comfort, but when she couldn’t see his face and eyes, she had no idea what he was thinking.
    “I’m going to get blood on your clothes and your seat,” she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
    “It washes off,” he replied.
    Scooting as far from him as possible, Laurel settled into silence.
    He wasn’t about to let her off that easy.
    Closing the distance between them, he draped his arm over her shoulder. When he felt her stiffen, he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
    “Come to my bed tonight. Let me love you, little angel witch.”
    “I think you are far too bold,” she snapped. “I don’t care who you are. You can’t treat me in this fashion.”
    She wanted to portray anger and confidence, but the cracking in her voice gave her away.
    He responded with a deep chuckle. “I think you should have a taste of what I have to offer, before you decide you don’t want it.”
    She had a retort ready, but he smothered it with a kiss. His invading tongue sent shivers of desire racing through her. Releasing her lips, he left a trail of