Read Online Demon Seed by Jianne Carlo - Free Book Online Page B

the archway.
    Jacinta scooted off the mattress and dressed quickly in jeans, a T-shirt, and socks. After removing the knife from her boot, she slipped past the kitchen, dropped to her knees, and crawled to the engine room’s open door.
    Demon, bare-chested, stood at the stern, gun drawn, his pose one of full alert. His glance swept the cove. Without pausing in his methodical checking of the thick mangrove, he waved her back inside.
    She immediately recognized the kind of silence that spoke of an unfamiliar predator’s entrance into new territory. The immediate abatement of chirps, squawks, and whistles, and the hushed scurrying as small prey like rats and mongooses sought concealment. She crouched for balance, rested one knee on the deck, palmed the knife, and studied the mangrove, eyes narrowed. She sniffed and caught the faint feral stink of a big cat. To the left, a branch dipped; Jacinta trained her gaze on the tree and readied the knife.
    A feline yowl preceded the jaguar’s leap from an overhead tree. The cat landed on the bank, teats hanging down, heavy with milk, and sprang for the deck. Maybe three feet separated the spotted cat from the houseboat.
    Jacinta didn’t hesitate.
    She threw the knife, aiming for the animal’s hind end. The steel blade sang across the deck, skimming the bow’s apex, and sank into the jaguar’s right leg. A scarlet spray stained the matted fur. Screeching its fury, the cat reared back, landed half in, half out of the river, and bounded into the dense mangrove.
    Before she could draw a deep breath, Demon had her by the shoulders. He shook her. “Are you insane? Didn’t I tell you to stay inside?”
    He was shouting again. Jacinta cringed but stuck her chin in the air. “I have tracked big cats. I know what to do. And I did not know if you are au courage with the jungle.”
    “What?” He shook her again so hard she thought a tooth would come loose. “When I tell you stay put—you stay put. Hear me?”
    “I believe everyone within three miles can hear you.” Jacinta folded her arms. “I do not understand why you are angry again.”
    “You could have been hurt.” He hugged her tight, and she grew even more confused. “Damn it. Next time you disobey me, I’ll tan your backside.”
    “You would hit me?” She didn’t understand him, not at all.
    “You turn me inside out, woman. No, I would not hit you. Not in anger, anyway.” He nudged her jaw, and their eyes met.
    “So you would hit me? Only not in anger? Truly, não entendo . This I do not understand.” Yet she felt not a hint of fear, just confusion.
    “Aw hell. Forget I ever said that. I do not hit females.”
    She blew out a long sigh and pointed to her heart. “I know that here. But your words skitter my thoughts.”
    “Scatter. Who taught you to throw a knife?” Demon shook his head. “Don’t tell me, the vaunted Sister Helen?”
    “Yes. She is so much better than I with the knife. But I am far superior with guns and a bow and arrow. Not as good with the blowpipe.” Jacinta smiled. “I told you I am not helpless.”
    He studied her for long seconds. “After we eat, I’ll assess your competence with guns and knives. The blowpipe and bow and arrows can wait.” Demon flicked the tip of her nose. “Why do I get the feeling that your talents don’t extend to the kitchen?”
    She wrinkled her nose. “I can churn butter. But alas the sisters complained of stomach cramps the few times I cooked a meal.”
    He chuckled. “You can churn butter? That’s it in the culinary arena?”
    “I can clean and gut and smoke a fish.” Jacinta tried not to sound defensive. “I can dress a chicken. I have not the talent for watching pots. Things burn very quickly.”
    “Breakfast is on me, then.” He curled an arm around her waist. “Scrambled eggs and toast?”
    “There is no bacon?” She had discovered bacon on the second morning at the school. Her mouth watered remembering the heavenly scent of the strips