Read Online Destiny by Celia Breslin - Free Book Online Page A

a pale face, graceful hands, and stylish shoulder-length hair as coffee brown as mine, but my gut said he was several centuries old. And with age, came power.
    As if hearing my thoughts, a burst of light flared in his eyes, and energy pushed against my forehead as he attempted to capture me with his gaze.
    Good thing I was glamour-proof.
    I lifted my chin and met his stare dead on. “You did not just try that,” I whispered at a level inaudible to our human companions.
    I rose, invading the hell out of his personal space to collect my phone from his table, hovering over him in a blatant display of dominance and challenge. If he played for the good guys, he’d know my identity and back off. If he didn’t, Stella and Lily were one shout away, and my fire power even closer.
    He narrowed his eyes, his too-pretty mouth curving in a frown. He shot another pulse of energy my way. It nipped at my arms like electrified ants, reminding me of the sting of Stella’s power. Testing my boundaries?
    Okay, pretty boy, let’s dance.
    My eyes watered and slid to black in their usual chilling, waterfall glide as I opened myself to my special ability. Energy surged through my arms and pooled in my palms. Time for a barbecue preview.
    I trailed a finger along his jaw, leaving behind invisible heat. His companions gaped while my pals grinned at my perceived flirting.
    An invisible hand pushed at my chest, probing, searching for a way in. I glared at him in disbelief. Really, dude? This felt like one of Jonas’s lessons. Push me and see how much I can push back.
    Well, I didn’t need to touch the cheeky bastard to do damage. Like all vampires, I possessed innate power that came with the vampire territory. It just wouldn’t turn him into a crispy critter like my unique fire ability but it served me well.
    I raked invisible claws over his intrusive energy and it withdrew fast.
    The vampire rubbed his hands. “Nice. I do so enjoy a bit of pain with my foreplay,” he mused in a velvety voice complete with cultured, British accent.
    Fantastic. Another Brit. Dixon’s ugly mug appeared in my mind, but I ripped the image to shreds and focused on Mister Flirty.
    “If you liked that, you’re going to love my big guns.” I spoke sotto voce , for his keen vampire hearing only.
    His attention strayed to my breasts, partially on display in the plunging neckline of my clingy dress. I fought not to blush at his deliberate misinterpretation of my meaning.
    He licked his lower lip. “Oh, yes.” Another jolt of his energy skittered over my skin.
    Seriously? I sank to my seat, facing him. “Back off, pretty boy.”
    If he expected me to retreat, he’d be waiting an eternity. I’d learned a few important lessons during my rapid and harsh introduction to the Otherworld—never show weakness, and never back down from a bully.
    The vampire grinned, flashing his actor-worthy white teeth. “My apologies.” He extended a hand. “I’m Fineas. My friends call me Fin.”
    I ignored his outstretched hand. “Fineas.” I dialed down my power and let my eyes return to normal, blinking away the watery sensation.
    Fineas withdrew his hand. “Please, call me Fin. Would you care to join us for a bite? You seem quite hungry, Princess.”
    Ah, the P word. I slipped my cell into my handbag. “So you do know who I am.”
    His eyes widened in faux innocence. “Do I?”
    “Cut the crap, Fin,” Gen bellowed from her side of the table, making me jerk in surprise.
    She handed me my sake cup, filled to the brim, again, then stood and poured a round for the other table and Claire.
    “Cheers.” She forced us all to clink our tiny cups and drink.
    Fin, she called him Fin. “You know him?”
    She sat and leaned over the table, elbows bumping the platter of spicy tuna roll. “Sure, who doesn’t?”
    Claire rescued the tuna plate. “Everyone knows Fin.” She plopped a piece of the tuna roll in her mouth.
    My brow furrowed. “Uh, I don’t.” My hand tightened