Read Online Her Dark Heart by Vivi Anna - Free Book Online Page B

door to open it. But it was still locked. He glanced over his shoulder to Guinevere. “Open it.”
    â€œI can’t. It has a failsafe for my protection.”
    â€œSo we’re trapped in this room?”
    She shook her head. “No. There is another way out.” She pointed to the giant hearth in the corner where a fire raged on. “Through the fire, is a latch. Pull it and a secret door will open.”
    Trevor looked into the hearth searching for the latch. “We need to douse these flames.”
    â€œIt’s magic and can’t be put out with water. ”
    Without another thought, Trevor reached through the fire and grabbed the latch. He didn’t feel the flames. They didn’t touch his skin. He was blessed with healing hands, a gift that accompanied his witch genes. They were part of what made him a good EMT.
    He pulled the lever. A small trap door opened in the marble floor in front of the fireplace under Trevor’s foot. He toppled forward. Guinevere was quick and grabbed him by the jacket before he went down into the hole. Yanking him back, she managed to rip the material from its lining.
    He nodded to her. “Thanks.”
    â€œNo problem.”
    He motioned toward the trap door. Guinevere stepped into the hole and onto a metal ladder. She climbed down. Trevor waited until the top of her head was out of sight, then followed her. He closed the trap door and plunged them into total darkness.
    â€œDamn it,” Trevor swore. He had not anticipated the total lack of light.
    â€œDon’t worry, I can see in the dark.” She patted him lightly on the leg in reassurance. “I will guide the way.”
    Trevor held on tightly to the ladder, as he continued his descent.
    â€œI’ve reached the bottom,” Guinevere announced. “Three more rungs and so will you.”
    He stepped down onto solid ground and felt Guinevere beside him. Her eyes glowed yellow as she looked at him. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him forward into the dark.
    â€œIt’s a tunnel. It will lead us to a storm drain that empties into the river.”
    â€œThere’re no rats in here, are there?”
    Guinevere chuckled. “Are you afraid of them?”
    Trevor shook his head, then wondered if she could see the action. “No, not really. I just don’t want to catch some disease while I’m walking through the pitch black.”
    She tugged him further into the tunnel. He had to trust her that she wasn’t leading him astray, or into something that could injure him.
    â€œWhat was all that, anyway?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œThe gunshots?” he asked. “It didn’t seem like it was random. A gunman doesn’t come back if it’s not personal.”
    He heard her sigh and wondered if she was going to tell him the truth. Not that she was required to. He wasn’t anyone to her. Just an EMT in the wrong place at the wrong time.
    â€œIt seems I’m involved in a bit of a political war.”
    â€œA turf war?”
    She sighed again. “I suppose you could call it that. I have control over certain parts of Nouveau Monde, certain businesses and whatnot. My second, Soren, has chosen to move against me.”
    â€œSo this was an assassination attempt on your life?” Trevor was surprised. He knew about vampire politics, but didn’t think it involved mafia-like tactics. He’d never heard of one vampire moving on another like this.
    â€œYes, I suppose it was.”
    Trevor was silent the rest of the way as Guinevere guided him through the tunnel. Of course, he didn’t have a choice. It was completely black. He couldn’t see a thing except for the eerie amber glow of Guinevere’s eyes when she turned to check on his progress.
    Eventually, Trevor could see a small pinpoint of light. They were nearing the end of the tunnel. Cold water sloshed around his feet, sending shivers up his legs. They were obviously