Read Online Hunter of the Dark by J A Graham - Free Book Online Page A

Was she in trouble? The cop moved forward with her clipboard, the paper’s minty scent reaching into her nostrils and making her sneeze.
    “I am afraid your mother…”
    Tanitha’s eyes opened and she fought tears. This couldn’t be happening. This was just a dream. If she pinched herself hard enough she’d wake up from this awful nightmare.
    “…had a bit of an accident. It seems she had been drinking a bit too much, and vomited, choking on it. I'm sorry, there's nothing we could've done.”
    Tanitha screamed then, her hands clenching into fists. Sadie lifted her head and wailed too, causing the policewoman to back off, and look at the dog nervously.
    “I should have been there for her.” Tanitha sobbed.
    “ There was nothing you could've done.” Cameron spoke quietly, repeating what the policewoman had said and making her jump. Tanitha hadn’t realised he had come up beside her. Cameron took her into his arms and Tanitha’s whole body shuddered as she was racked with sobs and pain. Cameron glanced at the policewoman and she took her cue and left, returning into the house, leaving the two figures entwined in each other’s arms.
     

Chapter Fourteen
     
    Cameron knocked on the bedroom door of the spare room and entered. Two weeks had passed since Dinah’s demise and he was worried. Tanitha definitely wasn’t herself. Sorsa lay in the corner, but when Cameron entered, the dog rushed at him excitedly. The dogs hadn’t been walked for well over that time, and they were both boisterous. He cleared his throat and eyed Tanitha, who was sitting on the bed with her back to him, looking out the window. Sorsa also sat in front of her, and was gazing out the window with the same vacant expression.
    “ Tanitha?” He probed, questioning the still figure.
    “ Yes?”
    Her voice was barely a whisper. Cameron knew that she was taking the loss of her mother hard. He gave a sad smile before moving around and enfolding his arms around her from behind. He could feel her body rocking with silent sobs.
    “Are you still going to the ball with me?” He asked softly. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
    Tanitha shook her head and Cameron’s spirits plummeted. If she didn’t want to go, he wouldn’t force her. Suddenly she swiveled around, her face streaked with tears.
    “I’m going. I owe so much to you.”
    Cameron gave a cry of joy and wrapped her into an even tighter hug. She laughed before pulling away. Sorsa danced around the two, barking out his joy at seeing his owner animated once more.
    “I don’t have a dress.” She moaned desolately. Cameron smirked, a weird glint highlighting his dark blue eyes.
    “ Never fear, my dear. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Close your eyes.”
    Tanitha did as she was told and Cameron led her out into the hallway by the hand. She heard a door opening and heard the whisper of promises. She felt Cameron’s breath tickle her ear, and her whole body responded with goosebumps.
    “You can open them now.” He said, his voice husky. She opened her eyes and stared in shock. The smooth satin black and red that greeted her eyes was definitely not a make that would have been cheap. She turned to Cameron in disbelief. He was standing with one side of his mouth upturned in a knowing smile and his arms crossed.
    “ Go on, try it.”
    She was more than willing to and when she had it on it fitted like a dream. She felt beautiful for the first time in her life. She found a make-up case already in the bathroom and set about doing her hair in a style fit for a princess. Finally she waltzed down the hallway into the living room. Cheyne had joined his brother. He looked at Tanitha approvingly, letting out a low whistle.
    “Wow, Cam. I think she’s too classy for you.”
    Cameron had got changed himself and was looking particularly dashing in his traditional black and white tuxedo. He himself couldn’t believe what he was seeing in front of him. She stepped