Read Online Killer Temptation by Marianne Willis - Free Book Online

table and surrounded it with the candles. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
    Clearing her throat, she made her way across the room and sat beside the younger witch. “I’ve never been surer about anything in my life.”
    Amber shut her eyes once the table was set, features relaxed, her breathing light and even.
    Brianna turned her attention to the candles. The tip of the first candle sparked into flame, followed by the second, then the third, until each candle ignited.
    “Okay. I think I’m ready.”
    She placed her hand over Amber’s. “Thank you,” she said under her breath.
    Amber gave a fleeting smile before turning her attention back to the table. Her eyes shut once again. She raised her arms, hands hovering over the lit candles and lipstick.
    “ Blood for blood. Life for life .” She spoke with an even and firm tone. “ The first lips you touch remains all right, the kiss you give is the one to strike. A death of pain, a death of fright. The one who drank the blood and life, is the one who must die on this night .”
    A cool gust burst through the room, dancing over her face, arms and along her legs. The frigid air sank beneath her pores and sent a chill down her spine. Goosebumps broke out and she rubbed them away. The candles flickered when the breeze twirled. Papers and empty chocolate bar wrappers rustled high, almost touching the ceiling.
    She did not fear, having seen this a thousand times before. Her gaze settled on her cousin’s tight-shut eyes. The wind settled. The bits of paper and empty wrappers floated to the floor. Amber’s eyes shot open and the flicker stilled. “Done.”
    ****
    The brown, worn, leather sofa squeaked as Tristan shifted, attempting to find a comfortable position. His gaze fixed on the brass empire clock on the mantel across from him. The little gold hands ticked with slow precision, counting the tenth minute past eight o’clock.
    She should be here by now. His fingers strummed over his knee, unable to stop fidgeting. Nothing he did helped his restlessness. Dieu , he could not recall the last time nerves swarmed through his stomach. He inhaled, breath quivering. His family hired a cleaning service at the beginning of the week, and the strong scent of citrus and polish lingered. Done with sitting in one spot, he stood and paced. His shoes smacked against the creaky wooden floorboards.
    His family had bought this residence two centuries ago. They used it for visits just as they used many of their other homes around France. The property stood as a freestanding house, hiding the underground home built beneath the floors.
    His brothers no doubt heard him pace, but they knew better than to interrupt, understanding the importance of this night. Tonight he would reveal to Brianna that she was his mate. His moitié .
    Their connection at the ball had ignited like live wires. Their desire painted the night with each kiss, caress, and breathless sound that exploded in the dark space of the office. He should have known then, but hadn’t. Not until his teeth sank into her neck and the sweet flavour of her blood filled his mouth had the truth been revealed. His . Completely, utterly his .
    Finding a mate was a very rare, yet wondrous thing between two vampires, but vampires also bonded with other species. No question about it, Brianna was his moitié . Now that he experienced her taste, no other would do. She was his lifeline…his everything.
    “You better stop pacing or I’ll go back on my word and come up.” Mikel’s faint voice surged through the wooden floorboards. Damn vampire hearing, if only it wasn’t so vigorous. He wanted his privacy with Brianna. He told his brothers several times to head home, but they didn't trust leaving him alone. Considering what took place at the ball. In the last few days, the vampire committee received several threats from unspecified witch clans. The gathering represented peace with the three species, but now, many had lost faith in the