Read Online Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews - Free Book Online Page B

darkness swallowed me whole.
    The lingering musky scent of a cat hit me. So, not a bear after all.
    Where was he? I scanned the building, peering into the gloom. Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the walls, creating a mirage of twilight and complete darkness. I knew he was watching me. Enjoying himself.
    Diplomacy was never my strong suit and my patience had run dry. I crouched and called out, "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty."
    Two golden eyes ignited at the opposite wall. A shape stirred within the darkness and rose, carrying the eyes up and up and up until they towered above me. A single enormous paw moved into the moonlight, disturbing the dust on the filthy floor. Wicked claws shot forth and withdrew. A massive shoulder followed, its gray fur marked by faint smoky stripes. The huge body shifted forward, coming at me, and I lost my balance and fell on my ass into the dirt. Dear God, this wasn't just a lion. This thing had to be at least five feet at the shoulder. And why was it striped?
    The colossal cat circled me, half in the light, half in the shadow, the dark mane trembling as he moved. I scrambled to my feet and almost bumped into the gray muzzle. We looked at each other, the lion and I, our gazes level. Then I twisted around and began dusting off my jeans in a most undignified manner.
    The lion vanished into a dark corner. A whisper of power pulsed through the room, tugging at my senses. If I did not know better, I would say that he had just changed.
    "Kitty, kitty?" asked a level male voice.
    I jumped. No shapechanger went from a beast into a human without a nap. Into a midform, yes, but beast-men had trouble talking.
    "Yeah," I said. "You've caught me unprepared. Next time I'll bring cream and catnip toys."
    "If there is a next time."
    I turned and there he stood, wearing a loose T-shirt and sweatpants. A modest shapechanger, how refreshing. You wouldn't even know that he had changed, save for the glistening sheen of dampness on his skin.
    He looked me over slowly, judging, taking my measure.
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    I could blush demurely or I could do the same to him. I chose not to blush.
    A couple of inches taller than me, the Beast Lord gave an impression of coiled power. Easy, balanced stance. Blond hair, cut too short to grab. At first glance he looked to be in his early to mid-twenties, but his build betrayed him. His shoulders strained his T-shirt. His back was broad and corded with muscle, showing the power and strength a man developed in his early thirties.
    "What kind of a woman greets the Beast Lord with 'here, kitty, kitty'?" he asked.
    "One of a kind." I murmured the obvious reply. Eventually I had to look him in the eye. Better sooner than later.
    The Beast Lord had a strong square jaw. His nose was narrow with a misshapen bridge, as though it had been broken more than once and hadn't healed right. Considering the regenerative powers of the shapechangers, someone must've pounded his face with a sledgehammer.
    Our stares met. Little golden sparks danced in his gray eyes. His gaze made me want to bow my head and look away.
    He regarded me as if I was an interesting new snack. "I'm the Lord of the Free Beasts," he said.
    "I figured." Perhaps he expected me to curtsy.
    He leaned forward a little, puzzling over me as if I were an odd-looking insect. "Why would a knight-protector hire a no-name merc to investigate the death of his diviner?"
    I gave him my best cryptic smile.
    He grimaced. "What have you found out?" he asked.
    "I'm not at liberty to tell you that." Not with the Pack suspect.
    He leaned forward more, letting the moonlight fall on his face. His gaze was direct and difficult to hold.
    Our stares locked and I gritted my teeth. Five seconds into the conversation and he was already giving me the alpha-stare. If he started clicking his teeth, I'd have to make a run for it. Or introduce him to my sword.
    "You will tell me what you know now," he said.
    "Or?"
    He said nothing, so I elaborated. "See, this kind of