Read Online Magicstorm (Heart of a Vampire, Book 4) by Amber Kallyn - Free Book Online Page B

dead.”
    Rising from the chair, Celeste moved to the
edge of the bed and pulled her sister into a hug.
    After long minutes of sobbing, Shana sniffled
and looked up. “When?”
    “Last night.”
    Shana stiffened. “Is it that cult case you’ve
been talking so much about?”
    “Yes,” she said softly.
    “But how could they get Donna?”
    “Was she still turning tricks?”
    Her sister pulled away, scooting back to lean
against the wall. Her hands twisted in her lap and she wouldn’t
meet Celeste’s gaze. “Sometimes.”
    “When did you see her?”
    “Last night,” Shana mumbled.
    “Are you on the streets again?” she asked,
her tone rougher.
    “I thought this wasn’t a lecture?”
    With a sigh, Celeste struggled to rein in her
disapproval. “Where were you guys?”
    “This new club down on Main and First. It’s
exclusive.” Her eyes hardened. “But they might let you in if you
flash your mighty badge.”
    Ignoring the dig, Celeste continued her
questions. “And what’s the name of this place?”
    “Black Dawn.”
    She hadn’t heard of it, but the night-club
scene wasn’t her thing. “How long have they been in business?”
    “How should I know?” Shana snapped.
    “You said they were new.”
    “So?”
    Her sister’s pain was turning to her fallback
reaction--anger. Celeste wasn’t going to get many more answers.
    “Did you and Donna leave together?”
    Shana stared at her. “No. I left first, with
a guy I met.”
    She held in her sigh. “And what was his
name?”
    “I never asked.”
    “And did he pay for your services?” It
slipped out before she could stop it, but Shana’s attitude grated
across old, deep wounds.
    Shana grinned humorlessly. “Nope. He was a
freebie.”
    Rubbing her temples, Celeste stood. “Look,
I’m sorry.”
    “No you’re not.”
    She was, but Shana would never believe her.
“Can you just stay home for a while, until I catch this guy, or
cult, or whatever? It’s dangerous out there. They’re targeting
prostitutes this time.”
    “You mean it’s not the same people as a few
weeks ago?”
    “No.”
    “How do you know?”
    She raised a brow. “It’s my job. Now please,
just stay home, okay?”
    Shana shrugged. “Fine.”
    They both knew she was lying, but other than
tying her sister down, there wasn’t much she could do.
    “Fine,” Celeste repeated. As she headed for
the door, she said, “I didn’t tell Mama about any of this.”
    “Always got to protect her, don’t you?”
    She turned and met her sister’s gaze. “I’d
protect you, too, if you’d let me.”
    Shana raised her chin. “I don’t need
protection. I’m a big girl, if you haven’t noticed.”
    Celeste left the room, closing the door
softly. In the kitchen, Maria took a mug from the peg board and
filled it with coffee, then handed it to her.
    Watching her mama work, scrambling eggs and
chorizo, cooking bacon, she wondered exactly how Shana had gotten
so out of control. If Maria had been less delicate, able to control
her sister, Celeste would have told her everything, just so she
could make the girl stay home for once.
    But Shana wouldn’t care, and it would only
make their mama worry even more.
    Maria set a plate on the table in front of
Celeste. The spicy scent of chorizo made her stomach rumble.
    “So who’s the giant sitting on your car and
are you going to invite him in?” Maria asked.
    Celeste strode to the window. Sure enough,
Brandon was sitting on the hood of her car, watching the house,
scowling deeply, arms crossed over his chest.
    “Someone I’m working with,” she replied
absently, wondering exactly how he’d followed her.
    “Do you want to invite him in for breakfast?”
Maria repeated.
    “No.” She sat back at the table and began
eating, hoping the stupido male fried out in the bright
daylight.
     
***
     
    Waiting wasn’t one of his strong suits, but
Brandon stayed on the hood of Celeste’s car rather than barging
into the little house.
    He’d tracked