Read Online Sin's Dark Caress by Tracey O'Hara - Free Book Online Page A

shook her head. “A doppelganger spell takes massive amounts of energy, and black magic is the most potent. But I still couldn’t work out why so much dark magic was needed to kill the girl, until the Domina told us about Tiffany passing the exam to enter the Isis Institute.”
    The animals seemed as unnerved as their owners. The python hissed, coiling and uncoiling its tail around Artemisia’s arm while the eagle screeched and flapped its wings.
    Artemisia placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “So it’s a mystic pregnancy through black magic. To what end?”
    â€œI still haven’t worked that out yet,” Bianca said.
    â€œBut does put a bit of a different spin on the case,” McManus said.
    â€œMy granddaughter was killed by a magic wielder, maybe even one of my own kind?” The Domina, looking a little lost, glanced at her daughter and son-in-law, the worried frown marring her marble smooth brow. And there was something else, which McManus couldn’t quite read, but it looked a little like fear or suspicion.
    â€œYour Eminence.” He glanced at Bianca and back to Domina Hilden. “I’m sorry for your loss, but right now I need to do my job.”
    Bianca’s face relaxed into a smile. He could play nice. For now . But there was something off here—he could feel it in his gut. And he wasn’t the only one, if the expression on Artemisia’s face was anything to go by.
    â€œIf you’ll excuse me,” the Domina said, “I must see to my daughter. You can ask your questions later.” She turned with a sweep of her heavy velvet skirt and headed for the hysterical younger woman.
    â€œI should go as well,” Artemisia said to Bianca. “Your father is calling in an hour.” She turned to McManus. “My husband is the world renowned parahuman anthropologist, Theron Hunter.”
    â€œI know,” McManus said. “Bianca’s spoken of him often”
    â€œSpeaking of Daddy, when’s he due back from New Guinea?”
    â€œYou know your father. He’s found some new witch doctor to talk with and wants me to join him. But you know how I feel about the jungle.”
    â€œYes.” Bianca smiled. “But you end up having the best time when you get there.”
    â€œI was thinking about it, and in light of tonight’s events, I think I’d best stay close to home.” Artemisia Sin held out a black lace gloved hand to McManus. “I can’t exactly say it’s been a pleasure, Detective . . . but it has been interesting.”
    He shook her hand. “Thank you, Your Eminence.”
    â€œActually it’s Your Honor, ” the flame hair beauty corrected. “I’m the Alto of my coven, that title is for the Domina.”
    She held his hand for a few seconds longer than was polite or necessary, searching his eyes with hers, before she dropped it and turned to her daughter, leaning in to whisper in her ear.
    Bianca blushed. “Mother.”
    Artemisia laughed, kissed Bianca’s cheek, and with a quick wink at McManus, walked away. He couldn’t help but watch her, and tilted his head at an angle for a better look.
    Mmmm, mmm . . . nice.
    â€œMcManus!” Bianca hit him. Hard.
    â€œWhat?”
    Her eyes flashed dangerously. “That’s my mother you’re ogling.”
    Shit. “Sorry, Sin, but that woman oozes sex, and I’m a red blooded man, after all.” He adjusted his belt.
    Bianca sighed. “I’ve seen men fall to their knees in front of her when she turned on as much ‘juice’ as she just hit you with.”
    â€œWhat is it with witches? Always testing their powers?” he grumbled, then realized what he’d just said. “Sorry—no offense.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” she said. “We’ve been friends a long time. You’ve never kept it secret how you feel about my kind. Besides, it