Read Online The Slayer by Theresa Meyers - Free Book Online Page B

a simpleton. “Vampires are capable of far more than communicating telepathically, Mr. Jackson. It appears your education on my species is lacking.”
    That poked a sore spot. Hard.
    Winn knew not all Hunters were educated the same, but it was because information in the different parts of the Book scattered across the globe varied considerably, not because he was ignorant.
    â€œPerhaps you’d like to educate me,” he volleyed back. The dilating of her pupils indicated that she hadn’t missed his double entendre. Winn wondered what he’d do if she took him up on his offer. Foolish as hell to give in to the churning emotions and needs inside him. She was a vampire. He was a Hunter. They weren’t just different people; they were different beings.
    He handed her the speaking amplification device. Her eyes narrowed, making the whiskey color of them more intense. She poofed it once again into the smoky particle it had come from.
    Last night had been an experiment. He’d wanted to see how she’d react when he turned on a little of the famous Jackson-family charm. It had rattled her for sure. Which meant anytime he needed information or wanted to goad a reaction out of her, he now had a secret weapon in his arsenal. He just had to remind himself to keep a mental distance.
    She turned and leaned a hip against the rail to look up at him. She was a good head shorter and had to turn her face up, like a sunflower seeking the sun. In the early morning light her skin was pale and as fine-grained as a baby’s. Winn had to shove his hands into his pockets to prevent himself from reaching out to sample her skin and discover if it was as soft as it looked.
    Her lips curved in a small smile as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. “Are you going to take me with you to meet Sir Turlock?”
    Winn schooled his features, not liking that she so easily read him. He wondered fleetingly if he hadn’t been vigilant enough and she could read his mind. He hoped like hell not. While mind reading was part of the glamouring process he knew about, the whole idea that they could telepathically communicate with one another was something new and different. “I’m not going to stop you, but I’m not going to be responsible for his reaction either. I warned you.”
    Her lips pressed together into a firm, stubborn line, but given the fullness of them, it only made it look more like she was puckering up for a kiss. His skin contracted. Winn quickly looked away and focused on Marley’s place instead. It annoyed him that he reacted to her. Clearly it’d been too long since he’d sought out some female company. She was a vampire. Just a damn vampire, and she’d suck him bone dry just as soon as kiss him. He’d do well to remember that.
    A breeze, still cool with morning dew, blew across the deck, heavily scented of wet earth and the last sweetness of night-blooming cactus flowers. Birds zipped about, twittering and chirping morning songs. With quick efficiency the crew unfurled a wooden-rung rope ladder over the side of the airship. The rungs clacked as they hit one another, tumbling end over end to reach the ground. The contessa marched over to the swinging ladder, her military-like efficiency firmly back in place. Posture regal, she glanced over her shoulder. “Are you ready?”
    â€œPerhaps you ought to let me go first. Just so I can prepare him a mite.”
    She folded her hands in front of her, but Winn didn’t miss the curious mix of anger and disappointment in her eyes. “Very well. Can you please inform us by the mirror when you are ready for me to join you?”
    Winn tugged at the brim of his Stetson. “Yes, ma’am.” He caught himself and bristled. His pa might have imbued him with hunting, but his ma had driven manners deeper still.
    He muttered to himself while he swung down the ladder, rung after rung. He jumped the last few feet, his