Read Online This Blackened Night by L.K. Below - Free Book Online Page B

still spun as he lowered her to the ground. His hands roved over her shoulders and back. His thumb wiped away a bead of blood from her neck.
    She blinked against the light, waiting for the last few seconds to catch up with her. What had happened? Would Pierre find them here? She turned to Terrence. His expression was grim.
    “Are we safe here?” Her voice, little more than a whisper, should have been washed away by the rumble of patrons in the bar. Patrons who were now eying them curiously.
    Terrence shut his eyes as if in pain. Either they weren’t safe, or he didn’t know. Would a crowd of people stop Pierre if he happened to find them?
    Lori thrust aside the flutters of fear in her stomach and said, “Let’s go back to the hotel.”
    Let’s get off this damned island . But their work here wasn’t done. Pierre still had the Spenta Michos…didn’t he?
    “Give me a minute,” Terrence said in a curt voice. Now that she noticed, she realized he breathed hard. Maybe moving so fast was a challenge to him. They had covered half this decrepit town in little under a minute.
    She nodded.
    Come to think of it, a shot wouldn’t be amiss right now.
    She wobbled over to the bar. Her heart stopped trying to claw out of her chest, but she still jumped at every quick movement. Shakily, she lowered herself onto a chipped stool. “Scotch. Shot.”
    “Two,” Terrence said from behind. Lori’s heart skipped a beat. She glanced over her shoulder, just to make sure it was him and not Pierre. Terrence’s worried gaze met hers. He eased his hand onto her shoulder and she calmed somewhat.
    “Why didn’t you tell me before? About Pierre.”
    His fingers tightened. Releasing her, he reached for the shot glass. In one smooth motion, he gulped its contents. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Wrenching her gaze away, Lori did the same.
    The liquor burned down her throat, a welcome sensation. As she slapped the shot glass onto the counter, Terrence spoke.
    “You may deny it, but I know you think badly of me because of…what I am.” His voice was soft, barely distinguishable from the chatter filling the bar. “Pierre is everything that’s bad about vampires. I thought I could handle him without you ever finding out.”
    Lori studied him. He wouldn’t meet her gaze. She toyed with the empty shot glass, rolling it between her fingers. “You should have told me.”
    He glanced up. “Would you have believed me?”
    No.
    Terrence didn’t wait for an answer, but emptied his pockets of cash. He steered her out of the chair.
    “Come on.”
    He was right. She would feel safer when she could barricade herself behind a locked door.
    Terrence’s shoulders blocked the door leading outside as he peeked through. Lori tensed. Would Pierre be lying in wait for them? This time, she didn’t even have her stake–she’d left it behind in the square.
    Terrence exited first, pulling Lori along after him. She stumbled along the darkened streets, trusting his judgment as they weaved through alleys. They entered the motel hallway from the back and swiftly made their way to their rented room. Terrence yanked her inside and twisted the lock. He stood, breathing slowly, with his forehead resting against the wood.
    Lori reached out to touch his shoulder. Before her fingers made contact, he turned. The blues of his eyes shone like beacons as he looked her over.
    “Terrence, what–” are we going to do?
    The rest of her sentence was cut off when he pulled her roughly into his arms.
    She spat out the leather of his jacket.
    “God, Lori, I was so worried.” His cool fingers slid under her chin, urging it up to meet his mouth. His kisses were fervent and raw–not at all like the quick pecks he tended to steal from her. He opened his mouth, devouring her where she stood. He tasted like the scotch they’d shared earlier. His hands bracketed her face. With any other man, she’d be uncomfortable with such a blatant sign of possession. She reached