Read Online Through a Crimson Veil by Patti O'Shea - Free Book Online Page B

Kiverian?”
    “Biirkma.” A rumbling noise escaped him, and she quickly added, “It’s a major city in Orcus. Unless you’re familiar with it, what good does it do to be more specific? IfI tell you I was in a square near the palace, does that mean anything to you?”
    “You have a point. So he insulted your mother and you made a few smart-ass remarks, right?” Mika nodded and squirmed a little on his lap. “Okay, he wasn’t shapeshifting during this time, right?”
    “No, but I’m not sure I can describe him. I wasn’t paying attention until he confronted me, and as soon as I realized he was looking for trouble, I started trying to get away from him. I’m a weak demon,” Mika said, sounding apologetic.
    “Of course, you didn’t realize he was looking for trouble until after you lipped off.”
    Her contrition increased. “I’m Mahsei. We’re impulsive.”
    Conor took a deep breath and realized he was getting sidetracked again. That happened a lot around Mika. “Describe him. Give me his height, weight, hair and eye colors.”
    “He was maybe your height, but not as big as you are. His hair was dark, and he wore it long.” Mika shrugged. “I can’t say what color his eyes were. It was night.”
    “You’ve just described about half the male demons,” he commented, voice neutral. “It seems to me that since you were targeted, you would have paid more attention to detail.”
    She shrugged. “There was a lot going on.”
    Conor bit back a curse. “Let’s try this instead. How did you and the Kiverian get across the veil?”
    “My dad can do summonings. How do you think he met my mom? As for the Kiverian, he must have a human minion.”
    Looking past Mika’s shoulder, Conor considered her answer. It wasn’t quite as easy as she made it sound. First off, minion wasn’t all that accurate a term. Though they probably wished otherwise, the residents of Orcus couldn’t control humans. Secondly, not just anyone could successfully call out demons—only those who had an innate magical ability. Few humans fell into that category, and most ofthose were too well-trained to be used. Even the handful who were open to trading a summoning for a favor knew enough to put tight boundaries on the demon.
    “So you’re saying your fath—”
    Mika rocked her pelvis against his. Conor swallowed a curse. That response made her smile; then she trailed her mouth over his left shoulder and upper arm, down to his biceps. She bit the muscle, and Conor lost his train of thought. All he could think about was how her position gave him access to a wide expanse of her bare skin. He lightly bit the curve where her neck met her shoulder, then pulled away, appalled. Even though he was half Kiverian, he didn’t bite women in passion. Ever. Until today.
    “Stop,” he ordered.
    She didn’t. Instead, she used her teeth another time. He felt the beast inside him struggling for freedom, and its strength scared him. He would be swamped, taken over—he didn’t doubt that.
    “Mika,” he said.
    She ran her tongue over his collarbone, and he knew she planned to ignore him. It was time for drastic measures. He took hold of her waist, picked her up and sat her on the table. Her eyes widened and she gasped. That’s when he remembered the spilled orange juice.
    He didn’t apologize. “Maybe that will cool you off,” he said instead, taking another step back. Three feet didn’t seem a safe enough distance, not with how he reacted to her.
    “Conor,” she purred with a smile that made him twitch, “there are more pleasurable ways to get my panties wet.”
    He opened his mouth, then shut it again without speaking. Taking in her tousled hair, her softly glowing eyes, that tempting grin and her incredible body, he knew there was only one thing for a smart man to do: Retreat.
    Her laughter followed him as he fled.
    Mika sat cross-legged on the couch and frowned. Conor McCabe clearly came from the minimalist school of homedecor. The