Page 10 of Immortal Hunter
Kára knew better than to argue, even though she wanted nothing more than to go to Ewan.He’s safe. Working the pub all night. As long as I get to him before dawn, everything will be fine. It has to be.
* * *
Despite her lackof body heat, Kára shivered in the massive library. Shelves lined the room, floor-to-ceiling, and the magic contained within them pulsed with power. Every time she had to deal with the witches, they made her wait—sometimes for hours.
Her heartbeat drew her to Ewan. The compulsion to run, to speed to his side made her twitchy, when usually, she could remain as still as stone. She tried to sense him, his emotions, but she was too far away, and he hadn’t agreed to the bond yet.
Restless, she paced the room, occasionally trailing her fingers over the spines. Herbal remedies, the history of magic, and titles in languages she only barely recognized. Latin, Gaelic, even Ancient Sumerian.
One book warned her away, and she drew her hand back and clutched it to her chest, her fingers blistered. “Fuck.”
“Curiosity is a dangerous thing, vampire,” Vesper said from the doorway.
“Do youalwaysput your guests in a room with objects that can kill them?”
Inclining her head, the witch offered a raspy laugh. “We do not often have guests. Few are brave enough to come here of their own accord.”
“A little warning would have been nice.” As she flexed her fingers, the skin healed in front of her eyes.
“What do you think that was?” Vesper turned, and her robes billowed about her with a flourish. “Come with me, vampire. The Gathering is about to begin.”
Kára followed the witch down a long hallway, rich carpet under her black heeled boots. Candles flickered in ornate sconces along the walls, and the scents of incense and white sage made her nose wrinkle.
In the back of the coven’s home, a large field of clover stretched for a hundred meters in every direction. Twelve other witches gathered in a circle, with an empty space reserved for Vesper. As the blind coven leader took her spot, all thirteen witches shed their long robes in unison.
“You. In the center,” Vesper said as she pointed at Kára. “Kneel.”
Witches and their ceremonies. Always with the kneeling and the nakedness.
Stepping between Vesper and a young witch who couldn’t be more than twenty-three, Kára felt the power of the coven’s combined magic wash over her. It was almost…comforting. A subtle warmth, almost a buzzing, ran through her entire body. But at the same time, she weakened. For as long as she was within the circle, she would be no stronger than a human.
The thirteen started a low chant, something about calling to Mother Earth and Father Sky and the sun and the moon. The rhythmic tones washed over her, lulling her into a light stupor.
Memories rushed through her mind. Ewan, naked. Ewan at the bar, pouring drinks, succumbing to her glamour. Ewan, revealing his origins.
No. She tried to resist, but the witches’ power was too strong, even stronger than her sire’s glamour had been all those centuries ago.
Back further, to the beach. The pyre. Then, the alley. The blood. The dark figure running from her.
They replayed her memories again, slower this time, and her core ached with need as Ewan filled her. Arousal flooded her panties, and she groaned, trying desperately to focus on her anger at what they were taking, rather than the pleasure of his touch, the strength of his kiss, and the taste of his blood.
As he once more confirmed he’d been a Hunter, Kára broke free with a snarl and leapt to her feet. “Enough!”
“You lied to us, vampire!” Vesper said, her sightless eyes narrowing as she pointed at Kára. Your mate is not human. He is a Hunter.”
A chorus of “lies” echoed all around her, and Kára threw her shoulders back and spun slowly, meeting every gaze.
“I did not lie. He is no Hunter. Not anymore. You saw his declaration through my own eyes. Do not forget,Icame toyou. I offered information freely;youchose to take it by force.” She approached the edge of the circle, but the magic held her in, so she stalked over until she stood directly in front of Vesper. “Let. Me. Out.”
“No. Not until we are certain your mate poses no threat,” came the hissed reply.
“I have compelled him to tell no one. Do nothing that would draw attention. The greater threat is the unauthorized vampire in St. John’s, do you not agree?” Her fangs lengthened with her rage, and she gave a brief thought to ripping out Vesper’s throat, but she did not relish the taste of magic.
Vesper closed her eyes, and one by one, the rest of the circle did the same.
Telepathy now? Wonderful.
“We do,” Vesper said, finally.
