Blood Secrets-Valorian 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

the same about him. He was nothing like she’d expected him to be. Vampires were supposed to be flamboyant and extravagant, with a penchant for flair and dramatics, just like in the movies. But Caine was the exact opposite of that. He seemed aloof and reserved. Right down to his cornflower-blue tie and pressed gray slacks. At first, he had been charming, with his killer smile, but now he seemed almost nervous. Why would he be nervous around her? It’s not like he had anything to fear from her.
    Opening the passenger door, the heat of the sultry night hit her full blast. It was hot in the summer in Texas, but lately it had been unbearably humid as well. Already, her blouse was sticking to her back as she rounded the vehicle and grabbed her field kit from the back.
    Caine had offered her one of theirs, but she had come to Necropolis with her own stainless-steel, fully packed kit. Everything was right where she needed it. Using someone else’s gear just didn’t feel right to her. Like wearing someone else’s clothes.

    With her kit in hand, she followed Caine into the hotel.
    “This is the Black Heart. One of a few unsavory hotels here in the Digs.”
    She glanced around the lobby, taking in the grime on the yellowing linoleum floor and the greasy sheen on the walls. Definitely not the Four Seasons.
    They took the stairs up to the second floor. Eve was very careful not to touch the railing.
    She didn’t like the look of the substances stuck on the flaking orange-painted metal. One she was certain was gum, but the other goo she really didn’t even want to think about.
    Her stomach was already queasy as it was.
    This was technically her first crime scene. Back in San Antonio, she had worked the lab.
    For two years, she processed evidence and maintained the computer lab. When she was training, she’d been out on a few crime scenes, but this was the first time she was out here by herself, or without anyone she knew, that is. She really hoped she didn’t blow it.
    Captain Morales had given her the opportunity for this assignment, and she didn’t want to disappoint him. Because she knew if she failed out here, she would never get another chance to prove herself.
    When they arrived on the second floor, Eve noticed a muscular woman in jeans and T-shirt standing with a scrawny weasel of a man and a taller man in a suit in front of an open doorway with yellow tape across it. The crime scene.
    Caine nodded to the woman. “Mahina.”
    “Valorian.” She turned her scrutiny onto Eve. “Who’s this?”
    “This is Eve Grant from the San Antonio lab. She’s helping with the case.”
    Mahina smiled. The woman’s grin made Eve’s stomach clench. She swore the woman was eyeing her as if she were a late-night snack.
    “Eve, this is Captain Mahina Garner.”
    Mahina stuck out her hand. Eve took it reluctantly.
    “Nice to meet you.”
    Eve had to stifle a gasp as the police captain almost crushed her hand. Finally, she let go, and Eve nearly sighed in relief. “You, too.”
    The man in the suit grunted. “Can we move on to my problem, please?”
    Caine turned his attention to the man. Eve could see a slight rise in the way Caine stood, a shifting of his shoulders, a tilting of his chin. A predatory stance? She supposed she shouldn’t be surprised by it. Males of any species showed aggression when confronted by another male. It was natural. However, for some reason, she really seemed to notice it in him.
    “And what is the issue, Mr. Porter?”
    “I’m losing money keeping this room quarantined.”
    Eve glanced sideways and looked into room 210. She was itching to get inside and look around. She imagined Caine’s team had done a thorough job of collecting the evidence, but sometimes fresh—even foreign—eyes could pick out things that they couldn’t see.
    She tapped Caine on the arm and motioned to the room. “May I?”
    He nodded briefly. “Just look, don’t touch.” Dismissively, he then turned his attention back to