[excerpt] Read Online Free PDF Page B

hopefully better than Humpty Dumpty.”
    “Humpty Dumpty? What a pathetic name.”
    Serina cocked her to one side. “You’re pulling me leg, right?”
    “About what?”
    “About Humpty?”
    Lucian shook his head no.
    Serina inhaled his fragrant breath. With that thought, she realized she was in trouble. She grabbed his rugged chin covered with a faint shadow of whiskers and raised her eyebrows as she looked into his eyes. “Fairy tale published in 1810?” she said with a question in her voice. “Please tell me you know fairy tales. Come on, Lord St. James. Every child has been told it. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…” Serina waited to see if he would finish the tale or if he truly hadn’t heard it. A few more seconds passed. “Later, I’ll read you the tale. There’s two theories. First is about an egg and the second about King Richard, murdering wastrel that he was.”
    “Ooh, a bedtime story?” Lucian winked. “You don’t care much for the royals, do you?”
    “They’re all daft. Incestuous group, I’ve been told. Just look at the Queen’s husband. Too many uncles and brothers in that pot. Anyway,” Serina continued, “I believe that creature wanted you dead.” I certainly wouldn’t. Worn out atop me definitely, but never dead. Again, she smiled coyly. “And your sister, well…count your blessings. Your driver’s rattled, but he’s fine.”
    Raven St. James stirred. She blinked a few times and then rubbed her eyes. Her fingers lightly rubbed the wound upon her neck and she winced.
    “Lucian?” Raven’s voice sounded raspy, and raw. She looked around the coach, her eyes wide as she noted a few bandages on her brother. Setting her sights on Serina, she asked, “What’s happened to us? Are you all right? Why’ve you a naked woman in here? Did she hurt you? What did you do to his clothing?” she accused Serina.
    “I’m not naked,” Serina snapped in self-defense, knowing she really didn’t have a leg to stand on with that remarkably oh-so-intelligent rebuttal. “And—” she paused, pointing her finger at Raven while she attempted to think of something—anything that made some sense. Instead she gave Raven an ill-fated grin.
    Seeing Raven’s facial expression, lips scrunched, both her eyebrows arched towards her hairline and her finger pointed at her see-through robe, Serina tried again to secure the garment. Failing miserably, she went in search of the afghan. Out in the street. Serina groaned. At this point she no longer cared about her attire, or lack thereof.
    Raven pulled herself into the corner of the seat and hugged her knees to her chest. “Lucian, answer me.”
    Lucian reached over to Raven and pulled her to him.
    “Lucian, where’s Duncan? Is…?” Raven’s voice quieted.
    “Ray, this beautiful woman saved our lives, and we owe her. I only have a limited version of the evening’s events, but she believes a vampire attacked us.”
    “A what?” Raven squeaked. “Don’t even tell me you believe her.”
    “Vampire. Let me finish, Beauty. She was kind enough to give you and me her blood.”
    “You’ve gone stark, raving, mad, Lucian St. James,” Raven declared.
    Serina extended her hand. “Raven, my name is Serina Spencer. I’m a doctor. I work at the hospital’s morgue. They are real, the vampires, trust me. I dealt with one just this morning.”
    With a hint of sarcasm, Raven asked, “This one’s a gem, Luce. Where did you find her?”
    Lucian and Raven exchanged a glance in which he clearly stated Raven should back off. He added, “I do believe her, Ray.”
    “Truly?” Her tone defeated. When Lucian nodded, Raven made the sign of the cross over her heart.
    “Why don’t the two of you come into my home and freshen up? Raven, would you care for tea? I really need to get out of this coach and replace some of the fluids I gave you two, before I pass out again.” She glanced at Lucian, a small curve formed upon her lips. “Please, come in.”
    Lucian let