Fire & Ice Read Online Free PDF Page A

out a shaky breath I continued , "Alex showed me the proper way to hunt. As a vampire, we have the element of surprise. It isn't a question as to whether or not we can catch our prey, but how long we choose to allow the game to go on. Our senses are a thousand times more potent than a human's, allowing us to track scents, movements, words and more in a fraction of the time one would normally notice. Once we pick someone, their scent is almost engrained in our memories. No matter how far they are, we can track where they've been."
    "Could you track me that way?" she asked quietly.
    "Unfortunately, no. I've tried, but your scent fades rapidly. Part of it is the fact that you're not completely one being. Rather, you have several types of lineage that makes up who you are. Since you're not a full werewolf, you don't have the strong woodsy smell that is typical of them. I'm not sure what shamans are supposed to smell like, but I've noticed Emerson is able to blend in with his company. It's adaptive. I don't think it is something he does consciously, though. I think it's a part of how close shamans are with the Spirit World. There's a certain protective quality about it that no other beings I've encountered can tap into, except for The Fates."
    "Is that why Josiah can't track me?"
    "On the contrary. He could track you, but he would lose you quickly. That's why it's safe for you to run here. Your scent fades almost as fast as it touches. He'd have to be waiting for you, but we've made sure he can't get close enough , " I gestured toward the far end of the clearing where the enchanted boundary was placed.
    What I neglected to tell her was how I never forgot what she smelled like. It was something that surrounded me, day in and day out, no matter of her closeness. Alone in my room, I'd often have to convince myself she wasn't there. No matter what I tried, I couldn 't forget. It was maddening, yet enticing. I wanted to touch and hold her, to feel her skin beneath mine, to kiss those perfectly plump lips and stay locked away forever.
    "Christian? Why do you keep looking at me that way?" h er eyes were wide and questioning .
    "I'm sorry. I was just thinking," f lashes of desire attacked my mind, fueling the flames.
    "About what?" she whispered, watching me intently.
    "You," I uttered. The daydreams left me breathless and completely powerless. I stared into her eyes, listening to her shallow breaths. She knew what I felt.
    "Me? Did I do something?" she licked her lips ever so slightly, egging on the beast in me.
    "Give me a moment, please. I need just a moment, " I moved to the farthest side of the stream in a flash . The fog that covered my mind lifted, allowing my thoughts to flow again.
    After taking several deep breaths , I was able to compose myself. Not yet ready to be near her, I reached out to hear how badly I hurt her this time . She was pacing, kicking at leaves and branches viciously while muttering to herself.
    "What's wrong with me...I don't know why I ever thought I had a chance. Sure, he found me , but it had nothing to do with me . I'm an experiment. Even worse! I'm a fucking charity case. Pathetic!" s he sat with a thud. "It's useless."
    Every word she said was a vice on my still heart. My insecurities and fear left her questioning her own worth. I knew it wasn't right, but couldn't bring myself to tell her otherwise. Every time I let myself slip, it did nothing but hurt her.
    Slowly, I walked back . She hid her head in her hands, rocking back and forth against the tree. For the first time, her emotions were waging war through the air. I touched her arm lightly and she moved away. Undoubtedly , she'd heard my approach.
    "Don't."
    "You know it is never my intention to hurt you," I said softly. I grabbed her arm lightly and pulled her to my chest. She struggled at first, but eventually succumbed.
    "You told me once that you missed your friend. I can't be your friend if I'm trying to stop myself from ruining your life, Lia.