Irresistible Magic Read Online Free PDF Page B

Tal never spoke to me like that. Had he just turned into a possessive alpha male right in front of my eyes? I took a step back and placed my hands on my hips. “Could you calm down? It’s not like—”
    “He has no business speaking to you, and you sure as hell shouldn’t be meeting him at a hotel. And tonight of all nights…” A flash of something close to pain flickered through his eyes. He blinked and the anger was back full force, but he didn’t say anything else.
    I gave him a moment to cool off and then in a quiet voice said, “There’s concern the house is bugged. That’s why I brought you out here. And I only saw David today because Allcot sent him to warn me that not only am I being followed, but it’s likely I’m being watched as well. Phoebe is working on a sweep of the house, but she needs to get another witch in there to help her. If anyone managed to break in, then he or she was skilled enough they could have planted bugs Phoebe can’t detect.” I took a deep breath. “And the meeting is with Allcot, not David. He was just the messenger.”
    Tal didn’t move, then he dropped his chin to his chest. “Jesus.” He glanced up. “Sorry, babe. I was a dick.”
    I smiled because it was true. As long as Allcot was protecting my nephew, I would be in contact with him. Tal knew that and would have to be okay with it. “Trust me?”
    “Yes.” He pulled me into his arms.
    “Then act like it.”
    “I’ll do my best.”
    ***
    Located in the heart of the French Quarter, the Hotel La Blanchet had a nefarious reputation from days past. It’s rumored the establishment was used for everything from a brothel to slave quarters for human women who were kept around as vamp food.
    These days, vampires got their blood by frequenting food banks with willing participants or they employed private donors. No doubt Allcot had an entire team at both his personal residence and his various businesses. I glanced around, wondering if any of the high-class barflies propped up on barstools were really blood hostesses. Most likely.
    It wasn’t my policy to take Link on a date, but walking into vampire territory with a volatile fae was more than I thought I could handle on my own. Understandably, Talisen was not happy to be sharing me with anyone, especially not Allcot or David, who was bound to be present.
    I pursed my lips and prayed Link didn’t take a bite out of anyone. He was already vibrating with nervous energy. I squeezed Tal’s arm. “Can you rein in your anger a little? Link is going to lose it at any moment.”
    Tal glanced down at the pacing Shih Tzu. “Yeah, sorry.” He took a deep breath and murmured soothing words to Link. The dog froze mid-step and planted his rear between us.
    David appeared and nodded for us to follow him. He led us to a quiet corner of the bar and pulled a chair out for me. “Have a seat. Eadric will call for us as soon as he’s free.”
    I stared at the chair and then raised one eyebrow in David’s direction. “I thought we had an appointment.”
    “You do. Have a seat and I’ll get you a drink.” He ignored both Talisen and Link.
    I didn’t sit or look at the drink menu. “I’d like a bowl of water for Link, a citrus margarita for myself and,” I said, nodding at Tal, “a beer for Tal. Abita Amber, I think.”
    Talisen nodded and shifted into David’s personal space just enough to force David to move away from me. He then positioned two chairs next to one another and nodded as if to say, “Have a seat.”
    I picked up Link, who was shaking from the vampire energy, and took my place next to Tal.
    David studied us with his deep, midnight-blue eyes as I soothed Link with one hand and let Talisen take the other. Yes, we were a happy little family. David had no place in it. But that was his fault, really. He’d broken up with me and then chosen to turn vamp. And everyone knows faeries and vamps don’t mix.
    Except David and I sort of did. I’d turned him into a