Long Ride Home Read Online Free PDF Page A

paranormal series I’ve read this year. It’s sharp, elegant, clever, evenly paced without dragging its feet, and at the same time emotionally intense.”
    — Nocturnal Book Reviews
     
    A Hidden Fire
     
    “A tantalyzing paranormal romance, full of mystery and intrigue. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Sign me up for book two!” 
     
    — Nichole Chase, best-selling author of Mortal Obligation , Book One of The Dark Betrayal Trilogy
     
    This Same Earth
     
    “ This Same Earth had me smiling throughout most of the book with its fabulous storyline. I was so caught up in the romance and the nail biting suspense that I flew through the book in less than 24 hrs… This series is one of my fav of favorites, and I know it will be yours too!”
    — Mandy Anderson, I Read Indie Book Blog
     
    The Force of Wind
     
    “Holy cats! There doesn’t seem to be any stopping Elizabeth Hunter. The Force of Wind , the third installment of her Elemental Mysteries series, is a force to be reckoned with.”
    — Leisha O’Quinn, A Tale of Many Reviews
     
    A Fall of Water
     
    “What I love the most about A Fall of Water is that Elizabeth Hunter has continued to grow the characters I know and love, while still introducing new ones into the story to keep it fresh.” 
    — Rebecca Edney, Bending the Spine
     
    ~~~
     
    A Hidden Fire: Elemental Mysteries Book One
     
    CHAPTER ONE
     
    Houston, Texas
    September 2003
     
     
    Giovanni Vecchio woke, the infrequent dream seeming to echo off the narrow walls of the small room where he rested. He sat up and stared at the photograph of Florence, which hung on the opposite wall, and the sun-seared shops of the old bridge mocked him.
     
    “Where is your home?”
    “ Ubi bene ibi patria . Where I prosper is my home.”
    “Do not forget: nothing endures, save us and the elements.”
     
    Rising, he unlocked his reinforced door and stepped into the large walk-in closet where he dressed in a white oxford shirt and a pair of slim, black slacks. He spied the grey cat from the corner of his eye.
    “Good evening, Doyle.”
    The cat turned his copper-eyed stare toward the tall man who spoke to him.
    “What did Caspar bribe you with tonight, hmm? Salmon? Fresh anchovies? Caviar?”
    The cat gave a small chirp and walked out to the luxurious bedroom beyond the closet to settle on the king-sized bed there. Giovanni’s thoughts still brushed at the dark dream and a faint memory teased the back of his mind.
     
    “Tell me about death.”
    “The philosopher said death, which men fear as the greatest evil, may instead be the greatest good.”
    “But we do not fear death, do we?”
     
    Despite the hours he had rested, he felt weary. He reached for his favorite grey jacket and walked out of the room.
    “Caspar,” he called as he entered the kitchen, still straightening his collar. “I want you to drive me to the library tonight.”
    The older man raised a curious eyebrow but put down the newspaper he had been reading.
    “Of course, I’ll get the car.”
    Giovanni gathered his messenger bag and followed Caspar out the kitchen door. They walked through the small courtyard where the dim light of the early evening still illuminated the burbling fountain, and the air was rich with the fragrance of the honeysuckle vine.
     
    “Balance! Temperance! Find it, my son, or you will die.”
     
    He paused for a moment and watched the flow of water as it trickled over and around the rocks in the base of the fountain. Just then, a sharp breeze lifted the spray and it arched toward him, dusting his face with the cold drops. He let the heat rise to his skin and the vapor met the humid night air.
     
     
    “Oh wow, Char wasn’t lying.”
    Giovanni brushed the hair out of his eyes and glanced up from his notebook, looking around for the quiet female voice as he paused in the entry to the Special Collections reading room at the Houston University library. 
    “Pardon me?” he asked in confusion