Midnight's Jewel (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page B

sizing up the competition. Something about Clay made him smirk. It was clear to Sabrina that Clay did not measure up, in Brandon’s opinion. A flash of anger washed through her. How dare this stranger judge her brother and find him wanting! Clay meant the world to her. He was the only male friend Eleanor had ever allowed. The air began heating up around her, reminding her to remain calm. She took a deep breath and counted to ten. It helped. The air cooled. If Clay noticed, he did not let on as if he did.
    “Eleanor isn’t the only witch in the world, you know. We have a fair few here in Atlanta. During the day, we use day walkers to run things and guard us. I can assure you. She would never be alone, day or night,” he addressed Clay. He turned to Eleanor. “I have an Italian werewolf that almost matches Sabrina’s height and coloring. A switch of the clothes and a little glamour would pass her off as your niece. You could take the fairy boy and her. It would look like you were turned down. The local witches are on alert. You could ambush in the place of your choosing. How about it?”
    Eleanor began pacing the floor in a small circle, thinking. She would stop every so often to stare at Brandon and then continue her pacing. It reminded Sabrina of a caged tigress looking for a way out, frustrated at finding none. Clearly, Eleanor did not want to leave her here, but she needed to deal with the larger threat. After what seemed like hours, she stopped pacing.
    “I am going to need more than your word that Sabrina will be safe,” she said at last.
    “Like what?” Brandon sat down in an overstuffed cream-colored armchair. He looked more like a king sitting on his throne than a vampire having a conversation with a witch. On second thought, Sabrina decided he was a king, and these were negotiations.
    The new outlook changed the dynamic. She was no longer a damsel in distress but an item. It annoyed her to no end. Shouldn’t she have some say in this? Was it not her future they were discussing? A little voice in the back of her mind soothed her. It told her Eleanor had only ever protected her, did things in her best interest. The annoyance was mollified.
    “I want Hadrian’s word.” Eleanor made the simple statement into a demand. Nothing less than this was going to be good enough. Sabrina did not know who Hadrian was, but if Eleanor thought well enough of him to take his word on the matter, it was good enough for Sabrina. Brandon blanched to an even paler shade of white.
    “Hadrian already knows of the situation. There is no need to call him.” For the first time, the vampire was nervous. He was playing poker with Eleanor, and she had called.
    “Hadrian’s word that she will be cared for and returned to me in the same condition as I leave her or else we walk.” The elder witch had not only called, she had bet the farm. Clay smiled. Sabrina surmised he was worried about more than her safety.
    “Fine. I’ll call him. You will discuss this with him, and I will abide by his decision.” Brandon pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed.
    “Ciao, Hadrian! I have someone here who wishes to speak with you.” There was a brief pause. “Yes, it is about the matter we discussed earlier.” Another moment of silence followed. He offered the phone to Eleanor. She took it.
    “Ciao, Hadrian,” she started. What followed did not sound like Italian to Sabrina. She guessed it was Latin. Some words were familiar, but mostly, she was just lost. Eleanor gave a laugh, nodded her head, and said her farewell. She held it out to Brandon. He spoke only a few words before disconnecting.
    “Satisfied?” he asked Eleanor. They had locked stares. It reminded Sabrina of the blinking game she and Clay had played as children.
    “Yes. How soon can you have the decoy here?”
    “In about five minutes. She lives in this building.” He dialed another number, speaking in rapid Italian to the person on the other end.
    “Well, I’m not