OnsetofDanger Read Online Free PDF

herself on the
floor, she placed her hands on his thick upper arms for support. The supple
leather of his hip-length jacket felt cool beneath her fingers, but the
distraction wasn’t enough to clear her head. “I feel…strange.”
    “A first-time flash can do that to you.” He cupped her
elbows, the warmth of his fingers accentuating the size of his hands. “Take a
couple of deep breaths. It’ll pass.” The overhead light blinked on and Eloise
groaned. Pounding pressure attacked her temples and made her head throb. She
swayed toward him, legs trembling. He bent and lifted her into his arms,
cradling her against his chest like a child. “You’re white as a sheet, baby
doll. I don’t think they took very good care of you.” He carried her to a sofa
and set her down sideways.
    “Thanks,” Eloise muttered as the pain gradually eased. “And
don’t call me baby doll.”
    One corner of his mouth quirked as he stared down at her. “I
don’t think you’re in a position to make demands. If you haven’t noticed, I
just saved your pampered ass.” A touch of humor warmed his chocolate-brown
eyes, but the firm set of his jaw revealed his ruthless nature. She’d seen
firsthand how quickly his mood swung from teasing patience to inflexible
stubbornness. She’d never interrogated a more exasperating man!
    “My ‘pampered ass’ is grateful.” She paused to look around,
unable to compose her thoughts while she looked at him. “My logical mind,
however, doubts that you did this out of the goodness of your heart.” The room
surrounding her wasn’t large but it was richly appointed, the couch firm and
comfortable. Though far too grand to be termed a cabin, the bare log walls gave
the house a rustic charm. The fully integrated décor was likely the work of an
interior designer. This looked like a rich man’s hunting lodge or the mountain
retreat for the head of Strigo strain. “Where am I and how did you find me?”
    “It wasn’t easy.” The rumble in his tone could have been
annoyance or suppressed laughter. Eloise looked up, hoping to decide which
emotion had caused the inflection in his voice. He brushed his shaggy blond
hair back from his face as his gaze bore into hers. “If I hadn’t bitten you
during our playtime, I’d have had no idea where to look.”
    “You’re Strigo strain.” She folded her hands in her lap and
kept her gaze squarely focused on his rugged features. She couldn’t let him
guess she was powerless, not that it would have mattered. She was an initiated
human and he was of pure blood, recently arrived from Strigoia Prime. “Why
would a prominent member of Strigo strain care what happened to Tara Kovac’s
daughter?”
    “I don’t give a damn who your mother is or which strain
initiated you.” He slipped his hand into the pocket of his coat, his smile cool
and calculated. “My interest in you is personal .”
    When she didn’t reply, he unzipped the jacket and draped it
over the back of the chair across from her. His movements were measured, his
expression watchful. The past two days had been good to him. He appeared hale
and hearty with faded jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt showcasing his muscular
physique.
    “The cabin is shielded,” he informed her in a calm, clear
tone. “We’re undetectable to scans and unreachable to telepathic communication.
It’s also sealed, so don’t bother turning to mist. It would be a waste of
energy.”
    She almost laughed. The Levari Brethren had made such
precautions unnecessary, but she had no intention of revealing the fact to him.
“And I’m supposed to take your word for all of this?”
    “Knock yourself out.” He motioned to the room around them,
challenge making his dark eyes shine. “I just thought I’d spare you the effort.
You look rather puny.”
    “Puny?” She laughed. “This ‘puny’ female made you bleed.”
    One of his brows arched as the amusement left his gaze. “If
you’re offering a rematch, I’d be happy to