Rose's Rapture: Lords of the Night, Book Two Read Online Free PDF Page B

bar, shaking the glasses nearby. He felt his face harden. “Do you know where she went?”
    Josephine shrugged a delicate shoulder. “Perhaps.”
    He reached out and grasped her arms again, this time making sure his fingers bit into her flesh.
    She yelped.
    “It’s important that I know exactly where she went. Was she alone or did she travel with Lord Lyon?” he asked.
    “Lord Lyon wed. I doubt very much that his new bride would allow him to travel with a whore.” Her lips thinned. “Now release me this instant! You’re hurting me.”
    William leaned close until their faces were but mere inches apart. His breath fanned her check, stirring the hair framing her face. “I’m going to do a lot more than hurt you, if you don’t tell me what I need to know. Where did she go?”
    Josephine struggled to break his hold. “I’ve told you more than enough,” she growled, her accent thickening. She glanced over her shoulder and two bruisers appeared from out of the shadows, closing on them with the speed of a runaway carriage. The men’s noses were bent at strange angles and scars marred their meaty fists. Josephine turned back slowly to face him. “I am going to ask you again to release me. If you do not, then my friends will assist you out the door.”
    William glanced at the two men, whose black eyes glittered with anger, and then at Josephine. She’d won this round, but this wouldn’t be their last encounter. He released her slowly, uncurling his fingers one by one. “You’ve made a mistake, madam. You have threatened a peer in front of witnesses.”
    “Au contraire, monsieur. You are the one who is mistaken. I guarantee no one here saw a thing. Now get out before I change my mind and have my friends escort you into the alley instead.”
    “You’ve not seen the last of me. I’ll be back after I take care of Rose and her demon lover, Lord Lyon.”
    Josephine giggled with delight and a smile spread across her face. “I believe that is the brandy talking, monsieur.”
    William pulled his coat down, straightening it with a snap. “I’m quite serious, madam.”
    Josephine’s delicate brow arched. “You’re truly after Lord Lyon?”
    William nodded.
    “Then you are on a fool’s errand.” She gave an unladylike snort and shook her head, sending ebony curls over her creamy pale collarbone. “Now I’m afraid I must bid you adieu, for this will be the last I see of you, monsieur.”  She turned and walked away, her lush hips swaying with each step.
    “You underestimate me, madam. I will be back.” William called after her, ignoring the bruisers who stood by his side. Neither man touched him, but the threat was clear.
    Josephine stopped and glanced over her shoulder.  “No, you will not, monsieur.”
    “Why are you so sure?” he asked.
    She shrugged. “It is simple. No one attacks Lord Lyon and lives.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    Pain streaked through Lazarus as the stone encasing him began to crack. The fissures widened, then crumbled, falling to the ground. He quaked as chunks of stone were absorbed into his body in place of tissue. Skin formed, stretching over the stone until it resembled hands and feet. Stretching his arms and legs, he wiggled his fingers and toes. Lazarus ran a hand over his new form, enjoying the rigid feel of flesh beneath his palms. He glanced down to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be and grinned. He had everything he needed to seduce his golden goddess. Glossy black wings sprouted from his back until they surpassed the length of a carriage. Lazarus flapped them once, twice, then leapt straight into the air, enjoying freedom once more.
    Lazarus entered the McKeon manor by magic. He’d found some of Richard’s tucked in the attic of Hyde Hall. Fortunately they were in good repair. Although a little snug, they fit him well enough to pass as a guest. It had been easy to trick the servant at the door into believing he possessed an invitation to the ball. Humans were