Spirit of Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I’m taking you to my place.”
    “Your place? Why not Raleigh?”
    “I’m not letting you out of my sight. I
failed to protect my sister, but God help me, I refuse to take the
same chance with you.”
    She started to protest but he touched a
finger to her lips. “Have you ever lost anyone you loved?”
    Her neck quivered with a swallow and he
wanted to kiss the spot. She didn’t answer for a long moment. “My
mother. Well, she’s not dead but she’s gone from my life.”
    “If she’s still alive then you have a chance
to mend things with her.” He started the ignition. “You never know
when someone will be ripped out of your life for good.”
    She didn’t answer.
    “I’ll sleep on the couch and you can have my
room.”
    She hesitated, pursing her lips. “I don’t
know, Ryan.”
    “ This isn’t open for
discussion. I’ve drawn you into this and now you’re a target. I
plan to keep you safe.”
     
    As much as Emily wanted to argue with Ryan,
insist he take her home, she knew he was right. She’d been smart to
stay away from all things supernatural recently. She’d only been
involved with this case a few hours and already she was in trouble.
Although she’d actually been in danger since Ryan had imagined her
in danger in his vision. Panic drummed through her. Her mother’s
words played in her head.
    “Ain’t no escaping the gifts God has given
you.”
    She hadn’t wanted her powers then and she
still didn’t. How foolish she’d been to believe that she could hide
from her abilities. The very thing she’d feared the most was
happening again. She wished to God she could have avoided becoming
a target again, but even if she’d turned down Ryan’s plea for help,
she’d have been drawn into the fray somehow. The die had already
been cast.
    Ryan turned in to a driveway in front of a
two story house with a white picket fence around it. He took her
inside and turned on a few lights, never releasing her hand. The
contact felt reassuring but she knew he was no match for the strong
supernatural presence she’d felt as they’d approached Becky’s
grave.
    The large open hallway was partially painted
off white and the banister and stairs had been stripped but not yet
refinished. The dark wood floors were scratched and worn but she
imagined Ryan would eventually take care of them as well.
    “Sorry, it’s still a work in progress.”
Leading her through each room, he pointed out all the things he
planned to finish or redo. “It has real good bones.”
    “I see that.” Aside from the obvious antique
features like arches, dentil molding and stained glass windows, the
place had a warmth to it she found comforting. Maybe it just
reminded her of Ryan. “It’ll be lovely when you’re finished.”
    He stopped walking and scratched his head.
“I’m unclear on something. You think someone didn’t want you to
communicate with Becky and that’s why they tried to frighten you
away at the cemetery, right? And it was the same person who
rear-ended us as we left.”
    “Mm hmm.”
    “How did they know we were there?”
    She wrinkled her forehead in concentration.
“One way someone could have known we were there is if they set up
sort of…” She searched for the right words. “Like a force-field or
a psychic sentry if you will. I felt something blocking me from
sensing the energy at Becky’s house but that wall grew stronger at
her grave.”
    “So whoever killed her had their own psychic
powers?”
    She frowned. “Not necessarily. They might
have had someone else cast a spell for them.”
    “Spells and psychic force-fields and ghosts.
I can’t believe we’re talking about this stuff and I actually think
it could all be real.”

    Could be? How could he still have doubts? If he did, wasn’t
he in effect accusing her of being a shyster again? “It is real,
Ryan.”
    He shook his head then continued his tour.
When they reached the kitchen, he tipped his chin at the bistro
table. “Have a seat.