Undercover Magic Read Online Free PDF Page B

made a leap toward me and crumpled to the roof. I holstered my gun and heaved myself
     up. Strolling over to the prone figure, I pushed him onto his back with the toe of
     my boot.
    I unclipped one of the PRCs from the back of my belt and locked it around the guy's
     neck. Immediately, his features smoothed out into the average looking face of a guy
     with brown hair and no distinguishing marks or characteristics whatsoever. A face
     that could blend in with any crowd. A face that was easily forgotten. An assassin's
     face.
    Aiming my iC at him, I snapped a picture and then dialed a number. "Your assassin
     missed," I said when the voicemail of the private line picked up. "My next shot kills
     him." I pressed send on the picture and disconnected.
    Crouching down next to the unconscious vampire, I struggled with the dark and dangerous
     fire burning in my gut. I wanted to kill Bellmonte. He'd tried to hurt Cooper.
    My iC buzzed in my hand. I activated it and put it to my ear. "You're losing your
     touch, Regent. No Cooper, no leverage," I said.
    "On the inside of his right wrist, what mark does he wear?" he asked.
    The note of concern in Bellmonte's voice surprised me enough that I checked the assassin's
     wrist. "Triangle with a circle in it. Doesn't look a thing like you." Dead silence
     greeted this announcement and I wondered if the esteemed Sir Pisshead had dropped
     his phone. "Hello?"
    "He is not mine."
    I was surprised from my justified miff to hear actual concern in the vampire's voice.
    The assassin stirred and I backed up a few steps. His eyes opened, reflecting transitory
     confusion. I saw the moment when a flash of panic went through them as he realized
     he'd been collared.
    "It seems that we have another player on the field," Bellmonte continued over the
     phone.
    I aimed my gun at the collared vamp. His gaze met mine and he bit down hard on his
     back teeth. Bright red blood seeped onto his lips and he gagged. I shot to my feet,
     jumping back as his body gave a violent spasm. A second later, he was dead.
    "Well, that sucks."
    "Indeed. Before he regains consciousness, find a way to keep his mouth in the open
     position," Bellmonte said.
    Thick, black coagulated fluid seeped out of the dead vamp's mouth and ears as his
     head lolled to the side. I took another step back. Gross.
    "Too late," I said.
    I could almost feel the heat of Bellmonte's frustration through the phone. Normally
     that would make me a happy girl. Looking at the dead vamp, I had a feeling that what
     had just happened was not going to do the cause of justice any services.
    "Leverage incapable of pain is quite inconvenient," Bellmonte said in a tight voice.
    "He bit down on something before I could stop him."
    "Certainly he did. The dedication and skill of our assassins are beyond reproach.
     It was your job to prevent such a thing."
    I stepped up to the body and nudged it with my foot. "Whatever he took worked fast.
     What was it?"
    "Information of that nature in your hands? I shudder to think." He paused and then
     released a long-suffering sigh. "It is now urgent for you to identify the criminal
     behind this organization."
    I squatted down and disengaged my PRC from the corpse's neck.  "You seem to be under
     the illusion that I'm one of your fawning acolytes, Bellmonte." I hooked the collar
     to the back of my belt. "Do your own dirty work."
    "The fact that the individual behind this attack wants your lover dead is not adequate
     motivation?"
    "Another vamp's plugger encroached on your territory. Hasn't that pushed me off your
     list of entertainments?"
    "Get me the name, Ms. Kittner. I assure you I also have no difficulty killing innocent
     men."
    "He's a big boy. He can take care of himself." And I meant it.
    "He is not the only creature you care about."
    My heart jumped into my throat as he disconnected. I stared at the phone. He wouldn't.
     No one could be that brutal.
    I remembered Wizard's trusting green eyes gazing up into mine