Animal Instincts (Entangled Ignite) by Patricia Rosemoor Read Free Book Online Page B

only casino boat was docked.
    Underwater. The lower deck of the boat would be underwater, and it undoubtedly had portholes.
    Drawing closer to the entry, I read the sign: The Ark Casino.
    Chattering at me, the rats demanded a reward. I gave them the last of my kibble, which they gobbled and fled. Even before entering the boat, I could hear the oddly musical sound of slot machines. There was a connection between the boat and the fight arena: gambling.
    I went inside and was startled when I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure on the other side of the casino floor.
    He was tall, and his medium build seemed whipcord hard beneath his tux as if he worked out daily. Thick, dark hair so long it dusted his shoulders waved around a lightly bronzed face, rugged yet so mesmerizing it could grace a magazine cover. I swallowed hard and cut straight for him, but he was moving, too. He slipped behind a pillar and disappeared. It took me a minute to fight through the crowd, but I was intent on confronting him and getting some answers this time.
    I rounded the pillar. A dead end.
    Looking around, I spotted a black door. When I got close, I saw the “ Do Not Enter” sign. Opening the door, I slipped inside. Before me, a set of stairs yawned downward. A long hallway stretched from the bottom of the landing, a strange intermittent glow illuminating the windowed wall that seemed to undulate with the lake’s tide.
    A frisson of fear pierced me. What was I getting myself into? If I called Ethan for backup, what would I say? The rats led me here?
    The boat rocked against the dock, and the swirling water reminded me of a shark tank I’d once walked through. The contents of my stomach swirled, too, and I forced myself to walk down the flight of stairs.
    The lights flickered and suddenly went out. If I wanted to go on, it would be in the dark. But as I reached out to touch the glass wall so I could use it as a guide, the hallway began to glow once more. A mere blip in the system, I thought.
    I could hear sounds now. The murmur of voices. The thump-thump of music. The thrum of sound like the slot machines upstairs. My legs felt heavy as I forced them to move forward. The noise grew louder, the tunnel brighter. A man in a uniform stood guarding another door.
    Who’s this chick? Not exactly dressed for the evening, but she’s a looker.
    I started. The security guard hadn’t actually spoken the words out loud. That meant I’d heard his thoughts. But that was impossible—I could read animals, not people. Unless I had now inherited Shade’s ability. I felt as if my head might explode. Or my heart. My body was unnaturally tight as fear laced it with its poison.
    I reached up to touch Shade’s sea glass for courage.
    “Your invitation,” the guard said, holding out his hand.
    Uh-oh. “Um, I’m not sure where I put it.” Trying to catch a normal breath, I searched my pockets as if I actually had an invitation.
    I’d never been able to read people. Something about my ability had changed. Normally I could communicate with animals, using images. What if that would work here? Taking a chance, I created an image in my mind.
    I took a white, engraved card from my pocket and offered it to the guard. He gave it a quick glance, then ushered me in.
    I blinked and he was actually doing it, standing back and sweeping an arm toward the inner sanctum.
    “Welcome to The Ark. Have a good evening.”
    I caught my breath. The image I’d placed in his head had worked, and I’d never done that with a human before.
    And if you don’t find what you want in there, I’m available after hours.
    Ignoring him, I sauntered past the security guard and into a bank of bright lights and hot sounds and choking cigarette smoke. My heart did double time as I stood there taking it all in—banks of slot machines and gaming tables beyond. The complex seemed to go on and on. Fish swirled against the clear walls, undoubtedly attracted to the bright lights. I looked up and