Cast Into Darkness by Janet Tait Read Free Book Online Page A

she’d told him she’d gone out with that gorgeous but utterly Normal boy Neil Castro from high school. Neil and his whole family disappeared the next day. Dad always said everything he did was for her own good.
    She settled for a lie. Of sorts.
    She shrugged. “Maybe it’s jealousy. I beat her out for the scholarship.”
    He pulled back and reached up to touch her cheek, his hand gentle. “Would this girl really go after you for that? You need to tell me everything you know. I can’t protect you if you aren’t honest with me.”
    “I don’t know, Dad. I didn’t even know she could cast. It’s not like I can tell, the way you can.” She hoped he didn’t feel her trembling as she stepped away from his embrace. “I don’t know why she’s after me.”
    He gave her a long look. “Go home, and get some rest. We’ll talk more later.” He squeezed her shoulder and walked back to his desk. “I am sorry about what happened to you. Whoever is responsible will pay. That I guarantee.”
    He picked up the phone and buzzed his secretary, asking her to send in his next appointment.
    He’s already dismissed me and gone on to other things. Which company to influence, which country to dominate.
    She walked out into the reception area.
    “Ready to go, princess?” Victor leaned against the counter, an annoying smirk on his face.
    Victor, not Alex. Dammit.
    “Yes. Take me home, please.”
    “No problem. Nothing I like better than being your chauffeur.” He pushed off the counter and marched down the hall. She hurried to keep up.
    “You could drive me in one of the limos.” Her headache had faded—another teleport would only bring it back.
    “Not secure enough.” He increased his pace. She had to jog to catch up.
    “What’s your problem? Doing what my father tells you is your job, after all.”
    “Yeah, it is, but so is finding who attacked you. Which do you think I should be doing: playing escort or catching a rogue?”
    “Hey, don’t bite my head off. Nothing I’d like better than having you looking for Brooke. Alex can take me home.”
    “Your father has other things for Torres to do. Besides, aren’t you tired of him trailing after you? He’s been doing it since you two were kids.”
    She felt her face flush. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Alex is worth ten reformed rogues like you. “So…did you find Brooke in the database? Is she working for anybody?”
    He slowed down. “Rogues don’t work for anyone. That’s why they’re rogues. But no, I didn’t find her.”
    They arrived back at the rotunda, Victor leading Kate onto the smaller version of the double- H logo that served as a marker for outgoing teleports. Not that casters needed to teleport onto a specific pattern, but having markers to use sure cut down on the gruesome accidents.
    “So what will you do now?” Kate asked.
    “Go to your school, track her down. Somebody will know something about her.”
    I know something about her. I know what the hell she wanted.
    Before the spell took hold of them, she slid her hand into her pocket and felt the stone, cold and smooth. The sensation vanished for a moment as the rotunda disappeared around them and the foyer of her family’s house in the Hamptons appeared in its place.
    Home.

Chapter Five
    Kate let go of Victor’s arm and stepped off the incoming teleport pattern in front of the big curved staircase. Interwoven stripes of black and white in the marbled floor served as the marker. Across the foyer, fresh flowers topped the Queen Anne console table. Marigolds and red carnations caught the rays of the noontime sun streaming in from the picture window.
    “I’ve got work to do. Try not to cause any more international incidents.” Victor shot her a snarky look before walking down the walnut-lined hall. He headed toward the security office, boot heels ringing on the floor.
    She pressed her lips together. Don’t react. The last thing she needed was more of Victor. She had