Coldstorm (Heart of a Vampire, Book 7) by Amber Kallyn Read Free Book Online Page A

he'd left a part of himself behind.
    ***
    I t was nearly one in the morning before Matt hurried through the castle halls once again. He caught the first person he saw—the kid, Robby, who seemed to be everywhere lately—and ordered him to get Jordan. Inside the King's reception room, the fire had been banked, though warmth lingered. Matt poured himself another whiskey. With a sigh, he sat in one of the chairs in front of the darkened fireplace.
    When Jordan strode in, his first words were, "Tell me what you saw, what you heard, and what your thoughts are."
    Matt did so easily, only stumbling when Jordan asked his opinion of Anca. He finally replied, "I don't know. I'll wait, watch. You know nothing will slip by me."
    Jordan looked him over with surety. "I do. And I'm confident you can handle whatever may come. Will the fact that she's from the Council cause problems?"
    "I can ignore it, unless she endangers anyone," he rushed to say. It wouldn't be easy, but he'd do it. Except, she didn't quite act like the typical Council investigators. At least, not yet.
    Jordan grinned, his expression unreadable.
    "What?" Matt asked.
    "I was just thinking how she might work for the Council, but the woman seems more like Connor than the rest of those arrogant asses."
    Matt stared hard. His King couldn't read minds. Coincidence then, their similar thoughts.
    "Go home," Jordan ordered. "You look like hell."
    "Thanks, m'Lord," Matt replied dryly. But before he could leave there was one last question that he needed to ask. "What if she connects me to the old warrants for the Judges I killed?"
    Jordan appraised him with a long, hard look. "I told you many years ago I ensured it was taken care of it. Not that there was much for the Council to go on. Dark hair, dark skin. The perpetrator could have been anyone, Spanish or native. Mateo de Dizzione was never connected to the deaths. And even if they had, it's not like you've used that name in centuries. Trust me, they never will come for you." Jordan reached over to lay a hand on Matt's shoulder. "Besides, those deaths are considered justice by most."
    Matt's gut continued to churn, though, with old repressed memories suddenly dredged up.
    When he got home, he ate, then slipped into his basement bedroom. The windowless room made for perfect darkness. He could sleep at any time of day without being bothered by sunlight. With his ever changing shifts at the hospital, he'd found the bedrooms upstairs far too bright.
    Only hours later, Matt sprung awake, the echoes of screams filling his mind. Drenched in sweat, he held his head, waiting for the sounds and smells bringing the past alive to finally fade.
    He'd not been forced to relive those nightmares in a very long time. The horrors he'd witnessed. All things done in the name of the Arcaine and the damned Magic Council.
    The suppressed memories had resurfaced for only one reason.
    Because of her.
    The Council investigator.
    Anca Fieraru.
    Restless and not wanting to fall back to sleep, Matt got up and ate. It was barely five in the morning. He called the hospital to check on his few patients. All was well in the hands of the capable nurses. He left messages for the other doctors, begging off his shifts the next two days. They'd cover for him.
    By six the sun was on the rise.
    Matt should be out searching for the Rogues, not resting at home. There were still hours to kill before meeting the Council's investigator at the diner. But as he looked around his empty house and its dark subdued colors, Matt found himself itching to leave.
    Perhaps Anca was also awake.
    They could get started early.
    The faster he showed her around, the sooner he'd be rid of her.
    Decided, he changed from his slacks and shirt to jeans, a t-shirt and hiking boots. He wasn't going to damage another expensive pair of loafers or pants if he could help it.
    He stopped by the sheriff's station and picked up copies of the recent reports Anca mentioned she needed. Then he headed out