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

of town. He could reach her camp in less than half an hour.
    And if he could finish showing her around today, he'd be done with the entire disturbing mess.
    Encouraged, he hurried to her shaded campsite, stopping just outside the two trees where she'd opened her wards yesterday. "Miss Fieraru? Anca?" he called. "It's Matt Dixon, from last night. You awake? We can go now if you're ready."
    The air around him stirred, plucked at his t-shirt. His hair.
    A low steady hum of magic vibrated once, twice, and faded.
    Anca strode out from the tent. Her tight jeans, and another billowy ruffly blouse draping across generous curves, struck him mute for a long moment. Again she'd pulled her long dark hair back into a thick braid.
    The urge to see it down, unbound and falling around her, blindsided him.
    Anca stopped just on the other side of her wards. "Wasn't the plan to meet in town a few hours from now?"
    "It was."
    "Want me out of your hair as fast as you can?" She sounded rather agreeable to the idea, which didn't sit right with some strange part of him.
    And how did she read him so well? Only Jordan had that ability.

CHAPTER FOUR
    R ested now, Anca was able to read Matt Dixon much clearer.
    And her first thought was that the King had spoken true about Matt's strength.
    He could be Master of his own clan and territory if he wanted. So why was he here, as a subordinate, instead?
    Getting the real answer would be tricky, but she'd figure him out. Even if it meant acting a bit friendly, get him to open up a little. Because she needed to determine if he was the clan's traitor or not. And she needed to figure it out fast.
    Preferably before they found themselves in the position where their lives were on the line.
    "Give me a minute." She slipped into her tent and tied her short curved saif to the belt at her waist.
    The metal and leather sheath bumped reassuringly against the side of her leg. She ran her fingers over the delicately jeweled hand guard, just above the bluish sheen of Damascus steel. It had been the last sword her tată ever made. Her father, a master smith highly sought, even by royalty.
    Shaking off the painful thoughts, Anca left the tent and strode outside her wards, then reset the magical security.
    Matt walked beside her through the trees. Silence settled easily between them. Birds called out, flittered along the interwoven branches overhead. Small animals scurried through the bushes. The earth spirits danced, their sparking magic flickering energetically.
    As always, Anca automatically disguised her steps, becoming almost one with nature and the earth's spirits.
    Steady and silent like the patient thief .
    Matt's bootfalls were nearly as quiet as her own. Hard to do.
    Begrudgingly, she admitted it was slightly impressive.
    He'd changed from his dressy business attire to a t-shirt and jeans that fit him like a second skin, highlighting a muscled frame only hinted at before. Today, he radiated strength and power. The well-worn hiking boots said he was probably as comfortable in nature as his office. All in all, it gave him a rugged masculinity she'd missed during their first meeting.
    Then again, she'd been a bit out of it.
    His dark features definitely hinted at Spaniard. If her intuition was correct—and with her ability to read another's aura and magic, it usually was—Anca would peg him around her own age. Born near the early fifteen hundreds.
    That made sense with what MacDougal had said.
    And yet, Matt's aura blended with the earth around them, which meant he'd been in this land long enough to synch with the place.
    Another interesting idea. And thought provoking.
    At the lake's public parking, Matt studied the nearly empty lot. "You have a vehicle?"
    She pointed to the only other car there, a small, two door coupe the rental company had offered.
    Matt straightened to his full height, looked down at her and sneered. He strode to his large SUV, opened the passenger door and waited silently. When they reached