Corrigan Magic (Corrigan: Blood Destiny Book 2) by Helen Harper Read Free Book Online Page A

gateway vanished.  Satisfaction rippled through me.  Good.  There was only one beastie to deal with.  I took a step forward, noting first the magnificent mane of bright copper red hair, followed an instant later by her scent.  Suddenly I knew exactly who I was dealing with – and I couldn’t believe it.
    Mack choked and spluttered.  I’d never seen such an adverse reaction to travelling through a portal.  I guessed I’d finally found something which my little werehamster wasn’t good at.  I folded my arms and waited while she recovered, her head eventually lifting up and her yellow flecked eyes growing more and more horror-filled as they travelled up my body.  Somehow I got the impression this wasn’t a planned visit. 
    “Well,” I said, giving her a tiny smile, “I knew we’d meet again, kitten, I just didn’t expect you to suddenly materialise and hock up the contents of your stomach onto my floor.”
    She pulled herself upright, almost tripping over her own feet.  I waited for her to attack or yell or swear but instead she gaped round my room in obvious panic.  Blind terror seemed to be guiding her actions.  I frowned.  As surprised as I was to see her, I was even more taken aback by her own reaction.  She’d pulled off meek and submissive several times in Cornwall, although I was certain she’d been faking it on virtually every occasion. I’d rarely seen outright, genuine fear from her though. She was scared of me and I didn’t like it.
    I took the bull by the horns.  “You look frightened.  That’s not the Mackenzie I remember.  So why don’t you tell me just how you got here and why you’re so afraid.”  I took a step towards her, attempting to relax my body and appear non-threatening.  She was back in the Brethren fold and, whatever the reasons were for her sudden appearance, I needed her to relax.  Or fight.  Either way, I just wanted her to stop looking so damned terrified.
    She threw up her arms as if to ward me off.  “Don’t come any closer!  I … I … er …  might have been exposed to something when I was transported here.  And, in fact, where is here?” 
    “You’re in the bastion of the Brethren.” I licked my lips, then abruptly stopped as I realised what I was doing.  “I don’t think anyone has ever managed to invade our fort before without setting off a very elaborate alarm system. So you’re going to do tell me how and why you’re here.” From somewhere deep within the building there was a siren.  Considering how long it had taken to send out an alert, we should be bloody grateful this wasn’t someone really nasty.  “Finally,” I murmured, keeping my focus on Mack.  “Well, little cat?”
    “I’m not a cat,” she spat, thankfully reacting in typical fashion to my endearment and straightening her body. “My Lord, I’m a hamster.”  Her eyes shifted nervously.  She was still afraid, even if she was doing a better job of disguising it now.
    “Of course, you are.”  I couldn’t keep the amusement out of my voice.
    “And, as to your question,” she sniffed, tossing back that glorious hair, “I don’t know how I got here.  One minute I was walking down the street, minding my own business and the next thing I know I’m throwing up on your lovely floor.  I apologise.  I will leave and get out of your way.” She flicked a look at my bare chest and I could feel my body responding to her gaze.  “You’re clearly in the middle of something.”
    “You’re not going anywhere, Mackenzie.”  I lunged forward and grabbed her arms.  I wasn’t about to let her disappear again.
    The fearful panic that had just about melted away from her eyes was suddenly re-ignited.  She twisted in an explosive effort to yank herself free.  It was all I could do to keep hold of her.  She was as strong as Staines.  When she realised she couldn’t immediately break my grip, she began clawing and punching the air.  I narrowly avoided her