Cursed by Fire (Blood & Magic Book 1) by Danielle Annett Read Free Book Online Page A

a brow before reaching around me and opening the front door.
    “You ready to get going?” he asked, sporting a wide grin on his face.
    Jerk.
    He really needed to get a hobby—one that didn’t include scaring the hell out of me. I followed him outside in response and let him lead the way to his Mustang. Climbing in when I heard the distinct click of the doors being unlocked, I threw on my seatbelt and let myself sink into the leather seats.
    We rode in silence to the Blackmore residence. I was too exhausted from our sparring session to make any conversation. Fifteen long minutes later we pulled up to a charming three-story townhouse. James left the engine running for a few moments while we each surveyed the neighborhood through the car windows. The home was beautifully landscaped and it appeared to be your typical Veradale home, narrow and tall. All of its features screamed expensive. All the way from the slate, stone pathways to the detailed wood molding around the windows. Each feature was meticulous and elegant.
    I climbed out of the car and walked up the stone pathway leading to the front door. Before I could knock, the door opened and a tall woman dressed in a sleek green, knee-length dress stood before me. Her hair was impeccable, styled in a fall of curls down her right shoulder. She had large gemstones adorning her ears and her makeup was flawless against her pale complexion.
    “Mrs. Blackmore,” I said.
    “Yes?”
    “We’re sorry to bother you,” I said in way of greeting, “but we’d like to speak with you some more about Daniel’s disappearance and subsequent death.” Footsteps sounded from inside the house leading towards the front door. Jessica Blackmore looked over her shoulder as a small frown creased her brow.
    “I’m sorry but this isn’t really a good time. We were just on our way out…” she trailed off as a middle-aged man stepped up beside her.
    “Jessica who is it?” he asked.
    “It’s the investigator that was working on Daniel’s case. Ms. Ummm…what was your name again?” she asked, turning back towards me.
    “Aria. Aria Naveed.” Obviously I hadn’t made much of an impression on her. Maybe I needed to get myself a Boss 302 mustang so I could be seen and remembered as well.
    “It’s Ms. Naveed,” she told her husband, as if he hadn’t already heard.
    “Why is she here?” he asked.
    Not wanting Mrs. Blackmore to continue playing middleman, I focused my attention on Patrick Blackmore and answered him directly.
    “I’m here to discuss the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s abduction and murder.”
    “Why? It’s over. Done with,” he said in a gruff voice as he adjusted the burgundy tie around his thick neck.
    For some reason, I disliked him on sight. He had sleaze ball written all over him and I wasn’t particularly fond of the way he kept eyeing me up and down like some piece of meat.
    “No, Mr. Blackmore, it isn’t over,” James said from behind me. He took a menacing step forward, his tone laced with steel.
    I made sure to keep a bland expression on my face as Mr. and Mrs. Blackmore studied James over my shoulder. I could tell that neither one of them knew who or what he was. If they did, their expressions would have changed from annoyance to apprehension at the very least.
    I was surprised by their reaction to my visit though. They had just lost a child. Less than two weeks had gone by since Daniel’s disappearance and news of his death only brought to their attention a handful of days ago, yet the two of them looked as if they were going out to celebrate. These weren’t the grieving parents I’d expected to meet with this afternoon. I knew they were working on moving on but the complete lack of emotion was off-putting to say the least
    “We’re the parents and we decided that this case was over,” Mr. Blackmore bit out, his patience visibly running out. “Your services are no longer needed.”
    James grinned. It was a feral smile full of teeth. The