Doomsday Brethren, Book 04: Entice Me at Twilight by Shayla Black Read Free Book Online Page B

plastered walls, and muraled ceilings. The original estate had been built by one of Duke’s ancestors in the mid-sixteenth century. Over the years, the house had been expanded, altered, sections demolished and rebuilt. The chapel was part of that original structure, now overlooking the lush gardens his mother took great pains to oversee. The rest of the house maintained that stiff, museum-quality look. Duke had considered turning the estate over to the National Trust, but his mother loved living here.
    Now seeing the estate through Ice’s eyes, a wizard who had grown up in a series of caves … Duke winced. Ice couldn’t possibly understand his responsibilities.
    “I always thought Bram had ostentatiousness down to a fine art, but you make him look like an amateur.”
    “I didn’t decorate—” Frustration crashed in, and Duke raked a hand through his hair. “Never mind. Focus on Felicia. I don’t want her out of our sight. The Anarki may appear at any moment. We’ll try this your way, but I must persuade Mason to call off this wedding so we can get everyone else out of here.”
    Ice raised a dark, bushy brow. “How?”
    “No idea.” Regardless of what anyone said, Mason would likely refuse.
    Damn it, Duke wished he could simply confess that hewas a wizard. But Mason would only think him a nutter. Even if he could convince his brother, Mason wouldn’t even abide having a Liberal Democrat in the house, so Duke couldn’t imagine what he’d think about someone magical.
    With a slap on the back, Ice shot him a pitying look. “Good luck. Would you like me to fetch Felicia?”
    Duke’s first instinct was to refuse.
He
wanted to be the one to watch over her, keep her safe from danger. But that wouldn’t stop Mathias from crashing this wedding and potentially hurting his family or guests in his quest to find the Untouchable. He had to empty Lowechester Hall. While he wouldn’t be skimping on the drama, he had to hope the plan saved lives. And that he could avoid the tempting Felicia as much as possible.
    “Yes. I’ll have a word with Mason.”
    “Make it thirty seconds or less.” Ice bounded down the hall and up the stairs toward the family’s rooms.
    Head swimming, Duke darted toward the chapel.
    Mason stormed toward him, greeting him at the door. “Where the hell have you been? We were set to start ten minutes ago. You should have been lined up in the anteroom long before. Your friends are disturbing the guests. Mum can’t find Felicia, and somehow I know you’re to blame.”
    Entirely
. “I’ll address my friends. Felicia is fixing her lipstick.”
And avoiding me
. “But I must talk to—”
    “Did you have anything to do with her lipstick being mussed?” Mason’s dark eyes narrowed.
    No, but God, he’d love that. The thought of kissing her made him hard all over. Again. Duke tugged at the bottom of his dinner jacket. “No. She seemed flustered when I ran into her in the hall. But that’s not important. Listen to me, Mason. Felicia is in danger.”
    ***
    In her hiding place behind an armoire door, Felicia listened as Hurstgrove’s words penetrated her brain. She clapped a hand over her mouth to hold in a gasp. Truth bathed His Grace’s expression. The absence of a stench or a burning belly told her senses that he believed every word he said.
    Danger?
    Was he delusional? Mistaken?
    Or, God forbid, right?
    After slipping past the scary, stubble-headed man, Felicia had sneaked back here. Thankfully, no one had noticed her lurking in the shadowed corner of the corridor. And here she would stay until she was certain Hurstgrove wouldn’t guess that she knew his secret.
    Biting her lip, Felicia held her questions. Mason, a barrister well trained in cross-examination, would ask what was necessary. She’d listen and smell and decipher truths from lies. Besides, Mason wouldn’t be rattled by Hurstgrove’s compelling demeanor or the fact that he wasn’t human. Felicia would bet a year’s salary