Entwined With the Dark by Nicola Claire Read Free Book Online

and my abhorrence at relying on Marie to ferry me around, public transport was the only option. I could have walked to the Tube station and taken a train, but I wasn't married to a wealthy man without being able to absorb some financial benefits - paying for an expensive taxi ride was a pittance really. Man, I had come a long way since we first met.
    Sergei met me at the bottom of the stairs, halting my scrolling efforts.
    "Mistress, I trust you will be taking either myself or Nataliya with you this evening." He didn't say it as a question, it was a simple statement of fact. I glanced up at him - my self appointed security head - and smiled sweetly.
    "Of course, Sergei. How about we all go together." His face relaxed marginally. It was a little hard to tell, Sergei and his sister had very fierce physiques. All square jaws and heavy brows, usually with a permanent scowl gracing their swarthy skinned face. I knew it was all an act, they both could let loose and have a laugh with the best of them, but it was a very good act. The only thing that detracted from their fierceness was an iridescent tattoo-like Sigillum in the shape of a star on their cheeks. My Sigillum , the mark of the Lux Lucis Tribuo . And, I decided, perhaps a good thing to have on display this evening when faced with a pissed off Master of the City.
    Sergei nodded to me and went in search of his sister to give her the favourable news. Their mistress was cooperating with her security detail tonight. Oh happy day.
    I was just about to connect my call through to the local London Cab company, when Christopher appeared before my eyes. Almost out of nowhere in fact. I stifled my yelp and sucked in a breath instead, giving the stealthy vampire a glare. He smiled knowingly. He liked to sneak up on me, for some reason it made him laugh.
    "Mistress, I have something for you," he said in his quiet voice. "The Master organised it before he left. I managed to speed its delivery along to this evening."
    I frowned at him in confusion, just what was he playing at now? He held his hand up and a set of keys emerged in his open palm. Car keys. My face lit up and I swiftly pocketed my phone. Michel hadn't said anything about organising a car for me, we'd talked about it, but I couldn't make my mind up on what type to get. I had loved my BMW back in Auckland, but Michel had insisted I needed a change. I thought we had left the discussion unfinished, but being Michel, he had just forged on with what he considered the best option for me instead. I used to get irate at him doing this, deciding things without my consent. Hell, I wouldn't have even considered taking a car as a gift previously, but we were now married - at least in the eyes of the vampires and my parents - so what was his was mine, right? I kept reminding myself of that.
    Besides, I'd spotted the winged emblem on the key chain. A Mini had actually been my pick of his suggestions too. I just prayed he'd got me the soft-top. There were only two seats in that. Less room for the annoyingly ever-present security detail. I may accept them in my life now, but that still didn't mean I occasionally liked to rebel.
    I took the proffered keys and skipped to the front door to see what my new independent toy looked like. It wasn't a convertible and it did have room - albeit a small amount of room - for four. But I brushed that aside as I took in the sleek black, brand spanking new, Mini Cooper S sitting pride of place outside our front door. It was gorgeous and I was in love with one glance.
    I opened the passenger door and peered inside, then couldn't resist myself and slipped into the black leather seat taking it all in. Pressing buttons, opening glove compartments and then squealing with delight when I found a new iPod sitting in the dock in the centre console of the car. I flicked through the device quickly, noting Michel had made sure all of my favourite music was already loaded.
    I sat back in the seat and made myself breathe.