Fated Blood: A paranormal erotic romance series (The Twisted Destiny Saga Book 5) by Franca Storm Read Free Book Online Page A

different.”
    “How?”
    “Tina is female and a submissive. You are neither. It would be too much for her.”
    “Fine. Good luck on the hunt tonight. I hope for your sake that she can keep human blood down.”
    “Me too,” Luca said worriedly. “Me too.”

 
     
    CHAPTER 8
    “Ryan!” Marella exclaimed happily as she opened the door to her and Nathanial’s room to find him standing there, leaning against the wall. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you.”
    “Hey,” he said as she stepped aside to let him in. She watched him look her over for a moment and raise his eyebrows, before saying, “Wow, your pregnancy is really moving along, huh?”
    “Yes,” she said excitedly, rubbing her baby bump. “We don’t think it’ll be long now.” She saw Ryan’s smile fade. She reasoned that he was probably thinking of Cora’s pregnancy—it had been the fastest pregnancy in history.
    “Is he here?” he asked, fiddling with his sunglasses that were shielding his eyes from view.
    “He’s just taking a shower.” She gestured to the kitchen over on the far side of the open-concept room. “I was about to make something to eat. Come, I’ll make you whatever you want.”
    He managed a small smile and shook his head. “No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”
    “You can’t keep going on just scotch alone,” Nathanial’s deep voice rumbled from the bedroom. He appeared a moment later, fully dressed in black slacks and a navy blue shirt and completely dry. The advantages of practicing magic. He didn’t have to do things the slow, mundane way.
    “You can smell it?” Ryan asked.
    “More so than your wolf scent,” Nathanial confirmed as he approached him.
    “We’re not due at court today, so it doesn’t matter.”
    Marella eyed Nathanial pointedly. She saw him hesitate for a moment, before, thankfully, deciding to let Ryan’s comment slide. He folded his arms across his chest and asked Ryan, “What do you need?”
    Ryan proceeded to tell him about a meeting between him, Luca and Kristoff.
    Nathanial didn’t say anything for several moments as he considered Ryan’s request and Marella watched his brow furrow, knowing he was silently weighing up his options.
    “I need my son back, Nathanial,” Ryan pressed.
    Nathanial nodded his understanding. “Trust me, I know, Ryan. What Kristoff has told you about Spiritomb makes sense. It explains why neither Marella, Michael, Shaye, nor I have been able to locate Orion. But you do not know Kristoff like I do.”
    “I don’t care about any of that. I will do whatever I need to get my son back. Whatever damned deal I have to make, I’ll make it, Nathanial.”
    Nathanial gripped his shoulders firmly. “I know. That is why I am here.”
    “What? To stop me?”
    “No. To protect you and, by extension, all of us. I will speak with Kristoff myself.”
    “I’ll come with you.”
    “Your temper will not help,” Nathanial warned.
    “I’ll keep it in check.”
    Nathanial studied him. “All right. We have an agreement,” he said as he released his shoulders and stepped back.
    “When?” Ryan asked.
    “I know you are anxious. We will go now.” Nathanial glanced at Marella. “Angel?”
    “Yes, I will be fine, my darling.”
    He smiled at her in that sexy way of his that did things to her and then he turned back to Ryan. “Lose the stake and then we’ll go.”
    Ryan raised his eyebrows in surprise. “How did you know?”
    Nathanial winked at him. “I’m just that good.”
    Ryan chuckled and handed him the stake. He watched, his eyes widening in surprise as Nathanial crushed it into dust with his bare hand. “Impressive.”
    “Of course,” Nathanial said, smirking.
    Marella shook her head with disapproval. “Nathanial,” she chastised him. “There’s confidence and then there’s arrogance.”
    “Please, angel, we both know you enjoy my arrogance .”
    “She’s my aunt, Nathanial,” Ryan said, clearly catching the sexual innuendo there, between