Frost Burn (The Fire and Ice Series, Book 1) by Erica Stevens Read Free Book Online Page A

The human’s gazes were riveted upon the sack of skin and bones lying at her feet. The blond vampire and an older man with glasses were the only ones looking at her . The human looked completely fascinated as his gaze ran over her.
    It didn’t matter what they thought of her; her eyes remained locked upon the assessing ice blue eyes of the vampire she’d interacted with earlier. He knew what she could do now, knew a little of what she’d done to him earlier, but instead of looking infuriated, fascinated or even slightly terrified, a smile began to curve the corner of his full mouth.

CHAPTER 5
    Julian stared at the emaciated remains of the vampire lying on the ground in front of her. He’d never seen anything like it, never known a power like that existed, but it had been one of the most amazing and disconcerting things he’d ever witnessed. He couldn’t help but smile as he met her dilated golden eyes. He didn’t know what to make of her, but she seemed more on their side than most of the vampires they came across.
    She most likely wouldn’t be able to drain the life force from him. However, he knew what it was like to be ensnared within her trap and realized now she could have chosen to do a lot more damage to him than she actually had. Figuring out exactly where she stood was something to figure out later; there was someone else who had to be dealt with first.
    His gaze traveled to the ugly little man standing by the front door. The look on his face reminded Julian of a vampire in the first throes of bloodlust as he eyed the girl eagerly. He couldn’t believe there actually wasn’t drool running down the side of his face. He’d hoped to never encounter this particular vampire again, but unfortunately fate had other plans. The only good thing was Scully wouldn’t be walking out of here alive.
    Scully’s eyes were a fiery red color when he looked toward him. “Julian,” he greeted in a flat tone.
    Julian held his gaze, “Scully.”
    “This doesn’t concern you.”
    “If you think I’m going to walk out of here and let you take this girl, you’re dumber than you look.”
    Scully’s upper lip curled into a sneer. “Don’t make me have to kill you.”
    Julian released a harsh bark of laughter. “It’s good to see you’re still such a joker, Scully.”
    A muscle twitched in Scully’s cheek, but he made the wise choice to remain where he stood. “Bring her to me!” he commanded brusquely. The remaining four vamps he’d brought with him enthusiastically shook their heads no. They took an abrupt step away from the girl who’d just killed their associate with only a touch.
    They’re not fools, Julian decided.
    “You idiots!” Scully barked. “She’s burned herself out, bring her to me!”
    “Stay away from her,” Julian hissed to the people gathered around him before stepping away from them.
    “For once I’m not going to argue with you,” Chris muttered but he and Melissa spread out as they moved into the barroom behind him.
    “No one is bringing anyone anywhere,” Julian said in a low voice as he tried to keep his eyes on the girl near the poolroom and Scully by the front door.
    The four men standing in between him and the girl all took an abrupt step toward her before taking two more back toward him. Julian would have laughed at the torn looks on their faces if they weren’t a danger, no matter how small. The fact they were frightened made them a bigger threat, but the biggest menace remained standing by the front door.
    Julian braced his feet apart and dropped his hands to his side, Scully wasn’t foolish enough to attack him, but he stood in between the other vampires and the door. Those vamps were going to do everything in their power to get out of here, something he wasn’t going to allow after their attack on the girl. This group was up to something, and he was going to find out what.
    “I didn’t think I’d ever see your ugly mug again, Scully,” Julian said.
    “I’d hoped