Hunter by Night by Elisabeth Staab Read Free Book Online Page A

and antimatter. If they touched, there might be an explosion. An implosion. Nuclear disaster. World war. Baby hedgehogs bursting out of all the air vents.
    Lee filled Alexia’s untidy bedroom with his bulk. He’d changed clothes into camo pants and a dark shirt. His body dripped with weapons, guns under his arms and strapped to his thigh. Knives clipped to his pants. God knew what he had in those pockets or other places she couldn’t see. His expression, dark and serious, did funny things to the place where her legs met her body.
    He’s a killer. That shouldn’t be hot. Really shouldn’t.
    Siddoh followed closely behind. He, too, appeared far more subdued than usual. Siddoh was one of the few vampires Alexia had fun hanging out with, but right now he looked like he was on his way to a funeral and having trouble figuring out how to fill out the card on the flower arrangement.
    Lee’s look held a larger dose of grim than usual, and that was saying something. “Sorry for the wait. In case we have to be away for awhile, I wanted to be sure all the bases were covered.”
    Bases. “What’s wrong?” Alexia and Nessa asked at once, and Lee appeared to get nauseous.
    He focused on Agnessa. “Nessa, do me a favor and go with Siddoh. I want to make sure everyone is in a secure location.”
    Agnessa’s eyes widened. She frowned and opened her mouth like she might disagree.
    Siddoh took her by the arm. “I wouldn’t argue, Agnessa. This isn’t the time.”
    Lee stood stiffly with his arms at his side. He waited until the other two were down the hall and around the corner, before turning back to Alexia. “That disturbance you felt was the security system losing power.”
    “Whuuut?” Alexia’s brows pulled together.
    “The magical security system.”
    “Oh.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. It sounded bad.
    “It’s what helps to keep us hidden from outsiders, as well as prevent our enemies from crossing the threshold onto our land.”
    “Oh.” Very bad. The estate covered two hundred acres and held hundreds of homes, cars, and other buildings. They were set back from a rural access road and surrounded by forest and farmland, but it would still look suspicious if one examined closely. And it would be dangerous for a lot of vampires if the property could be breached by an enemy.
    “I suspect someone caught wind of Thad and Isabel leaving the estate, and may have something planned while we’re vulnerable.” The muscles tensed and flexed in his forearm as his hand clenched and released, lifting to rake over the back of his neck. His frustration vibrated in the air of Alexia’s bedroom.
    “You think this has something to do with that threat you mentioned? That guy?”
    “Exactly. Which is why I’ve put the rest of the estate on lockdown. Thing is, taking down our magic security is beyond him, as far as I know. Then again, I also thought he died six hundred years ago.”
    Jeez. “Yeah, on a scale from one to ten, I’d say that’s pretty spectacularly fucked-up.”
    Lee closed the gap between them. An awareness of warmth and clean sweat cut through the anxious confusion his last statement had injected into her stomach. “Frankly, it’s safer here,” he said. “I’d leave you if I could. However, I’ve received word Isabel is having contractions and insists on having her birth coach.” The wave of his hand conveyed his apparent belief that such an idea was preposterous.
    Alexia stepped close, craning her neck to meet his arrogant stare. “What, you think the queen’s birth coach isn’t a priority?”
    Lee’s large hand rubbed his forehead like it ached. “In my youth, females gave birth. No birthing tub, no special class, no self-hypnosis CDs, no coach.”
    What . A phenomenal dick. “Excuse me.” She poked a finger that was supposed to jab into his chest, but anger and her refusal to break eye contact effed up her aim. She ended up poking at the firm, fine muscles of his belly. Pride kept the