Incubus of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase Read Free Book Online Page A

shadows, but the magic wrapped around us and a tug pulled at my belly, sweeping me through the fabric of the other dimension.
    The light was a blur of color and the next thing I knew, we were standing in front of the Brotherhood mansion in the Garden District. The trip had only lasted for a few seconds, but it had left me disoriented and slightly nauseated.
    Kane squeezed my hand. “Hey, are you all right?”
    I swallowed back the bile threatening to choke me. “Yeah. I’ll be fine.” Then I glanced up at him. He was pale, and fatigue shown in his eyes. “What about you?”
    He straightened his shoulders, seeming to steel himself. “Fine.”
    But he wasn’t fine. He was exhausted. The shadows had drained him and had the dagger not pulled us straight to the Brotherhood house, I was almost certain he would’ve gotten trapped again. The energy he’d gained from our lovemaking the night before was already drained. Squeezing his fingers, I tapped the power gently pulsing beneath my skin and pushed it into him.
    Right before my eyes, his skin tone evened out and the weariness claiming him melted away.
    “Jade.” He pulled away from me, putting a foot between us. “You can’t keep doing that.”
    “Why not?” I gave him a pointed look.
    “Because if I keep taking your power, you’ll be drained. Then what will you do?”
    “I’m fine,” I insisted. And I was. For now. But I wasn’t going to let him go deal with Maximus looking like he was going to pass out. Demon hunters weren’t weak. Especially not mine.
    The double doors of the Antebellum home swung open, and Maximus himself appeared.
    Kane and I shared a glance and then moved forward. Well, Kane did. I bounced off an invisible wall and stumbled backward.
    “Whoa,” I said and pressed my hands against the solid barrier. I’d always been able to enter the compound before.
    Kane paused and glanced back, reaching for me.
    “The witch isn’t invited to this meeting,” Maximus said, in an authoritative tone as he came to a stop beside Kane.
    Kane dropped his hand, set his shoulders, and gave his leader his full attention. “I think you’ll find her relevant to the issue I need to discuss with you.”
    “I’m afraid we’ll have to agree to disagree.” The leader stood tall and stiff, not meeting Kane’s gaze.
    “Maximus,” I said, cautiously. “It’s good to see you again.”
    “Likewise, Ms. Calhoun.” He kept his gaze straight ahead, his tone even more formal than usual. “Unfortunately, we have classified Brotherhood business to discuss. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask that you forgive our rudeness, but I can’t invite you in today.”
    I forced a patient smile, trying to ignore the ball of unease forming in my gut. While Maximus had made noises about denying me entrance into the Brotherhood’s proceedings, he’d never tried to leave me in the dark when anyone was in danger from supernatural forces. “I understand your position, but I have classified angel business to discuss with you.”
    He finally turned and looked me in the eye. “Classified?”
    “Yes,” Kane answered for me. “It’s important.”
    Maximus inclined his head, relenting. “Very well. Please enter.”
    The air in front of me shimmered with foreign magic as the barrier disappeared. “Thank you,” I said as I joined Kane.
    “Don’t thank me yet.” Maximus retreated back into the house.
    Kane and I shared a questioning glance but neither of us responded.
    Inside the house, Maximus led us to his office. Two of the walls were lined with leather-bound books and a third had rows of daggers and swords.
    “Have a seat.” He pointed to the chairs across from his desk, sat in his leather chair and steepled his fingers together. “You have news?”
    “It’s classified.” I settled into the chair as Kane took the one next to me.
    Maximus pursed his lips. “So you’ve said.”
    “Right. The information doesn’t leave this room.”
    “Understood.”
    This