Insatiable Desire by Rita Herron Read Free Book Online Page B

said in a gruff voice. “It’s to find out who murdered this woman.”
    “At least you could have some compassion for Ronnie.”
    “Everyone is considered a suspect in a homicide case.” The dark aura surrounding him swirled with energy.
    “So I’m a suspect, too?” she said.
    His eyes pierced her, his voice gruff when he spoke. “No.”
    Desperate for something concrete to convince him, she turned to Tracy. Billie Jo and Jamie’s spirits appeared beside Tracy, and she silently begged them for more information.
    Tracy held out a trembling, bloody hand and slowly unfolded her fingers.
    Clarissa frowned as the other two women’s spirits extended pale, ghostly hands containing the same object.
    She studied the rock, trying to understand the significance. “Agent Valtrez, there is something that proves the deaths are connected.”
    His sigh rasped through the silence. “I’m listening.”
    Clarissa cleared her throat, certain now she had a clue. “The killer left a small piece of black rock at each crime scene.”
    His thick eyebrows rode up. “You know this how?”
    She opened her mouth to answer, but he shrugged her off. “Never mind. I guess the victims told you.”
    Her mouth tightened. “Just check the area. See if you find a piece of black rock beside Tracy. Look in her hand.”
    He didn’t comment but glanced back at the scene. “Why am I looking for black rock?”
    “The killer leaves it as his signature.”
    His gaze met hers. Distrustful. Filled with suspicion. And a small flicker of some other emotion she couldn’t discern.
    He knew something about the black rock . . .
    Moving like a giant panther stalking his prey, he strode over to the body and knelt. Clarissa’s stomach tightened as he removed the small piece of rock from Tracy’s clenched fingers with his gloved hand.
    The hairs on the back of her neck bristled, and she glanced up at the imposing ridges surrounding them. In spite of the heat, a stiff wind rattled the trees, a hollow moan echoing as if it had emerged from deep in the mountain. Below her feet, the earth shook as if the ground might open up and swallow her.
    This killer was truly evil. Supernatural. He had been here last night in this park, and he was close by now, too.
    Ready to strike again and take another life if they didn’t stop him.
    The cycle of the moon—that was Pan’s curse. Collect seven souls and he could rise to the next level of the underground. Fail and he would be sentenced to the lowest level, where he would be tortured through eternity.
    Pan had killed three times now, but the girls’ souls remained in limbo. Though they had begged for their lives, not a one had agreed to be converted. He had the power to offer them eternal life if they joined him on his quest. Once they sold their souls to him, then made their first kill, immortality would be theirs.
    He’d known they’d contact the medium, had intended for them to drive her crazy. But she was stronger than he thought. She was trying to help them fight him, to cross into the light.
    Still, she was suffering.
    Heat beat down on Pan’s back as his demonic form watched the humans studying his handiwork. He enjoyed torturing the humans. Would use them to make Vincent more vulnerable.
    The woman, Tracy, her blood had tasted like nectar, her fear like a fine wine, rich and heady. The coppery scent still lingered on his hands and in his nostrils, making him shudder with excitement. And what a fitting place to leave her body—Hell’s Hollow.
    Had Vincent recognized his old homestead? Were his memories of the past and his father’s teachings finally returning?
    Did he remember where he’d first seen the black rock? Did he understand its significance?
    Excitement raced through him. Vincent would remember . . . everything. And soon.
    His soul was worth a million others.
    Pan would steal it for his master. Then he would bask in the glory.

CHAPTER SIX
    H orrific images and thoughts suddenly bombarded Vincent