It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare Read Free Book Online Page B

from the castle now. It was her birthright, and she intended to discover all of Briarcraig’s secrets. All the things her mother had neglected to tell her. “I imagine with the money we found ye could staff a hundred castles ten times over. If we’re ta stay here a while and entertain the featherbrained Fyfe sisters, we probably should go about hirin’ a real staff.”
    Aiden sighed wistfully. “A real staff. I do like the sound of that.”

Six
    James leaned against the cold stone wall and counted his blessings. It was one of the covenants he lived by. Never take from another in anger. Always remember that life is a gift. Never forget the world from which he came, nor its societal rules. Love as though you still have a heart.
    He scoffed at that last one. Though he’d been infatuated many times during the past two hundred years, he’d not once found a lady he could love. It probably centered around the fact that women held a purpose for him, aside from being a partner in life. They were a food source. Albeit one always taken willingly, always taken with care.
    His maker had always stressed that even though James was a predator, living on the lifeblood of others, he was still a human being somewhere deep inside. He didn’t doubt it, but he would have to find a woman who would offer herself to him, trusting him implicitly, before he could love. That lady would be the one he spilled all his secrets to, the one who completed him.
    James jumped when he heard quick footsteps growing louder and louder. They could only mean that someone was coming in his direction. Hope soared within him when a golden light shone through the crack beneath the door.
    She’d come back. Thank God.
    James walked closer to the door so he could speak to her through the crack. “Set me free, lass.”
    “Who are ye?”
    Probably your worst nightmare. “Who do you think I am?”
    “An annoyin’ Sassenach,” she said quietly, but he heard her all the same.
    A smile teased at his lips. Her scent, clean lavender and the earth, drifted through the crack in the door. He cleared his throat. “I have been called worse.”
    “I will warn ye once.” He could almost see her in his mind’s eye with her hands on her hips, her face full of righteous indignation. “If ye hurt my family, I will have no choice but ta kill ye.”
    Good luck with that. “I promise not to hurt you or your family.” And he meant it. If she’d just set him free, he’d be on his way. He had a few things to set straight after all.
    Heavy footsteps sounded on the steps, and then a masculine voice called, “What are ye doin’ down here, Blaire? Did ye find somethin’ else?”
    A man? Perhaps it was her husband. James wasn’t sure why he was perturbed by that idea. Although dealing with husbands was always a bit of a chore.
    The warm light was quickly doused. Damnation, he had been so close to freedom! If he ever made it out of his cell, he’d kill the Scotsman simply for delaying his release with his very presence.
    “Bloody hell, Aiden,” the lass complained. “Ye made me drop my fire. What did I tell ye about sneakin’ up on me?”
    “What are ye doin’?” the man asked again, ignoring the indignation in her voice. “I havena had time ta search around down here yet. Find any more chests?”
    “Perhaps,” she murmured. Then she said with a voice strong and clear, “ Fosgladh, còmhla, fosgladh .”
    The soft snick of the lock bounced off the walls of James’ prison. Freedom. He didn’t move. He didn’t even breathe, afraid that any sound from him would cause her to close him back up in the cell where he’d awakened. Had she found the elusive key? Or had her words freed him? It most certainly seemed like the latter. Until James knew what powers she possessed, it was best to be cautious.
    A loud creak sounded as she pushed the door open. James stepped back and tried to assume an unthreatening air. It wasn’t a simple task when what he wanted more than