Let the Night Begin by Kathryn Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

was sexual attraction and nothing more. It had been too long since she’d wanted a man and too long since she’d had one. She had always thought Reign to be a physically perfect specimen of maleness, so it only made sense that her body would react to that.
    In fact, there was no reason why she shouldn’t enjoy herself since she’d already made the devil’s bargain by agreeing to sleep with him while they were in Scotland. It was a small price to pay for James’s return, and if it made Reign malleable, then all the better. Sometimes sex was the most powerful weapon a woman could have, aside from her intellect.
    What did the kidnappers want with him anyway? She didn’t want to know. She had to stay cold, stay removed. James was her first priority. Reign could take care of himself. All that mattered was getting her boy back.
    Nothing but trouble. That’s all James had ever been, she thought with a smile. How many times had she gone up to his school to collect him after some matter of mischief? Curiosity, it seemed, was the root of all his trouble. Impulsiveness too. Hadn’t he at the age of twelve—after learning Olivia’s secret—decided that he wanted to be a vampire as well when he grew up? Eternity seemed a grand adventure at that age, and what boy wouldn’t want to be stronger and faster than his peers? James never thought any decision all the way through.
    And he always knew his aunt Olivia would save him. That was why he hadn’t told her about Scotland. He considered himself old enough that he didn’t need permission, and unfortunately that was closer to the truth than not. He hadn’t seen a reason to inform her because he knew if he needed her, she’d come.
    â€œOh, Jamie,” Olivia whispered in the darkness of the carriage. “What have you gotten yourself into this time?”
    She was saved the burden of speculating when the carriage rolled to a stop in front of her lodgings. She had chosen the newly rebuilt Claridge’s Hotel for a number of reasons. Located on Brook Street, it was in a fashionable part of town and close to almost any place she would desire to visit. Its red brick façade was pleasing to the eye and inside it was outfitted with every modern convenience including lifts, electricity and en suite bathrooms.Olivia liked traveling in luxury—it made traveling so much more enjoyable. Plus, the drapes in the windows were heavy enough that when paired with the black velvet she always brought with her, they kept the murderous sun from creeping in and killing her while she slept.
    Most importantly, the staff at Claridge’s respected the privacy of their guests, and no one seemed the least bit concerned that she stayed in her suite all day, not leaving until the sun went down.
    The footman opened the carriage door for her and lowered the step. Olivia accepted his hand as she exited, taking a brief moment to gaze around for any suspicious characters. She saw many and none. Anyone could be an enemy, but no one person stood out or made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
    The man on horseback was nowhere to be seen, and yet the sensation of being watched lingered. She glanced around, but her vision, despite its enhanced keenness, saw nothing. If it was Reign, he wouldn’t allow himself to be seen so easily.
    Olivia didn’t dally outside. She thanked the driver and hurried into the sanctuary of the hotel lobby. There was a small crowd inside, their warmth and scent immediately overwhelming her senses. It happened this way sometimes, when she wasn’t prepared. The smell of blood, the gentle thumping of all those hearts…it hit her witha shudder of pleasure. It wasn’t unlike the feeling she would have as a child when cook would make breakfast on Sunday morning or bake cookies on a fall afternoon.
    But just as she was in danger of exposing her fangs to the entire lobby she caught a whiff of sharp