On the Hunt by Alexandra Ivy, Dianne Duvall, Rebecca Zanetti Read Free Book Online Page A

Order was a group of high-bloods who worked for Calder, the Master of Gifts. They were specifically tasked with finding high-bloods throughout the world. Some because they were a danger to themselves or others, and some because they simply didn’t realize they’d been born with mutant powers.
    “Did they find anything?”
    “The man was a soul-gazer. Not strong enough to attract the attention of Valhalla, but he was definitely a high-blood.”
    She nodded. A soul-gazer could see the auras of others, giving them a glimpse of the person’s inner nature, good or evil. Or more likely, a combination of both. It was a passive talent that often went unreported.
    “What else?” she prompted.
    His jaw tightened until it felt as if his teeth would shatter.
    “The autopsy file revealed he’d been routinely beaten over the past three years and then healed.”
    Her eyes widened. “Why?”
    “It could be a sick way to torture him, or some sort of scam. It’s impossible to say.” He shrugged. Right now he didn’t give a shit about the why . All that mattered was the who . And how quickly he could dispose of them. “But the fact that Jacob was recently attacked and then healed is too much a coincidence not to assume it’s related.”
    She shook her head. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”
    He squared his shoulders, preparing himself for battle.
    Bailey wasn’t going to like what he had to say.
    “I have to track down Jacob, but first I want you to return to the monastery with me.”
    “No,” she said before he’d even finished speaking.
    “Dammit, Bailey,” he growled.
    She met him glare for glare. “I’m safer here than I would be anywhere else.”
    Well hell.
    He couldn’t argue with her logic.
    The shield meant that only a powerful witch could enter the cottage without Bailey’s assistance. Besides, they still didn’t know how or by whom Jacob had been contacted. It was quite possible that there was a traitor at the monastery.
    That didn’t, however, ease his gut-deep fear.
    This was Bailey.
    The Queen of Impulsive Behavior.
    “As long as you stay behind the barrier,” he pointed out.
    “I don’t have any intention of taking unnecessary risks.”
    He grimaced. Oh, if only that were true.
    “Until someone needs to be healed, or Jacob asks for your help,” he muttered.
    “If he contacts me, I’ll call you.”
    “You swear?”
    Her lips flattened with annoyance. “I’m not an idiot.”
    He moved forward, gently cupping her face in his hands.
    This female was, and always would be, the most precious thing in his entire world.
    If he lost her . . .
    A savage pain ripped through him.
    “No, but you lead with your heart, and that makes you vulnerable.”
    She met his concerned gaze with a stubborn frown. “It’s not a bad thing.”
    “No,” he breathed, ruefully accepting he wouldn’t change anything about her. Even if she scared the hell out of him. “Will you let me come back tonight?”
    She frowned, a hint of wariness rippling over her face.
    “Mika—”
    “I know,” he muttered, recognizing that expression. He’d seen it far too often when he they’d been together. “I’m smothering you. I just need to know you’re safe.”
    Her lips parted, as if she was going to deny his assumption that she was feeling oppressed by his concern. Then she gave a small shake of her head.
    “Okay.”
    He held his breath. “Okay?”
    “You can come back here,” she said softly.
    Thank God.
    Relief reverberated through him.
    Leaning down, he pressed a swiftly, wholly unsatisfactory kiss against her lush lips.
    Later , a voice whispered in the back of his mind.
    Once he was certain she was safe he intended to devour her.
    “Don’t leave this cottage,” he said, an edge of command in his voice. “Not for any reason.”
    “You’re pushing your luck,” she warned, narrowing her gaze. “Besides, you’re the one who needs to be careful. If you get hurt—”
    “I won’t.” Another kiss before