Peyton's Ride (Riding With The Hunt, #1) by Jennifer Van Gunten Read Free Book Online

pulsed. 
    Manannan cleared his throat and tapped the counter in a quick off beat drum roll. The crafty expression on his face raised her lawyer’s antennae. “Oh, nothing much. Meet the other members. A few of them are present here now. A simple blood test to determine who your father is.”
    Oh, he was smart. Everyone knew making deals with the Fae was a bad idea. But he’d dangled the one thing she wanted so bad it carved its own hole in her soul. To know her father’s identity. Right to the end, even in her mother’s darkest days, Edith had never shared the secret of her paternity.
    Ian inhaled, but a sharp quelling look from Manannan stopped him from speaking. The undercurrent of context and unspoken consequences ran thick as hot tar.
    “And then what?” Negotiations without having all the information bordered on monumentally stupid, but what choice did she have? Despite her upbringing in the human world, the evening’s events had happened to her. And she’d changed, she felt it; a river of magic flowed in her and around her. Between her and Ian and even this man.
    Manannan chuckled and winked. He banged one fist on the counter top and stood upright. “Oh you will be a delight in our ranks. And after the blood test, we will see what clan you belong to. Help you discover your magical talents and leanings. Perhaps you’ll fall in love and have some children.”
    “That’s it?” She clamped her hands over the top of Ian’s and searched the statements for double meanings and omitted information.
    “Aye. That’s it.” The Lord of the hunt spun one finger in the air and a light-blue gown shot through with glittering stones materialized. “Here. Take this. Your clothing was destroyed by the troll.”
    “If I accept this, do I owe any obligation to you or yours? Is this a gift freely given, Manannan Mac Lir?” The gown was too beautiful for a simple replacement for her riding gear.
    “Oh, what a handful you are. Yes, it is a gift freely given. No expectations of anything in return.”
    The soft silk garment had slits up both sides to what she surmised to be hip height, and thin spaghetti straps made up the top. Perhaps she’d be better off in her own clothing. The dress resembled a negligee more than a proper outfit.
    She chanced a peek at Manannan, and knew a refusal would not be accepted lightly. Looked like she’d be showing off her ample curves.
    “It’s lovely. I’m going to the bathroom to get cleaned up.” Ian released her, and when she spun to face him, desolation and loss were etched on his face. She ran her fingers down his cheek. He kept his eye on the other man the whole time. “I’ll be right back. Thank you for saving my life.”
    He grunted and gave her a tight smile in reply.
    Wow, guess all that kissing was just part of the whole death-or-drink-from-this-cup package. Burn.
    ***
    H e stared after her as she ghosted away through the door to the employee break room. Sadness jabbed him the heart. He’d never gotten a chance with her and was about to lose her.
    She peeked out from around the door jamb, a distinct green tint to her features. “I found what’s left of Howie.”
    The urge to protect her compelled him to stride over and hug her. The rotten meat smell of evisceration permeated the air. His fixation on Manannan had clouded his judgment, and he hadn’t listened to what his senses were telling him. Most of the dealership’s manager was gone, only a few chunks and the more unsavory organs had been left behind on the floor near the snack machine.
    “Don’t look. One of the guys will clean it up.” He draped his arm over her shoulders and led her into the rest room.
    “One of the guys I saw out in the garage with you? Are they your friends?”
    “Once upon a time. I’m not sure now.” A lock of her hair slipped over his arm. “Don’t worry. They’d never hurt you.”
    “I wasn’t worried about that.” She stepped away. “Just let me clean up a little, and then