Primal Instincts by Susan Sizemore Read Free Book Online Page A

started decades ago? Oh, yes, I quite agree.”
    “Who? Why?” Strahan asked.
    “The usual suspects. The usual reasons for war—we have what they want.”
    “You think we’re really fighting mortals who arehiding behind the more obvious enemies?”
    Francesca nodded. “Mortals with the resources to finance research to provide the Tribes with knockoff daylight drugs. Mortals with the resources to create a private security force of feral werefolk. Mortals with contacts in the very secretive Purist community. Mortals with the resources to recruit disaffected offspring of mortals and Primes.”
    “There are too many of those dwelling in the trusting bosom of the Clans and Families,” the other Prime said. “The Tribes are right not to allow that sort of breeding. The population explosion of half breeds is a big mistake.”
    Francesca ignored him. “I think there’s a secret master out there somewhere pulling all the strings. You’ve been preaching it for years, Strahan. It’s always sounded like a crazy conspiracy theory, but I believe you’re right.”
    Strahan beamed at her. “You think I’m right.”
    Oh, Lady, a Prime with deep dimples!
    He took her hand in his.
    She enjoyed the warmth and latent strength in his touch and didn’t try to pull away. She said, “I may agree with you, but that doesn’t mean we’re dating.”
    The witch sitting next to her gave a snort of laughter, and Francesca finally broke away from Strahan’s penetrating gaze.
    She looked around the table and focused on the blond shifter. “I’m guessing that right now, the area werefolk are meeting to argue over whether or not to go along with this plan to keep the locals out of the fight. Their leader was furious at the stunt the Matri pulled trying to execute a werewolf. That’s going to make the shapeshifters leery of following any vampire’s orders.”
    “They are meeting,” the shifter said. He looked to Strahan. “I did my best to soothe the situation, but you need to talk to Shaggy Harker again, Tobias.”
    “It’s already on my list.”
    “Maybe you should make him an honorary Dark Angel,” the witch suggested. She tapped her watch conspicuously. “You do have a date this evening, Tobias.”
    He glanced at his own watch. “It’s getting a little late out on the East Coast.” He held up a hand as the witch frowned at him. “Just saying. A promise is a promise.”
    “It’s not like Saffie’s going to be in bed just because she’s supposed to be. I’m sure Saffie’s up doing homework,” she added.
    “Speaking about flunking potions class . . .,” he muttered.
    The witch gave him a shrug and an unconvincing innocent smile.
    Strahan focused on the group around the table.“Let’s wrap this up. Joaquin, let Shaggy know about Joe’s investigation into the ferals. The local werefolk can help in the hunt if anything turns up,” he said to the shifter.
    Joaquin nodded. “That will make them happier.”
    “Make the rounds of everywhere we’re guarding, Jake,” he said to the Prime. “Get a personal feel for individual situations.”
    Jake stood. “Understood.” A second later the Prime was gone.
    Strahan turned his attention to the witch. “How soon before you can dose the Purists, Dee?”
    She went over to the stove and sniffed the steam rising from the copper pot. “It’s ready, boss.”
    “Then do it. I’ll want Sid Wolf to interrogate them when they’ve gotten their memories back. She was recruited for her telepathic talent; this will be a good test of it.”
    Dee dipped fragrant dark liquid into a thermal container and turned to leave the room. “I’ll give Sidonie a call as soon as they drink this.”
    Francesca couldn’t repress a stab of jealousy at the fact that her friend Sidonie had a purpose among the Dark Angels, a role in protecting the immortal community, while she remained—Flare, Fantasy Lust Object To All Primedom.
    Boring.
    Ben and Domini had left the kitchen and hadprobably