Stealing Magic (Vampire Primes) by Susan Sizemore Read Free Book Online

you.”
    He caressed her body, his movements so swift and intimate she was left breathless, with desire and laughter.
    “My copper girl is ticklish. Adorable.” He held her face between his palms, his thumbs stroked her temples. “I should not have told you about my being a government agent. I should not trust anyone the way I do you, especially not with secrets that are not completely my own.” His thumbs pressed against her skin. “I should make you forget.”
    “You should.”
    She didn’t deserve his trust. It added to her burden of guilt. She was using him, and was forbidden to tell him by the rules of the spell and the needs of her family.
    She backed away from him and put her hands behind her back. “If you are going to tinker with my memories, could we do it later? I really must go now.”
    “You aren’t afraid of what I might take from you?”
    Oh, yes she was, but not in the way he meant. “I don’t fear you.” Myself, yes, but not you. “But I do fear the housekeeper if I don’t get my work done.”
    He nodded. “I must go to my work as well. Mr. Beverly will insist I look my best.” He came to her and touched her lips in a gentle kiss. “Come to me tonight,” he said. “Come secretly to me and we will make love. I promise you all the pleasure in the world.”
    * * *
    Grace felt more like she was floating than walking as she went down the hill. Clouds scuttled over the moon, throwing alternating shadows and light.
    All the pleasure in the world.
    She had no doubt Julien could and would deliver on that promise.
    If one night was all she was able to have with him, she wanted to remember it her whole life long.
    “Oh, don’t be maudlin,” she murmured.
    Then she chuckled at the thought of all the people at the house party who were not what they seemed. A chuckle that died as memories roared up out of the darkness with a force that could only be magic.
    “I’ll know it when I see it,” the black-haired woman said. She was so full of hate. It. Monster. But he’s not. Not at all. They’re afraid and repulsed and envious. Black-haired beauty glaring at Julien. Vampire hunters. She was walking with a cane. She doesn’t need a cane.
    “It’s not a cane!”
    Grace lifted her heavy black skirts and ran back the way she’d come.
----

Chapter Eight
    Julien watched Grace walk into the darkness, which was as bright for him as daylight was for her. He was happier than he had ever been in his life, though he could not understand how a mortal female could make him feel this way. Happier, and full of a lightning sizzle of passionate longing which was totally new, totally delightful. He’d thought himself jaded.
    A turn in the path took Grace from his sight. It was time he presented himself to Beverly for a good polishing and primping.
    He took only one step before his skull exploded in fiery pain.
    Julien fell to his knees. The next blow struck the base of his spine. He sprawled face first onto the floor.
    Silver. The fiery pain could only be from silver.
    Julien rolled over in time to throw his arms up to ward off another strike. He stifled a scream when the heavy wooden staff brushed his bare wrist. His skin blistered from the touch of hawthorn wood.
    Despite the agony he made it to his feet. He saw that it was a female wielding the staff. On one end was a knob of silver. She whirled the staff and slashed the blade at the other end across his face.
    Blood splashed into his eyes. He still managed to grab the staff. The wood burned his palms, but he had to get the woman’s weapon from her. She whirled away, still holding the staff. He wiped blood out of his eyes in time to see her lunging toward him. The tip of the silver blade gave off an icy blue glow in the darkness. He couldn’t move with his usual swiftness, but he managed to dodge enough to keep the silver knife from penetrating his heart. The pain was still hideous as silver cut across his ribs. The damned silver and hawthorn sapped his