The Beholder by Connie Hall Read Free Book Online Page B

had almost single-handedly destroyed her own pride because every male, including humans, fought wildly to have her. They weren’t aware that when she tired of toying with them, they’d become quarry for one of her royal night hunts. This human might be as deadly. He trusted his instincts, and they were screaming at him that she was another Cleo, or worse.
    Kane’s brows snapped together. He purposely kept his gaze from her, not tempting trouble, as he picked up her purse. The leather-fringed bag was as large as a briefcase and made of patchwork neon colors. One of the ugliest handbags Kane had ever seen. No fashion-conscious woman in her right mind would carry something like this. But then this woman had to be out of her mind to go after a gleaner—unless she had hoped to use her temptress powers on Ethan, which might have worked if Kane hadn’t intervened.
    Kane noticed a slight tremor in his hands. He hoped it was from the wounds in his shoulder and arm and not that he was in close proximity to this human femme fatale. Opening the bag, he pulled out a rotting apple, some chunks of cheese in a baggy, a handful of hair clips of varying sizes and shapes, hand lotion, ChapStick, a pair of blue Ben Franklin sunglasses, several tampons— Charles pulled a face at the last bit of plunder. “Where the hell is her license?” Kane said.
    Kane lost his patience and turned the bag upside down. A bright yellow wallet with a smiley face on it fell out. He glowered at it for a second, thinking he’d enjoy burning it when he was done with it.
    Charles’s mustache wiggled in distaste. “I’m not sure it’s such a good idea to keep her here, sir.”
    “She stays until I decide what to do with her.”
    “But the Council, sir—”
    Kane shot Charles a look that normally sent him into a hasty retreat. “Enough about the Council. I know the danger. That’s why I’m sending all of you away.”
    Charles’s bushy gray brows snapped together. “But the house, sir. Who will take care of you?”
    “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. And I won’t put you in danger because of your loyalty to me. Go now, and leave with your family as soon as you can. And you haven’t seen me or this human. That clear?”
    Charles made a zipper motion over his lips. “Nothing, sir.”
    Kane thought a moment, then said, “And take your boys to the Rockies on me. They need a hunting vacation. So do you.” A seniph’s hunting vacation didn’t include guns. It was all shifter and nature.
    Charles still looked unsure, crushing the ice pack between his hands. “At least let me tend your wounds, sir.”
    “Nothing, remember?” Kane’s expression said this conversation had ended.
    Charles heaved a loud sigh and gave a final nod. He would have clicked his heels had he been wearing Army boots instead of a pair of galoshes. He set the ice pack on a side table, gave Nina a distrustful but longing glance, then said, “Call me, sir, if I can be of service.”
    “Thank you, you’ve helped enough.”
    Kane listened to Charles’s footsteps clop throughthe guest house; then the back door slammed. Charles’s minivan revved up; then the heavy snow engulfed the engine noise. It had snowed six inches and was still coming down in thick gusts.
    Kane had brought the human here for privacy. The guest house was almost a mile from the main house, and it was cleaned only once a month. The less the staff knew, the better. And now that he knew he wasn’t imagining the enchanting allure of the human, he knew he had to keep her from everyone in the pride.
    He pulled out a mound of credit cards from the smiley wallet. It seemed to be laughing at him, and he frowned as he found her license buried on the bottom. The mug shot made her look mousy and nervous, but she had a nice smile. He read on: Nina Rainwater. He paused over the name, couldn’t place it, then continued. Twenty-one years old. She resided on the Patomani Indian Reservation. Well, that explained