Aeromancist - The Beginning (Seven Forbidden Arts 2)

Everything she needed—her money, bankcards, identity document, and mobile phone—were in her handbag, slung over her shoulder. She’d left the phone Lann had given her in her room. Her personal belongings would have to come later. She pulled the bag against her body like a shield.

When Alfonso re-entered, he gave her a look of concern. She couldn’t stand his pity. She took the first step forward, the second, and the others followed automatically.

“Miss? Can I get you a cup of coffee? Why don’t you wait for the driver?”

She played out a brave act. “Thank you, Alfonso. I think I’d like to walk.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for everything. Can you please have my things delivered at home?”

“Of course, Miss.” He was still contemplating her with a furrowed brow when she walked from the cool shadows of the monastery through the door into the sunlight.

There were no flashing cameras, no people with notepads or pens. A few men in black suits—Lann’s security guards—stood on the opposite side of the road. When she started walking, they followed. She didn’t care. She barely paid them attention. She didn’t walk to the metro station. She walked a few blocks to a bus stop. Diana had offered to come and fetch her in her car or to let her borrow it as she often did, but Kat had declined. She needed the bright sun of the hot summer’s day to evaporate the cobwebs in her mind. She felt hollow, unreal.

She stood in the crowd and waited for the bus. It arrived shortly, and she got on like everyone else, telling herself it was just another normal day. Two of the men got onto the bus with her. She contemplated her options, feeling lost. The truth was, the flat she shared with Diana would no longer feel like home.

At her stop, she got off, and so did the men. They stayed in the street in front of her building when she went inside. Her old room felt foreign, as if she didn’t belong there. At least Diana wasn’t home, and Kat was relieved. She couldn’t face her yet. Falling down onto her bed, she finally let go, crying like never before.

She was still crying when Diana’s arrival in the early evening was announced with the bang of the front door.

“Kat? Is that you?”

She was spread out on her bed, staring at the ceiling when Diana burst into her room.

“Kat! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home early? I thought you were only coming later.”

“How did you know I was home?” Kat asked, wiping away tears with the back of her hand.

“Your bags are downstairs. The concierge said you didn’t want the driver to bring them up.”

“I couldn’t face him. Anyone.”

Diana’s eyes filled with sympathy. “Oh, Kat. Come here.” She sat down and pulled her into a hug. “Don’t worry. You’ll meet someone new in no time.”

Kat nodded, but she knew that wasn’t true. There would never be anyone else.Lann was covered with the sorcerer’s blood. His hands were scorched from the lightning he’d sent the evil man’s way, but it would soon heal. What wouldn’t heal so easily was his heart, the one he’d given to a redhead back in Santiago.

Keep her, his heart screamed. Take her, his body demanded. But his mind knew better. A man like him had no future to offer a woman, unless he wanted her dead. Hunted. Like him. She deserved a happy, normal life.

The stench of torched flesh and sulfur filled the air, the odor sickening. His fingers dripped with the child murderer’s life juices, from the heart he’d cut out of the man’s chest, just like the hellion had cut out the hearts of innocent children. He was known for his control, for his cool assessment and unemotional way of battle, not for slicing and dicing like a hacksaw madman. Cutting out the heart hadn’t been necessary. The bolt he brought down afterward would have been enough to eliminate the enemy, now a frothing puddle on the floor. However, he needed the heart, wanted to send it to the criminal’s team members as a warning.

Joss’s hand on his shoulder pulled him back to the present.

His commander’s brow was furrowed, his silver eyes assessing. “Maya has brought the vehicle around. Let’s go.”

Still he looked around for another enemy to fight. The fucker had Piranha gangsters with him. They were a new cross of vampire and Gila Monster shifter, this particular breed baptized Piranha for their devastating teeth. They could dissect a large man in no time, and although their venom was lethal, they’d rather feed on live flesh than inject it with poison. They needed copious amounts of raw meat to sustain themselves, and their favorite snack was human.

Joss’s new wife, Clelia, had taken care of those. The firestarter stood to the side, dressed in black leather pants with knee-high boots. He saw the look Joss shot her. It was one of possession, a need to protect, but the small woman looked deceptively fragile. He bet she could kick Joss’s ass, and Joss was one big chunk of human being.