Circle of Fire (Damask Circle 1)

Not much, she thought, staring at the malicious gleam in his dead eyes. “How’s the room?”

He shrugged. “The fire had been put out, but I called the fire department, just to be safe.”

“Was there much damage?”

“I think the extinguisher caused more damage than the fire. You won’t be able to use the room tonight, I’m afraid.”

Maddie knew she wouldn’t have been able to sleep there even if she had been able to use it. “Were my belongings touched?”

“Not by the fire.”

It wasn’t what she’d asked, and he knew it. A hint of a smile played around his thin lips.

She crossed her arms. “Would it be okay for me to go up and get them?”

He raised an eyebrow in query. It made him look more than ever like a vulture. A vulture waiting to pick the bones of his prey.

“Why? Are you intending to go somewhere?”

As far away from you as possible. She forced a smile. “I have to go home.”

“A shame to have your holiday cut short,” he said, and took a step closer.

She resisted the urge to back away. He wouldn’t harm her, surely, with the other guests milling near the fire engine behind them.

But looking into the dead emptiness of his eyes, she suddenly wasn’t so sure.

“Some strange things sure have been happening around here,” he continued, and gave her a cold, almost cruel smile. “I’d leave immediately. Hell of a lot safer that way, if you catch my drift.”

Up until now, she’d thought Brian was the most intimidating man she’d ever met. But he’d had nothing on Hank. Throat dry, she nodded.

Hank raised his hand and touched the wound on her cheek. Bile rose in her throat, but she swallowed heavily and forced herself to remain still.

“I’d hate that pretty face of yours to get all messed up.”

“So would I,” Jon said.

JON STOPPED BEHIND HER, SO CLOSE THAT HIS BODY brushed against hers. His scent spun around her, an odd mix of sea spray and old wood. Warmth that was all too comforting tingled across her senses. Maddie clenched her fists, as frightened by her response to his nearness as she was of Hank. But she didn’t move. Even if she had wanted to, the two men had her penned, like a lamb between two wolves.

Hank smiled and lowered his hand. “Miss Smith was just telling me that she’s planning to leave.”

“Then you’d better go get her bill ready, hadn’t you?” Though there was no hint of menace in Jon’s voice, a flicker of fear ran across Hank’s thin features.

His dead gaze darted past them. For an instant, it almost looked as if he was consulting someone. Then he nodded and quickly scuttled away. Jon touched her arms and turned her around.

“You okay?”

His eyes were full of concern, and it was almost her undoing. For a minute it looked like he cared. Then she lowered her gaze and stepped away.

“I was doing just fine, thanks.” Her voice sounded tart again, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted this man to hold her, and that simply wasn’t an option.

“Here, take this,” he said, and held out her coat. “It’s warmer than my sweater.”

“Thanks.” His gesture surprised her. Had he gone back into the inn just to get it? Why? As he’d pointed out, he had a meeting to attend. She slipped off his sweater, handing it to him before putting on her coat.

He slung the sweater over his shoulder. Maybe he liked the rain. Or maybe he just didn’t plan to stay in his wet clothes all that long. She bit her lip and looked down at her feet.

“Have you decided to leave after all?” he said.