Once Bitten (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 1)

The whole place reeked of money and power, with magnificent furnishings and chandeliers that glittered with golden light. The tables were carved of black stone, and the enormous stage was silent. Though there were a few people in the place, they appeared to be speaking quietly.

Having meetings? Magical mob meetings?

Holy crap, what had I gotten myself into?

Fortunately, none of them looked at me, and I kept my head down as I followed the woman. Despite my posture, I made a point to take in all the exits—three—and everyone in the room. If I had to run for it, I wanted to know exactly where I was going and get out fast.

The woman led me through one of the exits, entering a hallway that was simply decorated with dark gray paint and plain light fixtures. As we walked, I grew oddly disoriented.

She turned around and caught my eye. “Don’t worry about how you’re feeling. It’s a spell to make it hard to find your way back in, but it should do no lasting damage.”

“Of course.” I tried to act like that was normal, but it sure as hell wasn’t.

By the time we reached a large door at the end of a hallway, I was completely lost. Even if I did try that freezing potion, I might end up stuck in this hallway forever.

The woman knocked quietly, then waited. I heard nothing, but she nodded to herself and pushed open the door.

Memories of the man in my vision streaked through my head, and my heart began to pound even faster.

I was going to see him.

Holy crap, I was about to walk into the den of a possible murderer. Who could do mind control.

But I had the freezing potion. And I could handle myself.

More importantly, I needed answers if I wanted my life back. And I wanted to see this guy.

I sucked in a deep breath and followed her in.

The first thing that struck me was his stillness. He sprawled elegantly in a chair behind a wide desk, his form so motionless that he could have been carved of ice.

The second thing was his size. His power. Despite the fact that he was sitting, it was clear that he was tall and leanly muscled. He had the tightly leashed power of a large jungle cat, reclined and relaxed…until he pounced. When he did, you’d be dead.

I carefully kept my gaze averted from his, hoping to prevent him from controlling my mind. Still, I managed to get a good look.

His face was cast in shadows, but the parts that I could see were almost too beautiful to be real. He was a predator who lured you with his looks. Slightly long dark hair that gleamed in the light. Strong, sharp jaw, full lips, high cheekbones, and glinting silver eyes. Everything about him was cold, but

in a way that heated me up inside.

That connection I’d felt earlier flared to life, tugging me closer. Everything within me sat up and took notice. I wanted to spend hours staring at him, despite the fact that he scared the crap out of me.

No.

Idiot. He might be a murderer. He might be Beatrix’s murderer.

I had a hard time believing it, though. Wouldn’t I feel something if I were looking her murderer in the eye?

Yes. I would.

Still, I was terrified of him. He was a vampire, for God’s sake. Killing was in their DNA, according to the movies I’d seen. I couldn’t count on my gut feeling that I would recognize Beatrix’s murderer when I saw him. That kind of crazy, could get me killed.

I was so not here to get murdered myself, no matter how powerful the magical connection between us.

Because that’s what this had to be—magic.

I’d never lost my mind over a man like this before.

Behind him, someone shifted. Two guards—both huge, hulking men standing against the wall. They had the same leonine look as the guards out front, like they had the souls of animals—lions or panthers or something. I hadn’t noticed them before, but I couldn’t blame myself. The real threat here was the Devil of Darkvale. He was seated and impeccably dressed, but I’d seen enough deadly people in my life to know he was dangerous.