Beautiful Monster: The Hunt (Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

earth, the place where she could best recoup needed energy, safe from her enemy, daylight, and close to the heartbeat of the planet, the bed would do in a pinch. Her hunger would be a nagging ache, making her sleep a restless one. Somehow, she managed to file her troubles away, at least for a while. Like it or not, it was time for sleep.
     
     
    Alina awoke to a light flutter of a fingertip down the bridge of her aquiline nose and then across her lips. It wasn’t the least bit unpleasant and even coaxed a groan of pleasure from her. She opened her eyes to see Alexei looking down at her, smiling. Quickly, she turned to check on ZoZo, who was thankfully still snoring in the bed beside her.
    “She’s safe. Not to worry,” Alexei whispered then switched tacks. He began to claw through her mind, to send thoughts. Maybe she’d let down her guard and he’d get into her head. Maybe he could find out who the hell she was and what she wanted.
    Why are you here? He thought to her, a benign question that didn’t give away the fact he had no idea who she was.
    Don’t hurt her . Alina thought back and shot a glance in ZoZo’s direction.
    He shook his head and replied. I won’t, if you answer me . His eyes found the tome beside her; brows smashing together in puzzlement. Alina pulled it closer, ready to spring into action if she had to.
    I was in town. I missed you . She said to his mind.
    Alexei smiled his brightest and best. I missed you too, but I do wish you would have called. I’ve been ... busy.
    Doing what?
    A bark of laughter erupted from him and he quickly covered his mouth with the back of his hand to stifle it. Have you not come for that very reason? To see what has been keeping me so busy? I had time to think last night and it seems we’ve been apart a very long time. Showing up now seems odd, to say the least. He’d taken a chance with that supposition. But he’d surmised it from what she’d already told him.
    A long silence stretched between them. Electric tendrils fingered through Alina’s brain as if he were thumbing through a filing cabinet in search of answers. But what was it he was looking for? Alexei had known her for decades and knew her well. There would be no need to search for things he should already know. He continued tugging, trying to pull up her memories of their shared past.
    Alexei smiled and bit his lip like a schoolboy who’d just been caught cheating on a test.
    Who are you!? Alina screamed in his head.
    Alexei flinched and took a step backward, hands cupped over his ears. Gone was his schoolboy grin, now replaced with something more sinister.
    Who. Are. You? She asked again.
    He moved closer. But Alina was standing now. In a flash, she was on the side of the bed farthest from him, gripping the Book of Spells to her chest. This beast was not Alexei. Now she was certain. How had she not realized it as soon as she’d kissed him?
    Her eyes narrowed and her fangs fell into place. Leave now and I won’t harm you.
    Alexei’s eyes slid to the sleeping girl but Alina was now inches from him, blocking his way to the imp’s bed, having abandoned the book on the night table. He was wondering which was more important, she knew—the book or the girl. Yet underneath it all, he wondered if either was worth the fight; she knew that too.
    I will leave but you’re not strong enough to harm me. It would be wise if you took that to heart, comrade . He gave her a wicked smile. I could take the girl if I wanted her badly enough, and that book of yours, too. I’m stronger than you imagine me to be.
    He was telling the truth. She kept her walls in place. Showing fear or apprehension would give him the upper hand.
    Now he looked genuinely amused. You’re right to be afraid .
    He was gone, disappearing in the blink of a human eye.

Chapter Eight
     
    Alina stood by the window as ZoZo slept. Her nostrils flared with her growing hunger, picking up the scent of blood flowing in the veins and arteries of the