Bitten Read Online Free Page A

Alarmed, Amelia jerked at Lord Youel Grauwolf's hold. "Let go." She punched his shoulder. "He'll kill you."
    Youel turned glowing eyes her way and smirked, causing her heart to skip a beat. "He's welcome to try."
    "What?"
    Ebenoral already strode their way. When he reached the long foyer, he broke into a run. Amelia shrieked and pulled against Youel's hold, using all her might. "What is wrong with you?"
    "Hold!" Lady Grauwolf stepped between them and held up a hand.
    Ebenoral slid to a halt and snarled.
    Yasmine screamed.
    "Release her," demanded their hostess.
    Youel let go, and Amelia stumbled.
    Yasmine hurried to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "My God, have they lost their minds? What's this all about?"
    Amelia shook her head, though she suspected Ebenoral had laid his claim on her. She had claimed him, too. Now this upstart rake dared touch her. She hadn't appreciated his audacity. That he was clearly a wolfman scared her like nothing else could.
    Lady Grauwolf huffed. "Honestly, Gentlemen. I much prefer to keep our business for after dinner, but I can see this can't wait. Come with me." She gave a summoning wave toward the far doorway where Ebenoral had come, and nobility in their finery began to file out. The lady led them to a large red door, Ebenoral and Youel on her heels and glaring at one another.
    "Where are they going?" whispered Yasmine. "Is she calling off the party?"
    Amelia shrugged, unable to tear her gaze from Ebenoral's handsome profile. Moisture flowed between throbbing and eager flesh between her legs. He cast her a heated glance that weakened her knees. Youel shot him a look of pure venom, and she took an instinctive step toward her irresistible Lord Malveaux.
    Lady Grauwolf placed a hand on the red door's latch then glanced at Amelia. "You'd better come, too, Lady Fairforth. This involves you."
    Me? She kissed her friend on the cheek. "Wait for me?"
    "Of course." Yasmine's gaze darted between the opening door and Amelia. "You'll tell me all about it later?"
    "Maybe," she said playfully, though she felt anything but playful. She had no idea to what she'd just been invited, but her instinct told her to be on guard. This was no childish adventure or harmless flirt, if the sober expressions around her were any indication.
    When everyone had passed beyond the red door, Lady Grauwolf put a staying hand on her forearm then addressed the remaining guests. "I apologize for this delay. Please enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres. When we return, we'll begin dinner." She waved remaining guests toward the far doorway.
    She ushered Amelia inside. They stood on nothing more than a landing at the top of a poorly lit stairwell. Lady Grauwolf closed and locked the door. "My dear," she whispered, "I can smell your arousal. Get yourself under control. Now, let's go."
    She smelled her arousal? Control wasn't exactly one of Amelia's attributes. Still, she did her best. She pictured her grandfather and a gray fuzzy kitten she once had as a girl, and that seemed to do the trick.
    At the bottom of the steps, Lady Grauwolf said, "Much better. Now come along. Important matters to see to. Issues to settle." Her voice dropped. "Justice to mete."
    Tension fairly crackled in the chill basement air. Lady Grauwolf led her along a seemingly endless corridor. The further they went, the more the architecture changed until they reached a plain door made of aged planks and blackened iron fittings. Ancient, pitted stones littered with residual flecks of paint that spoke of extensive murals lined walls and floor.
    Ebenoral waited on the other side of that door.
    Her stomach quivered. She couldn't escape the sense that this lady prepared to serve her up as the night's sacrifice. Except I'm hardly a virgin, and she doesn't seem the type.
    The stately noblewoman swung the door open on creaking hinges. "After you."
    Amelia paused, hesitant to bound inside in her usual reckless, headstrong manner. What would happen? Would they punish