Born in Blood (The Sentinels) Read Online Free

memory.”
    “Dammit,” Duncan muttered, frustration smoldering in his hazel eyes. As annoying as he might be, his dedication to his job was never in doubt. He was as tenacious as a bulldog when it came to solving a case. “Then you didn’t see her murderer?”
    She shivered, vividly recalling the diamond-bright eyes.
    “Actually ... he was still there.”
    Duncan stepped forward, his lean face tight with shock. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    “Back off.” Fane lifted a warning hand before turning to study her with a searching gaze. “Callie?”
    “A man appeared. I think it was the same man who killed Leah.”
    Fane hissed, turning her so he could run an assessing gaze over her. “Did he hurt you?” he rasped. “Is that why you were having a seizure?”
    She lifted an unconscious hand to her head. It was beginning to throb with an uncomfortable persistence. “It must have been, but I didn’t feel his attack while we were speaking.”
    “You need to see a healer.”
    “Later.” She placed a hand on his wide neck. It was a gesture of intimacy without being sexual. Trust between partners. “I promise.”
    “How is this possible?” Duncan sharply intruded, his voice filled with annoyance. “Was he a necro?”
    She turned back to meet his narrowed gaze, inanely noticing the bruises beneath the hazel eyes and the unusual pallor of his tanned face. Sick? Or just a late night?
    Not that either was her business.
    “He must have some powers of necromancy, but he was more than that,” she said, wrapping her arms around her waist as she returned her attention to Fane. “Much more,” she emphasized. “I must speak with the Mave. She may know who, or at least what, he might be.”
    Fane didn’t hesitate, moving toward the door. On the point of following him, Callie was halted as Duncan moved to stand in her way.
    “I’m going with you,” he said, stubbornly holding his ground, although he was smart enough not to touch her.
    Fane was on edge. One wrong move and he would explode.
    She shook her head. “It’s not possible.”
    He leaned forward, wrapping her in the scent of warm male and ... was that whiskey?
    Ah. So not sick, but hungover.
    “Then make it possible.”
    In the blink of an eye Fane’s huge body was between them, his muscles primed for violence. “A man with a death wish,” he drawled.
    “What I am is a cop with a victim who’s missing her heart with no visible wounds,” Duncan countered.
    Callie gave a soft gasp, stepping around Fane to regard the cop in horror. She never asked how a victim died. It might influence her when she was reliving their memories.
    “She’s missing her heart?”
    “Gone, just like magic.” He held her gaze, his expression grim. “That means the killer is a freak. I’m not letting you out of my sight until I know what’s going on.”
    It took a minute for her to realize she’d just been insulted. Odd considering it happened with tedious regularity.
    “Are you implying I would try and hide the identity of a murderer?”
    He ignored the bristling Fane as he moved to stand directly in front of her.
    “I’m implying that you’re stuck with me, Callie Brown.”
    Fane growled, but before he could give in to his desire to smash his fist into Duncan’s face, Callie turned to distract his attention.
    “Would you contact the Mave and tell her we’ll be bringing a visitor?”
    Fane’s lips tightened, but he gave a ready nod of his head.
    When it came to her safety, Fane was in charge. But when she was making decisions as a diviner, she was boss.
    Pulling the phone from his pocket, he moved toward the door. Calls to Valhalla were always made in private.
    Of course, the Sentinel couldn’t leave without halting long enough to offer Duncan a warning. “You’re going to be on my territory, cop,” he murmured.
    “Can’t wait,” Duncan assured him, turning to watch the dangerous warrior exit the room.
    “Is that really necessary?” Callie