Dark Passion Rising Read Online Free Page A

going?” he demanded.  She gave a pointed look
at Marcus’s hand on her upper arm.
    “Let go or you’ll bring back a bloody stump.  I need my gun.”
     He chuckled but released her arm.  “You can’t leave here, not
yet.”
     “Are you aware you are committing a crime by holding an officer
of the peace against her will?”
     “I am well versed in your law.”
    Tambra clenched her jaw at his flippant attitude.  “Then you are
also aware I can arrest you right now for kidnapping and interfering with an
ongoing investigation.”
    “Tell me, how would you explain what happened to you to your
superiors without landing yourself in a Psych ward?”
    Her chin rose, a look of challenge in her eyes.  “So you’ll keep
me prisoner here?”
         “Not unless you insist on leaving.  You were a Lycan’s chew
toy and survived.”
     “Spit out what you have to say because I don’t have the patience
to play this out,” Tambra snapped.
         Marcus let out a pained sigh, rising from his chair.  Tambra’s
eyes widened as she craned her neck to look up at him. 
    “What do you know about werewolf folklore?”
    “Like Lon Chaney’s Wolf Man ?”
    “No.  I’m speaking of the legends.  Tales told around the
campfire.”
     “I’ve never camped and I’m not much of a reader.  If there isn’t
a movie about it, then I don’t know it.  I’m a twenty-first century kind of
girl.  Look, I’m sure this will be very interesting and all but I’m kind of strapped
for time.  I have a boss to answer to and a partner to find.  So, if you could
just find me something to wear-”
    “You can’t leave unless you want the innocent blood on your
hands.”
     “Just say what you have to say, time’s a wasting.”
    “You can’t leave until after your first shift.  Maybe even your
third or fourth.  I don’t know and we don’t know how well you will take it.”
    Tambra gave him an incredulous look.  “Are you telling me I am
turning into a…a dog ?” She jumped up, pulling the comforter around her,
and headed for the door.  “Look buddy, I don’t know what your damage is, but I
want no part of it, okay?  I’ll just call a cab and be on my way.”
    Marcus moved to the door in a burst of speed, and stopped with
his arms folded across his chest, lips compressed into a thin line as he glared
at her.  He drew his brows low in a scowl.
    “W…what the hell are you?” she stammered, unable to mask
her unease.
    “I am not here to harm you.  I have been the one tending to you
as your body adjusted.” “You haven’t answered my question,” she pushed.
     “That’s because it’s not relevant to the situation.”
     “Like hell, asshole.  If it affects me then it is my business.”
    Marcus liked her toughness, finding it remarkably refreshing.  Her
strength was impressive, not many could make it through the beginning stages of
the change when turning from human to Were, yet she had fought through it.  She
had overcome it all, despite how badly she had been injured. 
    He used his most reasonable tone to calm her, knowing that the
next few minutes was crucial to keeping her receptive to what he had to say.  He
took a deep breath and let it out slowly, making his tone as calm as he could
manage.  “At this time the only thing we need to focus on is your change.  You
are not out of the woods as of yet.  There are too many things that could go
wrong.”
     Her eyes widened in horror as she took a shaky step backward.
    “Oh, God.  This isn’t happening.  It can’t be real.  Werewolves
don’t exist.”
     “Believe me, they do exist.  Denying what you have seen will be
foolish and dangerous, for you and everyone you’re around.”
     “No.  I don’t believe this.  I won’t believe it.  There
has to be some logical explanation for what I saw.”  The sharp edge of hysteria
rose in her voice.  “I will not turn into a dog.   I don’t even like dogs.”
    That made him smile