Darkness Unbound Read Online Free Page A

I think they’re jealous of me.”
    Astrid scanned. Her eyes bumped into a few nearby guys, but her body shrugged a whatever . Obviously, they were horny and looking for the easy lay. That wouldn’t be her. A few women met her gaze. “They’re not my type. I think it’s the girls who are thinking you’re the idiot to be here with me.”
    “You gay?” Christian asked.
    Astrid choked on her second tequila shot and wiped at her watering eyes. “No.”
    Christian shrugged. “Didn’t mean to offend. Just trying to figure you out. You’re what? Thirty-something? Single, blond, legs-to-your-chin knockout, and an adrenaline junkie based on your previous job. You know how to handle weapons. That means you’re probably...feisty in the sack.” His eyes slid to her breasts. He drawled, “You like being tied up? If you wanted to—”
    “Lay one finger on me and I’ll cut it off and shove it up your ass.” She stared at him coldly. God, she hated being the new kid on a male-dominated team.
    His leer disappeared. “Bad past relationship?”
    Bad was an understatement. Although, few would qualify a one-night sex marathon as a relationship. She stared at Christian without replying.
    He nodded. “Gotcha. Bad guy experience. Off limits subject. No prob. Let’s dance.” He smiled.
    “No.” She sipped at the shot and eyed Christian. His sleek perfect physique probably had most women shedding thongs in about three seconds flat. He did nothing for her. Part of her was pissed that she couldn’t do easy sex. Christian was the perfect candidate—gorgeous, experienced, and obviously had no long-term expectations. She couldn’t go there .
    He darted his eyes toward the dance floor. “Come on. Dance with me.”
    “No on the dancing. I’m warning you, bad things happen when I get drunk. Right now I’m well on my way to tipsy. Big time.” She had to stop drinking now.
    “Aw, darlin’, I won’t let anything happen. We’ve got a plane to catch tomorrow.”
    “I’ll be hung over.” She closed her eyes against the pulsating strobes. Her head throbbed in beat with the light flicker.
    “But fun to watch.” Christian slid another shot her way.
    Two shots later the world tilted when she attempted to stand. She could really use a bathroom trip, but made it as far as sliding back into her the chair, cursing her low tolerance for hard liquor. Her brain buzzed on a high of free floating. She caught sight of a magus she recognized taking a chair twenty yards away. “You invite some of the others?”
    “That’s my little observing soldier. Never know.”
    “That’s Khyan over there, isn’t it? Least, I think that was his name.” Despite the guy’s dark and gorgeous exterior, his uncompromising glower terrified anyone that breached his bubble. She watched Khyan push his wavy dark hair off his face and attempt to melt into the shadows.
    “Yep.” Christian nodded.
    “He doesn’t blend well. Little too stiff. You’ve chugged twice as much as me. Why do you seem fine? My head’s buzzing.” She bit her lip against a giggle and ordered her brain put a lid on that airheaded crap.
    “Once the gods knight you a magus, drugs and alcohol don’t work well any more. Our metabolism’s too fast. That’s why you’ve got to enjoy the buzz now. I’ll be right back. Don’t move. I’ll get us another round.”
    “No, thanks. I’ve had enough. Really.” Had she slurred that?
    He smiled with a little too much impish delight. “Stay here.”
    She relaxed into the chair. Her mind drifted. For the first time in ages the past didn’t press on her brain with the memory of betrayal. And of the moment when her heart shattered into minuscule pieces so small that most remained lost.
    A slick guy one table over flashed her a smile. His jeans and dark button-down suggested a forced relaxed look that was a too obvious aim for super cool. Probably a lawyer or e-trader, given his lack of tan. You’re so harsh. He was attractive, hitting