Shifter Magick Read Online Free Page B

she could say she thought she recognized him but it turned out she was mistaken. She groaned inwardly and decided she wouldn’t like lying to him.
    Her answer didn’t squelch his curious expression. He looked down at his pen and wat ched it spin for a moment. “ I remember.” He dismissed her answer. “Is that it?”
    Kera nodded. “I just moved here from Texas.”
    She blushed when he turned his attention back to her. His ice blue eyes were locked onto hers. “Have you visited before?”
    “No.”
    “Hmmm.” He murmured.
    Kera watched him think and was grateful he had the pen for his distraction. It gave her the chance to learn his face. He was perfectly made. Dark eyelashes and full lips. A strong jaw and broad shoulders. He was probably in his early twenties but it was obvious he took very good care of his body. He was tall and she found she liked that about him too. “You ’ r e Maddox right?”
    When he looked back at her, her breath caught. “Yes.” He flashed a quick smile. “You?”
    “Kera Conway.”
    He frowned at her name and Kera wondered if it was because he didn’t recognize it. Was he disappointed? Her stomach fluttered. She found that she didn’t like the idea of him leaving even though he was probably about to leave now that he knew she wasn’t the one he was looking for. He sat up more straight in his chair and turned serious. “So you know Nick and Andrew?” His tone wasn’t as smooth now. Crisp and business like.
    “Not really.” Kera felt like cool water was poured over her. She was having a hard time handling these jumps in emotions. First she was hot. Now she was cold. Flustered and then hopeful, sad and embarrassed. If she kept this up any longer she would need to get out of there but she stayed to test her limits. “Are you related to Nick?”
    “He’s my cousin.” She was surprised to hear Maddox’s heart rate double .
    Kera felt hers kick into overdrive also. She looked at him but didn’t find any sign that he was distressed. He glanced at her then back to his pen. He tapped it against his leg slowly and Kera found it calming. She wanted to laugh when the pounding in her ears matched the rhythm of his pen. She didn’t know what just happened. It was like he had an adrenaline rush and she decided to follow along. His pen trick came in handy but now Kera was on edge.
    That could have been a disaster.
    “I saw you talking to them after class last Monday.”Maddox continued.
    “They wanted to quiz me on why I didn’t go to their party the night before.” She explained.
    His brow’s furrowed. “You didn’t go?”
    Was he surprised? “No.” She studied him for a moment, perplexed by the tone he used.
    Maddox smiled but didn’t elaborate.
    “What? My not going to their party makes you happy?”
    “They are probably having another one tonight. I’m sure you haven’t missed much.” He looked at his watch. “If you leave now you could make it.”
    Again with the ice. Kera felt the disappointment all the way to her toes. Did Andrew arrange this meeting? She could see it now, Andrew telling Nick to call his hot cousin and have him convince Kera to come to the party. He couldn’t do it himself but he was persistent enough to recruit just about anyone. “That’s why you’re here?” She gathered her things and began stuffing them into her bag unceremoniously. “Th ey sent you to invite me too.” S he accused. Andrew probably didn’t have a clue that she was obsessed with Maddox and his plan was doomed from the start.
    “Why didn’t you go?” Maddox was saying.
    Kera ignored him and stood up. “Look, it was nice to meet you but maybe you could just spread the word so I don’t have to repeat myself,” she glanced at him but stayed strong, “I’m not interested in going to some random house with a bunch of people I don’t know.”
    Maddox stood alongside her. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” His apology seemed sincere. His heart rate speed up and so