The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) Read Online Free Page A

countered his hard look with lifting her chin. He spread his hands with mock regret, but his eyes remained chips of jade stone. “Would that I could, my lady, but once the Court has determined the place for the rituals, it cannot be changed. I’m afraid it’s Cloudburst, or nowhere.”
    “Nowhere, then.”
    He sighed. “Listen to me, Lady—”
    “No, you listen to me , Mr. Winterbourne.” She used her best mommy-voice. “I have a family, school obligations, and a job right now. I don’t have time to entertain the Summer Court for Beltane. I have to bake brownies for my daughter’s kindergarten class, for goodness sake. I have no place for the Court, in my life or in my house, and besides, I haven’t done the High Beltane rituals in four years.”
    “I’m sure it will o nly take a little brushing up—”
    “I don’t want to ‘brush up’ on the rituals. You’re not hearing me. I. Am. Not. Doing. The. Rituals.”
    Darius ’s expression solidified into impassiveness and Sabrina crossed her arms over her chest in mute challenge. She wouldn’t be pressured into having sex for the Fae. She’d given up on the complex rituals after her ex Tommy left, and it suited her just fine. No male of any race, particularly one claiming to be from the Sidhe, would convince her to open up the hideous box of memories associated with Beltane. Not to mention threatening pregnancy.
    Goddess, it’d be like running straight into the past.
    Suddenly, Darius’ s face softened and calculated compassion slid into his eyes. Sabrina had seen such a look on Tommy’s face enough times to know what would come. He’d play on her compassionate side just to get what he wanted.
    Here we go.
    “I understand your frustrations and life’s complications.” He smiled sympathetically. “It won’t take any extra time. These rituals are ingrained in you. They’ll fit within your schedule seamlessly. I’m sure we can work something out.”
    Sabrina seethed. How typical. Doesn’t listen to a thing I say. Doesn’t care about my needs or my priorities. Just figures a little charm and he’ll get his way. Bastard.
    Fighting to keep her anger under control, Sabrina clenched her hands into fists and stood. Spinning to leave, Sabrina collided with the waitress holding her order. The girl squeaked as she dumped the hot coffee down Sabrina’s belly. Searing pain accompanied the deep brown stain and Sabrina gasped, jerking back. She lost her footing and toppled over the chair she’d just risen from.
    Oh glory ! Her head slammed into the edge of a nearby table and brilliant points of light shot across her vision as pandemonium erupted around her.
    “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” The waitress set down her tray and reached for Sabrina.
    Sabrina hissed as agony flooded her awareness. She yanked her sweater away from her skin and tried to focus through the ringing in her head. Tears blurred her eyes as she struggled to breathe, her ability to inhale momentarily curtailed. The waitress tried to mop up the coffee on Sabrina’s belly with her bar towel, but she succeeded in only irritating the reddened skin.
    Sabrina moaned and writhed away, batting futilely at the other woman’s hands as her head swam from the lack of oxygen. A shadow loomed over her, darkening her fading sight.
    “Breathe, Lady Foxglove .” The rich voice penetrated her addled brain and she looked up into teal green eyes filled with concern.
    What did he say? She frowned and shook her head in confusion.
    “I said breathe. Remember to inhale.”
    I can’t… Sabrina’s mind raised the white flag and surrendered to the darkness.
     
    ****
     
    Darius’s gut contracted as Sabrina’s eyes rolled up in her head and her body relaxed completely. But she still didn’t inhale.
    Mumbling choice curses under his breath, he laid one hand over her burned belly and the other on her forehead, hoping he could coax her back into consciousness. The waitress fluttered with incoherent distress