The Unicorn's Tail (The Artifact Hunters) Read Online Free

number of times her childhood friend Cara had been stabbed, knifed, or attacked, and some of the appeal flaked off like old paint.
    "There she is." The sled stopped and Loki jumped out to point to the water below. The Hellcat bobbed on a wave, a thick anchor line trailing back to the shore. With her air bladder removed she looked like a sleek yacht. "There's a large cave which we can dock inside, and tunnels run back to the house. The lads are doing some winter repairs before we head off to France soon."
    "Oh." He was leaving. No one would smile and wink at her or use that tone that almost sounded like he flirting. She looked over the expansive ocean, stretching all the way to France. Such an isolated stretch of coast. "Is this spot used for smuggling?"
    "Because the Lyons family have dug out a hidden cove and network of tunnels to move back and forth unseen?" He gave a wink then held a finger to his lips. "Let it be our secret."
    He really was a pirate. Gosh.
    "I best get you back before I kidnap you on my pirate ship and take you to France for a thrilling adventure." He jumped back into the sled and turned the armadillo back toward the main house.
    She couldn't hold in the sigh this time; it shot out of her chest before she could clamp a hand over her mouth. It sounded so terribly romantic and exciting. Just like the last penny romance she read, The Pirate Takes a Wife . All that sky-high ravishment, which would probably work up quite the appetite. Which led her to wonder what the food was like on a pirate airship. Hard biscuits and rum, or was that only on sea-bound ships?
    Loki sped back, making the armadillo race over the soft ground. The chill air and the excitement of the ride flushed her cheeks. Strands of long hair escaped from under her hat and swirled around her face. Back at the estate, Loki took her hand and pulled her closer as she stepped down, his face mere inches from hers.
    "I hope you enjoyed the ride and the company," he murmured.
    "Yes, yes, quite, thank you." She tripped over the words, his close proximity tipping her world on end. Lordy he's close enough to kiss. Her gaze drifted to the silver ring adorning his mouth and thoughts swirled of how it would feel to press her lips to the metal. Would it be cold like the snow, or warm like his body?
    His head dropped another inch and warm breath feathered over her skin. She gulped. Until now only John had kissed her, and his lips had been damp and unyielding. Would the pirate taste like chocolate? Was she brave enough to find out?
    A cough came from behind and she gave a start and jumped a step back.
    A frown flicked over Loki's face.
    Jackson stood like a dark stone against the white snow. "If you've finished larkin' around, some of us need the sled for work." A small twig of witch hazel with its spidery red and orange flowers jutted from the lapel of his heavy overcoat, adding a strange touch of whimsy to his otherwise dour appearance.
    "Yes, of course," she said. "Thank you, Lachlan, for showing me the sights." She picked up the corner of her skirt and dashed up the stairs. Her heart raced like her feet. What was she thinking? She'd nearly kissed a pirate.
    She reached the sanctuary of her room and leaned against the door until her heart calmed. She peeled off the heavy layers, no longer necessary in the warm interior of the mansion. A delicate, spicy scent drifted toward her and she spied a tall vase by the window. It contained bracts of witch hazel, the bright and alien flowers adding a tiny touch of the exotic to the air.
    "How lovely." She inhaled the rich scent and wondered how the staff knew they were her favourite winter flower. Then she remembered the sprig in Jackson's lapel, although she couldn't imagine the henchman out picking flowers.
    *
    Dinner in the men's mess was a raucous affair. Laughter and crude jokes were traded over beer and beef. Jackson sat at one end of the table, letting the noise wash over him as he ate. A heavy hand dropped on