Wolfsbane, A Paranormal/Urban Fantasy (The Maurin Kincaide Series) Read Online Free Page B

to my ass than my back, plus my hair was down. The Celtic knots wove their way down three vertebrae at least. I staggered out of the bathroom and yanked my layered shirts over my head, clinging them to my chest. "How far down does it go?"
    Cash's eyes widened. "Does your vampire know about this deep dark desire you have to take your clothes off in front of me?" He dragged his palm down his face, tugging a little on his goatee. A small growl rumbled in his chest. "I can't believe I'm saying this, that reality trip thing you do must have done something to my brain. Put your clothes back on Maurin." He was laughing.
    I stomped my foot, pissed. "How far Cash?" I was tired of his joking around. I had been marked again and this time I had no idea how it happened.
    "Like half way down your back but it kind of fades out as it goes. Pretty cool effect." He said, his eyes raking over my exposed upper body.
    "It's not an effect. It's not even supposed to be there." I pushed past the anger and tried to think. "Damn it, Arawn!" I shouted, even though I didn't think he could hear me cursing his name. I pulled my shirts back over my head and forced my arms through the sleeves, not caring if he caught a glimpse of my bra.
    Cash didn't know it yet but we were taking a little d etour on our way to the challenge. I grabbed his hand before he realized what I was doing and could pull away. My one bedroom apartment slipped from my sight, quickly replaced with the familiar grounds outside of the vampire keep.
    Gallows Hill park. Arawn had told me that if I came through the between here he would know. I was counting on it. I stood my ground, waiting to ask my father why I su ddenly had a tattoo running down my spine.
    "I thought I told you not to do that anymore!" Cash roared.
    "Oh quit complaining. It's not that bad. Aidan does it all the time. Are you saying there's something he can do that you can't?" I don't know why I was rattling his cage.
    "It pulls my wolf closer to the surface. I almost shifted this time." His voice was rough.
    "Sorry, I didn't know." I admitted.
    "Well now you do, so don't do it again." He stiffened at my expression. "What?"
    "We'll have to travel in the between one more time tonight if you want to make it to the challenge." I mumbled.
    "If I lose because of you I will come back and haunt the shit out of you. I will make your bedroom my permanent ghostly residence." He may have been making a joke but the seriousness of the situation suddenly hit me.
    The challenge was to the death. Even if he yielded, not that Cash ever would, Roul was within his rights to kill him. It was a good possibility Cash would be dead by the end of the night. I struggled for a moment with the feelings that seemed to stir up. I was about to erase the awkwardness I felt with a joke about how Aidan would probably have som ething to say about him spending his afterlife in my apartment.
    Before I could reply my father appeared. "Maurin. I di dn't expect to see you tonight."
    "Arawn." He tilted his head, looking at me sideways. "Father." I ground out.
    "You wish to speak with me?" He asked, his eyes flitting around taking everything in. "I see you brought one dog with you, but not the one I assigned. Where is Conry?"
    I didn't say anything. I forgot to bring him with me. Again. I couldn't take him to the luncheon, even Arawn would give me that, but here I was heading off on another Council task and had left my guardian at home. A growl formed at the back of Cash's throat over the dog comment. I shook my head.
    "I was a little distracted by the Celtic knots running down my spine." I told him.
    "You will have to do better than that daughter. Life is full of distractions. That is why I gave him to you. So that there was always someone at your back." With a wave of his hand reality parted and Conry slipped through the between. I could almost see my apartment behind him.
    Conry came to stand beside me and my nerves instantly calmed. I gave him a couple