Reluctant Storm Read Online Free Page A

just-as-sharply dressed brown haired man. Riley, who’s my good-for-nothing son and unfortunately the next in line. That is, if he’s able to prove himself. I received a request from someone who said it was in my best interest to meet them tonight. They went through a lot to contact me, so I thought meeting them was the least I could do, even if it is an annoyance.
    When a four door Mercedes pulls up to our meeting place, apprehension fills me, not knowing who or what to expect. Lifting my head and taking a deep sniff of the air, I nod to Riley, who’s staring at the car, confirming no others are near. The car door opens revealing a woman dressed in clothing to make her look half her age. Disgust instantly invades my spirit. She steps out of the car gracefully and looks me up and down appreciatively.
    “Well, you haven’t changed much have you, Erika?” I say.
    “So good of you to join me, Griffin,” she says in a bored tone, her eyes taking in both of us. “What exactly is Riley doing here?” she asks sniffing in disdain.
    I cross my arms and look down at her disdainfully. “He’s my son, and I have my reasons, none that include telling you why. So what’s the big deal about needing to meet, Erika? Why couldn’t you just give me your name over the phone?”
    “I think my phone is tapped or something,” she replies flippantly. “How goes the Western Clan these days? Still trying to find the Maji?”
    “Stop. That’s none of your concern.” Glancing down at my watch, I then look up at her with shrewd eyes.
    “I have news about a half vampire/half human who might be in the possession of the Maji,” she snaps.
    Riley walks over, scowling at Erika. “That’s impossible.”
    She clicks her tongue and dismisses Riley as she inches closer to me. “It’s not. I birthed her myself.”
    I am surprised by this revelation, but I give no indication to her. What kind of a woman would tell the enemy that her child is an anomaly and should be killed? Looking over sharply at Erika, I rub my chin as I contemplate her words. The Maji: I’ve been trying to locate it for years. With it I could use the spells to rule the vampire kingdom and take down Antony. I would have supreme power…and supreme power pleases me.
    “Why are you doing this?” I ask, sounding bored, trying to act nonchalant when all I want to do is strangle this mad woman.
    “Her father is the Eastern King of Vampires, Antony Benali, and her grandmother was Augustine the Vampire Witch.” She lets out an evil laugh. “Claire. The girl cost me my place beside Antony, and it’s time to make her pay.”
    “Such motherly love,” I murmur rubbing my chin. Snapping my fingers, one of my men brings me a prepared glass of brandy from the Navigator. I take a slow sip and it soothes my nerves instantly as the liquid makes its way down my throat. Once I have some alcohol in me I can continue on with the risky business of dealing with this devil woman. As soon as that name, Augustine, crossed Erika’s lips I knew the half vampire /half whatever she is had to die, especially if she’s had any association with Augustine. Even dead, that witch is powerful, and in order for the girl to get the Maji, Augustine would have had to give it to her personally. It would only be in the way of what I truly want, to rule the entire vampire clan, East and West. Antony stole the title of King from me, and this will be the perfect way to make him pay, by killing his anomaly of a daughter and taking the Maji. I’m so elated I pull the bothersome Erika closer and kiss her. I break away from the kiss and lean my forehead on hers. “Where is she located?”
    An evil laugh escapes her thin, red lips. “She’s in a small college in New York called Bellvue.”
    “Thank you,” I say with a sense of sincerity.
    I step away as Erika latches her hand onto my arm. “Please take me with you. I’ll do anything for you.”
    “It’s a pity you have no family loyalty, but thank you