Wicked Burn Read Online Free Page B

help getting out of there. She hit his arms, his shoulders, his legs. He growled, twisting and turning from the blows, but not attacking her mind.
    She’d counted on him not harming her. Physically, anyway.
    Bootsteps pounded outside the building. Damn it. To keep him alive, she had to knock him out before they entered the room. Not for one second did she question her need to save his life.
    So she twisted her aim for his face.
    He ducked, and the fireball smashed into the door, throwing it off the hinges. Bellowing, he lunged for her, hitting her mid-center and taking her down with a tackle that stole her breath. He landed on top of her, his furious face an inch from hers. “Do not make me hurt you.”
    Hurt her? He’d just bruised her entire body. She sent flames down her arms.
    “Damn it.” He flipped her over, planted a knee in the small of her back, and clasped her wrists together, ignoring the fire. Seconds later, something strong wrapped around her wrists and up her forearms.
    He stood and jerked her to her feet.
    Her mouth gaped open. He’d tied her hands behind her back with his damn belt. Then she smiled. Idiot. She changed the oxygen and increased the heat of her flames, burning the leather completely away.
    Her hands remained tied.
    Her smile slid away.
    He leaned in, rubbing the burn marks along his hand. His gaze was hotter than any flame she could create. “Do you really think I fetched you without some protection from your fire?”
    She jerked against the restraints. “You dick.” His belt had been leather over coiled steel.
    He smiled, and so much threat lived in the expression that she stopped struggling.
    The door burst open, and several soldiers ran inside. Guard soldiers.
    Plasma flew from the first three, each shooting a different color of fire, all hitting Nick mid-chest. He dropped. The smell of burned fabric and flesh scorched the air.
    Simone screamed. “Stop. By the power of the Coven Nine, stop the attack.”
    The solder in front shook his head. “You don’t currently speak for the Nine.”
    Nick slowly stood, his face a frightening white, his body smoldering.
    Simone stared. Nobody, and that meant nobody , should’ve been able to stand after that attack. Nick had a strength that was unreal. “Stop,” she whispered.
    He lowered his chin, no doubt starting a mind attack.
    Five soldiers faced him, and fire flashed out, all different colors. Such fire would kill a non-witch. Simone reacted without thought, throwing herself in front of the injured demon. Fire and then pain detonated throughout her chest.
    Nick caught her before she hit the floor, and the last thing she heard as the darkness claimed her was him bellowing her name.

Chapter 3
    The blast he’d taken had short-circuited his nervous system, and he hadn’t been at a hundred percent before the hit. Nick kept his face stoic as he lifted Simone while baring his fangs. Several of the Guard soldiers took a step back.
    A demon rarely let the fangs show, and the sight was supposed to be chill-inducing. However, he wasn’t strong enough to manage a mass mind attack, and they all probably knew it. “This is war,” he said softly, not missing the roll of fear through the air.
    “So be it.” The lead soldier stepped to the side, tall and stoic. “Carry her to the transport, or I will.”
    A low growl rumbled up from Nick’s chest. “You touch her, and your brain will never be the same.” He hadn’t cheated death for more than a century to lose her now. By her breathing, she was healing from the blasts, thank goodness.
    The soldier didn’t blink. “Just take her to transport and get in. You’re under arrest for harboring a fugitive, or for fleeing with a fugitive, or for just pissing me off. I don’t give a shit. Right now, you’re coming with us whether you like it or not.”
    Either the guy wanted everything taken care of in Ireland, or he was smart enough to know that Nick wasn’t letting Simone out of his sight. Good