Free Lycan Unleashed by Tiffany Allee

I’d normally notice, but knowing how good Mason’s sense of smell was made me conscious of it.
    The elevator pinged open, and for once Mason violated his ladies first mindset and stepped out in front of me. I exited the elevator behind him. He paused and turned to me, then touched my shoulder softly, before continuing down the hall. Confidence seemed to flow from his hand, and some of my worry melted away. I was suddenly certain that the lycan beside me could handle whatever threat the vampire might offer. True or not, the thought made me feel better.
    I stood back while Mason knocked on the door and then confronted its occupant. From my position next to the door, I was unable to see the man who answered, but I could feel him.
    Isaiah’s voice was low-pitched and smooth, and when he invited us in, I paused for a second to examine him. Dark skin covered a large, well-muscled frame that would no doubt have women drooling if it wasn’t for the aura of fear surrounding him. As it was, with my enhanced senses, his energy was almost stifling to my regular vision and burnt coffee already clung to my nose. But he exuded confidence and violence, and I decided that he probably had no trouble with women—intimidating aura or no.
    “I’m confused as to why you’re here to see me, Agent,” Isaiah said.
    “When did you get into town, Isaiah?” Mason asked, ignoring the vampire’s question.
    The hotel suite was nicely decorated, with a half-wall partially blocking our view of the large king-sized bed behind it. A couch and large television occupied our area, as well as a small desk and office chair. Isaiah did not invite us to sit down.
    “A week, I suppose,” the vampire replied.
    “And what brings you to Chicago?”
    “None of your business.”
    Mason smiled, and the look was predatory and grim. “We can discuss this downtown if you’d prefer.”
    The vampire returned the smile, perfect white teeth flashing. I caught a glimpse of fang. “That won’t be necessary, I’m sure. I’m here on business.”
    “What sort of business,” Mason shot back.
    “The private kind,” Isaiah said, voice still full of good humor. The vampire, it would seem, was not easy to anger. A good quality, I supposed, in a professional killer.
    The conversation faded around me as I focused more closely on my other senses. Isaiah’s power proved as staggering as I’d expected. And I had the sudden urge to put him in a room with the Magister just so I could determine who was more powerful.
    I closed my eyes as his aura rolled around me, and I could hear the voices that had faded to murmurs, pause. Mason touched my shoulder. I glanced at him and there were questions in his eyes. “I’m fine,” I muttered, and then I closed my eyes again. Not something I’d normally do with a powerful vampire assassin in the room with me, but I trusted Mason to keep me safe.
    I only knew one other vampire who I’d match against Luc—and I knew that Claude had his own reasons for staying in Chicago and serving the Magister. But I wondered why Isaiah didn’t run his own little vampire world somewhere. A certain amount of vampire standing was gained through politicking, but much could be gained with pure brute strength.
    And Isaiah had plenty of it.
    I took a deep breath and wiped my brow against the arm of my jacket. Sweat coated my forehead and built between my breasts and down my back. A consequence of ignoring my body’s order to run from Isaiah’s aura of fear.
    Could Isaiah be the owner of the coin that had gone missing from evidence? He certainly possessed the power to so fully coat the coin, but then, most vampires could have done the same if they had held onto it long enough. Nothing about his aura was particularly familiar, but that didn’t mean much. Despite what I’d told Mason, I couldn’t identify the killer from that power signature. It hadn’t really felt any more specific than a vampire who carried a hefty fear aura.
    I wanted to yell