Free Dark Salvation by Katie Salidas Page A

do anything. You’re the one claiming they are after me. You killed that man before talking to him.”
    “Talking is overrated.” Nicholas waved his hand dismissively. “Especially when that one was chasing you down.”
    “Did you get one?” Alyssa asked, still wiping the remaining blood from her chin.
    “Yes, and that’s the most important bit of news. They’re still poking around the church. I didn’t have time to get a good look then, but one came out tonight ready to fight, so clearly Ms. Witch here has stirred up the pot.”
    “You’re a witch and you went after the Saints?” Alyssa asked, shocked.
    “I’m not a witch. I’m a—”
    “She’s a witch but won’t admit it. A witch who won’t last very long if she keeps poking around the damn Saints.”
    “Quit calling me a witch.” The angry flush in her cheeks was unmistakable, and though he hated to admit it to himself, Nicholas found it absolutely adorable.
    “Look me in the eye and tell me you’re not.” Nicholas glared at her, summoning all of his own power. Again he attempted to delve into her mind.
    She squinted, but held his gaze. “I’m… not… a… witch.” Immediately after, she grabbed her head as if the effort had caused her some discomfort. Clearly her power had its limitations.
    Nicholas made a mental note of that. “You may not call yourself a witch, but you have a hell of a lot of power!”
    Kitara pinched the bridge of her nose, and shot an embarrassed glance at the ground. “I wouldn’t say I have power.”
    “Sweetheart, you can stare down a vampire, block my mental intrusion, and send a push back to me. That’s power.” For a human, that was remarkable ability, and one that Nicholas appreciated. Humans with true gifts were rare. Most of them became witches, and yet this woman loathed the word. He wondered what this ex-lover of hers, this Jeremy , had done to make her hate herself so much that she would deny something so special. He shouldn’t care, but for some strange reason, a pang of jealous rage tugged at his heart. He found himself wanting to run into Jeremy and teach him a lesson or two on how to treat a lady.
    “You guys are giving me way too much credit.” Kitara looked up, her cheeks bright crimson, but not with anger. Nicholas could see the smile she was trying to hide. Had she never been complimented for her abilities? “This is really nothing. Just being on the defensive. You know.”
    Alyssa’s curiosity was piqued. “So you mean to tell me you did that subconsciously?” She practically jumped over the couch toward Kitara, eyes wide with amazement. “I’m a vampire and I still can’t hold my own against Nicholas… or Lysander, for that matter.”
    “Curious, indeed,” Lysander chimed in, still seated on the couch, his hand resting modestly over his nakedness. “Perhaps she does not know her own strength.”
    Nicholas nodded in assent. “Apparently not. She should be on the floor right now.” He hoped she heard the genuine compliment in his voice.
    Kitara’s eyes flitted to the naked vampire on the couch, then back to Nicholas quickly. “No… ah… I know I’m blocking you out. That’s just not what I consider a show of real power.”
    “Do I need to demonstrate what happens when a vampire enters your mind? It takes one hell of a powerful shield to block. Especially from one as old as me. I’ve never met a human who could do it.”
    “Old?” Kitara laughed softly. “You don't look a day over twenty.”
    “Sweetheart, I was already double that when Caesar was assassinated.”
    “Shit, really?” Kitara’s hand flew to cover her mouth after her outburst. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound that way.”
    “Yes. Really.” Nicholas smiled. Why did he have to find her so adorable?
     “Maybe you’re losing your touch,” Alyssa taunted.
    “Care to try me, Little Warrior?” Nicholas hoped she would. It would be nice to put the little vampire on her ass and show Kitara the extent