Free Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks Page A

Begone.”

    “You‟re so naïve,” Darafer hissed. “You have no idea what kind of parasite is clinging to you, do you?”

    Connor stiffened. “She told you to go. Now leave!”

    “Looks like I hit a nerve.” Darafer smirked as he looked Connor over. “I suppose Marielle could do worse for a bodyguard. Hell knows you‟ve shown a distinct talent for violence.”

    Connor lifted his dagger. “Doona tempt me.”

    “Oh, I do. That‟s my job, Connor Buchanan.” Darafer chuckled when the Scotsman flinched. “Yes, I know who you are. You‟ve been on our list for a long time.”

    Marielle touched Connor‟s arm and winced at how tense he was. “Pay him no heed. He‟s a deceiver.”

    Darafer snorted. “Who‟s deceiving whom? Maybe for your sake, angel, I should take out the trash. Wouldn‟t want the parasite to soil your dewy innocence.” He smiled slowly as he looked her over. “I‟m planning on doing that myself.”

    “Ye willna touch her!” Connor yelled.

    Darafer shot him an angry look. “Do you really think you can stop me? Try it. Then I won‟t have to go back empty-handed tonight. Looks bad on my résumé, you know.”

    Marielle‟s heart lurched when the demon‟s eyes turned red. He was planning to attack.

    Connor realized it, too, for he jumped away from her and assumed a defensive stance.

    Her heart pounded. Connor couldn‟t possibly defeat a demon. And still, in the face of death, he tried to protect her. He kept moving to the side to draw the demon away from her. His dagger gleamed in the moonlight as he raised his arm.

    Darafer stepped back and his body shimmered, shifting back into the beastly black wolf.
    He crouched, preparing to pounce. A low growl rumbled in his throat.

    Oh God, no. She couldn‟t let Connor die. She shot up a desperate plea for help, but heaven was silent. It was up to her. Curling her hands into fists, she hoped she still retained enough power to keep Connor from being ripped to shreds.

    The beast leaped.

    “No!” She threw her arms out, her hands splayed. A massive burst of air exploded around her, shooting out in all directions. It blew the beast back, tossing him forty feet into the forest. He crashed into some bushes.

    Unfortunately, the blast also knocked Connor back forty feet and he landed on his back, thumping his head hard on the ground.

    With a growl, the beast jumped to its feet.

    Marielle raised her hands, hoping she could muster enough power for another attack. Fear crept along her skin, making her shiver. Darafer had the same abilities she had, but even more since he could change his form at will. He could also call for assistance from Lucifer‟s other servants.

    She, on the other hand, was trapped in a human body and cut off from the Heavenly Host.

    He morphed into a male human form. Long dark hair, emerald-green eyes, luminous pale skin. This was most probably his preferred look, and she hated to admit he was striking.
    Dramatic and elegant, too, in his black leather pants and long black coat.

    “You don‟t want to get into a battle with me, angel,” he said quietly. “You know you‟ll lose.”

    She swallowed hard.

    “Luckily for you, I‟m not allowed to force you to accompany me,” he continued. “Free will, you know. Sometimes the black beast strategy works, and the poor sap says he‟s willing out of fear. You didn‟t fall for it, though, so I‟ll have to wait until you want to come with me.”

    “That will never happen.”

    He smiled slowly. “I was hoping you would be a challenge. Makes the final surrender so much more sweet.” He lifted a hand, palm up, and a red glowing light appeared, then condensed into a solid red object. He tossed it toward her.

    The object rolled toward her feet. A shiny red apple.

    “Let me know when you‟re ready to take a bite.” With a whoosh, black wings sprang from his back, and he was gone.

    Marielle drew in a deep breath. Thank God. She was safe for now. And Connor? She