Free Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks Page B

ran toward him.

    He was still flat on his back. The poor man must have hit the ground hard.

    With a gasp, she stumbled to a stop. Good heavens. The blast of air had blown his kilt up to his chest.

    “Oh,” she breathed. She‟d never seen an angel look like that. Come to think of it, she‟d never seen a human look like that. As a Deliverer, she‟d seen her share of naked human bodies, but they tended to be old, or ill, or injured. And they were usually gray, shriveled, and dead.

    She stepped closer. Definitely not gray. Rather pink and healthy. And most definitely not shriveled. Even his hair was interesting. Red and curly, it looked very soft and . . . touchable.

    She tilted her head, marveling at the size and structure. It was all so . . . out in the open.
    Blatant. Masculine.

    The invasive purpose of the design was so obvious, she reacted instinctively and pressed her thighs together. That was . . . curious. Oddly pleasurable. A shiver ran down her arms, but she didn‟t think it was caused by the cold. She felt strangely . . . warm.

    Connor groaned, and she jerked to her senses. Good heavens, he‟d been lying there, possibly hurt, and she hadn‟t even checked him for injuries.

    His eyes opened, and he blinked at her.

    She crouched beside him. “Are you all right?”

    “Is the demon gone?” He struggled to sit up.

    “Yes, we‟re safe now.”

    “Och, good.” He fell back and with a moan, rubbed his head.

    “Are you injured?”

    “Head hurts,” he mumbled. “Keep getting knocked—” His eyes widened. “That was you who blasted me into a damned tree earlier? When Zack was attacking you?”

    “I tried to defend myself. You were caught in the wind?”

    “Aye.” He propped himself up on an elbow. “How long was I out?”

    “A . . . few minutes.”

    He glanced at himself, then jolted into a sitting position and jerked his kilt down to his knees. “Damn.” He shot a fierce look at her.

    She jumped to her feet. “I—I beg your pardon.” Her cheeks grew warm. “Pray, do not be troubled. It is truly a . . . small matter.”

    “Small?”

    “Yes. Of little consequence.”

    “Little?” He arched a brow. “Do ye need another look?”

    “For goodness‟ sake, I was not referring to your size. The Lord knows you‟re definitely—” Her cheeks blazed hotter, and it didn‟t help that he appeared to be enjoying her discomfort. She turned away stiffly. “In truth, I hardly noticed.”

    The minute the words escaped, she froze in shock. What was she doing? Never before in her entire existence had she uttered a falsehood.

    Her gaze fell on the apple Darafer had tossed onto the grass. A reminder that the longer she stayed on Earth, the more human she would become. The more susceptible she would be to sin. As in hiding the truth. Telling lies.

    Or feeling lust.

    Good Lord! She‟d never get back to heaven if she fell into sin.

    “Marielle?” Connor asked softly, and his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

    She dashed to the cabin and let herself inside. She paced around the large room, weaving a trail around the couch and through what appeared to be a kitchen and dining area. Around and around she went, and her heart kept pounding, thundering in her ears. This wasn‟t helping. She felt caged in. She‟d always had wings before. She‟d always had the ability to fly anywhere she wanted.

    She had to get back to where she belonged. There had to be a way.

    She stopped and brought her clenched hands up to her face. Don’t panic. Think .
    Unfortunately, her thoughts seemed to bounce around, echoing in the empty cavern of her mind where she was used to hearing thousands of voices. Voices that sang praises and offered a constant stream of encouragement and comfort. They were all gone. She was so alone.

    Don’t panic. Darafer was counting on her panic and fear so he could lure her in. No doubt, he figured she would miss the company of angels so badly, she‟d be willing to join the