Free Kiss of a Dark Moon by Sharie Kohler Page A

disgust.
    Laurent shrugged a narrow shoulder. “They may quite possibly have their fun first, true. I’m well aware of the habits that rule lycans. But afterward they will kill her. Their hatred for hunters will demand it.”
    â€œYou’re counting on that. But you could be wrong. They could decide to keep her for a while. Torment her.”
    Lycans often abducted women, keeping them for years as slaves. His mother was proof of that. She hadn’t been kept for years, though. Only one afternoon.
    If such a fate befell Kit…well, then the very thing EFLA most feared would become a reality.
    Laurent must have had the same thought. Uncertainly flickered in his eyes. Still, he replied with his usual doggedness. “I stand by the decision. Kit March will be dead before the week’s out. Mark my words.”
    Those words sent a small quiver through Rafe.
    â€œSo they keep her for a while. Serves the bitch right.” Lockhart shrugged. “They won’t turn her. Among their kind, that’s an honor reserved for a chosen few. Either way, she’s out of commission.”
    For a while . His mind reeled at what could happen in that time. His fingers curled, tightening into fists at his sides at the scenario described—a scenario that would lead the lycans to discover Kit’s dirty little secret. A secret even she did not know. Yet.
    But Laurent knew. He knew all about the Marshan Prophecy. That Kit descended from Christophe Marshan, giving her DNA compatible to all lycans and making her capable of procreation with the creatures. The result would be a hybrid species. A dovenatu, said to be more powerful than a full-breed lycan.
    That should have stopped Laurent from siccing the packs on her. Rafe dragged a hand through his hair, stopping himself from plowing his fist into Laurent’s face.
    Laurent flicked a piece of lint off his blazer. “If you’re so worried, then find her first. See that she dies.”
    â€œNo problem. We’re on it,” Davis chimed in, wiping at his bloodied nose. “Consider it done.”
    Rafe laughed harshly. “You two fools couldn’t find your assess with both hands.”
    Davis’s face flushed, his jowls quivering in indignation.
    â€œFuck you,” Lockhart snarled. “I’m getting tired of your attitude—”
    Laurent waved a slender hand. “Silence.” He leveled a cold stare at Rafe. “Just get it done. Both of them. Don’t forget the brother.”
    Rafe clenched his jaw and gave a hard nod.
    â€œYou’re just sending him? Alone?” Lockhart demanded.
    â€œSantiago is one of our special agents.”
    Special . Laurent had no idea.
    Laurent continued. “No one can bring her to ground better.” He smiled coldly. “Certainly not you two.” Surveying them, he sighed. “The Houston division is a mess. I’ve got my work cut out for me here. Beginning with assessing all agents and deciding who is expendable and whom we’ll keep for retraining.”
    The two agents started, clearly disturbed to hear that their jobs were on the line.
    Rafe nodded in seeming agreement.
    â€œReport to me once it’s done.” Laurent unbuttoned his blazer, the restless gesture signifying that the conversation had reached its end. Pulling a linen handkerchief from inside his blazer, he mopped the beads of sweat from his brow. “I don’t need to remind you how important this assignment is.”
    Rafe forced a tight smile. No. He didn’t need reminding. “Got it.” He looked at the other two agents, warning, “You two assholes stay out of my way.”
    Rafe studied Laurent for a moment, from his blazer down to the cut of his well-tailored slacks and back up to the ruthless line of his lips, wondering if he had blinked an eye over killing Cooper, a man devoted to the same cause EFLA claimed to champion above all else: the extermination of lycans, the