Free Magicstorm (Heart of a Vampire, Book 4) by Amber Kallyn Page A

“Vampire.”
    Her shoulders stiffened once more as she held
her head high and crossed the room. Worry crept into Brandon’s soul
over what she might do. If this guy was legit, politics would be
important.
    The vamp slowly turned in his seat, his dark
gaze briefly flickering over Celeste before narrowing on Brandon.
He pushed back his long brown hair, showing the scar down the side
of his face, a life threatening injury from when he was mortal.
    Few would have the strength to push through
such pain, let alone live from such a grievous wound, most likely
centuries old.
    Proof of the vamp’s strength, then and
now.
    Magic--strength and age--flowed into the
air.
    Though it took every last ounce of willpower,
Brandon followed protocol and bowed his head. “I am from Clan
MacDougal. I have envoy powers from the Council, given by the
Judge, Connor Gregory.”
    The guy tipped his own head in acceptance,
letting his long hair fall forward and hood his gaze. “I’ve met
with this Gregory recently. He was here flushing some rats from the
mortals.”
    “Aye.”
    The man stood, hands loose and ready by his
sides, though his body thrummed with energy. “You are welcome as
long as you obey the rules and keep to the bounds.” He looked at
Celeste. “I am Sebastian Lucerne, owner of this club, Black Dawn.
What do the fine cops of this city wish of me?” His eyes flashed
blood red as his power rose.
    She blinked, then took a small step back and
glanced at Brandon. He nodded imperceptibly, knowing exactly what
game this guy was playing.
    She stared at the vamp. “You’re new here.
Maybe you don’t know all the rules.”
    Sebastian’s eyebrow rose and his power
flared. “And which rules would those be?”
    “The fine cops of this city don’t take shit
from anyone, mortal or not.”
    His lips twitched and the press of magic
dimmed. “My apologies.”
     
***
     
    Celeste’s eyes narrowed at the falsity in the
man’s voice, but she didn’t comment.
    “How can I help you?” he finally said,
laughter shining from his now brown eyes. It was better than
looking at a reddened gaze, which crept her out.
    “There was a woman here last night and I need
to know if anyone saw her, or who she left with.”
    He blinked, glancing between her and Brandon.
“My dear, we have thousands of people coming in and out every
night. Asking my people to remember her is like asking them to
choose one specific drop of water from the ocean.”
    Brandon crossed his arms. “She might have
been with the murderer. He’s powerful, has to be from some of the
creatures working for him. That should help pinpoint the girl.”
    Sebastian’s eyes narrowed and his lips
thinned as a shiver worked through his body. He fisted his
hands.
    “You know him,” Celeste replied.
    “Distasteful business, some of the riff raff
that comes in here.” He pulled out a cell phone and tapped the
screen, then said, “Andre, join us at the bar.”
    A few seconds later, a man descended from a
stairway in the far corner. It rose to the second floor. The man
heading their way was tall, thin, his features pinched as if he’d
just been eating a lemon. He spoke, his voice nasally and
high-pitched. “Sire?”
    Sebastian waved to a nearby table. “Shall we
sit?”
    She glanced to Brandon, who nodded. The short
walk to the table was uncomfortable with two vampires right behind
her.
    Sebastian eased by her, sliding out a chair
and bowing. The urge to flick his ear and get rid of his archaic
manners filled her. She resisted, instead, moving around the table
and pulling out her own chair.
    Sebastian smiled, amused once more.
    Brandon sat beside her, forcing the others to
sit across from them.
    “Andre,” Sebastian began, steepling his
fingers on the table. “The sorcerer who came back last night. Did
you give him the warning I asked you to?”
    “Of course.” Andre swallowed loudly, his gaze
flickering from his boss to Brandon.
    Sebastian slowly unclasped his fingers and
laid