Free Night Angel by Lisa Kessler Page B

Walker focused on his prey, staring into the other man’s eyes before he finally dropped his dinner. Disoriented, the man scrambled to his feet and bolted.
    Colin started in the direction Juliana had gone, but Benedict caught his right arm, tight. “I gave you the chance to leave. This is my land, and these are my people.”
    Colin’s eyes flashed again. “Juliana is not yours. You do not touch her or—”
    “Or what exactly?” Benedict glanced around at the empty alley. “It doesn’t look like you’ll be touching her anytime soon.” He lowered his voice, pulling the Night Walker closer. “She thinks I saw you walking with Muriel last night while you were supposed to be searching, and now she’s witnessed your…appetite. She’s a smart girl. I’m sure she’s already connected the dots.”
    He drank in the rage in the Night Walker’s face. Oh yes, he’d hurt him by exposing his secret. Good.
    “I’m no longer starving, outlander. My strength matches yours,” he said. “You are not in control here.” Benedict ran his tongue across his teeth. Juliana would turn to him for comfort, after this, and he would be there. Happily.
    Suddenly, he was slammed against the brick wall of the pub. The Night Walker’s hand tightened around his throat, choking off the air. Pain radiated through the back of his head as he struggled to and break free.
    Colin’s breath brushed over his neck. “You’ve got it all wrong, water horse. I think your blood will quench my thirst just fine.”
     

     
    “No!”
    Colin snapped his head in the direction of Juliana’s voice. She stood, her feet wide, gripping a metal pipe like a bat.
    Go home, Juliana. I will explain everything. You have my word.
    Her eyes narrowed. Your word means nothing to me.
    The cold edge to her voice spoke volumes.
    She tossed her notepad toward them. It clattered to the ground at Colin’s feet. He glared at Benedict and yanked him away from the wall. “Pick it up.”
    “Get it yourself.”
    Colin smashed Benedict facedown onto the ground and reached for the paper. He flipped it over, glancing at her note. A knife stabbed through his heart as he read her words.
    I don’t know who or what you are, but I won’t let you hurt Benedict for showing me the truth.
    He glanced at Juliana, her knuckles were white around her weapon, her cheeks flushed, ready to defend herself. From him.
    He got up, freeing Benedict. Slowly, he walked toward her. I should have told you the truth about me, but that doesn’t change the fact that I had nothing to do with Muriel’s disappearance. Benedict is lying to you. He is dangerous, Juliana.
    She took a practice swing. He wasn’t the one about to eat a guy in a dark alley. He’s not a vampire.
    Benedict moved around him to stand at Juliana’s side. Seeing him next to her awakened the hawk inside of Colin’s soul. His animal spirit struggled for freedom. Colin flexed his fingers, grinding his teeth to keep the beast at bay.
    I am not a vampire, and I stopped that man from slitting the throat of another. I only feed on criminals. Walk away, whatever you wish, but do not leave with Benedict.
    He stared into her eyes giving her a mental push. She already hated him; mesmerizing her in order to save her life could not do anymore harm at this point.
    Benedict stepped between them, breaking Colin’s eye contact with her. With his back to Colin, he spoke to Juliana. “You’re communicating with him, aren’t you? After all you’ve seen, you’re still talking to him.” He shook his head, bringing his hand up to caress her cheek. “I thought you were smarter than that.”
    Colin grabbed his wrist, pulling him away from Juliana and spinning him around. “Do not touch her.”
    Benedict tackled him, knocking him to the ground. He landed a punch to his mouth, splitting his lip. “I am through taking orders from you, Night Walker. And I’m going to make you sorry you ever set foot on this land.”
    Colin spat his blood up into