Free Burkheart Witch Saga Book 2 by Christine Sutton Page B

at all.
    He had to admit that he had not liked the look on the woman's face. As she had walked into the house, there was defiance in her expression while she scanned the yard for danger.
    He would rip that smug look off along with her lips, nose, and eyes. He hadn't realized that the whole time he was watching them, he had been digging his extended claws into his own thigh. The blood had partially soaked through the denim pant leg and began to drip onto the well-manicured grass. He had released the grip on his leg and wiped his hands on the dry part of his jeans.
    He knew it would heal completely before nightfall. The mixture that his blood contained was great for self-healing, and even better for speed and strength. There would be no stopping him this time. Even that witch's magic wouldn't do the trick. He had a few "tricks" of his own to show her. Wouldn't that little pig be surprised?

15
    W hen the doorbell rang , Kayla jumped out of her seat. David had finished packing and had his bags stacked up at the foot of the stairs. He would only be gone for one day, she kept telling herself as she answered the door.
    "Gus!" Kayla beamed as the little man walked in through the front door. Normally, she would have leaned down to hug him, but because of the basketball she was hauling around, she put out her hand instead.
    Gus took her hand and let a small grin melt his grumpy countenance.
    "Hi Kayla. Is David still here?" The grouchy look had reclaimed its rightful spot.
    "Yeah, he's leaving in a few minutes. Do you want some coffee?"
    "No." He hoisted himself up on one of the dining room chairs. "Tell me what's happening."
    David joined her at the table and gave Gus a nod. Kayla began recounting the events of the last few days. She knew Joy had told him some of the events, but he needed her to fill in the blanks. Gus sat there and listened intently to her story. When Kayla finished telling all about the blood-soaked message and the general creepiness of the last few days, Gus just looked at her blankly. After a few seconds, he decided on his response to the story.
    "No magic?" he asked, disappointed.
    "No magic."
    "Okay, then. We need to get this house in order." He pulled a notebook and pen out of the back pocket of his jeans and began taking notes.
    "All of the windows need to be sealed, doors need extra deadbolts. Do you have an alarm system?"
    "Yeah, I had it installed before we moved in," David answered.
    "Who installed it?" Gus asked, ready to make a note of the answer.
    "Something Greek… Niolikos Security." He pronounced it nee-all-ick-us, pulling a business card out of his wallet and handing it over to Gus, who looked at it and then tucked it away in his pocket.
    "I'll have a look at the system myself," he said gruffly, jumping out of the tall chair and looking around.
    "I have to get going, Kayla," David said, picking up his two duffle bags. "Are you sure that you'll be good here?"
    "Yes, honey. Go and impress the masses with your knowledge of eggplants and tomatoes." She kissed him on the lips and gave him a strong hug that was difficult to end. She did eventually let him go when the cab pulled up to take him to the airport.
    They said more goodbyes and she watched out the window pensively while he got into the cab and headed for California.
    Gus was already hard at work with the toolbox he had brought with him, sealing windows and beefing up the security in Kayla's little brick fortress. She hoped like hell that it was going to be enough.

    A fter all the extra locks had been installed on the doors and bars were set across every window, Gus boarded the outside entrance to the garage and sealed almost every crack, crevice, and hole into the house.
    Kayla had started cooking a dinner of spinach salad and eggplant parmigiana for the two of them while he worked. Gus loved Italian food, and since he had refused payment for his work on the house, she wanted to do something nice for him.
    Gus made his way into the kitchen