Free Dark Tremor (Mated by Magic #2) by Stella Marie Alden, Chantel Seabrook

conversation about twenty miles from here.”
    Terra glanced back at Falcon, who was now fully conscious and starring at her with huge, guilt-laden eyes. Her chest compressed as she realized the truth of Jace’s words.
    Mic stood, face fuming in deep red.
    “ARRGGH!” A stomp of his foot opened the earth, creating a growing canyon headed straight towards them.
    “Damn it, Terra,” Jace pulled her by the top of the jeans, held on, and floored the gas with the door open.
    The truck lurched, she bumped her head on the dash, but managed to get into the passenger seat.
    Jace leaned out and grabbed the door handle with one eye on the rearview. “Did he just open a fucking ravine?”
    Terra looked over her shoulder and cringed. “Yeah and it’s still expanding. You might want to gun it.”
    “Going as fast as I can, sweetheart.” He slammed the door.
    Pumpkin meowed pitifully.
    “Try to go faster.” She squirmed over her seat to get the carrier, and placed it on her lap. Her teeth clenched to stop the rattling.
    The tires squealed and skidded when Jace sped onto the two-lane highway.
    Terra’s white knuckles let go of the cat, and she whooshed out the breath she’d been holding when Vegas skyscrapers loomed in the distance.
    And she’d thought her day couldn’t get any worse.
     
     

Chapter 13
     
    After he passed the famous fountains, Jace maneuvered the truck down into Vdara’s exclusive parking lot. He handed the valet his keys, then rushed to open the door for Terra.
    She sat with brows furrowed and refused to take Jace’s hand when he reached to help her out of the truck.
    “I can’t go in there.” She hugged the damn cat carrier against her chest like a lifeline, her eyes huge.
    “Why the hell not?”
    “Look at me.” She glanced down at her torn jeans and dirty plaid button down.
    “You look fine.” Better than fine. She looked sexy and mussed, and he wanted nothing more than to ravage every inch of her hot little body.
    Not going to happen , he reminded himself.
    God, he needed a drink. Or two. And a cold shower.
    Terra’s eyes glanced around nervously, chewing on her bottom lip.
    “Come on,” he said, self-control slipping. He gripped her hand and ignored the heat that burned between them. “If you’re worried about it, Nicole should have something you can wear.”
    Terra remained silent, her gaze downcast the entire elevator ride. He all but had to drag her across the lush maroon carpet. He dropped her hand to knock, and Josh opened the door.
    “I was starting to get worried about you.” His brother’s eyes were laced with concern as they entered.
    “Yeah, me too,” said Jace, bolting the lock.
    Josh frowned and watched his gesture with narrowed eyes. “What happened?”
    Strolling across the room to the bar, Jace poured himself two fingers of rye, and downed it in one swig. He poured another, and one for Terra. She took it and ventured a weak smile, then bent over to get the meowing ball of fluff out of the carrier.
    “We had a little run in with Mic Luggerio.”
    “The Brasmatia clan leader?” This time, Josh headed for the bottles.
    “Yeah. And not only does he know where a large chunk of dark turquoise is, but he’s a fuck more powerful than any earth witch I’ve ever come across. I don’t even want to think about what the bastard could do with that much power.”
    A feminine throat cleared, and Josh’s wife came into the room, wringing her hands.
    “Jace. Thank God, you’re all right.” Nicole’s dark eyes roamed quickly over Terra and the cat. Her mouth twitched down and then righted itself into a fake smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh. You’re both here.”
    What the hell was that all about?
    Jace toned his voice to sound like his brother Jack, all command and not to be disobeyed. “Terra’s going to be staying with us. She’s going to need some clothes. I was hoping you could help her out.”
    “Of course.” Nicole’s lips tightened. “And what about