Free The Banshee's Desire by Victoria Richards Page A

kind of warning?"
    "The Brotherhood is coming," Finn said, lowering his voice. "They want Jacqueline Huston more than ever."
    "What does the Brotherhood want with her?"
    "I'm not sure."
    "You should probably move on then. The owner of this place doesn't care for members of the Spark family," Gabe said.
    "And you?"
    "I'm not a member of your family."
    "The Spark blood runs through your veins."
    "I haven't exactly been embraced by your kin. Derek wasn't very good at playing the part of stand-in-father either. My real family, the people who raised me, are dead." Gabe shrugged. "I have no interest in kindling any ties with the Sparks ."
    "Too bad," Finn mused. "I had hoped we might strike up a friendship. It would have pissed off my brother and I'm for anything that does that."
    His eyes looked over Gabe's shoulder, lighting up with interest as he spied Jacqueline.
    "Is that her? The banshee?"
    "You need to leave. This is a private party."
    "She's beautiful. I can see why Toby is so taken with her."
    "It's time for you to go."
    "I just want to speak with her. It will only take a moment," Finn started towards her.
    "What part of get out do you not understand, Spark?"
    Toby's deep voice caught Gabe off guard, and he realized his father had just materialized in the room. Allowing mortals to see your magic was frowned upon and Toby firmly believed in not breaking that code. Gabe figured he must have been drunk enough to forget the code, but not drunk enough to miss the buzzing energy belonging to a new wizard in his bar.
    "I've got this, Toby." Gabe gritted his teeth.  "It's nothing."
    "Kid, I can feel the power vibrating off this guy. He's the one I sensed a few nights ago, too." Toby crossed his arm. "What are you doing around here? I already warned you off once."
    "I'm Finn Spark."
    "I'm Mr. I Don't Give a Shit. What the hell do you want?"
    "I just delivered a truce to Gabe. I wanted him to know that the Spark family is not interested in pursuing revenge over Derek's death," Finn said, his cool composure broken by Toby's bluster.
    "Great. You've delivered the message."
    "I also wanted to speak with Jacqueline Huston."
    Toby glanced at Jacqueline who'd stood and was staring at them.
    "No."
    "I mean her no harm. I'm just curious about her."
    "Curious?" Toby grunted. "Like your brother, huh? Curious enough to try and use her for yourself?"
    "I'm not Derek."
    "Good for you. Apparently, you're as dumb as he was though. You can't follow simple directions." Toby's voice rose. "Get the hell out of my bar!"
    The tone brought Jacqueline over, a worried expression on her face.
    "Toby, what's wrong?" she asked, putting her hand on his arm. "You okay?"
    "I’m out of whiskey. I'm not okay."
    Finn's smile oozed charm as he flashed it at Jacqueline.
    "We'll get you more, babe," she said, ignoring him. "Come with me."
    "Not till this guy leaves," Toby said.
    Jacqueline looked at Finn and frowned. 
    "My name is Finn. I believe I've gotten off on the wrong foot with Mr. Williams." Finn stuck out his hand. "It's my pleasure to finally meet you."
    Jacqueline stared at his hand a second before turning her attention to his face. Gabe thought he saw just the tiniest shade of green creeping into her eyes as she studied Finn.
    "I saw you at the hospital the other day. You were at the nurse's station. I don't know what your intentions are, but I take it you've been snooping in Galesburg Falls for a few days if Toby knew you were here," she said, softly. "But you really should go. Death waits for you if you stay here."
    The smile on Finn's face faded.
    "I can sense the magic in you and I'm sure you know what I am," Jacqueline continued. "But more than that, I can see a dark outline around you, the mark of Death. It isn't wise to linger here when there are two powerful wizards just waiting to unleash their magic in your direction."
    "And you, my pretty banshee?" Finn asked. "What kind of power are you waiting to unleash?"
    Her smile gave Gabe the