Free Frost Burn (The Fire and Ice Series, Book 1) by Erica Stevens Page A

his aura of power rose to a whole new level. It pulsed against her in vibrant waves that caused her skin to ripple and her mouth to go dry. His obvious care for the people standing around him caused his more lethal air to break through his steel exterior. Yep, there would never be any figuring this man out, she decided.
    She would like to trust this group gathered around her, but she didn’t know them and she wasn’t going to bet her life on them. She’d made it this far by staying to herself; that wouldn’t change now.
    “Then go,” she whispered.
    He shook his head no. “Not an option.”
    He was the most infuriatingly stubborn man she’d ever encountered, but as she looked around the room, she saw the same resolve on all of the faces surrounding her. They weren’t going to leave, and she wasn’t going to go with them. Her shoulders slumped as she glanced toward her bedroom.
    “Your choice, but I’d like to get some rest now if you don’t mind,” she grated out.
    “Not at all.” Julian walked over to her front door and pulled it open. He made a sweeping gesture with his arm to the others. “I’ll stay here.”
    “You’re not staying here!” Quinn blurted.
    That smile, no matter how adorable, really should be wiped off his face for a few hours. She could feel her right eye beginning to twitch when he closed the door behind his friends. “I’m not walking into the sun and bursting into ash either Dewdrop, so you’re stuck with me for the day.”
    Now not only was her eye twitching, but she could feel a muscle in her cheek beginning to jump. Control your temper , she told herself. She couldn’t afford to lose control around this man. Too much would be revealed if she did. “You can’t stay in my apartment.” It took everything she had to keep the panic from her voice, but she couldn’t have him in here touching her things, learning about her .
    “And why not?” he inquired.
    “I’m not going to have a strange man I don’t know staying in my apartment.” She kept her tone reasonable but she hadn’t been able to keep an edge out of it.
    “I didn’t take you as someone to be frightened of things.”
    “I’m not, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let a stranger in my apartment while I’m sleeping.”
    “Fair enough.”
    Stunned by the lack of a fight, Quinn stared at his back as he opened the door and stepped into the hallway. She remained unmoving for a few minutes before walking over and sliding the deadbolt into place. She didn’t know where he’d gone, but she had a feeling he hadn’t gone far.

CHAPTER 7
    Julian lifted his head at the sound of footsteps in the hallway. He winced at the discomfort the movement caused his twisted neck. He’d managed to fall asleep for a couple of hours, but sitting on the faded, dirty blue rug, with his neck down, hadn’t been the best sleeping conditions. His body reminded him of that now.
    Luther fought back a grin as he stared down at him with his hand resting against the wall and a bag in his hand. “Sweet dreams?”
    “Bite me,” Julian muttered.
    Luther chuckled before sliding down the wall to sit beside him. He dropped the bag in between them. “Chris assumed you’d appreciate some clean clothes.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Our newest friend didn’t like the idea of having you in her place?” Luther asked.
    “Apparently strange men aren’t welcome in her home.”
    “At least she’s not stupid.”
    Julian leaned his head against the wall and draped his arm over his knees. He stared at the popcorn ceiling over his head. “No, she’s most certainly not stupid, but she is a rarity. She has far more power than any vampire of her tender years should.”
    “Cassie level power?” Luther inquired.
    “No one has that level of power. However, Cassie was an empty vessel waiting to be filled. Quinn is stronger than she should be for her age. Maybe she was a Hunter before she was changed, it might explain why she’s so strong.”
    Luther