Quinn's Revenge by Amanda Ashley

Author:Amanda Ashley [Ashley, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Butterfly Kisses Press
Published: 2016-09-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

If Melinna was surprised to find them back on her front porch, it didn’t show on her face. Opening the door wide, the witch waved them inside. As it had before, the bird squawked and flapped its wings as they crossed the threshold.

A quick glance told Quinn the witch had been expecting them. Food and drink awaited them on the coffee table in the living room.

“Help yourselves,” Melinna invited. Her brows arched in surprise when Quinn filled a plate with meat and cheese. “How is this possible?” she asked.

“A little of Seleena’s magic,” he replied.

Melinna frowned. “You no longer need blood?”

Quinn grunted softly. “I’m afraid there isn’t enough magic in the universe -- white or black -- to change that.”

“Still, from what I know of vampires, it is quite remarkable.”

“I can’t argue with that.”

“I have prepared places for you to sleep,” Melinna said. “When you are ready.”

* * *

Careful not to disturb Seleena, Quinn slipped out of bed. Melinna’s dinner had filled his belly, but it hadn’t satisfied his hunger.

He paused when he reached the living room. Unlike her other two guests, Melinna was still awake. She sat on the floor in front of the fireplace, gazing into the depths of a small black cauldron. The bird perched on her shoulder.

“Vampire, come sit with me.”

Quinn expanded his senses. Detecting no danger, he sat cross-legged beside her. “What are you looking for in there?”

“Wyrick’s location.”

“I get the feeling you’re not too fond of him.”

She snorted. “If he were here, I would rip his black heart from his chest.”

“What’s between you two?”

“A century and a half ago, a friend gave me a rare gift. Wyrick took it from me.”

Talk about carrying a grudge, Quinn thought. But then, he would have hunted Serepta to the ends of the earth to exact vengeance, whether it had taken years or centuries. “What did he take?”

“It was a talisman infused with unusual properties, something that could only be used once. Wyrick wanted it and when I refused to give it to him, he stole it from me.”

A hundred and fifty years ago, Quinn mused. In spite of her gray hair, Melinna didn’t look like she had been around that long. Just how old was she? And what kind of gift, exactly, had her friend given her? If he asked, would the witch confide in him?

He felt her watching him. Turning his head, he met her gaze, felt the force of it slam into him. In spite of her grandmotherly appearance, she possessed a hell of a magical wallop.

“You have a tattoo.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement of fact.

Quinn nodded.

“Though you wear it, it was not meant for you, was it?”

He laughed softly. “The tattoo was intended to serve the witch who conjured it, but she made one little mistake. Now it’s mine.”

“Who was this careless witch?”

Quinn tensed as the dragon stirred.

“Was her name by chance Serepta?” Melinna’s voice was little more than a whisper, but barely controlled anger radiated from her like Hel’s own fire.

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