Read Reluctant Adept: Book Three of A Clairvoyant's Complicated Life for Free Online Page B

two-thousand-year-old Celt who'd spent the last few centuries in the UK … aside from being black. I didn't think that quite fit the image of an ancient Celt, but I'd not read many Celtic artifacts so I could hardly call myself informed.
    Shaking off the useless, random thoughts, I clamped down on my distressed need for air. "You guys know those photos I sent weren't meant to be a threat, right? I wanted to get the domn's attention, to prove that I'm not a prank. Your PR guy wasn't particularly … gracious when I called." Somehow, I managed to avoid sounding panicked and even diplomatically added, "I guess I can't blame him. A demon invasion does sound pretty farfetched."
    Nathan's dark gaze briefly wavered. "You spoke to Frederick? When?"
    Frederick was the prick who'd threatened to drain me for wasting his time. A-ha. Maybe it had become clear to Nathan that delightful Freddy had stonewalled me.
    "I don't remember the exact date," I replied. "About a week and a half ago."
    "And after this … contact, you sent photos?" His eyes narrowed. "Directly to the domn or through Frederick?"
    "Both," I said, relaxing with the hope that this was just a misunderstanding. I'd even consider overlooking what he and his associates had done to my friends if he backed off and set things right. "Didn't Frederick send you the photos? I hope he at least forwarded you my cover letter."
    "No." Curiosity played on his face, along with darker things.
    I donned my 'don't worry, I can be reasonable' smile—although, Kieran's continued protection was seriously cramping my style. Projecting confidence wasn't easy when my boyfriend kept me caged inside his one-armed embrace and brandished a sword as though we were surrounded by a pack of rabid wolves.
    "Then I can see why you thought you were dealing with a crank," I said. "Why don't we start over? Release my friends and I'll give you the important details. Then we can go from there on how best to involve your domn."
    He stared at me for a long moment, and his frank evaluation left me with the distinct impression that he'd deftly cataloged all of my potential weaknesses in the off chance he had to run me down like a gazelle. Clairvoyants were immune to strigoi venom, as were telepaths, but we could still be drained readily enough.
    "What you say intrigues me," he said, "but that's not why I'm here."
    "You're— " I stumbled over his admission. "Wait. It's not?"
    "Indeed, no." He grinned broadly, displaying a disturbing length of fang.
    I glanced around, taking in the scene, not liking that the song playing over the shop's speakers was 'The Monster' by Eminem. I shook my head at him. "I don't understand."
    He chuckled. "Allow me to elaborate. You interest a friend of mine. And what interests him, interests me." He raked me with his gaze. "Although, I must admit, you aren't what I expected." He raised a pitiless eyebrow. "So … human ," he observed, lacing the word with considerable distaste.
    "Looks can be deceiving," a harmonious baritone interjected, proving without a doubt that Murphy's Law applied, even at parties.
    One night of normal. That's all I wanted. Really, is that so goddamned much to ask?
    Disgusted, I trilled, "And now about the cauldron sing— "
    Ow!
    Kieran's hard squeeze stopped me mid-verse. Whether he'd done it in silent warning or recrimination, I didn't know. Honestly, he was lucky I didn't stomp on his foot. I didn't need to see the voice's source to know a male sidhe lurked to our right.
    Or, that because of my decision to come here, we were knee-deep in shit.
    Again.
    Resonant, bewitching laughter filled the room, vibrating the air itself. I shivered and would have tried to rub away my gooseflesh if not for Kieran's continued embrace, which pinned my right arm against his rigid body.
    Tension rolled through him as he deftly drew me several steps backwards, providing better view of our newest threat but still maintaining a defensive position against Nathan.
    Snap out of it,