Read The Taste of Magic for Free Online
Authors: Gina Rosavin
control over his bestial side. He felt his eyeteeth extend, and turned away. He needed to feed, to calm this raging turmoil. Yet, Vining seemed to mock him, and it was so easy to let his fury take over. Vining moved behind him once more, his hand on du Lac's shoulder.
He shrugged it off with a deep-throated snarl.
"That's it, du Lac, you need to take care of your most basic needs first. We can address this other issue later, after you've fed. You need a good hunt." Adrian nodded. That was exactly what he needed. Within moments, he soared over the river in raven form, assessing potential targets.
* * *
People milled about the opera house's lobby. Katerina kept to herself, away from the crowd, and waited for Adrian to return. When he did, he offered a glass of champagne. She accepted, watching him warily. She agreed to this date, as she had to all the others, because she was determined to find a way to get him to agree to her demands. So far, she'd done nothing but get drawn further into his web. Tonight marked the seventh evening spent with him. Every one carefully noted in her appointment book.
She hated herself for counting every moment they were together.
"I think you will enjoy tonight's performance. The female lead is being performed by an unknown, but quite a talented young lady, with a voice to make the heavens cry." Adrian sipped his champagne, his eyes never leaving her.
She shifted uneasily, and sensed the idea of heaven crying pleased him. "How do you know of her?"
"Besides being a patron of the Kuraskia Opera, I am also Miss Bertrand's benefactor."
Katerina blinked. "You mean you paid for…"
"Her tutelage? Yes, as I did for you."
Her eyes narrowed. "Is this a hobby of yours?"
His bland smile left her strangely annoyed. "From time to time, when there is someone who shows a certain…talent worth cultivating, I will offer my assistance however I can."
Knowing she wasn't the only one to benefit from his generosity left her confused. If he did this for others, perhaps there wasn't anything he expected in return. Even as she thought it, she denied it. Her instincts screamed there was more to his benefaction to her than anyone was letting on.
The lights flickered, signaling the curtain would soon rise. Adrian turned to her and offered his arm.
"Shall we?" His smile this time was warm and heated, and her heart jumped in response. She took a moment to smooth her raspberry taffeta gown before placing her hand in the crook of his elbow.
A sense of being watched made her turn. A dark-haired woman with enormous blue eyes studied Adrian, avid interest clear in her face. Before Katerina could think to question it, the young woman was gone, and Adrian tipped the usher who led them to the private box.
As he shut the door, she realized they were completely hidden from view. She nervously glanced around the private room. The over-sized, luxurious chairs before the window looked inviting, considering her trembling knees. He swept his hand before one of them, motioning her to sit, then seated himself in the other chair. She faced forward, but he leaned near, his breath warm against her neck, his hand lightly brushing hers on the arm of the chair.
She fought the urge to lean into him.
"I think you will enjoy this. Olivia Bertrand makes a fine Mimi."
"La Boheme is one of my favorites. I made it a point to go the Met whenever I could in New York."
"I am pleased you were able to take advantage of the finer things a city such as New York has to offer."
She smiled and turned to face him. His eyes were bright with interest. And hunger. A lump rose in her throat, threatening to choke her. Her smile faded.
"The city was a great place." Her voice was thin, and she cleared her throat and continued. "I missed my parents, of course, but New York became my home, and I worked to learn as many of its secrets I could
He shrugged it off with a deep-throated snarl.
"That's it, du Lac, you need to take care of your most basic needs first. We can address this other issue later, after you've fed. You need a good hunt." Adrian nodded. That was exactly what he needed. Within moments, he soared over the river in raven form, assessing potential targets.
* * *
People milled about the opera house's lobby. Katerina kept to herself, away from the crowd, and waited for Adrian to return. When he did, he offered a glass of champagne. She accepted, watching him warily. She agreed to this date, as she had to all the others, because she was determined to find a way to get him to agree to her demands. So far, she'd done nothing but get drawn further into his web. Tonight marked the seventh evening spent with him. Every one carefully noted in her appointment book.
She hated herself for counting every moment they were together.
"I think you will enjoy tonight's performance. The female lead is being performed by an unknown, but quite a talented young lady, with a voice to make the heavens cry." Adrian sipped his champagne, his eyes never leaving her.
She shifted uneasily, and sensed the idea of heaven crying pleased him. "How do you know of her?"
"Besides being a patron of the Kuraskia Opera, I am also Miss Bertrand's benefactor."
Katerina blinked. "You mean you paid for…"
"Her tutelage? Yes, as I did for you."
Her eyes narrowed. "Is this a hobby of yours?"
His bland smile left her strangely annoyed. "From time to time, when there is someone who shows a certain…talent worth cultivating, I will offer my assistance however I can."
Knowing she wasn't the only one to benefit from his generosity left her confused. If he did this for others, perhaps there wasn't anything he expected in return. Even as she thought it, she denied it. Her instincts screamed there was more to his benefaction to her than anyone was letting on.
The lights flickered, signaling the curtain would soon rise. Adrian turned to her and offered his arm.
"Shall we?" His smile this time was warm and heated, and her heart jumped in response. She took a moment to smooth her raspberry taffeta gown before placing her hand in the crook of his elbow.
A sense of being watched made her turn. A dark-haired woman with enormous blue eyes studied Adrian, avid interest clear in her face. Before Katerina could think to question it, the young woman was gone, and Adrian tipped the usher who led them to the private box.
As he shut the door, she realized they were completely hidden from view. She nervously glanced around the private room. The over-sized, luxurious chairs before the window looked inviting, considering her trembling knees. He swept his hand before one of them, motioning her to sit, then seated himself in the other chair. She faced forward, but he leaned near, his breath warm against her neck, his hand lightly brushing hers on the arm of the chair.
She fought the urge to lean into him.
"I think you will enjoy this. Olivia Bertrand makes a fine Mimi."
"La Boheme is one of my favorites. I made it a point to go the Met whenever I could in New York."
"I am pleased you were able to take advantage of the finer things a city such as New York has to offer."
She smiled and turned to face him. His eyes were bright with interest. And hunger. A lump rose in her throat, threatening to choke her. Her smile faded.
"The city was a great place." Her voice was thin, and she cleared her throat and continued. "I missed my parents, of course, but New York became my home, and I worked to learn as many of its secrets I could
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