Born in Fire (Fire and Ice Trilogy, #1)

by K.F. Breene

I’m not the kind of girl sane men hit on, bro.

Their presence made people skittish, and my marks, who were usually up to no good and already skittish, often found somewhere else to be.

Elders seldom acted directly, preferring to send their minions. So it was extraordinary for one to not only leave the Realm, but to actually follow a mark into a bar.

Haircut walked toward me, slow and purposeful. Confidence radiated out from him like a weapon. He was much too calm for my taste. He didn’t think I was a threat. Being that he was upwind, he probably also thought I was human.

“I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll—” “I do not make deals.” He stopped ten feet from me.

I bent backward, Matrix-style, before straightening back up and punching him in the face. His head whipped back as his expression turned to shock. Yeah, I’m fast and super strong. Surprise!

“Or will he bite her neck?” There was no way this critter would get anywhere near my neck.

The lead vampire, still assessing me, tilted his head slightly. A grin worked at his lips. I had no idea what he found so amusing.

Nearing his cube, I caught the edge of his chair with my toe and thrust my hips forward, shoving. His chair rolled backward so suddenly that he tipped out and tumbled onto his face. “Not entirely useless,” I said with a smirk, continuing onward.

There’s a catch, though. If you accept the bounty, they’ll be assigning you a vamp partner.”

“Together, you’ll track down the mark, bring him in alive, and collect the bounty. You will take half. The vamp will take half.”

And leave Garret alone when you walk past. Every time you break one of his body parts, we get behind.”

My thoughts had strayed back to the vampire’s note. Short and sweet, penned in an elegant hand, it had read: I require a bounty hunter. Reagan Somerset. Send her to me. I’ll make it worth her while.

In their desire to fit in with the humans, they completely stuck out.

I straightened up, my hands on my hips. I hated when I accidentally killed the mark.

Tall, muscular, powerful—he moved like the world was a stage and he was the diva, arrogant as all hell and coated with a thick layer of ego. I bet it was bugging the hell out of him that he didn’t know what I was. Or maybe he did.

“Says the girl with a bag full of stolen goods.” “That’s different. I killed the guy first.”

Without that payout, I was broke. If the vamp knew anything at all, he would know I was poor.

That vamp had stolen my livelihood, and now he was suckering me into working for him. Probably just for his personal entertainment, too. I wouldn’t put it past him. Everything was a game to the elders, and people were just strategy.

I felt more than heard shifting. Knew without proof that my watchers were uneasy with my complete lack of fear. Villains were all the same after a while.

“That’s better. Yes, drink,” a deep, sexy voice urged me. A strong arm held me tightly against a rock-hard body. “Drink.”

Darius rose slowly, the bulge in his pants prominent and a little smile tickling his lips. “My, my. What layers you have, my lovely Reagan. So much passion. So much fire. Come. Let me taste you.”

A strange ruthlessness filled his voice. It almost sounded possessive.

No, little creature, I am not to be touched! Begone, silly thing.” He flinched away from its seeking nose. It stomped the ground with its foot, then wobbled toward him.

“Well, then. If she gravely offends you in that manner, kill her.” He said it without emotion.

In addition to being extremely aroused, I am certain you could be the best mage I have ever met.”

“Something about you makes me thirsty beyond my control, Reagan. The human last night did nothing to curb the insatiable need that you inspire within me. It made me want you more. I will not last as long as you believe.”

“That is an extremely poetic way of saying you’re screwed, isn’t it?” “I will screw you, yes. Very softly at first, until you are mewling and writhing.

I will be the only thing you think about for the rest of your life.” “Sounds horrible. Remind me—did you like getting shot in the leg, or no?”

“Thanks for actually doing something. Other than pissing off a powerful alpha and hanging me in the air by my butt, that is.” “I have also made sexually explicit verbal advances on you.”

“I have very little control right now, Reagan,” he said in a rough voice. “It would be nice if you allowed me to protect you. Save the fighting for when we have a bed nearby.”

“Hang on to the sword, Reagan.” His other hand drifted down my arm, spreading goosebumps in its wake. His fingers closed over mine, making me hold on. His lips grazed my cheek before slipping down to my neck. “That’s right, mon cherie. Drink.”

“Let me bond you, Reagan,” he whispered against my lips. “Become one with me.”

I felt good. My body was weak, but his blood was singing through my veins, making me feel powerful. Strong. Untouchable. I wanted to climb back on top and ride this feeling to its natural conclusion.

“To bleed you?” A surge of jealousy came out of the blue. I took a step back.

“Unicorns and bonds.” He lifted his hand and grazed his thumb against my lips. “Unicorns and you.”