A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

address. I compared
it with the other invoices to make sure I had the right place.
    “All right, stay there,” Kieran said before
the line disconnected.
    I put down the phone and lowered my forehead
onto the desk, letting my fears take hold of me for a moment. What was the
worst scenario? That the Shadows had taken Amber to their cursed place so I’d
never find her. But Rebecca had found a way in, and if she could do it, then so
would I.
    If the Shadows hadn’t broken our agreement,
I’d have kept my word to lead Amber on the threshold of death, let her find the
damn book and then return it to the elders. My mate was worth more than the
ritual I once desperately wanted, but now I vowed to find Amber and kill one
Shadow after another. The war had been going on for too long; it was time to
win it.
    Less than ten minutes later, the dogs barked
again. The door opened and Kieran’s voice called out, “Hey, bro, you in here?”
    “I can’t believe the pests ripped my favorite
purse to shreds,” Clare said.
    Forcing my aching body to move, I
straightened and stood. “Was it the red one with the fancy sequins?” I asked. Clare
nodded as she walked over. I grinned. “Cheers to that because I never liked the
thing.”
    Clare slapped my back. “You look horrible.”
    “Sorry for the delay. This place didn’t
even show up on Google maps.” Kieran shot me a crooked smile. “You should’ve
told me about the poor puppies out there. I could’ve brought a few bones.” His
gaze wandered over my shredded clothes and dried blood, hesitating. He kept his
thoughts to himself even though his expression betrayed his guilt.
    I peered at the huge rip in my brother’s
jeans, caked blood covering his ankle. “Puppies, my butt.”
    “Okay, so he got the upper hand, but only for
a few seconds,” Kieran said.
    “A few seconds?” Clare laughed. “You two
were battling it out like sumo wrestlers. I didn’t know who wanted the championship
belt more, you or him.”
    “It wasn’t wrestling, Clare. He surprised
me. Just attacked my ankle out of nowhere and I lost my balance.”
    “Either that, or you two were making out. I
swear I saw lots of tongue.” She nodded at me, guilt glinting in her eyes.
Their teasing was just a means to cheer me up.
    “I could’ve easily smashed the poor pup
into smithereens if I wanted to,” Kieran said. “But I’m not like that. You know
I have a special touch with animals.”
    Clare winked. “You sure do.”
    Kieran turned to me. “Point is, the pup bit
my ankle before I made friends with him. Maybe I deserved it for screwing up
big time. I’m so sorry, bro.”
    “We both are,” Clare said, grabbing my
hands.
    “We’ll talk about this later,” I said. “Given
how much you’ve always wanted a pet, I’m glad you enjoyed your cuddle, bro.”
    Kieran laughed. “You look like you had your
fair share of those, too. Had fun with the succubi ?”
    “Save the wise cracks for home.” Clare
elbowed him in the ribs, regarding me. “I was worried sick about you.”
    Kieran placed an arm over my shoulder and
squeezed. “Ready for the ride of your life?” Without a warning, he teleported.
The next moment, we were in my library. Kieran let go and dropped onto the
sofa, crossing his long legs, a smile playing on his lips.
    “What’s so funny?” My head reeled, bile
rose in my throat. Teleporting wasn’t my favorite means of transportation
anyway, but weakened from the lack of blood I abhorred its side effects even
more because they played havoc with my body.
    “I’ve never seen you so wound up because of
a girl, that’s all,” Kieran said. “It’s hilarious to watch you make a fool of
yourself.”
    “I’m not wound up,” I roared. I wasn’t, was
I?
    “Whoa, take it easy, bro.” Kieran smirked. “How
much can a mortal handle anyway? Maybe she’s had enough of the whole vampire
stuff. I wouldn’t blame her.”
    Clare nodded. “Maybe she’s with her family.
Let’s face it. We drink blood. We sleep during the day. We’re dead. And worst
of all—we’re dysfunctional.”
    “Not to mention she was almost kidnapped by
a Shadow,” Kieran said. “I bet she’s totally freaked out and headed straight
for the border.”
    “She doesn’t know she’s not safe out there with
that big target on her back,” Clare said.
    They didn’t see Amber like I did. She wouldn’t
just disappear. I shook my head. “No, you don’t understand. I’m positive the
Shadows have her