Found (Book One of the Castle Coven Series): A Witch and Warlock Romance Novel Read Online Free Page A

punish you for what you cannot help,” he said, keeping his voice as gentle as he could. “I told you that I am only here to evaluate you and to learn more about what it is you can do.”
    “To what end?” she asked, frustrated. “Why in the world do you want to know about what I can do? Almost everyone else has been content to make sure that I wasn’t lurking around trying to suck the life out of them. And I’m not.”
    Kieran shook his head.
    “That’s something that will only be revealed to you at a later point. In truth, there is a chance that I am simply going to observe you for a few days, and then leave you right where you are. It is not the intent of the Magus Corps to disrupt your life or to make things difficult for you.”
    “And yours?”
    Her comment caught him by surprise.
    “What do yo mean?”
    “What are your intentions towards me?”
    For a single insane moment, watching her stare him down with all the ferocity and determination of a hunted fox brought to bay, the only thing he could think of to say was to kiss you. That was a dangerous road, and one that would be treacherous to both of them. He shook the thought away, alarmed by his own impulses.
    “My intentions towards you are the same as that of the Magus Corps’” he said stiffly. “Beyond the aims of my mission, my duty is of course to protect you, the way it is to protect all witches and warlocks that live under our rule.”
    She was silent, watching him with those gorgeous green eyes. He could almost hear her thoughts: I will believe that when I see it.
    Kieran nodded, acknowledging her distrust. He knew that in some quarters, the Magus Corps was seen as a necessary evil. Some of the more militant covens, especially those in the most remote parts of Canada and Russia, didn’t even think of them as necessary. He’d had to earn the regard of the people that he was trying to protect more than once. He was unsurprised that it was going to happen again.
    “Will you cooperate?” he asked.
    After a long pause, she nodded. There was still a proud set to her shoulders, however, and he could tell that her agreement was good only so long as she saw him worthy of it.
    “Then that is all I ask from you,” he said. “I will see you at dawn at the practice field tomorrow. Dress warmly.”
    “Yes, Major. Of course, Major.”
    The respect in her voice was overdone, almost syrupy, but he thought she meant it. He stepped aside to let her pass, but as she reached for the door, he couldn’t help calling her name.
    “Hailey.”
    “Yes, Major?”
    Her expression was skeptical, but he couldn’t prevent himself from making one more try.
    “Hailey, I’m not your enemy.”
    For a single moment, he thought he saw something flicker across her expression. He couldn’t read it; it was there and gone.
    Then she nodded, and Kieran thought that there was something there, something that he could build on. Perhaps it was a place where they were not at each other’s throats.
    “Thank you, Major,” she said softly.
    She closed the door behind her gently, and Kieran sighed.
    In a little while, he would have to find Donato and return the man’s office to him. He would have to find sleeping quarters, and he would have to see to getting in contact with his superiors.
    At the moment, however, all he felt was tired, and he wandered to the window, where the bright Alpine sky was deepening to purple. Below him, he could see a handful of Wiccan children playing in the courtyard. Beyond them was the curtain wall that surrounded the monastery, and beyond that were the mountains themselves.
    As he watched, he could hear a single wolf howl, greeting the night and sending a message to those that could hear it. Here I am, that message said. Here I am, and I am alone.
    Kieran smiled a little to himself and turned away. After all, there was a great deal to do.

    • • • • •

    That night, in the tiny room that she called her own, Hailey wasn’t sure what to