Scorched Heart (The Firebrand Series Book 4) by Helen Harper (read books for money TXT) 📕

‘You’re in no fit state to go anywhere.’

‘I’m fine,’ he dismissed.

‘You look half dead.’

‘I’m a vampire.’

‘That’s no excuse. You need to rest.’

He glared at me. ‘We need to hear what she knows – and what she’s done.’ He waved his hands, as much to indicate that he felt fine as to emphasise his point. ‘This woman knows about you and she knows about your parents. We’re going to talk to her now. We need to hear this.’

‘We?’ I asked softly.

Lukas’s expression was serious. ‘We’re in this together. You’re not alone any more, Emma. Your fight is mine.’

I watched him for a moment or two. ‘Okay,’ I said finally. ‘Let’s go.’

We took Lukas’s car to Miranda James’s house. I reckoned that Albion would have already left for school, but I was still slightly nervous that he would be home. Given his reaction to me, it was definitely for the best if I avoided him. When the front door opened and Miranda peered out, her face smiling, I relaxed slightly.

‘I was expecting you earlier,’ she told me. Then her gaze drifted to Lukas. She jerked. ‘You’re a vampire.’

In his blood-red ruffled shirt and tight black trousers Lukas looked about as out of place in a village like Barchapel as it was possible to be. He bowed towards Miranda, although his expression remained cool. ‘Lord Lukas Horvath,’ he said.

She blinked at him. ‘Are you alright? You don’t seem particularly well.’

‘I am very well, thank you.’

Her brow furrowed but she apparently decided not to push it. That was probably wise. I sneaked a look at Lukas. He was still far too pale and he was holding himself stiffly; he was in more pain than he was letting on.

‘I hope you don’t mind having Lukas here as well,’ I said, watching Miranda carefully. ‘I want him with me. He can be trusted.’

Miranda gazed at him. ‘I’ve heard of this man. I don’t care who he is or what title he holds, what I have to say I only say to you.’

Lukas took a step forward. I tensed, concerned that he would try his vampiric calming technique on Miranda. I doubted that would go down well. Instead, he met her gaze head on and spoke softly. It was like a steel hand cloaked in velvet. ‘What Emma says is true. Under normal circumstances, you would be wise not to trust me. I am a vampire and I look out for the interests of me and my own kind. But things are different where Emma is concerned. I will wait out here, if that is truly what you wish, but I assure you that anything you say concerning Emma’s past or her heritage will not pass my lips. Her life is mine.’

I blinked. Her life is mine? What did that even mean?

Miranda reached across and her fingers lightly touched the back of Lukas’s hand. She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled, then she opened her eyes again.

‘I see,’ she said quietly. She looked at me again. ‘You are fortunate indeed.’ She dropped her hand. ‘If he is going to hear this, I expect a vow of silence from both of you. To be honest, Emma, if you were anyone else I wouldn’t tell this story. But I think you need to hear it. It’s time it was told.’

I was confused about what had passed between her and Lukas, but now wasn’t the time to question it. Instead, I gazed at her clear expression. It went beyond all my morals as a detective to keep information to myself but this was about me, not my job. ‘I won’t say anything to anyone,’ I agreed.

‘You have my word also,’ Lukas murmured. ‘I will keep your secrets.’

‘They’re not my secrets.’ Miranda pointed at me. ‘They are hers.’

A shiver ran through me. I didn’t make any attempt to suppress it. This was what I’d come to Barchapel for. I was finally – hopefully – going to get the answers I craved.

‘If you feel more comfortable,’ Lukas suggested, ‘we can talk somewhere more neutral. I understand if vampires make you nervous.’

Miranda laughed briefly. ‘I’m not nervous and I’m not afraid of you. I’m perfectly comfortable.’ She stepped back and gestured inside. ‘I have no problems with a vampire inside my home.’

‘You might not have,’ I said, remaining where I was, ‘but your son might. He came to see me last night.’

‘Albion did?’ She grimaced. ‘He must have sneaked out. I’m sure I wasn’t this much trouble when I was a teenager.’

‘There’s a killer loose in Barchapel. He really shouldn’t be out on his own, especially at night.’

‘Yes.’ Miranda dropped her eyes. ‘I heard about Julie Mackintosh. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why someone would want to kill her.’

‘Something about this village seems to invite horrific murders,’ Lukas said.

Miranda looked sad. ‘Yes. I suppose it does.’

We walked inside, passing underneath Boris the spider and his elaborate web, and sat in the kitchen. There was no sign of the crow, which oddly disappointed me. Rather than remark on the bird’s absence, I drew out my phone and made a show of starting to record before placing it on the table between us.

Miranda only smiled. ‘Nettle tea?’ she enquired.

‘No, thank you.’

‘Blood?’

Lukas raised an eyebrow. Miranda shrugged. ‘I’ve often wondered what it would feel like to be supped on. And you look as if you could do with some sustenance.’

‘Maybe we should get to the interview,’ I said hastily. ‘I want to pick up where we left off yesterday.’

‘Fine by me.’ She leaned back in her chair. ‘Go ahead.’

‘Why doesn’t Albion want me to talk to you?’

I could tell it wasn’t the question she’d been expecting, and I was glad that I’d thrown her slightly off balance. ‘He likes to think he’s protecting me,’ she said quietly. ‘But that boy worries too much.’

‘He mentioned an illness.’

Miranda scowled. ‘My health is not what it used to be, but I’m perfectly fine.’

‘Miranda—’

She sighed. ‘Alright already.