Magic Graves by Ilona Andrews, Jeaniene Frost Page B

neck and licking their lips?"
    He was suddenly in front of me, his hand gripping my chin. "What are you really trying to do?" he asked, forcing me to look into his now-glowing eyes.
    Their effect was immediate. I felt drowsy, unconcerned, and talkative even as a part of me screeched in alarm.
    "Can't link to him with all of you watching," I mumbled. "Can't get deep enough in his mind for it to work."
    His eyes brightened until it almost hurt to look into them. "That's all?"
    The words "he sees me, too" hovered on my lips, about to fall and seal my fate. But though I felt like I'd just smoked a pound of weed, I found the strength to say something else.
    "Too scared...with you here."
    That was the truth, but the reasons why remained unspoken. Jackal released me, his gaze still lit up. "You won't call anyone or try to leave this room."
    His words resonated through my mind. I nodded without thinking. He shoved me and I fell back onto the bed, but to my relief, Jackal then headed to the door.
    "You have an hour. Find him again, and more importantly, find where he will be in the future."
    He opened the door, and then paused. Before my next blink, Jackal had ripped the phone cord in two.
    "That's for insurance," he muttered, and finally left.
    I waited a few seconds and then let out the breath I'd been holding. Holy shit, that was close! I had no idea how I'd managed not to spill everything when Jackal turned his Lite-Brite's on me, but I'd count my blessings later.
    They say the devil you know is better than the one you don't. Maybe that was true, but considering what Jackal and the others had planned for me, I was going with Option B. It gave me better odds than trying to fight off four vampires with one puny knife - which Jackal had taken with him, I noticed. Must not want to risk me attempting suicide, although what I was about to do might turn out to be the equivalent of that.
    There wasn't time for me to second guess my decision, so I picked up the charred piece of fabric and Raziel's death washed over me again. As usual, the impressions were fainter, the first touch always producing the most intense experience.
    I pushed past Raziel's tortuous last moments to latch onto the firestarter's essence. What had been a thread before now felt like a rope because of my previous connection, so I grabbed it and pulled with all my might. My dingy surroundings fell away, replaced by a huge room with soaring ceilings, elegant furniture, and tapestries on every wall. It wasn't empty; two men stood in front of a fireplace that was big enough to fit both of them. I saw with relief that one of them was the firestarter, and the other a brawny African American who was shaking his head.
    "Of course I don't think you're joking, but it still doesn't seem possible -"
    "Shhh!" the firestarter hissed. Very slowly, his head turned. When those burnished copper eyes seemed to land on me, I fought my instinct to drop the link and run like hell.
    "Oh, it's too late for you to run," he said coldly.
    The words slammed into me, shocking me. I'd hoped with a little time - and a lot of luck - I could send him specific messages. It never occurred to me that the firestarter could read my mind as soon as I established a link. What kind of creature was he?
    "A dangerous one you shouldn't have trifled with," was his response. "Whoever you are, rest assured that I will find you."
    Fear paralyzed my mind. He was pissed, and I'd seen what he did to people when he looked to be in a good mood.
    His friend glanced around. "Who are you -?"
    "Quiet," the firestarter said. "Leave."
    The brawny man walked out of my sight without another word. The firestarter stayed in front of the enormous hearth, those orange and yellow flames growing as if they longed to reach him through the screen.
    "Quit calling me firestarter, it's insulting. You're spying on me, so you know who I am."
    "I don't," I said aloud, then cursed myself. If Jackal heard me and came to investigate, I might not