Were no longer closed. They opened, not an indistinct gray from the colorless lens of the past, but a rich copper shade encircled by rings of evergreen. I would have thought they were beautiful, but at the moment, they looked as though they were staring right into mine.
It unnerved me, but I reminded myself it was only coincidence. No one ever knew it when I used my abilities to establish a link. I could be the world’s biggest voyeur if I wanted, but my most fervent wish was to know less about people, not more -
“Who are you?”
I jumped as though stung. If I hadn’t seen his finely shaped lips move, I would’ve thought I’d imagined the words, but they were real. Coincidence, I reminded myself again. Any second someone would come into my line of vision and I’d see who he was really talking to –
“I’ll ask a second time,” his deep, slightly accented voice said. “Who are you, and how the hell are you inside my head?”
That scared me into dropping the link at once, forcing all of my focus back to the hotel room with my four kidnappers. The ornate bed with its encircling drapes disappeared, replaced by ass-ugly wallpaper and a bed that would probably result in my getting bug bites. I let go of the silver knife as though it burned me, still reeling over what just happened.
“Well?” Jackal asked. “Did you find him?”
“Oh yeah.” My voice was nearly a croak from shock.
“And?” he prodded.
No way was I going to tell him the firestarter had somehow realized he was being been spied on. If Jackal knew that, he’d kill me on the spot so the firestarter couldn’t follow the link back through me to find him. It was possible. If he could feel me in his head, the firestarter could probably hear me, too…
With a flash of inspiration that was more reckless than smart, I knew what I had to do to get free of my kidnappers.
The World of the Night Huntress
More exciting Night Huntress novels by New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author Jeaniene Frost
Halfway to the Grave
Before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, half vampire Cat Crawfield and her sexy mentor, Bones, are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side…and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.
“HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE has breathless action, a roller-coaster plot… and a love story that will leave you screaming for more. I devoured it in a single sitting.” – Ilona Andrews
One Foot in the Grave
Cat Crawfield is now a special agent, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. But when she’s targeted for assassination she turns to her ex, the sexy and dangerous vampire Bones to help her.
“Witty dialogue, a strong heroine, a delicious hero, and enough action to make a reader forget to sleep.” – Melissa Marr
At Grave’s End
Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vampire, Cat is about to learn the true meaning of bad blood – just as she and Bones need to stop a lethal magic from being unleashed. Will Cat be able to fully embrace her vampire instincts to save them all from a fate worse than the grave?
“A can’t put down masterpiece that’s sexy-hot and a thrill-ride on every page. I’m officially addicted to the series. Marry me Bones!” – Gena Showalter
Destined for an Early Grave
They’ve fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it’s time for Cat and Bones to go on a vacation. But Cat is having terrifying dreams of a vampire named Gregor who’s more powerful than Bones… and has ties to her past that even Cat herself doesn’t know about.
“Frost’s dazzling blend of urban fantasy action and passionate relationships make her a true phenomenon.” – Romantic Times Book Review
This Side of the Grave
Cat and Bones have fought for their lives as well as their relationship. Just as they’ve triumphed over the latest battle, Cat’s new and unexpected abilities are making them a target. And help from a dangerous “ally” may prove more treacherous than they’ve ever imagined.
“Cat and Bones are combustible together.” – Charlaine Harris
One Grave at a Time
Cat’s “gift” from New Orleans’s voodoo queen just keeps on giving, and now a personal favor has led to doing battle against a villainous spirit. But how do you send a killer to the grave when he’s already dead?
First Drop of Crimson
Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows and now a demon shapeshifter has marked her as prey. Her survival depends on Spade, and immortal who lusts for a taste of her, but is duty-bound to protect her-even if it means destroying his own kind.
“A passionate and tantalizing tale, filled with dark sensuality and fast-paced action. The lead couple is irresistible – a gutsy heroine to cheer for and a smoldering hero to die for. An unforgettable story!” – Kresley Cole
Eternal Kiss of Darkness
Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling finds herself in a world she’s only imagined in her worst nightmares. At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who Kira braved death to rescue. With danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.
Winner of the 2010 RT Book Reviewer’s Award for Vampire Romance.
Acknowledgments
First, I must thank God, for giving me my twisted sense of imagination and humor. Since I had both as far back as I can remember, I know I can’t blame anyone else.
My deepest appreciation goes to my amazing agent, Rachel Vater, who read a very raw manuscript and said, “This is good. Now make it better.” Without her tireless efforts and encouragement, my novel never would have seen the light of day.
Further gratitude goes to my editor, Erika Tsang, whose incredible enthusiasm and support made it possible for there to be an Acknowledgments page to begin with. Thank you so much, Erika. You made a dream of mine come true.
My heartfelt thanks go out to my family, for being such a big part of my life. Last but most important, I am grateful to my husband, for more things than I have room here to list.
About the Author
JEANIENE FROST lives with her husband and their very spoiled dog in Florida. Although not a vampire herself, she confesses to having pale skin, wearing a lot of black, and sleeping in late whenever possible. And while she can’t see ghosts, she loves to walk through old cemeteries. Jeaniene also loves poetry and animals, but fears children and hates to cook. She is currently at work on her next paranormal novel.
To know more about Jeaniene, please visit her website at www.jeanienefrost.com.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.
By Jeaniene Frost
ONE GRAVE AT A TIME
THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE
ETERNAL KISS OF DARKNESS
FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON
DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE
AT GRAVE'S END
ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE
HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE. Copyright © 2007 by Jeaniene Frost. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Harp
erCollins e-books.
Excerpt from One Foot in the Grave. Copyright © 2008 by Jeaniene Frost
Excerpt from Home for the Holidays. Copyright © 2011 by Jeaniene Frost
Excerpt from Once Burned. Copyright © 2011 by Jeaniene Frost
ePub edition August 2011 ISBN 9780062125682
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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