Circle Of Fire

when she pouted.

'What about the boyfriend?'

Eleanor raised finely sculptured eyebrows. 'What boyfriend?'

Jon nodded towards Hank. 'Aren't you two an item?'

Eleanor's smile was pure seduction. 'Sometimes we are. Sometimes we aren't.'

Hank appeared to be ignoring them, yet Jon sensed the man knew every move he and Eleanor made.

There was some sort of link between the night manager and Eleanor, a tenuous thread of magic that tingled across his skin like electricity. It worried him, and yet at the same time, it told him he was right in suspecting these two.

'So he won't object to us going out?'

Her smile gained a hint of malice. 'Oh, he may object, but I don't really care.'

Her heart is as cold as her touch is warm,he thought. She looked briefly at Hank, her expression disdainful. At that moment, the electricity surged, a brief but potent charge that made the hair on Jon's arms stand on end.

 Hank rose immediately, bumping into the woman on his left and spilling her wine. He muttered an apology then quickly walked from the room. The bell chimed as he left the inn.

Tension surged through Jon. He flexed his shoulders, trying to relax. Something had just happened between Eleanor and Hank, and until he found out what, he'd better be more careful.

She turned, facing him. His gaze was drawn to her ample cleavage. The woman was built, he had to give her that.

'So, what time should we meet?' she continued softly.

He glanced at his watch. It was nearly nine now. The sooner he got this over with, the better. But he wanted to check on Maddie first and make sure she was okay. She'd been a little upset when she'd left the table.

'I'm good any time. You're the one with the meeting, so why don't you decide?'

'This is going to be the shortest business meeting in history. I can't believe my lawyer chose such an ungodly hour.' She ran a nail down his cheek. Though her touch was feather light, it would only take the slightest bit of pressure to slice his skin. Her nails were as sharp as a cat's. 'How does ten sound?'

'Suits me.' He caught her hand, raising it to his lips.

Amusement spun through her eyes. 'Such a gentleman.'

He smiled. 'Only when the room is full of people.'

'Good,' she purred, and rose. 'Because I like a man with a bit of fight in him.'

Most cats did. It seemed to be part of their makeup. He picked up his wine and watched her walk away. He'd better be damn careful tonight, or he'd find himself as dessert in more ways than one.

Maddie bolted the suite door but still didn't feel safer. Hank's warning seemed to echo through the silence and set her teeth on edge. After turning on every light, she checked the bedroom and bathroom for intruders. There was nothing unusual to be found, yet her stomach turned uneasily. Something felt wrong, and it wasn't just her nerves—or her imagination.

She bit her lip and rubbed her arms. The room was cold, despite the fire. She threw more logs on and stirred the coals. Flames leapt, fierce and bright.

Despite the light, the shadows in the far corners of the room seemed to loom threateningly. She shivered and held her hands out to the flames, trying to warm them. The encounter with Hank must have unnerved her more than she'd realized. She was getting jumpy over shadows, for Christ sake.

A floorboard creaked behind her. She whirled, her heart leaping into her throat. Something whisked through the light, a gossamer veil that held no shape.

She swallowed heavily. Fog. It had to be fog. The idiot repairman must have left the bathroom window open this morning, even though she hadn't noticed it when she checked earlier.

Another sheer form spun across the room. She closed her eyes. It was her imagination, nothing more.

Ghosts did not exist.

She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. A phantom floated two feet away from her, staring at her with eyes that held no life.

Maddie tried to scream, but no sound came out. The creature laughed softly. It was a sound that chilled her soul.

'Flee,' it whispered hoarsely. 'Flee, or die.'

She tried to back away from the wraith, but her feet were like ice, refusing to move with any sort of speed. Something lashed across her shoulders. She yelped in pain and spun around. The mocking sound of laughter ran across the room. She touched her shoulder; her fingers came away sticky. Real or not, these creatures could harm her.

More wraiths skimmed through the room. Her back hit a wall and sweat broke across her brow. She licked her lips and closed her eyes again, praying for strength. The pressure was beginning to build deep within her, pressure she feared and could not control.

Oh God, it's happening again.

She clenched her hands, digging her nails into her palms. The pain only intensified the burning deep within.

'Please, just leave me alone,' she whispered. 'I don't want to kill anyone else.'

The wraiths danced and mocked her, paying her words no heed. Something flicked across her face, stinging. She jerked her head away, and felt warmth seep down her cheek.

The heat in the room leapt. A log exploded in the hearth and sparks flew through the room.

The wraiths laughed.

Maddie screamed as the burning broke loose.

Chapter Nine

A scream split the silence. Maddie. Jon knew it was her from the tone and the sudden leap of fear across his senses. He jumped to his feet and ran for the door.

The other guests had risen, getting in his way, slowing him down. He pushed past them roughly, ignoring their indignant mutterings as he took the stairs two at a time.

The suite was locked, and his key wouldn't open the door. Jon swore softly. She must have bolted it.

'Maddie!' he yelled, pounding his fist against the door. 'Open up.'

She didn't answer. Either she couldn't hear him or couldn't get to the door. He thumped the door again then realized the wood was hot to his touch. Burning hot.

Hell.'Maddie!' He stepped back and kicked the lock. The door shuddered under the force of the blow.

He kicked it again. The wood near the lock cracked.

'Need help?' a voice said to his left.

Jon barely glanced the man's way. 'Get everyone out of here,' he said tightly. 'There's a fire in the room.'

The man nodded and began ushering the other guests back down the stairs.

Jon stepped to the side of the door, and grabbed a nearby plant box. He glanced towards the stairs to ensure no one was near, then heaved the heavy planter at the lock. The door exploded inwards, crashing back against the wall.

Heat rushed out at him, not flame. He threw up his arm to protect his face and stepped into the room.

The thick, acrid smell of magic swirled around him. A log had rolled free from the hearth, and flames danced across the carpet, reaching fiery fingers towards the sofa.

He quickly kicked the log back into the fireplace, then stamped out the flames scorching the carpet.

Why was the room so hot? Certainly the small blaze would not have caused such heat…