Read Online Banewolf (Dark Siren Book 2) by Eden Ashley - Free Book Online

sparsely haired bodies. The features of their distorted faces seemed perpetually angry. Troll-ish frames bent and twisted with every movement. As far as ugly went, these guys pretty much took the entire cake.
    The pack halted, but one of them pulled ahead of the rest. Bones crunched and flesh melted as the monster shifted its hide into a human physique. A man rose to stand before Rhane in full nakedness. He immediately recognized the face. It was Ian.
    His red eyes gleamed as he looked at the young girl slumped beneath Rhane’s feet. “You know this offense forfeits her life to me.”
      Rhane held Bellefuron at ready and was careful to keep his eyes still as he counted. “I will defend what is mine.”
    Nine. Tricky but not impossible odds. Ian would have to die first.
    “You would kill me before allowing me to assert vengeance that is lawfully mine,” Ian said as if reading Rhane’s thoughts. “Is this creature truly yours?”
    Ian’s stately poise was an absurd contrast to their surroundings, to the wildness of a kindred’s violent nature, and to the alpha’s stark nudity. Rhane almost laughed out loud. It took some effort, but he remained silent.
    Ian needed less help than York to continue a conversation. “This one is extraordinary. But her presence will make your existence more difficult…and inevitably shorter, if the Primes have their say. Why do you persist in defending her?”
    “You wouldn’t understand.”
    Sadness flickered across Ian’s features. “Perhaps I might. I too loved once.”
    Rhane said nothing. His stance didn’t waver.
    Ian shrugged. “Do you truly understand what it is you fight for? Sirens were not created to love or be loved.” His red eyes hardened. “They are to be possessed. Yet you claim to love her. You even sired an abomination.” He gestured to Kalista and then brought two fingers to rest on his chin as if pondering a deep thought. “Do you love? Or is it a desire for the power she possesses, to command even this rain from the heavens?” Ian’s gaze rolled upward and then glided down to Rhane. “What motivates your obstinacy? Are you truly different from the others?” Ian’s eyes flitted to the left.
    Experience had taught Rhane a hard lesson: what the borderline sociopath didn’t say was far more important than his psychotic babblings. Ian had a special skill for telling without actually saying. He also had a knack for knowing things.
    “What really happened here?” The answer to that question couldn’t make the situation any worse.
    Ian’s lips pulled into a smile. “Ah. I believe your siren has taken the life of one of our brothers.”
    “I didn’t see that happen. I don’t think you did either.”
    The smile vanished. “His blood cries out to us.”
    “That’s not enough.”
    “Then we are at an impasse.”  
    Rhane watched the calculations of the sharp mind with interest, waiting for Ian’s next move. He didn’t have to wait long.
    The kindred’s eerie cheer returned. “Or perhaps not.” He held up a hand to signal the flanking pack. “Would you be disposed to make a trade?”
    “Perhaps.”
    “Then there will be no further blood spilled tonight. Her life will be spared in exchange for a small favor.”
    Crap. Rhane licked his lips. “Define this favor.”
    Ian’s red eyes shone more brightly as he spoke. “I reserve the right to call upon you for one future bidding of my choice. You will do it. In return, you have my word that no kindred will seek to collect the debt created on this night.”
    Rhane was not convinced. “No kindred…what about your human servants or other allies?”
    “No one will threaten her.” Ian frowned slightly. “Your actions speak your love. Is any price too high?”
    With a quick motion intended to communicate a tone of finality, Rhane sheathed Bellefuron. Several kindred were taken off guard at the gesture of good faith, jumping at the sudden movement. Ian’s hand flew up in warning. Their bodies