Read Online 5 - Together To Join by Jackie Ivie - Free Book Online Page A

button. There’s one near every door. It connects with my staff.”
    “You have a staff?” Jesus. He could be in a nest of vampires. He’d have to rig up a cross or something.
     “I really need to go. Akron does not like to be kept waiting.”
    Akron? The head vampire? She was in contact with the CEO of the Vampire Assassin League? Garrick had never been so close, and if he stayed near her, he’d get even closer. Maybe close enough to get in a one-in-a-million shot. He blinked a couple of times while he considered it, searching out the wall buttons she’d spoken of, while avoiding everything to do with her.
    Akron was so near. It was almost enough to abort his escape plans. Almost.

 
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
    “You took your time answering. And a bust line like that doesn’t need that much effort.”
    Angelique tipped the screen six degrees upward. It was the optimal position for viewing and got any watching eyes on her face. Of course there wouldn’t be any. Akron never got in view of a camera, even their specially filtered ones that could find and define a vampire’s electrical field. He was also fishing. She wore a high-necked lace-edged Victorian blouse. And it was fully buttoned. Fully.
    “You’ll need to forgive me. I had to prepare.”
    “Trouble up there?”
    “Why would you think that?”
    “I got a report from Nigel. He took more than three days to deliver it. I don’t suppose you asked him to stall for time?”
    “No.”
    “Good. Then he can reap the punishment.”
    “But, why? Last I saw he was leading hunters away from my position. Why should that gain punishment?”
    “He left you. Injured. Alex dead. And in a precarious position.”
    “I can handle myself.”
    “You’re a babe in the woods, Angel. Always have been. Killing makes you shudder. No matter how many years pass, and how much fluid you drain. It’s that upbringing of yours. That’s why I pair you with another operative. Always.”
    “Nigel saved me.”
    He cleared his throat. “Forget Nigel. He’s fine. Spending some time learning from The Crusader, and then I’m testing him again. Besides, Nigel’s desertion is not why I called.”
    “No?”
    “I was worried.”
    “You? Worried?”
    “Why don’t we just cut the chatter and you tell me what I need to know.”
    “I don’t…know what that is.” She still had trouble lying. Maybe he wouldn’t spot the hesitation.
    “The minor detail we’re leaving out here.”
    “Detail?”
    “Where is he?”
    “Who?” She was getting better at lying. Maybe. There wasn’t a hint of hesitation, although the word was slightly higher pitched than normal.
    “I’m already debating sending a 4-D Team up there, Angel. Don’t play me. Where is your hunter?”
    “He’s not a hunter. He’s my mate.”
    “Nigel told me and I’m still not buying it. My little angel claiming that murderer? Even owning for the law of opposite attraction, it’s out of the range of consideration. The man’s their best killer. He loves taking out women. And mated pairs. Has two pair kills to his credit already. You getting this?”
    “I think it’s three. He had three patches, anyway.”
    “Angel!”
    “He’s my mate, Akron. It wasn’t like I wanted it. Not then, anyway.” Her voice went dreamy as she remembered. Tingled. And then swallowed.
    “That better not sound like I think it sounds. I’ll personally take him out.”
    “You’d do that to me?”
    “Somebody’s got to save you.”
    “There’s no saving about this. There’s no changing it. There’s no altering it. You’re the one that told me about mates. How…when I found the being fated to be with me, I’d just know. I’d be complete. My entire soul would awaken to the ecstasy only mates can provide. It would be the closest thing to paradise imaginable. And it is.”
    “He’ll kill you, Angel. It’s in his DNA.”
    “He already tried. He can’t. We’re mates, Akron. I swear it. You always told me how it would feel, and