Read Online Alabaster Nights (The Josie Hawk Chronicles) by Elle J Rossi - Free Book Online
Authors: Elle J Rossi
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Tall men with long black coats blowing in the wind walk in a single-file line. Warlocks. Some of them hold leashes in their hands. On the ends of those leashes are demons. Fantastic. A bunch of bloodthirsty magick worshippers and their hell-spawned dogs.
I flash my eyes toward Keller. He won’t be any help. Not in this condition. He can barely stand, let along fight. Looking back out the window, I count at least twelve heads. I’ve taken on worse. I’m a Huntress and a damn good one. I can do this. Still, it would be nice to have an extra pair of hands. Maybe I can kiss Sir Fang again. The only way that will work is if we’re lip locked through the entire fight. Interesting idea now that I think about it. I shake off the ridiculous thought and begin my preparations.
I shove away from the window and grab a pair of knee-high boots from under a pile of clean clothes. After digging out a pair of mismatched socks, I peel off my sweats and pull on my fighting jeans. They’re already stained. A little dog slobber won’t matter.
“What are you doing?” Keller looks from the window to me and back to the window again. ‘
“Suiting up.” I lace my other steel-toed boot. “How much time?”
Keller narrows his dark eyes. “You’re planning to fight them.”
I strap on two sheaths, one to my right thigh, the other to my left ankle. “How much time?”
“Ten. Maybe fifteen minutes. There are too many and I—”
“I’m not about to let them come in here, gut me like a stuck pick, and drain my blood. Even though my blood won’t do them any good, I’m not gonna lie down and hand it over.” I load the sheaths with two five-inch blades and slide another beneath my waistband. “I’m not made like that, Keller.”
Pacing, hands clasped tightly behind his head, he says, “I need blood.”
“What? Is that a news flash?”
He nails me with an angry glare. “For once your sarcasm isn’t appreciated. I can’t protect you when I’m like this.”
Pulling my hair to the side, I braid it tightly and fasten it with a band. “Don’t need your help. I’ve got this. Why don’t you hole up in the bathroom and I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come—”
Keller disappears. I turn and smack my head against his. “What the hell, Irish?”
“I’m your mate and I will protect you.”
The look in his eyes is frightening. I’m not scared for my safety, but I see something I’ve never seen in him before. Something Sage hinted at once when she spoke about her brother. Keller O’Leary is capable of things I don’t even want to imagine. “We’re not mates.” I think I spoke aloud but I can’t be sure.
“We are.”
That answers that.
He reaches for the door, flicks the lock.
“Where are you going?”
He whirls, teeters, and leans against the door to regain his balance. “I need blood, Josie, and I told you I wouldn’t take it from you unless you willingly gave it to me.” His lilt is strong with anger. He runs a hand through his hair, causing it to stand straight up. “I see that’s not going to happen tonight. I will do whatever I have to do to protect you, whether you think you need me to or not.”
My fingers itch to smooth his hair back in place. “So what? You’re gonna flash your ass to a blood bank and come back all lickety split like to play hero?”
“No,” he says wearily. “I can’t be gone that long. They’ll be here soon. I’ll take what I need from your neighbors.” Keller turns his back to me and opens the door.
Excuse me? Either Keller just fell off the crazy train or my ears aren’t working quite right. No way in hell is that going to happen. My neighbors are citizens of Nashville and, therefore, fall under my protection. He’s more than half starved and the possibility that he’ll be able to stop himself from completely draining his victim is slim to none at best. I sprint across the room and slam the door closed. I wedge myself between Keller and the door, barring
I flash my eyes toward Keller. He won’t be any help. Not in this condition. He can barely stand, let along fight. Looking back out the window, I count at least twelve heads. I’ve taken on worse. I’m a Huntress and a damn good one. I can do this. Still, it would be nice to have an extra pair of hands. Maybe I can kiss Sir Fang again. The only way that will work is if we’re lip locked through the entire fight. Interesting idea now that I think about it. I shake off the ridiculous thought and begin my preparations.
I shove away from the window and grab a pair of knee-high boots from under a pile of clean clothes. After digging out a pair of mismatched socks, I peel off my sweats and pull on my fighting jeans. They’re already stained. A little dog slobber won’t matter.
“What are you doing?” Keller looks from the window to me and back to the window again. ‘
“Suiting up.” I lace my other steel-toed boot. “How much time?”
Keller narrows his dark eyes. “You’re planning to fight them.”
I strap on two sheaths, one to my right thigh, the other to my left ankle. “How much time?”
“Ten. Maybe fifteen minutes. There are too many and I—”
“I’m not about to let them come in here, gut me like a stuck pick, and drain my blood. Even though my blood won’t do them any good, I’m not gonna lie down and hand it over.” I load the sheaths with two five-inch blades and slide another beneath my waistband. “I’m not made like that, Keller.”
Pacing, hands clasped tightly behind his head, he says, “I need blood.”
“What? Is that a news flash?”
He nails me with an angry glare. “For once your sarcasm isn’t appreciated. I can’t protect you when I’m like this.”
Pulling my hair to the side, I braid it tightly and fasten it with a band. “Don’t need your help. I’ve got this. Why don’t you hole up in the bathroom and I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come—”
Keller disappears. I turn and smack my head against his. “What the hell, Irish?”
“I’m your mate and I will protect you.”
The look in his eyes is frightening. I’m not scared for my safety, but I see something I’ve never seen in him before. Something Sage hinted at once when she spoke about her brother. Keller O’Leary is capable of things I don’t even want to imagine. “We’re not mates.” I think I spoke aloud but I can’t be sure.
“We are.”
That answers that.
He reaches for the door, flicks the lock.
“Where are you going?”
He whirls, teeters, and leans against the door to regain his balance. “I need blood, Josie, and I told you I wouldn’t take it from you unless you willingly gave it to me.” His lilt is strong with anger. He runs a hand through his hair, causing it to stand straight up. “I see that’s not going to happen tonight. I will do whatever I have to do to protect you, whether you think you need me to or not.”
My fingers itch to smooth his hair back in place. “So what? You’re gonna flash your ass to a blood bank and come back all lickety split like to play hero?”
“No,” he says wearily. “I can’t be gone that long. They’ll be here soon. I’ll take what I need from your neighbors.” Keller turns his back to me and opens the door.
Excuse me? Either Keller just fell off the crazy train or my ears aren’t working quite right. No way in hell is that going to happen. My neighbors are citizens of Nashville and, therefore, fall under my protection. He’s more than half starved and the possibility that he’ll be able to stop himself from completely draining his victim is slim to none at best. I sprint across the room and slam the door closed. I wedge myself between Keller and the door, barring
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