Read Online Awakening the Demon's Queen by Calle J. Brookes - Free Book Online

The wolf’s
face was stormy, but his hands were gentle on her daughter. Kindara
released some of the tension holding her body and relaxed against
the demon once more.
    “ She’s too frail for this.
We should have planned differently.” The demon’s tone was
apologetic and angry. “I’m sorry, pet. We’ll get her to our home
and get her settled soon, I promise.”
    ****
    Rathan made good on that promise; they
reached the compound just minutes after sunset. He still cradled
her in his arms, but now she refused to speak to him. She’d been
stubbornly silent for the last two hours, since he’d refused to put
her down so that she could walk and have some dignity. He’d told
that as his hostage, she had to do what he said. She hadn’t liked
that.
    He sat her on her feet as they hiked up the
long driveway to the six story vacation cabin that housed the
Taniss family during their holidays and vacations. A few lights
were on in the house, signifying that at least one Taniss had
arrived while they were gone. Rathan hoped it was Jason, Rand’s
uncle who’d also become a Lupoiux twenty years earlier. With anyone
else, how were they to explain the presence of two female hostages
dressed in the strange white garb of Dardaptoan royalty?
    Rand entered first, calling out to see who
was present. Rathan stood back with the females, using one hand to
hold the daughter up and the other to restrain his own female. Just
in case.
    Feminine footsteps clattered on the fourth
floor landing, and a blonde head peaked over the railing. The girl
rushed down the stairs. “Rand, Rathan. I thought I was the only one
up here.”
    “ Dammit, Jade! You came up
here alone? Where’s your father?” Rand grabbed the blonde by the
arm and pulled her to face him. “Don’t you know how dangerous it is
right now?”
    “ Who are they? Why are they
so filthy? Did their car break down?” Jade studied the two
Dardaptoan females curiously. “And I just couldn’t stay in Denver.
I kept expecting my sister to walk through the door or Free to
bark.”
    “ Within a week, hopefully
she will.” Rand’s tone had softened. No one stayed angry at Jade
for long, and Rand was no exception.
    “ You’ve found them?”
Hope-filled green eyes stared at Rand and Rathan. “Where? What
happened to them? Can I talk to her, them?”
    “ Slow down. We’re not ready
to get into that.” Rand laughed and kissed her cheek. Rathan saw
his little mate’s eyes widen at the change in the wolf. Had he
treated with no tenderness? It was not like Rand to be
cruel.
    “ Rand, they are asleep
standing. Can this wait until they’ve had a chance to
rest?”
    “ They need baths, too.” Jade
took Kindara’s hand and pulled her away from Rathan. Kindara didn’t
object and that told him more than anything how exhausted she was.
“I’ll show you to the guest suites. They share a bathroom, but
there is a walk-in shower and a separate bath area. It’s
nice.”
    Rathan started to protest, but stopped. How
could he tell sweet, innocent Jade that Kindara was to be put in
his rooms? What would his female say to that? It was better not to
risk it. He’d just wait until the house was quiet for the night,
then carry her to where she belonged. “Kindara...”
    “ Yes?” She looked at him and
he stepped closer, bending down to whisper so Jade could not
hear.
    “ She is Josey’s sister and
very young. Don’t do or say anything that may upset her. And no
feeding from her, either. Please?”
    “ Provided you keep your
bargain.”
    “ I am a demon of honor, pet.
Of course I’ll keep my word.” Until she changed her mind and
released him from his vow--as soon as he could convince her to do
just that. “Take your bath; I’ll bring food to you. You’ll sleep in
a bed this evening, with actual silk sheets and blankets.” His
sheets, his bed, his body keeping her warm through the
night.
    ****
    Kindara followed the young woman through the
ornate cabin that was unlike any home