Read Online Between Light and Dark by Elissa Wilds - Free Book Online Page A

stop your
whining," the man drawled. The woman exited the car and
hurried toward the store. The fluorescent lighting at the gas
pumps highlighted the ugly bruise on her cheek. Axiom's
jaw clenched.
    Wayne's cell phone rang. Wayne picked it up and handed
it to Axiom after a moment. "It's Fiona. She wants to talk to
you directly. She still sounds hesitant about our visit."
    Axiom motioned toward Laurell. "Keep an eye on her."
Laurell glared her annoyance, but she followed Wayne dutifully toward the restrooms.
    "Yes," Axiom said into the phone.
    "We need to talk about the girl before you get here."
    "What do you wish to discuss?"
    "I need to know what arrangements should be made."
    "Arrangements?"

    "For sleeping."
    "She should reside with me when she ovulates. Until
then she can have her own quarters."
    "Okay," Fiona agreed.
    Axiom went straight to the point. "You could have asked
Wayne about the arrangements. Why did you really wish to
speak with me?"
    "I need some assurance from you that my priests and
priestesses will be safe."
    Axiom ran one hand through his hair. He empathized
with her fear, but the situation was beyond his control.
    "You know I cannot guarantee anything. My powers remain limited while I am in the flesh, but I will do all I can
to ensure the safety of you and your coven." Fiona was
silent. He thought she had hung up the phone, but then he
heard her soft sigh.
    "I apologize for my weakness. I just didn't expect to lose
Anne." Fiona's voice broke as she spoke her sister's name.
    "It is not weakness you display; it is caution. However,
you must remember your own power, Fiona."
    "Yes," she agreed. "The circle is cast about the property.
We'll need to cut a door when you arrive. Call me when
you're close."
    The phone clicked and went silent. Axiom glanced out
the window. Baseball Cap Man climbed from his car.
    "What's taking so long? Stupid woman," the man mumbled to no one in particular and staggered toward the convenience store.
    Axiom watched him disappear inside the store. What was
keeping Wayne and Laurell? Axiom's gut twisted. Something was wrong. He bolted from the car just in time to see
Wayne racing across the parking lot toward him, eyes wide
with panic.
    "She's gone."

     

Laurell's heart slammed against her ribs like a jackhammer
into concrete. She moved quickly through the trees, pushing branches out of her way and glancing behind her every
so often, expecting Wayne or Axiom to be there. The moon
peeked out through an opening in the trees above, bright
enough to illuminate her way across the uneven terrain. She
had no idea where she was going.
    Wayne had followed her to the bathroom, but fortunately
had not insisted on coming inside with her. He hadn't questioned the backpack she carried with her, but she'd had her
menstruation story ready in case.
    Laurell pulled her jacket tighter. The night air had
started to seep through the wool peacoat. When it seemed
she'd been on the move for at least a half hour, she paused
to rest against a towering oak to catch her breath. She
wished she were in better shape.
    A ripple of energy started at the base of her spine and
crawled to her neck. Goose bumps surfaced on her arms. A
moment later, the yearning burst forth, and a wave of need
washed over her. Her limbs went weak. A deep, painful
ache settled between her legs. Her flesh pulsed, and her
womb throbbed.
    Laurell moaned. Her legs shook and protested with every
step. Her mind filled with Axiom and she could think of nothing else but his touch, his scent, his kiss. She slid to
the ground at the base of the huge oak tree.

    There is no other way to find her quickly. Axiom knew this,
yet the moment he released his hold on the yearning and
pushed, forcibly, past Laurell's warding, he regretted it. The
sensations were agonizing.
    "Shit. You're sending a homing beam to the damn Umbrae!" Wayne shouted. As if on cue, Axiom caught a movement out of the corner of his eye.