Read Online Bound by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Nancy Gideon
Ads: Link
Bring back info, not something communicable.”
Hammond wrapped an arm about the younger man’s shoulders. “C’mon, kid. Let’s go pop your cherry. Got any ones on you? Where do you bank?”
A FTER AN HOUR pummeling the speed bag brought no relief from his restlessness, Max took to the pavement. He’d spent a deskbound morning unable to concentrate through the anxious fog clouding his mind. Time to suck in some fresh air and burn off his aggression and fear with a good run.
He took the level path between the streetcar rails that cut through the Garden District, his pace brisk.The sun was warm on his head and, aside from walking tour clusters and hurrying students, he had the just-past-lunch hour to himself. He matched the tempo of his running shoes to his heartbeats and refused to think of anything else. Not easy when he was sure disaster was racing up behind him in the form of a posse led by Alain Babineau.
Breathe. Don’t think.
Gradually he became aware of a matching set of footfalls on the other track. Solid, even, untiring, like his own. He didn’t glance over, letting his senses reach out instead. Nothing unusual. Just another jogger out enjoying the day.
He increased his stride.
And so did the other runner.
It was just the challenge he needed to clear his head.
He took the turn into Audubon Park and, once hidden within the leafy lanes, Max let the beast he’d kept bottled up go. His movements blurred, making him almost invisible to the human eye as he raced beneath the shaded nave of oaks. He heard the shadowing steps right behind him, never faltering.
His breathing quickened from excitement. Another of his kind—had to be. Yet, he picked up no trace, no scent, no sign from this mysterious other who now pursued him. No Shifter that he knew had the ability to mask their presence, to conceal the glimmer of their psyche.
After cornering to the left around a sharp turn, Max came to an abrupt stop and whirled to face his challenger. The other dodged by without breaking stride and sped on. There was no way to identify the figure wearing large dark glasses and a baggy black sweatsuitwith concealing hood. But now Max knew what, if not who, he was dealing with.
His pulse shuddered in alarm and anticipation.
Someone like him—a pureblood, or close to it. A Tracker sent down from the north for a purpose as hidden as his face.
The second Max started after the other Shifter, the agile figure darted off the path. Grinning ferociously at the thought of some rugged competition, Max plunged through the thicket of dazzling fuchsia azaleas, sending petals fluttering in a bright pink rain as he gave chase.
Up steep hills and through thorny hedges that tore his flesh, over impossibly high rock walls and into pretty streams, he pushed himself until his lungs burned and his muscles cramped. Still he couldn’t close the distance between them. He’d never had anyone best him, ever, at anything!
They came to a deep culvert that split the path into a T. Max gathered his strength, certain the shadowy figure would have to slow to make the sharp turn. Instead, without breaking stride, one sneakered foot went up onto the rail edging the gully and pushed off with a fluid motion, clearing the distance of close to twenty feet with a jaw-dropping hang time.
Max would never have attempted such a jump, wouldn’t have thought it possible. But fueled by the competitive chase, he went up and over, concentrating on the other side. Time suspended itself as he stretched in defiance of gravity, to touch down lightly on the opposite rail. He grinned.
Learn something new every day.
His pulse quickened with excitement. This was someone who could teach him about his unknown abilities.Someone who had knowledge and skill, whether friend or foe.
The chase took on new meaning.
They approached two buildings set a sidewalk’s width apart, with a brick wall creating a dead end. Again, Max’s certainty that he had the other Shifter trapped
Hammond wrapped an arm about the younger man’s shoulders. “C’mon, kid. Let’s go pop your cherry. Got any ones on you? Where do you bank?”
A FTER AN HOUR pummeling the speed bag brought no relief from his restlessness, Max took to the pavement. He’d spent a deskbound morning unable to concentrate through the anxious fog clouding his mind. Time to suck in some fresh air and burn off his aggression and fear with a good run.
He took the level path between the streetcar rails that cut through the Garden District, his pace brisk.The sun was warm on his head and, aside from walking tour clusters and hurrying students, he had the just-past-lunch hour to himself. He matched the tempo of his running shoes to his heartbeats and refused to think of anything else. Not easy when he was sure disaster was racing up behind him in the form of a posse led by Alain Babineau.
Breathe. Don’t think.
Gradually he became aware of a matching set of footfalls on the other track. Solid, even, untiring, like his own. He didn’t glance over, letting his senses reach out instead. Nothing unusual. Just another jogger out enjoying the day.
He increased his stride.
And so did the other runner.
It was just the challenge he needed to clear his head.
He took the turn into Audubon Park and, once hidden within the leafy lanes, Max let the beast he’d kept bottled up go. His movements blurred, making him almost invisible to the human eye as he raced beneath the shaded nave of oaks. He heard the shadowing steps right behind him, never faltering.
His breathing quickened from excitement. Another of his kind—had to be. Yet, he picked up no trace, no scent, no sign from this mysterious other who now pursued him. No Shifter that he knew had the ability to mask their presence, to conceal the glimmer of their psyche.
After cornering to the left around a sharp turn, Max came to an abrupt stop and whirled to face his challenger. The other dodged by without breaking stride and sped on. There was no way to identify the figure wearing large dark glasses and a baggy black sweatsuitwith concealing hood. But now Max knew what, if not who, he was dealing with.
His pulse shuddered in alarm and anticipation.
Someone like him—a pureblood, or close to it. A Tracker sent down from the north for a purpose as hidden as his face.
The second Max started after the other Shifter, the agile figure darted off the path. Grinning ferociously at the thought of some rugged competition, Max plunged through the thicket of dazzling fuchsia azaleas, sending petals fluttering in a bright pink rain as he gave chase.
Up steep hills and through thorny hedges that tore his flesh, over impossibly high rock walls and into pretty streams, he pushed himself until his lungs burned and his muscles cramped. Still he couldn’t close the distance between them. He’d never had anyone best him, ever, at anything!
They came to a deep culvert that split the path into a T. Max gathered his strength, certain the shadowy figure would have to slow to make the sharp turn. Instead, without breaking stride, one sneakered foot went up onto the rail edging the gully and pushed off with a fluid motion, clearing the distance of close to twenty feet with a jaw-dropping hang time.
Max would never have attempted such a jump, wouldn’t have thought it possible. But fueled by the competitive chase, he went up and over, concentrating on the other side. Time suspended itself as he stretched in defiance of gravity, to touch down lightly on the opposite rail. He grinned.
Learn something new every day.
His pulse quickened with excitement. This was someone who could teach him about his unknown abilities.Someone who had knowledge and skill, whether friend or foe.
The chase took on new meaning.
They approached two buildings set a sidewalk’s width apart, with a brick wall creating a dead end. Again, Max’s certainty that he had the other Shifter trapped
Similar Books
