Read Online Captive's Kiss by Sharon Kay - Free Book Online Page A

across his knuckle as she stared at their joined hands, then looked back up at him. “Thank you.”
    He gazed at her, absorbing the trust and relief that rolled off her. But also fear. Her nightmare wouldn’t be over until they got her brother out. And why had no one reported the two of them missing? “What about your family? Parents?”
    “They’re gone.” Her eyes dropped to a point beyond his shoulder, unfocused. “They were killed when Elegia’s forces swamped our village six months ago.”
    Tanner cursed. That goddamn bitch. Even in death, her maniacal quest for power still carried fallout for the innocent. Her armies had risen up and attacked multiple areas of the realm, all at the same time. Arawn’s forces had been able to help some regions, but hadn’t been able to avoid destruction completely. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Me too.” She took a deep breath and her slender shoulders sagged further. “The village was destroyed. Logan and I had gone to another town for the day, to sell some of our family’s baked goods in a big market. When word hit that the realm was under attack, we got home as fast as we could, but we were too late. Everything was gone. Burned. We’ve been on our own ever since.”
    He squeezed her closer to him. “I wish I had been there that day to fight for your family. No one deserves to go through that.”
    She released a shaky sigh. “I miss them.”
    “Of course you do. But you don’t have to be on your own anymore. With your ability, you’d be welcome to live at Watcher HQ. Your brother too. You can train with the Elders or witches, whomever can help you control it.” And be with me.
    What the hell? Stay with me. His brain was stuck on an insistent repeat that made no sense. The need to keep her close, know she was safe, and learn everything about her, roared to brilliant, primal life.
    Tanner stared at the cluster of bangles on her wrist. He’d never felt this way about a female before. What was going on? A hero complex? No, he’d helped dozens of creatures in less than fortunate situations, and hadn’t felt the pull to protect. Not like this.
    “Live there?” Her voice cut into his thoughts. “I don’t know.”
    “That’s okay.” He shook his head, remembering her trepidation over her actions, coerced or not. Her emotion was real and palpable to him. “You don’t have to decide anything right now. All we need to do is get your brother out of there.”
    “Oh no. What time is it?” Panic infused her voice as she glanced at her watch. “I have to get back.” She scooted off him and got to her feet.
    He leaped up beside her. “You’re not going back into that hellhole.”
    “I have to.” Brown eyes went wide with certainty. “They’ll hurt Logan if I’m late. Or if I don’t have someone with me when I return.” Her breathing sped up. ”They may be waiting outside right now.” She gestured to the library wall.
    “Let me call my team.” He pulled out his phone.
    “You can’t make that call in here. The wards?” She flicked a glance to the ceiling. “No intent to harm, even if it’s to harm bad guys.”
    “Shit. I’ll call as soon as we get outside.”
    She took his hand and pulled him toward the door of the rare book room, then through the rest of the beautiful old library. Reaching the front, they stepped out onto the stone…and she froze.
    Tanner’s skin prickled. He drew a breath, scenting what she’d already seen. Three Vipers lurked in the trees along the stone path.
    “They’re here. It’s them.” She turned to him. “”I’m in huge trouble.”
    “Time for Plan B,” he muttered, and started dialing.
    “What are you doing?” she hissed through clenched teeth.
    “All the missing Lash males made a phone call saying they had something to do and they’d be back.” Tanner dropped his voice to a barely audible level, aware of both Saige’s hearing ability and that of the predators thirty feet away. That should be far enough to