Read Online Dark Flame by Caris Roane - Free Book Online

Brannick any good at this point. She would take him to her home just a couple hundred yards away. Then, God help her, she’d find some way to bring him back from the dead.
    ~ ~ ~
    Brannick’s eyes were open, though he knew they were closed. Weird. From his time dreamgliding with Juliet, he recognized her home. It had a retro feel because of the bamboo furniture. He lay on his side on her couch with his chest bound tight. It was hard to breathe, though he wasn’t even sure he was taking any breaths at all. His heartrate had slowed to a few beats a minute.
    On some level, he knew he was either dead already, or right on the verge.
    He saw Juliet on the patio. She wore a long flowered skirt, backlit with dusky, late afternoon light that revealed the lovely shape of her legs. He could recall during one dreamglide that he’d run the palms of his hands over every curve. He’d kissed the same places, spending a lot of time on her inner thighs until her hips were rocking and she begged for relief. He’d loved working her sex, using his tongue and occasionally his fangs to give her pleasure.
    She returned the favor as well. She was the kind of woman who enjoyed the male body and she’d shown it. She had a special fondness for his shoulders and had spent time sucking and biting them.
    He’d loved his time in the dreamglide with Juliet.
    He called to her now. Juliet?
    Though he tried to reach her several times, she didn’t respond, but remained on the patio, oblivious.
    He realized by the time of day, that he’d been unconscious all through the night after the battle at the canal and through the next day as well. That was a long time to be lingering between life and death.
    Juliet sat down on a patio chair and laid out some birdseed on the tile not far from her feet, and waited. After a minute or so, the increasingly brave sparrows that had lined up on the rail, flew down to feed.
    Why can’t you hear me, Juliet?
    Another woman’s voice floated through his head, a very familiar voice. Because this isn’t her dreamglide. In fact, it’s not a dreamglide at all.
    He shifted slightly, surprised that he could feel the pain of his wound. The ghost of his dead wife, Olivia, sat curled up in the nearby tall, wicker chair. She held one arm balanced on the side. She seemed at peace.
    You look beautiful. Radiant.
    Olivia smiled. I suppose I would.
    She had blond hair that she wore in a twist, and she even had on her favorite pair of turquoise and silver earrings. They were large and dangly with three oval stones each. Her eyes were a lovely blue enhanced by the stones. One brow was raised slightly higher than the other. She’d always looked somewhat amused no matter the subject.
    He asked the logical question. What are you doing here?
    She shrugged and smiled some more. Thought you might need me.
    Can you heal me?
    She shook her head. Sorry, I don’t have those kinds of powers. Wish I did, and I also wish I’d survived the alter serum. When I passed, along with our children, I knew your solitude wouldn’t be good for you. Robert, you were always the kind of man who needed a family. You need one now.
    He snorted, or at least that was the sound he was trying for. Not in this rathole.
    You mean Five Bridges?
    Of course. His gaze shifted involuntarily to Juliet. She stood up from her seat and snapped her fingers. The birds all scattered into the air. He wondered why she’d disturbed them until a yellow-striped cat jumped up on the narrow railing, lithe and ready for a quick meal. He stopped and stared at her then jumped into the patio.
    Juliet smiled as she spoke to the cat. “You’ve ruined my biggest afternoon pleasure.” The cat meowed in response and rubbed up against a nearby plant stand.
    Brann smiled as Juliet sat down once more then patted her lap. “Fine. Then come over here and I’ll give you a pet.”
    Brannick sighed. He knew Juliet had a relationship with her neighbor’s cat. The feline was already purring as it