Read Online Edge of Twilight by MAGGIE SHAYNE - Free Book Online Page A

he’d learned how foolish it wasto care that deeply. All the caring in the world couldn’t prevent death when it came.
    Rhiannon slid a hand over one of Amber’s. “Eric wants me to send all of Stiles’s journals down to him, along with a pint of your blood. He’s working tirelessly to unlock the formula.”
    Amber nodded. “But he has copies of everything.”
    â€œI know. I think he believes there may be something he’s missed, something a copy machine might not have picked up. A special ink, or perhaps some notes in the linings of the books. I don’t know.”
    â€œThen we’ll send them. The blood, as well. But…what if he can’t do it in time?”
    Rhiannon nodded. “I’m working on that. I’m going to find Stiles. And believe me—when I do, he will tell me his secrets.”
    A little shiver rippled through Amber—Edge felt its echo in him. He also felt a rush of excitement. If Stiles’s immortality was the result of a serum made from the young woman’s blood, then the key to his weakness lay within her, as well. Everything the nurse had told him was true. He had to learn the girl’s secrets, even the ones she didn’t yet know herself. He had to learn what could kill her.
    And he had to be around when they located Stiles.
    So he could kill the man.
    He didn’t think the imposing Rhiannon would be willing to take him along on her hunt for the man. But that didn’t matter. Rhiannon wasn’t going to find Stiles, he decided in that moment. Because Stiles was going to come here. Right here.
    He had never had the chance to finish his experiments on the Child of Promise. It must have driven him to madness when she’d escaped. Like Amber Lily herself, Stilesmight not yet know the full range of his powers. He might not even know his vulnerabilities. And that was something he would be burning to know.
    Imagine, being unaware of what—if anything—could kill you.
    No, Stiles was going to come here, because Edge had the perfect bait to bring him here. Amber Lily Bryant.
    Alby.
    He would win her trust. He would learn her secrets. He would put out the word that she was here, and then he would use her to lure the man he hated more than any other.
    And then he would kill Frank Stiles. It would be easy.
    â€œRhiannon,” Amber said softly, as the older woman got to her feet. “You’ll have to be very careful with him. If you kill him, we’ll never learn his secrets.”
    â€œOh, I won’t kill him. I might make him beg me to kill him, but I won’t.” Amber nodded.
    â€œYou’re needed here, Amber. Dante and Morgan are on their way, but Sarafina needs you here. So does Willem. There’s no one for him during the daylight hours. It’s not good, when he’s ill.”
    Amber nodded.
    â€œI’ll take the blood and the journals to Eric myself.”
    â€œMy parents are on their way to him, as well, in hopes they can be of some help.”
    â€œGood. We’ll need all the help we can get.” Rhiannon lowered her head, smiling slightly. “If someone had told me I would one day be so desperate to save the life of a mortal, I’d have laughed in their face,” she said. “And yet, I cannot bear to see that bitch of a vampiress in this much pain.”
    â€œIt’s because she reminds you of yourself,” Amber said.
    â€œPlease, she doesn’t come close to me. I’m the daughter of a pharoah. A princess of Egypt.”
    â€œShe’s tough as nails, arrogant and slightly ruthless.”
    Rhiannon lowered her head. “And yet she’s reduced to…” She cast a glance upward, toward the second floor bedroom. “I can hardly bear to see her this way.”
    â€œI know.” Amber lowered her head. She sighed. “So when do you want to leave?”
    â€œAs soon as Willem returns.” She sighed. “I suppose