Read Online Logan's Rattler by A. J. Jarrett - Free Book Online Page B

before something like this happened,” Finn whispered softly to his mate.
    “But it would seem I’m not the only one keeping secrets.”
    Finn didn’t want to split hairs of who was hiding more things from the other, but finding out his mate could read people’s minds was a big shock. And he couldn’t help but wonder if Logan had been able to read his thoughts. Because if so he got a lot of X-rated visuals.
    Finn couldn’t contain his laughter, and Logan began to stir. He slowly opened his eyes, and Finn smiled down at his sleepy mate.
    “You okay, honey?”
    A grin tugged at the corners of Logan’s cheeks, then it was as if a wall fell down and any and all joy at seeing Finn vanished. His mate sat up so fast he knocked heads with Finn.
    “Ouch,” Logan said as he rubbed his forehead while Finn did the same.
    “Are you okay?” Finn asked. “I’ve been told on several occasions I have a very hard head.” He was trying his best to lighten the mood, but it wasn’t helping.
    Logan dropped his hand back to his lap and stared helplessly at Finn. “What’s going on, Finn? Part of me is saying I should be running from you and this house, but I can’t bring myself to get up and walk out the door.”
     
    Logan’s Rattler
    59
    God, he wished they weren’t having this discussion right now.
    “The men living in this house work for the CPB, which stands for the Council of Paranormal Beings. Our division is called the Warriors of the Light. We fight against the evil paranormal beings of the world.
    Kind of like police do in the human world.”
    A long silence passed before Logan nodded his head and spoke.
    “So what you’re telling me is that you fight against made-up creatures you see on TV shows?” Logan spoke slowly as if he was dealing with a crazy person. He also scooted farther away from Finn.
    “It’s true. Trevor is a vampire and so is Quinn. Lawson, he’s a shifter. A lion to be exact. Plus there’s more paranormal beings residing in this house you’ve yet to meet.” Finn inhaled deeply, preparing for more disbelief to come from his mate.
    “I know how this must sound to you, but it’s the truth. What do I stand to gain by lying to you?” Finn didn’t wait for Logan to respond.
    “At one point or another, the men in this house, and for that matter, all vampires and shifters alike, were touched by magic.” He held up a hand when Logan opened his mouth to speak.
    “Let me finish.” He waited for Logan to nod his understanding.
    “Magic is as old as time, and there are some beings that use that magic for evil, and witches prefer the bad over the good. They’re a bunch of cruel, self-righteous assholes who take pleasure in others’
    pain. And I can’t speak for everyone, since they all have their own story to tell, but for me I was turned by a witch who caught me kissing her son. Said I was poisoning him with my unnatural ways.
    When her son ran away from home, she blamed me. Said I was no better than a snake on the ground needing to be skinned. Next thing I know I’m slithering on the ground trying to get away from her.”
    The memories of that day still caused him to have nightmares. His only saving grace was that he was turned into a rattlesnake whose venom was lethal to other paranormals. When the woman went to stab him with a pitchfork, he struck, biting her on the ankle. She died
    60
    AJ Jarrett
    within seconds, and with her his only chance of trying to figure out what he had become.
    “So you think you’re a snake?” Logan’s voice came out shaky.
    “I don’t think, I know. I’m a rattlesnake shifter. That means I can become my second nature, which is a rattlesnake.”
    “Oh.” Logan’s eyes rounded to the size of saucers. Then out of the blue his mate started to laugh uncontrollably. “Right. You almost had me. Vampire? Shifters? Rattlesnakes? Witches?” Logan said between gulps of breath. “Did I fall down the motherfucking rabbit hole, or am I dreaming? Because no way