Read Online Phoenix Tonic by Shelley Martin - Free Book Online Page A

outright and honest with you. All of those fears can be nullified. You took the tonic and became like a butterfly. You’re something new and beautiful.”
    She scoffed at that, but he continued. “Your uncontrollable power is tied to your emotions, which are a roller coaster right now. What if you could straighten out the tracks of the rollercoaster? It would be one hell of a ride, but without all the peaks and valleys. And your lust can be focused to one individual, greatly reducing your body’s reaction to all males. You and your family’s freedom would be restored. They would get their company back, and you could leave your cage.” He knelt down within arms-reach of her bare body. “You only have to do one thing. Marry me.” He sighed at her blank stare. “As an alternative to death, you could decide to be with me.”
    He waited patiently for her answer, but she only stared motionless at the wall. Maybe she still wasn’t ready for this? Or maybe what had happened with her brother had really been that bad? He decided to give her a moment. “I’m going to go get something to cover you up with and I’ll be right back. Can you stay alive for that amount of time?”
    She rolled her eyes, which actually made him a little happy. A touch of her personality still shined through.
    ~***~
    Why was it Markham never seemed to make sense? Why would he get angry over what she thought about him? And why would he all the sudden act like he cared, and then spout off cryptic marriage-fixes-everything crap?” He must be nuts…
    ~***~
    Kallian peeked his head in. Hailey looked up at him, and away again. Moving slowly, he knelt again in front of her. “How are you doing? You don’t seem to be reacting to me the same as before. You’re not gouging holes in your knees from my proximity. So, that’s got to be at least one good thing. Right?” Glancing at her injuries, he realized her knees had already healed. Only blood stained shins remained.
    She breathed in and out for a moment before answering. “I’m not normal. But I’m not as bad.”
    He gave a quick nod. “That’s probably the best we can expect at this point.” He held out a navy bed sheet and unfolded it. “I know you don’t trust me, but I’m asking you to. I’ll take you out of here on the understanding that you won’t throw another fit until you get back.”
    She sadly stared at the floor. “I waited until I got back in my cage last time. But I don’t have it in me right now. I hate you, but I’ll go with you.”
    He flashed a quick smile of relief and threw the sheet over her form. Finally, some headway.
    Hailey’s muscles tensed as he picked her up, but she didn’t resist. Her warmth radiated through the bed sheet. He moved slowly, listening to her breathing pick up. The tonic still caused her to be affected by him, and that would probably never go away, even with the suppressant in her system. But at least it seemed tolerable for her.
    As they made their way down the deserted hall, her body relaxed. Her head rested against his chest and her breathing slowed. He curled her protectively against him further, but he didn’t dare upset her. Instead he hurried to his destination, and kicked the door closed behind them.
    She remained silent as he placed her on the couch. He backed away to give her as much room as he could, hoping his faith in her wouldn’t fail them. She waited for a moment before removing the sheet from her head.
    Hailey’s face and hair were streaked with black soot. She curled her knees up and looked around in wonderment. The chocolate overstuffed couch swallowed her in its luxuriousness. Dark green drapes framed the windows, with thick mocha carpeting and tan walls. A glass-and-wrought-iron coffee table sat before her, and the light to the bathroom spilled onto the floor.
    “This is my private office,” Kallian said, leaning against a small oak desk. “This room is not insulated. The walls and floor are not titanium. If you lose