Read Online Ravyn's Flight by Patti O'Shea - Free Book Online

chest. His heart was still there, but it wasn’t beating.
    “No!” she howled, unable to contain her despair. “Damon!”
    Ravyn fell to her knees beside the altar, her forehead resting on his shoulder. There was nothing but desolation inside her. The laughter sounded again as the evil one took pleasure in her sorrow. It grew closer, but Ravyn didn’t care. Damon was dead. What did it matter now if she lived?
    She could smell the monster’s fetid breath, but she didn’t move. Instead she put her hand in Damon’s cool hand and waited.
    The killer grabbed her shoulder and Ravyn knew a sudden, absolute fury. The bastard had killed Damon.
    Without warning, she turned and struck out.
    *** *** ***
    Damon woke, instantly alert.
    He remained still, listening for what had roused him. When it came, the source was unexpected. Ravyn whimpered again and moved. She was agitated, but still asleep. A nightmare, he thought. He forced himself not to go to her, to continue listening. When he felt confident the only discordant noise came from her, he relaxed a little.
    Damon had been waiting for the wall she’d built around her emotions to collapse, and it made sense it would happen when her considerable will was relaxed. It was better this way, he knew. The longer she held her grief inside, the harder it would be, and the more time it would take to heal. Another sound came, this one he couldn’t put a name to, but it was heartrending. He didn’t hesitate any longer. He moved to Ravyn, and putting his hand on her shoulder, gently shook her awake.
    She came up swinging.
    He missed catching a fist on the chin only because of his quick reflexes. Grabbing both of her wrists, he said, “You’re safe. I’ve got you. Everything is fine. You’re okay.”
    By the light of the moon, he could see when her eyes cleared and she realized it had only been a dream. “Damon?” she asked and he could swear her voice held joy.
    “It’s me, sweet pea. You’re all right.”
    “Sorry,” she murmured, pulling free and burying her face in her hands. He could see her struggling not to cry, but enormous shudders began convulsing her body and he knew she’d lost the battle. Now and then she would make a snuffling sound or pull in a shaky breath, but otherwise she was quiet.
    Damon shifted uncomfortably. He was never sure what to do when a woman surrendered to tears. It sounded like Ravyn’s heart was breaking and he couldn’t sit by and do nothing. Uncertain, he slid an arm across her shoulders. Her reaction was immediate. She turned into his body, wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his throat. He was nonplussed for a moment, then brought his other arm up to rub circles on her back.
    Her tears felt warm and wet against his skin. She tried to stay as silent as possible, but occasionally she would muffle a sob against his chest. She gripped him tightly, as if she were afraid he would disappear if she didn’t hang on to him with all her strength. Damon felt helpless. There was nothing he could do to take away her pain. No way to go back in time and prevent the carnage, no way to erase her memories. He could only hold her and let her know she wasn’t alone.
    It seemed to take forever before her weeping stopped. She kept her face hidden against him. He could hear the shaky, raspy breathing and feel the tremors that still coursed through her body. He didn’t bother asking what her nightmare was about. He knew. They were in the middle of the damn nightmare.
    This kind of emotional release had to be good for her. Part of Damon longed to join her, to throw back his head and howl. He’d lost his best buddy and five other friends. And he couldn’t. His arms tightened around her briefly before he forced himself to loosen his hold. Until he had Ravyn safe, until they were off this hellish planet he had to be in control.
    “I’m sorry,” Ravyn apologized, still hiding her face.
    He knew she felt embarrassed by her tears, that