Read Online The Calling by Cate Tiernan - Free Book Online Page B

you might fall asleep.”
    â€œAlmost did,” I teased.
    â€œDid you really?” he asked.
    â€œNo,” I admitted, suddenly feeling vulnerable and unsure. It occurred to me again that Hunter had never told me he loved me, though I’d told him I loved him. Was it just a guy thing, not being able to say the words? Or did he not feel the same way? Hunter was honest to a fault, and I was certain that he cared about me. But maybe it wasn’t love, and that’s why he’d never said the words. Could Bree be right about love? Maybe Hunter was about to break my heart and hand it back to me in little pieces.
    Maybe I shouldn’t be here now, I thought, feeling a tickle of panic. Maybe I should just go back to my own bed, not get close to anything I can’t handle.
    Then Hunter turned over my hand and began to gently stroke the underside of my arm. His touch sent shivers of delight racing through me.
    â€œYou were like a vision, you know,” he said, his voice soft and low. “Standing there in the hall in that innocent gown, your hair shining, holding a toothbrush of all things. I just wanted to run away with you.”
    â€œReally?” I whispered. “Where to?”
    â€œI don’t know. Didn’t think it through that far.” He brushed back a strand of hair from my face. “You know, I never had second thoughts about becoming a Seeker. It seemed necessary, fated. But lately…” His voice trailed off on a note of longing.
    â€œLately what?”
    â€œI wish there were a way to take a break from it. I wish I could just steal away with you for a while.”
    My heart was pounding like a drum. I fought desperately to keep things grounded, realistic. “My parents probably wouldn’t be too keen on that idea,” I said.
    â€œRight. Parents,” he said. “They probably wouldn’t approve of this, either.” He bent forward and kissed the side of my neck.
    Chills raced through me. The energy flowing between us felt so strong and right and good. I didn’t want to walk away from it. Not anymore. Gently I lifted his head so that I could put my mouth on his. He wrapped his arms around me.
    At first our kisses were soft, searching, as if we were just getting to know each other. Hunter’s hands slid along my nightgown, caressing my waist, my side. Every inch of my body was alight with desire. Everything in me streamed toward Hunter. I slid my hand under his shirt, felt the smooth skin of his chest over a hard sheath of muscle. Gently he pushed me backward so we were lying on the foldout bed. He pulled back for a moment, and I saw his face in the light from the window, intent as always. But now, this time, he was totally focused on me . His lips came down on mine again, harder now, more urgent.
    Then, without warning, Hunter broke away.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I asked, breathless.
    â€œDon’t you sense him?”
    And then I did. It was Mr. Warren, coming down the hall.
    â€œHe can’t!” I groaned. “It’s not fair.”
    â€œBut he is.” Hunter held me close with one arm. He ran his other hand along my face and kissed me gently. “We’d better call it a night.”
    â€œNo! Can’t we do a spell to make him think he’s dropped his keys and has to go back down to the garage, or—”
    Hunter swatted at me lightly. “You know better. Come on, now. Go give Bree and Robbie some warning.”
    I got up with a groan. I could hear Mr. Warren’s footsteps coming down the hallway. “Okay.” I leaned forward and gave Hunter one last kiss. “To be continued,” I promised.

5
Gifts of the Mage
    July 16, 1981
    We’ve been in Ballynigel less than twenty-four hours, and everything has changed. I know now why I kept dreaming of this place, why I’ve felt drawn back here, as though there were an invisible string connecting it to my heart.
    I first saw Maeve