Read Online The Healer's Kiss: Book Four of the Forced To Serve Series by Donna McDonald - Free Book Online Page A

body just like her. “Forgive my crew mate. This is Malachi’s first visit to a Guardian level vessel. He’s been a bit nervous and out of sorts since we got here. The Paladin is a bit overwhelming after serving on the Liberator for a long time.”
    “I regret I cannot offer you a tour of the ship,” Seta said politely, attempting to be friendly. “My captain, as you saw, is not pleased with my decision to join your crew. To reduce his consternation, he wishes me to make all haste in departing.”
    “A tour is unnecessary,” Dorian announced. “But we do need to pay a visit to your Medical area and collect a stasis unit that was arranged to be received from your ship. It shouldn’t take long. Do you need to make further preparations to take your leave?”
    “Lieutenant Zade, I must insist you reconsider. . .” Malachi began in earnest, but before he could finish the sentence, he saw Zade’s actions slow and freeze until he stopped moving and speaking.
    As did the female demon host calling herself Seta Trax.
    Malachi stepped away from the two of them who were now standing still as statutes, trying to determine what kind of energy bound them in place and time so completely, but the signature was beyond his experience. Putting out a hand he felt for evidence of the life force in Zade and found it to be normal. He was about to check the female as well when a voice stopped him.

Chapter 5
     
    “ Do not touch her . There is no need, and Seta has an aversion to male touch,” a voice said from the doorway.
    Malachi turned to see an incredibly alluring female dressed in layers of sheer fabric walk quietly into the room. She glided like a professional dancer across the floor to where he stood. It did not escape Malachi’s notice that the new female was almost an exact duplicate of Seta Trax, and yet—not the same. No, not the same at all. Her energy was dramatically different.
    He let his gaze rake over her, trying to determine her origin, which Malachi realized he was being blocked from seeing. Discovering an energy shield he could not penetrate around the second female, Malachi lifted one brow in defiance and glared. “I guess since Zade still lives, that you also would not harm the creature who is a mirror of yourself.”
    “Greetings Malachi, Demon of Synar. I see you have adapted well to a physical form not your own,” Rena said sharply, walking slowly towards him until she stopped a short distance away. “Your habitation of an empty shell is better managed than I imagined. It doesn’t quite suit the size of your energy, but I suppose that matters less than having the organics all to yourself.”
    “How do you know my sacred name? You seem very familiar. Have I tried to kill you before?” Malachi asked, looking her over again.
    “So many questions,” Rena commented with a small, uneasy laugh. “Unfortunately, I am not inclined to answer them today.”
    “Was I wrong about the demon being in Seta Trax? Is it in you instead?” Malachi demanded.
    “No. A demon is indeed in Seta, though she is unaware of the entity that lends her its life,” Rena said calmly. “And she will remain unaware of it. This is my will. Though I am not her demon’s master, the one within her obeys my every intent—as will you.”
    “Sounds very ominous. You exert power over those around you and call it your will. So who are you exactly? Better yet, what are you?” Malachi demanded, letting his eyes glow so much he felt the face of his host body suffuse with heat.
    Rena waved a hand in front of Malachi, smiling kindly as he immediately grabbed his middle and sank to the floor. “You have a very disrespectful tongue, even after almost two millennia in mist form. Will you never learn respect?”
    Malachi’s head spun and his stomach churned from feeling extreme sensations of pain, which he hadn’t felt in a couple millennia. “Normally my torturers can’t wait to give me their names. Am I to guess yours? You are not Rena