Read Online Valiant Heart by Angela Addams - Free Book Online Page B

he knew what she hid from him. He knew there was warmth there. She felt the pull. He could see it in the way her eyes dilated, the way her nostrils flared, like she was sucking up his scent. He took a step closer.
    She took a step back, crossed her arms, shook her head.
    He held her stare for another heartbeat and then sheathed his sword.
    â€œWe’re ready, Ariana.”
    Ariana looked over her shoulder. “Good.”
    She turned and walked to the women who Lance just noticed were seated facing each other, legs crossed, holding hands over a small, smoldering fire. Lance motioned for Kelly to move closer with him for a better look. Kelly gripped his biceps loosely, her eyes alight with curiosity.
    A third woman lifted a small satchel, opened it and dropped a pinch of something into the flame. The flame extinguished, or appeared to, and a plume of smoke rose. Both of the seated women leaned forward, inhaling deeply. The ones standing took a step back.
    â€œDon’t breathe the smoke in, Kelly. You aren’t ready for that yet,” Ariana said as she motioned Kelly away.
    Lance wanted to know what was going on but he kept his mouth shut, the pulse of magic rising up from the two women seated hand in hand enough to make him dizzy. Their chant started softly, a low vibration of sound that sent shivers up his body. Kelly ran her hand from his arm to his hand, gripping it as she no doubt felt the magic as well.
    Just as suddenly as it started, the chanting ended and an eerie silence fell. The forest itself grew quiet, as if blanketed by something. The hairs on Lance’s neck rose, like hackles warning of danger. Power crackled. The women who were seated snapped to attention, eyes suddenly open, vacant but staring into one another’s, lips moving, whispering. It was creepy as all hell.
    â€œStill here. The wolf is still here. Beware, Huntresses, keep watch. Blood sacrifice. She is here, closer to her destiny. Keep watch. Blood sacrifice.”
    And over and over the Huntresses repeated their chant. Their words a frenzy until they collapsed back, hands unlatching on a whoosh of breath.
    â€œWhat the hell was that?” Lance couldn’t help but gape, his eyes wide as he looked from the fallen women to Kelly to Ariana.
    Everyone ignored him. All shuddered as the magic evaporated. Including him.
    â€œThat was a message from the Goddess,” Ariana said. She moved to help the two women rise. “You did well, sisters. The message was clear. Eat something and we’ll get moving shortly.”
    â€œThe message was clear?” Lance frowned, wondering if Ariana had inhaled some of that smoke. “What Goddess?”
    â€œShe means Artemis, Lance,” Kelly said, her tone one of awe. When he glanced at her, he saw that she had tears in her eyes.
    â€œThat’s right, Kelly, the Goddess, our Goddess,” Ariana said smugly.
    â€œYou’re able to communicate with her?” Kelly moved past Lance, practically shoving him out of the way. “What does she tell you? Does she speak to you often? Can I speak to her?”
    Ariana chuckled. “She doesn’t always speak to us, no, but she has taken a bit of an interest in helping you, it seems. She values your gift and wants it strengthened.”
    â€œAnd that was her way of sending a message? You understood that?” Lance scoffed. That these women were in touch with Artemis was hard to swallow. “Are you sure your women weren’t high?”
    Ariana shot him one of the usual death glares but ignored him otherwise, addressing Kelly instead. “When the time is right, we’ll walk you through the ritual. See if she will speak with you directly. For now, though, we got what we need. Your wolf is still in the area. Now all we need to do is track him.”
    Kelly beamed, wiping a few tears from her cheeks. “Wow, so quickly. Thank you.”
    Ariana nodded. “We’ve got some water, protein snacks in the