Between Light and Dark by Elissa Wilds Read Free Book Online Page B

the crystal
ground beneath them shifted.
    Elaine's face turned white and she spun left to right with
jerky movements while scanning the area. "The Umbrae. I
must go."

    "Wait! I didn't get to-" Before Laurell could finish her
sentence, the circle of light that had brought Elaine to the
Astral Plane reappeared and scooped her up within it.
    Laurell hadn't time to reflect further upon her mother's
cryptic message. Above her, a shimmer of black swooped
through the sky. It arched and dove toward her. Laurell's
flesh prickled with fear.
    She jolted up in the bed and into Axiom's arms. He
clasped her tightly against his chest and rubbed soothing
circles against her back until she calmed.
    The dream faded, and she was able to collect herself
enough to pull back from him. He lay sprawled across the
sheets like some dark, sexy dream. His body was tense, brow
furrowed.
    "Why are you in my bed?" Laurell demanded, suddenly
aware the gown she'd worn to bed had come open and her
breasts were nearly exposed to his gaze. She yanked it
closed and pulled the covers to her chin. If he'd noticed
her quick movements, he didn't let on.
    His gaze focused on her face. "You were having a nightmare. You called out in your sleep."
    "Oh. Sorry if I woke you."
    Axiom shifted closer. He wore only a pair of black boxers,
the broad expanse of his chest bare, his long legs stretched
out before him as he reclined on one muscular arm. Even
without the yearning, which she held in check, the look of
him was enough to make her want to throw herself on top of
him and press her naked flesh to his. She had to stop thinking sexy thoughts-she'd only encourage the yearning.
    "Of what were you dreaming?" Axiom asked.
    She sighed as the remnants of the dream tumbled over
her. "Mother."
    "This was not a pleasant dream, I gather."
    Laurell shook her head. "They never are."

    "Do you dream of her often?"
    "More so since she died." She glanced away from him,
trying to hide her expression.
    "Talking about her is upsetting to you. I am sorry."
    She burrowed back down beneath the covers. "I'm just
tired. I didn't sleep well last night."
    She turned her back to him, hoping he'd take the hint,
but he didn't leave the bed. Instead, cool air hit her legs as
he lifted the blanket and crawled beneath. The next thing
she felt was his arm around her waist and his body pressed
against hers, warm and comforting. She tensed.
    "I will lie with you for a while," he said. "You are shivering and in need of comfort. I can warm you."
    He was right: her whole body trembled. Laurell didn't
point out that he could simply light the fire. She sort of
liked having him there, next to her. It had been years since
she and her ex-boyfriend had broken up. Years since she'd
let anyone hold her like this. How had Axiom managed to
break past that barrier twice since they'd met?
    "Besides," Axiom continued, "this is good practice for
warding the yearning. And if we are to mate, we must become more accustomed to one another."
    She bit her lip. She didn't want to start talking about sex
or she might lose her hold on the yearning. A change of
subject was in order. She sat up, disentangling herself from
his arms.
    "Axiom," she said, "tell me what it's like on the other
side."

     

"What is it you wish to know?"
    Laurell shrugged. "For starters, how is my grandmother?
My father?"
    "Did you not just speak with your mother? Did she not
report of their well-being?"
    She frowned. "How could she have? It was just a dream."
A dream that had already lost its urgency, its details drifting away like feathers in the wind.
    "It was much more than a simple dream. It was her first
contact with you as your Liaison."
    "My what?" Laurell chewed a nail.
    "Your mother has requested to be your intermediary between the Earth Realm and the Light Realm. She is to consult with you and guide you. As long as she contacts you in
the astral, she can do so without the Umbrae picking up the
scent