Bound by Legend: A Bound Novel by A.D. Trosper Read Free Book Online

people entered below, large window holes gaped like empty eyes at the solid brick wall of the neighboring building across a narrow alley.
    She crossed the floor littered with dirt, leaves and trash. Graffiti covered the walls, scrawled in every possible color of spray paint. Some was fairly artistic, most of it was either swear words in sloppy print or gang signs.
    It was a relief to find the second floor empty. The gang signs put her on edge and twisted an uneasy knot in her stomach. She went to great lengths to avoid people associated with gangs. She had no interest in that lifestyle and here lately they were infested more and more with lower-level demons.
    If the tower had started housing gangs at times, she would have to find somewhere else to seek shelter. Denver was a big city, there were other places. The tower was just closer to the areas she preferred to haunt. In all likelihood, the gangs had tagged it and left. She hadn’t seen any of them here over the winter.
    Taking a seat in one of the sills of the empty windows, she leaned against one edge and propped her feet in front of her, knees bent. She dropped her coats and Lucy’s blanket on the floor beside her so the dog would have something softer to lay on. Watching the rain was soothing so long as she wasn’t getting soaked by it. The wide window sill provided shelter and it helped that the wind came from the other direction.
    Morgan tossed the tuna sandwich to Lucy who had settled on her blanket next to the window. Then she broke the hot dog in half and tossed the larger half to the dog before shoving the remaining portion into her own mouth. She chewed it quickly and swallowed as she pulled a cigarette from the pack. Still a few left. It would last her for a couple more days if she was careful.
    It took her three tries to get her lighter to work. She would have to either find one or steal one soon. Taking a long, deep drag, she leaned back and watched the rain pour down as the air around her subtly shifted. Like her ability to sense demons, she could also sense dark angels. Shit.
    “Morgan Brooks? I’m Lucian Da Costa. I’m your new–”
    “I know what you are.” She glanced at him, raking her gaze over his golden hair, tawny eyes, broad shoulders underneath a black t-shirt, and lean hips encased in blue jeans. He looked like Thor. Gorgeous, like all of them. She turned her attention back to the rain.
    “Then why have you been so determined to avoid me?” He sounded impatient.
    Smiling slightly, she took her time taking another drag off the cigarette. “That’s my business. Shame you couldn’t take the hint.”
    “Damn it, Morgan, you aren’t safe out here. I have a house where you’d be safe. I can help you with the influx of demons that seems to be taking place in this city.”
    Taking another drag, she shot him a dismissive glance. “Go away, Lucian.”
    “Morgan, I can’t leave now that I’ve found you. You know that. And you can’t stay out here like this.”
    She snorted, blowing smoke through her nose. “Since when does a dark angel think he can boss his channel around? You have no control over me. Likewise, I have no control over you. Leave if you want, I don’t need you. Or stand around if you want. Either way, I don’t give a rat’s ass what you do. Just stay out of my way. I don’t need a babysitter.”
    Lucian sighed and ran a hand through his shoulder length hair. He’d never had a channel that acted like this. What was he supposed to do with her? “I’m not a babysitter and you know it. You’ve had a dark angel before. We’re supposed to work as a team.”
    “I’ve tried that, Lucian. It didn’t work out. Like I said, do what you want. Just leave me alone and out of it.” She refused to even entertain the idea of them working as a team.

 

    LUCIAN STARED AT her, completely at a loss. Her brown hair hung in a dirty, tangled mess around her bruised face. Even so, she was beautiful. Something tugged at his heart at