Children of Poseidon: Rann by Annalisa Carr Read Free Book Online Page A

travel as hand luggage, and stuffed a handful of underwear into it, together with a toothbrush and a half-finished novel to read on the flight. A passport went into her money belt, and her preparations were done.
    Chewing on her smallest finger, she sat on the edge of her bed, unable to decide if she should return to find Rann and Maya and join them for a drink. She didn’t want to have the conversation she saw Rann was heading towards, but she’d rather talk to him with Maya there.
    Maya is right. I am a coward.
    She pushed herself off the bed, momentarily decisive, just as someone knocked on the door. Expecting Maya, she opened it.
    “Jewel.” Rann loomed in the doorway, too close for comfort. He took a step forward, and she moved back into the room. “Maya said she’d sorted out your flights before she left Dar es Salaam. You’ll have to leave tomorrow morning. Early.” He closed the door behind him.
    “Oh.” Jewel stared up at Rann, letting her eyes feast on his perfectly sculpted features.
    She wanted to remember this last view of him. The candlelight cast shadows on his face, emphasizing the sharpness of his cheekbones and the darkness of his eyes. Silky hair fell forward, hiding his face as he looked down at her.
    What did he say about flights? Already booked? Maya must have been confident I’d agree to come back.
    “She told me about the problem with your mother.” He pushed the hair out of his eyes. “Are you sure you want to see her? You don’t have to.”
    “I think I do.” Jewel stepped backwards to sit on the bed. “Otherwise it’s going to be at the back of my mind for the rest of my life. A nagging sore. I would have gone back anyway, but this gives me a good reason.” She ran her hand over the smooth white cotton bedspread. The island had no electricity, the moon hadn’t risen above the house yet, and the only light came from the couple of candles she’d lit earlier. The room felt small and intimate. She glanced up at Rann who towered over her. “I have to confront her if I want to keep any sort of self-respect.”
    He sat down next to her. “Would you like me to come with you?”
    “God, no.” Jewel couldn’t prevent her horrified words. She put her hand over her mouth and closed her eyes.
    He said nothing.
    “I didn’t mean that how it sounded.” The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Rann’s feelings. “It’s just that you’ve done so much for me. You don’t have to fix everything, you know? I’ve got to do this myself. I’m not a child anymore.” How many times do I have to say it?
    “I know.” Rann didn’t sound offended, and Jewel opened her eyes again. “I watched you walking down the beach and realised you’d turned into a woman without me noticing.” He rested the palm of his hand against her cheek. “I know you’re not a child, but I view you as one of my people. It’s my nature to protect what’s mine. I don’t want you getting into a dangerous situation, with no backup.”
    “I’m not yours.” Jewel wanted to punch him. “And I can take care of myself. I lived in London for seventeen years and managed fine.” She resented being referred to in throwaway terms as one of his people. She wanted to be special. “I’m a strange witch you took pity on once. I was a child then. I’m not now.”
    “No.” Rann’s voice softened, but the memory of thunder resonated in it. He stood up and, taking Jewel’s hands, pulled her to her feet. Her eyes flew to meet his gaze. The heat in his expression made her whole body flush with warmth, and her bare toes curled into the rug. Dark, slanting eyes focussed on her face, and a little of his power washed over her, mixed with an easy sensuality. That was Rann all over—easy going, hedonistic and languid on the surface, a reservoir of power hidden underneath. The power rarely appeared, but none of his people forgot it existed.
    His hands slid up her arms to her shoulders then through her loose hair, wrapping it