Dark Descent by Christine Feehan Read Free Book Online Page A

would never harm you.
    “Why would you think I was afraid of you?” Joie demanded. “I’m not in the least afraid. I’m keeping you under control.”
    It may have something to do with the knife you are holding to my throat. Traian said it casually, a soft amusement in his voice, as if the blade pressed so tightly against him didn’t matter in the least.
    And that scared her more than the fact he had just shape-shifted into a predator. She looked down at her arm curved around his neck. The fur was thick and luxurious, and her arm was nearly buried in it. But she could feel the handle of the knife in her hand. She let out her breath and slowly eased the blade away from his throat. “I was just making certain you were paying attention,” she said as she slipped the blade back into the scabbard.
    Traian calmly shifted back into his true form. “Just how many weapons do you carry on you? You seem to be a walking arsenal.”
    “You are a walking arsenal,” Jubal accused. “Joie, how did you get mixed up with him? And it’s obvious you’re talking with him telepathically.”
    Joie burst out laughing. “You sound so accusing, Jubal. I told you I was talking to him telepathically. We all do it. Don’t pretend it’s all that unusual for us.”
    “We have to work at it,” Jubal complained. “You seem to communicate with him effortlessly.”
    “Jubal, we can discuss all this later when we’re far away from here,” Joie said. “That clicking noise is driving me crazy. I don’t like the rhythm; it’s not natural.”
    “I want to get out of here,” Gabrielle said. “Joie, find us a way out.” Her voice trembled, and she sounded very forlorn.
    “We’ll get out, hon,” Joie said with confidence. “If the two macho boys can stop beating their chests long enough”—she blew her brother a kiss—”we’ll figure this out.” The dripping of the water was more insistent. She looked anxiously toward Traian. Something was wrong. He knew it. She knew it.
    “I will take them across and come back for you,” Traian said to Joie. There was no sense in attempting to take his lifemate first. It was clear she would never go without the others, and he didn’t want to waste time arguing. He held out his hand toward Gabrielle. “Come with me.”
    She didn’t look at him, but rather at her sister. “Do you trust him, Joie?”
    Joie looked up at Traian, noting the lines etched in his strong, timeless face. The dark depths of his eyes. Old eyes. Eyes that had seen too much. He was a man who had been alone too long. She was a looking at a warrior. A man of honor. Joie reached out to brush a caress along his jaw with her fingertips. The touch jolted him. Jolted her. Need slammed into him, a driving punch that shook his existence. Heat flooded her body. Electricity arced between them, lightning flashing in their veins. Instant awareness. They smiled at one another in understanding.
    “I would trust him with my life, Gabrielle. More importantly, I would trust him with yours. Please go with him now. I’ve got that bad feeling I always get when we’re in danger.”
    Gabrielle took Traian’s hand, allowed him to draw her to him. They all looked at Jubal.
    “Damn it, Joie, I’m your older brother and the man here,” he muttered, shaking his head, but he went obediently to Traian’s side.
    Traian leaned over to catch Joie’s chin. “I will be back immediately. Do not attempt to engage the enemy.
    They must not get their hands on you.” There was an underlying urgency in his voice. His dark eyes stared into hers. “Be safe, Joie. I need you to be safe.”
    He was taking her family to safety for her, when everything in him demanded he take her first. Joie understood his look immediately, recognized how difficult it was for him to do what was important to her rather than to himself. There was a storm of emotion churning inside him, yet his features remained tranquil. Only his eyes burned with intensity. With possession.