Dark War Chronicles Box Set One by A. L. Kessler Read Free Book Online

And he wasn’t one to argue with his beast. He approached just in time to see another female take Kass to the back door.
    ‘Does she work for Lucius as well, does she know about his wishes?’ He shook the thoughts from his head and kept weaving through the crowd, determined to get to Kass. Nodding to the other bartender, he made his way out the back door and tried not to make a scene.
    He looked to his left and saw his gorgeous redhead doing some deep breathing routine. Kass’ breath hitched and she hunched over, grasping at her chest.
    “You stupid cat,” she screamed, her eyes widening as she spotted Jax. “No, no you can’t be here, we can’t be seen together.” Her face was coated in a thin shimmer of sweat and when she tried to scoot away she doubled over in pain again.
    Jax went to her. Laying a hand on her shoulder, he tried not to jerk as a shock went through him. His beast stirred, curious as to what was bothering the female. Jax took a breath and calmed, coaxing his beast into staying inside. “Your beast?”
    “Can’t control it.” She scrubbed at her face as she calmed. “What did you do?”
    “My touch calms you because our beasts call out to each other.”
    She jerked away from him but doubled over again. “Not possible.”
    Jax grabbed her arm and slammed her up against the wall, crushing his lips to hers. He forced her lips apart with his tongue and coaxed her to return the kiss. With a swirl of grace, Kass quit pushing against him and wrapped a hand around his neck, holding him to her.
    When he pulled back she was trying to catch her breath. “What the hell, she liked that. She never likes being pushed.”
    “She wants my beast.” He laughed and nuzzled her neck. “Lucius is going to have a hell of a time keeping us apart.” He felt her tense under him and her scent changed to fear. He cocked his head at her. “You fear him, but your panther respects him. There are two different emotions going on in you.”
    “Welcome to the ongoing battle.” She whispered. “Until I admit that he is my master and I am his killer, I will be separate from the panther. Two different halves, one soul, two forms. It’s like being a new shifter all over again. I hate it.” She fisted her hands in his shirt.
    He brushed a hand down her cheek, backing away so she wasn’t up against the wall. “How long?”
    “Two years.” She closed her eyes. “I’m not happy about it either, but it’s better than-“ She shook her head. “I can’t tell you this. I have to go.” Kass let go of him and tried to move pass him, but he caught her with an arm around her waist.
    “Kass, don’t fight this. You don’t need another battle in your life.” He whispered against her ear and rubbed his cheek against her. “Lucius isn’t your master.”
    She took a deep breath to speak, but a female voice cut her off.
    “Yes, he is, and he’s here for closing.” She crossed her arms over her slender stomach and raised a brow at the two. “Kassity, come on. I’m not cleaning up alone.”
    Kass pulled away from Jax and started towards the door. “Thanks for the heads up, Mae.” She walked back into the bar, but Mae stayed in the doorway, her eyes on Jax.
    “You need something, vampire?” He growled.
    She shrugged. “No, just trying to protect her. I’ve seen what Lucius does to her, now I’m trying to imagine what the punishment is for disobeying him. You’re right, Kass doesn’t need any more battles in her life. So stay away, okay kitty? I’d hate to see her dead.”
    “You think Lucius would kill her?”
    The vampire’s eyes flashed black for a moment and she bared her fangs at him. “I know he will, I’ve seen it first hand.” She walked back into the bar, letting the door slam shut behind her.
    Kass watched as Lucius locked up for the night and turned to her and Mae. “Finish cleaning, I have matters that need to be attended to. Back on the property by dawn.” He disappeared, leaving the women