Descending (The Rising Series) by Holly Kelly Read Free Book Online Page A

doing it again.”
    “If you want to win me over so badly,” Kyros said, “why don’t you just sing a few lines? Use your mermaid charm, like you did on Xanthus.”
    “You think I…?”
    Kyros pursed his lips. He knew he should stop talking. He was pushing his luck. She may just decide to take him up on his suggestion, but he couldn’t stop himself from voicing his suspicions. They’d been festering and tormenting him since the moment he’d heard his best friend had married a mermaid.
    “I would never do that to Xanthus.”
    “Right.”
    “I wouldn’t! And even if I wanted to—which I don’t—I couldn’t. My father made him immune to my voice. Besides, the compulsion only works while I’m singing. And you haven’t noticed me singing around here, have you?”
    “It only works while you’re singing?”
    “Of course.”
    “But that’s not right. The power lingers much longer.”
    “And how would you know?”
    “I know.”
    “Right, because you’ve met a mermaid before,” she said sarcastically. “ Well, I happen to be a mermaid, and I think you’re full of it.”
    Kyros clenched his fist s. He’d never before hit a female, but right now, the temptation nearly overwhelmed him. Yeah, and the way Xanthus worshiped Sara, Kyros would probably find himself at the mercy of Triton the moment Xanthus saw a mark on her.
    The doorbell rang, and the house fell silent. Kyros listened closely. No one moved, no one spoke, he doubted anyone even breathed—well, except for Sara.
    “Isn’t anyone going to get that?” she asked.
    Kyros looked at her incredulously.
    “What? Thanks to my father, you all speak English now. You are all perfectly capable of answering the door.”
    “ Oh, forget it.” She moved to step from the room, and Kyros put his arm out and braced it against the doorframe, stopping her. “Sara, one of us needs to answer it.”
    “Oh, good grief. It’s probably only a salesman.”
    The bell rang again.
    “Listen,” Sara said, “it’s rude to leave someone standing on the doorstep this long. Why don’t you just come with me, and you can guard me while I answer the door.”
    Kyros sighed and gave a nod . “Okay, but I go first.”
    “Fine, let’s go.”
    Kyros opened the door to find a human standing on the front step. He guessed it shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Who did he think would be there? A Dagonian in a giant fish bowl? But what he didn’t expect… this human was attractive. Not in a classic sense. She wouldn’t be causing any frenzy, but her appeal was undeniable. She had brown, wavy hair cut just below the shoulders. And her eyes… big, brown, beautiful—and open wide. Was she afraid of him?
    She shook her head, blinking. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to gawk. I’m just surprised at how tall you are. You must be a relative of Xanthus. Are all the men in Xanthus’s family so tall?”
    She didn’t sound afraid.
    “Who are you?” he asked, avoiding her question.
    “I’m Gretchen, Sara’s best friend.”
    He looked back. Sara was gone. Good. Sara couldn’t be seen out of her wheelchair by anyone who knew her. How could she have explained her miraculous recovery?
    “Can you tell her I’m here?” The human grinned sweetly.
    Kyros nearly returned her charming smile. Instead, he scowled. This was a human. He couldn’t forget that. He couldn’t let his guard down.
    “I’ll see if she’s here.” He shut the door, leaving her on the step, and turned back. Sara raced in, wheeling through the hall, a blanket wrapped around her lower body.
    “Why did you shut the door?” she asked.
    “I was coming to get you,” he said.
    “It’s rude to close the door in someone’s face while they are standing on your doorstep.”
    Kyros shook his head. “I’m not here to play nice with the humans. I’m here to keep you safe.”
    Sara glared at him. “You need to play nice with this human. She’s my best friend.
    Sara opened the door, and her face immediately lit