Dream Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 1) by Brenda Trim, Tami Julka Read Free Book Online Page A

the one responsible to pay for so long.”
    The doorbell interrupted. She opened to emerald-green eyes full of mirth and Orlando’s two sidekicks. She wondered at her easy friendship with these men and was forced to acknowledge that some people clicked with you the moment you met. She definitely clicked with these men. Her heart kicked at the sight of Zander. He was even more gorgeous than she remembered.
    She stepped back and invited them in. They each carried bags. She tilted her head curiously. “I thought you said you had news? Looks like you guys are going to a birthday party.”
    They all laughed. “Good one, Chiquita,” Santiago murmured as he hugged her close. It was nice to be so readily accepted, but she had to wonder if they’d do so if they really knew her. If they knew she was a freak who had premonitions of death.
    Zander pulling her into his arms stopped all coherent thought. He smelled utterly male and magnificent. “‘Tis wonderful to see you again, Elsie.” She flushed as he kissed her cheek. His formality struck her as old school. She imagined he was better suited for chain mail and knighthood. The intimate note to his kiss however, had her stepping back out of his reach. She was a married woman and no such intimacy was appropriate.
    Orlando claimed her attention before she gained footing. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders holding out one of the bags in his hand. “Because we know you have no food, El, we brought some grub. We also brought tequila and chick-flicks. We’re going to have a girls’ night.” He air quoted the last, causing laughter to bubble up her throat. It may have still felt odd to be so chummy with them, but they knew how to put her at ease. “I may even let you paint my nails,” Orlando teased.
    Zander shifted a sparkly, silver, gift bag to his other hand, catching her attention. She paused. What girl wasn’t tempted by a shiny gift bag? No, she was more curious about what they had to share. “Start with the news, please.” She braced her nerves with her hands on the back of a kitchen chair. Had they already discovered who or what had killed Dalton? That would be impossible she reminded herself.
    She busied herself with emptying the contents of the bags Orlando and Santiago had brought in while she listened to them update her on the investigation. After reviewing all the evidence, they had found some blood on a pen they believed belonged to the perpetrator. It had useful DNA on it that they compared to a corpse they had found in a dumpster. She sat in stunned silence as she digested the information.
    She hadn’t believed the kid they had found was responsible until they told her about his fake fangs and missing heart. She wondered if vampires didn’t turn to ash when their heart was removed and if the fangs were real. If that was the case, then she had a name for who destroyed her life. Jag. And she couldn’t take any of her anger out on him now. He was dead.
    She grabbed plates and silverware from her kitchen cabinets and set them next to the food. She expected to feel better with the news, but she was left with the same pain and heartache as before. Nothing of her torment had changed. For all these long months she told herself that she would feel better and begin to heal when the culprit was identified and killed. It was devastating to learn that it made no difference and her suffering was never going to end. In fact, it was so much worse because she was now left without the ability to exact vengeance of her own.
    Regardless, she was so thankful they had been assigned to the case. She gained not only answers, but what she suspected were lifelong friends. Life moved on no matter what, so she would too.
    She glanced around and realized that no one was eating and the lighter mood was gone. She wanted it back. She was tired of being sad. “Eat you guys. Put in one of your movies, Orlando. You know, I never would have pegged you for a chick-flick-kinda-guy.” She