Dying Wish: A Novel of the Sentinel Wars by Shannon K. Butcher Read Free Book Online Page A

dirty, matted clumps, and styled it so that it curled around her jaw. A pale scar bisected her left eyebrow, and he found himself wondering how she’d been injured. Had it been some childhood accident, or had that been done to her during her captivity?
    A slow, feral rage expanded beneath his ribs at the thought of her being hurt. The monster inside of him rumbled in warning, rattling the bars of its cage as if testing for weakness. Iain tightened his control on the beast and pushed thoughts of her injury aside before he lost control. With an audience like this, there could be no mistakes.
    Instead, he focused on her mouth, which she’d colored the same deep red as her suit. Her lips were full, the bottom one wavering the slightest bit in trepidation.
    “What are you staring at?” she asked.
    “Nothing. Just committing this moment to memory,” he lied.
    Before he could raise any suspicion, he drew his sword, knelt in front of her, and cut himself. “My life for yours, Jackie.”
    She stumbled, but Helen held her up. Iain waited until the weight of his vow evaporated before he rose to his feet and left the stage without looking back.
    As he made his way to the back of the room, he saw dozens of faces staring up at her. So much hope. Hedidn’t know why they bothered when they knew that all but one of them were going to be disappointed.
    “Take your time,” he heard Helen say to Jackie.
    He wanted to slip out, but that was too risky. He’d have to explain why he was willing to walk out on the best chance of living any of them currently had. It was better not to draw attention to himself. Pretend he cared. Pretend he had hope.
    “I don’t need any time,” said Jackie. “I just want to get this over with.”
    “Okay. I understand. Which man do you choose?” asked Helen.
    Iain swore he could hear the men draw in their breaths in anticipation.
    He settled in his seat as Jackie’s wavering voice filled the auditorium. “I want Iain.”

Chapter 4
     
    J ackie tried to still the panic rioting inside of her. What the hell was she thinking picking the coldest man of the bunch?
    At least she wouldn’t let him down. Everyone else had looked at her with such hope. She knew she’d crush their spirits. But not Iain. He had simply looked at her, accepting of whatever she decided. There was no hidden agenda in his gaze, no dreams for her to destroy. He was the only man here who wasn’t asking something from her that she knew she could never give.
    The room fell silent at her announcement, then exploded into shock, anger, and disbelief.
    “That’s it,” shouted Helen over the noise. “It’s done. Clear the room.”
    Iain hadn’t moved from his seat. He hadn’t so much as flinched. He continued to stare at her with those calm, black eyes that registered no emotion.
    Finally, he stood. Her panic deepened. She was crazy to do this. Certifiably insane.
    He took a step toward her, and she bolted, like a scared little rabbit. She pushed through the crowd to the nearest door, ignoring the frantic buzzing of her skin as she accidentally touched the men, and ran through the hall to her suite.
    Jackie scurried inside, slammed the door, and thenleaned against the wood, panting. Her heart was racing so fast, she could barely hear. The wood at her back vibrated with a loud banging.
    Her heart lodged in her throat again, stealing away what little calm she’d managed to regain.
    “Open up,” said Iain. “We need to talk.”
    “Later,” she called through the door.
    “No. Now.”
    He was right. The longer she put this off, the worse it was going to be. She was already shaking and numb from suffering through that ceremony. Best to get it over with now.
    She opened the door and moved away from it as if it were on fire. Iain stalked inside, shutting and locking it behind him.
    “What the hell was that?” he demanded. His mouth was drawn tight, and his body shook with anger.
    She’d seen that look before. It was the same one