Earth's Blood (Earth Reclaimed) by Ann Gimpel Read Free Book Online Page B

through it.
    “Sorry, Rune.” She reached a hand to the wolf. “I’m pretty tapped out. Let me try that one again.”
    The next ward was better. Not good enough for her to risk falling asleep, but… A crash sounded from above her. Then another, louder one. Something shattered. Rune’s hackles rose along his spine. His lips drew back in a snarl.
    What the fuck is happening up there? A couple of weeks ago, she’d attempted to unravel the spell binding the two creatures in their caskets. Later, she’d realized it was fortunate she’d failed. Gwydion had figured out the couple were brother and sister, as well as Marta’s parents. Product of some macabre science experiment, they were human-Lemurian hybrids. Where they’d embraced Lemurian culture and were allied with the Old Ones, Marta had taken the opposite track. She’d been the one who’d ensorcelled her parents. Her journals suggested she hadn’t killed them outright because they were guardians of the gates between the worlds. Gates that had gotten kicked open the night Aislinn’s father was murdered high in the Bolivian Andes. If they closed, there might not be a way for the dark gods to return to their realms.
    Aislinn shivered. The dark gods were so beautiful—and so sensual—they were nearly impossible to resist. She’d injured one of them, maybe even killed him, though Fionn and the other Celts thought otherwise. Unfortunately, her success meant they’d lost the element of surprise. The five other dark gods would be far more difficult to catch off guard. Hell, if what Fionn sensed under Taltos is accurate, they’re not even bothering to wait for us to attack. They’re coming after us.
    Another crash. More breaking glass. A shout from Gwydion. Fear blasted through Aislinn, souring her stomach. She tasted bile in the back of her throat, but the adrenaline rush was welcome. It perked her up enough that she stopped feeling like an extra from Night of the Living Dead. She dropped the towel and robe to the floor and bent to rummage in Marta’s dressers for something to wear. She couldn’t bear the thought of putting her Taltos clothes back on. They still stank of reptile. Under the Old Ones’ layers of illusion to make them look human, they were nothing but large reptilian-esque creatures. They could marshal magic to alter their appearance, but not their smell.
    Aislinn slipped into black sweatpants and a black sweatshirt. A thick pair of red woolen socks provided a buffer between her feet and all the holes in her boots. She made a knot out of her long, wet hair to keep it out of her face and let the ends trail down her back.
    The racket upstairs hadn’t abated.
    Aislinn stared at the door and muttered, “Should I?” Fionn obviously expected her to wait for him.
    “What about all that talk between you two?” Rune asked.
    “Huh?” She wrenched her concentration away from what sounded like heavyweights duking it out at Madison Square Garden.
    The wolf padded over and shoved his head under her hand. “Remember? When you told him you wanted to be equal and all that.”
    “You eavesdropped.”
    The wolf made a snorting sound that could have been laughter. “You were right next to me. I have excellent hearing, so I did not need to eavesdrop . Besides, there are no secrets between bond mates.”
    He’s right. I took a stand with Fionn about being included in everything, and here I am, hiding behind a door.
    “Glad you see it that way.” If the wolf could have smirked, he would have.
    “Awk. Get out of my head.”
    A spate of desperate-sounding Gaelic rang out. She understood the language from her Irish mother. Fionn and Gwydion were losing ground. She turned to Rune. “Okay. We’re going up there. You will do exactly as I tell you. No heroics. And no taking off like you did in Taltos. Understand?”
    He just looked at her, nostrils flared and tail high. “I will not make empty promises. I will do what I think needs doing. I am no one’s