Fallen Angel: Mythic Series, Book 2 by Abbie Zanders Read Free Book Online

suffering.
    She inhaled, subconsciously drawing in more of his scent, then exhaled heavily.
    “I know. I’m sorry.”
    He paused, as if he hadn’t been expecting the apology. “My mother is getting worse. I... don’t know how much time she has left. God knows why, but she really wants to see you again. Will you come? Tonight?”
    Ryssa knew the woman was nearing her final moments. She could feel the tug deep inside, but she hadn’t dared show up at the mansion. The first night she couldn’t, since she’d been unable to walk. Jax had to come down to the club and carry her home. And it had taken the last two days to heal from the worst of her injuries.
    Of course, David couldn’t possibly know that. Nor did she want him to. Ignorance truly was bliss, and she would never be cruel enough to take that away from anyone, no matter how much of an asshole they were. She sure wished she didn’t know half the things she did.
    “I’ll try.”
    “Please, Ryssa. It is very important to her. And she is very important to me.”
    Give the man bonus points for saying please, even if he did probably bite through his tongue to do it. Ryssa had the feeling it was not a word he spoke often; the decided downturn of his firm, male lips was a pretty good clue. He didn’t like asking for her help, and that was something she could relate to. She didn’t like asking for help either.
    “Okay,” she agreed wearily. Ryssa made a mental note to talk to one of the witches down at the club about hitting her with an energy spell and a topical glamour or something that would last long enough for her to see Elizabeth. Ryssa neither wanted nor needed anyone’s pity, and would do whatever she had to in order to keep the focus on Elizabeth and her upcoming journey.
    “Anything else?”
    David didn’t answer right away, the slight shift of his weight betraying his discomfort. “Can you step out of the shadows? I feel like I’m talking to myself here.”
    After hesitating briefly, she did, immediately sorry when he gasped.
    “What happened to you?”
    She pinned him with a fierce glare. As it turned out, the horror and pity in his eyes was even better than an energizing spell, sending her blood pumping through veins with renewed intensity. “None of your goddamn business.”
    David stepped forward, reaching out and completely ignoring her outburst. “Jesus. Did you get mugged or something?”
    The bruises were still visible, despite the liberal use of foundation, the artful arrangement of hair around her face and the long-brimmed baseball cap she’d donned. For most things, she healed pretty quickly, but Karthik was an ancient, skilled demon who knew a lot about the most effective ways to push a body to its physical limits. Pain was like crack to Karthik; it was his second favorite way to feed. Plus, like any master of his craft, he took pride in showcasing his handiwork.
    Ryssa stepped back into the shadows, out of his reach, and laughed bitterly. “Yeah, ‘cause I look like I have something worth stealing. Go home, Gilligan. Tell your mother I’ll be there after my shift.”
    * * *
    D avid stopped and dropped his hand. Her rejection stung, which made no sense to him whatsoever. What had he been thinking?  He’d seen the bruises marring her pretty face and something dark and ugly had clawed inside his chest. Clearly, she neither wanted nor needed his help.
    “What time?” he pressed.
    Ryssa cursed at him. He wouldn’t admit it, but was secretly glad. Dealing with her sassy mouth was infinitely preferable to seeing her looking so fragile and broken .
    “I work till two. It’ll take me an hour to clean up and walk over there.”
    Was she trying to blow him off again?  Get him to think she’d come by so he’d just go away and then not show up?  “I’ll pick you up.”
    Ryssa shook her head. “No, it’s too dangerous for you.”
    He frowned. “But not for you?”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    Ignoring his question, she told him